Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) has been the modality of choice to assess small bowel inflammation in patients with Crohn disease (CD). It can also assess large bowel when not feasible to assess endoscopically. Transabdominal bowel ultrasound (TABUS) is an attractive non-invasive tool to assess CD activity. Studies to date have focused on its correlation to large bowel endoscopic findings in adult CD. This study aimed to compare TABUS and MRE in identifying small and large bowel CD in pediatric patients.

 Pediatric patients (≤18 years old) seen for suspected CD were prospectively enrolled and underwent baseline TABUS, endoscopy, MRE, blood work and stool studies. The Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) and Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) were used to assess disease activity. Bowel wall thickness (BWT) was assessed by TABUS and MRE. TABUS measurements were scored with the Simple Ultrasound Activity Score for Crohn Disease (SUS-CD) (0=≤3mm, 1=3–4.9mm, 2=5–7.9mm, 3=≥8mm). Pearson Chi-square was used to compare BWT between TABUS and MRE.

 21 patients (71% male) were included, with a median age of 13 years (range 6–16). Median PCDAI was 40 (25–49) and SES-CD 15 (6.5–22). There was a high level of agreement between MRE and TABUS (Figure 1) with some disagreement in the jejunum (n=9/21, 43%). For terminal ileal (TI) disease where there was disagreement, endoscopy of TI was in agreement with TABUS in two patients and MRE in five patients. Endoscopic TI disease that was documented as normal on TABUS was mild (SES-CD 3). In patients with abnormal MRE, BWT was not significantly different between the two modalities (Table 1). In patients with normal MRE, TABUS SUS-CD scores were accurately 0 in almost all segments (score 1 in TI) (Table 2). TABUS correctly identified no fistulae and 2 small bowel strictures (identified at endoscopy), but did not detect 1 intra-abdominal abscess and 4 large bowel strictures (only 1 stricture seen on endoscopy). Excessive lymph nodes (>4) were successfully seen on TABUS in 10/16 patients. TABUS correctly identified 75% of patients with significant mesenteric fibrofatty proliferation. Hyperemia on TABUS corresponded to an abnormal MRE for that segment in 92–100% of small bowel and 50–86% of large bowel.

 TABUS and MRE are comparable modalities in the assessment of small and large bowel disease in newly diagnosed pediatric CD patients. Assessment of proximal small bowel is complex, and MRE may over-call disease. MRE still plays an important role in assessing abscesses and mild large bowel narrowing. Hyperemia on TABUS is an important indicator of active bowel inflammation, and is particularly useful for endoscopically inaccessible small bowel.


Background:  Human Resource is one of the valuable assets for organisations to facilitate the achievement of competitive advantage. Managing human resources is very challenging and must be done with care in organisations. Retention of human resources has is integral to the development and the accomplishment of the organisation's goals and objectives. The main determinants for employee retention such as Career Development Opportunities, Superior Support, Work Environment, Rewards, and Work-Life Policies and recognition have a great paradigm to retain the employees for longer periods of time. Aim:  In this article, an attempt has been made to assess the impact of HRM practices and its effectiveness on employee retention in Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB). Setting:  The study was conducted in the Ghana Commercial Bank head office in Accra Methods:  The study made use of both the qualitative and quantitative research methods in data collection. Both primary and secondary data were collected to assess the role of commission-based pay on employee retention in the Ghanaian banking industry. The researcher sampled 10 senior management and 50 junior staff who are relationship managers and relationship officers of the bank for the sampling size. Results:  The study further revealed that commission-based pay involves meeting challenging targets which may contribute to demotivation if targets are not met. The study concludes that the form of motivation adopted by a company to remunerate staff on commission-based pay is essential to their work performance and retention. Conclusion:  The study recommends that banks should train and develop employees and create structures that will create organisational citizenship.


The effects of elevated levels of cyclic AMP induced by cholera toxin (CTx) were investigated on the differentiated promyelomonocytic cell line U937. After CTx treatment, the initial inhibition of the oxidative burst induced by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) was followed by a progressive increase over 20 h, resulting in 4-6-fold potentiation of the initial burst. Various cyclic-AMP-elevating agents produced similar potentiation of the FMLP- or C5a-induced oxidative burst, but the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced oxidative burst was not affected by CTx pretreatment of cells. Furthermore, the increase in arachidonate release and intracellular Ca2+ triggered by FMLP were amplified after CTx treatment. ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha subunits catalysed by pertussis toxin was slightly increased after CTx treatment, despite similar immunoreactivity of the alpha subunit of Gi2. FMLP binding sites present in CTx-treated membranes were 3-6 times more abundant than in control membranes. Expression of mRNAs encoding the FMLP receptor and one of its related receptors were enhanced after CTx treatment of both undifferentiated and undifferentiated U937 cells. In parallel, after undifferentiated cells were treated with CTx, they were able to increase intracellular Ca2+, but not the oxidative burst, in response to FMLP. These data demonstrate that CTx, by increasing cyclic AMP, enhances the expression of chemotactic receptors independently of U937 cell differentiation.


