How do we know if communication is emerging in a multi-agent system? The vast majority of recent papers on emergent communication show that adding a communication channel leads to an increase in reward or task success. This is a useful indicator, but provides only a coarse measure of the agent's learned communication abilities. As we move towards more complex environments, it becomes imperative to have a set of finer tools that allow qualitative and quantitative insights into the emergence of communication. This may be especially useful to allow humans to monitor agents' behaviour, whether for fault detection, assessing performance, or even building trust. In this paper, we examine a few intuitive existing metrics for measuring communication, and show that they can be misleading. Specifically, by training deep reinforcement learning agents to play simple matrix games augmented with a communication channel, we find a scenario where agents appear to communicate (their messages provide information about their subsequent action), and yet the messages do not impact the environment or other agent in any way. We explain this phenomenon using ablation studies and by visualizing the representations of the learned policies. We also survey some commonly used metrics for measuring emergent communication, and provide recommendations as to when these metrics should be used.


For renal dynamic studies, the COST B2 hybrid phantom is an example of an artificially created software phantom. Although this phantom is useful, it is not possible to implement the phantom in a self-consistent fashion to produce, for example, a collection of tracer in the bladder which is related to the flow from the kidneys. In this study control systems are used to provide a self-consistent model. A feed-forward control system was designed for the transport of DTPA in the human body using SIMULINK. The system is based on a three-compartment model described by a set of differential equations with flow rates which may be set by the operator. The differential uptake in the kidneys may also be specified, while the flow of tracer through the renal parenchyma and collecting system of each kidney is determined using two-parameter retention functions. Curves corresponding to normal or pathological conditions may be simulated for plasma, parenchyma, collecting system and bladder by appropriate selection of parameters. The system is user-friendly and can be used to simulate almost all conditions seen in patient studies. The next stage of using this information to design dynamic image simulations is in progress.


Data mining is an appropriate way to discover information and hidden patterns in large amounts of data, where the hidden patterns cannot be easily discovered in normal ways. One of the most interesting applications of data mining is the discovery of diseases and disease patterns through investigating patients' records. Early diagnosis of diabetes can reduce the effects of this devastating disease. A common way to diagnose this disease is performing a blood test, which, despite its high precision, has some disadvantages such as: pain, cost, patient stress, lack of access to a laboratory, and so on. Diabetic patients' information has hidden patterns, which can help you investigate the risk of diabetes in individuals, without performing any blood tests. Use of neural networks, as powerful data mining tools, is an appropriate method to discover hidden patterns in diabetic patients' information. In this paper, in order to discover the hidden patterns and diagnose diabetes, a water wave optimization(WWO) algorithm; as a precise metaheuristic algorithm, was used along with a neural network to increase the precision of diabetes prediction. The results of our implementation in the MATLAB programming environment, using the dataset related to diabetes, indicated that the proposed method diagnosed diabetes at a precision of 94.73%,sensitivity of 94.20%, specificity of 93.34%, and accuracy of 95.46%, and was more sensitive than methods such as: support vector machines, artificial neural networks, and decision trees.


Controlling welding-induced-alignment-distortion (WIAD) and maintaining coupling efficiency is obviously the most challenging issue in assembling of fiber-optic components using laser welding. WIAD is the dominant barrier to having high packaging yields. Previous investigation has revealed that the WIAD in butterfly laser diode module packaging could be mitigated by properly choosing weld process parameters such as welding sequence. In this paper, the effect of welding sequence on WIAD is studied numerically by finite-element method (FEM) with a more realistic physics based laser welding model and experimentally by welding prototype butterfly packages. Results from both methods are compared. It is shown that the influence of welding process parameters on WIAD is significant and WIAD control is possible if proper welding sequence is employed.


With the introduction of 'core and options' into the medical curriculum, it has been possible to include studies in which the body has been viewed from a more integrated point of view in the tradition of classical physiology. In this special study module (SSM) the question was addressed 'Is there a common approach to the theories and practice of art and medical science that can be productive to both scientist and artist?' There are many instances of individual artists drawn to specific medical and scientific subjects, from Leonardo's anatomical drawings to the work of Annie Cattrell on brain function and structure (Albano et al, 2002). We are collaborating on a science/art project with wide ranging discussion on both the polarities and commonalities of the disciplines of art and science. Recently there has been an increasing number of art/science projects, many of them on involving the science of the body, including neuroscience, with exhibitions such as 'Head On' at the Science Museum (Albano et al, 2002). These projects are a contemporary response to what has been, arguably, the major concern of Western Art -the representation of the human body. Historically, art representing the body can be read not only as a documentation of changing cultural, philosophical and moral ideas, but also as representing scientific concepts and attitudes to the human body. However, can aspects of art productively contribute to the study and practice of medical science? The discussions led to the development of an SSM for medical students.. The course provides an introduction to major concepts and themes in the representation of the body in western art. The aim is to introduce students to the subject through the study of visual art from the ancient to the contemporary, making reflective connections to the medical context. Main themes of the course included structure and form, the ideal and the ordinary, identity and difference, mutability and viscerality; the stuff of the body'. Learning also took place through visits to Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert Museum and National Gallery. Journals were kept by students documenting lectures, seminars and visits, and plans for their own essay study and presentation. Many included accomplished sketches, drawings and design work attesting to the students' broad range of talents and interests. The student responses were thoughtful, analytical and perceptive . The discussion and analysis of the different attitudes and concepts enabled the students to reflect on contexts, questions, and approaches to the body and the individual persona. The course has run for two successive years and student evaluations have produced enthusiastic and positive responses


Some results in random matrices are generalized to supermatrices, in particular supermatrix integration is reduced to an integration over the eigenvalues and the resulting volume element is shown to be equivalent to a one dimensional Coulomb gas of both positive and negative charges.It is shown that,for polynomial potentials, after removing the instability due to the annihilation of opposite charges, supermatrix models are indistinguishable from ordinary matrix models, in agreement with a recent result by Alvarez-Gaum`e and Ma˜nes. It is pointed out however that this may not be true for more general potentials such as for instance the supersymmetric generalization of the Penner model.


The countries of western Europe have seen far reaching corporate governance developments in recent years, ranging from the Cadbury Report in the UK to the Vienot Report in France. These developments have been discussed in toto in the report of the CEPS working party on corporate governance in Europe. However alongside the developments in western Europe, there are fundamental political and economic changes going on in the countries in Eastern and Central Europe (CEEC) which have significant implications for the development of corporate governance in these countries. In this paper we analyse the changes that have taken place in a number of CEEC countries, highlighting both the commonalities and the differences, and the way that these countries are developing in terms of their corporate governance structures. The demise of central planning, for example, has led to a shift of control, and we seek to examine such issues as where control now lies, the effects of privatisation, and the problems of development of institutional arrangements for corporate governance. Financial institutions have a key role to play in the changes in the CEEC and therefore the latter part of the paper places a special emphasis on the role of financial institutions, particularly banks, as monitors in the CEEC, and analyses the banks' role in firms' restructuring. The implications for the role of banks in any developing corporate governance system are immense, with banks playing a central role as monitors of corporate success. However the privatisation of banks and firms is not, per se, sufficient to ensure that these enterprises develop adequate corporate governance structures which are able to cope with problems endemic in the current framework, and are capable of evolving to take account of future changes. We examine the existing structures in several CEEC, and provide a taxonomy of changes that have occurred to date. We discuss likely future changes and conclude on the likely effects on corporate governance in the CEEC.


at which a specific recreational activity is adopted. In conceptualizing this process, a phenomenological approach is utilized with three series of interviews. The practical application of the model was also explored, using a written questionnaire. Four necessary and sufficient conditionsopportunity, knowledge, favorable social milieu, and receptiveness-are identified. The concept of a key event is used to explain how these are integrated, often being modified in the process, so as to result in adoption when a satisfying experience is anticipated. Order from Subscription Department, ABP, North Way, Andover, Hampshire, United Kingdom.


In this work, a new hybrid clustering approach is presented that could be applied in mitigating against the spread of pests by first identifying the region in the field in which crops are affected and then performing a clustering algorithm to cluster and separate affected crops. Also discussed is a new dissimilarity model that could serve as a predictive tool for identifying attributes of objects in mixed datasets. This algorithm has been implemented using JAVA and MATLAB. The new method has been applied on agro-based datasets of soybean and yeast for forming clusters that could help farmers in the management of crop pests. The model developed could be beneficial to Nigerian farmers and the Agro-based industries, particularly those involved in crop scouting. Key words : Data Analysis, clustering, dissimilarity model, crop pests.


duplex and color doppler imaging of the venous system is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our books collection hosts in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the duplex and color doppler imaging of the venous system is universally compatible with any devices to read.


