Fe-based amorphous coatings have many excellent performances, such as good corrosion resistance, high hardness, satisfactory magnetism, etc. In this paper, Fe-P amorphous coatings were prepared by electrodeposition method, and the phase transformation, microstructure, and hardness of the coatings heated at different heat-treatment temperature were investigated. The results show that Fe-P amorphous coatings begin to crystallize when heated at 300°C, the α-Fe(P) solid solution appears when heated at 330°C, and FexP(X=1,2,3) compounds separate out from the solid solution when heat-treatment temperature is up to 370°C. During the process of heat-treatment, hardness of the Fe-P coating increases as the reinforcement result of solid solution and dispersed phase in the coatings, and the hardness reaches the maximum 1100 HV at 370°C. When heat-treatment temperature is higher than 460°C, dispersed phase in the coatings will grow up, which is called Ostwald Coarsening Phenomenon, and hardness of the coating decreases quickly.


Abstract Objective To examine experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination among Latinos in the United States, which broadly contribute to their poor health outcomes. Data Source and Study Design Data come from a nationally representative, probability‐based telephone survey including 803 Latinos and a comparison group of 902 non‐Hispanic white US adults, conducted January—April 2017. Methods We calculated the percent of Latinos reporting discrimination in several domains, including health care. We used logistic regression to compare the Latino‐white difference in odds of discrimination, and among Latinos only to examine variation by socioeconomic status and country of birth. Principal Findings One in five Latinos (20 percent) reported experiencing discrimination in clinical encounters, while 17 percent avoided seeking health care for themselves or family members due to anticipated discrimination. A notable share of Latinos also reported experiencing discrimination with employment (33 percent applying for jobs; 32 percent obtaining equal pay/promotions), housing (31 percent), and police interactions (27 percent). In adjusted models, Latinos had significantly higher odds than whites for reporting discrimination in health care visits (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.61, 6.26) and across several other domains. Latinos with college degrees had significantly higher odds of reporting discrimination in multiple domains than those without college degrees, with few differences between foreign‐born and US‐born Latinos. Conclusions Latinos in the United States report experiencing widespread discrimination in health care and other areas of their lives, at significantly higher levels than whites. Being born in the United States and earning a college degree are not protective against discrimination, suggesting that further health and social policy efforts to eliminate discrimination are needed.


The pediatric patient is often difficult to diagnose, especially since the surgical pathology is tumoral. Establishing the histopathological diagnosis of a tumor, staging of a disease and certifying the existence of rare pediatric affections are three of the motives for which the specialists frequently appeal to an exploratory laparoscopy, accompanied by biopsy procedures. The paper presents the laparoscopic biopsy experience of the team from the Department of Pediatric Surgery, "Maria Skłodowska Curie" Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Bucharest, Romania. From 2000 to 2013, 95 such procedures were performed (7.76% of a total of 1224 laparoscopic interventions). In many cases, the laparoscopy had an exclusive diagnostic purpose, of whose success has been primarily responsible the targeted biopsy. Current issues are discussed, centered on the most advanced technologies used in minimally invasive approach of pediatric malignancies, referring to the effect of minimizing the possible complications that can arise from this type of intervention. The authors concluded that laparoscopic technique is the method of choice in comparison to other ways of biopsy (classical surgery, ultrasound guidance, tomography, etc.), and it is characterized by a high diagnostic value.


: Recent conceptual advances in immunology are reviewed. Although immune reactions take place in all organs, those occurring in the lung were chosen for illustrative purposes. The lung's enormous surface area has direct contact with the external environment through the airways and receives all of the cardiac output, a situation which exposes it to numerous, potentially harmful agents. The four basic types of immune responses are depicted as ending with tissue injury, but in most instances these reactions protect the host from disease. Manipulation of the immune system with transfer factor, new routes of immunization with existing vaccines, and other forms of immunotherapy are potential avenues for future management of disease.


The Markovian model of mixed-layering that has been used until now for the modeling of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of 2:1 phyllosilicates describes the mixed-layer crystals as stacks of 'layer units' (LUs) that associate a 2:1 layer with an interlayer content. This model is not consistent when it is applied to a mixed-layer mineral (MLM) involving electrically charged layers, i.e. most of the mixed-layer phyllosilicates with 2:1 layers. Two consistent models can be proposed for these MLMs, which, instead of LUs, stack 'interlayer units' (IUs), composed of an interlayer content sandwiched between two half-layers. The IU-NPL model (interlayer units, non-polar layers) imposes non-polarity on the 2:1 layers resulting from the stack of these IUs, which implies restrictions on the succession of the IUs. In the other consistent model, the IU-PL one (interlayer units, polar layers), these restrictions are not imposed. These two models reproduce the Non-Polar 2:1 Layer Model and the Polar 2:1 Layer Model described by Altaner and Ylagan for illite-smectite mixed layering, and the second model corresponds to the stacks of O0.5 T I′ T O0.5 units described by Olives et al.The present work points out the similarities and discrepancies of the calculated XRD patterns by using computer programs designed for the three models of mixed-layering (LU, IU-NPL and IU-PL) and for two-and three-component MLMs. Illustrations are provided for some I-S and I-S-V MLMs.The IU-PL model leads to XRD patterns similar to those of the LU model. It is in agreement with lattice-energy calculations, expandability measurement, HRTEM imaging and NMR spectroscopy.


trans fatty acids (TFAs) have been reported to promote vascular diseases mainly by promoting apoptosis and inflammation of vascular endothelial cells. However, it has been reported in recent years that elaidic acid (9t18:1) and vaccenic acid (11t18:1) may have different effects on vascular health. This study investigated the effects of 9t18:1 and 11t18:1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) function and the possible mechanism of inflammation by analyzing the changes in the phospholipid composition and the relationship between phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and MAPK pathway. Here we found that the effect of 11t18:1 on cell viability, membrane damage and cellular inflammation was significantly lower than that of 9t18:1 (p < 0.05). And 9t18:1 and 11t18:1 had different effects on phospholipid composition. Both 9t18:1 and 11t18:1 significantly increased the protein expression of PLA2. Moreover, the MAPK pathway regulated the expression of PLA2, inflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in HUVECs induced by 9t18:1 and 11t18:1. In conclusion, 9t18:1 and 11t18:1 activated the MAPK pathway which regulated the expression of PLA2 to cause inflammation in HUVECs.


Propagating intracellular Ca2+ waves in cardiac myocytes occur as a consequence of the overloaded state of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). To examine these events in detail, ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from rabbit hearts and permeabilised with beta-escin. Cytosolic Ca2+ signals were monitored using Fluo-5F (10muM) in combination with laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Through careful calibration of the intracellular Ca2+ signals and construction of analysis programs, the fluxes which underlie the Ca2+ wave were derived and subsequently incorporated into a mathematical model. The decline in cytosolic Ca2+ subsequent to rapid application of caffeine was used to quantify cellular Ca2+ diffusional loss (diffusional constant = 31.2+/-0.9 s-1). binding to cellular proteins was then calculated and the sum of the free Ca2+, bound Ca2+ and Ca2+ lost by diffusion was used as the integral of the Ca2+ flux across the SR. The first derivative of this was taken as the trans-SR flux rate. From the analysis of these signals it was apparent that the released from the SR during a wave was not significantly different from that released on application of lOmM caffeine (0.149 +/-0.10 mM vs. 0.154+/-0.10 mM)). This information, coupled with values of intra-SR buffering allowed calculation of intra-SR [Ca2+]. This in turn allowed the trans SR [Ca2+] gradient to be estimated and the subsequent calculation of RyR and SERCA mediated Ca2+ flux . These measurements were used to derive parameters for construction of a 3- compartment model of Ca2+ flux using existing models of Ca2+ buffering, SERCA activity and leak. Three experimental interventions were used to study changes in Ca2+ wave properties and assess the effectiveness of the model in predicting wave frequency, minimum and maximum [Ca2+]. These were: (i) changing extracellular Ca2+, (ii) inhibiting the RyR using tetracaine and (iii) inhibiting SERCA using 2',5'-di(tert- butyl)-l ,4-benzohydroquinone (TBQ). As cytosolic Ca2+ was increased from 300 to 900nM, so frequency and systolic Ca2+ were shown to increase nonlinearly, whilst diastolic [Ca2+] increased linearly. Calculated SR release threshold was found not to change. SERCA Vmax and KD both increased, with Vmax rising from 160 to 380 muMs-1 and KD rising from 239+/-48 to 354+/-18nM as extracellular [Ca2+] was increased from 300nM to 900nM. The calculated peak permeability of RyR mediated flux also increased from 41.1 +/-6.5 to 61.2+/-3.6 s-1 over this range. These changes, when included in the model, subsequently provided acceptable predictions of experimental results. Tetracaine caused frequency of the Ca2+ waves to decrease from 0.59+/-0.03 Hz to 0.35+/-0.02 Hz, systolic [Ca2+] to increase from 2.06+/-0.11 muM to 3.16+/-0.24 muM and diastolic [Ca2+] to decrease from 185+/-9 nM to 157+/-10 nM. Flux analysis indicated that these changes were associated with an increase in the SR release threshold from 1.16+/-0.04 mM to 1.58+/-0.08 mM (n=6). Implementation of this threshold change in the computational model predicted a decrease in Ca2+ wave frequency to a similar value to that observed experimentally. The increased systolic [Ca2+] was comparable to but greater than that observed experimentally. In contrast, the model predicted diastolic [Ca2+] to increase while a decrease diastolic was observed experimentally. Application of the SERCA inhibitor TBQ (1muM) decreased SR Ca2+ content, the amplitude and frequency of Ca2+ waves. Analysis of the underlying fluxes suggested that TBQ caused a 43% reduction in SERCA Vmax, with no significant change in KD. Analysis also suggested that this reduction in Vmax was accompanied by a 25% reduction in SR release threshold. While the reduced SERCA Vmax is consistent with TBQ's known action on SERCA, the effect on Ca2+ wave amplitude was unexpected and cannot be easily explained with the current Ca2+ wave model.


High blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) during ketosis represent a source of fatty acids for milk fat synthesis and explain the increase in milk fat content in ketotic cows. Cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector a (CIDEA) is a lipid droplet coat protein with important roles in the regulation of milk fat synthesis and secretion in mice. Whether ketosis alters the expression of CIDEA in mammary gland tissue and the extent to which it may contribute to regulation of milk fat synthesis and secretion are unknown. Mammary gland tissue and blood samples were collected from healthy (n = 15) and clinically ketotic (n = 15) cows. Mammary epithelial cells isolated from cows were infected with CIDEA overexpression adenovirus for 48 h, treated with 0, 0.3, 0.6, or 1.2 mM NEFA for 24 h, or infected with CIDEA-silencing adenovirus for 48 h and treated with 1.2 mM NEFA for 24 h. Serum concentrations of NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate were greater in cows with clinical ketosis, and milk production and dry matter intake were lower in cows with clinical ketosis. However, compared with healthy cows, the content of milk fat of cows with clinical ketosis was greater. Compared with healthy cows, abundance of mRNA and protein of CIDEA, fatty acid synthase (FASN), acetyl-coA carboxylase 1 (ACACA), butyrophilin (BTN1A1), and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) was greater in mammary tissue of cows with clinical ketosis. Overexpression of CIDEA in cultured mammary epithelial cells increased the abundance of FASN, ACACA, XDH, and BTN1A1, and increased triacylglycerol (TAG) content in mammary epithelial cells. Exogenous NEFA increased the abundance of CIDEA, FASN, ACACA, XDH, and BTN1A1, and increased TAG content in mammary epithelial cells. Importantly, knockdown of CIDEA reversed the upregulation of FASN, ACACA, XDH, and BTN1A1 abundance and TAG content induced by NEFA treatment. Overall, these data suggest that high levels of NEFA stimulate the expression of CIDEA and enhance de novo fatty acid synthesis and milk fat secretion. As such, these mechanisms explain in part the elevation of milk fat content in dairy cows with clinical ketosis.


This paper examines the most widely used reliability models. The models discussed fall into two categories, the data domain and the time domain. Besides tracing the historical development of the various models their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. This includes models based on discrete as weil as continuous probability distributions. How well a given model performs its purpose in a specific economic environment will determine the usefulness of the model. Each of the models is examined with actual data as to the applicability of the error fmding process.


Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of the new Susanna glaucoma drainage device (SGDD) in patients with neovascular and refractory glaucomas. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with neovascular glaucoma or refractory glaucomas (defined as eyes with previous trabeculectomy failure) were enrolled. All eyes had to have intraocular pressure (IOP) above 21 mm Hg despite maximum tolerated topical medication, or recent documentation of anatomic and/or functional progression. Patients underwent glaucoma surgery with the new SGDD in a standardized manner. Postoperative visits were performed at days 1 and 7; months 1, 3, and 6; and every 6 months thereafter. Preoperative and postoperative IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications, surgical complications, and any subsequent related events were recorded. Success criteria were: (I) IOP≥6 and ⩽21 mm Hg; (II) IOP≥6 and ⩽18 mm Hg. Each criterion was classified as complete (without medication) or qualified (with medication). Results: A total of 58 patients with a mean age of 64.3±11.5 years were included [19 with neovascular glaucoma (group 1) and 39 with failure of first trabeculectomy (group 2)]. Overall, mean follow-up was 7.1±3.8 months, and mean IOP was reduced from 31.5±1.6 (range, 18 to 68) mm Hg to 12.6±0.7 (range, 2 to 28) mm Hg at the last follow-up visit (P<0.01). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications used was reduced from 3.4±0.9 to 1.4±1.5 (P<0.01). At 6 months postoperatively, qualified success rates for groups 1 and 2 were 73% and 86%, respectively (considering the stricter criterion). Main complications were 2 cases of conjunctival erosion and 2 cases of late hypotony. Conclusions: Our initial findings suggest that the new SGDD is an effective alternative for managing neovascular and refractory glaucomas, with minor postoperative complications in the short-term.


Two new concurrency control algorithms are introduced for partially replicated distributed databases. They both maintain two values of a data item, and differ in that one requires all locks to be granted at one time, whereas the other does not. They are based on locking, and avoid deadlocks by using timestamps to establish an execution order when conflicts arise. Since they both proceed without any communication among schedulers, but only communication between the originating site and all participating sites, we say they are fully distributed. >


Food safety is a very important focus in the kitchen industry today, as bacteria such as E.Coli and Salmonella are very difficult to tackle. The objective of the present study was to optimize nozzle designs that use ozone technology to bring out the best results in cleaning and sterilizing the kitchen utensils in Taylor's University School of Hospitality kitchen area. This includes customization of the Medklinn International Sdn Bhd ozone machine and nozzle profiles that improve the effectiveness of ozone generated. Reduction or elimination of chemicals and water usage would be a part of the study. This will bring a huge impact on cost effectiveness, time saving and safety of the users. Return on investment (ROI) using ozone technology is calculated at the end of the research. To compare between the traditional way of cleaning and using ozone technology, the volume of water and dishwashing liquid used, and the Relative Light Units (RLU) before and after washing were recorded. The RLU numbers are found using the 3M Clean Trace measuring equipment. RLU was recorded to determine the cleanliness of the kitchen utensils before and after washing. It has been proved that ozone water with the accompaniment of the selected nozzle prototype is as efficient as the traditional way of cleaning.


The research topic is the analysis of adobe-clay as a structural material. The behaviour of adobe brick elements of different mixtures were examined. The bricks of various ratios of clay, straw, reed and sawdust were involved in the experiment, in which the process of drying and shrinkage was investigated. Even though only a few data have been obtained so far, some important conclusions were drawn. The first drying period was approximately three weeks long in the laboratory. The tests have shown that organic components like straw, reed and sawdust slow down the drying process. In case of each mixture, a change of weight was observed sooner than shrinkage. The aim of the research is to promote the application of this building material.


The present invention relates to a new moisturizing composition and its use with dry skin and particularly mild to moderate dry skin.


Background and Aims: The objective of this study was the development of a checklist for assessment of students' clinical skills in the clinical oral medicine. The second aim was the assessment of stake holders' satisfaction of this checklist in comparison to the routine global rating method. Materials and Methods: The checklist was developed in an expert panel sessions and the validity and reliability of checklist were assessed by CVI and test-retest method, respectively. All students (n=66) were assessed in 2 groups, one with developed checklist and another with global rating. At the end of the session, the satisfaction's level of staff and students were analysized using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney test and the mean scores of students were analysized using Paired T test. Results: Content validity index (CV I) of checklist was 0.88. Reliability of checklist confirmed with high correlation coefficient (0.9). Staffs' satisfaction had no significant difference between the two methods (Wilcoxon P= 0.06). The mean score of students who assessed by checklist was higher than global rating with no significant differences (P=0.06). Conclusion: Regarding the higher students' satisfaction from checklist and more attention to component of assessment and more objectivity of this method and also higher score in checklist, it seems that the use of a checklist is more proper method for assessing the students' clinical skills. :


Although acquisition and processing technology has evolved rapidly in providing more accurate subsurface images, there are other issues that make mapping the subsurface difficult. Seismic noise that is unrelated to the subsurface sometimes makes seismic acquisition impossible. In heavily populated areas, this can include power line noise, factory noise, water pumps, vehicle traffic, and noise from quarries. These noise types can have a variety of data characteristics in data, except for power line noise, which has a specific, characteristic 50-Hz periodicity.


Evidence suggests that membrane depolarization is able to promote neuronal survival through a sustained, although moderate, increase in the intracellular calcium. We have used the PC12 cell line to study the possible intracellular pathways that can be activated by calcium influx. Previously, we observed that membrane depolarization-induced calcium influx was able to activate the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and most of this activation was calmodulin-dependent. We demonstrated that a part of the ERK activation is due to the phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Here, we show that both the epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation and the Shc-Grb2-Ras activation are not calmodulin-modulated. Moreover, dominant negative mutant Ha-ras (Asn-17) prevents the activation on ERKs by membrane depolarization, suggesting that Ras and calmodulin are both necessaries to activate ERKs by membrane depolarization. We failed to observe any significant induction and/or modulation of the A-Raf, B-Raf or c-Raf-1 kinase activities, thus suggesting the existence of a MEK kinase different from the classical Raf kinases that directly or indirectly can be modulated by Ca2+/calmodulin.


All papers published in this volume have been reviewed through processes administered by the Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing. • Type of peer review: Double Anonymous • Conference submission management system: Morressier • Number of submissions received: 58 • Number of submissions sent for review: 58 • Number of submissions accepted: 12 • Acceptance Rate (Submissions Accepted / Submissions Received × 100): 20.7 • Average number of reviews per paper: 2.40 • Total number of reviewers involved: 18 • Contact person for queries: Name: Rajesh Kumar Affiliation: NERIST, India Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


Advancements in high-power semiconductor technology have opened new avenues for application of power electronics converters in safety critical applications such as in hybrid vehicle automotive power system. This paper discusses the use of statistical moments to detect and identify faults. Existing system current and voltage sensors are used without the need for any addition sensors. The technique not only detects system malfunction, but provides information on the device under fault and the nature of the fault. An accurate knowledge of the same will allow appropriate action to be taken to avoid propagation of fault that may lead to catastrophic failure.