The StatoilHydro-operated Snohvit field is currently in the final preparatory stages of gas production. A thin oil column is present below the gas in the area. Poor seismic imaging in the western part of the field, due to shallow gas, has led to uncertainties in both seismic interpretation and hydrocarbon volume calculation. To reduce these uncertainties, ocean bottom cable seismic (OBC) data were acquired in late 2006. The OBC data were processed by CGGVeritas in 2007. A complex 4 component (4C) processing sequence was implemented along with extensive shear-wave statics work and imaging through anisotropic compressional (P reflected to P) and converted (P converted to S) wave pre-stack depth migrations (PSDM). The resulting PSDM OBC data images in the area beneath the shallow gas are significantly better than the images from streamer data. The PP images show that multi azimuth imaging, to a large extent, solves the illumination problems beneath the shallow gas. The PS images do not show signs of the high attenuation effects we see in the PP images. The combination of P and S velocity model building also allowed us to solve the shallow gas in the velocity model.


Gene fusions have a very important role in the study of cancer development. In this regard, predicting the probability of protein fusion transcripts of developing into a cancer is a very challenging and yet not fully explored research problem. To this date, all the available approaches in literature try to explain the oncogenic potential of gene fusions based on protein domain analysis, that is cancer-specific and not easy to adapt to newly developed information. In our work, we choose the raw protein sequences as the input baseline, and propose the use of deep learning, and more specifically Convolutional Neural Networks, to infer the oncogenity probability score of gene fusion transcripts and to group them into a number of categories (e.g., oncogenic/not oncogenic). This is an inherently flexible methodology that, unlike previous approaches, can be re-trained with very less efforts on newly available data (for example, from a different cancer). Based on experimental results on a large dataset of pre-annotated gene fusions, our method is able to predict the oncogenity potential of gene fusion transcripts with accuracy of about 72%, which increases to 86% if we consider the only instances that are classified with a high confidence level.


The current international asylum regime recognizes only persecuted persons as rightful asylum applicants. The Geneva Convention and Protocol enumerate specific grounds upon which persecution is recognized. Claimants who cannot demonstrate a real risk of persecution based on one of the recognized grounds are unlikely to be granted asylum. This paper aims to relate real-world practices to normative theories, asking whether the Convention's restricted preference towards persecuted persons is normatively justified. I intend to show that the justifications of the persecution criterion also apply to grounds currently lacking recognition. My main concern will be persecution on the grounds of gender. The first section introduces the dominant standpoints in theories of asylum, which give different answers to the question of who should be granted asylum, based on different normative considerations. Humanitarian theories base their claims on the factual neediness of asylum-seekers, holding that whoever is in grave danger of harm or deprivation should be granted asylum. Political theories base their justifications on conceptions of legitimacy and membership, holding that whoever has been denied membership in their original state should be granted asylum. Under political theories, Matthew Price's theory will be discussed, which provides a normative justification of the currently recognized persecution criterion. The second section provides a descriptive definition of persecution based on Kuosmanen (2014), and evaluates the normative relevance of the different elements of this definition based on the theories presented previously. The third section is devoted to the examination of the normative justifiability of the nexus clause's exclusive list of the bases (grounds) upon which persons might be persecuted. The section argues that while the clause does not recognize that persecution might be based on gender, in fact many women experience harms based on gender that fulfil all the normatively relevant definitive conditions constituting persecution. The conclusion shows that although the current law's preferences towards the persecuted are justifiable, the nexus clause's limiting enumeration of grounds is not. This applies especially to the exclusion of gender as grounds for granting asylum.


Abstract. Predictions of catchment hydrology have been performed generally using either physically based, distributed models or conceptual lumped or semi-distributed models. In recognition of the disadvantages of using either of these modeling approaches, namely, detailed data requirements in the case of distributed modeling, and lack of physical basis of conceptual/lumped model parameters, Reggiani et al. (1998, 1999) derived, from first principles and in a general manner, the balance equations for mass, momentum and energy at what they called the Representative Elementary Watershed (or REW) scale. However, the mass balance equations of the REW approach include mass exchange flux terms which must be defined externally before their application to real catchments. Developing physically reasonable "closure relations" for these mass exchange flux terms is a crucial pre-requisite for the success of the REW approach. As a guidance to the development of closure relations expressing mass exchange fluxes as functions of relevant state variables in a physically reasonable way, and in the process effectively parameterizing the effects of sub-grid or sub-REW heterogeneity of catchment physiographic properties on these mass exchange fluxes, this paper considers four different approaches, namely the field experimental approach, a theoretical/analytical approach, a numerical approach, and a hybrid approach combining one or more of the above. Based on the concept of the scaleway (Vogel and Roth, 2003) and the disaggregation-aggregation approach (Viney and Sivapalan, 2004), and using the data set from Weiherbach catchment in Germany, closure relations for infiltration, exfiltration and groundwater recharge were derived analytically, or on theoretical grounds, while numerical experiments with a detailed fine-scale, distributed model, CATFLOW, were used to obtain the closure relationship for seepage outflow. The detailed model, CATFLOW, was also used to derive REW scale pressure-saturation (i.e., water retention curve) and hydraulic conductivity-saturation relationships for the unsaturated zone. Closure relations for concentrated overland flow and saturated overland flow were derived using both theoretical arguments and simpler process models. In addition to these, to complete the specification of the REW scale balance equations, a relationship for the saturated area fraction as a function of saturated zone depth was derived for an assumed topography on the basis of TOPMODEL assumptions. These relationships were used to complete the specification of all of the REW-scale governing equations (mass and momentum balance equations, closure and geometric relations) for the Weiherbach catchment, which are then employed for constructing a numerical watershed model, named the Cooperative Community Catchment model based on the Representative Elementary Watershed approach (CREW). CREW is then used to carry out sensitivity analyses with respect to various combinations of climate, soil, vegetation and topographies, in order to test the reasonableness of the derived closure relations in the context of the complete catchment response, including interacting processes. These sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the adopted closure relations do indeed produce mostly reasonable results, and can therefore be a good basis for more careful and rigorous search for appropriate closure relations in the future. Three tests are designed to assess CREW as a large scale model for Weiherbach catchment. The first test compares CREW with distributed model CATFLOW by looking at predicted soil moisture dynamics for artificially designed initial and boundary conditions. The second test is designed to see the applicabilities of the parameter values extracted from the upscaling procedures in terms of their ability to reproduce observed hydrographs within the CREW modeling framework. The final test compares simulated soil moisture time series predicted by CREW with observed ones as a way of validating the predictions of CREW. The results of these three tests, together, demonstrate that CREW could indeed be an alternative modelling framework, producing results that are consistent with those of the distributed model CATFLOW, and capable of ultimately representing processes actually occurring at the larger scale in a physically sound manner.


