OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and efficacy of insulin aspart (IAsp), buffered regular insulin (BR), and insulin lispro administered by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in patients with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
After completing a 4-week run-in period with BR, 146 adult patients with type 1 diabetes (with pretrial CSII experience) were randomly assigned (2:2:1) to CSII treatment with IAsp, BR, or lispro for 16 weeks in a multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel-group study. Bolus insulin doses were administered 30 min before meals (BR) or immediately before meals (IAsp or lispro).

RESULTS
Treatment groups had similar baseline HbA(1c) (7.3% +/- 0.7 for IAsp, 7.5% +/- 0.8 for BR, and 7.3% +/- 0.7 for lispro). After 16 weeks of treatment, HbA1c values were relatively unchanged from baseline, and the mean changes in baseline HbA1c values were not significantly different between the three groups (0.00 +/- 0.51, 0.15 +/- 0.63, and 0.18 +/- 0.84 for the IAsp, BR, and lispro groups, respectively). The rates of hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose <50 mg/dl) per patient per month were similar (3.7, 4.8, and 4.4 for the IAsp, BR, and lispro groups, respectively). Clogs/blockages in pumps or infusion sets were infrequent; most subjects (76, 83, and 75% in the IAsp, BR, and lispro groups, respectively) had < or = 1 clog or blockage per 4 weeks during the trial.

CONCLUSIONS
Insulin aspart in CSII was as efficacious and well tolerated as BR and lispro and is a suitable insulin for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion using external pumps.


The main objective of this work is to make an absorbable monofilament suture from Thai rice starch. The improvement of the mechanical properties of Thai rice starch polymer films were achieved by addition of small amount of gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and carbon nanopowders. The carbon nanopowders were produced from coconut shell in our laboratory room by milling method. The incorporation of carbon nanopowders with a high aspect ratio and/or an extremely large surface area into Thai rice starch polymer films improves their mechanical performances significantly. Additionally, the black color from carbon nanopowder is easily visualized in tissue during surgery. The manufacturing processes are very simple by blending of the raw materials in hot water and then dry heating in electric oven. The final product was characterized of microstructures and mechanical properties. The resulting Thai rice starch-carbon nanocomposites possess several advantages for manufacture of sutures: 1. high water resistance that can be uses in the human body. 2. high mechanical strength that appropriate to manufacture of sutures. 3. biocompatibility and bioabsorbable. 4. low cost. 5. Eco-friendly green nanocomposites. However, the method of size designation of sutures fibers and needle attachment are the problem which restricts our suture in really applications. The investigation of knowledge and simple technology of manufacture of suture and needle attachment will be performed.


This study compares two fish farms in the Jihlava River basin that differ mainly in the intensity of rearing of the nase fry and in water sources. During rearing, we observed the health condition of fry from hatching to expedition at the age of one year. Four species of parasites (i.e., Ambiphrya ameiuri, Apiosoma piscicolum, Trichodina sp., Diplostomum spathaceum) were found to infest the fish and Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated by bacterial culture. In both breeding facilities the intensity and prevalence of Ambiphrya ameiuri increased during the summer. The state of health and its development including the recognised infections was similar in both farms. Immunological indicators such as differential white cell count, absolute white cell count and the oxidative burst in autumn were evaluated in the fry samples. Although fry from both farms had similar health condition, the results on immunological indicators show that fry from farm I are more exposed to the effects of stressors. In the next phase, we confronted immunological indicators of fry from farm II and brood fish from the Jihlava River. The results show differences in immunological indicators, which could be caused by a variety of stress factors having different effects on the immune system of these two fish categories. The environment affects greatly the immunity of juvenile as well as brood fish. It reflects in the different levels of immunological indicators in the comparison of fry from two farms as well as in the comparison of fry and brood fish from the river.


Electrical properties of polymeric insulators can be improved by adding high-permittivity nanofillers. In this work, the aim is to analyse the effect of filler permittivity, its size, shape, concentration and the interparticle distance on the electrical properties of the nanocomposites. Nanocomposites are fabricated with four types of fillers and with various concentrations and the effect of various filler parameters on permittivity, breakdown strength and loss tangent of the nanocomposites are analysed. Simulation of electric field is used to demonstrate the increase in the volume of enhanced electric field region which affects the short-time breakdown strength. The effect of filler parameters on the electrical properties of the composite is demonstrated through experimental and theoretical analysis.


This paper will discuss the US regionalism agenda towards ASEAN. ASEAN as the Southeast Asia only regional organizations has significant implications for US trade and economic agenda. This paper will try to understand what is the current policies that the US policymakers enforce in the Southeast Asia. This article will focus on multilateral diplomacy that the US has implemented and what the impact towards US interest in Southeast Asia. Additionally, it will discuss the future and prospect of ASEAN towards US regionalism agenda, more importantly with the rise of the Chinese economy. This paper also will try to find the significance of ASEAN towards the US regional initiatives to contend Chinese domination in Asia. This article will be using latest literature review this paper will focus on the current issue and provide critical approach on how ASEAN respond in the US agenda. More importantly to show what the direct impact of US regional agenda toward ASEAN, and vice versa. This paper will use SWOT analysis to underline the primary strategy of the US and significance of the ASEAN. This paper also uses qualitative data analysis for support the recommendation and analyses the future of ASEAN.

Keywords: US Mega-regionalism, ASEAN, economic, trade and multilateral diplomacy


This Article argues for a vital new pathway to the regulation of contracts in American law. It proposes a theory of public responsibility to safeguard public values that are unprotected by the reciprocal consent of private parties to contract. Challenging the conception of contracts-as-property-rights, it posits that such responsibilities are necessary to redress public harm that is ordinarily not protected by the exchange of contractual promises. If contract law is to support social justice, it ought to surpass restrictive conceptions of equity that focus wholly on corrective injustice between contracting parties at the expense of public deterrence. If contract regulation is to promote the public good, it ought to transcend limiting theories of consent that reduce public responsibilities to imperfect obligations that are binding in morality, but not in law.


The perfect prescription for both parents an coaches! Too often, excessive pressure to compete pushes kids into your office with overuse injuries, overwhelming stress, and burn out. Too often, excessive pressure to compete pushes kids into your office with overuse injuries, overwhelming stress, and burn out. Written by a pediatrician who is also board-certified in sports medicine, this book shows caretakers: How young bodies develop for sports, Age-appropriate skills, Proper conditioning and how it works on a cellular level, Why some kids compete to win attention,

Safer ways to help kids perform better, Positive and negative impact on young psyches, Strategies to overcome obesity and inactivity, It's a great way to help parents redefine success and provide a better, safer sports experience!


In this study a new meshless method is presented for the analysis of heat transfer in heterogeneous solid structures. The presented meshless method is based on the integral form of energy equation for the sub-particles in the domain of the material. A micromechanical model based on the presented meshless method is presented for analysis of heat transfer, temperature distribution and steady-state effective thermal conductivities of fiber-matrix type of composite materials. Because the domain integration is eliminated in the presented meshless formulation, the computational efforts in presented method are decreased substantially. A small area of the composite system called the representative volume element (RVE) is considered as the solution domain. The fully bonded fiber-matrix interface is considered and contact thermal resistant is neglected in the fiber-matrix interface and so the continuity of temperature and reciprocity of heat flux is satisfied in the fiber-matrix interface. A direct interpolation method is employed for enforcement the appropriate boundary conditions to the RVE. Numerical results are presented for temperature distribution, heat flux and thermal conductivity. Numerical results show that presented meshless method is simple, effective, accurate and less costly method in micromechanical modeling of heat conduction in heterogeneous materials.


Urinary antibiotic treatments usually affect the normal urethral flora. This work was developed in order to evaluate whether Lactobacillus fermentum CRL 1058 could reduce urinary tract infections (UTI) produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli in mice treated with antimicrobial agents. Animals were inoculated intra-urethrically with agarose beads containing lactobacilli, and were challenged with E. coli. Ampicillin (13 mg/kg/dose) was administered orally. The number of microorganisms present at different days was evaluated in the urogenital tract. Serum inflammatory and systemic immune response were also registered. The use of 5 doses of ampicillin after 3 doses of lactobacilli in agarose beads significantly affected the viability of lactic acid bacteria, while the amount of E. coli was not altered. Lactate dehidrogenase (LDH) activity and anti-E. coli antibody levels showed no statistically significant difference between the challenged and non-challenged mice. Lactobacilli reinoculation and 3 doses of ampicillin proved to be a moderately effective treatment since a smaller amount of E. coli was recovered from the organs of treated mice than from the controls. The reinforcement of lactobacilli, administered on the 9th day, produced a faster elimination of the pathogen. The ampicillin dose used allowed lactobacilli permanence in the urinary tract, and caused the elimination of the pathogen. Serum LDH values seemed to show an inflammatory immune response. No successful preventive results could be achieved. We can conclude that lactobacilli and adequately low doses of ampicillin have a positive effect on the treatment of E. coli in this UTI model.


In order to reduce the measurement error of low cost sensor in the real-time mobile sensing network, rendezvous calibration mechanism is widely used. To tackle the sparsity of reference data and the lack of calibration opportunities, we propose ST-ICM: a Spatial-Temporal Inference Calibration Model based on Gaussian Process Regression, assisting the calibration task by creating more calibration grids in both spatial and temporal dimensions. By using the GPR, the inferred grids generated by ST-ICM are associated with various confidence levels. Based on this property, we propose to make use of a hyperparameter, i.e., variance threshold, to balance the tradeoff between the quantity and quality of the inferred grids. Specifically, only the grids with variances below the threshold will be employed. We conducted experiments using a real-world dataset collected in Nanjing, China, to evaluate the performance of the proposed ST-ICM. The experimenal results show that our model achieves 24% improvement on error calibration compared to the baseline.