There is growing evidence that cognitive and noncognitive skills are strong predictors of the economic and social outcomes of individuals. In this paper, we analyze how they affect the migration decisions of individuals over their lifecycles. We use data that combine military enlistment and administrative records for the male population born in 1932 and 1933 in Norway. Records of interviews with a psychologist at age 20 allow us to construct an index of `sociability' and `adaptability' for each individual, as well as an index of cognitive ability, the intelligence quotient. We find that adaptability and cognitive ability have significant and positive impacts on the probability of an individual migrating out of his area, whether this involves rural-urban, long distance, or international migration. Adaptability has a particularly strong impact on migration for individuals with low cognitive skills, implying a strong positive selection of less educated migrants with respect to the (previously unobserved) adaptability skill. We also show that cognitive skills have a strong positive effect on sorting of migrants across destinations, whereas adaptability has no significant effect on sorting. This evidence suggests that adaptability reduces the psychological cost of migrating, whereas cognitive skills increase the monetary returns associated with migration.


This anniversary paper is an occasion to recall some of the events that shaped institutional econophysics. But in these thoughts about the evolution of econophysics in the last 15 years we also express some concerns. Our main worry concerns the relinquishment of the simplicity requirement. Ever since the groundbreaking experiments of Galileo some three centuries ago, the great successes of physicists were largely due to the fact that they were able to decompose complex phenomena into simpler ones. Remember that the first observation of the effects of an electrical current was made by Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) on the leg of a frog! Clearly, to make sense this observation had to be broken down into several separate effects. Nowadays, with computers being able to handle huge amounts of data and to simulate any stochastic process no matter how complicated, there is no longer any real need for such a search for simplicity. Why should one spend time and effort trying to break up complicated phenomena when it is possible to handle them globally? On this new road there are several stumbling blocks, however. Do such global mathematical descriptions lead to a real understanding? Do they produce building blocks which can be used elsewhere and thus make our knowledge and comprehension to grow in a cumulative way? Should econophysics also adopt the "globalized" perspective that has been endorsed, developed and spread by the numerous "Complexity Departments" which sprang up during the last decade?


It is difficult to estimate the midsagittal plane of human subjects with craniomaxillofacial (CMF) deformities. We have developed a LAndmark GEometric Routine (LAGER), which automatically estimates a midsagittal plane for such subjects. The LAGER algorithm was based on the assumption that the optimal midsagittal plane of a patient with a deformity is the premorbid midsagittal plane of the patient (i.e. hypothetically normal without deformity). The LAGER algorithm consists of three steps. The first step quantifies the asymmetry of the landmarks using a Euclidean distance matrix analysis and ranks the landmarks according to their degree of asymmetry. The second step uses a recursive algorithm to drop outlier landmarks. The third step inputs the remaining landmarks into an optimization algorithm to determine an optimal midsaggital plane. We validate LAGER on 20 synthetic models mimicking the skulls of real patients with CMF deformities. The results indicated that all the LAGER algorithm-generated midsagittal planes met clinical criteria. Thus it can be used clinically to determine the midsagittal plane for patients with CMF deformities.


Abstract In an era of rapid geographical data acquisition, interpretations of remote sensing products are an integral part of many undergraduate geography degree schemes but there are fewer opportunities for collection and processing of primary remote sensing data. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) provide a relatively inexpensive opportunity to introduce the principles and practice of airborne remote sensing into field courses, enabling students to learn about image acquisition, data processing and interpretation of derived products. Two case studies illustrate how a low-cost "DJI Phantom Vision+" UAV can be used by students to acquire images that can be processed using Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry software. Results from a student questionnaire and analysis of assessed student reports showed that using UAVs enhanced student engagement and equipped them with data processing skills. The derivation of bespoke orthophotos and Digital Elevation Models has the potential to provide students with opportunities to gain insight into various remote sensing data quality issues, although additional training is required to maximize this potential. Recognition of the successes and limitations of this teaching intervention provides scope for improving future UAV exercises. UAVs are enabling both a reconstruction of how we measure the Earth's surface and a reconstruction of how students do fieldwork.


This report gives a summary of the monitoring activities within the national Swedish contaminant programme in freshwater biota. It is the result from the joint efforts of: the Department of Applied Environmental Science at Stockholm University (analyses of organochlorines, flame retardants and perfluorinated compounds), Department of Chemistry at Umea University (analyses of PCDD/PCDF) and the Department of Contaminant Research at the Swedish Museum of Natural History (co-ordination, sample collection administration, sample preparation, recording of biological variables, storage of frozen biological tissues in the Environmental Specimen Bank for retrospective studies, data preparation and statistical evaluation). The monitoring programme is financed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Sweden. The data of concern in this report represent the bioavailable part of the investigated contaminants i.e. the part that has virtually passed through the biological membranes and may cause toxic effects. The objectives of the monitoring program in freshwater biota could be summarised as follows:


Single-photon emission computerized tomography and positron emission tomography are essential medical imaging tools, for which the sampling angle number and scan time should be carefully chosen to give a good compromise between image quality and radiopharmaceutical dose. In this study, the image quality of different acquisition protocols was evaluated via varied angle number and count number per angle with Monte Carlo simulation data. It was shown that, when similar imaging counts were used, the factor of acquisition counts was more important than that of the sampling number in emission computerized tomography. To further reduce the activity requirement and the scan duration, an iterative image reconstruction algorithm for limited-view and low-dose tomography based on compressed sensing theory has been developed. The total variation regulation was added to the reconstruction process to improve the signal to noise Ratio and reduce artifacts caused by the limited angle sampling. Maximization of the maximum likelihood of the estimated image and the measured data and minimization of the total variation of the image are alternatively implemented. By using this advanced algorithm, the reconstruction process is able to achieve image quality matching or exceed that of normal scans with only half of the injection radiopharmaceutical dose.


Objective:To review the existing literature on the psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with both schizophrenia and a substance use disorder (SUD). Methods:Selective review of the literature. PubMed search until November 2010. Results:Patients with psychotic disorders also frequently have SUDs. To attempt to explain their high coexistence there are different hypotheses, such as self-medication or the drug induction theories of chronic psychosis. Pathogenesis mechanisms are unknown. Patients may use substances to control or minimize symptoms such as hallucinations or anxiety, for the management of negative emotional states, to counteract negative symptoms and as a means of integration into a group. The diagnosis is complicated. It is important to correctly identify these patients because they have a more severe psychopathology, a more violent social behavior, and have more comorbidity with other medical diseases (such as human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis C virus), which worsens the prognosis. The knowledge of the clinical characteristics and needs of these patients should enable suitable treatment programs to be developed. Conclusions:Substance abuse worsens the course and prognosis of schizophrenia and makes the psychopharmacological treatment and psychotherapeutic approach more difficult. Dual psychotics are characterized by low adherence to treatment and poor linkage to health facilities. Therefore, the integrated treatment model, in which the same therapeutic team jointly addresses schizophrenia and SUD, is offered as a therapeutic option of choice in managing these patients.


The role of host-derived IL-1 on the course of Leishmania major infection in susceptible BALB/c mice was assessed. Manifestations of the disease were more severe in mice deficient in the physiological inhibitor of IL-1, the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in comparison with control mice. In mice lacking one of the IL-1 genes (IL-1alpha or IL-1beta), there was delayed development of the disease and more attenuated systemic inflammatory responses. IL-1alpha-deficient mice were slightly more resistant to L. major infection compared with IL-1beta-knockout mice. During disease progression in IL-1Ra KO and control mice, myeloid-derived suppressor cells invaded the spleen, concomitant to suppression of T cell-mediated immunity and expression of systemic high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In IL-1-deficient mice, T(h)1 responses were still apparent, even at late stages of the disease. Thus, dose-dependent effects of IL-1 were shown to influence the pathogenesis of murine leishamaniasis in susceptible BALB/c mice. Physiological and supra-physiological levels of IL-1 in the microenvironment promoted an exacerbated form of disease, whereas sub-physiological doses of IL-1 induced a less progressive disease. Thus, manipulation of IL-1 levels in the host, using the IL-1Ra or specific antibodies, has the potential to alleviate symptoms of visceral manifestations of leishmaniasis.


Objective To study the relationship between spinal mobility, radiographic damage of the spine and spinal inflammation as assessed by MRI in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods In this subanalysis of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Study for the Evaluation of Recombinant Infliximab Therapy cohort, 214 patients, representing an 80% random sample, were investigated. Only baseline data were used. MRI inflammation was assessed by the AS spinal MRI activity (ASspiMRI-a) score, structural damage by the modified Stoke AS Spine Score (mSASSS) and spinal mobility by the linear definition of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI). Univariate correlations were calculated on baseline values using Spearman rank correlation. Independent associations between the variables of interest were investigated by multivariate linear regression analysis. Associations with clinical disease activity, C-reactive protein, disease duration, age, gender, body mass index and HLA-B27 status were also investigated. Subanalyses were performed according to disease duration. Results BASMI correlated moderately well with mSASSS (Spearman's ρ=0.6) and weakly with ASspiMRI-a (ρ=0.3). A best-fit model for BASMI included both mSASSS (regression coefficient (B)=0.865, p<0.001) and ASspiMRI-a (B=0.236, p=0.018). In patients with a disease duration ≤3 years, B was greater for ASspiMRI-a than for mSASSS (0.595 vs 0.380), while in patients with a disease duration >3 years B was greater for mSASSS than for ASspiMRI-a (0.924 vs 0.156). Conclusion Spinal mobility impairment in AS is independently determined both by irreversible spinal damage and by reversible spinal inflammation. Spinal mobility impairment is more influenced by spinal inflammation in early disease, and by structural damage in later disease.


