Appropriate laboratory testing is an integral component of the proper evaluation of the male presenting with infertility. This article reviews the semen analysis and sperm function assays. Sperm function testing is used to determine if the sperm have the biologic capacity to perform the tasks necessary to reach and fertilize ova and ultimately result in live births. For a sperm to be fertile in vivo, it must be able to traverse the cervical mucus and reach the ova. The sperm must undergo capacitation and the acrosome reaction, fuse with the oolemma, and incorporate into the ooplasm. Proper embryo development requires that functional DNA be delivered to the ooplasm. Defects in any of these steps may result in infertility. A variety of tests are available to evaluate different aspects of these functions. To accurately use these functional assays, the clinician must understand what the tests measure, what the indications are for the assays, and how to interpret the results to direct further testing or patient management.


A large-scale RNA interference screen reveals a new mechanism of imatinib resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia that can be therapeutically targeted. Unlike most cancers, which have variable mutation patterns, chronic myeloid leukemia is normally associated with a specific genetic alteration, which produces a fusion protein called BCR-ABL. Famously, this protein was targeted with the first cancer-specific drug, known as imatinib (Gleevec), which is still the standard therapy for this cancer. Unfortunately, leukemia cells can develop resistance to imatinib, which does not always require mutations in BCR-ABL. Now, Ma et al. have identified a mechanism for imatinib resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia cells that lack mutations in BCR-ABL. The authors also demonstrated that a U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved drug called trametinib can overcome this resistance and kill leukemia stem cells without harming the nonmalignant precursors that give rise to normal blood cells. L. Ma, Y. Shan, R. Bai, L. Xue, C. A. Eide, J. Ou, L. J. Zhu, L. Hutchinson, J. Cerny, H. J. Khoury, Z. Sheng, B. J. Druker, S. Li, M. R. Green, A therapeutically targetable mechanism of BCR-ABL–independent imatinib resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia. Sci. Transl. Med. 6, 252ra121 (2014). [Abstract]


Array processing has been an active research area for several decades. The advent of new signal processing techniques has maintained this topic afresh in the research community with new challenging problems. The estimation of direction-of-arrival (DOA) for instance has evolved from high-resolution to superresolution techniques, and of-late, is heading towards increasing the available degrees of freedom. Excited by these developments and the awaiting potential applications, we have considered the study of DOA estimation for narrowband and wideband sources in this thesis under various conditions. Within an array processing system, the inter-dependence between the model-order estimation, DOA estimation and beamforming tasks reflects the sensitivity of one task to the outcome of the other. In view of this, beamformers have been designed in the past to incorporate robustness against look direction mismatch and array manifold errors. However, existing DOA estimation techniques are sensitive to the accuracy of estimated number of sources. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose a new narrowband DOA estimation technique which substitutes the noise subspace eigenvectors with a weight vector matrix. This allows one to obtain the spatial spectrum with unknown number of sources. Any error in model order estimation will therefore have no impact on the accuracy of DOA estimates. Estimating the number of sources in the presence of wideband sources is a very challenging task considering the fact that existing techniques retrieve the model order either from a coherently-averaged covariance matrix or by the maximum likelihood approach. While the estimated model-order from the former method is susceptible to the initial estimates, the latter technique is computationally expensive. We therefore present a time-domain DOA estimation technique which provides distinct peaks along the source directions in its spatial spectrum without estimating the number of sources. The underlying idea relies on the array manifold approximation using Taylor series expansion across the signal bandwidth. The undesired derivative components are then suppressed by the proposed optimization problem. The effectiveness of this technique is verified with a detailed mathematical analysis and simulations. With finite-ordered Taylor series expansion, the array manifold approximation is accurate for sources with a percentage bandwidth less than 30%. For larger source bandwidth, the estimation accuracy of the time-domain technique decreases. We therefore transform the problem to frequency domain and perform DOA estimation on a regulated signal bandwidth. ii Environmental factors such as multipath, dispersion and scattering adversely affect the performance of existing DOA estimation techniques in many applications such as radio wave communication, seismic and underwater acoustic applications. Existing techniques such as matched-field processing incorporate the speed profile and introduce robustness to random perturbations in speed. However, the estimation of speed profile is itself challenging and inaccurate many times. We therefore consider redefining array manifold approximation such that robustness can be incorporated to dispersion. The optimization problem introduces derivative compensation with respect to the wavenumber which absorbs the effect of dispersion in the signal model. With this approach, one requires to only estimate the propagation speed at only a reference frequency instead of the entire source bandwidth.


Patterson peaks. By Donald L. Ward. Pp. x + 727. Dayton: Polycrystal Book Service, 1999. Price US $59.95. ISBN 09601304-1. The volume contains `A comprehensive set of tables of Patterson map peaks (positions and multiplicities) calculated for a unique atom in the general position, for a unique atom in each special position, and for two unique atoms in all possible combinations of positions for all space groups and all origin and axis choices listed in Volume A of International Tables for Crystallography (1998)'. 1110


Electricity prices vary across different geographic locations and affect the relative cost position of individual aluminium producers. Understanding the scope of electricity price risk is thus of high importance to industry players. We propose a sequential valuation and optimisation approach for investigating the relationship between operating policy, electricity sourcing and smelter value. The hybrid optimisation approach determines a heuristic operating policy with the least squares Monte Carlo (LSM) method and uses portfolio optimisation to find a corresponding electricity procurement scheme. We find that the resulting procurement scheme reduces the risk of shutdowns without compromising smelter value. In addition, the procurement scheme obtained when using demand derived from the heuristic operating policy outperforms the one found when treating demand as constant. Our findings show that there is substantial value in operational flexibility and suggest that decisions on electricity sourcing should be coupled with the operating policy. This could motivate the industry to adapt a valuation approach that captures the full value of operational flexibility and yields a corresponding operating policy.


Hydropower is at present in many locations, among all the other possible renewable energy sources, the best one for net cost per unit power. In contrast to traditional installation, based on water storage in artificial basins, free flow river turbines also provide a very low environmental impact due to their negligible effect on solid transport. Among them, kinetic turbines with vertical axis are very inexpensive and have almost zero impact on fish and local fauna. In application to tidal waves and sea waves, where vertically averaged velocities have alternate direction, a Savonius rotor also has the advantage of being productive during the whole time cycle. In this work, the effect of an upstream deflector system mounted upstream of a twisted Savonius rotor inside a channel has been investigated through numerical simulations and experimental tests. Numerical simulations were carried on using the ANSYS FLUENT 17.0 software. Based on this numerical study, it is shown that the proposed deflector system has improved the power coefficient of the Savonius rotor by 14%. The utilization of this new design system is predicted to contribute towards a more efficient use of flows in rivers and channels for electricity production in rural areas.


Hydraulic conductivity (K) is crucial for groundwater studies and is conventionally obtained through pumping tests, which are costly due to well installation, resulting in a limited amount of data. Recent studies have addressed this limitation by estimating K through the integration of a pumping-test K and electrical resistivity measurements. While this approach is suitable for local areas, it cannot readily be applied to determine K fields for the composite fan delta. This study proposes and demonstrates an advanced method to estimate the K's spatial distribution of a composite fan delta. The proposed method included data classification, linear regression, and kriging interpolation. Data classification was conducted using a physical-based zonation method. The K and formation factor (F) data pairs were classified into several groups. Linear regression was used to develop K-F mapping for each group. The regression results showed a good correlation between K and F in each group. These K-F mappings were verified by additional pumping tests. These results indicate that estimation errors were between 7 m/day and 58 m/day, and the correlation coefficient of each data group was greater than 0.8. Based on these regression equations and ordinary kriging method, the detailed K spatial distribution of the study area was derived. According to these results, the proposed method is efficient and economical to delineate K's spatial features for regional groundwater systems and can benefit groundwater-related studies.


These seminar notes represent the proceedings of a seminar devoted to the analysis of algorithms and related topics. The subjects covered include combinatorics, symbolic computation, asymptotic analysis, average-case analysis of algorithms and data structures, and computational number theory.


The triangular flap repair is one of the most common techniques used in cleft lip surgery. However, inability to address the nasal deformity and loss of orbicularis wholeness accompanied with incomplete reorientation have been two major handicaps of the triangular repair. Therefore, we developed our personal technique, called the triangular with ala nasi (TAN) repair, including a perialar incision and a distinct approach to the skin and muscle. We applied the TAN technique to 32 consecutive (19 male and 13 female) patients with unilateral cleft. The mean age at repair was 2.5 (1-32) years. The cleft lip appeared completely and incompletely in 11 and 21 patients, respectively. The postoperative outcomes were assessed subjectively by Williams test and objectively by Lindsay-Farkas method. The mean follow-up time was 17.1 months. No early complication involving hematoma, infection, wound dehiscence, or partial or total flap loss was encountered. The recoveries of 79.1% and 86.2% on average, when compared with the noncleft side, were obtained postoperatively. With our technique, we aimed at combining the useful properties of the two popular techniques, Millard and Tennison-Randall. The TAN repair lengthens the vertical lip using a triangular flap, resulting in a nonlinear, zig-zag scar on the philtral ridge and forming a symmetrical cupid's bow, superiorities of the Tennison-Randall repair. On the other hand, our method also presents an excellent approximation of both the deep and superficial muscle groups and reduces the nasal deformity with a perialar incision, features of the Millard's technique.