Market segmentation is the process by which customers in markets with some heterogeneity
are grouped into smaller homogeneous segments of more 'similar' customers. A market
segment is a group of individuals, groups or organisations sharing similar characteristics and
buying behaviour that cause them to have relatively similar needs and purchasing behaviour.
Segmentation is not a new concept: for six decades marketers have, in various guises, sought to
break-down a market into sub-groups of users, each sharing common needs, buying behavior
and marketing requirements. However, this approach to target market strategy development
has been rejuvenated in the past few years. Various reasons account for this upsurge in the
usage of segmentation, examination of which forms the focus of this white paper.
Ready access to data enables faster creation of a segmentation and the testing of propositions to
take to market. 'Big data' has made the re-thinking of target market segments and value
propositions inevitable, desirable, faster and more flexible. The resulting information has
presented companies with more topical and consumer-generated insights than ever before.
However, many marketers, analytics directors and leadership teams feel over-whelmed by the
sheer quantity and immediacy of such data.
Analytical prowess in consultants and inside client organisations has benefited from a stepchange,
using new heuristics and faster computing power, more topical data and stronger
market insights. The approach to segmentation today is much smarter and has stretched well
away from the days of limited data explored only with cluster analysis. The coverage and wealth
of the solutions are unimaginable when compared to the practices of a few years ago. Then,
typically between only six to ten segments were forced into segmentation solutions, so that an
organisation could cater for these macro segments operationally as well as understand them
intellectually. Now there is the advent of what is commonly recognised as micro segmentation,
where the complexity of business operations and customer management requires highly
granular thinking. In support of this development, traditional agency/consultancy roles have
transitioned into in-house business teams led by data, campaign and business change planners.
The challenge has shifted from developing a granular segmentation solution that describes all
customers and prospects, into one of enabling an organisation to react to the granularity of the
solution, deploying its resources to permit controlled and consistent one-to-one interaction
within segments. So whilst the cost of delivering and maintaining the solution has reduced with
technology advances, a new set of systems, costs and skills in channel and execution
management is required to deliver on this promise. These new capabilities range from rich
feature creative and content management solutions, tailored copy design and deployment tools,
through to instant messaging middleware solutions that initiate multi-streams of activity in a
variety of analytical engines and operational systems.
Companies have recruited analytics and insight teams, often headed by senior personnel, such as
an Insight Manager or Analytics Director. Indeed, the situations-vacant adverts for such
personnel out-weigh posts for brand and marketing managers. Far more companies possess the
in-house expertise necessary to help with segmentation analysis. Some organisations are also
seeking to monetise one of the most regularly under-used latent business assets… data.
Developing the capability and culture to bring data together from all corners of a business, the open market, commercial sources and business partners, is a step-change, often requiring a
Chief Data Officer. This emerging role has also driven the professionalism of data exploration,
using more varied and sophisticated statistical techniques.
CEOs, CFOs and COOs increasingly are the sponsor of segmentation projects as well as the users
of the resulting outputs, rather than CMOs. CEOs because recession has forced re-engineering of
value propositions and the need to look after core customers; CFOs because segmentation leads
to better and more prudent allocation of resources – especially NPD and marketing – around the
most important sub-sets of a market; COOs because they need to better look after key
customers and improve their satisfaction in service delivery. More and more it is recognised that
with a new segmentation comes organisational realignment and change, so most business
functions now have an interest in a segmentation project, not only the marketers.
Largely as a result of the digital era and the growth of analytics, directors and company
leadership teams are becoming used to receiving more extensive market intelligence and
quickly updated customer insight, so leading to faster responses to market changes, customer
issues, competitor moves and their own performance. This refreshing of insight and a leadership
team's reaction to this intelligence often result in there being more frequent modification of a
target market strategy and segmentation decisions.
So many projects set up to consider multi-channel strategy and offerings; digital marketing;
customer relationship management; brand strategies; new product and service development;
the re-thinking of value propositions, and so forth, now routinely commence with a
segmentation piece in order to frame the ongoing work. Most organisations have deployed
CRM systems and harnessed associated customer data. CRM first requires clarity in segment
priorities. The insights from a CRM system help inform the segmentation agenda and steer how
they engage with their important customers or prospects. The growth of CRM and its ensuing
data have assisted the ongoing deployment of segmentation.
One of the biggest changes for segmentation is the extent to which it is now deployed by
practitioners in the public and not-for-profit sectors, who are harnessing what is termed social
marketing, in order to develop and to execute more shrewdly their targeting, campaigns and
messaging. For Marketing per se, the interest in the marketing toolkit from non-profit
organisations, has been big news in recent years. At the very heart of the concept of social
marketing is the market segmentation process.
The extreme rise in the threat to security from global unrest, terrorism and crime has focused
the minds of governments, security chiefs and their advisors. As a result, significant resources,
intellectual capability, computing and data management have been brought to bear on the
problem. The core of this work is the importance of identifying and profiling threats and so
mitigating risk. In practice, much of this security and surveillance work harnesses the tools
developed for market segmentation and the profiling of different consumer behaviours.
This white paper presents the findings from interviews with leading exponents of segmentation
and also the insights from a recent study of marketing practitioners relating to their current
imperatives and foci. More extensive views of some of these 'leading lights' have been sought
and are included here in order to showcase the latest developments and to help explain both
the ongoing surge of segmentation and the issues under-pinning its practice. The principal
trends and developments are thereby presented and discussed in this paper.


This paper presents an experimental investigation that demonstrates the possibility of 1-D imaging of human cardiac motion using a microwave Doppler sensor. Compared with the previous works that primarily monitored human respiration and heartbeat rates, the reconstruction of cardiac motion in this work will provide more information for time-domain clinical diagnosis. To fully recover the motion information from the backscattered microwave signal, an instrument-based digital-IF Doppler radar sensor employing a dc-offset removal and an extended differentiate and cross-multiply algorithm was used. A series of experiments were performed to investigate the effectiveness of the cardiac imaging from different orientations of a subject. Analysis on the experimental results indicates that in addition to the respiration and heartbeat rates, a 1-D time-domain cardiac motion that fits well with the known physiological description can be obtained. Our work reveals that substantial cardiac activity information is carried by the Doppler shifts of the backscattered microwave reflected from a human chest. The information can be reconstructed by properly designed hardware and algorithms. The possibility of noncontact cardiac imaging would have a great potential in clinical diagnosis and treatment of human heart diseases.


Nickel aluminide based intermetallic compounds were combustion synthesized from a powder mixture of elemental Al, Ni, and Si and were simultaneously bonded with spheroidal graphite cast iron substrate (FCD). Addition of Si to the elemental mixture of Al and Ni was confirmed to be effective both to the densification of combustion synthesized intermetallic compounds and to the joining between compounds and FCD. When the composition of precursor was Ni-69at%Al-9at%Si (Al/Si is the ratio of the eutectic composition), Al3Ni and Al6Ni3Si were mainly combustion synthesized. In the interface between compounds and FCD, reaction layers were formed to the thickness of 10 µm and the constituent phases were identified as Al7Fe2Si, FeAl3 respectively. In the four point bending test of the dissimilar joints prepared by heating at 973 K for 300 s, the brittle fracture did not occurred around the joint interface but mainly in the inside of nickel aluminide coating. The interface of reaction layers with 10 µm were chemically well bonded. The sample with Ni-69at%Al-9at%Si coating exhibited highest bonding strength of about 56 MPa because of the smallest void ratio of the obtained compounds.


Temperature-sensitive mutations in the genes RNA2 through RNA11 cause accumulation of intervening sequence containing precursor mRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Three different plasmids have been isolated which complement both the temperature-sensitive lethality and precursor mRNA accumulation when introduced into rna2, rna3, and rna11 mutant strains. The yeast sequences on these plasmids have been shown by Southern transfer hybridization and genetic mapping to be derived from the RNA2, RNA3, and RNA11 genomic loci. Part of the RNA2 gene is homologous to more than one region of the yeast genome, whereas the RNA3 and RNA11 genes are single copy. RNAs homologous to these loci have been identified by RNA transfer hybridization, and the specific RNAs which are associated with the Rna+ phenotype have been mapped. This was done by a combination of transcript mapping, subcloning, and in vitro mutagenesis. The transcripts are found to be enriched in polyadenylated RNA and are of very low abundance (0.01-0.001% polyadenylated RNA).


The immediate postwar period saw the emergence of the first digital computers as well as developments in cybernetics, brain research, and information theory. In this era, questions of mechanical intelligence came to the forefront in public media. In Britain the BBC broadcast radio talks by many leading practitioners in these fields in which they discussed their work and speculated on its implications for conceptions of intelligence. Generally, speakers were either skeptical or unskeptical toward the issue of intelligent behavior in machines. The skeptics, who tended to have backgrounds in physical science and mathematics, usually took reductive approaches to argue that machines could not be intelligent. The non-skeptics, who tended to have a biological orientation, usually avoided reductive approaches and conceded that the distinction between machines and animal brains might not be clear-cut. These differing interpretations of new technology, their association with distinct intellectual traditions, and their promotion via a wide-reaching and respected medium are seen as instances of social shaping of technology in action.


