Yemen is confronted with several challenges in implementing e-learning in public universities. Thus, this research paper aims to identify and addressed the major issues and challenges faced by a public university in Yemen in establishing e-learning as a successful medium of imparting learning process. These challenges and barriers are discussed in detail. Many issues of e-learning relevant to the context of Yemen are also identified based on literature review. This paper also discusses the enabling factors and benefits for using e-learning. Two separate research methods are implemented: a survey and an interview to study the respondent's individual learning experience and what are the challenges and problems of using e-learning from their point of view. This study was conducted at Hodeidah University. Two major groups of informants are used and they are academic staff and administrators in the university. Findings show that barriers such as lack of quality e-content, lack of awareness, lack of skills, lack of foreign language skill, attitudinal hampering, infrastructural obstacles, cultural barriers and high rate of computer illiteracy in addition to barriers related to integrating e- learning into traditional education methods are the major challenges of implementing e-learning. The results show that all the obstacles can be categorized into five dimensions which are a human constraints, administrative constraints, technical constraints, financial and physical constraints. The results also revealed that factors such as technical suppor, social and cultural support of e-learning, financial support for instructors and faculty members, improving working conditions, improving technological background knowledge, improving foreign language skill, providing royalties on copyrighted materials and academic staff attention in professional development are the important issues in implementing e-learning in any public university in Yemen.


According to the Bank Lending Survey, during 2019 Q4, credit standards tightened slightly for all categories of lending in Spain, whereas this only affected consumer credit and other lending to households in the euro area. In this segment, the general terms and conditions on new lending eased, both in Spain and in the euro area as a whole. Furthermore, in Spain, the terms and conditions on loans to households for house purchase tightened slightly. Demand for all types of credit in Spain decreased, whereas in the euro area as a whole loan applications from enterprises declined and those from households increased. According to the responding banks, regulatory and supervisory actions on capital, leverage and liquidity had a negligible impact on credit supply in Spain in the second half of 2019, whereas they prompted a slight tightening in the euro area. The NPL ratio contributed to a tightening of credit standards (in consumer credit in Spain and in the other two segments in the euro area). Lastly, as for the ECB's TLTRO III (the third series of targeted longer-term refinancing operations), the banks' participation in the September operation was limited and increased significantly in the December operation, as they were essentially attracted by the favourable conditions of this funding.


This thesis investigates cooperative and intelligent control of autonomous multi-robot systems in a dynamic, unstructured and unknown environment and makes significant original contributions with regard to self-deterministic learning for robot cooperation, evolutionary optimization of robotic actions, improvement of system robustness, visionbased object tracking, and real-time performance. A distributed multi-robot architecture is developed which will facilitate operation of a cooperative multi-robot system in a dynamic and unknown environment in a selfimproving, robust, and real-time manner. It is a fully distributed and hierarchical architecture with three levels. By combining several popular AI, soft computing, and control techniques such as learning, planning, reactive paradigm, optimization, and hybrid control, the developed architecture is expected to facilitate effective autonomous operation of cooperative multi-robot systems in a dynamically changing, unknown, and unstructured environment. A machine learning technique is incorporated into the developed multi-robot system for self-deterministic and self-improving cooperation and coping with uncertainties in the environment. A modified Q-learning algorithm termed Sequential Q-learning with Kalman Filtering (SQKF) is developed in the thesis, which can provide fast multi-robot learning. By arranging the robots to learn according to a predefined sequence, modeling the effect of the actions of other robots in the work environment as Gaussian white noise and estimating this noise online with a Kalman filter, the SQKF algorithm seeks to solve several key problems in multi-robot learning. As a part of low-level sensing and control in the proposed multi-robot architecture, a fast computer vision algorithm for color-blob tracking is developed to track multiple moving objects in the environment. By removing the brightness and saturation information in an image and filtering unrelated information based on statistical features and domain knowledge, the algorithm solves the problems of uneven illumination in the environment and improves real-time performance.


Introduction Oropharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are not routinely tested for in STI clinic attendees. Although oropharyngeal infections are often asymptomatic, they contribute to transmission in the population. Routine systematic oropharyngeal testing was implemented in men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2010, and on behavioural indication in heterosexuals, but it is unknown whether this was successful in practice. Moreover, data on oropharyngeal testing and CT/NG positivity in heterosexuals is limited. Methods Men and women aged >16 years attending our STI-clinic between 2009- 2015 were included (n=47317). Specimens were tested using NAATs. Data were collected on demographics and sexual behaviour. Multivariable backward logistic regression analyses were used to test associations with oropharyngeal testing and oropharyngeal CT and NG. Tested determinants were age, sex, symptoms, number of sex partners and warned by (ex) partner. Results Oropharyngeal testing in heterosexuals increased yearly from 13% in 2009 to 16% in 2015 (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2–1.3). In MSM, testing increased from 88% to 98% (OR1.6, 95% CI 1.5–1.8). Oropharyngeal CT positivity varied between 1.0%–1.6% in women (54/4198), between 0%–1.3% in heterosexual men (13/2226) and between 0.8%–1.5% in MSM (79/8158), but was not associated with year of testing. Oropharyngeal NG positivity varied between 1.5%–3.4% in women (123/4201), between 0.6%–4.1% in heterosexual men (61/2226) and between 2.8%–6.4% in MSM (406/8156). Oropharyngeal NG positivity increased with year of testing in heterosexual men (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.01–1.4) and MSM (OR 1.2 95% CI 1.1–1.2). Conclusion Routine oropharyngeal testing in MSM was successfully implemented in practice. Oropharyngeal CT positivity remained stable after increased oropharyngeal testing in all groups, and in women also for oropharyngeal NG. In heterosexual men and MSM, increased oropharyngeal testing led to increased oropharyngeal NG positivity. This justifies routine oropharyngeal testing in MSM, and warrants careful monitoring in heterosexuals.


Due to the recent economic environment and the accompanying financial pressure on public payers, European health systems are confronted to implement cost containment measures and simultaneously maintain the quality of health care services for the population. Fostering initiatives that promote patient involvement ("self-care") is considered as a possible policy to achieve efficiency increases.
A systematic literature review concerning the added value of selfcare showed good evidence for the effectiveness of topical treatments of athlete's foot (i.e. allylamines and azoles), treatments of cold (i.e. Acetylsalicylic acid, nasal sprays/topical treatments, Echinacea), treatments against heartburn including lansoprazole and H2-receptor antagonists. No clear evidence could be found for the effectiveness of over-the counter (OTC) medicines against cough and also the evidence of self-care strategies for urinary tract infection (UCI) was unclear.
Existing self-care initiatives in Europe have been identified and analysed according to the RE-AIM framework (i.e. reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance) in order to identify best-practices, for which a cost benefit-analysis has been conducted from the patient's, the supplier's, the system's and the societal perspective. The results of the cost-benefit analysis suggest that from the societal perspective NHS Choices representing internet based information systems and MAS representing legislative change being favourable policy options, with different benefit levels regarding patient groups exempt/non-exempt of paying prescription charges.
The study offers added value to existing literature on self-care, which tends to focus on pharmaceutical treatments for the use in self-care. By assessing the effectiveness of selfcare treatments, assessing self-care initiatives in cost-benefit analysis and developing a methodology for transferability of best-practice self-care initiatives, scientific evidence could be supplemented by a practical guide for policy-makers for identifying and transferring best-practices in self-care. The results highlight that political commitment to self-care is essential for the implementation and uptake of self-care. Further, it shows that for successful self-care initiatives a change in "culture" is necessary, so that patients take responsibility for their own health. In this context, patient information and clear communication is of particular relevance. Also, successful self-care requires a re-thinking of health care professionals involved related to the definition of their professional identity. This may concern particularly the cooperation between physicians and pharmacists.


Effective ecological monitoring is central to the sustainability of subsistence resources of indigenous communities. For caribou, Arctic indigenous people's most important terrestrial subsistence resource, body condition is a useful measure because it integrates many ecological factors that influence caribou productivity and is recognized by biologists and hunters as meaningful. We draw on experience working with indigenous communities to develop a body condition monitoring protocol for harvested animals. Local indigenous knowledge provides a broad set of caribou health indicators and explanations of how environmental conditions may affect body condition. Scientific research on caribou body condition provides a basis to develop a simple dichotomous key that includes back fat, intestinal fat, kidney fat and marrow¬fat, as measures of body fat, which in autumn to early winter correlates with the likelihood of pregnancy. The dichotomous key was formulated on "expert knowledge" and validated against field estimates of body composition. We compare local indigenous knowledge indicators with hunter documented data based on the dichotomous key. The potential con¬tribution of community body condition monitoring can be realized through the continued comparative analysis of datasets. Better communication among hunters and scientists, and refinement of data collection and analysis methods are recommended. Results suggest that specific local knowledge may become generalized and integrated between regions if the dichotomous key is used as a generalized (semi-quantitative) index and complemented with other science and community-based assessments.