This study analysed the effect of different electromyographic (EMG) capture rates during maximal voluntary contraction, submaximal and maximal dynamic cycling activity on EMG amplitude and signal characteristics. Ten healthy subjects participated in this study. Peak power output (PPO) and maximal isometric force output (MVC) were measured, followed by a progressive cycle ride on a cycle ergometer. Electromyographic (EMG) data were simultaneously captured during the MVC and cycling activities at frequencies of 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024 and 1984 Hz. Significant differences in amplitude were found (p < 0.01) between MVC, submaximal (SUB) and maximal cycling activities (PWATT) for all capture rates. Asymptote values for IEMG amplitude occurred at EMG capture rates of 1604 +/- 235.6 Hz during MVC, 503.1 +/- 236.2 Hz during PWATT and 326.2 +/- 105.4 Hz during SUB cycling activity and were significantly different (p < 0.01). No significant differences were found for force/EMG ratios between PWATT and MVC at 1984 Hz capture rates (3.8 +/- 1.7 N/V vs 2.5 +/- 0.9 N/V) while significant differences occurred at 32 Hz capture rate (6.2 +/- 3.8 vs 16.0 +/- 8.0; p < 0.01). Low correlations were found between EMG activity captured at 1984 Hz during PWATT and lean thigh volume (r = 0.36) and MVC (r = 0.32). Asymptote values found on this study suggest that data captured below 326 Hz for SUB, 503 Hz for PWATT and 1604 Hz for MVC are not reliable. Therefore apparatus capturing EMG data at low frequencies from these values cannot be used for quantitative data analyses.


Purpose The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of podocyte is one of the well-known major factors in development of diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we investigated the effects of aldose reductase inhibitor, fidarestat on diabetic nephropathy, and renal VEGF expression in a type 1 diabetic rat model. Materials and Methods Twenty four Sprague-Dawley male rats which were performed intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and normal six rats were divided into four groups including a normal control group, untreated diabetic control group, aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor (fidarestat, 16 mg · kg-1 · day-1) treated diabetic group, and angiotensin receptor blocker (losartan, 20 mg · kg-1 · day-1) treated diabetic group. We checked body weights and blood glucose levels monthly and measured urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) at 8 and 32 weeks. We extracted the kidney to examine the renal morphology and VEGF expressions. Results The ACR decreased in fidarestat and losartan treated diabetic rat groups than in untreated diabetic group (24.79 ± 11.12, 16.11 ± 9.95, and 84.85 ± 91.19, p < 0.05). The renal VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were significantly decreased in the fidarestat and losartan treated diabetic rat groups than in the diabetic control group. Conclusion We suggested that aldose reductase inhibitor may have preventive effect on diabetic nephropathy by reducing renal VEGF overexpression.


The analysis of origin-destination traffic flows may be useful in many contexts of application (e.g., urban planning, tourism economics) and have been commonly studied through the gravity model, which states that flows are proportional to ''masses" of both origin and destination, and inversely proportional to distance between them. Using data on the flow of mobile phone SIM among different aree di censimento, recorded hourly basis for several months and provided by FasterNet in the context of MoSoRe project, in this work we characterize and model the dynamic of such flows over the time in the strongly urbanized and flood-prone area of the Mandolossa (western outskirts of Brescia, northern Italy), with the aim of predicting the traffic flow during flood episodes. Whereas a traditional "static" mass explanatory variable is represented by residential population (Pop), or by gross domestic product (GDP), here we propose to use a most accurate set of explanatory variables in order to better account for the dynamic over the time. First, we employ a time-varying mass variable represented by the number of city-users by area and by time period, which has been estimated from mobile phone data (provided by TIM) using functional data approach and already adopted to derive crowding maps for flood exposure. Secondly, we include in the model a proper set of factors such as areal and time dummies, and a novel set of indices related to (e.g.) the number and the type of streets, the number of offices, restaurants or cinemas, which may be retrieved from OpenStreetMap. The joint use of these two novel sets of explanatory variables should allow us to obtain a better linear fitting of the gravity model and a better traffic flow prediction for the flood risk evaluation.