I study aggregate consumption dynamics under incomplete markets, focusing on the relationship between consumption and the path for interest rates. I first provide a general aggregation result under extreme illiquidity (no borrowing and no outside assets), deriving a generalized Euler relation involving the real interest rate, current and future aggregate consumption. This provides a tractable way of incorporating incomplete markets in macroeconomic models, dealing only with aggregates. Although this relation does not necessarily coincide with the standard representative-agent Euler equation, I show that it does for an important benchmark specification. When this is the case, idiosyncratic uncertainty and incomplete markets leave their imprint by affecting the discount factor in this representation, but the sensitivity of consumption to current and future interest rates is unaffected. An immediate corollary is that "forward guidance" (lower future interest rates) is as powerful as in representative agent models. I show that the same representation holds with positive liquidity (borrowing and outside assets) when utility is logarithmic. I show that away from these benchmark cases, consumption is likely to become more sensitive to interest rate, and especially future interest rates. Finally, I apply my approach to a real business cycle economy, providing an exact analytical aggregation result that complements existing numerical results.


This study summarizes gas flow process in unconventional porous rocks, including the transportation in tight or shale reservoirs and the spontaneous imbibition happened in them. Fluids flow is greatly affected by the pore structure together with the pore size distribution of porous media. The MRI and BET measurement show peaks in pore throat radius ranging from 2 to 20 nm, whereas the diameter for methane and helium are 0.38 and 0.26 nm, respectively. Yet for different types of reservoir, distinct mechanisms should be utilized based on the flow regimes. Besides, experimental measurement techniques for conventional reservoirs are no long accurate enough for most of the unconventional reservoirs. New attempts have been implemented to obtain more valuable data for accurate reservoir prediction. By reviewing large numbers of articles, a clear and comprehensive map on the gas flow and recovery in unconventional reservoirs is made. Factors influencing the gas flow and recovery are investigated in detail for mathematical simulation process. Reservoir conditions and the sweep efficiency play an important role during gas production process. Besides, adsorbed gas contributes a lot to the total gas recovery. The overall investigations suggest that many parameters that influence the gas flow in unconventional porous rocks should be taken into consideration during the evaluation. Among them, permeability, adsorbed gas dynamics, stimulated reservoir volume as well as the unstimulated reservoir volume, and imbibition effect are the most important ones. This study provides valuable data and reasonable exploitations for characterizing gas flow and recovery in unconventional porous rocks. Cited as : Lin, D., Wang, J., Yuan, B., et al. Review on gas flow and recovery in unconventional porous rocks. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2017, 1(1): 39-53, doi: 10.26804/ager.2017.01.04.


By 2030, approximately 26% of Floridians will be age 65 or older, up from 17% in 2010. In standard regional general equilibrium models, retirees and the local workers who produce goods and services for them drive up housing prices and thus crowd out workers that produce for export beyond the local area. Job skill in Florida's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in 2004 (before the peak of the housing bubble and ensuing crash) was 4 percentage points below the national average, using national average pay as a measure of occupational skill. Half of the shortfall is attributable to Florida's specialization in serving retirees and another third is attributable to lower shares of college graduates, which is in turn related to retiree specialization. As an example of less direct mechanisms through which retirees may make an area less suited to high-skill jobs, the elasticity of airline departures with respect to the retiree share of the local population is estimated to be –4.2. By 2030, approximately 40% of voters in Florida will be age 65 or older, magnifying their impact on policies affecting job skill. The population of retirees will be spatially concentrated, with about one third of Floridians living in counties where 30% or more of residents are age 65 or older. Absent urgent and aggressive policy intervention, Florida's workers that retire over the next 20 years are likely to be replaced by less educated and less skilled workers less suited to the knowledge economy, and the gap between Florida's average job skill and the national average is likely to widen substantially.


The academic achievement gap is a term that refers to the observed disparity on a number of educational measures among the performances of groups of students. For numerous decades, studies have shown that students of African descent are not reaching the same academic proficiency as their Caucasian counterparts. This achievement gap has been observed on a variety of measures, including standardized test scores, grade point average, dropout rates, and college-enrollment and completion rates. This situation raises the question about the cause behind the disparity of academic achievement that exists between African American and Caucasian students. Some scholars and other experts argue that this gap is a result of cultural and institutional inequalities that erode the educational system. Employing pedagogy and conflict theories, this paper tests the hypothesis that these groups of students are performing at contrasting levels on the academic spectrum because the pedagogy that works for Caucasian students does not work for their African American colleagues; if an appropriate pedagogy is implemented in school systems then it would give African American students the opportunity to be as proficient as Caucasian students. Furthermore, the study seeks to correlate how conflict theory contributes to the pedagogical structures within schools. According to the conflict theorists, the school systems' inability to develop alternative teaching strategies is due to their attempts to keep the working classes as lower-class members of society. Qualitative and quantitative data were systematically collected from secondary and primary sources and analyzed for this exploration. The data were collected by using the documents analysis and technique and expert interviews. The findings from the data analysis suggest that the hypothesis is tenable in its assertion that education in America pushes a "hidden agenda."


The seeds of Plukenetia polyadenia have high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and are used as medicine and food for native people in the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon. The objective of this study was to develop a method for vegetative propagation of Plukenetia polyadenia by rooting of cuttings. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications of 8 cuttings, in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement. The factors were: 3 levels of leaf area (25, 50 and 75%) and 3 indole-3-butyric acid - IBA concentrations (9.84, 19.68 and 29.52mM) and a control without IBA. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. Our results show that the use of cuttings with 50% of leaf area and treatment with 29.52mM of IBA induced high percentages of rooting (93%) and the best root formation. Vegetative propagation of Plukenetia polyadenia by cuttings will be used as a tool to conserve and propagate germplasm in breeding programs.


A 65-year-old man under the influence of alcohol sustained blunt trauma to the abdomen in an accident while riding a motorcycle. An intramural haematoma of the gall-bladder was demonstrated by computed tomography: peritoneal lavage was negative. About five hours later the gall-bladder ruptured, as confirmed at laparotomy. The postoperative course after cholecystectomy was uneventful.


Background: Striatins are novel regulatory subunits of PP2A in the striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex. Results: The striatin coiled coil forms a noncanonical dimer required for PP2A A subunit binding. Conclusion: The coiled coil of striatins bind PP2A A subunits to form a 2:2 heterotetrameric core of the STRIPAK complex. Significance: The current structural analysis provides insights into the assembly of the STRIPAK complex. The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and kinases such as germinal center kinase III (GCKIII) can interact with striatins to form a supramolecular complex called striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex. Despite the fact that the STRIPAK complex regulates multiple cellular events, it remains only partially understood how this complex itself is assembled and regulated for differential biological functions. Our recent work revealed the activation mechanism of GCKIIIs by MO25, as well as how GCKIIIs heterodimerize with CCM3, a molecular bridge between GCKIII and striatins. Here we dissect the structural features of the coiled coil domain of striatin 3, a novel type of PP2A regulatory subunit that functions as a scaffold for the assembly of the STRIPAK complex. We have determined the crystal structure of a selenomethionine-labeled striatin 3 coiled coil domain, which shows it to assume a parallel dimeric but asymmetric conformation containing a large bend. This result combined with a number of biophysical analyses provide evidence that the coiled coil domain of striatin 3 and the PP2A A subunit form a stable core complex with a 2:2 stoichiometry. Structure-based mutational studies reveal that homodimerization of striatin 3 is essential for its interaction with PP2A and therefore assembly of the STRIPAK complex. Wild-type striatin 3 but not the mutants defective in PP2A binding strongly suppresses apoptosis of Jurkat cells induced by the GCKIII kinase MST3, most likely through a mechanism in which striatin recruits PP2A to negatively regulate the activation of MST3. Collectively, our work provides structural insights into the organization of the STRIPAK complex and will facilitate further functional studies.


Introduction VLN King menthol and non-menthol are the first combustible cigarettes to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorisation as modified risk tobacco products. Focusing on the first retail test market, this study characterised VLN advertising, product placement, discounts and price. Methods All Chicago-area Circle K stores (n=133) were telephoned to assess whether they sold VLN. Single-pack price of non-menthol was obtained in 57 of 100 stores that sold VLN. In fall 2022, trained data collectors visited those 57 stores to assess VLN product placement, advertising, discounts and prices. Paired t-tests compared observed VLN price with telephone price and to price of other cigarette brands. Results Nearly all stores (91.1%) displayed exterior advertisements for VLN, and 41.1% displayed interior advertising, with 8.9% of stores advertising VLN in the power wall but never in the header row. VLN cigarettes were displayed in the power wall exclusively and among high-nicotine cigarettes. Some VLN marketing claims were not FDA-authorised. VLN advertised a sweepstakes offer and rewards programme. Most stores (85.7%) offered VLN discounts. VLN was priced like a premium brand (mean=$10.90, SD=$1.53), and prices obtained by telephone did not differ from observed prices several months later. Conclusions Retail marketing strategies for VLN mimic those for high-nicotine cigarettes. Deviations from FDA-authorised marketing claims were evident. Surveillance in future test markets is recommended to assess compliance with marketing claims and examine relative price and discount offers. Of interest is how premium-priced, low-nicotine cigarettes stand to compete in a market dominated by cheaper high-nicotine cigarettes.