This article takes an ethnographical approach to explore the `state of exception' through which legal technologies of abortion and adoption of `war-babies' (children born as a result of wartime rapes) in the Bangladesh war enabled the dekinning and elimination of certain childhoods while the raped women were rekinned within legitimate heterosexual motherhoods. The role of the law in guaranteeing an erasure of blood relations ensured the regulation and availability of women's reproductive capacity and the categorization of the child by the state. Through this process, the Bangladeshi family planning programme was institutionalized, in the context of bilateral foreign aid relating to population control.


A novel approach to teaching large undergraduate courses using methods derived from 'interteaching' was investigated. Students in two large sections of undergraduate abnormal psychology received preparation guides, and took part in in-class discussion sessions during which instructors circulated to answer questions. Following discussion, students completed interteaching reports, based upon which instructors prepared clarifying lectures. Regression analyses revealed significant positive associations between attendance at discussion sessions and course performance, after controlling for academic average and student motivation. Performance for writing assignments involving critical and analytical thinking was significantly higher than in prior offerings of the course. A majority of students expressed a preference for the instructional methods. This instructional approach thus facilitated effective learning and may be more effective than traditional lecture based practices.


Decision Diagrams (DDs) are a data structure for the representation and manipulation of discrete logic functions often applied in VLSI CAD. Common DDs to represent Boolean functions are Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs). Multiple-valued logic functions can be represented by multiple-valued Decision Diagrams (MDDs). The effiency of a DD representation strongly depends on the variable ordering; the size may vary from linear to exponential. Finding a good ordering is an NP-hard problem that has received considerable attention resulting in many minimization methods. Sifting is the most popular heuristic for dynamic DD minimization. In this paper we give lower bounds for sifting of MDDs. Based on them, both lower bound sifting for MDD minimization and lower bound group sifting for BDD minimization are proposed. By the computation of good lower bounds large parts of the search space can be pruned resulting in very fast computations. This is demonstrated by experimental results.


There has been a global push to decrease the cost of remittances since at least 2009, which has culminated with its inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Despite this effort and the emergence of new business models, remittance costs have been decreasing very slowly, disproving predictions that sharp declines would be just around the corner. In addition, remitting to poorer countries remains very expensive. Oddly, this situation has not been able to elicit academic interest on the drivers of remittance costs. This paper delved deeply into the remittances ecosystem and found a very complex, heterogenous and unequal environment, one in which costs are driven by a myriad of factors and where there are no easy and quick solutions available, which explains the disappointing outcome so far. Nonetheless, it also shows that while policymakers have limited room to act they still have a very important role to play.


The objective was to identify essential elements to offer a safe assistance to patients submitted to computed tomography scan. An integrative literature review on Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and CINAHL databases, guided by the question: what are the essential elements to offer a safe assistance to the patient submitted to computed tomography scan? We selected twenty-three articles, from those, 50% addressed optimization, monitoring, quality and protection about radiation dose exposition; 25% focused on the contrast used for tomography; and 25% concentrated on nursing care and management of individual cases. The evidence for safe assistance to the patient submitted to computed tomography points to need to minimize the conduction of unnecessary exams, and consequently exposition to radiation, to guarantee the radiological protection, to provide adequate care for adverse reactions, qualified human resources and trustful quality indicators for assistance.


A review is given of investigations of pulsed high-pressure volume discharges excited by fast-electron beams. The following topics are discussed: classification of discharges; methods for calculating the current-voltage characteristics; analysis of the optimal ways of depositing energy in the gas in the volume stage of the discharge; discharge instability mechanisms and the corresponding experimental observations; applications of discharges. The results are given of calculations of the electric field in the cathode and anode regions, and also in the discharge column in the case of a spatially inhomogeneous ionication of the gap. It is shown that a stable volume flow of the current in molecular gases in which the specific deposited energy is 0.1–1 J/cm3 may be attained in a nonself-sustaining discharge and in a discharge with ionization multiplication. In both cases a spark channel appears in two stages: formation of sparkinitiating centers in the form of plasma regions with a higher density near the electrodes is followed by growth of the spark channel from such initiating centers. In some cases the spark channel growth can be described by the available mathematical models. Discharges in mixtures of rare gases with halogencontaining compounds, when electrons are lost mainly by capture by complex molecules, are considered separately. Applications of volume discharges in laser pumping, switching of pulsed currents, plasma chemistry, etc., are described.


Purpose of review With its impact on quality of life and increasing awareness, postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is now gaining attention as one of the major health problems commonly encountered in gastrointestinal practice. Literature investigating the various pathogenic mechanisms involved is rapidly emerging. The objective of the current review is to provide an update on recent evidence published in the past 2 years describing advances in our understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of PI-IBS. Recent findings Significant proportion of research in the recent past was preclinical in nature. Epidemiological studies continue to highlight the risk of IBS after infection, with recent studies documenting postprotozoal effects. Advances in pathogenic mechanisms included clinical studies, which documented micro-RNA down-regulation and Peroxiredoxin-1 up-regulation in colonic mucosa of PI-IBS patients. Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) activation in PI-IBS mice models resulted in increase in epithelial permeability, mucosal inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity. Moxibustion and rifamycin reduced intestinal inflammation by inhibiting cytokine and chemokine release via different mechanisms. Miltefosine reduced mast cell degranulation and TRPV1 activation, thereby reducing visceral hypersensitivity. Summary At present, generalization of limited diagnostic and therapeutic strategies across a heterogeneous prevalent patient population impedes the ability to provide effective personalized care in PI-IBS. Further development in pathogenesis discovery, diagnostic tool development are needed in order to design well tolerated and effective therapies that guide treatments based on distinct pathways of disease.


The excitotoxic response of NT2-N cells, a clonal line of human teratocarcinoma cells that are terminally differentiated into neuron- like cells, was examined using several endpoints. A 15 min exposure to glutamate produced a dose-dependent toxicity with a maximal cell loss of 80–90% in 6 week old cells. The rapidly triggered excitotoxicity induced by glutamate was blocked by NMDA selective antagonists, was calcium dependent and pH sensitive and could be mimicked by NMDA but not by non-NMDA agonists, AMPA, kainate or quisqualate. The non-NMDA agonists however caused toxicity on prolonged exposure. The NMDA receptor modulators glycine and spermidine enhanced glutamate-mediated toxicity whereas ifenprodil potently and completely inhibited toxicity suggesting that the toxic response is mediated by the NR1/NR2B combination of NMDA subunits. These cells can be rescued from death up to 1 hr after removal of glutamate by NMDA receptor blockade, removal of extracellular Ca2+ or lowering of pH. The extent of rescue is directly related to the time elapsed before intervention. Blockage of NMDA receptor activity for 1 hr immediately after removal of glutamate is both necessary and sufficient for complete rescue. Glutamate- mediated toxicity was not prevented by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors nor was nitric oxide synthase detected in NT2-N cells indicating that nitric oxide is not required for glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. In summary, NT2-N cells exhibit a robust excitotoxic response and represent a novel model system in which to study the molecular basis of excitotoxic cell death.


The objectives of this study were to assess the association of a 4-point scale of vaginal discharge score (VDS) with time to pregnancy to define criteria for a practical case of purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) in dairy cows, to test the risk factors for PVD, and, finally, the effect of a dose of PGF2α on cure and reproductive performance. In experiment 1, grazing Holstein cows (n = 2,414) had their vaginal discharge scored at ∼32 d in milk (DIM) on a 4-point scale, the effect of VDS on the hazard of pregnancy by 300 DIM was then assessed to derive a case definition of PVD. Risk factors for PVD and self-cure were also assessed. In experiment 2, grazing Holstein cows (n = 6,326) from 5 herds were checked for PVD at ∼30 DIM. Cows with PVD were assigned to receive one dose of 500 μg of PGF2α analog (Cloprostenol; Ciclase, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) per cow (odd ear tag number) or to remain untreated (even tag number). Cure was declared if cows presented clear normal vaginal discharge (VDS-0) at visit 2 (∼62 DIM). Data were analyzed with Cox's regression and mixed logistic models. In experiment 1, cows with VDS ≥1 had lower hazard of pregnancy and longer calving to pregnancy interval than cows with VDS-0. This finding was not affected by the time at which the diagnosis was performed. Therefore, a cow ≥21 DIM and having VDS ≥1 was used to define a case of PVD. The odds of PVD were greater in primiparous cows compared with multiparous, in cows with abnormal calving compared with those with normal calving, and in those losing BCS peripartum. In experiment 2, PGF2α treatment tended to slightly increase the hazard of pregnancy (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.13). Conversely, PGF2α had no effect on the odds of cure of PVD [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.19], pregnancy at first service (AOR = 1.03), or pregnancy by 100 DIM (AOR = 0.89) or 200 DIM (AOR = 1.27). In conclusion, cows with VDS ≥1 can be considered to have PVD because of their lower hazard of pregnancy and longer calving to pregnancy interval (up to 48 d). Important risk factors are parity, calving, and body condition score loss peripartum. Optimal time of diagnosis is ≥28 to 35 DIM because cows experience a high self-cure rate. Self-cure is also affected by parity, prepartum BCS, and VDS. Finally, as treatment with one dose of PGF2α had a small effect on the hazard of pregnancy and no effect on clinical cure, its therapeutic use in grazing dairy cows with PVD is not recommended.