Maritime transport is the backbone of global trade, a component driving globalization. Over 80 % of world trade in volume terms and over 70 % in value terms is done by sea; these proportions are even higher in most developing countries. This unceasing growth in maritime trade raises important questions concerning the development of ports role in worldwide transport. In recent years, container shipping has resulted in a specific network connecting the main ports together and these ports to smaller ones by regular feeder services which tend to use smaller size containerships. The development of the port system is concentrated in large ports, which attract considerable container traffic. This paper aims to present a survey of the current situation of container shipping in the Spanish ports which, comparing to north western European ports, have quite small markets and limited hinterlands that by consequences reduce attractiveness of ports. It focuses on the integration of ports in the containerization networks and on the organization of regular lines. The research was carried out using mainly Automatic Identification Data (AIS). The data acquired from AIS systems constitute a new means of information which allows to perform multiscale, diachronic and synchronic analyses. A desktop study as well as a statistical analysis which has required the construction of a database are also used. By focusing on vessels, shipping companies and ports, this communication considers the process of containerization in Spanish ports with a special attention on ports' network.


BACKGROUND:
Patients with metastatic lung cancer are treated with palliative intent. Aggressive care at the end of life is a marker of poor-quality care. National trends and factors related to aggressive inpatient care at the end of life for these patients have not been evaluated.

METHODS:
Patients with stage IV lung cancer and a terminal hospitalization were identified in the National Inpatient Sample database between 1998 and 2014. Longitudinal analysis was conducted to determine trends in aggressive inpatient care at the end of life and multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine associations with patient and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS:
A total of 412,946 patients met the inclusion criteria. From 1998 to 2014, the proportion of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the terminal hospitalization increased from 13.3% to 27.9% ( P < .001). The ICU stay translated into a higher mean total cost of care (+$18,461; 95% CI, $17,460 to $19,463). Promisingly, palliative care encounters for terminal hospitalizations also increased during this period from 8.7% to 53.0% ( P < .01) and were correlated with a decrease in aggressive care at the end of life. However, this did not offset the trend in increased ICU use; mean total costs for a terminal hospitalization increased from $14,000 to $19,500, adjusted for inflation. A multivariable model demonstrates variation by patient and hospital characteristics in aggressive care use.

CONCLUSIONS:
Among patients with metastatic lung cancer there has been a substantial increase in ICU use during terminal hospitalizations, resulting in high cost for the health care system.


OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of home blood glucose meters during hypoglycemia. METHODS Six blood glucose meters—One Touch II (LifeScan, Milpitas, CA), Companion II (Medisense, Cambridge, U.K.), Reflolux (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany), Accutrend (Boehringer Mannheim), Elite (Bayer, Munich, Germany), and HemoCue (HemoCue, Ängelholm, Sweden)—were compared with a reference method (Beckman Glucose Analyzer 2). Glucose concentrations from arterialized venous blood samples were measured using all glucose meters (whole blood) and the reference method (plasma) during hypoglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps in 15 subjects. RESULTS In total, 663 blood glucose monitor readings and 119 reference values ranging from 2.28 to 3.89 mmol/l were analyzed. The correlation coefficients and the percentage of measurements within 20% and outside 40% of the reference values for each glucose meter were as follows: One Touch II: 0.91, 99.2% and 0%; Companion II: 0.81, 88.2% and 2.5%; Reflolux: 0.78, 85.0% and 0.9%; Accutrend: 0.88, 46.0% and 6.6%; Elite: 0.78, 75.6% and 4.2%; and HemoCue: 0.93, 96.6% and 0% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There were substantial differences between the blood glucose meters during hypoglycemia, and none of the devices met the latest criteria recommended by the American Diabetes Association.


Abstract Localization of near-field sources requires sophisticated estimation algorithms. In this paper, we propose an unconditional maximum likelihood method for estimating direction of arrival and angle parameters of near-field sources. However, the calculation of maximum likelihood estimation from the corresponding likelihood function results in difficult nonlinear constraint optimization problems. We therefore employed an Expectation/Maximization (EM) iterative method for obtaining maximum likelihood estimates. The most important feature of the EM algorithm is that it decomposes the observed data into its components and then estimates the parameters of each signal component separately providing computationally efficient solution to resulting optimization problem. The performance of the unconditional maximum likelihood location estimator for the near-field sources is studied based on the concentrated likelihood approach to obtain Cramer-Rao bounds. Some insights into the achievable performance of the conditional maximum likelihood algorithm is obtained by numerical evaluation of the Cramer-Rao bounds for different test cases.


Hydrogen is emerging as clean fuel and important industrial raw materials. The hydrogen gas is not sensed by the human olfactory system, But the combustion characteristics of hydrogen is that the ignition is very easy, the propagation speed of the flame is very fast and explosion limits is a wide range of 4%~75%. Therefore it is extremely in danger, and the need for its leakage detection technologies is especially important in places such as a production, transportation, storage and usage. The hydrogen sensors are classified with ceramic type, semiconductor type, optical type, electrochemical type and so on. Hydrogen sensors and their technologies are reviewed in detail for materials, fabrication process, sensing characteristics, good point and faults, and production and utilization of sensors be discussed.


We carried out the study to assess, using field surveys and personal dosimetry, the potential exposure of pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants to 60 Hz magnetic fields in a medical center of Taiwan. Field surveys were conducted twice in the pharmacy where two workers were randomly selected and solicited to wear personal dosimetry instruments for a full-shift assessment of personal exposure. We used an EMDEX II for on site measurements and did not consider any specific instrument or equipment for health care services as potential sources of magnetic field. The results showed that the average magnetic flux densities for the selected areas were between 0.63 mill-Gauss (mG) and 2.23 mG, while the full-shift time-weighted-average exposure for the two selected workers was 4.98 mG and 6.54 mG, respectively. Both inadequate consideration for the field survey of the temporal variability in magnetic flux densities over the workday and that the monitored workers spent almost half of the full-shift working in places outside of the study areas may have contributed to such discrepancy in results between field survey and personal dosimetry. This study suggests that the potential for elevated exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields in health care settings does exist, and that using job title as a surrogate for magnetic fields exposure classification might entail certain degrees of misclassification. Although limited in its scope and sample size, the study presented here seems to demonstrate the inadequacy of using stationary workplace measurements for the assessment of personal occupational exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields.


type="main"> This essay is concerned with the planning and densification of suburbs, which present a huge challenge insofar as they form a large area of urbanized land that remains underexploited due to low residential density. Drawing on current research in the Paris city-region, the essay focuses specifically on the difficulty in implementing densification policies in low-rise suburban areas. It examines the varying degrees of densification fostered by these policies, and builds upon recent urban studies literature on suburban change to trace how suburban areas are being transformed through regulations, instruments and market dynamics associated with densification processes. What kinds of densification policy are being implemented and what are the socio-economic, political and cultural determinants of each type of regulatory approach? This essay will attempt to answer this question via an analysis of the densification policies being put in place in the municipalities of the Paris city-region. It will offer in turn a typology of these different policies. It shows that densification is an instrument that can be used to address local political concerns which vary greatly depending on the economic, social and geographical position of municipalities within larger urban areas.


Stroke is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to the limited neuroregeneration capacity of the injured brain. Other than thrombolysis in the acute phase of the disease by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which offers only a short window of treatment (~3 hours), an ideal stroke therapy is not available mainly because of limited understanding of the mechanisms of neuroregeneration and functional recovery in the chronic phase. Yet many drug therapies, including S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), have been shown to provide neuroprotection against acute disease in animal models of transient cerebral ischemia reperfusion (IR) and permanent ischemia. GSNO was also effective in stimulating neuroregeneration-related factors in the chronic phase of the disease. In this short review, we assess the evidence supporting exogenous administration of GSNO after experimental stroke as a means to stimulate neuroregeneration and aid in functional recovery via stabilization of the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway.


The scope of this particular project is to develop a device which will allow real time location tracking through a mobile application using GPS technology. Its aim is to make people's life easier through achieving the 'attach-and-locate' any belongings in seconds.

The location tracking is achieved by obtaining the satellites' data using GPS technology. This is accomplished by a connection of a RaspberryPi and a GPS Module.

The corresponding mobile app will constantly update the registered devices' current location, distance between the device and the defined safety-zone, as well as the alarm status; It not only allows user to define custom 'safety zone' and trigger alarm when the devices enter/leave the area; and also allows remote LED/buzzer controlling through the mobile application for a safety purpose.


ABSTRACT A key early event in the replication of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is the localization of infected-cell protein no. 0 (ICP0) in nuclear structures knows as ND10 or promyelocytic leukemia oncogenic domains (PODs). This is followed by dispersal of ND10 constituents such as the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), CREB-binding protein (CBP), and Daxx. Numerous experiments have shown that this dispersal is mediated by ICP0. PML is thought to be the organizing structural component of ND10. To determine whether the virus targets PML because it is inimical to viral replication, telomerase-immortalized human foreskin fibroblasts and HEp-2 cells were transduced with wild-type baculovirus or a baculovirus expressing the M r 69,000 form of PML. The transduced cultures were examined for expression and localization of PML in mock-infected and HSV-1-infected cells. The results obtained from studies of cells overexpressing PML were as follows. (i) Transduced cells accumulate large amounts of unmodified and SUMO-I-modified PML. (ii) Mock-infected cells exhibited enlarged ND10 structures containing CBP and Daxx in addition to PML. (iii) In infected cells, ICP0 colocalized with PML in ND10 early in infection, but the two proteins did not overlap or were juxtaposed in orderly structures. (iv) The enlarged ND10 structures remained intact at least until 12 h after infection and retained CBP and Daxx in addition to PML. (v) Overexpression of PML had no effect on the accumulation of viral proteins representative of α, β, or γ groups and had no effect on the accumulation of infectious virus in cells infected with wild-type virus or a mutant (R7910) from which the α0 genes had been deleted. These results indicate the following: (i) PML overexpressed in transduced cells cannot be differentiated from endogenous PML with respect to sumoylation and localization in ND10 structures. (ii) PML does not affect viral replication or the changes in the localization of ICP0 through infection. (iii) Disaggregation of ND10 structures is not an obligatory event essential for viral replication.