In this study, dissolved Kr and SF6 gases were used to determine various hydrogeological parameters of laboratory columns under water-saturated and partially saturated conditions as a function of the flow velocity. The dissolved gases behaved conservatively in saturated columns but were significantly retarded in unsaturated conditions as a direct function of the Henry's law constant (KH) and the ratio of column pore spaces filled with air and water (Vg/Vw). Lower aqueous diffusion coefficients for SF6 compared to that for Kr also resulted in significant rate-limited mass transport across gas-water interface. This effect was exacerbated at higher flow velocities as was indicated by the asymmetric shape of breakthrough curves, more so in the case of SF6. A nonequilibrium advective-dispersive transport model accurately described tracer breakthrough and was used to estimate parameters such as final Vg/Vw under partially saturated conditions and partitioning rates. Internally consistent model results were obtained for both dissolved gases despite the wide range in physical properties (e.g., KH and aqueous diffusion coefficients), suggesting that dissolved Kr and SF6 may be used in conjunction to delineate and validate aquifer characteristics simultaneously from a single pulse injection of the tracer.


The rapid development of magnetic materials has witnessed a sustained consumption increase in corundum-mullite kiln furniture application, yet a comparatively short duration of them. In this view, the thermal shock resistance of sagger plate in floppy magnets sintering turns out a factor of critical importance. This paper makes a study concerning the influence of factors including the size of critical electro-melted mullite particles, the electro-melted corundum or mullite as medium particles and the addition of upon the thermal shock resistance. The result shows that, with critical particles of 2 mm, the sheet of about 10mm thickness is characterized by better performance in modulus of rapture and thermal shock resistance. The latter proves to be more outstanding in samples rather than mullite. When zircon powder is added in a two-hour sintering process at the temperature of 1550°C, a remarkable improvement is made by the sample in terms of its thermal shock resistance. SEM analysis shows the existence of micropores in the section of samples with corundum as medium particles, whereas the glasses phase in that of mullite sample, resulting in a dense structure. Finally, zircon powder added makes for the improvement of thermal shock resistance due to the formation of baddeleyite on the particle surface of the corundum.


Fine structure of A-type neurosecretory cells was investigated in the adult males of Locusta migratoria in solitary phase. The cells were surrounded by glial cell processes and contained electron dense granules of 257 nm in an average diameter. Most of the granules were alongated but some were spherical. In control group insects, regular narrow channels of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum were evident in the peripheral parts of the cells. Golgi complexes were observed with electron dense material within its vacuoles and vesicles. The number of stored granules were not abundant and large empty areas were observed in the cells. In abscisic acid treated insects, the number of well developed Golgi complexes together with electron dense material within the parallel membranes, vesicles and vac-uoles was increased. A number of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum channels were found mostly around the nucleus as ordered membranes. Abundant neurosecretory granules were scattered throught the cells.


Deep sea mining is currently being investigated as a possibility to harvest valuable materials from mineral-rich areas located in water depths up to 2000 meters. One promising mining method is to employ a large crawler on the seabed, remotely controlled by an operator on the supporting vessel. Controlling such a vehicle is expected to be difficult due to unpredictable seabed conditions and limited situation awareness of the operator. In addition, the optimal human-machine interface for controlling the crawler is yet to be determined. A common approach in marine operation is to automate the task as much as possible, leaving the operator in a supervisory role. An alternative approach is haptic shared control, which has shown to be beneficial in vehicle control tasks (automotive, UAVs), yielding improved performance but mitigating traditional human-automation interaction issues such as skill degradation, reduced situation awareness and overreliance. This study aims to compare supervisory control and haptic shared control to manual control of a teleoperated subsea crawler. A simulator was constructed, including a bi-manual control interface capable of rendering haptic feedback, two virtual displays showing primary and secondary task-related information, a mathematical model simulating the dynamics of the slow vehicle, and unpredictable soil properties of the seabed. In a human factor experiment, subjects (n=12) controlled the simulated crawler to complete normal steering, repeated obstacle avoidance, and an unexpected slip event at the end; all with manual control, haptic shared control and supervisory control. During normal steering between obstacles, both haptic shared control and supervisory control improved subjects' performance and supervisory control allowed a significant decrease in control effort. However, during slip recovery and obstacle avoidance, supervisory control appreciably reduced subjects' situation awareness. Therefore haptic shared control is a promising approach to assist the operator in underwater teleoperation with improved task performance but not the side-effects from the automation


The dynamics of the bacterial community associated with the denitrification process in a fixed bed column reactor (FBCR) were investigated using 454-pyrosequencing methodology. A FBCR filled with elemental sulfur and limestone was operated for about 94 days under autotrophic and mixotrophic (autotrophic + heterotrophic) conditions at 30 °C. Efficient simultaneous bromate and nitrate removal was achieved at feed concentrations of 500 µg/L bromate and 45 mg/L nitrate under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions. Operational taxonomic units-based analysis (97% similarity cut-off) of bioreactor samples (three periods) revealed that the microbial diversity changed regardless of operational conditions. Sulfurimonas spp. was dominant in the reactor at the adaptation stage. Thiobacillus denitrificans is a chemolithoautotrophic bacterium that is capable of the oxidation of inorganic sulfur compounds. After the adaptation period, the microbial profile changed such that Spirochaetacea spp. and Denitratisoma spp. were major species in the column reactor. After 60 d of operation, Hyphomicrobium vulgare became dominant due to the mixotrophic denitrification conditions.


The aim of this thesis is to study different types of jitter measurement methods and to make comparison between them. With this purpose, a literature study was performed by searching in different databases.The explored databases include: a) Recent research articles in jitter measurements appearing in IEEE xplorer with published date posterior to 1998, b) Application notes and white papers from leading companies as Agilent and Anritsu. In this study it is shown that the research method presented in [20] has more accuracy compared to ITU standard method due to that an specific signal from PDH is measured directly while no specification to test equipment is need it. In case of the measurement of aperture uncertainty on ADC it is shown that the research method in [21] has more accuracy compare to IEEE standard methods because it removes quantization error and amplitude noise from measurement while does not need any frequency information


A significant number of human X-linked genes escape X chromosome inactivation and are thus expressed from both the active and inactive X chromosomes. The basis for escape from inactivation and the potential role of the X chromosome primary DNA sequence in determining a gene's X inactivation status is unclear. Using a combination of the X chromosome sequence and a comprehensive X inactivation profile of more than 600 genes, two independent yet complementary approaches were used to systematically investigate the relationship between X inactivation and DNA sequence features. First, statistical analyses revealed that a number of repeat features, including long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) and mammalian-wide interspersed repeat repetitive elements, are significantly enriched in regions surrounding transcription start sites of genes that are subject to inactivation, while Alu repetitive elements and short motifs containing ACG/CGT are significantly enriched in those that escape inactivation. Second, linear support vector machine classifiers constructed using primary DNA sequence features were used to correctly predict the X inactivation status for >80% of all X-linked genes. We further identified a small set of features that are important for accurate classification, among which LINE-1 and LINE-2 content show the greatest individual discriminatory power. Finally, as few as 12 features can be used for accurate support vector machine classification. Taken together, these results suggest that features of the underlying primary DNA sequence of the human X chromosome may influence the spreading and/or maintenance of X inactivation.


The Mesozoic around the northern North Atlantic was characterized by a succession of extensional tectonic events separated by periods of regional subsidence governed by thermal contraction. Sedimentation was controlled by tectonic subsidence, sediment and water loading, isostatic compensation, sediment influx, climate, and eustatic and relative sea-level variations at several scales. A series of examples from the Upper Triassic–Lower Cretaceous from East Greenland and the Northern North Sea have been selected to illustrate the relative importance of the controlling factors on depositional systems of different temporal and spatial scale. A long-term eustatic rise, superimposed by short-term cycles thus started in the Hettangian and culminated in the Kimmeridgian, whereas the main tectonic events include uplift of a major dome in the Early Jurassic, subsidence of the dome in the Middle Jurassic, and domal collapse and rifting in the Late Jurassic. The syn- to early post-rift Wollaston Forland Group (Volgian–Valanginian) is an example of a strongly tectonically controlled coarse-grained deep-water system deposited on tilted fault blocks. Deposition of the partly contemporaneous Fynselv Member (Raukelv. Formation) took place during uniform regional subsidence mainly governed by thermal contraction; relative sea-level variations appear to be the dominant factor controlling the sedimentary architecture. The two successions differ dramatically in geometry, facies and sedimentary processes. The tilted fault block example seems, however, to include the same number of roughly contemporaneous large-scale cycles as the unit deposited in the uniformly subsiding basin. This suggests that a relative sea-level signal can be recognized also in the tectonically controlled deep-water succession. The effects of sea-level control on contemporaneous shallow marine successions are illustrated by the Middle Jurassic Vardekloft Formation and the Brent Group of the Northern North Sea. The two units show great similarity and contemporaneity in terms of facies, parasequence stacking patterns, and systems tract successions. This allows formulation of a combined age and lithological model, which can be used in prediction of spatially separated systems tracts, some of which may contain unrecognized reservoir bodies. The similar development is highly suggestive of eustatic control. However, both regions were affected by large-scale doming, and the uniform development of the two systems may thus be controlled by relative sea-level changes reflecting large-scale tectonic processes. Finally, a high resolution sequence stratigraphic analysis of the lacustrine Rhaetian–Sinemurian Kap Stewart Formation is presented to demonstrate a hitherto unrecognized play type. Correct identification of sequence stratigraphic elements in this formation allows prediction of significant deltaic reservoir sandstones interbedded with black organic-rich lacustrine mudstones with excellent source rock potential. Combined low and high resolution sequence stratigraphy can be used in large-scale lithological prediction and comparison between systems situated far apart, and in detailed within-system predictions on a reservoir scale.