A total of 27 Listeria isolates that could not be classified to the species level were obtained from soil samples from different locations in the contiguous United States and an agricultural water sample from New York. Whole-genome sequence-based average nucleotide identity blast (ANIb) showed that the 27 isolates form five distinct clusters; for each cluster, all draft genomes showed ANI values of <95 % similarity to each other and any currently described Listeria species, indicating that each cluster represents a novel species. Of the five novel species, three cluster with the Listeria sensu stricto clade and two cluster with sensu lato. One of the novel sensu stricto species, designated L. cossartiae sp. nov., contains two subclusters with an average ANI similarity of 94.9%, which were designated as subspecies. The proposed three novel sensu stricto species (including two subspecies) are Listeria farberi sp. nov. (type strain FSL L7-0091T=CCUG 74668T=LMG 31917T; maximum ANI 91.9 % to L. innocua ), Listeria immobilis sp. nov. (type strain FSL L7-1519T=CCUG 74666T=LMG 31920T; maximum ANI 87.4 % to L. ivanovii subsp. londoniensis ) and Listeria cossartiae sp. nov. [subsp. cossartiae (type strain FSL L7-1447T=CCUG 74667T=LMG 31919T; maximum ANI 93.4 % to L. marthii ) and subsp. cayugensis (type strain FSL L7-0993T=CCUG 74670T=LMG 31918T; maximum ANI 94.7 % to L. marthii ). The two proposed novel sensu lato species are Listeria portnoyi sp. nov. (type strain FSL L7-1582T=CCUG 74671T=LMG 31921T; maximum ANI value of 88.9 % to L. cornellensis and 89.2 % to L. newyorkensis ) and Listeria rustica sp. nov. (type strain FSL W9-0585T=CCUG 74665T=LMG 31922T; maximum ANI value of 88.7 % to L. cornellensis and 88.9 % to L . newyorkensis ). L. immobilis is the first sensu stricto species isolated to date that is non-motile. All five of the novel species are non-haemolytic and negative for phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity; the draft genomes lack the virulence genes found in Listeria pathogenicity island 1 (LIPI-1), and the internalin genes inlA and inlB, indicating that they are non-pathogenic.


Activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3) is rapidly induced by LPS in mouse macrophages and regulates TLR4 responses. We show that ATF3 is rapidly induced by various TLRs in mouse macrophages and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs), as well as plasmacytoid and myeloid subsets of human DCs. In primary macrophages from mice with a targeted deletion of the atf3 gene (ATF3-knockout (KO)), TLR-stimulated levels of IL-12 and IL-6 were elevated relative to responses in wild-type macrophages. Similarly, targeted deletion of atf3 correlated with enhanced responsiveness of myeloid DCs to TLR activation as measured by IL-12 secretion. Ectopic expression of ATF3 antagonized TLR-stimulated IL-12p40 activation in a reporter assay. In vivo, CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide, a TLR9 agonist, given i.p. to ATF3-KO mice resulted in enhanced cytokine production from splenocytes. Furthermore, while ATF3-KO mice challenged with a sublethal dose of PR8 influenza virus were delayed in body weight recovery in comparison to wild type, the ATF3-KO mice showed higher titers of serum neutralizing Ab against PR8 5 mo postinfection. Thus, ATF3 behaves as a negative regulatory transcription factor in TLR pathways and, accordingly, deficiency in atf3 alters responses to immunological challenges in vivo. ATF3 dysregulation merits further exploration in diseases such as type I diabetes and cancer, where altered innate immunity has been implicated in their pathogenesis.


The research investigates the causes of unemployment in Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa and the role of Capital Accumulation in reducing the unemployment profile of these economies as proposed by the post-Keynesian economics. This is conducted through extensive review of literature on the NAIRU models and focused on the post-Keynesian view of unemployment within the NAIRU framework. The NAIRU (non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment) model has become a dominant framework used in macroeconomic analysis of unemployment. The study views the post-Keynesian economics arguments that capital accumulation is a major determinant of unemployment. Unemployment remains the fundamental socio-economic challenge facing African economies. It has been a burden to citizens of those economies. Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa are great African nations battling with high unemployment rates. The high unemployment rate in the country led the citizens to chase away foreigners in the country claiming that they have taken away their jobs. The study proposes there is a strong relationship between capital accumulation and unemployment in Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa, and capital accumulation is responsible for high unemployment rates in these countries. For the economies to achieve steady state level of employment and satisfactory level of economic growth and development, there is need for capital accumulation to take place. The countries in the study have been selected after a critical research and investigations. They are selected based on the following criteria; African economies with high unemployment rates above 15% and have about 40% of their workforce unemployed. This level of unemployment is the critical level of unemployment in Africa as expressed by International Labour Organization (ILO). And finally, the African countries experience a slow growth in their Gross fixed capital formation. Adequate statistical measures have been employed using a time-series analysis in the study and the results revealed that capital accumulation is the main driver of unemployment performance in the chosen African countries. An increase in the accumulation of capital causes unemployment to reduce significantly. The results of the research work will be useful and relevant to federal governments and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa to resolve the issue of high and persistent unemployment rates in their economies which are great burden that slows growth and development of developing economies. Also, the result can be useful to World Bank, African Development Bank and International Labour Organization (ILO) in their further research and studies on how to tackle unemployment in developing and emerging economies. Keywords---Capital accumulation, NAIRU, post-Keynesian economics, unemployment.


Six patients with epithelial ovarian cancer had clinical diagnoses of central nervous system (CNS) metastases during a four-year period. A thorough review of the literature shows that involvement of the CNS by ovarian cancer is a rare phenomenon. Four of the six patients developed parenchymal brain metastases whereas carcinomatous meningitis was detected in the other two. These patients were younger and survived longer from initial diagnosis than the majority of women with ovarian cancer. Five of the six patients had previously received chemotherapy and had developed metastatic spread to extraperitoneal sites. Following extensive surgical resection, chemotherapy may provide intraperitoneal and systemic control, thereby extending survival and permitting occult CNS metastases to become apparent.


We investigate the effects of synaptic transmission on early visual processing by examining the passage of signals from photoreceptors to second order neurons (LMCS). We concentrate on the roles played by three properties of synaptic transmission: (1) the shape of the characteristic curve, relating pre- and postsynaptic signal amplitudes, (2) the dynamics of synaptic transmission and (3) the noise introduced during transmission. The characteristic curve is sigmoidal and follows a simple model of synaptic transmission (Appendix) in which transmitter release rises exponentially with presynaptic potential. According to this model a presynaptic depolarization of 1.50–1.86 mV produces an e-fold increase in postsynaptic conductance. The characteristic curve generates a sigmoidal relation between postsynaptic (LMC) response amplitude and stimulus contrast. The shape and slope of the characteristic curve is unaffected by the state of light adaptation. Retinal antagonism adjusts the characteristic curve to keep it centred on the mean level of receptor response generated by the background. Thus the photoreceptor synapses operate in the mid-region of the curve, where the slope or gain is highest and equals approximately 6. The dynamics of transmission of a signal from photoreceptor to second-order neuron approximates to the sum of two processes with exponential time courses. A momentary receptor depolarization generates a postsynaptic hyperpolarization of time constant 0.5–1.0 ms, followed by a slower and weaker depolarization. Light adaptation increases the relative amplitude of the depolarizing process and reduces its time constant from 80 ms to 1.5 ms. The hyperpolarizing process is too rapid to bandlimit receptor signals. The noise introduced during the passage of the signal from receptor to second-order neuron is measured by comparing signal: noise ratios and noise power spectra in the two cell types. Under daylight conditions from 50 to 70% of the total noise power is generated by events associated with the transmission of photoreceptor signals and the generation of LMC responses. According to the exponential model of transmitter release, the effects of synaptic noise are minimized when synaptic gain is maximized. Moreover, both retinal antagonism and the sigmoidal shape of the characteristic curve promote synaptic gain. We conclude that retinal antagonism and nonlinear synaptic amplification act in concert to protect receptor signals from contamination by synaptic noise. This action may explain the widespread occurrence of these processes in early visual processing.


This paper reports development an admission new students application using TOPSIS (Technique Order Preference by Similarity To Ideal Solution) method for support selection process in Karanganyar Islamic State High School (MAN Karanganyar ) . This method was chosen because alternative ranking focuses on the shortest distance to the positive ideal solution and longest distance to the negative ideal solution. Software development model for this application used iterative method through stages of analysis, design, implementation and testing phases. Iterative development in this application performed with two iterations. Testing of this application used McCall's software quality factors from the perspective of product operations that include correctness, reliability, efficiency, integrity, and usability factor. Testing on correctness factor showed that this application qualifies user requirement specification of MAN Karanganyar. Testing on reliability factor performed using Apache JMeter software and obtained the result that as many as 20 users did not experience a failure accessing applications simultaneously, whereas the "input weights" and the "calculation" pages could only be accessed by single user. Testing on efficiency factor performed using GTMetrix website, obtained grade A in the second iteration. Testing on integrity factor performed encryption on user password in the second iteration. Testing on usability factor used questionnaire of System Usability Scale (SUS) showed that the average value of SUS in the second iteration is acceptable category. Based on the testing result obtained from five operation factors, this application can be used to help in the selection of the new students at MAN Karanganyar.


The aim of the present work was to study the validity and prognostic accuracy of scores for assessing the severity of the condition in children with severe trauma, located in the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation in the Clinical and Research Institute of Urgent Pediatric Surgery and Trauma. The prospective study was conducted using clinical and physiological data collected at the admission and during the first 24 hours of hospitalization from 474 patients. The validity and prognostic accuracy of prognostic scores were assessed by determining their discrimination and calibration ability. A comparison of the discriminatory ability of scores was carried out by comparing the areas under the ROC curves with the z-criterion. Four prognostic scores were included into the study: PRISM, APACHE II, ISS-RTS-TRISS, which were used for calculating the severity of injury and for prognosis of death. Score PTS was used for evaluating the severity index only. Our results indicate that only score ISS-RTS-TRISS may be useful in practice (has excellent discrimination ability and significant calibration ability). The other lack either discrimination ability (PRISM) or calibration ability (PTS, APACHE II). The result of the study has shown that only one of the four prognostic scores, ISS-RTS-TRISS, can be successfully used in everyday practice in the department of anesthesiology and resuscitation in the specialized hospital of children's traumatology to assess the severity of the condition, with the possibility of predicting the likelihood of a lethal outcome.