We examine Kwara'ae (Solomon Islands) indigenous epistemology and indigenous critical praxis, including sources of knowledge and strategies for validating and critiquing evidence and knowledge construction. To illustrate indigenous epistemology in action, we focus on the Kwara'ae Genealogy Project, a research effort by rural villagers aimed at creating an indigenous written account of Kwara'ae culture. In recording, (re)constructing, and writing Kwara'ae culture, project members are not only doing indigenous epistemology, but also reflecting on and critiquing their own indigenous strategies for knowledge creation. We hope that the work illustrated here will inspire other Native Pacific Islander scholars to carry out research on their native or indigenous epistemologies.


This article consists of four parts. The first part tries to clarify how the Arabs know the character of the narrator. It explains the importance of this character in literary works. Thus, it views the historical development of the narrator in the Arab world since the era before Islam, then in the era of Islam, and even the modern era. The second part talks about an Iraqi play who played a major role in the development of the Iraqi narrative art. It is Baghdad of eternity between seriousness and humor of the Iraqi dramaturge Qāsim Muḥammad (1934-2009). This play was performed in Baghdad in 1974, where the narrator plays an important role in the narrative of theatrical events, as he connects the historical events that Iraq has experienced with the currently events of the Iraqi spectator. The third part views the epic features of Qāsim's play and tries to explain why this play was considered as new form of Iraqi theater. It is also want to know why the author used the heritage as a basic material for his play. At the same time this part wants to consider this play from another aspect, and views the real structure of it as new phenomenon at that time. All these will help us to know where the name of this play came from. The fourth part refers to the epic role of the narrator in Baghdad of eternity between seriousness and humor, in order to know more about this character and to view the important role that the narrator can play in the literary work. In addition this article discusses the dramaturges intention, which helps the spectator to meditate on the past and to learn from its lessons so that he can monitor his reality and criticizes it. It will explain why this character becomes a necessary part of the foundations and components of the dramatic work, such as text, author and heritage. Moreover this article will refer to Brecht's epic theater to find similarities between Brecht's theater and Qāsim's theater. Finally, it views the importance of Qāsim's play for the Iraqi society by preserving the literary heritage.


In the study, it was aimed to determine a collection and transport model based on the protection of the quality values of the milk sold to processing plants by collecting it in the morning and evening from cattle breeding enterprises that are members of the Union of Cattle Breeders of Niğde province. As part of the study, raw milk samples were taken 2 times a month for 12 months from 19 animal husbandry enterprises that are members of the Union and analyzed by technical staff in the Union's laboratory. In the analysis, fat, protein, lean drying agent, total dry matter and lactose values were collected, as well as somatic cell and total bacterial values. As a result of the analysis, the milk is divided into four different types according to the total bacterial load. Collection routes have been established according to the geographical locations of livestock enterprises and the type of milk determined. In this context, the proposed model is a "tank-based divisible demand mathematical Model" and was operated using Cplex 12.1.0 solver in gams 23.4.3 version and optimal milk collection routes were created. Planning allows 4 different types of milk, determined on the basis of the total number of bacteria from 19 milk-producing cattle enterprises, to be transported to the collection center under certain restrictions. The increase in milk supply in recent years has allowed processing plants to be more selective. As a result, it has increased the criteria for getting cleaner and quality milk. In addition, these businesses also agree to pay more fees for milk with high quality values. As a result of niğde breeding cattle breeders' association quality-based contracts with processing plants, it has become mandatory to implement new collection models. After that, the traceability of milk taken from the livestock business until it goes to the consumer as the final product will be a very important subject of study.


This research focuses on understanding when low body esteem consumers are most likely to engage in negative social comparisons and examines how this process influences product evaluations. In a series of three studies, we find that two pieces of social information are needed for negative comparisons in a retail environment to occur: (1) an attractive social referent must be actively consuming (i.e., wearing) the product and (2) the consumer must also be actively consuming (i.e., wearing) the product. If only one of these conditions holds, there is no alignment in consumption, and a negative comparison does not occur. Importantly, we also show that the identity of the social referent is critical to these effects. By identifying key factors that determine when comparative information will influence consumers, this research highlights how marketing strategies impact the consumer inside and outside of the retail environment.


Background Examining national trends in sexual behaviour can aid in the understanding of STD trends. We examined trends in sexual behaviour, focusing on sub-populations most impacted by STDs in the US. Methods We used data from the 2002 and 2006–10 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), a multi-stage survey nationally representative of men and women aged 15–44 years living in the United States (US). The sample sizes and response rates for the surveys were 12, 571 (79%) in 2002 and 22,682 (77%) in 2006–10. Sexual behaviours included in this analysis were predominantly from audio computer assisted self-interview and were compared by several demographics, separately by sex. Data were weighted to represent the US population and data analyses accounted for the multi-staged sampling procedures used by NSFG. Results Sexual behaviours with opposite- and same-sex partners were frequently similar in 2002 and 2006–10. Of women who ever had vaginal sex, there was no change in the average number of partners in the past 12 months (1.21 in 2002, 1.11 in 2006–10); however there was a slight decrease over time for Hispanic and black women and a slight increase among women in the non-Hispanic other category. Findings for men were similar except for a slight increase in partners among white men. Overall, HIV-related risk with opposite-sex partners decreased from 2002 to 2006–10. Specifically, exchanging sex for money or drugs significantly decreased among women (2.0% to 0.7%, p < 0.05) and men (2.6% to 1.3%, p < 0.05). Finally, the average number of male partners decreased among sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) from 2.9 in 2002 to 2.3 in 2006–10 (p < 0.05). Specific HIV risk also declined among MSM. Conclusion Preliminary findings suggest that behaviours have not changed much during this time; however, we did identify shifts in behaviours among sub-populations.


ABSTRACT Introduction: Neuromodulation techniques play an increasing role in the treatment of primary headaches. While initially reserved for refractory cases they are now increasingly taken into consideration in earlier treatment phases and in non-refractory situations. One of the main reasons for this paradigm shift is that most neuromodulation techniques are better tolerated as compared to the majority of pharmacological approaches. However, these techniques have their limitations that should be considered. Areas covered: The review provides an overview of the available techniques and their therapeutic rationale as well as on the evidence for their efficacy and their limitations. The review covers these aspects for non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation, sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation, external trigeminal nerve stimulation, occipital nerve stimulation as well as single-pulse and repetitive-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. Expert commentary: Most of the evidence is based on open-label studies. Sham devices used in controlled studies remain problematic as they either do not produce the paresthesias perceived during stimulation or induce some degree of stimulation. Invasive techniques require a surgical intervention with all the potential complications that may arise. In summary, some of the techniques provide an effective expansion of available treatment options but their indication should be thoroughly evaluated before treatment is considered.


Attention towards university teaching is growing, also as a result of the evaluation procedures aimed at the Italian university system. In this context, the experience of the course of Media Education and digital literacy activated during the degree course in Communication Sciences at the University of Molise is presented. Given the need to acquire not only knowledge but digital literacy, students were asked to create digital products using a dual methodological approach: gamification and peer evaluation. The gamification has allowed to conceive the activities of the course as a series of challenges to which to give a timely response, as documented by the blog of the course https://ilblogcialafebbre.blogspot.com/.  The peer assessment allowed to increase the interactions among the students, pushing to forms of analysis and comparison that have had positive repercussions on the realized digital products. In evaluating the overall experience, despite the difficulty in interpreting the available data, the perspective of  linking the gamification processes to the creation of assessment rubrics is affirmed


Objective: The aim of this review was to examine the level of evidence supporting the assumed link between a positive therapeutic alliance among patients and case managers and effective outcome for patients with a mental illness who are managed in community mental health services. Method: MedLine, PsychINFO and Social Sciences Index search of articles from 1986 to 2001 returned 84 articles and two texts. Inclusion criteria were the use of validated measures and relevance to psychiatry and community case management. Results: A definite correlation exists in the psychotherapy literature between the therapeutic relationship and improved outcomes, with its potential as a prognostic indicator acknowledged. Attempts to apply the concept to patients outside the field of psychotherapy have been slow, although expansion of the concept to other forms of change-inducing therapy was a current trend. Issues of definition, quantification and measurement of the relationship caused rigorous debate in the literature. Case management research demonstrating the importance of the therapeutic relationship and 'goodness-of-fit' between patients and case managers was sparse with no published Australian studies. Conclusions: The level of evidence supporting the link between the therapeutic alliance of patients with mental illness and improved outcomes although sparse is encouraging. It indicates the potential of the alliance as a predictor of outcome for patients engaged in case management services in community mental health. Research to determine the role and effectiveness of the alliance in the patient/case manager dyad is needed to define this potential. Effectiveness of clinical practice in the case management field could be enhanced if research findings confirmed the genesis and value of the alliance in case management. Focus on relationship strategies as a clinical tool gives the clinician and service provider a potential vehicle for promoting partnerships with the seriously mentally ill person in managing their illness and optimizing their strengths in the community.