We present an enhanced Raman spectroscopy using sub 10 nm plasmonic nanotrenches directly grown on a silicon nitride slot waveguide using atomic layer deposition (ALD). A novel ALD process for gold deposition at 100◦ C is used, the precursor and reactant used for this process are Me3AuPMe3 and H2 plasma, respectively. The fabricated Raman sensor exhibits ∼ 1.5 × 10−8 pump to Stokes conversion efficiency for a monolayer of 4-Nitrophenol. This is at least an order of magnitude higher than the state of art nanoplasmonic waveguide based Raman sensors.


Background
Studies showed that Toll like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the development of retinal angiogenesis.However, the effect and mechanism of TLR4 affecting angiogenesis in oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) had not been clarified yet.

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TLR4 in oxygen induced retinal neovascularization in mice.

Methods
Eighteen 7-day-old (P7) C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normoxic group, OIR model group and OIR+ lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-EB group.OIR models were established by exposing the mice with maternal mouse to 75% oxygen environment for 5 days, then 1 mg/kg LPS-EBO and PBS were intraperitoneally injected in P12 mice in the OIR+ LPS-EB group and OIR model group, respectively.Whole retinal flatmounts of P17 mice were prepared and Lectin staining was performed to calculate the ratio of avascular and neovascular area to retina area.The frozen sections of the posterior ocular segment were prepared, and the number of activated microglial cell was detected by immunofluorescence technique, and the expressions of CD11b and TLR4 in the microglial cells as well as the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assayed by fluorescence double labeling method.The use and care of the experimental animals complied with ARVO Statement.

Results
The distribution and morphology of retinal vessels were normal in P17 mice of the normoxic group, and avascular and new blood vessels cluster were found in the mice of the OIR group and OIR+ LPS-EB group.The ratio of avascular area was (18.47±1.32)% and that of the new blood vessel area was (3.29±0.85)% in the OIR+ LPS-EB group, which were increased in comparison with (15.78±1.44)% and (1.77±0.19)% of the OIR group (t=3.36, P=0.01; t=4.22, P=0.00). Immunofluorescence results displayed a few Iba1+ microglia cells in the normoxic group, the cells number were significantly higher in the OIR+ LPS-EB group than that in the OIR group ([95.50±4.77]/5 mm versus [74.83±4.17]/5 mm; t=8.00, P<0.01). TLR4+ microglia cells were few in the normoxic group, and the cells number were evidently higher in the OIR+ LPS-EB group than that in the OIR group ([49.50±6.38]/5 mm versus [28.17±6.24]/5 mm, t=5.86, P<0.01). The number of microglia cells coexpressing CD11b with VEGF/IL-1β/TNF-α were (1.17±0.75) /5 mm, 0 and 0 in P17 mice of the normoxic group, respectively, and the cells number in the OIR+ LPS-EB group was more than that in the OIR group ([44.50±8.78]/5 mm versus [28.50±5.61]/5 mm, F=44.01, P<0.01; [24.10±6.49]/5 mm versus [16.00±3.46]/5 mm, F=11.31, P<0.01; [33.83±14.82]/5 mm versus [23.00±2.83]/5 mm, t=19.92, P<0.01).

Conclusions
TLR4 promotes retinal neovascularization probably by activating specific signaling pathways downstream of microglia cells and accelerating the release of vascular growth factors and inflammatory factors.

Key words:
Toll like receptor 4; Retinal neovascularization; angiogenesis; Ischemia/pathology; Neuroglia/metabolism; Disease models, animal; Mice, inbred C57BL; Inflammation mediators/metabolism; Signal transduction


AbstractConventional batch dibromocyclopropanations by reaction of bromoform and alkenes under phase-transfer conditions require strong base (50% NaOH (aq)), vigorous stirring, and often long reaction times. Using flow chemistry in a microreactor, the reactions were found to be smooth, rapid, and high-yielding under ambient conditions when 40% (w/w) NaOH was used as the base. The reaction has been tested with a representative selection of alkenes, displaying a variety of structural features.


This paper, prepared under the Rural Travel and Transport Project (RTTP) of the sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) focuses on local level transport in rural Africa. Households surveys and case studies on intermediate means of transport (IMT) and the role of transport in women's lives were carried out to enhance the understanding of the circumstances under which local level transport imposes a constraint, of the nature of that constraint, and of the appropriate measures to alleviate the constraint. The report synthesizes the key findings and recommendations from research comprising five village-level surveys of household travel and transport demands in three countries - Burkina Faso, Uganda and Zambia. The paper examines the multi-sectoral implications of rural transport and the related issues in policy formation, institutional structure and planning. It defines a range of policy measures which would facilitate an effective response to rural transport needs. It also advocates a more integrated approach to rural transport planning at the local level and recommends that accessibility be considered in the design of many types of development projects and programs. This report presents a synthesis of key findings from the research and an agenda for those whose aim is to improve rural mobility and access in sub-Saharan Africa.


The paper examines statistical and economic evidence of out-of-sample bond return predictability for a real-time Bayesian investor who learns about parameters, hidden states, and predictive models over time. We find some statistical evidence using information contained in forward rates. However, such statistical predictability can hardly generate any economic value for investors. Furthermore, we find that strong statistical and economic evidence of bond return predictability from fully-revised macroeconomic data vanishes when real-time macroeconomic information is used. We also show that highly levered investments in bonds can improve short-run bond return predictability.


Part One: Diversity and Inequality in Health Care. Overview. NHS Strategy - Practical application from NHS Executives EOP Document) Equality in Nurse Education: Practical application from the RCN . Women in the caring professions: a case in point. The special role which women have played in health and social care agencies including a historical perspective. Research Practical Reflection. Healthcare needs of Drug using prostitutes. Part 2. The Ethical and Legal Frameworks. Ethics and Equality. Ethical Dilemmas. Policy and People. The Law and Policy. Ageism and the Law. Elderly people and surgery. Whistle Blowing: Article from the Caribbean Times. Part Three Managing Change: Diversity, the key to success. Diversity, Change and the Professional Manager. Getting it Right: The Cultural Competence Model. Professionals and change in Primary Care. How to conduct a diagnostic reading in the change environment. A Framework for Change. A case study of the Charter House Trust. Engaging different parts of the organisation. The Newham Approach and policies. Sexual Orientation issues. Part 4. Developing the Diverse workforce. Theoretical - Developing Individuals. A workforce fit for purpose. Developing a diverse workforce to deliver healthcare to culturally diverse clientele: The Bradford Experience - a case study. EnGendering Development. An example of a personal development programme for women. Anti-racist Training. Part Five. The Diverse Team, Making it Work. Managing Teams. Maintaining cultural pride and professional credibility: Issues for Black managers. Cultural Differences between Nurses and GPs. Expanding the Team Outwardly. Building Partnerships and Teamwork with Communities. Part Six - Diversity and Service Quality. Clinical Governance and Diversity and Service Quality. Managing specialist Services: specific management challenges. Haemoglobinopathy Service in Liverpool. Lesbian and Gay Alcohol Project in Manchester. Learning Disabilities. Managing Services for Travelle


Ultrasonographic investigation of the various forms of chronic venous insufficiency has substantial advantages compared to diagnosis with the competing phlebogram, particularly preoperatively. Important details such as side branches in the region of the groin, course variations of the small saphenous vein and insufficiency of the perforators in the lower leg are sometimes missed in the antegrade phlebogram. However, it is absolutely necessary to take these into consideration in order to attain a substained good result of surgery. With adequate qualification of the investigator and using all ultrasound techniques, diagnosis by sonography is better than by means of antegrade phlebogram. There are clear specifications for the documentation. With regard to costs and time required, ultrasonographic investigation of chronic venous insufficiency is superior to the antegrade phlebogram and can be repeated at any time.


Though unacknowledged by the larger literary world, which looked down on Southern California as a cultural desert, poetry flourished in the Los Angeles of the 1950s. But the very period during which the arts were burgeoning was shadowed by the work of the regional committees that brought the anti-Communist investigations of Senator Joseph McCarthy to Hollywood. Two Los Angeles literary journals, "The California Quarterly" and "Coastlines," made a strong stand against McCarthyism. The two published many of the same writers and artists and shared the same liberal politics. Combined, they represent almost thirteen years of poetry and graphic arts in Los Angeles. "Poets of the Non-Existent City" collects for the first time the poems, artwork, and commentary of these journals, long buried in literary archives. Among the nineteen poets whose work is presented here are Tom McGrath, Naomi Replansky, Charles Bukowski, Gene Frumkin, Sid Gershgoren, and Josephine Ain. Brief memories from some of the poets who are still living are also included, and the editor places the poetry in the context of the Beat movement and the fashion of reading poetry aloud and with jazz, as well as in the context of McCarthy censorship. As this collection vividly demonstrates, the poets and artists were not intimidated by pressure to refrain from social and political commentary or to write about the uncontroversial. Two of their number were brought before the committee; one was blacklisted, and the first issue of "Coastlines" was enshrined in the files of the FBI. But "Poets of the Non-Existent City" also shows us a community of writers and artists sustained not by their politics but by their passion for language and the things of this world.