Background
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) results in frequent hospital readmissions. Although the literature has shown the efficacy of anti-craving medications (ACM), they are infrequently prescribed upon discharge. The outcomes of discharge to substance use treatment facilities (STF) have also not been fully explored. This study seeks to determine the impact of ACM as well as discharge to STF on readmissions for people with AUD.

Methods
This retrospective case-control study analyzed encounters made within HCA Healthcare hospitals across the United States from 2016 to 2018 for adults with AUD. The case definition was the presence of ACM defined as acamprosate or naltrexone upon discharge as well as discharge disposition (STF vs. all others). The main outcomes were the likelihood of 30- and 90-day readmission and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on 30-day readmission in cases versus adults with AUD declining/not referred to an STF or not using ACM. The controlled variables included age, sex, race, and insurance status.

Results
A total of 14 691 patients were identified for the study. Of these, 3308 patients were prescribed ACM and 1125 patients were discharged to an STF. Patients without ACM were 1.18 times more likely to be readmitted within 30 days (95% CI, 1.07-1.30; P = .0005). Patients discharged to an STF were 1.57 times more likely to be readmitted within 30 days (95% CI, 1.37-1.79; P < .0001), but these patients had a BAC that was 26.74 units lower on 30-day readmission than those who were not discharged to an STF.

Conclusion
The prescription of ACM on discharge was associated with decreased 30-day readmission rates. The lower BAC of those who were readmitted within 30 days suggests discharge to STF may be beneficial for the treatment of AUD in the longer term. Practitioners are encouraged to prescribe ACM for people admitted with AUD to reduce the likelihood of 30-day readmission.


The 'Always Best Connected' vision is built around the scenario of a mobile user seamlessly roaming within a multi-operator multi-technology multi-terminal multi-application
multi-user environment supported by the next generation of wireless networks. In this heterogeneous environment, users equipped with multi-mode wireless mobile devices will
access rich media services via one or more access networks. All these access networks may differ in terms of technology, coverage range, available bandwidth, operator, monetary cost, energy usage etc. In this context, there is a need for a smart network selection decision to be made, to choose the best available network option to cater for the user's current application and requirements. The decision is a difficult one, especially given the number and dynamics of the possible input parameters. What parameters are used and how those parameters model the application requirements and user needs is important. Also, game theory approaches can be used to model and analyze the cooperative or competitive interaction between the rational decision makers involved, which are users, seeking to get good service quality at good value prices, and/or the network operators, trying to increase their revenue.
This thesis presents the roadmap towards an 'Always Best Connected' environment. The proposed solution includes an Adapt-or-Handover solution which makes use of a Signal
Strength-based Adaptive Multimedia Delivery mechanism (SAMMy) and a Power-Friendly Access Network Selection Strategy (PoFANS) in order to help the user in taking
decisions, and to improve the energy efficiency at the end-user mobile device. A Reputation-based System is proposed, which models the user-network interaction as a repeated cooperative game following the repeated Prisoner's Dilemma game from Game Theory. It combines reputation-based systems, game theory and a network selection mechanism in order to create a reputation-based heterogeneous environment. In this environment, the users keep track of their individual history with the visited networks. Every time, a user connects to a network the user-network interaction game is played. The outcome of the game is a network reputation factor which reflects the network's previous behavior in assuring service guarantees to the user. The network reputation factor will impact the decision taken by the user next time, when he/she will have to decide whether to connect or not to that specific network. The performance of the proposed solutions was evaluated through in-depth analysis and both simulation-based and experimental-oriented testing. The results clearly show improved performance of the proposed solutions in comparison with other similar state-of-the-art solutions. An energy consumption study for a Google Nexus One streaming adaptive multimedia was performed, and a comprehensive survey on related Game Theory research are provided as part of the work.


Developing non-platinum catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has become urgent for electrochemical energy devices. Herein, we synthesize N-doped hollow carbon nanospheres (N-HCNs) which only contain active pyridinic-N and graphitic-N by using polystyrene spheres and aniline as the corresponding template and precursor. The electrochemical measurements show that N-HCNs possess superior ORR electrocatalytic activity (half-wave potential is 15 mV higher than that of the precious Pt/C electrocatalyst), durability and anti-toxicity to Pt/C in alkaline media. Simultaneously, N-HCNs also reveal comparable ORR activity and superior stability to Pt/C in acidic media. Such high ORR performance can be ascribed to their hierarchical porous structure, ultra-high specific surface area, plenty of edge defects and high contents of active N atoms. It is noteworthy that when used as the catalyst for the air electrode of zinc-air batteries, N-HCNs present a higher power density and a larger operating voltage than Pt/C at the same discharge current density.


We identified 16 randomized placebo-controlled trials investigating cannabinoids as symptomatic treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS). There is evidence that nabiximols oromucosal spray may reduce subjective symptoms of spasticity and that dronabinol is effective against neuropathic pain in patients with MS. The existing treatment system in Denmark is in conformity with the existing data and there is not sufficient evidence to modify it.


Variations in cystic artery are common. Since the laparoscopic method of cholecystectomy has become very popular at present, the knowledge of this is very important to a surgeon. The cystic artery is usually a branch of right hepatic artery. During routine dissection, the cystic artery was seen to be arising from the gastroduodenal artery in one cadaver .The occurrence of this is very low. The possible cause, course and importance of this has been discussed.


Background:The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) has become a widely cited solution to the deficiencies in primary care delivery in the United States. To achieve the magnitude of change being called for in primary care, quality improvement interventions must focus on whole-system redesign, and not just isolated parts of medical practices. Methods:Investigators participating in 9 different evaluations of Patient Centered Medical Home implementation shared experiences, methodological strategies, and evaluation challenges for evaluating primary care practice redesign. Results:A year-long iterative process of sharing and reflecting on experiences produced consensus on 7 recommendations for future PCMH evaluations: (1) look critically at models being implemented and identify aspects requiring modification; (2) include embedded qualitative and quantitative data collection to detail the implementation process; (3) capture details concerning how different PCMH components interact with one another over time; (4) understand and describe how and why physician and staff roles do, or do not evolve; (5) identify the effectiveness of individual PCMH components and how they are used; (6) capture how primary care practices interface with other entities such as specialists, hospitals, and referral services; and (7) measure resources required for initiating and sustaining innovations. Conclusions:Broad-based longitudinal, mixed-methods designs that provide for shared learning among practice participants, program implementers, and evaluators are necessary to evaluate the novelty and promise of the PCMH model. All PCMH evaluations should as comprehensive as possible, and at a minimum should include a combination of brief observations and targeted qualitative interviews along with quantitative measures.


Our paper analyzes consumer preferences toward fresh rabbit meat and alternative marketing formats for rabbit meat. The empirical analysis uses consumer-level questionnaires to elicit information regarding consumer attitudes toward rabbit meat in Catalonia (Spain). We use the Dual Response Choice Experiment (DRCE) design which allows for analyzing forced and unforced options in choice experiments using the same sample. The Heteroscedastic Extreme- Value (HEV) model is used due to its relaxation of the restrictive assumption made in the Multinomial Logit Model regarding the identically distributed error term across alternatives. Our results demonstrate a higher preference for rabbit meat from "Catalan" origin followed by higher quality certification information. Convenience and "ready to eat" products made from rabbit meat may help bolster increased consumption. An effective communication campaign is needed to educate individuals regarding the health characteristics of rabbit compared to other types of meat. Furthermore, results demonstrate that the ordering of attributes is not significantly different from forced and non-forced choices obtained from the DRCE design. However, significant differences on the magnitude of the preferences for some attributes' levels are found.