In the reorganized British National Health Service (NHS), purchasers are supposed to assess the health care requirements of their resident populations and contract for an appropriate volume of services. In the case of elective surgical procedures this can be problematic when there is no reliable information on health needs and no consensus on appropriate rates of use. An examination of hysterectomy rates in 8 districts in 1 Regional Health Authority found a nearly 2-fold variation in population-based rates, a difference which had persisted for at least 12 years. A detailed comparison of a high- and a low-rate district was conducted to assess the extent to which the variations in the rates were related to indices of data quality, resource availability, use of alternative surgical procedures, use of private hospitals, differences in gynaecologists' admission thresholds and differences in demand. The difference was not accounted for by supply factors, but there were significant differences between the 2 districts in levels of demand for specialist gynaecology services and differences in gynaecologists' admission thresholds. It seems likely that the low-rate district contained a greater number of general practitioners who were willing to treat patients themselves rather than refer them to specialists. Because of the sparsity of scientific evidence on which to base judgements about appropriateness and the lack of consensus about need, it will be impossible to specify a target figure for an optimal hysterectomy rate.


Introduction: Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) is a core region of the brainstem that contributes to different vital bio-responses such as pain and addiction. The Dopaminergic (DA) cellular content of VTA has major roles in different functions. This study aims to evaluate the cellular effect of tramadol on the putative VTA-DA neurons. Methods: Wistar rats were assigned into three groups of control, sham, and tramadol-treated. The animals were anesthetized and their VTA-DA neuronal activity was obtained under controlled stereotaxic operation. The firing rate of the neurons was extracted according to principal component analysis by Igor Pro software and analyzed statistically considering P<0.05 as significant. Tramadol (20 mg/kg) was infused intraperitoneally. Results: Overall, 121 putative VTA-DA neurons were isolated from all groups. In tramadol-treated rats, the inhibition of the neuronal firing was proposed as tolerance and the excitation period as dependence or withdrawal. The Mean±SD inhibition time lasted up to 50.34±10.17 minutes and 31% of neurons stopped firing and silenced after 24±3 min on average but the remaining neurons lowered their firing up to 43% to 67% of their baseline firing. All neurons showed the excitation period, lasted about 56.12±15.30 min, and the firing of neurons increased from 176% to 244% of their baseline or pre-injection period. Conclusion: The tolerance and dependence effects of tramadol are related to the changes in the neuronal firing rate at the putative VTA-DA neurons. The acute injection of tramadol can initiate neuroadaptation on the opioid and non-opioid neurotransmission to mediate these effects.


AIM: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a non-pharmacologic nutrition supplement used against osteoarthritis (OA). Objective: Delineate the effect of MSM on osteoarthritic joints and mobility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial including 100 patients, with hip and/or knee OA stratified in an intervention and a placebo group. Intervention: MSM 6 gr per day or placebo for 26 weeks. Outcomes measured were the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index visual analogue scale (WOMAC), patient and physician assessments and SF-36 (overall health-related quality of life). RESULTS: Compared to placebo the MSM group presented significant decreases in all subscales of WOMAC (P < 0.05) with improved performance of daily living activities on the SF-36 evaluation (P < 0.05). Patient and Physician assessments exhibited favorable effects on the MSM group CONCLUSION: MSM improved all physical symptoms in the WOMAC scale during the short intervention without any adverse events.


Copyright © 2019 Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).


In a world of accelerating environmental crises, global pandemics and seemingly unstoppable datafication of anything that moves, thinks or feels, the politics of science and technology are pervasive. In this first of three progress reports on the geographies of science and technology, I home in on some definitional questions which an account of anything like a new or emerging subfield must necessarily concern itself. I examine how geographers have addressed the spatial effects of the making and unmaking of boundaries between science, technology and their various outsides. While work on historical and contemporary geographies of technoscience has often pulled in slightly different directions, I identify some promising convergences around questions of political economy and on the topic of scale as an emergent property of technoscientific practices. New attention is also falling on the spatial practices through which technoscience gets plugged into wider worlds, such as politics and policymaking, while geographers have also been busy disrupting, in a more experimental mode, conventional boundaries and hierarchies of technoscientific practice. Finally, the report examines recent and welcome efforts to convene new conversations around the geography of technology but cautions against the potential seduction of the new, the innovative and the 'disruptive'. Important recent work in cultural geography has purposively unsettled assumed hierarchies of 'high' and 'low' tech, new and old, and suggests that any nascent subfield of 'geography of technology' needs to reflexively attend to how boundaries get drawn around 'technology', and with what effects.


A real time system must produce the intended results at the intended points of real time determined by its environment, otherwise the system has failed (H. Kopetz, 1997). For the purpose of this discussion, we consider two types of environments that contain real time computer systems: (i) static environments, where the frequency of the service requests on the computer system are constrained by a priori known environmental characteristics; (ii) dynamic environments, where it is possible to specify peak-load-service-request rates probabilistically only, e.g., a military command and control system that has to adapt dynamically to the n priori unknown threats of the enemy. We feel that these two fundamentally different environments of distributed real time computer systems demand different system models and different implementation strategies.


This master thesis investigates and answers three fundamental questions regarding structural changes of a future market. This has been done by analysing and comparing three commodity markets with the Nordic electricity market. Examined commodity markets are LME steel billet, CME lean hogs and WTI & Brent crude oil. The report consists of a literature review with a theoretical background, CATWOE and a case analysis of each commodity market. The markets are thereafter analysed, compared and discussed regarding the research questions.It is concluded that the Nordic electricity market is in many ways comparable to other commodities, although it has some special characteristics. Key factors determining market success have been identified as (1) correlation between perceived risk and derivative risk, (2) trust for and experience of trading institutions and trading environment and (3) expectations. Based on the findings a new conceptual measure for market liquidity, Relative Market Liquidity, is introduced and discussed. The comparison in this thesis is based on the Nordic electricity market, but much of the results are applicable to other commodity markets.The thesis has been written during spring 2013 at the Royal Institute of Technology Department of Energy Technology in co-operation with Vattenfall AB.


Video conferencing (VC) and other telemedicine tools may help to improve the quality and availability of care in remote, sparsely populated areas. The transnational "eHealth Services for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (eCAP), 2015-2018" project aims at developing new solutions for mental health care for children and adolescents in remote communities. In Finland, the Department of Child Psychiatry at Kuopio University Hospital (KUH) launched in early 2017 an online booking system and a browser-based VC solution to support the primary healthcare and other professionals working with children in Pohjois-Savo region by facilitating video-based consultations, supervision and support for treatment. Over 200 professionals in the region were trained to use the service.
For evaluating the provided training and gaining insight for the revealed non-use of the service, an online survey was administered to the trained persons in December 2017-January 2018. The respondents (n=89, response rate 45 %) demonstrated high satisfaction with the provided training, yet majority of them had not used the service and could not assess its functionality. They embraced the idea of video consultations, but there had been no need for that in practice yet, or more training or reminding about the service was desired. Some had faced technical problems preventing them from using the service. However, nearly 90 % of the respondents said that they will or might use the service in the future – often conditionally, "if there will be a need".
The results clearly demonstrate the importance of customer-orientation, training, constant promotion and reinforcement when introducing new telemedicine services.


Strawberry is an important small fruit crop grown throughout the world due to its rich sources of vitamins and abundance of antioxidants. The US is the world ' s leading producer of strawberries followed by Mexico. The main strawberry producing states are California followed by Florida, which produce >90% of the strawberries grown in the US. Strawberry production is often threatened by a host of arthropod pests that include insect and mite species. In order for the US to maintain its lead in strawberry production it is vital to develop effective management tools for key insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Some of the major arthropod pests that affect strawberry production include twospotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, thrips, Frankliniella and Scirtothrips spp., armyworms, root-boring pests, and many different hemipterans that cause injury to the strawberry leaf and fruit including the tarnished plant bug, Lygus Hesperus , and the seed bug Neopamera bilobata Say. This chapter will summarize some of the key pests that can severely impact strawberry production. We have included some integrated management guidelines to curtail pest ' s activities during a production season.


The deployment of virtualized network resources has the potential to spur new business models and increase flexibility for network customers as well as infrastructure operators. It is worthwhile to re-evaluate how to effectively express traditional network elements in the virtualization domain. In this paper we consider network routers and argue that the representation of routing functionality as a service, rather than an isolated virtual resource is better suited in the virtualization context. We present an architecture enabling physical infrastructure operators to provide routing as a service. To this end, distributed forwarding elements are combined to appear a single virtual router instance which routes traffic between a set of customer points of presence. We provide embedding algorithms for virtual router topologies with minimum allocation cost. We consider the customer's geographical attachment to the network, bandwidth demands as well as capacity constraints in the core substrate. Moreover, we present a live-migration approach for the virtual router data plane which allows network operators to quickly adapt resources to changing network demands.


"Global Security Policy" is not a widely accepted subfield of International Relations (IR).  As such, there is no canonical literature or standard approach to the topic.  Yet, the issues facing modern states, international organizations, and individual policy makers are increasingly transnational in character.  Issues such as cyber warfare or climate change have repercussions for all actors- states, nongovernmental organizations, or even individuals.  Being able to grapple with these transnational issues is crucial for political science/international relations majors but also for students interested in policy work.  Given that there was no standard approach or set of actors present throughout this subject matter, I approached Global Security Policy thematically.  I centered this class around two concepts- the agency/structure debate and ethics.  Agency/structure and ethics have clear scholarly implications and are concepts that are applicable to the incredibly wide range of actors and topics in "Global Security Policy."