Podophyllotoxin derivatives like etoposide 7a, etophos 7b, and teniposide 7c are used clinically as potent chemotherapeutic agents for a variety of tumors including small cell lung carcinoma, testicular cancer, and malignant lymphoma. These compounds derived from a series of modifications which converted podophyllotoxin 1a from an entity that interacted with tubulin and blocks mitosis to one that induced a block in late S or early G2 by interacting with topoisomerase II. Synthetic studies on podophyllotoxin derivatives can be divided in four general approaches (the oxo-ester route, the digydroxy acid route, the tandem conjugate addition route and the Diels-Alder route). Albeit a number of synthetic sequences afforded products with excellent enantiopurities, the low overall yields still disqualify synthesis as an alternative for naturally produced materials. An alternative route based on the enzyme-catalyzed cyclization of synthetic intermediates to analogues of the podophyllotoxin family is being explored. Synthetic dibenzylbutanolides, which were revealed by biosynthetic studies to be the precursors of aryltetralin lignans, have been treated with enzymes derived from cell cultures of Podophyllum peltatum, Catharanthus roseus, Nicotiana sylvestris and Cassia didymobotrya. The ciclyzation process afforded however compounds with a different stereochemistry in the C ring. The obtainment of a novel compound with a bynzylidenebenzylbutirolactone structure still leaves considerable scope for exploring biotransformations in order to obtain podophyllotoxin analogues via a combination of synthetic chemistry and biotechnological methods.


In this paper, we propose a texture-based method for automatically locating the optic disk on the retinal fundus images. Totally 46 fundus images were used for the experiment, in which 23 images were randomly chosen and used for training and the others for testing the performance of the proposed method. In the training step, 3 blocks containing the 1% brightest pixels were collected from each image, which accounted for 69 blocks, and used as the training set. The weighted function was defined by linearly combining three regression lines obtained by fitting three pairs of statistic parametric relations, which were then used to precisely detect the optic disk regions from the retinal fundus images. The proposed method shows that it can effectively eliminate incorrect optic disk detection caused by extending bright areas around the optic disk and significantly improves the performance compared to previous studies. Retinal Fundus Image, Optic Disk, Texture, Statistic parameters, Eigenface


The aim of this paper is to provide the methodological basis for the possible direction of analysis of the correlation of output and productivity in agriculture. The basic intention of the author is to explain and show the concept on the basis of general theoretical statements present in macro-economic science, that can be used in the analysis of the agricultural sector. The concept of modeling changes in productivity based on the modernization and transformation of agriculture in accordance with the degree of economic development оf the observed country. The results that come up in the paper provide a basis for interpreting the changes that are occurring in the agricultural sector with the introduction of technological innovations and increasing the funds of various types of capital.


ABSTRACT The murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) 18B7 [immunoglobulin G1(κ)] is in preclinical development for treatment ofCryptococcus neoformans infections. In anticipation of its use in humans, we defined the serological and biological properties of MAb 18B7 in detail. Structural comparison to the related protective MAb 2H1 revealed conservation of the antigen binding site despite several amino acid differences. MAb 18B7 was shown by immunofluorescence and agglutination studies to bind to all four serotypes of C. neoformans, opsonize C. neoformans serotypes A and D, enhance human and mouse effector cell antifungal activity, and activate the complement pathway leading to deposition of complement component 3 (C3) on the cryptococcal capsule. Administration of MAb 18B7 to mice led to rapid clearance of serum cryptococcal antigen and deposition in the liver and spleen. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that MAb 18B7 bound to capsular glucuronoxylomannan in infected mouse tissues. No reactivity of MAb 18B7 with normal human, rat, or mouse tissues was detected. The results show that both the variable and constant regions of MAb 18B7 are biologically functional and support the use of this MAb in human therapeutic trials.


Abstract Purpose: Definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer is based on biopsies, a procedure associated with side-effects. The use of biomarkers in blood and urine could potentially help clinicians select patients for whom biopsies are needed. The aim of the study was to test a new urine and plasma biomarker test in detecting medium and high grade prostate cancer. Materials and methods: Blood and urine samples were prospectively collected from 41 patients prior to prostate biopsy or TUR-P and again after 3 months. The cohort included patients with suspicion of prostate cancer and patients with prior prostate cancer diagnosis. The mRNA expression of ten selected genes measured by PCR were used together with clinical data in multiple algorithms for prediction of medium-high grade prostate cancer in prostate biopsies. The testing was originally developed and validated in the USA. The method was transferred to a local Danish laboratory. Medium and high grade cancer was defined as Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4. Results: Using the biomarker test, prior to any prostate procedures, the sensitivity for detecting medium-high grade prostate cancer was 100% and the specificity was 56% and 63%, depending on the cut-off point used. When using the biomarker test, following biopsy or TUR-P, the sensitivity and specificity were reduced to 89% and 28–34% respectively. When comparing results, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05), favoring the test performed prior to the procedures. Conclusions: We were able to predict the presence of medium-high grade prostate cancer, thereby confirming earlier findings of the biomarker test.


This paper summarizes the process development of TiN barrier etching in presence of copper, for a thick copper level in BICMOS technology. In an industrial context, we have chosen to use a SC1 chemistry in a spin etch single wafer tool. The SC1 composition and therefore the pH level allows - the barrier to be etched with no metallic residues, ( if not clear this can be a source for shorts) - control of the selectivity between copper and TiN - control of lateral etching under copper lines, the possible source of open chains by W attack during TiN etch. The electrical results show a robust process according to current specifications, in terms of leakage and via resistance with a fresh chemistry approach. In fact, the recirculation of SC1 is not possible due to substantial concentration changes during processing, high evaporation rate of Ammonia and high decomposition rate of Peroxide in the presence of copper on surface wafer.


Complex fracture networks (CFN) provide flow channels and significantly affect well performance in unconventional reservoirs. However, traditional rate transient analysis (RTA) models barely consider the effect of CFN on production performance. The impact of multi-phase flow on rate transient behaviors is still unclear especially under CFN. Neglecting these effects could cause incorrect rate transient response and erroneous estimation of well and fracture parameters. This paper investigates multi-phase rate transient behaviors considering CFN, and tries to investigate in what situations the multi-phase models should be used to obtain more accurate results. Firstly, an embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM) is generated instead of LGR method to overcome time-intensive computation. The model is coupled with reservoir models using non-neighboring connections (NNCs). Secondly, eight cases are designed using the EDFM technology to analyze effect of natural fractures, formation permeability, and relative permeability on rate transient behaviors. Thirdly, Blasingame plot, log-log plot, and linear flow plot are used to analyze the differences of rate transient response between single-phase and multi-phase flow in reservoirs with CFN. For multi-phase flow, severe deviations can be observed on RTA plots compared with single-phase model. Combination of three RTA type curves can characterize the differences from early to late flow regimes and improve the interpretation accuracy as well as reduce the non-unicity. Finally, field data analysis in Permian Basin demonstrates that multi-phase RTA analysis are required for analyzing production and pressure data since single-phase RTA analysis will lead to big errors especially under high water cut during fracturing fluid flowback period, early production of unconventional gas wells or after waterflooding or water huff-n-puff.


Polymer composites of Sulphonated Poly Ether Ether Ketone (SPEEK)- MontMorrilonite clay (MMT) with varying concentrations ofMMT, were considered as materials for synthesizing Polymer ElectrolyteMembranes (PEM). The MMT was added to check for variations in the mechanical stability, solvent absorption and proton conductivity of the composites with virgin SPEEK. The membranes were cast fromsolution using N-Methyl- 2-Pyrrolidone (NMP). FT-IR confirmed the presence of sulphonic acid groups in the membranes and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the amorphous nature of the composites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed good dispersion and distribution of the MMT particles without any agglomerations. Thermal analysis confirmed thermal stability of the composite membranes upto 200°C and tensile test measurements showed higher tensile strength for the composites than virgin SPEEK. Electrochemical Impedance (EIS) showed an increase in proton conductivity for the composites when compared to virgin SPEEK. After characterization, Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) was fabricated with Nafion, SPEEK, SPEEK-MMT for performance evaluation of the membranes. The composites showed higher current density when compared to virgin SPEEK and Nafion.


: Features of the immune response of children with chronic hepatitis C to the antiviral and pathogenetic therapy have been studied. It is shown that the antiviral therapy is accompanied by stimulation of the immune response as manifested by the synthesis of cytokines (IL-4, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma) with retention of increased production of IFN-a for more than two years after the end of the course of treatment. In children that previously received interferon inductor (cycloferon) for 12 months, high level of IFN-a production is retained, which ensures antiviral protection. Phytotherapy did not influence the production of cytokines.


In the past two decades numerous woody plants of the family Solanaceae native to South and Central America be- came popular ornamentals in many European countries. These plants are vegetatively propagated and may act as sources of pathogens of new world origin. Lycianthes ranton- netii (syn. Solanum rantonnetii) known as blue potato bush is a symptomless host of viroids (Luigi et al., 2011). In autumn of 2012, a three-year-old bush of L. rantonnettii decorating a home garden in northeastern Hungary exhibited a peculiar yellow-green mosaic on the top leaves. Inoculation of test plants with the extract of diseased leaves caused necrotic lesions on Chenopodium quinoa, mosaic mottling on Nico- tiana tabacum Xanthi-NC and Cucumis sativus, as well as mosaic and leaf narrowing on Capsicum annuum, suggest- ing the presence of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). To con- firm the presence of CMV, total nucleic acid was extracted from symptomatic tobacco leaves and used in RT-PCR with primers designed in the coat protein gene of subgroups I and II (K. Salanki unpublished information; Gellert et al., 2012). A DNA fragment of the expected size of 1030 bp was amplified using subgroup I-specific primers only. The PCR product was cloned and sequenced (GenBank accession No. KC306960). Sequence analysis showed that the CMV strain from L. rantonnettii grouped with subgroup IA and is closely related to CMV-Fny and CMV-Rs with 99% and 100% iden- tity at nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. This is the first record of a viral infection of L. rantonnettii, which is also a new natural host of CMV.