ABSTRACT The Middle Ordovician limestones of the Bigby, Cannon, and "Dove" units in the Central Basin of Tennessee are facies of one another and were all formed in a shallow shelf environment. The Bigby grainstones were deposited in well agitated waters and contain abraded fragments of numerous fossil allochems. This abrasion possibly furnished fine carbonate material to quieter water areas where the Cannon and "Dove" were being deposited. The Cannon wackestone-packstone contains primarily an algal-mollusk-arthropod fauna, many fragments of which show evidence of biological and mechanical breakdown. This breakdown of fragments within the Cannon depositional environment also supplied fine carbonate grains to the matrix. The "Dove" is a carbonate mudstone containing numerous sparry calcite birdseyes. Much of the fine carbonate material probably formed within the "Dove" depositional environment and few grains were transported from outside. The "Dove" represents algal mat deposition and in some localities has loferite fabric. The numerous birdseyes suggest that it was subjected to burrowing. The algal mat deposition represented by the "Dove" occurred in slightly elevated, exposed areas of a mud flat where the contained algal organic matter may have been oxidized. The organic material present in the Cannon is interpreted to be primarily of algal origin, but because the environment was not subjected to exposure it was not oxidized. The organic matter in the Cannon aided the recrystallization of the original fine carbonate material--thus forming microspar. The absence of organic material due to oxidation resulted in the "Dove" texture remaining micritic and fairly uniform.


The van Cittert-Zernike theorem has been widely used to describe spatial covariance of the pressure field backscattered from a speckle object. Spatial covariance contains important information in the context of correlation-based correction of sound velocity inhomogeneities. Previous work was primarily based on spatial covariance analysis for linear imaging. In this paper, we extend the analysis to tissue harmonic imaging. Specifically, we investigate effects of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and sound velocity inhomogeneities on spatial covariance. Results from tissue harmonic imaging are also compared with those from linear imaging. Both simulations and experiments are performed. At high SNRs, although both linear imaging and tissue harmonic imaging have spatial covariance functions close to theory, the spatial covariance of tissue harmonic imaging is consistently lower than that of linear imaging regardless of the presence of sound velocity inhomogeneities. At low SNRs, on the other hand, spatial covariance of tissue harmonic imaging is significantly affected. Because the tissue harmonic signal is much weaker than the linear counterpart, the low SNR reduces the accuracy of correlation-based estimation. It is concluded that the linear signal is more suitable for correlation-based correction of sound velocity inhomogeneities, despite the fact that tissue harmonic imaging generally has improved image quality over linear imaging.


The accretion-induced collapse (AIC) scenario was proposed 40 years ago as an evolutionary end state of oxygen-neon white dwarfs (ONe WDs), linking them to the formation of neutron star (NS) systems. However, there has been no direct detection of any AIC event so far, even though there exists a lot of indirect observational evidence. Meanwhile, the evolutionary pathways resulting in NS formation through AIC are still not thoroughly investigated. In this article, we review recent studies on the two classic progenitor models of AIC events, i.e., the single-degenerate model (including the ONe WD+MS/RG/He star channels and the CO WD+He star channel) and the double-degenerate model (including the double CO WD channel, the double ONe WD channel and the ONe WD+CO WD channel). Recent progress on these progenitor models is reviewed, including the evolutionary scenarios leading to AIC events, the initial parameter space for producing AIC events and the related objects (e.g., the pre-AIC systems and the post-AIC systems). For the single-degenerate model, the pre-AIC systems (i.e., the progenitor systems of AIC events) could potentially be identified as supersoft X-ray sources, symbiotics and cataclysmic variables (such as classical novae, recurrent novae, Ne novae and He novae) in the observations, whereas the post-AIC systems (i.e., NS systems) could potentially be identified as low-/intermediate-mass X-ray binaries, and the resulting low-/intermediate-mass binary pulsars, most notably millisecond pulsars. For the double-degenerate model, the pre-AIC systems are close double WDs with short orbital periods, whereas the post-AIC systems are single isolated NSs that may correspond to a specific kind of NS with peculiar properties. We also review the predicted rates of AIC events, the mass distribution of NSs produced via AIC and the gravitational wave (GW) signals from double WDs that are potential GW sources in the Galaxy in the context of future space-based GW detectors, such as LISA, TianQin, Taiji, etc. Recent theoretical and observational constraints on the detection of AIC events are summarized. In order to confirm the existence of the AIC process, and resolve this long-term issue presented by current stellar evolution theories, more numerical simulations and observational identifications are required.


The recovery of proteins from effluents of beamhouse operations in a hair-pulping process of hides is proposed. Precipitation with sulphuric acid at the isoelectric pH was chosen for protein recovery. The precipitates were characterized in order to study their potential uses. Apart from the protein nitrogen, the precipitate also contained a considerable content of fats resulting from the co-precipitation of natural fat of the hide in the wastewaters. The precipitation of the protein fraction resulted in a reduction of 80-85% of COD, whereas the protein content decreased 68-78%. This diminution of the contamination load led to a notable reduction of the tax on wastewater. The content of protein material in the precipitate varied from 15 to 44%. As expected, the protein in the precipitate did not result from the collagen decomposition of the hide but from soluble proteins such as albumin and globulin and remains of keratin. The precipitates obtained met the maximum limits of heavy metals according to legislation on organic fertilizers. The potential uses of the protein fraction recovered from tannery wastewaters are currently being investigated.


The genetic model for the giant unconformity-related uranium deposits of the Athabasca Basin is still being debated, with one of the main issues being the source of the uranium concentrated by Mesoproterozoic era (ca. 1.60–1.00 Ga) diagenetic-hydrothermal events at the interface between the Athabasca Basin and the underlying Archean/Paleoproterozoic basement rocks. Currently, accessory minerals like monazite, zircon, and/or apatite from the sedimentary basin and basement rocks are proposed as the primary uranium source for these high-grade uranium deposits. Numerous occurrences of U mineralization of Hudsonian age have been documented for decades all around the Athabasca Basin; however, so far these have not been regarded as viable U sources. Here, a systematic and detailed study of two areas of basement rocks near the eastern part of the Athabasca Basin is presented (i.e., the Way Lake property, lying outside the current margin of the basin, and the Moore Lakes property, currently covered by the basin). This study highlights the significant and widespread occurrence of Hudsonian (ca. 1.81–1.76 Ga) uranium oxide (UO2) mineralization in these zones. Two types of mineralization are identified and documented here: magmatic uranium oxides related to granitic pegmatites and leucogranites, which are more common, and high-temperature, vein-hosted uranium oxides, which have the highest grades. The two types were formed during the peak (1.82–1.81 Ga) and/or postthermal peak (1.81–1.72 Ga) events related to the evolution of the Trans-Hudson orogeny. The magmatic uranium oxides formed by partial melting of Wollaston Group metasedimentary rocks. The origin of the vein-type occurrences is unclear, but their high thorium and rare earth element (REE) contents suggest a high-temperature process associated with Ca and/or Na metasomatism. The uranium oxides are associated with other U-, Th-, and REEbearing accessory minerals like U-rich thorite, thorite, zircon, and/or monazite, adding to the exceptional U contents (100–2,460 ppm) of these UO2-bearing rocks (up to 200 times more primarily enriched in U than other basement or basin rock types). A 3-D model of a 1,300 × 630 × 200-m basement zone from the Way Lake property indicates that uraninite-bearing granitic pegmatites and leucogranites represent 7% of the total volume of crystalline rock. Within this rock volume are approximately 8,121 (assuming a mean U content of 250 ppm) to 16,242 (assuming a mean U content of 500 ppm) tonnes U. The U tonnage of this limited rock volume, contained mainly by the Hudsonian-age UO2, corresponds to between 4% (for McArthur River) and 103% (for Rabbit Lake) of the U tonnage of known unconformity-related U deposits of the basin. Some of the studied rock samples, even macroscopically fresh and located far away from any known unconformity-related U deposit, present clear evidence of alteration, including clay minerals, aluminophosphatesulfate (APS) minerals, and UO2 dissolution, indicating the percolation of the brines associated with the formation of unconformity-related uranium deposits when the basin was far more geographically extensive. Due to geologic similarities between the studied zones and the basement domains from the eastern part of the Athabasca Basin, i.e., the Hearne province, it is proposed that these domains hosted widespread Hudsonianage uranium oxide protores. These protores provided easily leachable uranium for the metal enrichment of basinal brines during their percolation within the basement and the formation of the unconformity-related U deposits. These observations bring new insight to the debate about the genetic model of unconformity-related U deposits, and reinforce the metal source potential of the basement compared to that of the sedimentary basin.


Abstract Experimental studies on the thorium-loaded accelerator-driven system (ADS) were conducted at the Kyoto University Critical Assembly. Mockup experiments were carried out in both the critical and subcritical states to investigate the influence of different thermal neutron profiles on the thorium capture and fission reactions. Thorium plate irradiation experiments for the thorium capture and fission reactions demonstrate fission reactions in the critical state, and the calculated-to-experiment values of reaction rates show accuracy within a relative difference of ˜30%. In the ADS experiments with an external neutron source (14-MeV neutrons and 100-MeV protons), subcritical experiments were carried out in the thorium-loaded cores to investigate the influence of different thermal neutron profiles on thorium capture reaction rates by the measurement of 115In(n,γ)116mIn reactions. The results reveal the difference between reaction rate distributions attributed to varying not only the neutron spectrum of the core but also the external neutron source. A comparison between the measured and calculated reaction rate distributions reflects the accuracy of reaction-rate analyses for the thorium-loaded ADS experiments with an external neutron source. Additionally, kinetic experiments were carried out to deduce the prompt neutron decay constants and subcriticality by the pulsed neutron method.