Authoritarianism in Zimbabwe survives because a coalition of political and military elites stands ready and willing to employ violence to execute the Machiavellian vision of President Robert Mugabe and perpetuate his control of the state. Several variables reinforce the durability of this regime--chief among them the mass out-migration and the large inflow of remittances that has decimated the middle class and dampened the political voice of those who remain in the country. Beginning in 2000, Zimbabwe's authoritarianism became militarized with the overt intrusion of the security sector into the political arena, a process that reached its peak before the June 2008 presidential runoff election. The electoral dimension of its authoritarianism stems from the fact that the regime unfailingly holds elections in search of popular legitimacy but then manipulates them for its own ends. This article dissects Zimbabwe's militarized form of electoral authoritarianism with specific reference to the 2008 reign of terror. It concludes that the factor that best explains the regime is the symbiosis between the party and the security sector, with Mugabe providing the glue that binds them together in pursuit of regime survival ********** Many one-party and dominant-party regimes survived the demise of the Soviet era despite the broad sweep of modern political democratization. Among the survivors was Zimbabwe. (1) This article focuses on the case of Zimbabwe with specific reference to the country's elections in 2008 and the factors that played critical roles in the maintenance of the political regime. It argues that the security factor looms larger than other explanations, but also brings into the equation variables that work to cushion the regime but that are not intrinsic to it. EXPLAINING THE PHENOMENON OF AUTHORITARIAN DURABILITY Authoritarian durability is not a new political phenomenon, nor is it a dying one. The euphoria generated by the collapse of many seemingly robust one-party and dominant-party regimes overshadowed the preceding interest in studies of authoritarianism to a point where "the end of the twentieth century witnessed a proliferation of studies of democracy and democratization." (2) Thomas Carothers notes that a dominant characteristic in the last quarter of the twentieth century was the "simultaneous movement in at least several countries in each region away from dictatorial rule toward more liberal and often more democratic governance." (3) Indeed, the implosion of the Soviet Union led some scholars to triumphantly declare "the end of history" and the global victory of liberal democracy. For instance, Francis Fukuyama declared that we had reached "the end point of man kind's ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government." (4) But end-of-history triumphalism was quickly dampened by the return of history when authoritarianism found ways of mutating under new conditions. Instead of brutally suppressing liberal-democratic institutions, dictators manipulated them. Thus, Carothers observes that "the widely hailed wave of democratization that washed over the [sub-Saharan African] region in the early 1990s has ended up producing many dominantpower systems." (5) Andreas Schedler concurs, detecting "the startling spread of multiparty elections without democracy," and explains: The new stars in the constellation of nondemocratic governance are "electoral authoritarian" regimes, which conduct regular multiparty elections at all levels of government yet violate basic democratic standards in serious and systematic ways." What happened? This question has confounded many and lies at the core of the puzzle about the resilience of authoritarianism in its many subtypes, especially in the era of democratization. Several schools of interpretation have emerged to account for this puzzle. …


Magnetogravimetric, magnetohydrostatic, and magnetohydrodynamic separation techniques can be classified as magnetic separations of the second kind. Magnetic separation of the first kind (ordinary magnetic separation) relies on the inherent magnetic susceptibility of the material to be separated. When the medium of separation rather than the separated particles is made magnetizable, a new system of gravity separations can result (magnetic separation of the second kind). In magnetogravimetry, a colloidal solution of a ferro- or ferrimagnetic substance (magnetic fluid) acts as the separation medium. Magnetohydrostatic separations are conducted in an aqueous solution (or melt) of a strongly paramagnetic salt. Magnetohydrodynamics applies the Faraday effect (mutual orthogonality of the force thrust, electric, and magnetic fields) on suspended conducting minerals in an electrolytic solution placed in crossed electric and magnetic fields. The first technique was pioneered mainly in the United States, while the last two techniques were pioneered by Bunin and Andres in the Soviet Union and introduced to the West by Andres. The principles underlying the three separation techniques will be discussed.


In this study, we propose LDMRes-Net, a lightweight dual-multiscale residual block-based computational neural network tailored for medical image segmentation on IoT and edge platforms. Conventional U-Net-based models face challenges in meeting the speed and efficiency demands of real-time clinical applications, such as disease monitoring, radiation therapy, and image-guided surgery. LDMRes-Net overcomes these limitations with its remarkably low number of learnable parameters (0.072M), making it highly suitable for resource-constrained devices. The model's key innovation lies in its dual multi-residual block architecture, which enables the extraction of refined features on multiple scales, enhancing overall segmentation performance. To further optimize efficiency, the number of filters is carefully selected to prevent overlap, reduce training time, and improve computational efficiency. The study includes comprehensive evaluations, focusing on segmentation of the retinal image of vessels and hard exudates crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmology. The results demonstrate the robustness, generalizability, and high segmentation accuracy of LDMRes-Net, positioning it as an efficient tool for accurate and rapid medical image segmentation in diverse clinical applications, particularly on IoT and edge platforms. Such advances hold significant promise for improving healthcare outcomes and enabling real-time medical image analysis in resource-limited settings.


Multipath is a major source of error in high precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) static and kinematic differential positioning in urban environments. This paper describes a unique approach to mitigate strong multipath error: a new multipath mitigation technique ensuring that antenna motion for a rover-moving platform is maintained in the case that the platform is moving slowly or is stopped. It is known that standard GNSS receivers are vulnerable to multipath interference when the rover antenna is static. This is because stable and strong multipath signals can be easily received when the antenna is not moving, as the carrier phase relationship between the direct signal and the reflected signal changes slowly. Conversely, when a vehicle is moving, the received carrier phase relationship between the direct signal and the reflected signal changes rapidly, meaning that the strong reflected signal will be averaged or disappear. We attempt to use this characteristic to mitigate strong multipath errors. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the proposed technique. The first test results illustrate the case of receiving strong specular reflection in a static condition. The proposed technique of maintaining antenna motion can reduce multipath errors from over 15 m to 1-2 m. In the second test, results represent the case of multipath mitigation in a car by comparing two closely set antennas: one is where the antenna is fixed on the roof of the car; the other is where the antenna is intentionally shaken manually while the car is stopping. The latter case can reduce significant multipath errors that occur while a vehicle is stopping at an intersection traffic signal. Finally, we set 5 patch antennas on top of a car and connect these antennas to rover receiver through the antenna switching devise developed for this purpose. The equipment can switch the antenna according to the set of switching period. This enables the antenna looks moving while the car is stopped or moving very slowly. The equipment itself is very easy to produce and low-cost. The data was obtained near the building in the static condition. Looking at the horizontal position errors, the results using our proposed method were clearly better than the results of normal single antenna. The maximum horizontal errors were reduced about 70 %.


Histological and immunofluorescence techniques showed that mononuclear cells invaded virus-infected foci in the livers of passively immunized mice within 10 hr of the receipt of immune spleen cells or hyperimmune serum; by 24 hr, marked destruction of virus antigens had occurred in these lesions. Immune cell transfer promoted denser packing of mononuclear cells in the foci and more efficient destruction of infectious material than immune serum. Similar liver lesions developed by the 6th day after sublethal, primary, subcutaneous infection in normal mice. In contrast, in mice with GVHR which were immunosuppressed but possessed hyperactive macrophages and unimpaired splenic interferon response, mononuclear cells did not invade liver lesions and the animals died. These results, together with data reported previously, indicated that mononuclear cell invasion of infected liver foci, triggered by CMI, was of key importance in recovery from primary mousepox. The roles of specifically sensitized lymphocytes and macrophages within lesions were not directly evaluated, but indirect evidence suggested that lymphocytes could cause no more than a halt in virus multiplication, and that macrophages were required for the inactivation of preformed virions. Possible augmentation of the efficiency of macrophages by locally-produced lymphocyte interferon, neutralizing antibody, or stimulation of their phagocytic and intracellular digestive capacity cannot be excluded.


Native riparian floodplain vegetation communities within the Murray-Darling Basin have been suffering severe health decline for many years in response to decreased water availability primarily due to drought and salinity and because the forests have been receiving less flooding and less frequently. It is estimated that over 60% of riparian tree vegetation in major wetlands and floodplains is in poor health or dead. The native vegetation, predominately Eucalyptus open forest and woodlands, is dependent upon a combination of surface flooding and groundwater availability as sources of water use. Management options to improve tree health are vital to the floodplain and its wetland systems and include the application of environmental water to priority areas experiencing severe health decline. Current techniques to identify critically stressed vegetation rely on visual canopy health assessment, but it is unclear how reliable such visual indicators predict the response of trees to water application or how resilient the vegetation will be to continuing water stress. A simple, new, quantitative, field-based method has been developed to improve the identification of water stress of River Red Gums on floodplains. The method is based on the ratio of stem sapwood cross-sectional area to stem basal area (the sapwood area ratio). Research presented in this paper indicates that a dead or dying tree may or may not possess live sapwood. Where tree health has only recently declined, visual indicators of health may not detect the presence of live sapwood and therefore will underestimate the potential for the tree to recover after watering. Along with varied responses to watering, trees have also been found to suffer decline in health following the first watering. Understanding the role of the sapwood area ratio in tree response and resilience will provide better management guidelines for environmental watering. This technique therefore, provides a new tool to assist with environmental management of floodplain vegetation within the Murray-Darling Basin and other locations where trees are suffering from water stress.


Abstract:This paper concerns gender aspects of children's play in nature environments. In an ethnographic study, children between 1 and 6 years in a Swedish outdoor preschool were videotaped during time for free play. Four different play themes were particularly popular among the children: war and superhero play, family play, animal play and physical play. Each one of these themes has been analyzed from two perspectives: how nature resources are used and which gender positions they provide. Within the themes, nature's affordances are used in various ways. Similarly, a range of gender positions is evident across the themes. The superhero theme includes exclusively gender-stereotyped masculine play positions, while the family theme includes both traditional gender positions and possibilities for transgressions. Further, animal play as well as physical play provides non-gendered play positions. Natural environments are not gender-coded in themselves and they invite certain play activities where girls and boys play together. Thus, nature spaces seem to offer good opportunities to promote gender equity.