Background: Internet is a relatively new medium of disseminating health information. Studies on Internet usage for health information among patients have mainly been done in developed countries, and very few studies have been carried out in developing world. Objectives: These were to determine the percentage of patients attending specialist clinics that use Internet for health information, describe types of information sought and if patients share the information with their physicians. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Stratified sampling with equal allocation was done from four specialist clinics and respondents were then selected by simple random sampling. Results: One hundred and ninety-four respondents participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 31.24 ± 1.0 years. Majority were computer-literate 135 (69.60%) and had tertiary education 108 (55.70%). Sources of access to Internet and search engines used were phone set 167 (86.10%) and Google 147 (75.90%). Types of information sought on the Internet were on disease condition 55 (39.86%) and drug treatment 22 (15.94%); majority of respondents found the information useful 125 (64%) and shared it with their physicians. Educational status and not the age of respondents was significantly associated with computer literacy and Internet use (x2 = 46.03, df = 5, P = 0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed that respondents are knowledgeable on the use of Internet, how to search for information and a high proportion of the patients use it. With increasing access to mobile phones, Internet users will continue to rise overtime and so will demand for seeking medical information. Practical Implications: Health care professionals must acknowledge the use of Internet by their patients in search for knowledge, be ready to discuss such information and provide reliable guide to useful health websites.


Many cryptographic mechanisms depend upon the availability of securely generated random numbers. In practice, the sources of random numbers can be unreliable for many reasons, including bugs, compromise or subversion of standards. While there exist ways to significantly reduce the impact of unreliable randomness, these typically do not work well with practical constraints, such as long-term keys stored in hardware security modules. In practice, even modern protocols like TLS 1.3 lack such mechanisms and are therefore highly vulnerable to unreliable randomness.We propose a wrapper construction that reduces the impact of untrusted randomness, and which is is compatible with, and effective in, existing deployments of protocols such as TLS. We provide a security analysis of the construction and elaborate on design choices and practical interpretations. Our findings show that it is possible to effectively harden deployed protocols against unreliable randomness.


On 23 November 2012, a sudden dropout of the relativistic electron flux was observed after an interplanetary shock arrival. The dropout peaks at ∼1 MeV and more than 80% of the electrons disappeared from the drift shell. Van Allen twin Probes observed a sharp electron flux dropout with clear energy dispersion signals. The repeating flux dropout and recovery signatures, or "dropout echoes", constitute a new phenomenon referred to as a "drifting electron dropout" with a limited initial spatial range. The azimuthal range of the dropout is estimated to be on the duskside, from ∼1300 to 0100 LT. We conclude that the shock‐induced electron dropout is not caused by the magnetopause shadowing. The dropout and consequent echoes suggest that the radial migration of relativistic electrons is induced by the strong dusk‐dawn asymmetric interplanetary shock compression on the magnetosphere.


Data are a valuable resource. Research institutes are important data and data-service providers both for in-house and third-party science to science interaction as well as non-science stakeholders. Data warehousing plus information systems are used to perform data-resource management, but they tend to fail, mostly because they i) are not taken up by the users, ii) inadequately reflect the needs or working practices of users, who then resort to the internet and/or desktop files, iii) don't provide the information required, or iv) are too ambitious and become discontinued.

Aim:
Initiate user-driven identification/definition of components of a potential information/warehousing system (generic, task-specific, integrating, organizing, synthesising) by addressing the issues:
• Do we need an information system?
• Which types of information will it hold?
• Which amount of development work will it take?


Background Cause-of-death statistics underestimate the end-of-life occurrence of many diseases, including diabetes. Our aim is to estimate the end-of-life occurrence of diabetes by combining multiple cause of death data with register data covering primary care, hospital care and medication prescriptions. We investigate the added value of each medical register and assess the extent to which reporting of diabetes as a cause of death is associated with disease severity. Methods Our study population consisted of all deaths in the Netherlands (2015–2016) included in the Dutch primary care database (NIVEL-PCD; N=18.162). The proportion of deaths with diabetes (type I or II) within the last two years of life was calculated using cause of death and medical register data in isolation and combined. We assessed whether the proportion of diabetes reported in the causes of death registries varied according to disease severity as defined by medication prescriptions. Results Of all deaths, 2.2% had diabetes reported as the underlying cause of death, while 7.7% of the death certificates mentioned diabetes. Primary care registration yielded the highest rate in isolation (27.1%), followed by the medication (22.4%) and the hospital-any diagnosis (17.1%) data, while hospital-main diagnosis was limited (1.1%). According to all data sources combined, 28.7% of the study population had diabetes at the end of life. Of all deaths among those who were prescribed insulin (indicating severe diabetes), 11.9% had diabetes recorded as the underlying cause of death and 35.8% of the death certificates mentioned diabetes as a cause of death. For patients using oral antidiabetic medication, these proportions were only 5.7% and 24.2%, and for patients not using antidiabetic medication 4.2% and 16.7%. Conclusion More than one fourth of the Dutch population has diabetes at the end of life. Only a minority of this end-of-life diabetes occurrence is recorded as a cause of death, even for persons with severe diabetes. In the Netherlands, combining primary care data with multiple causes of death allows to find most cases with diabetes at the end of life.