This study introduces a population-ecological approach to the entry and exit of political parties. A primary proposition of population ecology is that organizational entry and exit depends on the number of organizations already present: that is, density. We propose that political parties mainly experience competition from parties in the same ideological niche (left, centre, right). Pooled time-series analyses of 410 parties, 263 elections and 18 West-European countries largely support our expectations. We find that political parties are more likely to exit when density within their niche increases. Also there is competition between adjacent ideological niches, i.e. between centrist and right-wing niches. In contrast to our expectations, neither density nor institutional rules impact party entry. This raises important questions about the rationale of prospective entrants.


A strategy for relocating earthquakes in a catalog is presented. The strategy is based on the argument that the distribution of the earthquake events in a catalog is reasonable a priori information for earthquake relocation in that region. This argument can be implemented using the method of maximum likelihood for arrival time data inversion, where the a priori probability distribution of the event locations is defined as the sum of the probability densities of all events in the catalog. This a priori distribution is then added to the standard misfit criterion in earthquake location to form the likelihood function. The probability density of an event in the catalog is described by a Gaussian probability density. The a priori probability distribution is, therefore, defined as the normalized sum of the Gaussian probability densities of all events in the catalog, excluding the event being relocated. For a linear problem, the likelihood function can be approximated by the joint probability density of the a priori distribution and the distribution of an unconstrained location due to the misfit alone. After relocating the events according to the maximum of the likelihood function, a modified distribution of events is generated. This distribution should be more densely clustered than before in general since the events are moved towards the maximum of the posterior distribution. The a priori distribution is updated and the process is iterated. The strategy is applied to the aftershock sequence in southwest Iceland after a pair of earthquakes on 29th May 2008. The relocated events reveal the fault systems in that area. Three synthetic data sets are used to test the general behaviour of the strategy. It is observed that the synthetic data give significantly different behaviour from the real data.


The development, fabrication, and use of a negative-pressure isolator for work with hazardous infectious agents in monkeys or other larger animals are described.


Reactive Web systems, Web services, and Web-based publish/
subscribe systems communicate events as XML messages, and in
many cases require composite event detection: it is not sufficient to react
to single event messages, but events have to be considered in relation to
other events that are received over time.
Emphasizing language design and formal semantics, we describe the
rule-based query language XChangeEQ for detecting composite events.
XChangeEQ is designed to completely cover and integrate the four complementary
querying dimensions: event data, event composition, temporal
relationships, and event accumulation. Semantics are provided as
model and fixpoint theories; while this is an established approach for rule
languages, it has not been applied for event queries before.


Multihomed network is one of the most efficient configuration to improve the response time of network services. However, it is hard to introduce or manage because the existing configuration methods have several problems in that they require much technical skill, involve administrative over-burden for the administrator and so on. In this paper, we propose a dynamic traffic sharing technique and suitable backbone selection metrics to address some of these problems. Using the proposed technique, an appropriate backbone can be selected per connection with minimal technical skill and low administrative cost. In addition, the proposed metrics performs more efficient traffic sharing as compared to others techniques that were investigated.


Microbiome studies have shown alterations in bacterial communities in the state of many diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Chronic inflammation is a common promoter of many of these pathological processes. Shifting in the microbial diversity is also known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis, increased detrimental bacterial products, decreased favorable microbial metabolites, interrupted tissue barriers, and bacterial translocation cause excessive immune response and inflammation. Several mechanisms play a role to maintain intestinal homeostasis by limiting bacterial translocation from the intestinal lumen into the lamina propria. Among these mechanisms, most importantly, the mucosal barrier that consists of the antimicrobial peptides, mucus, and immunoglobulin A is fundamental to protect epithelial barrier integrity to reduce the excessive immune response. Moreover, recognizing bacteria and metabolites through receptors results in T cell regulation and immune modulation, which is the keystone of the controlled immune response. This review summarizes the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory mechanisms driven by gastrointestinal microbiota, and it also highlights the recent approaches, including epigenetics and precision medicine.


This paper introduces an initial effort towards developing a framework for writing an effective literature review. The target audience for the framework are novice IS researchers or other researchers who are constantly struggling with the development of an effective literature-based foundation for the proposed research. The proposed framework follows the systematic data processing approach comprised of three major stages: 1) inputs (literature gathering and screening), 2) processing (Blooms Taxonomy), and 3) outputs (writing the review). This paper provides the rationale for developing a solid literature review and addresses the central stage, processing the literature. The paper concludes by providing arguments for the value of an effective literature review as well as implications for future work in this proposed framework.


Our emotional responses are determined not only by actual experience, but also by anticipation. Indeed, we respond not only to anticipations per se, but to the relation between anticipations and experiences. Such anticipations operate on different time scales, linked with distinct neurological substrates. Some—such as those involving expectations about the immediate trajectory of objects—are very brief. The relations between experience and very short-term expectations can have significant emotional consequences. One purpose of the standard continuity editing system is to avoid disruptions in our short-term projections. However, the manipulation of discontinuities, thus the controlled disruption of short-term anticipations, can significantly contribute to the emotional impact of film. It is possible to isolate distinct varieties of anticipation and disruption, examining their emotional consequences in different cases. Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan provides a virtual catalogue of such disruptions and their emotional effects.


We report the first vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurement of spatial heterogeneity in a sample using infrared (IR) microsampling. Vibrational circular dichroism spectra are typically measured using a standard IR cell with an IR beam diameter of 10 mm or greater making it impossible to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of a solid film sample. We have constructed a VCD sampling assembly with either 3 mm or 1 mm spatial resolution. An XY-translation stage was used to measure spectra at different spatial locations producing IR and VCD maps of the sample. In addition, a rotating sample stage was employed using a dual photoelastic modulator (PEM) setup to suppress artifacts due to linear birefringence in solid-phase or film samples. Infrared and VCD mapping of an insulin fibril film has been carried out at both 3 and 1 mm spatial resolution, and lysozyme films were mapped at 1 mm resolution. The IR spectra of different spots vary in intensity due primarily to sample thickness. The changes in the VCD intensity across the map largely correlate to corresponding changes in the IR map. Closer inspection of the insulin map revealed changes in the relative intensities of the VCD spectra not present in the parent IR spectra, which indicated differences in the degree of supramolecular chirality of the fibrils in the various spatial regions. For lysozyme films, in addition to different degrees of supramolecular chirality, reversal of the net fibril chirality was observed. The large signal-to-noise ratio observed at 1 mm resolution implies the feasibility of further increasing the spatial resolution by one or two orders of magnitude for protein fibril film samples.


In this article, the author highlights the marginal role of moral damages in international investment law. He emphasizes that the role of these damages is vaguely defined, which prevents arbitral tribunals from awarding them in most cases. The first part of the article defines the concept of moral damages and examines its status in public international law. This is followed by a jurisprudential analysis that reveals unsettled issues and controversial aspects surrounding this type of damages. The author concludes that borrowing concepts from other fields of international law, such as the approach taken by human rights tribunals, can clarify the status of moral damages in international investment law.


Objective – To determine the timing and risk factors involved in the development of Clostridium difficile (CD) colitis in kidney and kidney‐pancreas transplant recipients.Summary background data – The incidence of CD colitis after kidney and kidney‐pancreas transplantation has not been studied in detail. The question of whether the immunosuppressed transplant recipient is more prone to CD colitis and its complications (i.e., megacolon, perforations) and the risk factors involved have not been determined.Methods – We retrospectively reviewed our experience in kidney and kidney‐pancreas recipients who received transplants between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1994. We divided these recipients into three groups: pediatric kidney recipients, adult kidney recipients, and kidney‐pancreas recipients. For each group, we assessed the timing of infection, primary disease, colitis treatment, and any concurrent complications or risk factors.Results – Of 1932 transplants, 159 recipients developed post‐transplant CD colitis. 132 charts were available for review. Forty‐three pediatric kidney recipients developed CD colitis. Their mean age was 3.2 yr; 74% (n=37) of them developed their colitis during their initial hospital stay, with the mean timing of infection being 33 d. Forty‐one (95%) had undergone intra‐abdominal placement of the graft, with renal artery anastomoses to the aorta.Fifty adult kidney recipients developed CD colitis. Thirteen (26%) developed colitis during their initial hospital stay, with the mean timing of infection (for all adult kidney recipients) being 15 months.Thirty‐nine kidney‐pancreas recipients developed CD colitis. Mean timing of infection was 6 months.The overall incidence of CD colitis was 8%, with 16% in the pediatric kidney group, 15.5% in the kidney‐pancreas group, and 3.5% in the adult kidney group. The difference in mean timing of infection was significant between the three groups (p<0.001 for pediatric versus adult kidney recipients, p=0.002 for pediatric kidney versus kidney‐pancreas recipients, and p=0.2846 for adult kidney versus kidney‐pancreas recipients).Conclusion – The incidence of CD colitis is increased in pediatric kidney and kidney‐pancreas recipients. Young recipient age (<5 yr), female gender, treatment of rejection with monoclonal antibodies, antibiotic use, and intra‐abdominal graft placement have been shown to increase the incidence of this disease. Further studies concerning prevention in the high‐risk groups are needed.