Background When a child swallows or inserts a button battery into the nose or ears, it can get stuck in the throat or in the nose or ear canal. Saliva triggers an electrical current causing severe burns and tissue damage within 2 hours. This results in serious injury that may require surgery, or even the death of a child. Between 2011 and 2013, the National Poisons Centre of New Zealand received 175 calls regarding children under 6 years swallowing or inserting batteries into their nose or ears. 63 children have also been treated at the Starship Children's Health Emergency Department from March 2009 to February 2012. Children under 6 years old represent the greatest risk. Small children often have easy access to coin-sized batteries and devices that use them, and many parents do not know there is a risk. Objective Develop an effective collaboration with government and non-government agencies, industry, design experts and medical first responders to proactively address an emerging child injury issue—the ingestion and insertion of powerful coin sized lithium batteries by children. Results In April 2014, Safekids Aotearoa announced The Battery Controlled – a partnership to raise awareness about this issue and share information with the medical first responders, medical community, regulators, parents, caregivers, manufacturers and retailers. This effort is committed to helping prevent children from swallowing coin-sized button batteries, and for parents and medical first responders to know what to do if they suspect a child has swallowed a button battery. This presentation will describe the key components of the campaign, including identifying key partners and how each contributed to addressing the injury issue from all angles – regulation, product design, packaging, education and awareness. 15,000 pamphlets were distributed throughout education and health providers, home visitors and care givers to families around the country. 240 kits to demonstrate the risks of the product and how the injury can be prevented were provided to organisations and government services. 90% of the resource users evaluated the material as effective and very effective and that they learnt a lot about the issue. The presentation also describes the different mediums and technology used to reach the right audience. Conclusions Outcomes to date include support from the then Ministers of Health and Consumer Affairs, International recognition for New Zealand as a world-leader in button battery child injury prevention, strong media support and heightened public awareness of the injury issue.


We estimate the critical proportion of immunity (Pc) to control hepatitis B in Medellin - Colombia, based on a random population survey of 2077 individuals of 6-64 years of age. The force of infection (Fi) was estimated according to empirical data of susceptibility by age S(a), assuming a quadratic expression. Parameters were estimated by adjusting data to a nonlinear regression. Fi was defined by -(ds(a)/da)/s(a) and according to the form of the empirical curve S(a) we assume a quadratic expression given by S(a)= Ea2+Ba+C. Then we have the explicit expression for the accumulated Fi by age given by F(a) = -a(Ea+B)/c. The expression of average infection age A is obtained as A = L + EL3/(3C)+BL2/(2C) and the basic reproductive number R0 is obtained as R0 = 1 + 6C/(6C+2EL2+3BL). From the las result we obtain the Pc given by Pc= 6C/(12C+2EL2+3BL). Numerical simulations were performed with the age-susceptibility proportion and initial values (a=0.02, b=20, c=100), obtaining an adjusted coefficient of multiple determination of 64.83%. According to the best estimate, the algebraic expressions for S(a) and the Fi were derived. Using the result of Fi, we obtain A = 30, L =85; R0 CI 95%: 1.42 – 1.64 and Pc: 0-0.29. These results indicate that at the worst case, to maintain control of the disease should be immunes at least 30% of susceptible individuals. Similar results were obtained by sex and residential area.


In recent years by increasing the sensitivity of loads to electricity power quality as well as power industry liberalization and reconstruction, distribution system reliability evaluation has been become more important. On the other hand with technology progression, time-varying tariffs of consumption electricity and increasing the diversity of loads in distribution network, inattention to the issue of load variation and its effects on distribution system reliability at different times and zonal conditions, does not have any justification. Considering load variation effects on reliability indices of the different zones of a distribution network, this paper applies a method for calculation of the expected interruption duration to rank the zones at each hour of a typical day that can be used in distribution network management, operation and expansion planning. With the aim of this method, taking into account the costumers' class, the loads are modeled and by means of a concept so called "Reliability Zones" in power systems, zonal reliability of the distribution network is assessed hourly along a day and the reliability zones are ranked based on their expected interruption duration.


Composition of pre-settled water, sludge properties in two different lines of an activated sludge plant, and suspended solids (SS) content in outgoing water were followed three times a week during one year. Sludge characteristics were: settling properties, residual turbidity, floc strength, filtration resistance, amount of extracellular polymers, microscope appearance and total length of filamentous organisms. The outgoing SS could be related to residual turbidity and sludge volume. These factors depended on the floc structure and the filament length. These were determined by sludge load or sludge age, water composition and the hydrodynamic history of the sludge. On basis of these and earlier findings a general model for properties of floes built by floc-forming organisms in activated sludge is proposed.


The commentary discusses key issues for assessment of performance management within health care. It supports the ambition to develop more realistic understandings of performance management based on insights from behavioral economics as suggested by Adam Oliver. However, it also points to several pitfalls and potential risks to consider when doing so. The commentary concludes that this is a promising field, but further research is needed to support the development of policy instruments.


Significance The recent surge in interpretability research has led to confusion on numerous fronts. In particular, it is unclear what it means to be interpretable and how to select, evaluate, or even discuss methods for producing interpretations of machine-learning models. We aim to clarify these concerns by defining interpretable machine learning and constructing a unifying framework for existing methods which highlights the underappreciated role played by human audiences. Within this framework, methods are organized into 2 classes: model based and post hoc. To provide guidance in selecting and evaluating interpretation methods, we introduce 3 desiderata: predictive accuracy, descriptive accuracy, and relevancy. Using our framework, we review existing work, grounded in real-world studies which exemplify our desiderata, and suggest directions for future work. Machine-learning models have demonstrated great success in learning complex patterns that enable them to make predictions about unobserved data. In addition to using models for prediction, the ability to interpret what a model has learned is receiving an increasing amount of attention. However, this increased focus has led to considerable confusion about the notion of interpretability. In particular, it is unclear how the wide array of proposed interpretation methods are related and what common concepts can be used to evaluate them. We aim to address these concerns by defining interpretability in the context of machine learning and introducing the predictive, descriptive, relevant (PDR) framework for discussing interpretations. The PDR framework provides 3 overarching desiderata for evaluation: predictive accuracy, descriptive accuracy, and relevancy, with relevancy judged relative to a human audience. Moreover, to help manage the deluge of interpretation methods, we introduce a categorization of existing techniques into model-based and post hoc categories, with subgroups including sparsity, modularity, and simulatability. To demonstrate how practitioners can use the PDR framework to evaluate and understand interpretations, we provide numerous real-world examples. These examples highlight the often underappreciated role played by human audiences in discussions of interpretability. Finally, based on our framework, we discuss limitations of existing methods and directions for future work. We hope that this work will provide a common vocabulary that will make it easier for both practitioners and researchers to discuss and choose from the full range of interpretation methods.


Objective. To explore the use of classical feedback control methods to achieve an improved deep brain stimulation (DBS) algorithm for application to Parkinson's disease (PD). Approach. A computational model of PD dynamics was employed to develop model-based rational feedback controller design. The restoration of thalamocortical relay capabilities to patients suffering from PD is formulated as a feedback control problem with the DBS waveform serving as the control input. Two high-level control strategies are tested: one that is driven by an online estimate of thalamic reliability, and another that acts to eliminate substantial decreases in the inhibition from the globus pallidus interna (GPi) to the thalamus. Control laws inspired by traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) methodology are prescribed for each strategy and simulated on this computational model of the basal ganglia network. Main Results. For control based upon thalamic reliability, a strategy of frequency proportional control with proportional bias delivered the optimal control achieved for a given energy expenditure. In comparison, control based upon synaptic inhibitory output from the GPi performed very well in comparison with those of reliability-based control, with considerable further reduction in energy expenditure relative to that of open-loop DBS. The best controller performance was amplitude proportional with derivative control and integral bias, which is full PID control. We demonstrated how optimizing the three components of PID control is feasible in this setting, although the complexity of these optimization functions argues for adaptive methods in implementation. Significance. Our findings point to the potential value of model-based rational design of feedback controllers for Parkinson's disease.


Steroidal glycoalkaloids are naturally occurring, secondary plant metabolites that are found in foods, including potatoes and tomatoes. Their content in plants is controlled by both genetic and environmental factors. Glycoalkaloid profiles can be passed to progenies during breeding and hybridization of wild and cultivated potatoes designed to develop improved potatoes. The most common potato, Solanum tuberosum, contains primarily the glycoalkaloids, alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine. However, wild-type potatoes being used for breeding new varieties contain other, less common glycoalkaloids. Because glycoalkaloid composition is a major criterion for the release of new potato cultivars, we used HPLC, TLC, GC, and GC/MS to determine their nature and content in several Solanum species widely used in potato breeding and hybridization programs. Solanum tuberosum, as well as S. andigena and S. stenotomum, contained alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine. S. canasense was found to contain only dehydrocommersonine. S. acaule contained alpha-tomatine and demissine. S. juzepczukii and S. curtilobum contained demissine and two previously unidentified glycoalkaloids. We characterized them as demissidine-glucose/rhamnose (1/1 ratio) and demissidine-galactose/glucose/rhamnose (1/1/1 ratio), tentatively named dihydro-beta(1)-chaconine and dihydrosolanine, respectively. We found extensive variability in the glycoalkaloid profiles in the tested potato varieties. The possible significance of these findings for plant breeding and food safety is discussed.