The purpose of this is to educate on the adverse effect of cow's milk in an infant's diet while emphasizing the benefits of exclusively breastfeeding for up to 6 months. The health risks associated with introducing cow's milk to infants before 12 months of age include: iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, iron depletion, dehydration, excessive renal solute, risk of allergic responses, gastrointestinal problems, risk of obesity and development of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) later in life. This is contrasted with the benefits of exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months which include: guarding against ear infections, asthma, bowel difficulties, ear and respiratory infection and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Breast milk is also a protective agent against development of T1DM, T2DM and obesity. Breast Milk provides adequate amounts of calcium, energy requirement and omega-3 fatty acids for infants. Breastmilk alone is sufficient for optimal growth, development and health. Even knowing the health risks associated with introducing cow's milk during infancy and the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are still introducing cow's milk to their infants and breastfeeding for shorter than the recommended time. This is most likely due to lack of education and support, low socioeconomic status, lack of awareness of the negative health effects of early introduction to cow's milk during infancy and altering opinions among healthcare providers. If mothers can be more aware of these health problems and have consistent education from health care providers, more support from employers, society and family.


Food waste is a promising resource for the production of fuels and chemicals. However, increasing plastic contamination has a large impact on the efficiency of conversion for the more established biological routes such as anaerobic digestion or fermentation. Here, we assessed a novel route through the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of a model waste (pistachio hulls) and polypropylene (PP). Pure pistachio hulls gave a biocrude yield of 34% (w/w), though this reduced to 16% (w/w) on the addition of 50% PP in the mixture. The crude composition was a complex blend of phenolics, alkanes, carboxylic acids, and other oxygenates, which did not change substantially on the addition of PP. Pure PP does not breakdown at all under HTL conditions (350 °C, 15% solids loading), and even with biomass, there is only a small synergistic effect resulting in a conversion of 19% PP. This conversion was enhanced through using typical HTL catalysts including Fe, FeSO4·7H2O, MgSO4·H2O, ZnSO4·7H2O, ZSM-5, aluminosilicate, Y-zeolite, and Na2CO3; the conversion of PP reached a maximum of 38% with the aluminosilicate, for example. However, the PP almost exclusively broke down into a solid-phase product, with no enhancement of the biocrude fraction. The mechanism was explored, and with the addition of the radical scavenger butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), the conversion of plastic reduced substantially, demonstrating that radical formation is necessary. As a result, the plastic conversion was enhanced to over 50% through the addition of the co-solvent and hydrogen donor, formic acid, and the radical donor, hydrogen peroxide. The addition of formic acid also changed the crude composition, including more carboxylic acids and oxygenated species than the conversion of the biomass alone; however, the majority of the carbon distributed to the volatile organic gas fraction producing an array of short-chain volatile hydrocarbons, which potentially could be repolymerized as a polyolefin or combined with the biocrude for further processing. Catalytic HTL was therefore shown to be a promising method for the valorization of polyolefins with biomass under typical HTL conditions.


This letter studies a time-slotted multiple-access system with a primary user (PU) and a secondary user (SU) sharing the same channel resource. We propose a novel secondary access protocol which alleviates sensing errors and detects the availability of primary channels with the highest ability of detection. Under the proposed protocol, the SU may access the channel at one of a predefined instants within the time slot each of which associated with a certain access probability that changes based on the sensing outcome. There is also a possibility of accessing the channel at the beginning of the time slot without channel sensing. The optimization problem is stated such that the secondary throughput is maximized under stability of the primary queue and a constraint on the primary queueing delay. Numerical results demonstrate the beneficial gains of the proposed protocol in terms of secondary throughput.


The principle of legality is known in modern criminal law emerge from the scope of sociological Enlightenment doctrine that exalts the protection of people from abuse of power. Before coming Age of Enlightenment, the power to punish even without any regulations first. At that time, tastes kekuasaanlah most right to determine whether an act to be punished or not. To combat that, exists the principle of legality which is an important instrument of the protection of individual liberties in the face of the country. Thus, what is called the action that can be put into a regulatory authority, not power. According to legal experts, the roots of the idea of the principle of legality is derived from the provisions of Article 39 of the Magna Carta (1215) in the United Kingdom which ensure the protection of people from arrest, detention, seizure, disposal, and release of a person from the protection of the law / legislation, unless there is a judicial decision legitimate. This provision is followed Habeas Corpus Act (1679) in the UK that requires someone who is arrested is checked in a short time. This idea inspired the emergence of one of the provisions in the Declaration of Independence (1776) in the United States that says, no one should be prosecuted or arrested in addition to, and because of the actions set out in, legislation.Keywords: Principle of Legality; Criminal law; Indonesia; Thailand.