Background: For moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, palonosetron (PALO) is reported to provide complete control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in 69% of patients. Prior to August 2009, our gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients receiving the moderately emetogenic compounds oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus a fluoropyrimidine regimen received ondansetron and dexamethasone orally on day 1 of chemotherapy for CINV prevention. Beginning in August of 2009, ondansetron was replaced by PALO 0.25 mg (intravenous push). Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective study of GI cancer patients who received oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus a fluoropyrimidine. Failure of an antiemetic regimen was defined as grade ≥1 vomiting or grade ≥2 nausea (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3) on days 1 through 5 following chemotherapy. Patients were divided for analysis into pre-PALO and post-PALO cohorts. Fisher's exact test compared cohort differences. Results: A total of 305 patients were included in the study, with 157 patients in the pre-PALO cohort and 148 in the post-PALO cohort. For all patients, the risk of antiemetic failure was reduced from 50.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 42.2–58.4%] to 28.4% (95% CI 21.3–36.4%) with PALO. This reduction in the relative risk of antiemetic failure was observed in all subgroups. Conclusion: The addition of PALO may provide increased control of CINV for the moderately emetogenic regimens of oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus a fluoropyrimidine in GI cancer patients.


Polarization-insensitive wavelength conversion at 2.5 and 10 Gb/s using four-wave mixing in a bulk semiconductor optical amplifier is reported. At 10 Gb/s, a conversion range from 6.4-nm wavelength downshift to 4.8-nm upshift has been demonstrated. The conversion efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio versus conversion range are also characterized.


Upper Paleozoic volcanic rocks in the southern part of the Taylorsville strike belt are unconformably truncated at the North Fork of the American River by a lens of Upper Triassic conodont-bearing limestone and Lower and Middle Jurassic graywacke-slate flysch deposits of the Sailor Canyon Formation. The volcanic sequence consists of submarine felsic pyroclastic debris flows and tuffaceous slate of the Late Devonian Sierra Buttes Formation, andesitic turbidites of the Taylor Formation, a lower tuff-siltstone member and an upper chert member of the Peale Formation, and fine-grained tuff of the Reeve Formation. Newly discovered radiolarians date the chert member of the Peale as latest Late Mississippian and(or) Early Pennsylvanian. Shelly fossil fragments found 50 m above the chert member date the lower part of the Reeve in this area as late Early Permian. These rocks formed in the distal part of the submarine volcanic apron, presumably in an island-arc setting, and were deposited unconformably on quartz-rich clastic rocks and tectonically interlayered chert of the pre–Late Devonian Shoo Fly Complex. The Peale marks a period of quiescence in the late Paleozoic volcanism that culminated in deep-water chert deposition during latest Mississippian to the Middle Pennsylvanian. The Peale-Reeve contact is a regional hiatus, probably nondepositional in the south and becoming erosional to the north, that spans most or all of the Late Pennsylvanian and Early Permian. Post-late Early Permian to pre-Late Triassic deformation produced northeast-trending folds and a southeast-trending fault in the late Paleozoic volcanic rocks that are truncated nearly orthogonally by the Late Triassic unconformity and northwest-trending folds in the Jurassic Sailor Canyon Formation.


PURPOSE
omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. Dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) colitis in rats appears to mimic nearly all of the morphological characteristics and lesion distributions of ulcerative colitis. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of omega 3 fatty acids in the treatment of experimental ulcerative colitis.

METHODS
thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly assigned to group A or group B receiving 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in their drinking water for eight days. For the next eight days post-DSS, group A animals received tap-water, and group B animals were fed a nutritional solution containing high levels of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ProSure®, Abbott Laboratories, Zwolle, Netherlands) once per day, administrated with a orogastric feeding tube.

RESULTS
animals fed an omega 3 rich diet exhibited a statistically significant increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, compared to animals drinking tap water, and a trend towards histopathological and clinical improvement, with the administration of omega 3 fatty acids ameliorating epithelial erosion by day 8 post-DSS, but no statistically significant difference was observed between group A and group B animals at 4 or 8 days post-DSS. Also, a statistically significant increase in neutrophil infiltration was observed, as depicted by myelohyperoxidase activity.

CONCLUSION
our findings support a positive role of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis despite the increased colonic neutrophil infiltration. Further studies are needed in order to investigate the role of increased neutrophils in colonic mucosa.


Spreading depression (SD) waves occur in focal cerebral ischemia of the brain. Optical reflectance imaging at 550 +/- 10-nm wavelength using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, called optical intrinsic signal imaging (OISI) in the neuroscience community, provides high resolution imaging of SD waves based on changes in blood perfusion. We present optical images of SD waves in normal rat brain induced by a pinprick, and the spontaneous SD waves that follow middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The images of change in reflectance are calculated as A = (I-I(o))I(o), where I is pixel intensity as some timepoint and I(o) is the initial intensity just prior to an SD wave. Difference images B = [I(i)-I(i-1)]I(o), where I(i) is the image at time i and I(i-1) is the previous image at time i-1 (a 6.4-s interval), significantly sharpen the boundaries between leading and trailing edges of the SD wave. Maximum rate-of-change images C = max(B) display the maximum pixel value of B within the duration of a single SD wave, and provide an image that visualizes the entire penumbra. The penumbra appear bright due to a rapid drop in perfusion, while the normal brain and infarct area appear dark.


Distributed Interactive Applications (DIAs) are networked systems that allow multiple participants to interact with one another in real time. Wide spreads of client locations in larges-cale DIAs often require geographical distribution of servers to meet the latency requirements of the applications. In the distributed server architecture, how the clients are assigned to the servers directly affects the network latency involved in the interactions between clients. This paper focuses on the client assignment problem for enhancing the interactivity performance of DIAs. We formulate the problem as a combinational optimization problem on graphs and prove that it is NP-complete. Several heuristic algorithms are proposed for fast computation of good client assignments and are experimentally evaluated. The experimental results show that the proposed greedy algorithms perform close to the optimal assignment and generally outperform the Nearest-Assignment algorithm that assigns each client to its nearest server.


The United Kingdom's seaside resorts are in decline. This has been addressed by various regeneration strategies. The Gambling Act 2005 threw a potential lifeline to some seaside resorts that wished to utilise casinos as cultural regeneration tools. However, this is a unique example of a regeneration lever that generates new policy processes. This thesis explores the development and passage of the casino regeneration strategy in three seaside resorts: Great Yarmouth, Scarborough and Torbay. All of these resorts had differing cultural and socio-economic contexts. Linking the perceptions of this type of cultural development demanded a specific methodology. Casinos are cultural objects and social spaces. The intersection of the cultural, economic and social demanded an overarching theoretical guide within which these perceptions could be explored. Of particular value was the work of Lefebvre in his core work on 'The Production of Space' (1991) and du Gay et al. 'Circuit of Culture' (1997).
How policymakers, business and community representatives conceived casino spaces was explored through the regulatory environment at the national, regional and local levels of governance. The perception of how casino spaces should be produced to arrive at culturally compatible representations and identities for consumption followed. It was found that the regulatory environment was experimental and confusing to some. However, most interviewees wanted to see large casino complexes developed in their towns. Potential moral, social and cultural hazards were perceived but not to have been fully considered in the government's strategy, however the economic advantages outweighed these. This study argues that further research is required into this contested cultural activity, and the spaces that house that activity once they are built and operating.


ABSTRACT
Teacher's professional competence development becomes very important in general area or study of education, it is probably because the professional competence development of the teacher plays an important role in their performance in teaching and the interaction with the students and other members of the school community. So, the problem statement of this research are: (i) What are the EFL teacher's perceptions on the meaning of professional competence development? (ii) How do EFL teachers translate their professional competence development into their classroom teaching practice? (iii) How do EFL teachers develop their professional competence that contribute to their teaching?
The research aims at (i) knowing and analyzing information about EFL teachers' perceptions on the meaning of professional competence development, (ii) finding and analyzing how do EFL Teachers translate their professional competence development into their classroom teaching practice and (iii) finding and analyzing information about EFL teachers initiative to develop their professional competence that may contribute to their teaching. The research applying qualitative descriptive method in the form of ethnography study approach.
The findings indicate that (i) EFL teacher's perception on the meaning of professional competence development in SMA Negeri 1 Parepare are indeed very necessary and very helpful for successful process of teaching and learning that lead to increase the student's interest of the material. (ii) EFL Teachers in SMA Negeri 1 parepare apply four sub categories in terms of competence practices in teaching classroom context, such as; Before teaching they do preparation where the preparation is necessary to help the EFL teacher maintain the momentum of the classroom circumstances, EFL teachers in SMA Negeri 1 Parepare qualities in teaching are they teach the four language skills and some language elements in form of integrated skills and they believe the skills and the elements them selves connect each other. EFL teachers in SMA Negeri 1 Parepare language use in teaching are they use both English and Indonesian in their teaching classroom context, Type of task and assignment the teachers give based on the important aspects of language that needs to be taught. They try to evaluate their students understanding on the material that have been taught in the classroom. The teachers even conduct evaluation whether incidentally, indirectly and in every gradual meeting. (iii) EFL Teachers of SMA Negeri 1 Parepare do some activities in order to develop their professional competence, such as; Professionally,They read many books about teaching, Join an English Meeting Club, Continue their study to the higher educational program, Pedagogically, Join professional development program, and participating In service training for teacher quality improvement


In an attempt to isolate Paracoccidioides brasiliensis from nature 887 samples of soil from Botucatu, SP, Brazil, were collected cultured in brain heart infusion agar supplemented with dextrose, in potato dextrose agar and in yeast extract starch dextrose agar, all with antibiotics, at 25 degrees and 37 degrees C. Five thermo-dependent dimorphic fungi morphologically resembling P. brasiliensis were isolated; two from armadillo holes; further studies of the biology, antigenicity and genetic features of the five dimorphic fungi are necessary to clarify their taxonomy and their possible relation to P. brasiliensis. In addition, 98 dematiaceous fungi and 581 different species of Aspergillus spp. were also isolated. Our findings emphasize that armadillos and their environment are associated with thermo-dimorphic fungi and confirm the ubiquity of pathogenic dematiaceous fungi and Aspergillus spp.