Floristic studies were conducted in the Sarkaghat region of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh (India) during July 2019 to August 2020 to explore the diversity of cryptogams including algae, bryophytes, lichens and pteridophytes. Specimens of cryptogams were collected from various localities (Gadyahra, Gadohal, Bidi, Parchu, Balh, Ratkel, Tasli nala, Sarkaghat, Barchwar, Longani and Dhagwani) of Sarkaghat region with the help of equipments like knife, spatula, trowel, forceps and also by hands. The specimens were initially stored in containers, plastic bags and paper packets. Field data was recorded in field note book including locality name, collection date and substratum. The specimens were pressed, dried and identified with the help of identification keys and latest literature. During the present investigations, a total of 63 species of cryptogams of families Zygnemataceae, Ulothriaceae, Hydrodictyaceae, Cladophoraceae, Tabellariaceae, Marchantiaceae, Aytoniaceae, Bryaceae, Anthocerotaceae, Funariaceae, Hypnaceae, Polytrichaceae, Fissidentaceae, Candelariaceae, Verrucariaceae, Cladoniaceae, Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae, Calicariaceae, Graphidaceae, Lecanoraceae, Pteridaceae, Aspleniaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Equisetaceae, Athyriaceae, Marseliaceae, Selaginellaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Cheilanthaceae, Lygodiaceae and Polypodiaceae had been identified.


The work detailed in this thesis includes an extensive finite element simulation of low velocity impact behaviour of carbon fibre reinforced laminated composite panels subjected to flat and round nose impacts. Carbon fibre composites are being widely used in aerospace structures due to their high strength and stiffness ratios to weight and potential to be tailored for structural components. However, wing and fuselage skins are vulnerable to foreign object impacts during manufacturing and service from tools maintenance tools and tool box drops. Such impacts particularly from flat nose tool drops inflict internal damages that are difficult to detect through routine inspections. The internal damage (barely visible) may cause severe degradation of material properties and reduction in compressive strength that might lead in unexpected catastrophic failures. Such failures result in loss of human lives and structural assets. That is a major concern for the aircraft industry. Most of the existing research is based on damage detection and control to improve integrity of structures so that an aircraft could reach nearest safe place to avoid failure after damage is detected. It is very difficult to evaluate overall structural congruity and performance as structural degradation and damage progression occur after impacts. The impact is a dynamic event which causes concurrent loading and re-distributions of stresses once a ply fails or damage occurs. Most of the reported studies are based on physical experiments which are expensive, time consuming, and limited. The efficient way to predict performance evaluation of an impacted structural component is through integrated computer codes that couple composite mechanics with structural damage and failure progressions. Computational models can be very useful in simulating impact events, interpreting results, and making available the fast predictive tools for pre-design analysis and post-impact damage evaluations.
This investigation is primarily simulation based that integrates experimentally and numerically evaluated impact response of laminates manufactured by AircelleTM Safran Ltd and HexcelTM Composites. Literature review and basic mathematical formulations relevant to the impact of composite laminates were commented. Pre-assumed damage induced static load-deflections simulation using "PTC Creo SimulateTM" were carried out for eight,sixteen, and twenty four ply laminates subjected point, low, medium, and large nose impacts. The methodology used was based on previous experimental studies that assumed that impact damage provides the same stress concentration effect as crack, regions of degraded materials, or softer inclusions. The same assumptions were incorporated into simulation by inserting pre-assumed damage zones equivalent to impactors' nose tips with within the volume of the laminates. Damage initiation, growth, and accumulation were investigated in terms of real scenarios with reference to the undamaged specimens. Several internal damage mechanisms were analysed via damage shift in multiple locations throughout the laminates' volumes. The simulations can be useful to predict and correlate information on: existence, type, location, and extent of the damage in the impacted system to applied load. With this information and the loads applied to the system, measures can be proposed to reduce adverse effects of the impact induced damage. The compressive residual strength after impact was predicted via buckling simulation models. The in-plane buckling analysis was implemented into PTC Creo SimulateTM. Effects of the pre-assumed damage ply, damage zone, and coupled damaged-ply with damage zone were investigated via through-thickness re-locations. Critical buckling load and mode shapes were predicted with reference to the mid-surface of the laminates. Local buckling was simulated by introducing damage in a single ply adjacent to surface of the sub-laminate. Cases of pre-assumed delaminated ply from top to the mid-surface were simulated. Cases of mix-mode buckling analysis were simulated from coincident and combined effects of pseudo damaged ply as well as damage zones. The simulations predicted information can be useful to predict useful life remains (prognosis) of the damaged system. The information could also be useful to predict residual strength of similar cases at the beginning from material level, loading scenarios, damage progression to component and system level at various rates.
Material property characterization tests were conducted to verify the industry provided input and used in drop-weight impact simulations. The properties were augmented with micro-macro mechanics formulations to approximate full range of engineering constants from reliably determined Young's modulus. The drop-weight simulation of eight, sixteen, and twenty four ply specimens of quasi-isotropic lay-ups having different thicknesses and impacted from round and flat nose impactors were implemented in the ABAQUSTM software using explicit dynamic method. Two independent models were implemented in the software. The first model simulates displacement, velocity, and acceleration quantities. The second model computes in-plane stresses required to efficiently evaluate 3D stresses. The in-plane stress quantities were numerically integrated through-the-thickness utilising equilibrium to evaluate ply-by-ply through-thickness stresses. The evaluated stress values were then utilised in the formulation set of advanced failure criteria to predict damage progression and failure modes. Simulation produced results were compared and verified against experiment produced data. Drop-weight impact tests were conducted to verify the selected simulation produced results. Non-destructive techniques and advanced data filtering algorithms available in MATLABTM were utilized to filter the noisy data and predict damage zone and load threshold. The selected simulation results were compared against the experimental data, intra simulation results, and the results available in the literature and have to agree up to 90%. The investigation concludes that the simulation models could efficiently predict low velocity impact response of variety of carbon fibre composite panels that could be useful for design development with reduced testing.


This paper considered the toxicity assessment of some crude oil contaminated soils in Niger Delta areas. The soil samples were collected from different horizontal distances, vertical depths and contaminated soil of different ages. The heavy metals in the contaminated soils were digested and extracted using di-acid digested and DTPA extraction methods respectively. The physiochemical parameters (moisture content, pH, N, P and heavy metals (Ni, Pb and Cd) were analysed with APHA method. The heavy metals concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results show that the metals concentration decreased with the age of the contaminated soil and with increased vertical depths. However, the metals concentrations were almost constant at different horizontal distances. Similar trend was observed for the moisture content, pH, N, P and K.


Modelling and forecasting of time series of concentrations of air pollutants is essential in monitoring air quality and assessing whether set targets will be achieved. While many established time series modelling approaches transform the data to stationarity a priori, the explicit modelling and presentation of the non-stationary components of the series in this application is essential to allow for further understanding of variability and hence more informed policies. The Hierarchical Profiling Approach (HPA) was used to model the multi-year daily air quality data gathered at St. Leonards in Edinburgh, UK spanning from 1st of March 2004 to 15th July 2007. The HPA is an avant-garde approach that explicitly models the non stationary component of time series data at different levels depending on the span of the component, so that within-year disturbances are at Level 1 and year-long variability such as seasonality is at Level 2, and so on. HPA decomposes the variability into deterministic, stochastic and noise and uses continuous models to describe the non-stationary components using the deterministic part of the model. The stationary stochastic component is then modelled using established approaches. The dataset modelled was the total daily concentrations of carbon monoxide. After modelling within-year events at Level 1, a harmonic regression with trend model was used to describe the weekly aggregates of the data at Level 2. This model was then sampled back in the daily domain and no evidence of a larger cyclical component was found. Wind-speed and a dummy intervention-variable indicating the implementation of the smoking ban were considered in a transfer function model. The concluding model included the present and one lagged observations of wind speed. The smoking ban variable was not significant.


The present research proposes a theoretical framework of assessing extents of innovation capability and balancing interplay of exploration and exploitation processes of SMEs. The innovation capabilities of SMEs are measured on the extent of harnessing exploration and exploitation whereas the balancing of interplay between exploration and exploitation activities explained by sequential and simultaneous approach in heterogeneous and hostile business environment. Theoretical frameworks are proposed in the form of hypotheses and verified through primary data collect from 213 respondents of 77 manufacturing SMEs in structured questionnaire. The result indicates that SMEs of Innovator class are more prone to sense environmental heterogeneity than the other SMEs. In heterogeneous business environment, they coordinate exploration and exploitation through ambidextrous approach. The SMEs perceiving less hostility as compared environmental heterogeneity follow sequential approach to balance their innovation. The finding is very useful to strategic decision makers/managers/owners of such SMEs to redefine and redesign the extent of balancing firms' innovation. The study also suggests aligning the production setup and innovation capabilities accordingly to balance all technological inputs collected from external environment/customers, and new product/outputs to the market.