Nedělník J., Lindušková H., Kmoch M. (2012): Influence of growing Bt maize on Fusarium infection and mycotoxins content – a review. Plant Protect. Sci., 48 (Special Issue): S18–S24. The literature linking Bt maize versus non-Bt maize and the changes in the fungal microflora spectrum and in the mycotoxins content have been summarised. The European corn borer reportedly promotes the infection of maize by Fusarium spp. Stalk and ear rots caused by Fusarium spp. are often related to mycotoxin accumulation in maize kernels. As a result, food and animal feed from maize are more severely contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins: e.g. fumonisins (FUM), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA). Mycotoxins in field maize lead annually economic losses of hundreds of millions of dollars in all regions of the world. The insecticidal proteins in genetically modified hybrid Bt maize reduce insect damage caused by certain Lepidopteran larvae, which in turn can reduce the infection of the grain by the mycotoxigenic fungi. Where such insect damage is a major factor in mycotoxin contamination, Bt maize can lower mycotoxin levels in many cases. The protection of maize plants against insect damage (European corn borer) through the use of Bt technology seems to be one of the ways to reduce the contamination of maize by Fusarium species and mycotoxins.


One can note an increasing popularity of partnership practices, for several years, in academic literature as well as in the practice of organizations. In spite of this unproved popularity and the many advantages of traditionally recognized co-operative practices, the levels of performance obtained are very heterogeneous. Consequently, it appears legitimate and necessary to question ourselves about the elements which are likely to increase the capacity of the partnership to achieve its goals. On this topic a more precise problem holds our attention: the part played by experience in the operation of the logistic partnerships and finally in their success. We distinguish three aspects of experience and three potential sources of learning in the management of the partnerships: that resulting from the accumulation of experience of co-operation with multiple partners, that resulting from the accumulation of experience with a particular partner, finally that resulting from the interpersonal experience of the actors of the partnership. Our results, based on an investigation carried out by questionnaire, suggest that partnership success is significantly and positively associated with the experience of partnership management, the experience of joint work and the interpersonal complicity. On the other hand, our results reveal an unexpected negative relation between the duration and depth of the relationships and the success of the partnership.


The intercalated cell of the collecting tubule exists in a spectrum of types. The alpha form secretes acid by an apical H+-ATPase and a basolateral CI:HCO3 exchanger, which is an alternatively spliced form of the red cell band 3 (kAE1), and the beta form secretes HCO3 by having these transporters on the reverse membranes. In a clonal cell line of the beta form, we found that seeding density causes conversion of beta cells to the alpha form. A new protein, termed hensin, was deposited in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of high-density cells, which, on purification, reversed the polarity of the transporters. Hensin also induced the expression of the microvillar protein villin and caused the appearance of the apical terminal web proteins, cytokeratin 19 and actin; all of which led to the development of an exuberant microvillar structure. In addition, hensin caused the beta cells to assume a columnar shape. All of these studies show that the conversion of polarity in the intercalated cell, at least in vitro, represents terminal differentiation and that hensin is the first protein in a new pathway that mediates this process. Hensin, DMBT1, CRP-ductin, and ebnerin are alternately spliced products from a single gene located in human chromosome 10q25-26, a region often deleted in several cancers, especially malignant gliomas. Hensin is expressed in many epithelial cell types and it is possible that it plays a similarly important role in the differentiation of these epithelia as well.


In this article, we analyze the seismic signals produced by two landslides that occurred at the Stromboli volcano on 30 December 2002, recorded by both broadband and short-period seismic stations located in the 2.5-22-km distance range from the source. For both landslides, the characteristics of the low-frequency seismograms indicate a complex time history in the release of seismic energy. The first landslide occurred over the submerged part of the northwest sector of the volcano and had associated a large-amplitude, low-frequency pulse representative of the abrupt detachment of a large mass. Lower amplitude phases in the following 3 minutes possibly indicate minor detachment events. The highest amplitude, low-frequency signals are well described by a single-force source model. The second mass-failure episode is also characterized by a complex source and can be interpreted as a multiple event, with a less abrupt onset and at least four detachments occurring during 4-5 minutes and producing low-frequency signals.

Synthetic seismograms generated by a shallow single force located in the submerged area of Sciara del Fuoco and directed upslope, fit well the first low-frequency seismic pulse recorded at Stromboli and Panarea by three-component stations. From this simulation, we estimated the force exerted by the first mass failure. The estimate of the volume through two different procedures, gives values in the range of 1.0-1.5 million m3 and about 14 million m3, respectively.

The landslides, which involved both the submarine and the subaerial northwest flank of the volcano, produced a tsunami that struck the coast of Stromboli Island and in a few minutes reached the other islands of the Aeolian Archipelago. Three broadband seismic stations installed on land about 100 m from the coastline at Panarea Island, located 20 km southwest of Stromboli, recorded very long period seismic signals produced by the tsunami waves. Analysis of these signals gives invaluable information on the spectral content and propagation properties of tsunami waves and on their interaction with the ground at a short distance from the coast. Synthetic tsunami waves, obtained by a landslide source model and taking into account the bathymetry of the sea surrounding Stromboli and Panarea Islands, fit the observed phenomena and the experimental data very well.

Manuscript received 19 November 2003.


Background: Literature states that Depression and anxiety symptoms carry impairment to medical students, including poor academic performance, drop out, substance abuse and suicide. A high prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students has been reported worldwide. Higher prevalence is noticed among female students.Aim/Objectives: To study rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among female undergraduate medical students.Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study. The purposive sampling method was used. Duration of study was 6 months. A total number of participants' were 100. Self-developed questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale were used. Results: Findings showed that the mean score of anxiety symptoms was 8.08 (SD± 4.07). Similarly, the mean score of Depressive symptoms was 4.99(SD± 3.28). Fifty-two per cent of the students rated anxiety symptoms and 25% of the student rated depressive symptoms between borderline to the abnormal range. Total 9% of the students reported that they have a family history of mental illness among which 8% reported borderline to an abnormal range of anxiety however 52 % who had no family history also scored the same range. Similarly, 17% of the students reported there were life events which were stressful among which 13% scored borderline to abnormal range anxiety symptoms. Likewise, only 5% of the students scored borderline to the abnormal range of depressive symptoms.Conclusion: It was observed that female undergraduate medical students experience both anxiety and depressive symptoms however the percentage of depressive symptoms were less compared to anxiety symptoms. Further studies are required to evaluate the associated factors responsible for depressive and anxiety symptoms.


Carbon nanotubes the long, cylindrical carbon molecules are the most exciting material discovered lately. They offer the possibility for a large number of applications. My task was to explore the way how we can use multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) in scanning probe applications: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Nearfield Optical Microscopy (SNOM). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are potentially ideal atomic force microscopy probes because they can have diameters as small as one nanometer, they have robust mechanical properties, and can be specifically functionalized with chemical and biological probes at the tip ends. CNTs will not wear, because they buckle elastically under applied load and thus will stay sharp. They also show exceptional field emission properties, and remarkably enough, the field emission at high currents is accompanied by light emission. This phenomenon offers the possibility to use CNTs as nanometer-size light sources for SNOM. In order to test CNTs for AFM and SNOM applications a mounting method has been elaborated. Two nanomanipulators have been designed and constructed for operations inside a Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopes (TEM and SEM). This latter one with large work space and available electrical contacts allowed versatile use of nanomanipulator, including in situ field emission, and photon counting measurements using a photodiode. Hundreds of individual MWNT and double-wall nanotubes (DWNT) bundles, produced by arc-discharge (AD) or chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method, have been mounted, one-by-one, on either commercial AFM probes or sharpened metallic wires (W, Au, Pt). The tests show that in both case, AFM and SNOM probes, the weakest point is the attachment of the nanotube to the support. Amorphous carbon deposit is good for attaching nanotubes for limited time and limited applications, but it deforms under the forces that it has been submitted to during AFM scans. This weak bonding of nanotubes is the source of failure in AFM. In field/light emission the high contact resistance, which can change during the mechanical stress exerted by the applied electric field, will lead to a Joule heating of the nanotube/contact area and results a thermal breakdown of the tip. Attempts were made to elaborate a good mechanical and electrical attachment of the carbon nanotubes to the Si/metallic cantilever by using indium as bonding agent.


This article discusses the content-based approach in examination of values. In the content-based approach, human thinking in different contexts is set at the focal point, and attention is devoted to those cognitive processes through which mental representations are constructed. The information contents of mental representations play a decisive role in understanding human behavior. By applying content-based analysis to an examination of the conceptual contents of human values, it is possible to reach a deeper understanding of the cognitive structure which lies as the motivational foundation of actions. In this article, it is argued that different informational contents of values explain variance actualized in behaviors. A suggestion for a model of cognitive structure of values is presented. The model illustrates different information contents related to particular object.


The Lion Wakes tells the modern story of HSBC, starting in the late 1970s, when the bank first broke out of the Asia-Pacific region with its purchase of Marine Midland Bank in the US. It follows HSBC's battle to purchase Midland Bank in1992, the subsequent move of head office from Hong Kong to London, and the string of acquisitions that brought the bank to its pre-eminent place in global finance today. Acclaimed historians Richard Roberts and David Kynaston chronicle the bank's struggles as well as its successes: the last part of the book deals with the ill-fated move into consumer finance in the US, as well as the financial crisis of 2008 and its effect on HSBC. Impeccably researched and generously illustrated from the HSBC archives, this is a valuable addition to global financial history.