The insect chemoreceptor superfamily comprises the olfactory receptor (Or) and gustatory receptor (Gr) multigene families. These families give insects the ability to smell and taste chemicals in the environment and are thus rich resources for linking molecular evolutionary and ecological processes. Although dramatic differences in family size among distant species and high divergence among paralogs have led to the belief that the two families evolve rapidly, a lack of evolutionary data over short time scales has frustrated efforts to identify the major forces shaping this evolution. Here, we investigate patterns of gene loss/gain, divergence, and polymorphism in the entire repertoire of ∼130 chemoreceptor genes from five closely related species of Drosophila that share a common ancestor within the past 12 million years. We demonstrate that the overall evolution of the Or and Gr families is nonneutral. We also show that selection regimes differ both between the two families as wholes and within each family among groups of genes with varying functions, patterns of expression, and phylogenetic histories. Finally, we find that the independent evolution of host specialization in Drosophila sechellia and D. erecta is associated with a fivefold acceleration of gene loss and increased rates of amino acid evolution at receptors that remain intact. Gene loss appears to primarily affect Grs that respond to bitter compounds while elevated Ka/Ks is most pronounced in the subset of Ors that are expressed in larvae. Our results provide strong evidence that the observed phenomena result from the invasion of a novel ecological niche and present a unique synthesis of molecular evolutionary analyses with ecological data.


Background: The treatment of pediatric patients with drugs in hospitals is being impeded by a shortage in the availability of licensed drugs in an appropriate formulation. Aim of this study is to assess the extent of use of drugs that are not licensed (unlicensed) and drugs that are used outside the terms of the product license (off-label). Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted among 210 pediatric patients attending outpatient and inpatients (ward and pediatric intensive care unit) at tertiary care teaching hospital. Demographic data and complete prescription were noted in the predesigned case record form (CRF). Drugs were classified off-label and unlicensed by using National Formulary of India (NFI). Off-label drugs were classified in regards to their indications by using Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification. The proportion was compared using chi-square test for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 1053 drugs, prescribed (42.5%) were off-label drugs and (13.7%) were unlicensed drugs respectively. There was no significant result difference (p>0.05) when the proportion of drug prescribed for outpatients and inpatients. The highest proportion of off-label and unlicensed drugs were prescribed among 0-2 years. Respiratory drug (58.7%) and anti-infective (57.1%) had higher off-label use. The most common reason for off-label use of drugs was dosage of drugs. Conclusion: This study shows high level of prevalence of prescribing off-label and unlicensed drugs outpatients and among 0-2 years hence it is recommended to generate more quality data on the safety and efficacy of off-label and unlicensed drugs to rationalize paediatric pharmacotherapy.


: Endometriosis is an enigmatic condition of unknown cause and poorly understood histogenesis. It affects women in their reproductive years limiting their fertility and seriously impairing their health. It is not entirely clear what is the mechanism of infertility associated with endometriosis but it is well accepted that treatment of the latter improves significantly chances for conception. Danazol is a synthetic steroid, derivative of 17 alpha-ethinyl testosterone. It suppresses ovarian function through a direct inhibitory effect on ovarian steroidogenesis and through inhibition of FSH and LH secretion. The drug is a mild androgen but has no estrogenic or progestational properties. In normally cycling women danazol induces the state of pseudomenopause characterized by complete suppression of ovarian function, amenorrhea and hypoestrogenic state. Uterine endometrium and ectopic endometrium undergo atrophy during treatment, resulting in a regression and disappearance of endometriosis. The therapy should commence with the onset of the menstrual period and should be continued for three to six months or longer depending on the initial extent of the disease and a clinical response. The clinical and symptomatic improvement and disappearance of endometriosis is observed in over 80% of the patients. The corrected pregnancy rate after discontinuation of treatment exceeds 70%, but depends on the initial extent of the disease and on the severity and location of pelvic adhesions. Pseudomenopause alone has a limited value in the treatment of infertility in patients with extensive endometriosis combined with severe pelvic adhesive disease. In such patients a combined medical and surgical treatment offers advantages over each of these two approaches when applied individually. A three to six month course of danazol prior to conservative surgery facilitates surgical resection of endometriosis and limits its extent and is associated with better clinical results.


BACKGROUND
Research on the use of a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) with spacer (pMDI/spacer) in children has indicated oral inhalation via the spacer mouthpiece is more efficient than the combination of oral and nasal inhalation that occurs when a pMDI/spacer is used with a facemask. Changes in pMDI formulations and developments in spacer and facemask designs have highlighted the need for new comparative studies of spacer use, particularly focusing on the age at which children can be taught to transition from use of a pMDI/spacer with facemask to use of the spacer mouthpiece.

METHODS
Twelve children aged 3-5 years (7 males) with stable asthma were recruited. Of these, 10 children (6 males) completed both arms of the study. A transmission scan of each compliant subject was taken using a 37 MBq (99m)Tc flood source. Actuations (2-3) of a (99m)Tc-radiolabeled albuterol pMDI were administered through an antistatic spacer (OptiChamber Diamond) via either a facemask (medium LiteTouch facemask), or the spacer mouthpiece. The subject's inhalation pattern was simultaneously recorded using a pMDI Datalogger, and narrative data relating to tolerance and compliance were documented. Anterior and posterior planar scintigraphic scans were taken immediately after aerosol administration.

RESULTS
Mean (SD) lung deposition (% total dose) was 18.1 (9.1)% with the facemask and 22.5 (7.9)% with the spacer mouthpiece (p>0.05). Peripheral lung deposition (expressed as peripheral:central (P:C) ratio) was higher in 7 out of 10 children with the facemask compared with the spacer mouthpiece: 1.3 (0.26) vs. 1.2 (0.35); (p=0.11). Head and neck deposition was higher with use of the facemask compared with the spacer mouthpiece: 19.7 (10.6)% vs. 10.8 (5.3)% (p=0.011).

CONCLUSIONS
Lung deposition achieved using the spacer with facemask was higher than previously reported, with a difference of only 4.4% of total dose measured compared to the deposition with mouthpiece. This may be due to a combination of factors including pMDI formulation, and use of an antistatic spacer with a flexible, well-fitting facemask.


Microbiological safety of beef products can be protected by application of antimicrobial interventions throughout the beef chain. This study evaluated a commercial prototype antimicrobial intervention comprised of lytic bacteriophages formulated to reduce O157 and non-O157 Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) on beef cattle hide pieces, simulating commercial pre-harvest hide decontamination. STEC reduction in vitro by individual and cocktailed phages was determined by efficiency of plating (EOP). Following STEC inoculation onto hide pieces, the phage intervention was applied and hide pieces were analyzed to quantify reductions in STEC counts. Phage intervention treatment resulted in 0.4 to 0.7 log10 CFU/cm2 (p < 0.01) E. coli O157, O121, and O103 reduction. Conversely, E. coli O111 and O45 did not show any significant reduction after application of bacteriophage intervention (p > 0.05). Multiplicity of infection (MOI) evaluation indicated E. coli O157 and O121 isolates required the fewest numbers of phages per host cell to produce host lysis. STEC-attacking phages may be applied to assist in preventing STEC transmission to beef products.


Introduction: Babies born with cleft palate suffer from feeding problems which interfere with their nutrition and development; thereby, hampering the criteria for subsequent corrective surgery. The palatal cleft interferes with nursing and causes insufficient suckling or nasal regurgitation of food. Because of altered anatomy and presence of oro-nasal fistula, baby tends to present suction difficulties due to lack of negative intraoral pressure. Upper respiratory tract infection and chronic catarrh are not frequent. Materials and Methods: Here is a patented device for attaching on commercially-available feeding bottles to facilitate effective nutrition method. The device's journey from concept to clinical use has been presented with a case series. Results: The device was tried and tested successfully in many babies born with Cleft palate. It has been successfully used to feeding neonates by their mothers/care-takers with almost no training required. Conclusion: The device is extremely easy to use, easy to maintain and economical. In cases where modifying the feeding position alone cannot make much difference, these attachments can be advocated.


Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease characterized by inflammation of the GI tract, which disturbs the mucosal lining and hinders magnesium (Mg2+) absorption. Research has shown that increasing the dietary intake of Mg2+ decreases the severity of the colitis symptoms, but there is no data on the effect this has on the microbiota of the GI tract or the blood. We found that, in DSS-treated mice, the amount of bacteria in the colon increases with a decrease in dietary Mg2+, and that the concentration of bacteria in the spleen does not correlate to symptom severity or to colonic bacterial amounts. Mg2+ could be used as a supplement for UC patients, treating both hypomagnesemia and lowering colonic bacteria closer to healthy levels.