In this work, we propose a distributed rate allocation algorithm that minimizes the average decoding delay for multimedia clients in inter-session network coding systems. We consider a scenario where the users are organized in a mesh network and each user requests the content of one of the available sources. We propose a novel distributed algorithm where network users determine the coding operations and the packet rates to be requested from the parent nodes, such that the decoding delay is minimized for all clients. A rate allocation problem is solved by every user, which seeks the rates that minimize the average decoding delay for its children and for itself. Since this optimization problem is a priori non-convex, we introduce the concept of equivalent packet flows, which permits to estimate the expected number of packets that every user needs to collect for decoding. We then decompose our original rate allocation problem into a set of convex subproblems, which are eventually combined to obtain an effective approximate solution to the delay minimization problem. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheme eliminates the bottlenecks and reduces the decoding delay experienced by users with limited bandwidth resources. We validate the performance of our distributed rate allocation algorithm in different video streaming scenarios using the NS-3 network simulator. We show that our system is able to take benefit of inter-session network coding for simultaneous delivery of video sessions in networks with path diversity.


Objective: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) appears to be a promising agent in neurodegenerative disorders because they are associated with defects in the inner mitochondrial membrane and in oxidative phosphorylation. This report aims to highlight the role of CoQ10 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Methods: A 75 year old medical scientist (1 author TK) unbiased for treatment with CoQ10, volunteered for CoQ10 administration. He himself recorded his symptoms, mood, sensations, body weight, using limb Norris score, hand grip power for both hands. He received highly bioavailable CoQ10 in a dose of 500 mg twice daily initially followed by 200mg twice daily for treatment in 2005. (solubilized ubiquinol, Tishcon Corp. NY). His plasma CoQ10 level was obtained initially and after treatment with CoQ10. Results: He presented with weakness of left leg along with cramps in the left calf muscle with steppage gate in September 2000. He had wasting of muscles, fasciculations and exaggerated reflexes. He had rapid deterioration in hand grip power in the left hand and weakness in left lower limb followed by right limbs with inability in walking and routine activities. Treatment with ubiquinol in 2005, resulted in better hand grip power, mood and sensation within a month and in 2006, he reported that hand grip power and wasting of muscles are not progressing as rapidly as before administering CoQ10. Interpretations: Treatment with highly solubilized ubiquinol can provide benefit to patients with ALS. Further controlled trials would be necessary to confirm our findings.


This article examines the policies on drug control and regulation in Russia. We demonstrate that, although agencies involved in drug control and regulation are important for the reproduction of differentiated practices of drug use, they formulate a rather homogeneous image of a drug user as an unhealthy deviant and criminal, and an unequivocal threat to society. At the same time, in the process of policy realization, the most vulnerable groups of users become the main target of public intervention. As a result, stigmatization and violence against these groups becomes institutionalized and legitimized. Moreover, drug control and regulation resonate with a broader range of public policies and spill over into parts of society not associated with illicit drug use.


For any finite graph G and any field K of characteristic unequal to 2, we construct an algebraic variety X over K whose K-points parametrize K-Lie algebras generated by extremal elements, corresponding to the vertices of the graph, with prescribed commutation relations, corresponding to the nonedges. After that, we study the case where G is a connected, simply laced Dynkin diagram of finite or affine type. We prove that X is then an affine space, and that all points in an open dense subset of X parametrize Lie algebras isomorphic to a single fixed Lie algebra. If G is of affine type, then this fixed Lie algebra is the split finite-dimensional simple Lie algebra corresponding to the associated finite-type Dynkin diagram. This gives a new construction of these Lie algebras, in which they come together with interesting degenerations, corresponding to points outside the open dense subset. Our results may prove useful for recognizing these Lie algebras.


The financial crisis has damaged consumer confidence in the financial services market. Trillions of euro in losses and government bail-outs have partially been borne by taxpayers, small investors and retail customers in several member states. Against this background, this new book by CEPS Senior Fellow Rym Ayadi argues that European policy-makers ought to rethink their approach to financial market integration in order to continue the construction of the internal market for retail financial services. Urgent efforts should be taken to ensure financial safety for retail consumers and to enhance consumer protection at the EU level. To restore market and consumer confidence in retail financial services, she calls for the implementation of, European frameworks for financial safety, regulation and consumer protection..


Sialoadhesin (Siglec-1) is a macrophage-restricted sialic acid-binding receptor that mediates interactions with hemopoietic cells, including lymphocytes. In this study, we identify sialoadhesin counterreceptors on T lymphocytes. Several major glycoproteins (85, 130, 240 kDa) were precipitated by sialoadhesin-Fc fusion proteins from a murine T cell line (TK-1). Binding of sialoadhesin to these glycoproteins was sialic acid dependent and was abolished by mutation of a critical residue (R97A) of the sialic acid binding site in the membrane distal Ig-like domain of sialoadhesin. The 130- and 240-kDa sialoadhesin-binding glycoproteins were identified as the sialomucins CD43 and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (CD162), respectively. CD43 expressed in COS cells supported increased binding to immobilized sialoadhesin. Finally, sialoadhesin bound different glycoforms of CD43 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, including unbranched (core 1) and branched (core 2) O-linked glycans, that are normally found on CD43 in resting and activated T cells, respectively. These results identify CD43 as a T cell counterreceptor for sialoadhesin and suggest that in addition to its anti-adhesive role CD43 may promote cell-cell interactions.


The increase in GFR after an amino acid (AA) load, the so-called renal functional reserve, is impaired in the aged rat. Whether the renal functional reserve predicts the progression of renal disease in humans is controversial, but it is possible that age-related alterations of renal hemodynamics are relevant for the evolution of renal disease in the elderly. We compared renal hemodynamics before and after an AA infusion in 15 healthy normotensive subjects of young age (seven women, eight men; median age, 26 yr; range, 23 to 32) and in 10 subjects of old age (six women, four men; median age, 70 yr; range, 61 to 82) on normal dietary protein intake. Baseline GFR and effective RPF were measured after 12 h of fasting by the inulin (Cin) and para-aminohippurate (Cpah) steady-state infusion techniques. The renal functional reserve was examined after an overnight AA infusion (7% solution; 83 mL/h). Median basal Cin and Cpah were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the elderly (102 and 339 mL/min per 1.73 m2) than in the young subjects (122 and 647 mL/min per 1.73 m2), but virtually all GFR values of the elderly were still within the normal range. Median Cin upon infusion of AA was 118 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (range, 98 to 137) in the elderly and 146 (range, 120 to 171) in the young, respectively. Corresponding values of Cpah were 349 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in the elderly versus 689 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in the young. Cin increased significantly (P < 0.01) after the AA load in both young and elderly subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


In recent years, InAs nanowires have been demonstrated with the excellent electron mobility as well as highly efficient near-infrared and visible photoresponse at room temperature. However, due to the presence of a large amount of surface states that originate from the unstable native oxide, the fabricated nanowire transistors are always operated in the depletion mode with degraded electron mobility, which is not energy-efficient. In this work, instead of the conventional inorganic sulfur or alkanethiol surface passivation, we employ aromatic thiolate (ArS(-))-based molecular monolayers with controllable molecular design and electron density for the surface modification of InAs nanowires (i.e., device channels) by simple wet chemistry. More importantly, besides reliably improving the device performances by enhancing the electron mobility and the current on-off ratio through surface state passivation, the device threshold voltage (VTh) can also be modulated by varying the para-substituent of the monolayers such that the molecule bearing electron-withdrawing groups would significantly shift the VTh towards the positive region for the enhancement mode device operation, in which the effect has been quantified by density functional theory calculations. These findings reveal explicitly the efficient modulation of the InAs nanowires' electronic transport properties via ArS(-)-based molecular monolayers, which further elucidates the technological potency of this ArS(-) surface treatment for future nanoelectronic device fabrication and circuit integration.


A cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 patients presenting with genital ulcers at a primary health care centre in Kigali, Rwanda. Using clinical data and the results of a rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, we simulated the diagnostic outcome of two simple WHO flowcharts for the management of genital ulcers. These outcomes and a clinical diagnosis were then compared with the laboratory diagnosis based on culture for genital herpes and Haemophilus ducreyi and serology for syphilis. The prevalence of HIV infection was high (73%) but there was no difference between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients in the clinical presentation and etiology of genital ulcer disease. The proportion of correctly managed chancroid and/or syphilis cases was 99% using a syndromic approach, 82.1% using a hierarchical algorithm including an RPR test, and 38.3% with a clinical diagnosis. In situations where no laboratory support is available, a simple syndromic approach is preferable to the clinical approach for the management of genital ulcer. If an RPR test can be included in the diagnostic strategy, patients with a reactive RPR test should be treated for both syphilis and chancroid infection.


Interpersonal risk and resilience factors are prominent in current conceptual models of suicide. A growing body of empirical evidence links suicidal thoughts and behaviors to a range of interpersonal phenomenon adding further support to the value of this line of inquiry. At present, research on interpersonal phenomenon focuses on assessing individuals' perceptions of interpersonal phenomenon, such as appraisals of burdensomeness, experienced loneliness, and thwarted belongingness. As this line of research continues to develop, we argue that it would be valuable to consider incorporating conceptual models of interpersonal phenomenon and corresponding methodological approaches from closely allied fields. After providing a brief overview of interpersonal models of suicide, we present an introduction to conceptual models of interpersonal phenomenon developed in relationship science, describe how these models can be applied to the study of interpersonal phenomenon in suicide research, and close with a guided tutorial on data collection and statistical analysis methods for testing hypotheses derived from these conceptual approaches. References for additional reading are provided, and the Appendix S1 provides simulated data sets and statistical code for the analyses in the tutorial section.