Objectives: In this study, variability in college students' attitudes toward interracial dating and marriage relationships as a function of student race and campus type (predominantly White vs. ethno-racially diverse) was examined. Methods: Undergraduate students ages 18-24 were recruited from a large public multicampus university in the Northeast. Using an online survey, students (N = 231) provided demographic information (e.g., gender, age, family income) and reported on their interracial relationship history and attitudes toward dating and marriage relationships. Results: Analyses of variance revealed significant differences in students' attitudes toward interracial dating and marriage depending on students' race and the type of campus they attended. White students enrolled at ethno-racially diverse urban campuses reported significantly lower approval of interracial dating and marriage relationships than their White peers at the predominantly White main campus and their peers of color at the predominantly White campus and the ethno-racially diverse regional campuses. Conclusions: The findings highlight the role that the particular geographical-cultural profile of campuses plays in college students' attitudes toward interracial relationships when considered in tandem with students' racial background.


Identification of large-volume, short-duration mafic magmatic events of intraplate affinity in both continental and oceanic settings on the Earth and other planets provides invaluable clues for understanding several vital geological issues of current concern. Of particular importance is understanding the assembly and dispersal of supercontinents through Earth's history, dramatic climate change events including mass extinctions, and processes that have produced a wide range of large igneous province (LIP)-related resources, such as Ni–Cu–PGE, Au, U, base metals and petroleum. This volume comprises 21 contributions on the latest developments and new information on LIPs and their plumbing systems and presents methodical studies on different components of LIP plumbing systems. These articles are especially helpful in understanding continental break-up events, regional domal uplift and a variety of metallogenic systems, as well as the temporal and spatial distribution of LIPs, their origin and their likely links to mantle plumes/superplumes.


The Patos de Minas phosphate rock (PR) in Brazil is not suitable for direct application due to its low reactivity or for commercial production of P fertilizers because of its high Fe-Al content. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential agronomic effectiveness of P sources with low water solubility produced from the PR. The P treatments were (i) compacted granular Patos PR with a single superphosphate (SSP) containing high water-soluble P content at a P ratio of 50:50, (ii) powdered low-grade single superphosphate (LG SSP) produced from Patos PR with low water solubility, (iii) powdered Patos PR, (iv) powdered mixture of PR and SSP at 50:50 P ratio, and (v) compacted granular SSP. The P sources were incorporated into an acid soil with pH 5.3 at 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg P kg -1 to grow wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as test crops in a greenhouse study. We confirmed that Patos PR was low in agronomic effectiveness, only 1 and 30% as effective as SSP in producing dry matter yield of wheat and ryegrass, respectively. There were no significant differences between LG SSP or compacted PR+SSP [PR+SSP(C)] and SSP in dry matter yields of both crops, whereas mixed PR+SSP was less effective than PR+SSP(C) compared with granular SSP. Compacted PR+SSP and LG SSP can be potential P sources to be produced from the low-grade PR that could not be used either for direct application or acidulated P fertilizers.


To the Editor.— Pauls et al 1 claim that Tourette's syndrome (TS) and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH) are unrelated entities based on a small study of 27 families in which the two appeared to segregate independently. They suggest that when ADDH is present in TS, it is simply due to ascertainment bias. We disagree with this view and give the following evidence that attention deficit disorder (ADD) with or without hyperactivity (ADD/H) is a common manifestation of TS. 1. Attention deficit disorder and ADDH are common in patients with TS.— Virtually every investigator who has studied a significant number of patients with TS has reported the presence of ADDH in approximately half of the cases. 2-8 This adds up to 1473 patients, including 250 cases that we reported earlier, plus an additional new series of 246 patients that was studied by an extensive structured interview based on the


Coliphage content of sewage collected from 11 different localities in Hong Kong was determined. The number of plaque-forming units (PFU) ranged from 0.036 x 10(3) to 15.9 x 10(3) per ml. In general, urban sewage tended to be richer than rural sewage both in PFU count as well as plaque morphological variation. Seventy-seven isolates were subjected to a host range study. Fifty per cent of these were able to grow on Escherichia coli K-12 as well as E. coli B. Approximately 32% were found to be male specific, and the remaining 18% were K-12 specific although sex-indifferent.


This paper compares the operation of a decentralized Nash bargaining traffic signal controller (DNB) to the operation of state-of-the-art adaptive and gating traffic signal control. Perimeter control (gating), based on the network fundamental diagram (NFD), was applied on the borders of a protected urban network (PN) to prevent and/or disperse traffic congestion. The operation of gating control and local adaptive controllers was compared to the operation of the developed DNB traffic signal controller. The controllers were implemented and their performance assessed on a grid network in the INTEGRATION microscopic simulation software. The results show that the DNB controller, although not designed to solve perimeter control problems, successfully prevents congestion from building inside the PN and improves the performance of the entire network. Specifically, the DNB controller outperforms both gating and non-gating controllers, with reductions in the average travel time ranging between 21% and 41%, total delay ranging between 40% and 55%, and emission levels/fuel consumption ranging between 12% and 20%. The results demonstrate statistically significant benefits of using the developed DNB controller over other state-of-the-art centralized and decentralized gating/adaptive traffic signal controllers.


We report the discovery of a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) at redshift z = 1.55 with the infrared detector of the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3-IR) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This object was discovered in CANDELS imaging data of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field and followed as part of the CANDELS+CLASH Supernova project, comprising the SN search components from those two HST multi-cycle treasury programs. This is the highest redshift SN Ia with direct spectroscopic evidence for classification. It is also the first SN Ia at z > 1 found and followed in the infrared, providing a full light curve in rest-frame optical bands. The classification and redshift are securely defined from a combination of multi-band and multi-epoch photometry of the SN, ground-based spectroscopy of the host galaxy, and WFC3-IR grism spectroscopy of both the SN and host. This object is the first of a projected sample at z > 1.5 that will be discovered by the CANDELS and CLASH programs. The full CANDELS+CLASH SN Ia sample will enable unique tests for evolutionary effects that could arise due to differences in SN Ia progenitor systems as a function of redshift. This high-z sample will also allow measurement of the SN Ia rate out to z ≈ 2, providing a complementary constraint on SN Ia progenitor models.


The Newman superposition model has been used to investigate the substitution ofMn2+ for Zn2+ site in Dichlorobis (triphenylphosphine oxide) zinc (II), Dibromobis (triphenylphosphine oxide) zinc (II)AmmoniumTetra Fluorozincate (II) Dihydrate (ATFD) single crystals. The calculated values of zero field splitting parameter b0 2 at roomtemperature fit the experimental one taken from the literature with average intrinsic parameters b2 (Cl) = - 0.0267 cm-1,b2(Br) = -0.0500 cm-1, b2 (F) = -0.0531 cm-1 and, b2 (O) = - 0.0280 cm-1 taken t2 = 7 and t4 = 10 for Mn2+ doped in Dichlorobis (triphenylphosphine oxide) zinc (II), Dibromobis (triphenylphosphine oxide) zinc (II) and Ammonium Tetra Fluorozincate (II) Dihydrate single crystals. The superposition model analysis shows that for large values of b2 0, b2 2, b4 0, b4 2 and b4 4 intrinsic parameters and can be estimated with suitable error but for small values of these parameters it is very difficult to predict the correct sign and magnitude. The present study about superposition model is very useful to get information about the zero field splitting of Mn2+ ions in some host single crystals


has been proven to be a prognostic factor in several cancers, no studies have assessed its prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the pretreatment AGR in the survival in HCC patients. Methods: 150 patients were enrolled, who were confirmed of HCC from October 2008 to December 2012 in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to investigate the association of clinicopathological parameters with HCC patients' survival. Results: Patients were divided into 2 groups: AGR<1.18 and AGR ≥1.18. Patients in the high AGR (≥1.18) group had longer overall survival (OS) than those in the low AGR (<1.18) group (60.16 vs 20.48 months, p<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that portal vein tumor thrombosis, grade of differentiation, extrahepatic metastasis, BCLC stage, AFP level and AGR at diagnosis were significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that AGR (p<0.001) and grade of differentiation (p=0.007) were independent prognostic factors for survival of HCC patients. In subgroup analysis based on age and Child-Pugh class, AGR remained a significant prognostic parameter. Conclusion: Low pretreatment AGR was significantly associated with shorter OS in HCC patients. The pretreatment AGR could be a useful and effective prognostic index for identifying patients with poor prognosis, even when patients have well-preserved liver reserve function.


Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) due to its appealing features, such as robustness against frequency selective fading and simple channel equalization, is
adopted in communications systems such as WLAN, WiMAX and DVB. However, OFDM systems are sensitive to synchronization errors caused by timing and frequency offsets. Besides, the OFDM receiver has to perform channel estimation for coherent detection. The goal of this thesis is to investigate new methods for timing and frequency synchronization and channel estimation in OFDM-based systems.
First, we investigate new methods for preamble-aided coarse timing estimation in OFDM systems. Two novel timing metrics using high order statistics-based correlation and differential normalization functions are proposed. The performance of the new timing metrics is evaluated using different criteria including class-separability, robustness to the carrier frequency offset, and computational complexity. It is shown that the new timing metrics can considerably increase the class-separability due to their more distinct values at correct and wrong timing instants, and thus give a significantly better detection performance than the existing timing metrics do. Furthermore, a new method for coarse estimation of the start of the frame is proposed, which remarkably reduces the probability of inter-symbol interference (ISI). The improved performances of the new schemes in multipath fading channels are shown by the probabilities of false alarm, missed-detection and ISI obtained through computer simulations. Second, a novel pilot-aided algorithm
is proposed for the detection of integer frequency offset (IFO) in OFDM systems. By transforming the IFO into two new integer parameters, the proposed method can largely reduce the number of trial values for the true IFO. The two new integer parameters are detected using two different pilot sequences, a periodic pilot sequence and an aperiodic
pilot sequence. It is shown that the new scheme can significantly reduce the computational complexity while achieving almost the same performance as the previous methods do.
Third, we propose a method for joint timing and frequency synchronization and channel estimation for OFDM systems that operate in doubly selective channels. Basis expansion
modeling (BEM) that captures the time variations of the channel is used to reduce the number of unknown channel parameters. The BEM coefficients along with the timing
and frequency offsets are estimated by using a maximum likelihood (ML) approach. An efficient algorithm is then proposed for reducing the computational complexity of the
joint estimation. The complexity of the new method is assessed in terms of the number of multiplications. The mean square estimation error of the proposed method is evaluated in comparison with previous methods, indicating a remarkable performance improvement by the new method.
Fourth, we present a new scheme for joint estimation of CFO and doubly selective channel in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems. In the proposed preamble-aided method, the time-varying channel is represented using BEM. CFO and BEM coefficients
are estimated using the principles of particle and Kalman filtering. The performance of the new method in multipath time-varying channels is investigated in comparison with
previous schemes. The simulation results indicate a remarkable performance improvement in terms of the mean square errors of CFO and channel estimates.
Fifth, a novel algorithm is proposed for timing and frequency synchronization and channel estimation in the uplink of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)
systems by considering high-mobility situations and the generalized subcarrier assignment.
By using BEM to represent a doubly selective channel, a maximum likelihood (ML) approach is proposed to jointly estimate the timing and frequency offsets of different users
as well as the BEM coefficients of the time-varying channels. A space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization algorithm is then employed to transform the maximization
problem for all users into several simpler maximization problems for each user. The computational complexity of the new timing and frequency offset estimator is analyzed and its performance in comparison with that of existing methods using the mean square error is evaluated .
Finally, two novel approaches for joint CFO and doubly selective channel estimation in the uplink of multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiple
access (MIMO-OFDMA) systems are presented. Considering high-mobility situations, where channels change within an OFDMA symbol interval, and the time varying nature
of CFOs, BEM is employed to represent the time variations of the channel. Two new approaches are then proposed based on Schmidt Kalman filtering (SKF). The first approach
utilizes Schmidt extended Kalman filtering for each user to estimate the CFO and BEM coefficients. The second approach uses Gaussian particle filter along with SKF to
estimate the CFO and BEM coefficients of each user. The Bayesian Cramer Rao bound is derived, and performance of the new schemes are evaluated using mean square error.
It is demonstrated that the new schemes can significantly improve the mean square error performance in comparison with that of the existing methods.


Bas-relief is a type of sculpture artwork which is carved into a plane or a surface, traditionally created by hand. Recently, computers have been adopted to assist the design and production of relief works. In this paper, we propose a novel method to generate the 3D mesh of a relief based on a 2D image input. Gradient operations, such as magnitude attenuation and unsharp masking, are introduced to convert an image into a relief. The Poisson equation is solved for the construction of the depth information of a relief from the tuned data. The final output as geometric mesh enables artists or designers to add additional texture and material features for their relief design. More importantly, such a mesh can be directly used for computer aided manufacturing as input.


This paper reports a novel bistable microelectromechanical system for energy harvesting applications. In particular, we focus here on methodologies and devices for recovering energy from mechanical vibrations. A common energy harvesting approach is based on vibrating mechanical bodies that collect energy through the adoption of self-generating materials. This family of systems has a linear mass–spring damping behaviour and shows good performance around its natural frequency. However, it is not generally suitable for energy recovery in a wide spectrum of frequencies as expected in the vast majority of cases when ambient vibrations assume different forms and the energy is distributed over a wide range of frequencies. Furthermore, whenever the vibrations have a low frequency content the implementation of an integrated energy harvesting device is challenging; in fact large masses and devices would be needed to obtain resonances at low frequencies. Here, the idea is to consider the nonlinear behaviour of a bistable system to enhance device performances in terms of response to external vibrations. The switching mechanism is based on a structure that oscillates around one of the two stable states when the stimulus is not large enough to switch to the other stable state and that moves around the other stable state as soon as it is excited over the threshold. A response improvement can be demonstrated compared to the classical linear approach. Indeed, both a wider spectrum will appear as a consequence of the nonlinear term and a significant amount of energy is collected at low frequencies. In this paper the bistable working principle is first described and analytically modelled, and then a numerical study based on stochastic differential equations (SDE) is realized to evaluate the behaviour of a MEMS device. A micromachined SOI prototype has been realized and a measurement campaign validated the nonlinear mechanism. As expected, the study shows that the nonlinear system exhibits a low pass filter behaviour suitable for harvesting ambient energy at low frequency.


Symbiotic bacteria associated with entomopathogenic nematodes produce compounds with antibacterial and antifungal activity. In the present study, Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp. were cultivated in culture medium (in vitro) and in Galleria mellonella (L.) infected with entomopathogenic nematodes (in vivo), and the effect of their filtrates on the mortality of Meloidogyne incognita second stage juveniles (J2s) was investigated. The bacteria filtrates obtained by media culture and hemolymph were associated with different species of entomopathogenic nematodes and placed in direct contact with J2s of M. incognita. The mortality of the juveniles was estimated after 24 h. After dilution of the hemolymph from infected G. mellonella, the filtrates obtained from the in vivo culture and in vitro culture produced an 80% and 20% mortality rate, respectively. Thus, the quality of substances with nematicidal activity was affected by the technique used to cultivate the bacteria, reflecting the difference between cultivation in vivo and in vitro and the importance of the insect host.


A reticulum can be seen by interference microscopy in the cytoplasm of the living neurone of vertebrates. The reticulum consists of irregular, massive bodies and thin strands. There are also well-defined spaces in the cytoplasm, in contact with the reticulum; they are usually crescentic. The massive bodies are the objects commonly called Nissl bodies. The thin strands are the basiphil threads clearly recognized by Nissl himself as constituting a part of his basiphil material. The classical 'Golgi apparatus' of the cell-body of the neurone of vertebrates consists of a deposit of silver or of osmium on the cytoplasmic inclusions mentioned in the first paragraph, but especially on the basiphil strands, which have a particular affinity for silver. At the base of the axon there are non-basiphil threads, which are also blackened by the Golgi methods.


The aim of this paper is to investigate the contagion across real estate markets of four countries: Hong Kong, China, U.S. and U.K., during the financial tsunami in 2008. We use the Forbes-Rigobon test, the coskewness test and the cokurtosis test. We propose a new cokurtosis test constructed by extending the method of constructing the coskewness test to further higher order moments. It can show additional channels of contagion that other tests fail to show, and hence can provide more information on the direction of contagion, and reflect a more complete picture of the contagion pattern. The coskewness and cokurtosis tests show that contagion exists between the four countries, and the contagion effect is stronger between Hong Kong and China, and between U.S. and U.K. This provides clues for investors on how to diversify their investment to reduce their risk. This paper bridges the gap that previous works on contagion across real estate markets give mixed results, and gives a first insight into the contagion pattern of global real estate markets during the financial tsunami.


Currently, no large-scale training data is available for the task of scientific paper summarization. In this paper, we propose a novel method that automatically generates summaries for scientific papers, by utilizing videos of talks at scientific conferences. We hypothesize that such talks constitute a coherent and concise description of the papers' content, and can form the basis for good summaries. We collected 1716 papers and their corresponding videos, and created a dataset of paper summaries. A model trained on this dataset achieves similar performance as models trained on a dataset of summaries created manually. In addition, we validated the quality of our summaries by human experts.


Signature-based tools such as network intrusion detection systems are widely used to protect critical systems. Automatic signature generation techniques are needed to enable these tools due to the speed at which new vulnerabilities are discovered. In particular, we need automatic techniques which generate sound signatures - signatures which will not mistakenly block legitimate traffic or raise false alarms. In addition, we need signatures to have few false negatives and will catch many different exploit variants. We investigate new techniques for automatically generating sound vulnerability signatures with fewer false negatives than previous research using program binary analysis. The key problem to reducing false negatives is to consider as many as possible different program paths an exploit may take. Previous work considered each possible program path an exploit may take separately, thus generating signatures that are exponential in the size of the number of branches considered. In the exact same scenario, we show how to reduce the overall signature size and the generation time from exponential to polynomial. We do this without requiring any additional assumptions, or relaxing any properties. This efficiency gain allows us to consider many more program paths, which results in reducing the false negatives of generated signatures. We achieve these results by creating algorithms for generating vulnerability signatures that are based on computing weakest preconditions (WP). The weakest precondition for a program path to a vulnerability is a function which matches all exploits that may exploit the vulnerability along that path. We have implemented our techniques and generated signatures for several binary programs. Our results demonstrate that our WP-based algorithm generates more succinct signatures than previous approaches which were based on forward symbolic execution.