The Centers for Austrian Studies - founded by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Science and Research - play an important role for the international scientific community. Their tasks are to promote studies on Austria and Central Europe, and to give Austrian students the opportunity to conduct research abroad and make contact with local scientific communities. This book contains reports on the activities of these institutions during the 2010/2011 academic year, as well as the working papers developed by some of their most promising PhD students. The research presented in this book covers various aspects of Central European history in modern times, ranging from the 17th century to the present. (Series: Europa Orientalis - Vol. 12)


Hypertension causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, owing to its deleterious effects on the cardiovascular and renal systems. Primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of reversible hypertension, affecting 5%-18% of adults with hypertension. PA is estimated to result from bilateral adrenal hyperplasia in two-thirds of patients, and from unilateral aldosterone-secreting adenoma in approximately one-third. Suspected cases are initially screened by measurement of the plasma aldosterone-renin-ratio, and may be confirmed by additional noninvasive tests. Localization of aldostosterone hypersecretion is then determined by computed tomography imaging, and in selective cases with adrenal vein sampling. Solitary adenomas are managed by laparoscopic or robotic resection, while bilateral hyperplasia is treated with mineralocorticoid antagonists. Biochemical cure following adrenalectomy occurs in 99% of patients, and hemodynamic improvement is seen in over 90%, prompting a reduction in quantity of anti-hypertensive medications in most patients. End-organ damage secondary to hypertension and excess aldosterone is significantly improved by both surgical and medical treatment, as manifested by decreased left ventricular hypertrophy, arterial stiffness, and proteinuria, highlighting the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism. Although numerous independent predictors of resolution of hypertension after adrenalectomy for unilateral adenomas have been described, the Aldosteronoma Resolution Score is a validated multifactorial model convenient for use in daily clinical practice.


Abstract Background Life scientists routinely face massive and heterogeneous data analysis tasks and must find and access the most suitable databases or software in a jungle of web-accessible resources. The diversity of information used to describe life-scientific digital resources presents an obstacle to their utilization. Although several standardization efforts are emerging, no information schema has been sufficiently detailed to enable uniform semantic and syntactic description—and cataloguing—of bioinformatics resources. Findings Here we describe biotoolsSchema, a formalized information model that balances the needs of conciseness for rapid adoption against the provision of rich technical information and scientific context. biotoolsSchema results from a series of community-driven workshops and is deployed in the bio.tools registry, providing the scientific community with >17,000 machine-readable and human-understandable descriptions of software and other digital life-science resources. We compare our approach to related initiatives and provide alignments to foster interoperability and reusability. Conclusions biotoolsSchema supports the formalized, rigorous, and consistent specification of the syntax and semantics of bioinformatics resources, and enables cataloguing efforts such as bio.tools that help scientists to find, comprehend, and compare resources. The use of biotoolsSchema in bio.tools promotes the FAIRness of research software, a key element of open and reproducible developments for data-intensive sciences.


As the field of Social Enterprises has strongly grown over two decades, the importance of Social Enterprises for the society has also grown and still developing, more and more to a third economic segment between the private and public economy.Within this study we explain how "Small and Medium sized Social Enterprises" (SMSEs) can face the increasing pressure to measure and demonstrate their impact to society and their stakeholders. We especially address the limitations in skill and resource endowment, which SMSEs most commonly face.We execute this research based on a practical and outcome-oriented method and therefore apply an overall pragmatic research philosophy. The research is further designed around a narrative strategy, with an exploratory mono method cross-sectional study. For the collection of empirical data, six semi-structured interviews were conducted with (Social) Entrepreneurs and their stakeholders.This study finds a language barrier between SMSEs and their commercial stakeholders, caused by low willingness from the Social Entrepreneurs' side to adapt to a commercial business language. The findings of this study further imply that SMSEs are capable of using surveys to measure their performance quantitatively, in terms of in- and output. More importantly, our results suggest that these measurements, completed with additional "soft" measurements to "qualified narratives", are sufficient to prove the SMSEs' performance to their stakeholders.Finally, this study takes up an existing contingency model and enriches it with the revealed discoveries, to a more comprehensive measurement approach for SMSEs. It thereby contributes to the field of Social Enterprises and lays valuable foundations for further research.


Fifty boys presenting for day case circumcision were allocated randomly to receive either caudal analgesia or dorsal nerve block (DNB) to provide postoperative pain relief. Analgesia was assessed by a single, unbiased observer utilising a three‐point scale. Subsequently, parents completed a simple questionnaire. Subjects in the DNB group micturated earlier (P<0.05) and stood unaided earlier (P<0.025) than patients in the caudal group. The incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in the DNB group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the duration of analgesia, although that produced in the DNB group tended to wane sooner. It is concluded that DNB provides satisfactory analgesia following circumcision and has specific advantages when compared with caudal analgesia.


Particle physics is a branch of science aiming at discovering the fundamental laws of matter and forces. Graph neural networks are trainable functions which operate on graphs—sets of elements and their pairwise relations—and are a central method within the broader field of geometric deep learning. They are very expressive and have demonstrated superior performance to other classical deep learning approaches in a variety of domains. The data in particle physics are often represented by sets and graphs and as such, graph neural networks offer key advantages. Here we review various applications of graph neural networks in particle physics, including different graph constructions, model architectures and learning objectives, as well as key open problems in particle physics for which graph neural networks are promising.


A startup company is developing a diving computer to help scuba divers to be able to communicate with each other underwater. The company has already developed a custom hardware that can send and receive data to and from each other and needs a software that can handle the transfer and visualize the data. A future revenue stream is to be able to sell \Apps\ to increase the programs feature list and therefor one of the goals is to be able to load a plugin during runtime. There are dierent ways to implements the plugin system and this thesis focuses on the dierent designs that exists, their pros and cons and nally show an implementation of a design and why it was chosen. In addition to the plugin system there is also a discussion on the design of the rest of the systems and which workarounds that had to be made due to the restriction of the custom hardware or the plugin design.


Anonymity, ephemerality, and hyper-locality are an uncommon set of features in the design of online communities. However, these features were key to Yik Yak's initial success and popularity. In an interview-based study, we found that these three features deeply affected the identity of the community as a whole, the patterns of use, and the ways users committed to this community. We conducted interviews with 18 Yik Yak users on an urban American university campus and found that these three focal design features contributed to casual commitment, transitory use, and emergent community identity. We describe situated anonymity, which is the result of anonymity, ephemerality, and hyper-locality coexisting as focal design features of an online community. This work extends our understanding of use and identity-versus-bond based commitment, which has implications for the design and study of other atypical online communities.


Testing of signal integrity (SI) in current high-speed ICs, requires automatic test equipment test resources at the multigigahertz range, normally not available. Furthermore, for most internal nets of state-of-the-art ICs, external speed testing is not possible for the newest technologies. In this paper, on-chip testing for SI faults in digital interconnect signals, using built-in high speed monitors, is proposed. A coherent sampling scheme is used to capture the signal information. Two monitors to test SI violations are proposed: one for undershoots at the high logic level and the other for overshoots at the low logic level. The monitors are capable of detecting small noise pulses and have been extended to test sequentially more than one signal. The cost of the proposed strategy is analyzed in terms of area, delay penalization, and test time. The effects of clock jitter and process variations are analyzed. Experimental results obtained in designed and fabricated circuits show the feasibility of the proposed testing strategy. A good agreement appears between the theoretical analysis, simulation results, and the experimental measurements.


Eating outside the home has become more common these days, however customers are selective in their choice of food. The purpose of this paper is to assess the food preference of customers of food service establishments in Ho. The study was descriptive and systematic sampling method was used to gather data from 384 customers of selected food service establishment in Ho using questionnaire. A chi-square test revealed significant relationships between customers' socio-demographic characteristics such as educational level, marital status, ethnicity, occupation, monthly income and their preference of food. The study revealed that Banku with okro soup, Banku with grilled tilapia, Fufu with soup, French fries with grilled chicken were the most the preferred foods purchased in food service establishment in Ho. The study found that people prefer to purchase foods (banku wth okro soup, banku with grilled tilapia and fufu with light soup) which demand strength, effort and more time to prepare in order to avoid the stress associated with preparing those meals. Keywords: Food; Preferences; Customers; Food Service Establishment; Ho


Assuming the internal friction angle of backfill and the displacement are in nonlinear, to adopt the calculation model that was put forward by the author, combined with the in-room model experiment, to calculate and analyze the passive earth pressure acted on the retaining wall in the model of RBT movement. The analysis results show: the calculated values and the test values can agree with each other very well in the three ways of the distribution of earth pressure along the wall height, the values of the passive total force and its action point position. So it is feasible to use the calculation model to calculate the passive earth pressure in the model of RBT movement. Comparatively, when n = 0 the calculated values are the most identical with the test values, when n = 0.25 are worse, when n = 0.5 are the worst. Those may be relative to the sizes effect of the box of model test and the property of the interface between the soil and the plate at the bottom of model box. In addition, with the value of n increasing gradually, the maximum displacement needed to reach Rankine's passive limit state will be decreased.


REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY
To determine and compare the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) in pulmonary tissues of horses affected with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and clinically healthy horses, and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential therapeutic agents in reducing ROS and RNS in the tissues of these horses.

OBJECTIVES
We hypothesised that RAO-affected horses would have high levels of reactive species and that the test agents would reduce them. The objectives were as follows: 1) to determine the level of ROS and RNS in pulmonary tissues (bronchial and arterial rings) of RAO-affected and clinically healthy horses; and 2) to determine the ability of pentoxifylline, pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate and a combined use of endothelin A and B receptor antagonists (BQ123 and BQ788, respectively) in reducing reactive species.

METHODS
Arterial and bronchial rings were collected from the diaphragmatic lung lobe of each horse immediately after euthanasia. The levels of ROS and RNS were measured in control tissues and those incubated with test agents, using an electron paramagnetic resonance instrument.

RESULTS
The levels of ROS and RNS were significantly greater in arterial and bronchial tissues of RAO-affected than of clinically healthy horses. Pentoxifylline and endothelin antagonists reduced both ROS and RNS in tissues from RAO-affected horses. Basal levels of reactive species in clinically healthy horses were not affected by these agents. No difference in the level of reactive species was observed between arterial and bronchial tissues.

CONCLUSIONS
Horses affected by RAO had higher ROS and RNS than clinically healthy horses. Pentoxifylline and endothelin antagonists effectively reduced ROS and RNS in pulmonary tissues of RAO-affected horses.

POTENTIAL RELEVANCE
The study suggested a potential use for pentoxifylline and endothelin antagonists in treating RAO-affected horses. As endothelin is involved in physiological functions, therapeutic use of its antagonists is cautioned.


SIR,-I was interested in Dr. R. E. HopeSimpson's revort of zoster in three siblings (7 September, p. 626), and would like to report two cases of zoster which may be of some interest. These occurred not in siblings, but in husband and wife. They had recently returned from holiday abroad and were in perfectly good health when within a day of each other they both developed herpes zoster, affecting the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve in the wife and a thoracic segment in her husband. In view of the current theories of the aetiology of this condition I thought these two cases were of some interest.-I am, etc.,


Many studies have incorporated various scale-dependent dispersivity functions into the convection-dispersion equation (CDE). For a given function, there are different ways of specifying the dispersivity values in the discretized subdomains of a numerical solution. These ways would depend on how the function's time or space variable is built into the numerical scheme and on how the different ways may be interrelated. No study has addressed how these different ways may affect resulting breakthrough curves (BTCs) or their applicability to solute transport problems. In this study, five ways were specified and designated as local time, average time, apparent time, local distance, or apparent distance dependent dispersivity in the numerical scheme. The main objective was to demonstrate relationships among these ways by assuming that dispersion in the scale-dependent CDE was quasi-Fickian and implicitly based on an estimation of the first moment of the BTC at the given location. How these ways affected calculated BTCs was numerically tested using generalized linear and power scale-dependent dispersivity functions for a one-dimensional problem with initial solute distribution represented as a Dirac delta function. For either type of function, differences were obvious in BTCs obtained for solute transport conditions with small apparent Peclet numbers using the alternative ways of specifying scale-dependent dispersivity in the numerical scheme. The differences decreased with increasing apparent Peclet number. The numerical test results also showed that the derived relationships were not applicable for numerically calculating the spatial solute distribution at a given time. These test results were expected to be generally applicable because any other initial-value solute transport problem can be solved as a superposition of this test problem.


BACKGROUND
Urinary incontinence affects around half of stroke survivors in the acute phase, and it often presents as a new problem after stroke or, if pre-existing, worsens significantly, adding to the disability and helplessness caused by neurological deficits. New management programmes after stroke are needed to address urinary incontinence early and effectively.

OBJECTIVE
The Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke (ICONS)-II trial aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a systematic voiding programme for urinary incontinence after stroke in hospital.

DESIGN
This was a pragmatic, multicentre, individual-patient-randomised (1 : 1), parallel-group trial with an internal pilot.

SETTING
Eighteen NHS stroke services with stroke units took part.

PARTICIPANTS
Participants were adult men and women with acute stroke and urinary incontinence, including those with cognitive impairment.

INTERVENTION
Participants were randomised to the intervention, a systematic voiding programme, or to usual care. The systematic voiding programme comprised assessment, behavioural interventions (bladder training or prompted voiding) and review. The assessment included evaluation of the need for and possible removal of an indwelling urinary catheter. The intervention began within 24 hours of recruitment and continued until discharge from the stroke unit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome measure was severity of urinary incontinence (measured using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire) at 3 months post randomisation. Secondary outcome measures were taken at 3 and 6 months after randomisation and on discharge from the stroke unit. They included severity of urinary incontinence (at discharge and at 6 months), urinary symptoms, number of urinary tract infections, number of days indwelling urinary catheter was in situ, functional independence, quality of life, falls, mortality rate and costs. The trial statistician remained blinded until clinical effectiveness analysis was complete.

RESULTS
The planned sample size was 1024 participants, with 512 allocated to each of the intervention and the usual-care groups. The internal pilot did not meet the target for recruitment and was extended to March 2020, with changes made to address low recruitment. The trial was paused in March 2020 because of COVID-19, and was later stopped, at which point 157 participants had been randomised (intervention, n = 79; usual care, n = 78). There were major issues with attrition, with 45% of the primary outcome data missing: 56% of the intervention group data and 35% of the usual-care group data. In terms of the primary outcome, patients allocated to the intervention group had a lower score for severity of urinary incontinence (higher scores indicate greater severity in urinary incontinence) than those allocated to the usual-care group, with means (standard deviations) of 8.1 (7.4) and 9.1 (7.8), respectively.

LIMITATIONS
The trial was unable to recruit sufficient participants and had very high attrition, which resulted in seriously underpowered results.

CONCLUSIONS
The internal pilot did not meet its target for recruitment and, despite recruitment subsequently being more promising, it was concluded that the trial was not feasible owing to the combined problems of poor recruitment, poor retention and COVID-19. The intervention group had a slightly lower score for severity of urinary incontinence at 3 months post randomisation, but this result should be interpreted with caution.

FUTURE WORK
Further studies to assess the effectiveness of an intervention starting in or continuing into the community are required.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
This trial is registered as ISRCTN14005026.

FUNDING
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 31. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


The one megawatt TRIGA reactor at Texas A&M has various methods of irradiating samples, but one of the most unique dose positions is severely underutilized. This irradiation cell is a large space where samples may be placed for activation by moving the reactor bridge to a window on the wall of the cell and operating the reactor. Due to the cell's large size, neutron flux for experiments is difficult to resolve spatially, giving predictions of dose to samples a high level of uncertainty. To this end, Parallel Deterministic Transport (PDT), a rapidly maturing radiation transport code, is used to simulate the neutron flux distribution for reactor experiments in the cell. By utilizing PDT, a model for the cell is created, and experiments are performed to validate the computational results benefitting both the Nuclear Science Center (NSC) and PDT development. To construct the PDT model, the cell's geometry, material properties, and boundary conditions are necessary. By measuring the cell, identifying construction materials, and performing experiments to measure flux at various cell locations, input to the computational model is developed by constructing a mesh reflecting cell geometry, processing neutron interaction cross sections for cell materials, and fitting a surface to flux collected on the boundary, then discretizing flux in angle. After the model is constructed, it is validated by perturbing the boundary condition using error from the surface fit in an attempt to generate model results that bound the experimental data. While the model results in the epithermal region would benefit from inclusion of higher energy groups, the thermal model results bound almost half of the experiment data, giving confidence in the method's increased accuracy in future work.


OBJECTIVE
Spinal deformity surgery is associated with significant blood loss, often requiring the transfusion of blood and/or blood products. For patients declining blood or blood products, even in the face of life-threatening blood loss, spinal deformity surgery has been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. For these reasons, patients for whom blood transfusion is not an option have historically been denied spinal deformity surgery.

METHODS
The authors retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected data set. All patients declining blood transfusion who underwent spinal deformity surgery at a single institution between January 2002 and September 2021 were identified. Demographics collected included age, sex, diagnosis, details of any prior surgery, and medical comorbidities. Perioperative variables included levels decompressed and instrumented, estimated blood loss, blood conservation techniques used, length of surgery, length of hospital stay, and complications from surgery. Radiographic measurements included, where appropriate, sagittal vertical axis correction, Cobb angle correction, and regional angular correction.

RESULTS
Spinal deformity surgery was performed in 31 patients (18 male, 13 female) over 37 admissions. The median age at surgery was 41.2 years (range 10.9-70.1 years), and 64.5% had significant medical comorbidities. A median of 9 levels (range 5-16 levels) were instrumented per surgery, and the median estimated blood loss was 800 mL (range 200-3000 mL). Posterior column osteotomies were performed in all surgeries, and pedicle subtraction osteotomies in 6 cases. Multiple blood conservation techniques were used in all patients. Preoperative erythropoietin was administered prior to 23 surgeries, intraoperative cell salvage was used in all, acute normovolemic hemodilution was performed in 20, and perioperative administration of antifibrinolytic agents was performed in 28 surgeries. No allogenic blood transfusions were administered. Surgery was staged intentionally in 5 cases, and there was 1 unintended staging due to intraoperative blood loss from a vascular injury. There was 1 readmission for a pulmonary embolus. There were 2 minor postoperative complications. The median length of stay was 6 days (range 3-28 days). Deformity correction and the goals of surgery were achieved in all patients. Two patients underwent revision surgery during the follow-up period: one for pseudarthrosis and the other for proximal junctional kyphosis.