The identification of target identity attributes and its behavioral prediction are important means for providing command and decision support in modern warfare. This paper analyzes the key steps in the process of target recognition and behavior prediction and proposes a target recognition and behavior prediction model based on the Bayesian network. In the simulation example, by integrating the sensor information and combining expert knowledge, the model can effectively and accurately conduct battlefield situational awareness. Combined with the background of big data, this paper introduces the distributed processing system Hadoop, and prospects its application in target recognition and behavior prediction.


This article focuses on how social media is represented in newspapers by analyzing two popular Turkish newspapers in the last decade, from 2013 to 2021. The news was examined with qualitative content analysis supported by MAXQDA software which is used to generate codings from the text while reading each news item. The article first reviews the literature on social media and the news. Afterward, the findings of the textual analysis are shared with diagrams and in an organized way around the themes. Some chosen examples are discussed with a special focus on the visuals and the headlines which are translated. The article reveals that social media, starting as the mobilizing force during the Gezi protests, over the years, gained new meanings in the news. In conclusion, it is suggested to categorize the following represented themes from 2013 to 2021 under the two frames as negative and positive. While the first includes the themes of disinformation and harm, crime, and access problems, the positive frame consists of the themes of new apps, services and technology, publicity, and using social media campaigns for good causes.
The article argues how the newspapers, with the content of the news as these themes and with the form of the news with short, superficial, and under-investigated reporting as shown in the examples, in accordance with the context, amplify primarily authoritarianism and commercialism and ends with the suggestions.


This thesis proposes a method of Tangible Visualisation, which results in ideas rendered visible and capable of being interacted with for communication, development, and reflection. Physically manifesting a concept adds value to the design process as information known and unknown can now be perceived in a highly resolved lifelike prototype. Multi-property 3D printing is the process of depositing material to create a complex digital model with varying rigid and flexible qualities and using the Stratasys J750 PolyJet 3D printer allowed for the production of micro-millimetre details at a finished product level resolution.

A surgical drain is a tube that removes infected fluids, such as blood, pus or other liquids, from a wound inside the human body after surgery. Initially, they were designed for irrigation, not drainage, which is a contributing factor to their on average 50% complication rate. Common issues include kinking, tube obstruction, clogging, and dislodgment.

Clinicians may be conceptually aware of changes to make medical devices better; however, for the most part, they do not have the expertise to translate their thoughts into reality. The role of the designer is to render ideas into physical prototypes for interpretation. In this study, multi-property 3D printing was deemed the most appropriate additive manufacturing process for the production of dynamic clinical ideas from the conducted literature and precedent reviews. Research-for-design provided background information for the project. Research-through-design, with a practice-based iterative design approach, explored the capabilities of multi-property 3D printing as a prototyping and visualisation method.

The classification of physical outcomes is either pragmatic concepts designed for current manufacturing technologies and today's market or speculative ideas that investigated 4D printing and dynamic anatomical structures, where 3D printing may be the manufacturing method. Exploring multiple designs during this research allowed a thorough evaluation of multi-property 3D printing and the development of various surgical drain related concepts, which included, irrigation drains, external skin-fixation devices, stimulus-responsive drains and venous valve structures.

The unique additive manufacturing process proved to be an effective prototyping method while the tangible outputs allowed for the visualisation of complex ideas, being assets in the design process. The results of this study identified that incorporating multi-property 3D printing early in the development phase of a concept allows for the understanding of the constraints but also the opportunities of sophisticated ideas.


BACKGROUND
Coxiella burnetii endocarditis is considered to be a late complication of Q fever in patients with preexisting valvular heart disease (VHD). We observed a large transient aortic vegetation in a patient with acute Q fever and high levels of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG aCL). Therefore, we sought to determine how commonly acute Q fever could cause valvular vegetations associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, which would be a new clinical entity.

METHODS
We performed a consecutive case series between January 2007 and April 2014 at the French National Referral Center for Q fever. Age, sex, history of VHD, immunosuppression, and IgG aCL assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were tested as potential predictors.

RESULTS
Of the 759 patients with acute Q fever and available echocardiographic results, 9 (1.2%) were considered to have acute Q fever endocarditis, none of whom had a previously known VHD. After multiple adjustment, very high IgG aCL levels (>100 immunoglobulin G-type phospholipid units; relative risk [RR], 24.9 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 4.5-140.2]; P = .002) and immunosuppression (RR, 10.1 [95% CI, 3.0-32.4]; P = .002) were independently associated with acute Q fever endocarditis.

CONCLUSIONS
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with valvular vegetations in acute Q fever is a new clinical entity. This would suggest the value of systematically testing for C. burnetii in antiphospholipid-associated cardiac valve disease, and performing early echocardiography and antiphospholipid dosages in patients with acute Q fever.


Background: Telepathology can potentially be utilized as an alternative to having on-site pathology services for rural and regional hospitals. The goal of the study was to validate two small-footprint desktop telepathology systems for remote parathyroid frozen sections. Subjects and Methods: Three pathologists retrospectively diagnosed 76 parathyroidectomy frozen sections of 52 patients from three pathology services in Australia using the "live-view mode" of MikroScan D2 and Aperio LV1 and in-house direct microscopy. The final paraffin section diagnosis served as the "gold standard" for accuracy evaluation. Concordance rates of the telepathology systems with direct microscopy, inter-pathologist and intra-pathologist agreement, and the time taken to report each slide were analyzed. Results: Both telepathology systems showed high diagnostic accuracy (>99%) and high concordance (>99%) with direct microscopy. High inter-pathologist agreement for telepathology systems was demonstrated by overall kappa values of 0.92 for Aperio LV1 and 0.85 for MikroScan D2. High kappa values (from 0.85 to 1) for intra-pathologist agreement within the three systems were also observed. The time taken per slide by Aperio LV1 and MicroScan D2 within three pathologists was about 3.0 times (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8–3.2) and 7.7 times (P < 0.001, 95% CI: 7.1–8.3) as long as direct microscopy, respectively, while MikroScan D2 took about 2.6 times as long as Aperio LV1 (P < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.4–2.7). All pathologists evaluated Aperio LV1 as being more user-friendly. Conclusions: Telepathology diagnosis of parathyroidectomy frozen sections through small-footprint desktop systems is accurate, reliable, and comparable with in-house direct microscopy. Telepathology systems take longer than direct microscopy; however, the time taken is within clinically acceptable limits. Aperio LV1 takes shorter time than MikroScan D2 and is more user-friendly.


A man in his early to mid-50s with a history of paranoid schizophrenia presented with decreased vision in the left eye after 2 months of left facial numbness and swelling. External examination revealed left-sided proptosis with globe dystopia, ptosis, and decreased facial sensation. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/200 OD and hand motions OS with a left-sided relative afferent pupillary defect. There was marked limitation of extraocular movements on the left side. The right optic nerve was without pallor or edema and the left optic nerve was notable for disc edema. Imaging (Figure, A) and biopsy (Figure, B) revealed sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. The patient's cancer was staged at T4N0M0. He refused chemotherapy and surgical resection. Radiotherapy was not thought to be a sole effective therapy given the size and aggressive nature of the tumor. The patient elected for hospice care and died 5 months after initial presentation.


Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene are potential candidates for future interconnect materials. CNTs are promising on-chip via interconnect materials due to their readily formed vertical structures, their current-carrying capacity, which is much larger than existing on-chip interconnect materials such as copper and tungsten, and their demonstrated ability to grow in patterned vias with sub-50 nm widths; meanwhile, graphene is suitable for horizontal interconnects. However, they both present the challenge of having high-resistance contacts with other conductors. An all-carbon structure is proposed in this paper, which can be formed using the same chemical vapor deposition method for both CNTs and graphene. Vertically aligned CNTs are grown directly on graphene with an Fe or Ni catalyst. The structural characteristics of the graphene and the grown CNTs are analyzed using Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy techniques. The CNT-graphene interface is studied in detail using transmission electron microscopic analysis of the CNT-graphene heterostructure, which suggests C−C bonding between the two materials. Electrical measurement results confirm the existence of both a lateral conduction path within graphene and a vertical conduction path in the CNT-graphene heterostructure, giving further support to the C−C bonding at the CNT-graphene interface and resulting in potential applications for all-carbon interconnects.


Abstract. The profound, beautiful and, at times, rather mysterious symbiosis between mathematics and physics has always been a source of wonder, but, in the past twenty years, the intensity of the mutual interaction between these two has become nothing short of startling. Our objective here is to provide an introduction, in terms as elementary as possible, to one small aspect of this relationship. Toward this end we shall tell a story. Although we make no attempt to relate it chronologically, the story can be said to begin with the efforts of Yang and Mills to construct a nonabelian generalization of classical electromagnetic theory, and to culminate in a remarkable conjecture of Witten concerning the Donaldson invariants of a smooth four-manifold.


Background and Aim: All activities of daily living need to balance control in static and dynamic movements. In recent years, a numerous increase can be seen in the functional balance assessment tools. Functional balance tests emphasize on static and dynamic balance, balance in weight transfer, the equilibrium response to the imbalances, and functional mobility. These standardized and available tests assess performance and require minimal or no equipment and short time to run. Functional balance is prerequisite for the most static and dynamic activities in daily life and needs sufficient interaction between sensory and motor systems. According to the critical role of balance in everyday life, and wide application of functional balance tests in the diagnosis and assessment of patients, a review of the functional balance tests was performed. Methods: The Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Magiran, Iran Medex, and IranDoc databases were reviewed and the reliable and valid tests which were mostly used by Iranian researchers were assessed. Conclusion: It seems that Berg balance scale (BBS) have been studied by Iranian and foreign researches more than the other tests. This test has high reliability and validity in elderly and in the most neurological disorders.