Mitochondrial tRNA(Leu)(UUR) gene mutation is one of the candidates in the pathogenesis of NIDDM. Especially the 3243 (A-->G) mutation is associated with the maternally-inherited diabetes and deafness. To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of the 3243 point mutation in Koreans, we screened 433 Korean diabetic patients (220 men and 213 women). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral white blood cells and PCR was carried out with mitochondrial DNA primers (3130-3149, 3558-3539) encompassing the 3243 position. After digestion with Apa-1, five subjects showed polymorphism suggesting 3243 point mutation but when we directly sequenced the amplified DNA with an automatic sequencer, only 2 of the 5 patients were shown to have 3243 (A-->G) mutation and the other 3 subjects had 3426 (A-->G) mutation rather than 3243 mutation. Two diabetic patients with 3243 mutation were lean (BMI = 14.4, 17.0 kg/m2), had relatively lower fasting C-peptide concentrations (0.9 ng/ml each), and required insulin for management. In contrast, those with 3426 point mutation were not lean (BMI = 22.6-28.0 kg/m2), had relatively higher C-peptide levels (3.9-5.4 ng/ml), and could be managed with oral hypoglycemic agents. None of the 5 patients had deafness. In conclusion, the prevalence of 3243 point mutation in Korean diabetic patients was approximately 0.5% and we found a new mutation mimicking 3243 mutation by PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) pattern. We suggest that sequencing of the PCR product or designing smaller PCR fragment size to enhance the specificity may help to identify the exact location of the point mutation.


Renal fibrosis causes significant morbidity and mortality as the primary acquired lesion leading to the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation. Fibrosis can occur in either the filtering or reabsorptive component of the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. Experimental models have identified a number of factors that contribute to renal scarring, particularly derangements of physiology involved in the autoregulation of glomerular filtration. This in turn leads to replacement of normal structures with accumulated extracellular matrix (ECM). A spectrum of changes in the physiology of individual cells leads to the production of numerous peptide and non-peptide fibrogens that stimulate alterations in the balance between ECM synthesis and degradation to favor scarring. Other proteins and small molecules may have anti-fibrotic effects. Manipulation of these opposing systems holds the promise of effective treatments for chronic progressive kidney disease.


When designing an radio frequency identification system it is important to take both the position and the movement of the transponders into account. In this study, a simulation method that enables the description of a complete RFID system including moving and rotating transponders as well as a complex, industrial environment is presented. By using the partial element equivalent circuit method to calculate the magnetic field generated by the reader antenna and describing the transponders using a magnetic dipole, it is possible to use the Monte Carlo method to describe the dynamic behaviour of the complete system. The method is used in this study to describe the difference in performance between two different reader antennas and these results are also compared to measurements of similar systems operating in an industrial environment. The difference in performance between the two systems is similar in both the simulations and the measurements. A small discrepancy was seen between the results from the simulations and the measurements which is for the most part because of the limited read rate of the RFID systems used in the measurements.


We consider the problem of optimizing parallel stripe electrodes intended for influencing the refractive index of integrated optics waveguides that are embedded in electrooptic materials. In particular, such electrodes may be used for modulating the coupling efficiency of push-pull directional couplers or the phase of one of two orthogonal modes of a single waveguide. We show that an optimum electrode spacing exists for a push-pull directional coupler with fixed waveguide spacing. In addition, we discuss the optimum position for a single dielectric waveguide placed underneath a pair of stripe electrodes and show that it depends on the orientation of the optic axis of the electro-optic crystal and on the spacing of the electrodes.


This study investigated the effect of two forms of intensive speech treatment, (a) respiration (R) and (b) voice and respiration (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment [LSVT]), on the speech and voice deficits associated with idiopathic Parkinson disease. Forty-five subjects with Idiopathic Parkinson disease completed extensive pretreatment neurological, otolaryngological, neuropsychological, and speech assessments. All subjects completed 16 sessions of intensive speech treatment, 4 times a week for 1 month. Pre- and post-treatment measures included intensity and maximum duration during sustained vowel phonation. Intensity, habitual fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency variability, and utterance and pause duration were measured during reading of the "Rainbow Passage" and conversational monologue as well. Family and subject self-ratings were completed pre- and post-treatment for the perceptual variables loudness, monotonicity, hoarseness, overall intelligibility, and initiation of conversation. Significant pre- to post-treatment improvements were observed for more variables and were of greater magnitude for the subjects who received the voice and respiration treatment (LSVT). Only subjects who received the LSVT rated a significant decrease post-treatment on the impact of Parkinson disease on their communication. Correlations between descriptive prognostic variables (i.e., stage of disease, speech/voice severity rating, depression, and time since diagnosis) and magnitude of treatment-related change indicated these factors did not significantly predict treatment effectiveness. These findings suggest that intensive voice and respiration (LSVT) treatment, focusing on increased vocal fold adduction and respiration, is more effective than respiration (R) treatment alone for improving vocal intensity and decreasing the impact of Parkinson disease on communication.


Abstract. Lupinus angustifolius L. (narrow-leafed lupin) is an important grain legume crop for the stockfeed industry in Australia. This species does not form cluster roots regardless of phosphorus (P) nutrition. We hypothesise that this species may have adaptive strategies for achieving critical P uptake in low-P environments by altering shoot growth and root architecture and secreting carboxylates from roots. Three wild genotypes of L. angustifolius with contrasting root architecture were selected to investigate the influence of P starvation on root growth and rhizosphere carboxylate exudation and their relationship with P acquisition. Plants were grown in sterilised loamy soil supplied with zero, low (50 μm) or optimal (400 μm) P for 6 weeks. All genotypes showed a significant response in shoot and root development to varying P supply. At P deficit (zero and low P), root systems were smaller and had fewer branches than did roots at optimal P. The amount of total carboxylates in the rhizosphere extracts ranged from 3.4 to 17.3 μmol g–1 dry root. The total carboxylates comprised primarily citrate (61–78% in various P treatments), followed by malate and acetate. Genotype #085 (large root system with deep lateral roots) exuded the greatest amount of total carboxylates to the rhizosphere for each P treatment, followed by #016 (medium root system with good branched lateral roots) and #044 (small root system with short and sparse lateral roots). All genotypes in the low-P treatment significantly enhanced exudation of carboxylates, whereas no significant increase in carboxylate exudation was observed in the zero-P treatment. Small-rooted genotypes had higher P concentration than the medium- and large-rooted genotypes, although larger plants accumulated higher total P content. Large-rooted genotypes increased shoot P utilisation efficiency in response to P starvation. This study showed that narrow-leafed lupin genotypes differing in root architecture differed in carboxylate exudation and P uptake. Our finding suggested that for L. angustifolius there is a minimum plant P concentration below which carboxylate exudation is not enhanced despite severe P deficiency. The outcomes of this study enhance our understanding of P acquisition strategies in L. angustifolius genotypes, which can be used for the selection of P-efficient genotypes for cropping systems.


Altered promoter DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic abnormalities in human cancer. DNMT3B, de novo methyltransferase, is clearly related to abnormal methylation of tumour suppressor genes, DNA repair genes and its overexpression contributes to oncogenic processes and tumorigenesis in vivo. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the overexpression of DNMT3B in HaCaT cells on global gene expression and on the methylation of selected genes to the identification of genes that can be target of DNMT3B. We found that the overexpression of DNMT3B in HaCaT cells, modulate the expression of genes related to cancer, downregulated the expression of 151 genes with CpG islands and downregulated the expression of the VAV3 gene via methylation of its promoter. These results highlight the importance of DNMT3B in gene expression and human cancer.


Product ratings have become an integral element of online businesses especially for experience goods, yet seem to be prone to biases that shift most of the distribution towards the extreme points of the scales. Response biases due to inherent traits (such as acquiescence or extreme response style) are widely investigated in survey design and marketing research, yet little is known about how the rating scale variations in user generated product evaluations influence their formation. More precisely, in an experimental study in the context of movie ratings, I show that the use of emotional labels attracts users to the endpoints of the rating scale but their responses are less susceptible to extreme response tendency when the size of the rating scale is increased. Also, simply priming the midpoint of the scale reduces extreme responses, though this effect is attenuated when emotional labels are used. Such effects remain consistent when I account for response styles, cultural dimensions and individual characteristics. The broad use of product ratings in generating personalized recommendations and predicting market performance necessitates a discussion on how to better account for potential distortions in these ratings due to variations in the rating scale.


With the decrease in feature size in semiconductor manufacturing, molecular contamination problems are increased significantly. In order to optimize the yields in wafer fabrication units there is a need for process modeling that addresses the details of wafer contamination. Wafer contamination and cleaning is a complex process that covers various length and time scale events and phenomena. At the largest scales, there is the availability and transport of specific species within the fabrication unit and subsequent contamination of the wafer surface either through processing steps or through simple ambient transport processes. To limit wafer contaminant levels and/or to decontaminate them, wafers in the semiconductor fabrication unit are often cleaned and transported in a closed enclosure called Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP) and purged with an inert gas like nitrogen. For the FOUP geometry, I analyze the large scale process modeling approaches to cleaning wafers. At smaller scales, the specific molecular configuration of the contaminant species impacts the kinetic chemical-physical cleaning mechanisms. To determine, from a fundamental perspective, the mechanisms contributing to wafer cleaning requires different scale tools from transport tools aimed at characterizing equipment scale (e.g., FOUP) contamination issues. I use molecular dynamics models and optimization techniques to infer physicochemical rates for molecular desorption on wafer surfaces. This dissertation considers these problems from a common perspective. The objective of this study has been to characterize the multi-scale problem of wafer cleaning with the objective of developing appropriate tools and models at different scales to best predict the dynamics of contaminant removal from wafer surfaces. A standardized method has been presented to extract kinetic rate parameters using molecular dynamics simulation (smaller-scale) and optimization for use in a larger-scale model of wafer decontamination using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Also, by using available experimental data and CFD analysis an optimized FOUP purging recipe for better decontamination is presented and the relative magnitude of the time scales associated with surface kinetics and FOUP purging have been estimated.