CONCLUSIONS
With proper preoperative planning and judicious use of blood conservation techniques, spinal deformity surgery may be performed safely in patients for whom blood transfusion is not an option. The same techniques can be applied widely to the general population in order to minimize blood loss and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion.


Around a quarter of global anthropogenic carbon emissions have been absorbed by the ocean. Underwater gliders have been identified as important tools for gathering information related to climate change and ocean acidification processes.

The REP14 -MED experiment involved the deployment of eleven gliders in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea; one of these had an experimental ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) sensor attached. A comparison between pH observed by the glider and ship during the deployment indicated problems with the sensor accuracy and stability. Sunlight caused an apparent sensor pH decrease of up to 0.1 close to the surface around local noon. The pH corrected for drift, temperature, and pressure is presented with other ocean variables measured by the glider.

The timing of the phytoplankton spring bloom in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea varies year-on-year. A glider with an ISFET pH sensor was deployed close to the BOUSSOLE mooring site. This deployment offered a second opportunity to test the ISFET sensor with improvements. Similarly to during the REP14 -MED experiment, ISFET pH measurements were corrected for drift, temperature and pressure effects. Measurements at the BOUSSOLE mooring indicated that the spring bloom started around March 19. Mean net community production (N) rates were estimated from the glider dissolved oxygen concentrations, as well as glider and buoy dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations derived using other parameters. N ranged between -82±317 mmol m-2 d-1 and 460±870 mmol m-2 d-1.

Horizontal spatial scales of variability highlight physical and biogeochemical processes, and are useful for designing ocean observing systems. Spatial scales of variability were estimated from semivariograms using glider measurements. Spatial scales of variability were mostly small at depths affected by biology, and large at depths affected by largescale processes, such as weather, although this was not true in every case. Some direction-dependency was found, which may be related to ocean currents, or the density of glider meridional measurements.

keywords: pH sensor; underwater gliders; biogeochemistry; net community production; spatial scales; northwestern Mediterranean Sea


BACKGROUND
Resection of motor pathway gliomas requires the intraoperative recognition of essential cortical-subcortical motor structures. The degree of involvement of motor structures is variable, and increases as result of treatments patients are submitted to. Intraoperative neurophysiology offers various stimulation modalities, which efficiency is based on the ability to recognize essential sites with the highest possible resolution in most clinical conditions. Two stimulation paradigms evolved for intraoperative guidance of motor tumors removal: the 60 Hz-technique [low frequency (LF)] and the pulse-technique [high frequency-(HF)], delivered by bipolar or monopolar probe respectively. Most surgical teams rely on to either of the 2 techniques. The key point is the integration of the choice of the stimulation modality with the clinical context.

METHODS
In 591 tumors involving the corticospinal tract, the use of HF and LF was tailored to the clinical context defined by patient clinical history and tumor features (by imaging). The effect was evaluated on the feasibility of mapping, the impact on immediate and permanent morbidity, the extent of resection, and the number of patients treated.

RESULTS
By integrating the choice of the probe and the stimulation protocol with patient clinical history and tumor characteristics, the best probe-frequency match was identified for the different sets of clinical conditions. This integrative approach allows increasing the extent of resection and patient functional integrity, and greatly expands the number of patients who could benefit from surgery.

CONCLUSIONS
The integration of stimulation modalities with clinical context enhances the extent and safety of resection and expands the population of patients who could benefit from surgical treatment.


By using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method,numerical simulation of gas flow distribution of ESP transform to baghouse in cement kiln head of 6000 t/d production. Through numerically simulation,air volume of every filter bag cell and head-on gas flow velocity distribution of filter bag were displayed. By adjusting the configuration parameter of the gas flow distribution device during the numerical simulation, it gives the result that the manner of installing gas flow distribution device, when the windage of the air volume of every filter bag cell is not more than 5% and the press drop of the dust collector with clean filter bag is 300 Pa. The calculated results showed good agreement with the measured results in the field. The simulation results were carried out by transformation. The dust emission concentration of precipitator is 26.6 mg/m3, and the dust running resistance is less than 1000Pa, can achieve the performance assessment requirements.


Background: Diagnosing with low-grade gliomas (LGGs) can be a very shocking and stressful experience, a traumatic event potentially leading to the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Understanding how patients cognitively and behaviorally response to their diagnosing is also important to postoperative treatment. Thus, the current study explored the association between PTG and quality of life (QoL) of Chinese patients with LGGs. The moderation effects of coping strategies and PTSS on the relationship between PTG and QoL have been examined as well. Methods: Posttraumatic stress symptoms, Posttraumatic growth, coping strategies, and QoL were measured by using self-report surveys. Three hundred and thirty patients completed surveys approximately 1 month after surgery. We used three multiple regression models and added interaction terms in these models to test the moderation effects of PTSS and coping strategies on the relationship between PTG and QoL. Results: The results of hierarchical multiple regression suggested that PTG significantly predicted QoL, both PTSS and coping strategies moderated the association between PTG and QoL. Specifically, the association between PTG and QoL for patients who have non-significant PTSS is stronger than those who have significant PTSS. Furthermore, as the score of Avoidant Coping increases, the association between PTG and QoL becomes weaker. Conclusion: Posttraumatic growth may help to improve the QoL of LGGs patients, but PTSS and Avoidant Coping impeded the positive effect of PTG on QoL.


In this study, Grey relational analysis technique proposed by J.L. Deng has been applied to spectrogram images of clinical mitral valve Doppler signals. A threshold level has been determined to plot maximum frequency envelope from denoised sonogram image using this technique. It is seen that, signal to noise ratio has been improved through Grey relational analysis technique. A software has been realized to support Doppler ultrasound device to diagnose vascular disease. This system has many advanteges that are reducing the computation time, ergonomic, cheapness.


Several genes containing the conserved T-box region in invertebrates and vertebrates have been reported recently. Here, we describe three novel members of the T-box gene family in zebrafish. One of these genes, tbx-c, is studied in detail. It is expressed in the axial mesoderm, notably, in the notochordal precursor cells immediately before formation of the notochord and in the chordoneural hinge of the tail bud, after the notochord is formed. In addition, its expression is detected in the ventral forebrain, sensory neurons, fin buds and excretory system. The expression pattern of tbx-c differs from that of the other two related genes, tbx-a and tbx-b. The developmental role of tbx-c has been analysed by overexpression of the full-length tbx-c mRNA and a truncated form of tbx-c mRNA, which encodes the dominant-negative Tbx-c. Overexpression of tbx-c causes expansion of the midline mesoderm and formation of ectopic midline structures at the expense of lateral mesodermal cells. In dominant-negative experiments, the midline mesoderm is reduced with the expansion of lateral mesoderm to the midline. These results suggest that tbx-c plays a role in formation of the midline mesoderm, particularly, the notochord. Moreover, modulation of tbx-c activity alters the development of primary motor neurons. Results of in vitro analysis in zebrafish animal caps suggest that tbx-c acts downstream of early mesodermal inducers (activin and ntl) and reveal an autoregulatory feedback loop between ntl and tbx-c. These data and analysis of midline (ntl-/- and flh-/-) and lateral mesoderm (spt-/-) mutants suggest that tbx-c may function during formation of the notochord.


The 1994 Northridge earthquake caused widespread damage to moment-resisting frames. Various brittle fractures were found in beam-to-column welded moment connections. This prompted the initiation of new research programs to investigate the causes of these fractures and to propose the necessary changes in design procedures. In recent years a variety of approaches have been proposed by researchers to improve the ductility of post-Northridge connections. The improvements are mainly based on reinforcing the connection or weakening of the beam end. These methods are intended to force the plastic hinge to form away from the face of the column, to avoid premature fractures at this region. Providing circular voids at vicinity of the beam end is one of the solutions to reach adequate ductility in post-Northridge connections in the case of using deep beams. However, in this method the presence of circular void causes a significant reduction in the beam shear capacity and initial rotational stiffness of the beam. Hence, in this study to prevent the detrimental effects of big voids, a number of drilled voids are created in the beam web. A parametric study has been done to find out the best configuration of these voids. Finite element results have shown the adequacy of this method to increase the connection ductility without significant reduction in the connection strength. This type of modification can be easily applied to existing buildings with no need to break of the concrete slab as it is the case for reduced beam section (RBS) connections.