Background: Rituximab (R) plus CHOP (R-CHOP) is standard-of-care treatment for previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Approximately 35-40% of patients (pts) will relapse following R-CHOP, and outcomes with salvage therapy remain poor. Obinutuzumab (GA101; GAZYVA/GAZYVARO; G) is a glycoengineered, type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with greater direct cell death induction and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity/phagocytosis activity than R. In the Phase 2 GATHER study (NCT01414855), G plus CHOP (G-CHOP) demonstrated manageable toxicity and promising efficacy in pts with advanced untreated DLBCL. GOYA (NCT01287741) is an open-label, multicenter, randomized Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of G-CHOP with R-CHOP in pts with previously untreated DLBCL. GOYA was sponsored by Roche with scientific support from the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi. Methods: Eligible pts were aged ≥18 years and had adequate hematologic function, ≥1 bi-dimensionally measurable lesion, an ECOG performance status (PS) of ≤2 and an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of ≥2 (high, high-intermediate or low-intermediate risk). Low-risk pts with an IPI score of 1 (but not due to age alone) or with an IPI score of 0 with bulky disease (one lesion ≥7.5cm) were also eligible. Pts were randomized 1:1 to receive 8 (21-day) cycles of G (1000mg i.v. on Days [D] 1, 8, and 15, Cycle [C] 1 and D1, C2-8) or R (375mg/m2 i.v. on D1, C1-8) in combination with 6 or 8 cycles of CHOP (number of cycles preplanned in advance for all pts at each site). Preplanned radiotherapy was allowed for bulky or extranodal disease. The primary endpoint was investigator (INV)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS); for the target hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75, the 3-year PFS was expected to improve from 60% to 68%. Secondary endpoints included: PFS assessed by Independent Review Committee (IRC); overall survival (OS); complete response (CR) and overall response rate (ORR) with or without PET (assessed by INV or IRC according to modified Cheson 2007 criteria); and safety. Results: 1418 pts were randomized to study treatment: 706 to G-CHOP and 712 to R-CHOP. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the G-CHOP and R-CHOP arms: mean age, 62.0 years in both arms; ECOG PS ≥2, 12% vs. 14%; IPI score ≥3, 47% vs. 43%; Ann Arbor stage III-IV, 76% in both arms. Cell-of-origin distribution, as assessed by gene-expression profiling (NanoString), was similar in both treatment groups (GCB: 58% [271/471] G-CHOP, 58% [269/462] R-CHOP; ABC: 27% [125/471] G-CHOP, 26% [118/462] R-CHOP; Unclassified: 15.9% [75/471] G-CHOP, 16.2% [75/462] R-CHOP). For the primary endpoint of INV-assessed PFS, there was no significant difference between G-CHOP and R-CHOP (3-year PFS, 69% vs. 66%; stratified HR, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76, 1.12; p=0.3868; Table). Secondary endpoints, including PFS by IRC, OS, and end-of-treatment ORR/CR rate (with and without PET), were consistent with the primary endpoint, with no clinically meaningful differences observed between the treatment arms (Table). In a prespecified subgroup analysis of INV-assessed PFS, a stratified HR of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.50, 1.01) in favor of G-CHOP over R-CHOP was determined for pts with GCB DLBCL (3-year PFS, 79% vs. 70%). No new safety signals were identified. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs; 74% vs. 65%) and serious AEs (43% vs. 38%) were more common in the G-CHOP than in the R-CHOP arm. Grade ≥3 AEs of particular interest that were numerically more common with G-CHOP than R-CHOP included neutropenia (57% vs. 48%), infusion-related reactions (45% vs. 32%), infections (54% vs. 44%), and thrombocytopenia (8% vs. 3%). AEs resulting in withdrawal from treatment (12% [84/704] G-CHOP; 9% [60/703] R-CHOP) and AEs with fatal outcome (6% [41/704] G-CHOP; 4% [30/703] R-CHOP) were slightly more common with G-CHOP. The most common AEs leading to death were pneumonia (5 G-CHOP; 6 R-CHOP) and sepsis/septic shock (7 G-CHOP; 3 R-CHOP). Conclusions: The primary endpoint of this study was not met: G-CHOP did not significantly improve INV-assessed PFS compared with R-CHOP in previously untreated pts with DLBCL. No unexpected safety signals were identified. Further investigation of outcomes in subgroups is planned. Disclosures Vitolo:Gilead: Other: Honoraria for lectures; Roche: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Honoraria for lectures; Janssen: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Honoraria for lectures; Takeda: Other: Honoraria for lectures. Trněný:Roche, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen, Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche, Celgene: Research Funding. Belada:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Chua:Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Lundbeck: Consultancy. Flinn:Janssen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding; RainTree Oncology Services: Equity Ownership. Kim:Celltrion, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria. Pinto:Millennium: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Helssin: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Burke:Pfizer: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Other: Travel Expenses; Millenium: Consultancy. Oestergaard:Roche: Employment. Wenger:Genentech: Employment. Fingerle-Rowson:F. Hoffmann-LaRoche: Employment. Catalani:Roche: Employment. Nielsen:Hoffmann-La Roche: Employment. Sehn:roche/genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; seattle genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; lundbeck: Consultancy, Honoraria; janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria.


Significance Diverse cognitive abilities have typically been found to intercorrelate highly and to be strongly influenced by genetics. Recent twin studies have suggested that the ability to recognize human faces is an exception: it is similarly highly heritable, but largely uncorrelated with other abilities. However, assessing genetic relationships—the degree to which traits are influenced by the same genes—requires very large samples, which have not previously been available. This study, using data from more than 2,000 twins, shows for the first time, to our knowledge, that the genetic influences on face recognition are almost entirely unique. This finding provides strong support for the view that face recognition is "special" and may ultimately illuminate the nature of cognitive abilities in general. Specific cognitive abilities in diverse domains are typically found to be highly heritable and substantially correlated with general cognitive ability (g), both phenotypically and genetically. Recent twin studies have found the ability to memorize and recognize faces to be an exception, being similarly heritable but phenotypically substantially uncorrelated both with g and with general object recognition. However, the genetic relationships between face recognition and other abilities (the extent to which they share a common genetic etiology) cannot be determined from phenotypic associations. In this, to our knowledge, first study of the genetic associations between face recognition and other domains, 2,000 18- and 19-year-old United Kingdom twins completed tests assessing their face recognition, object recognition, and general cognitive abilities. Results confirmed the substantial heritability of face recognition (61%), and multivariate genetic analyses found that most of this genetic influence is unique and not shared with other cognitive abilities.


Due to the continuously increasing demands on the efficiency of road passenger vehicles the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) commissioned a project to determine the achievable mass savings on an average, mass produced passenger car which are obtainable with today's or within close reach technology. The major part of this project is conducted at EDAG, Inc. One of the approaches made within this program is to reduce the weight of a vehicle's body struc- ture by replacing the commonly on a mass production vehicle applied joining technology resistance spot welding with laser beam welding. The main advantage is the possibility to bisect the size of the flanges since laser welding requires less flange width compared to spot welding. A sample structure is remodeled twice to create one almost solely spot welded and one almost solely laser welded body structure of the same vehicle. Those body structures are represented by two FEM models. Proper representation of the joining technology is applied to both FEM models in preparation of NVH com- putation runs, ensuring the comparability of the two body structures regarding their performance. In cooperation with experienced production engineers two assembly layouts for the spot welded and the laser welded structures are developed. For those assembly layouts cost calculations are done to oppose the attained mass savings to the increase in production costs. The weight difference between the two versions is determined to a remarkable 12.2 kg for the ana- lyzed sample structure. The laser welded structure thereby displays a slightly improved NVH perfor- mance compared to the spot welded structure. Taking the exemplary cost increase for the assembly of certain parts of the lower body structure into account gave a weight saving efficiency of 4.58 $ per saved kg. For the field of automotive engineering this is a rather high value, mainly caused by the still very extensive costs for laser welding equipment. With laser welding technology being more and more adopted in mass production applications and most probably due technical improvements those costs are likely to decrease within the next few years. Even more mass savings could be achieved by adapting the design of the body structure more to the usage of laser beam welding.


In its fifth edition, The Politics of the Police has been revised, updated, and extended to take account of recent changes in the law, policy, organization, and social contexts of policing. It builds upon the previous editions' political economy of policing to encompass a wide global and transnational scope, and to reflect the growing diversity of policing forms. This volume explores the highly charged debates that surround policing, including the various controversies that have led to a change in the public's opinion of the police in recent years, as well as developments in law, accountability, and governance. The volume sets out to analyse what the police do, how they do it and with what effects, how the mass media shape public perceptions of the police, and how globalization, privatization, militarization, and securitization are impacting on contemporary police work. It concludes with an assessment of what we can expect for the future of policing.


This thesis explores feasible and context-specific strategies that can help improve health care for mothers and babies in Tanzania and other countries with limited resources. It is based on the WHO Quality of Care Framework, which was designed along with the current WHO vision to guide assessment, monitoring, and improving care of mothers and newborns. The eight chapters in this thesis draw on research findings from three projects that worked to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care in Tanzania between 2008 and 2016. This thesis contributes evidence on practical approaches to improve timely access to good quality maternal and newborn care in low-resource settings like Tanzania. The findings suggest that it takes multifaceted strategies to ensure two complementary goals: first, that the provision of care meets quality standards and, second, that clients – particularly women – have a satisfactory experience of care. As part of their efforts to achieve SDG health targets by 2030, low-resource countries should adopt strategies to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care that are tailored to the local setting and focus on: improving health workers' performance; making tools, resources and systems available in health facilities; and enriching interactions between the health care system and women and their families along the continuum of care. The Implications of the thesis' findings are clear: multiple stakeholders must work collaboratively in order to make lasting improvements in the quality of health care for mothers and newborns in low-resource settings. Everyone has a role to play.