In order to analyze data on joint charged-particle/photon distributions from an experimental search (T-864, MiniMax) for disoriented chiral condensate (DCC) at the Fermilab Tevatron collider, we have identified robust observables, ratios of normalized bivariate factorial moments, with many desirable properties. These include insensitivity to many efficiency corrections and the details of the modeling of the primary pion production, and sensitivity to the production of DCC, as opposed to the generic, binomial-distribution partition of pions into charged and neutral species. The relevant formalism is developed and tested in Monte-Carlo simulations of the MiniMax experimental conditions.


This study investigated the linkages between poverty, agricultural productivity and land degradation in Uganda. Results show that farmers in the study region of Uganda deplete about 1.2% of the nutrient stock stored in the topsoil per year, leading to a predicted 0.2% annual reduction in crop productivity. Replacing the depleted nutrients using the cheapest inorganic fertilizers would cost about 20% of farm income on average. Land investments such as soil and water conservation structures and agroforestry trees were found to increase agricultural productivity and reduce land degradation. We observed an inverse farm size - crop productivity relationship. Larger families are more productive but use more erosive practices in crop production. Participation in agricultural extension, especially the new National Agricultural Advisory Services program, and access to credit and markets are associated with increased productivity but have insignificant impacts on land degradation. Education is associated with greater productivity, but also with more soil nutrient depletion. Access to roads is associated with less soil nutrient depletion. We find no significant differences in crop productivity associated with differences in land tenure systems, though land degradation is greater on mailo than freehold land. Our results show that promotion of agricultural modernization through technical assistance and credit programs, investments in infrastructure and education can improve agricultural productivity. However, they also show that many of these investments do not necessarily reduce land degradation, and some may contribute to it. Thus, investing in agricultural modernization should be complemented by greater efforts to address land degradation.


Upon activation, lymphocytes exit quiescence and undergo substantial increases in cell size, accompanied by activation of energy-producing and anabolic pathways, widespread chromatin decompaction and elevated transcriptional activity. These changes depend upon prior induction of the Myc transcription factor, but how Myc controls them remains unclear. We addressed this issue in primary mouse B-cells, based on conditional deletion of the c-myc gene, followed by LPS stimulation. Myc was rapidly induced, became detectable on virtually all active promoters and enhancers, but had no direct impact on global transcriptional activity. Instead, Myc contributed to the swift up- and down-regulation of several hundred genes, including many known regulators of the aforementioned cellular processes. Myc-activated promoters were enriched for E-box consensus motifs, bound Myc at the highest levels and showed enhanced RNA Polymerase II recruitment, the opposite being true at down-regulated loci. Remarkably, the Myc-dependent signature identified in activated B-cells was also enriched in Myc-driven B-cell lymphomas: hence, besides modulation of new cancer-specific programs, the oncogenic action of Myc may largely rely on sustained deregulation of its normal physiological targets.


Text-based diagnosis classification is a critical problem in AI-enabled healthcare studies, which assists clinicians in making correct decision and lowering the rate of diagnostic errors. Previous studies follow the routine of sequence based deep learning models in NLP literature to deal with clinical notes. However, recent studies find that structural information is important in clinical contents that greatly impacts the predictions. In this paper, a novel sequence-to-subgraph framework is introduced to process clinical texts for classification, which changes the paradigm of managing texts. Moreover, a new classification model under the framework is proposed that incorporates subgraph convolutional network and hierarchical diagnostic attentive network to extract the layered structural features of clinical texts. The evaluation conducted on both the real-world English and Chinese datasets shows that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art deep learning based diagnosis classification models.


Malignant hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare malignant tumor of vascular origin. Nonspecific symptoms and the absence of experience of surgeons, radiologists, and histopathologists due to the rarity of HEHE make the diagnosis of this entity very challenging. Misdiagnosis is not a rare event, and the consequences of such an event are catastrophic. We report a case of a patient suffering from HEHE in which the initial diagnosis was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The presence of normal laboratory values, liver function tests, tumor markers along with the absence of a chronic liver disease, or any other predisposing factors for HCC, was in contrast with the diagnosis of HCC. Clinical suspicion drove us to the repetition of a liver biopsy and the reevaluation of the sample by a more experience histopathology department in liver tumors. The last biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of HEHE, and the patient escaped any unnecessary treatment for a nonexisting HCC.


In 1947, when India became independent, she had a new
Constitution which embodied hopes for a better future for all
Indian citizens and a range of institutions which represented the
historical heritage of India. These institutions included the
ancient Hindu caste system, and village government, and a great
number of administrative systems established by the British. The
school system was an integral part of the British system of
administration.
Chapters Two and Three of this thesis explore the problem which
was brought about by the change in normative aims introduced by
tne Constitution and the lack of change in the institutions. They
also look at the different ways in which the new norms were
interpretea, particulary the different views of modernisation
taken by Nehru and Gandhi.
Chapters Four and Five deal with the First and Second Five Year
Plans respectively. The Five Year Plans are treated as tentative
solutions to the problem set out in the early chapters. Although
the first plan incorporated some of the rhetoric of Gandhi, the
main tnrust of both plans was in line with Nehru's vision of the
development of India. The chapters not only look at the general
plan frames and the provisions made in the plans, but also look
at the beneficiaries of the plans. For the most part the plans
benefitted tne better off, and failed to provide for the basic
needs, for food, housing, health, clothing and employment of the
poorest sections of society, especially the rural poor. Education, and the close coordination between the education
system and government and business administration, helped to
ensure that those who had access to the traditional educational
system had preference in the competition for housing, health and
work. Chapter Six deals with education in detail.
Kerala offers a unique opportunity to stuay the relationship
between education and development. Education has played an
important part in the development of Kerala, which on many
indeces has a very highly educated population; literacy rates are
high, and the state of Kerala has a very high number of
newspapers. But while the high level of education is reflected in
some otner indicators, it has not produced economic growth, and
Kerala has one of the lowest per capita incomes among the States
of India. Chapter Seven examines the relationship of education
and development in Kerala.
The concluding chapter of this thesis draws together the
criticisms of the current system of education of India, and
proposes a system of education based on problem-solving, to help
supply the basic needs of all India's population.


This qualitative study examined whether a connection exists between children with emotional disorders consumption of traditional entertainment media and their subsequent vegative/anti-social classroom behavior. Research participants included six first-grade children diagnosed with an emotional disorder and their teacher. They were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. The students were observed in the natural setting of their classroom for a total of twenty-four hours, over a four-day period. Transcripts and classroom observations were analyzed, looking for connections between behavior and consumption of traditional entertainment media. Findings from this study concluded that these students used traditional entertainment media as a method of temporally escaping from the environment of their respective households.


BACKGROUND
Children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are generally included with typically developing peers at school. They have difficulties interacting with peers on the school playground. Previous literature suggests that having play dates in the home may be related to better peer acceptance at school.

METHODS
This study examines the relationship between mother-reported play date frequency and amount of conflict, and peer interaction observed on the school playground for a sample of 27 boys and 4 girls meeting structured interview and observation criteria for ASD. Measures of intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior, and social skills were included in a stepwise regression analysis to account for their impact on relationships between maternal play date reports, general peer acceptance at school (as rated by the child's teacher) and observations of school playground behavior.

RESULTS
Results revealed that children with autism spectrum disorders who had more play dates in their home tended to spend a greater amount of time engaged in behaviors such as mutual offering of objects, conversing and other turn-taking activities with peers on the school playground. They also received more positive responses to their overtures from peers. These relationships remained highly significant even after accounting for other demographic, general social, and cognitive variables.

CONCLUSIONS
The present results suggest that play date frequency is strongly related to school playground behavior. Owing to the design of this study, future research must assess whether play dates in the home promote better peer relationships on the playground or the reverse. In either case, the assessment of play dates, as well as observation of spontaneous unsupervised social interactions, are important outcome measures to consider in social skills interventions for children with high-functioning ASD.


Haemophilus parainfluenzae is a normal inhabitant of the nose and oropharynx. The authors report a case of adult vertebral osteomyelitis due to this organism that occurred 3 months after nasal septoplasty. Successful therapy was accomplished by a combination of inpatient and outpatient therapy.


Abstract. The Mediterranean region is characterized by intense
rainfall events giving rise to devastating floods. In Maghreb countries such
as Morocco, there is a strong need for forecasting systems to reduce the
impacts of floods. The development of such a system in the case of ungauged
catchments is complicated, but remote-sensing products could overcome the
lack of in situ measurements. The soil moisture content can strongly
modulate the magnitude of flood events and consequently is a crucial
parameter to take into account for flood modeling. In this study, different
soil moisture products (European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative, ESA-CCI; Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity, SMOS; Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique and Centre d'Etudes Spatiales de la Biosphère, SMOS-IC; Advanced Scatterometer, ASCAT; and
ERA5 reanalysis) are compared to in situ measurements and one continuous
soil-moisture-accounting (SMA) model for basins located in the High Atlas
Mountains, upstream of the city of Marrakech. The results show that the
SMOS-IC satellite product and the ERA5 reanalysis are best correlated with
observed soil moisture and with the SMA model outputs. The different soil
moisture datasets were also compared to estimate the initial soil moisture
condition for an event-based hydrological model based on the Soil
Conservation Service curve number (SCS-CN). The ASCAT, SMOS-IC, and ERA5
products performed equally well in validation to simulate floods,
outperforming daily in situ soil moisture measurements that may not be
representative of the whole catchment soil moisture conditions. The results
also indicated that the daily time step may not fully represent the
saturation state before a flood event due to the rapid decay of soil
moisture after rainfall in these semiarid environments. Indeed, at the
hourly time step, ERA5 and in situ measurements were found to better
represent the initial soil moisture conditions of the SCS-CN model by
comparison with the daily time step. The results of this work could be used
to implement efficient flood modeling and forecasting systems in semiarid
regions where soil moisture measurements are lacking.