Aluminium carbide (Al4 C3 ) has gained extensive attention due to its abrasive and creep resistance properties. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of biofield treatment on physical and structural properties of Al4 C3 powder. The Al4 C3 powder was divided into two parts i.e. control and treated. Control part was remained as untreated and treated part received biofield treatment. Subsequently, control and treated Al4 C3 samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area analyser and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD data revealed that lattice parameter and unit cell volume of treated Al4 C3 samples were increased by 0.33 and 0.66% respectively, as compared to control. The density of treated Al4 C3 samples was reduced upto 0.65% as compared to control. In addition, the molecular weight and crystallite size of treated Al4 C3 samples were increased upto 0.66 and 249.53% respectively as compared to control. Furthermore, surface area of treated Al4 C3 sample was increased by 5% as compared to control. The FT-IR spectra revealed no significant change in absorption peaks of treated Al4 C3 samples as compared to control. Thus, XRD and surface area results suggest that biofield treatment has substantially altered the physical and structural properties of treated Al4 C3 powder.


Background: To rise from a sitting to a standing position and to sit down again are categorized as basic transitional movements, and are performed approximately 50 times a day. The sit-to-stand test (STS test) evaluates strength in lower extremities, neuromuscular functions, balance and vestibular function. There are several versions of the test; two examples of these are the 5STS and 10STS tests. For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), only the 5STS test has been validated. A potential difference between the 5STS and 10STS test can be that more repetitions require more muscular endurance and, thus, the 10STS test will reveal impaired muscular endurance more than the 5STS test.Aim: The aim was to evaluate the validity for the 5STS and 10STS tests for people with moderate MS.Methods: Forty-seven people with MS with a limited ( 20 m) walking ability were included (32 women; 30 secondary and 12 primary progressive MS). The STS tests were slightly modified for safety reasons; instead of crossing arms over the chest, hand support was allowed. Time was taken from the starting position sitting using the command 'Go' and stopped when the participant sat down again after completing the 10th standing position. An intermediate time was taken when sitting down after the fifth standing position (5STS test). Validity was evaluated using the timed up and go test (TUG), 10 minute walk test (10MWT), 2 minute walk test (2MWT) and the Berg balance scale (BBS); calculated using Spearman's rank correlation. Correlations exceeding 0.60 were considered strong.Results: Strong correlations (r=0.60–0.70) were found between the 5STS and 10STS test and the TUG, the 10 MWT, the 2MWT and the BBS. The correlation between the 5STS and 10STS test (r=0.86) indicates that the tests measure slightly different abilities. A slightly stronger correlation was found between the 5STS and BBS (r=−0.68) compared to the 10STS and BBS (r=−0.61). The correlations were stronger between the 10STS and the walk tests compared to the 5STS and walk tests. The high correlation between the 10STS and the 2MWT (r=0.70) can possibly be explained by a muscular endurance component.Conclusion: Both the 5STS and 10STS test are valid for people with moderate MS but they do not measure the exact same ability


Abstract Myxomas of the hand are rare tumours and the diameters are usually smaller than 2 cm. In this report we describe the biggest reported myxoma that localised on the dorsal hand and the comprehensively review of hand myxomas. This case is to our knowledge the first hormone-receptor-positive myxoma of the hand.


Ninety-eight aerobic, gram-negative bacterial isolates from subgingival samples from family-owned dogs with naturally occurring periodontitis were characterised phenotypically by conventional biochemical testing, by cellular fatty acid profiling and by the use of commercial identification systems. The majority (48, 81%) of the fermentative isolates but only 18% of the non-fermenters were identified by conventional biochemical testing alone. With additional cellular fatty acid profiling, another 7 (12%) fermentative and 23 (59%) non-fermentative isolates were identified to genus or group level. Cellular fatty acid analysis was essential for the identification of most non-fermenters, many of which are difficult to identify due to a paucity of positive reactions in routine biochemical tests. Commercial identification systems were less useful and did not contribute to further identification of these problematic isolates. This study underlines the difficulties encountered in the identification of canine oral bacteria--a group of potential bite wound pathogens--and presents schemes for microbiology laboratories to characterise such isolates.


It is safe to assume that, for the foreseeable future, machine learning, especially deep learning will remain both data- and computation-hungry. In this paper, we ask: Can we build a global exchange where everyone can contribute computation and data to train the next generation of machine learning applications?
We present an early, but running prototype of DataBright, a system that turns the creation of training examples and the sharing of computation into an investment mechanism. Unlike most crowdsourcing platforms, where the contributor gets paid when they submit their data, DataBright pays dividends whenever a contributor's data or hardware is used by someone to train a machine learning model. The contributor becomes a shareholder in the dataset they created. To enable the measurement of usage, a computation platform that contributors can trust is also necessary. DataBright thus merges both a data market and a trusted computation market.
We illustrate that trusted computation can enable the creation of an AI market, where each data point has an exact value that should be paid to its creator. DataBright allows data creators to retain ownership of their contribution and attaches to it a measurable value. The value of the data is given by its utility in subsequent distributed computation done on the DataBright computation market. The computation market allocates tasks and subsequent payments to pooled hardware. This leads to the creation of a decentralized AI cloud. Our experiments show that trusted hardware such as Intel SGX can be added to the usual ML pipeline with no additional costs. We use this setting to orchestrate distributed computation that enables the creation of a computation market. DataBright is available for download at this https URL


The synthesis of α-boryl halohydrins via difunctionalization of alkenyl MIDA boronates has been reported. Intriguing stereoselectivity was found with different halogen sources, which arises from the special stabilizing effect of the B(MIDA) moiety. The transformation provided cis addition products using Cl+ or Br+ as the halogen source, while trans addition products were obtained when I+ was employed.


Managing forests intensively for timber production can homogenize forest structure and, in turn, alter species richness and functional composition of native species communities. Retention forestry, the practice of retaining structural elements during timber harvest, can increase species diversity in recently harvested forests, but its effect on functional trait diversity is less understood. We used a broadscale, replicated experiment to evaluate the effect of five tree retention patterns on species and functional trait diversity of ground beetles (Family: Carabidae) within early-seral production forests in the Pacific Northwest, USA. We found no evidence for differences in carabid species or functional trait richness among treatments when considering species present in retention patches and adjacent clear-cuts. However, we found evidence for lower taxonomic and functional trait variation between carabid communities present in retention patches and those present in clear-cut areas of stands when retention was allocated to several small patches. Lower levels of functional trait variation in stands with several small patches were due to specialized predators found less often in small retention patches than in aggregated or riparian retention patches. Our findings indicate that relative to single large or riparian-associated patches, small retention patches functioned similarly to clear-cuts within harvested forests and several small patches did not increase species or functional trait richness. At current levels of retention in the region, allocation of trees to a single upland patch or split between riparian and upland patches can increase variation in ground beetle taxonomic and functional composition within harvested forests.


Tuberculosis is highly contagious disease that shows seasonal pattern. Deciphering the season specific risk factors and the socio-economic factors equip us with better counter strategy to control and manage tuberculosis, which is one of the major causes of human mortality. Epidemiological studies were performed for the Indian central province, i.e. the state of Madhya Pradesh (with highest tribal population) to analyze the seasonality in tuberculosis. Data on smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis was collected from RNTCP for the period 2005-2010 for all the districts of Madhya Pradesh. Data was analyzed via R- software (R-3.2.3 version) with Poisson regression model and Time series analysis to count rate of incidence, seasonality and trend factor for smear positive case, pulmonary tuberculosis cases and annual incidence rate of tuberculosis. Results have established a definite seasonal pattern that peaks in summer. Results were also compared for the tribal dominated districts. Various seasonal risk factors, spatio-temporal, socio-economic factors were discussed along with nutrition, associated co-infection, immune-competence, vitamin D deficiency and physiology with respect to their effect on tuberculosis infection, transmission and progression.


Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) is a highly aggressive peripheral T-cell neoplasm caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection occurring in approximately 5% of patients after prolonged latent period. ATL relapses within a short period despite its transient response to multiagent chemotherapy and the prognosis is extremely poor due to anticancer drug resistance and immunodeficiency. Although novel agents with different mechanisms, such as molecular targeted agents, have improved the prognosis, the number of cured patients remains limited. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation resulted in long-term remission, whereas its indication is limited due to treatment-related mortality. As most ATL patients are of advanced age, development of a lesser toxic treatment is necessary. Therefore, we developed a novel therapeutic dendritic cell vaccine targeting the HTLV-1 Tax antigen. The safety profile has been confirmed in a pilot and phase I clinical studies, and a promising long-term clinical efficacy has also been obtained. This novel vaccine is a noninvasive, long-lasting therapy for ATL and can potentially be extended to different applications for low-grade ATL and high-risk HTLV-1 carriers.