Introduction The breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is well recognised in tendinopathy and likely the cause of degenerative tendon tears. Tendinopathy and degenerative tears can be hard and expensive to treat. Understanding the cellular processes that lead to ECM breakdown will likely lead to improved treatments. With this in mind, the gene transcript profile for extracellular matrix remodelling of tendon specimens from people with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) and associated gluteal tendon tears were compared to an age and sex matched reference group. Methods Tendon specimens were collected from six participants undergoing gluteal tendon reconstruction for long standing (mean duration=41 months) GTPS, and four participants from an age-matched reference group (REF) of hip OA patients asymptomatic for GTPS. Specimens were collected using sterile technique and were stored at −80°C. RNA was isolated via laser capture micro-dissection (LCM) of areas of tendon that typified tendon rather than para-tendon or vessels within the specimen—identified using light microscopy and H&E staining. Specimens were tested using the SABiosciences array (PAHS-013). Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the site of a subset of the expressed genes. Results We report on gene regulation changes of at least five fold that were seen in the GTPS group compared to the REF group. Genes involved in extracellular matrix modelling were both up regulated (MMP7) and down regulated (MMP3). The following cell adhesion genes were up regulated: ITGAV, NCAM1, ITGAM, while ITG3 was down regulated. The following genes involved in ECM synthesis were up regulated (LAMC1, COL1A1, COL5A1, Col6A1), while ADMATS1, LAMB3, VTN were down regulated. Conclusions This paper presents a novel method of tissue specimen selection (LCM), reducing the likelihood of RNA contamination from cells other than tenocytes. Further, these results suggest that there is increased cell activity and collagen production indicating that the tendon is continuing to actively remodel despite prolonged tissue damage. This supports the role of appropriate advice regarding tendon loading and compression, exercises to strengthen the musclo-tendinous unit, and ongoing support to patients. Recovery from tendinopathy may be possible—even in longstanding cases.


Abstract Hot water epilepsy (HWE) is a subtype of reflex epilepsy in which seizures are triggered by the head being immersed in hot water. Hot water or bathing epilepsy is the type of reflex epilepsy most frequently encountered in our clinic. We describe our patients with HWE and also discuss the clinical features, therapeutic approaches, and prognosis. Eleven patients (10 boys, 1 girl), aged 12 months to 13 years, admitted to the pediatric neurology clinic between January 2018 and August 2019, and diagnosed with HWE or bathing epilepsy based on International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)-2017, were followed up prospectively for ∼18 months. Patients' clinical and electroencephalography (EEG) findings and treatment details were noted. All 11 patients' seizures were triggered by hot water. Age at first seizure was between 2 months and 12 years. Seizure types were generalized motor seizures, absence, and atonic. EEG was normal in two patients, but nine patients had epileptiform discharges. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed and reported as normal (except in one case). Histories of prematurity were present in two patients, unprovoked seizures in one, and low birth weight and depressed birth in the other. Patients with HWE have normal neuromuscular development and neurological examination results, together with prophylaxis or seizure control with a single antiepileptic drug, suggesting that it is a self-limited reflex epilepsy.


Using Monte Carlo simulation of 99Tcm single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), we investigate the effects of tissue-background activity, tumour location, patient size, uncertainty of energy windows, and definition of tumour region on the accuracy of quantification. The dual-energy-window method of correction for Compton scattering is employed and the multiplier which yields correct activity for the VI as a whole calculated. The model is usually a sphere containing radioactive water located within a cylinder filled with a more dilute solution of radioactivity. Two simulation codes are employed. Reconstruction is by ML-EM algorithm with attenuation compensation. The scatter multiplier depends only slightly on the sphere location or the cylinder diameter. It also depends little on whether correction is before or after reconstruction. At low background level, it changes with VOI size, but not at higher background. For a geometrical VOI, it is 1.25 at zero background, decreases sharply to 0.56 for equal concentrations, and is 0.44 when the background concentration is very large. Quantification is accurate (less than 9% error) if the test background is reasonably close to that used in setting the universal scatter-multiplier value, or if the test backgrounds are always large and so is the universal-value background, but not if the test backgrounds cover a large range of values including zero. Results largely agree with those from experiment after the experimental data with background is re-evaluated with prejudice.


The interaction between academia and society, by extension, is promoting social and academic transformations, generating and disseminating knowledge and learning for and with society. To describe the experience of actions of an extension in leprosy control. The activities took place in the municipality of Itapissuma- PE with waste pickers. We conducted a situational analysis of the socioeconomic situation and health of the participants, which provided the planning of activities for the active search for leprosy cases, educational activities, and actions taken in the context of social inclusion. In 2016 they were carried out educational activities in schools. We conducted an active search for new cases of leprosy, worker health on workshops, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis A and B, and laboratory tests, visit the diagnosed case and awareness campaigns in schools. The participation of nursing students in this type of action contributes to extensive training and committed to improving public health and inclusion of vulnerable groups.