The purpose of this paper was to address an equivalence between a single layer and three layered cranial bone models for intracranial content impact injuries by using composite mechanics approach. A homogenized material model was utilized to model the three layered system of cranial bones as a single layered system. A set of equivalent homogenized material properties can be formulated systematically with confidence. Numerical verifications were carried out by simulating two ball models and a 50th percentile human head model by using finite element approach, which shows that it maximizes modeling and computation economy without sacrificing solution accuracy of variables for evaluating intracranial content injuries. The discrete bone materials were assumed as linear, elastic, and isotropic. So, the resultant equivalent material was anisotropic.


The use of concentrate for sheep grazing Buffel grass may improve the productive performance and carcass traits of animals. The objective of present trial was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass traits of sheep grazing Buffel grass receiving different concentrate levels. The concentrate levels used were: 0; 0.33; 0.66 and 1.0% of dry matter in relation to body weight. Forty lambs were used, ten animals by treatments, with 16.5 ± 2.0 kg of initial body weight and 20.97 kg final body weight, distributed in four groups. The experimental design was a completely randomized with ten replicates by treatments. The concentrate levels did not influence the cold and hot carcass weight. However, the increasing levels of concentrate promoted higher cold and hot carcass yield. Blood, head, hide, heart, lung, kidney and liver (non carcass components) weights and proportion of slaughtered body weight (SBW) and leg, shoulder, brisket, rib, neck and loin weights (commercial meat cuts) were not affected by increasing levels of concentrate. Full intestine in proportion of SBW was lower with the increase of concentrate levels, while the brisket's weight was higher with increase of concentrate.


Dam removal is a river restoration technique that has complex landscape-level ecological impacts. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are emerging as tools that enable relatively affordable, repeatable, and objective ecological assessment approaches that provide a holistic perspective of restoration impacts and can inform future restoration efforts. In this work, we use a consumer-grade UAV, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, and machine learning (ML) to evaluate geomorphic and vegetation changes pre-/post-dam removal, and discuss how the technology enhanced our monitoring of the restoration project. We compared UAV evaluation methods to conventional boots-on-ground methods throughout the Bellamy River Reservoir (Dover, NH, USA) pre-/post-dam removal. We used a UAV-based vegetation classification approach that used a support vector machine algorithm and a featureset composed of SfM-derived elevation and visible vegetation index values to map other, herbaceous, shrub, and tree cover throughout the reservoir (overall accuracies from 83% to 100%), mapping vegetation succession as well as colonization of exposed sediments that occurred post-dam removal. We used SfM-derived topography and the vegetation classifications to map erosion and deposition throughout the reservoir, despite its heavily vegetated condition, and estimate volume changes post-removal. Despite some limitations, such as influences of refraction and vegetation on the SfM topography models, UAV provided information on post-dam removal changes that would have gone unacknowledged by the conventional ecological assessment approaches, demonstrating how UAV technology can provide perspective in restoration evaluation even in less-than-ideal site conditions for SfM. For example, the UAV provided perspective of the magnitude and extent of channel shape changes throughout the reservoir while the boots-on-ground topographic transects were not as reliable for detecting change due to difficulties in navigating the terrain. In addition, UAV provided information on vegetation changes throughout the reservoir that would have been missed by conventional vegetation plots due to their limited spatial coverage. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from meeting to collect post-dam removal vegetation plot data. UAV enabled data collection that we would have foregone if we relied solely on conventional methods, demonstrating the importance of flexible and adaptive methods for successful restoration monitoring such as those enabled via UAV.


The molecular mechanisms that control growth appear to be conserved across the animal kingdom, with nitric oxide regulation of cell proliferation and growth being found to be very significant. Indeed, in Drosophila larval development and mammalian systems NO has been shown to be particularly important in these processes, and previous work in our laboratory has identified the Drosophila forkhead transcription factor dFOXO as a critical target through which NO signalling exerts its regulatory effects on growth, although little is currently known concerning the precise mechanisms involved.

Accordingly, in this thesis, we investigate the processes through which NO may modulate growth and demonstrate that targeted expression of a constitutively active NO Synthase to whole larval salivary glands or clones of cells within the glands, results in reduced endoreplication and growth as measured by nuclear size. Targeted over expression of dFOXO itself is shown to result in similar phenotypes, and subsequent molecular analysis of potential signalling targets required for this inhibition of growth reveals that dFOXO, Thor and Myc expression are regulated in vivo by NO.

To elucidate if NO acts directly on dFOXO, the genetic interaction of components of the insulin signalling pathway is analysed, exploiting RNA interference to assay what components are necessary for the NO signal to be effectively transduced, and it is demonstrated that NO control of growth is not through sGC, one of the most significant known targets for NOmediated regulation in other organisms.

We subsequently investigated the roles of Thor, a Drosophila 4E-binding protein, and the kinase, Lk6, homologues of which are known to be important in growth regulation in other organisms, and thus potential effectors of NO and dFOXO. However our data demonstrated that neither Thor nor Lk6 are required for the inhibition of growth by NO.

Interestingly a potential anti-oncogenic effect of NO signalling was also revealed following analysis of interactions between NO and Ras or Myc induced growth in which NO was able reduce the overgrowth produce by both these oncogenes.

Overall this research confirms dFOXO as an essential target for NO induced inhibition of growth. The work also eliminates two dFOXO transcription targets, Thor and Lk6, as necessary for NO to regulate growth.


Myopic use of mind-altering substances is proposed to be equal to the product of the user's current levels of relative-deprivation feeling and substance-tolerance. If initially this product is sufficiently large the user is trapped in a deprivation-use-addiction vicious cycle. There may be a relatively high addiction and socioeconomic position steady state and a relatively low one. If the users are initially located in the high steady state, an increase in treatment is clearly socially desirable. In contrast, the possible improvement of users' socioeconomic position from increasing law-enforcement or socioeconomic opportunities might be dominated by a rise in users' addiction level.


The development, analysis and experimental validation of a novel flow and cure sensor for use in the resin transfer moulding of composites are presented. A linear relationship is established between the flow front position in the mould and electrical admittance measurements gathered using the sensor setup, allowing accurate flow front location. The sensor performance as an indicator of flow front position is evaluated using visual verification. Its efficiency for monitoring of the curing stage is assessed by comparison of the measurements with data obtained from more conventional microdielectrometry. Experimental results demonstrate that the sensor can locate the flow front accurately. The measurement output is in the form of a complex number; this suggests a potential qualitative self-assessment method. The monitoring of the cure process using the new sensor shows performance similar to that of the established microdielectrometric techniques.


Introduction Environmental contaminants are groups of unwanted, ubiquitous chemicals, found in food via weathering of the earth's crust, combustion (natural or anthropogenic), industrial uses or as unwanted bi-products of manufacturing processes. Evidence suggests that the climate is becoming hotter and more variable, resulting in rising sea levels, warmer oceans, more forest fires and more extreme events such as floods, storms, cyclones, droughts and landslips. Methods Sources of environmental contaminants into food or feeds are described. The impact of climate change on the formation, distribution or uptake of these contaminants is addressed with reference to the scientific literature. Results Climate change may result in increased atmospheric release and mobilization of environmental contaminants, an increased rate of mercury methylation, changes in biological systems and increased applications of contaminants to soils and crops from water re-use. Conversely, climate change policies, to reduce carbon emissions, are driving energy efficiencies, leading to reduced emissions of dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and heavy metals. Conclusion Climate change is likely to increase human exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls where food and feeds may be contaminated by forest fires, water re-use or increased methylation (mercury only). The extent of this change is yet to be quantified.


There is a large value in making the industry more energy efficient. The benefit is not only energy savings and reduction of CO2 emissions, the industry also becomes more competitive due to lower costs for energy, and often also improved production rate and product quality due to positive side effects when processes are made more efficient. Several factors influence efficiency, the most important ones are presented, as well as advices for an assessment and actions for improvements.As an example a steam energy fingerprint of a paper machine is given. In the assessment energy flows are quantified, energy users in the paper machine are benchmarked and actions for improving efficiency are suggested.