The Multiplayer Online Game (MOG) becomes more popular than any other types of computer games for its collaboration, communication and interaction ability. However, compared with the ordinary human communication, the MOG still has many limitations, especially in communication using facial expressions. Although detailed facial animation has already been achieved in a number of MOGs, players have to use text commands to control avatars expressions. In this paper, we briefly review the state of the art in facial expression recognition and propose an automatic expression recognition system that can be integrated into a MOG to control the avatar's facial expressions. We evaluate and improve a number of algorithms to meet the specific requirements of such a system and propose an efficient implementation. In particular, our proposed system uses fixed and less facial landmarks to reduce the computational load with little degradation of the recognition performance.


The aim of this study is to propose a 3-dimension reconstruction method of small-scale scenes improved by a new image acquisition method for quantitative measurements. A stereovision system is used to acquire images in order to obtain several shots of an object, at regular intervals according to a predefined trajectory. A complete methodology of 3D reconstruction is exposed to perform a dense 3D model with texture mapping. A first result on natural images collected with the stereovision system during sea trials has been obtained.


This guide provides information about services and resources available through the Cayuga Community College Library. It also provides links to resources related to teaching, learning, and professional development in higher education.


ABSTRACT This study investigates early childhood teachers' views about science teaching practices in an early childhood settings. It was conducted in a preschool located in Ankara, Turkey. The data of the study were collected through multiple sources of information such as interviews with early childhood teachers and observations of their practices in the classroom. The findings of this study indicated that early childhood teachers believed in the importance of science activities in their practices and they claimed that they provided child-centred activities for children to enrich their science experiences. Moreover, the findings showed that they used different learning experiences that were naturalistic, informal, and structured. The findings also revealed that an integrated curriculum improved children's developmental progress. More specifically, participant teachers used art as an assessment tool in science activities because they considered that they were able to evaluate children's understanding on the basis of their art work such as their drawings.


There is little doubt that Salomon Maimon was both highly respected by, and highly influential upon, his contemporaries; indeed, Kant himself referred to Maimon as the best of his critics. The appraisal and reformulation of the Kantian project detailed in Maimon's Essay on Transcendental Philosophy played a significant role in determining the criteria of success for post-Kantian philosophy, and was thus crucial to the early development of German Idealism. Key aspects of Maimon's transcendental philosophy remain, however, relatively obscure. In particular, it remains unclear to what degree Maimon's skepticism is internal to the Kantian framework, and how this skepticism is related to Maimon's so-called dogmatic rationalism. The central aim of this project is to present Maimon's as a distinct form of post-Kantian skepticism: one which poses significant problems for Kant's theoretical project and which motivates a reformulation of the critical framework. In Kant's eyes, pre-Kantian forms of skepticism are insufficiently critical insofar as they involve a commitment to transcendental realism. By contrast, I argue that Maimon's skepticism does not involve a commitment to transcendental realism and that it strikes at the heart of Kant's critical project insofar as it constitutes what I term 'critical' as opposed to merely 'empirical' skepticism. I further argue that Maimon's rationalism provides the materials for a response to this form of skepticism. This thesis contributes to contemporary debates in the history of philosophy concerning the nature of Maimon's coalition system and its relation to German Idealism, but also provides an alternative perspective on contemporary problems in the philosophy of perception concerning, in particular, the possibility of non-conceptual intentional content.


Background and Aims: Recently, one of the biggest problems of the world is a bacterial antimicrobial resistance, that is de- veloping against most of the existing antibiotics. In addition to conducting studies that continue to discover new antimicrobial agents for combating multidrug resistant bacteria, steps should be taken for the protection of existing antibiotics. With this in mind, many modern and classical strategies have been developed, and among them, using essential oils or extracts obtained from plants, which may be a practical and effective alternative. Methods: We used the experimental evolutionary microbiology method to determine the effects of herbal substances, such as cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon, epigallocatechin gallate from greentea, curcumin from turmeric, punicalagin from pome- granate, and clove oil from clove, on the prevention or delay of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli standard and clinical strains were gradually exposed to increasing sub-inhibitory concentrations of me- ropenem and ciprofloxacin with or without the presence of herbal substances. Results: Resistance was developed in the E. coli and S. aureus control groups which were exposed only to ciprofloxacin, but, when herbal substances were included to the test, there was no resistance development. When the control groups were exposed only to meropenem, there was only an increase in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), but they did not become resistant, and we observed similar MIC values when we added the herbal substances to the test. Conclusion: These results showed that herbal substances might contribute to lowering MIC values of antibiotics and may help prevent the development of resistance in the studied bacteria.


Abstract Nitric oxide (NO), now almost synonymous with endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), reacts with superoxide anion radical (O2 -) and forms a potentially toxic molecular species, peroxynitrite (ONOO-). Because xanthine oxidase (XO) seems to be a major O2 --producing enzyme in the vascular system, it is important to clarify the mechanism of XO regulation of NO/EDRF. We first characterized the inhibition of XO in vitro by three types of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives. Kinetic studies indicated that 4-amino-6-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (AHPP) and allopurinol competitively inhibited the conversion of xanthine to uric acid catalyzed by XO, with apparent K i values of 0.17±0.02 and 0.50±0.03 μM, respectively; alloxanthine inhibited this conversion in a noncompetitive manner with an apparent K i value of 3.54±1.12 μM. O2 - generation in the xanthine/XO system assayed by lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence was suppressed most strongly by AHPP in a dose-dependent fashion; allopurinol itself appears to reduce the enzyme by transfer of an electron to O2, thus generating O2 -. AHPP significantly augmented EDRF-mediated relaxation of aortic rings from both rabbits and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in a dose-dependent manner, whereas allopurinol did not affect the relaxation and only marginal potentiation of the vasorelaxation was observed with alloxanthine. Finally, iv injection of AHPP (50.4 mg/kg; 100 μmol/300 g rat) reduced the blood pressure of SHR rats to 70% of the initial pressure; this pressure is almost the blood pressure of normal rats. Allopurinol (100 μmol/300 g rat; iv) showed transient decrease in blood pressure and moderate reduction of hypertension of SHR (10%) was observed with iv injection of alloxanthine (100 μmol/300 g rat). On the basis of these results, it seems that XO regulates EDRF/NO via production of O2 -. [P.S.E.B.M. 1996, Vol 211]


Primary liver cancer is the fourth most common malignancy worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comprising up to 90% of cases. Imaging is a staple for surveillance and diagnostic criteria for HCC in current guidelines. Because early diagnosis can impact treatment approaches, utilizing new imaging methods and protocols to aid in differentiation and tumor grading provides a unique opportunity to drastically impact patient prognosis. Within this review manuscript, we provide an overview of imaging modalities used to screen and evaluate HCC. We also briefly discuss emerging uses of new imaging techniques that offer the potential for improving current paradigms for HCC characterization, management, and treatment monitoring.


The ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to probe the ultrastructural properties of biological tissues presents new possibilities for DTIbased tissue characterization, with the potential for greater pathologic specificity than conventional imaging methods. This is urgently needed in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral neoplasms, where clinical decisions depend on the ability to discriminate tumor-involved from uninvolved tissue, a major shortcoming of conventional imaging. Several investigators have attempted to make this determination on the basis of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) or the fractional anisotropy (FA), with mixed resultS. The directionally encoded color map, with hues reflecting tensor orientation and intensity weighted by FA, provides an aesthetic and informative summary of DTI features throughout the brain in an easily interpreted format. The use of these maps is becoming increasingly common in both basic and clinical research, as well as in purely clinical settings. These examples serve to demonstrate our approach to the quantitation of regional diffusion tensor distributions using directional statistical methods.


The paper reports, even if fragmentarily, in a multidisciplinary perspective, with a broad view of historical and cultural background between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the stories of some "uranisti" and "amazzoni" living in Capri. For them the Siren Land by Homer is a unique microcosm of homosexual liberation, where rediscovering freedom and renewing the communion with the original spirit of nature. So Capri becomes also the Hermafrodita , transformed thanks to the presence of these special travelers and writers in a creative en plein air laboratory, where languages, cultures, and sexualities meet and merge into the dream island despite the heteronormativity of contemporary society. From Wilde to Fersen, from Douglas to Mackenzie and others, at the turn of the nineteenth century, the island is a natural theater of narrations, sometimes realistic, sometimes fantastic, creating a unique cultural experiment about identity, gender and sexuality beyond the heteronormative constraints. Keywords : Cultural studies, Gender studies, homosexual identity, heteronormativity, Capri.


We herein report two different methods to deposit metallic and semiconducting nanoparticles inside a conducting polymer (CP) by controlling the diffusion of an active ion within the film. The first method is a pulsed electrodeposition where the 'off' intervals allow the ions to flow into the CPs as they re-oxidize. The second method uses poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or ionic liquid (IL) to assist the transportation of the ion within the CP. Pt, Ni, Cu and CdS were successfully deposited inside a conductive film of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) using either of these two methods. Scanning electron microscopy images show that the nanoparticles are well dispersed throughout the films and form open, layered structures in the presence of PEG. Using a phosphonium-based (triisobutylmethylphosphonium tosylate) IL and heat during electrodeposition results in the incorporation of CdS inside a layered polymer scaffold. The presence of the nanoparticles throughout the film is confirmed by EDAX measurements. The PEDOT:PEG–Ni electrodes show electrocatalytic activity towards formate and formic acid oxidation.