What are the ethical implications of the shortcomings of liberal peacebuilding operations? This article addresses the problem by investigating the normative premises of liberal peacebuilding and its critics. Three ideal types of peacebuilding are singled out to illuminate the normative logic of current 'revisionist' proposals. These are: 're-liberal peacebuilding' which prescribes a more coercive approach; 'social peacebuilding' that emphasizes local agency and the promotion of socioeconomic rights; and 'multicultural peacebuilding' that roots peace in indigenous norms and institutions. These alternatives are assessed with regard to their ability to promote both the autonomy and the basic needs of the affected population. It is concluded that only 'social peacebuilding' passes this test. It exemplifies a model of global governance where a cosmopolitan human rights agenda is consistent with the communitarian defence of political autonomy and cultural diversity.


This work presents an efficient modification of the classical servo-loop static test setup aimed at the on-chip implementation of reduced-code static linearity test techniques. The proposed modified servo-loop provides a direct measurement of the width of a given ADC code without the need of an integrated voltmeter. The proposed measurement strategy is based on using a controlled step-wise ramp stimulus generator for exciting the ADC under test in such a way that the measurement of a code width can be determined in the digital domain by simply counting the number of ramp steps between two consecutive ADC output transitions. Moreover, the ability of the proposed servo-loop to target a given ADC code makes it very suitable for implementing advanced reduced-code static test techniques. This work analyses the performance limits of the proposed discrete-time servo-loop technique and explores its application to reduced-code linearity testing of pipeline ADCs.


Vegetables in natura, commercially traded in the metropolitan area of S. Paulo, were analysed by the appropriate methodology with a view to discovering an identifying the paths of transmission of enteroparasites of medical interest. The vegetables under study consisted of 50 samples of each variety listed below: lettuce (Lactuca sativa) -oily leaves and crisphead varieties, endive (Chicorium sp) and water-cress (Nasturtium Officinale). Results showed high rates of contamination in all the vegetable varieties analysed. However, the water-cress was that which presented the highest frequencies of enteroparasites. The endive presented middle values ranking, in general, between the lettuces and the water-cress. Though high, the average number of helminth eggs and larvae obtained per 100 gr. of sample did not present statistically significant differences as between the four vegetable varietities studied. A great variety of helminths and protozoans such as occur frequently in the resident population of the metropolitan area of S. Paulo, were observed in the samples. However, the most frequent were: hookworms and Ascaris sp. Eggs of Toxocara sp, Fasciola sp and Trichostrongylidae were also recovered from the samples thus corroborating the occurrence of vegetables contamination with faeces of domestic animals. In view of the results obtained, the importance of these kinds of food in the transmission of enteroparasites is stressed, as well as the need for actions which improve the sanitary conditions of these products.


Two gravity cores, Gebra-1 and Gebra-2 from the central and eastern basins of Bransfield Strait, West Antarctica, consist mainly of hemipelagic, laminated muds with black layers rich in sand-sized volcanic ash. Micropalaeontological (diatoms and radiolarians) and geochemical (organic and inorganic) analyses, together with radiometric dating (U/Th, 14C and 210Pb) have been performed on both cores. AMS analyses on Total Organic Carbon yielded a 14C-age older than expected, 2810 yr BP for the core top of Gebra-1 and 2596 yr BP for Gebra-2. The downcore pattern of ages indicates a sedimentation rate of 130 cm kyr1 for Gebra-1 and 160 cm kyr1 for Gebra-2 210Pb anomalies suggest the core top of Gebra-1 is present-day sediment. The diatom and radiolarian assemblages are related to the sequence of neoglacial events over the last three millennia. The recent significant reduction in Chaetoceros resting spores is interpreted as a reduction in palaeoproductivity. The progressive increase in sea-ice taxa for the last three millennia may indicate a cooling trend. Greater sea-ice coverage during the coldest neoglacial events in the Bransfield Basin, as well as in the Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea, is documented by increases in sea-ice taxa and reductions in Thalassiosira antarctica/ T. scotia resting spores, Fragilariopsis kerguelensis, the Lithomelissa group and the "circumpolar" group of radiolarians. For these periods, we postulate a restricted communication between the Weddell Sea, Bellingshausen Sea and Bransfield basin. The millenial-scale changes are overprinted by a high frequency cyclicity at about 200–300 yrs, which might be related to the 200–yrs solar cycle.


Temporal and spectral characteristics of X-ray emission from 60 flares of intensity ≥C class observed by the Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS) during 2003–2011 are presented. We analyze the X-ray emission observed in four and three energy bands by the Si and Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) detectors, respectively. The number of peaks in the intensity profile of the flares varies between 1 and 3. We find moderate correlation (R ≃ 0.2) between the rise time and the peak flux of the first peak of the flare irrespective of energy band, which is indicative of its energy-independent nature. Moreover, the magnetic field complexity of the flaring region is found to be highly anti-correlated (R = 0.61) with the rise time of the flares while positively correlated (R = 0.28) with the peak flux of the flare. The time delay between the peak of the X-ray emission in a given energy band and that in 25–30 keV decreases with increasing energy, suggesting conduction cooling is dominant in the lower energies. Analysis of 340 spectra from 14 flares reveals that the peak of differential emission measure (DEM) evolution is delayed by 60–360 s relative to that of the temperature, and this time delay is inversely proportional to the peak flux of the flare. We conclude that temporal and intensity characteristics of flares are dependent on energy as well as the magnetic field configuration of the active region.