Reasoning about information flow can help software engineering. Static information flow inference analysis is a technique which automatically infers information flows based on data or control dependence. It can be utilized for the purposes of general program understanding, detection of security attacks and security vulnerabilities, and type inference for security type systems. This paper proposes a new static information flow inference analysis, which unlike most other information flow analyses, handles both explicit and implicit information flows. The analysis does not require annotations and it is relatively precise and practical. We illustrate the usage of the static information flow analysis on three applications. The first application of information flow analysis is security violation detection. We perform experiments on a set of Java web applications and the experiments show that our analysis effectively detects security violations. The second application is type inference. Our experiments on the Java web applications successfully infer security types. The last application studies the effect of thread-shared variables on thread-local variables. Our experiments on a set of multi-thread programs show that most of the thread-local variables are affected by the thread-shared variables. We study the impact of implicit flow versus explicit flow in these applications. Implicit flow has significant impact on all these applications. In security violation detection, implicit flow detects more security violations than explicit flow. In type inference, implicit flow infers more untrusted type variables. In the study of the effect of thread-shared variables, implicit flow detects more affected variables than explicit flow.


: The increased reliance on case mix to establish prospective rates of compensation creates an imperative to alter the traditional relationship of physicians to hospitals and to assign the responsibility for the fiscal effects of clinical decisions to the medical staff. This article identifies the physician's admitting policies as an area in which increased cooperation might augment hospital revenues. Conversely, the analysis identifies the physician's prescribing decisions as an area of conflict that must be resolved in order to control costs and preserve the long-term survival of the hospital. Also examined are relationships and organizational arrangements that not only contribute to the resolution of inevitable conflicts but also enhance the beneficial effects of increased cooperation. The article concludes with an examination of the undesirable effects the full implementation of these arrangements might have on the patient.


The CMS experiment at CERN is preparing for LHC data taking in several computing preparation activities. In early 2007 a traffic load generator infrastructure for distributed data transfer tests was designed and deployed to equip the WLCG tiers which support the CMS virtual organization with a means for debugging, load-testing and commissioning data transfer routes among CMS computing centres. The LoadTest is based upon PhEDEx as a reliable, scalable data set replication system. The Debugging Data Transfers (DDT) task force was created to coordinate the debugging of the data transfer links. The task force aimed to commission most crucial transfer routes among CMS tiers by designing and enforcing a clear procedure to debug problematic links. Such procedure aimed to move a link from a debugging phase in a separate and independent environment to a production environment when a set of agreed conditions are achieved for that link. The goal was to deliver one by one working transfer routes to the CMS data operations team. The preparation, activities and experience of the DDT task force within the CMS experiment are discussed. Common technical problems and challenges encountered during the lifetime of the taskforce in debugging data transfer links in CMS are explained and summarized.


Uroguanylin is an endogenous ligand of the intestinal receptor guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C). Both uroguanylin and the related peptide ligand guanylin bind to GC-C and stimulate an increase in cyclic GMP, inducing chloride secretion via the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. We describe the cloning of the complete mouse uroguanylin gene (Guca1b) and show that Guca1b is tightly linked to the mouse guanylin gene on chromosome 4. The two genes are structurally similar, being composed of three short exons; the uroguanylin gene spans 2.4 kb and the guanylin gene spans 1.7 kb. Uroguanylin mRNA is most prominent in proximal small intestine, whereas guanylin mRNA is predominantly expressed in distal small intestine and colon. The upstream promoter sequence of the mouse uroguanylin gene contains a canonical TATA element at the site of transcription initiation and consensus binding sites for several known transcription factors, including HNF-1 and Sp1 within the first 1 kb. Although the gene structure and coding sequences of uroguanylin and guanylin are similar, the 5' flanking sequences and patterns of expression of these two genes in the intestine are different. It is likely that uroguanylin and guanylin represent gene duplications that have evolved to allow overlapping and complementary patterns of expression in the intestine.


In choosing the lubricating oil for a gas turbine system, properties such as viscosity, viscosity index, corrosion prevention, and thermal stability are chosen to optimize turbine longevity and efficiency. Another property that needs to be considered is the lubricant's reactivity, as the lubricant's ability to resist combustion during turbine operation is highly desirable. In evaluating a method to define reactivity, the extremely low vapor pressure of these lubricants makes conventional vaporization by heating impractical. To this end, a new experiment was designed and tested to evaluate the reactivity of lubricating oils using an existing shock-tube facility at Texas A&M University equipped with an automotive fuel injector. This experiment disperses a premeasured amount of lubricant into a region of high-temperature air to study auto-ignition. To ensure proper dispersal, a laser extinction diagnostic was used to detect the lubricant particles behind the reflected shock as they are dispersed and vaporized. An OH* chemiluminescence diagnostic was used to determine ignition delay time. Using this method, various 32-, 36-, and 46-weight lubricants identified as widely used in the gas turbine industry were tested. Experiments were conducted in postreflected shock conditions around 1370 K (2006 °F) and 1.2 atm, where ignition delay time, peak OH* emission, and time-to-peak values were recorded and compared. Ignition was observed for all but one of the lubricants at these conditions, and mild to strong ignition was observed for the other lubricants with varying ignition delay times.


Prostaglandins, particularly prostacyclin, participate in the control of fetal and maternal circulations. In the present study the effect of cigarette smoking on plasma prostacyclin-stimulating activity during late pregnancy and the puerperium (four to six months) and in the newborns was assessed. Plasma samples from 22 apparently healthy nonsmokers and 17 smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day) were obtained twice during pregnancy and once after delivery. Plasma samples from nine infants born to smokers and seven infants born to nonsmokers were obtained 72 to 96 hours after birth. Plasma activity was evaluated by incubating the plasma samples with cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells and measuring the prostacyclin released in the culture medium by specific radioimmunoassay of its stable metabolite, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α. In all of the women, plasma activity did not change significantly during pregnancy or after delivery. In smokers, plasma activity was always lower than in nonsmokers, but not significantly so. The plasma activity of infants born to smokers was significantly lower than that of infants born to nonsmokers.


The muse of restitution enraptures the world's legal scholars. Yet America resists her lure. This article focuses on an American black-letter law endeavor to follow the Commonwealth's lead on restitutionary disgorgement as a remedy for contractual breach - Section 39 of the pending Restatement (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment. England's Attorney General v. Blake opens the door to the remedy. America's Restatement Section 39 steps through the door. It does so with much timidity despite its bold title, "Profit Derived from Opportunistic Breach." Though narrowly bounded, Section 39's sweeping foundation is in tension with the American Holmesian model of contractual choice and efficient breach theory. This author's other scholarship casts the Restatement's recognition of a restitutionary disgorgement remedy for opportunistic breach as potentially revolutionary for contract law because the remedy focuses on defendant's mindset and gains rather than plaintiff's loss. Further, the remedy seeks to deter if not punish wrongdoing. A well-developed, canon of scholarship and precedent on restitutionary disgorgement exists in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand. The Commonwealth experience should guide America's adoption of restitutionary disgorgement for contractual breach. America should embrace restitution's riddles. We should call restitution to our imagination. The Restatement proposal for restitutionary disgorgement advances unjust enrichment theory and merits serious scholarly attention, praise, and critique. It will admirably extend the stable of alternative remedies for contract plaintiffs. But, let's be honest about its shortcomings as drafted and its underlying morality-infused rationale. Then, we can glean the deeper lessons from the Commonwealth's lead and appreciate the consequences of our new path.


Bond graph software can simulate bond graph models without the user needing to manually derive equations. This offers the power to model larger and more complex systems than in the past. Multibond graphs (those with vector bonds) offer a compact model which further eases handling multibody systems. Although multibond graphs can be simulated successfully, the use of vector bonds can present difficulties. In addition, most qualitative, bond graph–based exploitation relies on the use of scalar bonds. This article discusses the main methods for simulating bond graphs of multibody systems, using a graphical software platform. The transformation between models with vector and scalar bonds is presented. The methods are then compared with respect to both time and accuracy, through simulation of two benchmark models. This article is a tutorial on the existing methods for simulating three-dimensional rigid and holonomic multibody systems using bond graphs and discusses the difficulties encountered. It then proposes and adapts methods for simulating this type of system directly from its bond graph within a software package. The value of this study is in giving practical guidance to modellers, so that they can implement the adapted method in software.


Duty and Exception: Non-Combatant Legislation and the Conditions of Men's Citizenship in Sweden 1965–1978 In countries where military conscription has been in force such service has been defined as a masculine duty as opposed to feminine caring and life giving duties. Conscientious objectors not only question a societal contract of duties and civil rights; they also challenge a politically hegemonic masculinity by opting out of one of its main homosocial arenas. This article investigates the changes made to non-combatant conscription service legislation and how it was discussed and designed as a condition for male citizenship in Sweden 1965–1978.In 1963, the Social democrats and the Liberals demanded changes in the restrictive non-combatant conscription legislation adopted during World War II. Critics regarded the connection of the non-combatant services to the armed forces as too manifest. New legislation was introduced in 1966. A state board was established to evaluate requests for civil service, transferring evaluation from the military to the civilian sector. The non-combatant service areas were expanded in order to take individual requests into consideration, without compromising the need for conscripts within the total national defense. Members of Jehovah's Witnesses, who refused unconditionally, were controversially exempt from all service, as they were deemed unfit, comparable to alcoholics and anti-socials.A notable increase of ethical and political non-combatant applications in the last years of the 1960s and early 1970s proved challenging to the 1966 legislation. In 1973 a new governmental commission was appointed to propose changes. One problem was the application evaluation board's partiality towards religious objectors and the nature of the proceedings, which were criticized for being too intrusive, thus clashing with the objectors' civil rights. In 1978 the approved service sectors were further expanded into the civilian sector, for example by allowing environmental work, school assistance and service with the Red Cross. The legislative changes indicate that the link between conditioned male citizenship and military service was weakened, when challenged by the non-combatants' alternative masculinities.