We analyze the simultaneous diffusion of multiple ICTs that are related. A new econometric model is used to examine the presence of complementarities, testing for strong one-step-ahead non-causality and strong simultaneous independence. Results indicate significant complementarities between CAD and CNC technologies. Prior adoption of either of the two technologies has a large effect on the posterior adoption of the other one; in addition, simultaneous adoption is found to be more likely than adoption of the two technologies in isolation. Consistent with the presence of complementarities, we also find evidence of substantial price crosseffects: a decrease in the price of CAD (or CNC) increases the adoption probability of CNC (or CAD). Lastly, the increase in the likelihood of adopting the complementary technology turns out to depend on several plant-specific moderating factors. JEL codes: L11, O11


Developing expressions of ministry are evident across the Anglican Communion. This paper seeks to address the "crisis in ministry," as some call it, by offering a theology of relational ministry fitting with these culturally diverse developments. Drawing from the doctrine of the Trinity, the paper argues that ordered or relational ministry arises out of and is formed by the relational nature of the Triune God, known in Christ and the Spirit in the world as an outward movement of generosity. The understanding of order and ministry arises out of a communio ecclesiology that is viewed as a "method" or an "ecclesial disposition." What this means for order and ministry requires ongoing vigilance and theological reflection. This paper is such an undertaking. It does so by drawing on historical precedent and present cultural inclination so as to develop an understanding of ordered ministry in its dynamic and diverse but relational sacramental identity.


Globalisation is transforming trade, finance, employment, migration, technology, communications, the environment, social systems, ways of living, cultures, and patterns of governance. The growth of technology and globalisation mutually reinforce each other. Much of the process of globalisation is historically not unprecedented, but the technology, the setting, the absence of a single dominant centre, and certain features such as the replacement of trade of raw materials for manufactured products by largely intra-sectoral trade, are new. International interdependence is growing, and to some extent and partially, so is international integration. But it is accompanied by disintegration and fragmentation of other parts. Partial international integration (mainly of the elites), without global policies, leads to national social disintegration. Is globalisation a threat to humanity or an opportunity? A tentative balance sheet is drawn up. Markets, to be efficient, have to be embedded in a framework that enables their productive potential to flourish and to be used for socially and ecologically sustainable development. The reduced power of national governments combined with the spread of world-wide free markets and technological innovation without a corresponding authority to regulate them and hold them accountable has contributed to the marginalisation of large regions and groups of people. The state has become to some extent ungovernable, while the global society is ungoverned. Unemployment, poverty, inequality and alienation are increasing, partly (though not solely) as a result of this process. Crimes, drugs, terrorism, violence, civil wars, diseases, and environmental destruction are also becoming globalised. In the struggle of international competition capital, technology and high skills dominate the more readily dispensable factors unskilled labour and the environment. Cost reductions are carried out and labour and nature suffer.


Summary — Synthesis of fluorofunctional polysiloxanes based on hydrosilylation of fluoroalkyl ethers (precursors of the latter were fluoro alcohols) was studied. The most active catalyst, based on rhodium siloxide complex, was selected on the ground of a comparison of the catalytic perfor mance of platinum and rhodium complexes. The rhodium complex was immobilized in four different ionic liquids and catalytic activities of the obtained systems were compared, while performing multiple reaction runs with the use of the same portion


The present article is characterized as a theoretical essay that proposes a reflection about the evolution of the marketing concept and its implications on Tourism Destination Marketing. The discussing of the evolution of the marketing concept and its evolution within the context of tourism destinations revealed the existence of a strong application of the principles of two specific schools – the Administrative School and the School of Consumer Behavior - and also indicates that these schools are going to guide the main philosophical orientation of the academic mainstream of tourism. To conclude, reflections are made regarding the possible myopias existing in tourism destination marketing, which point to the need for adjustment between the areas of marketing and tourism and some perspectives of future studies that can be developed based on other approaches of marketing, such as Macromarketing.


We have previously demonstrated an increase in lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) expression in the native intestines of animals with graft versus host disease (GVHD) after small bowel transplantation (SBTx). The present study evaluated LFA-1 expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) during GVHD. GVHD was created in LBNF1 rats by heterotopic vascularized SBTx from Lewis donors and compared to sham-op controls and cyclosporine-treated SBTx rats (SBTx-CyA, 10 mg/kg/day). PBLs were harvested on Postop Day 13 when signs of severe GVHD were present and PBLs were stained for LFA-1, CD3 (T-cell marker), and CD45 (B cell marker) and analyzed on an Epics 5 flow cytometer. Mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocytes from the native intestines were also harvested for each group and stained for LFA-1. There were significant decreases in LFA-1, CD3, and CD45 PBL expression in rats with GVHD. CyA treatment corrected the abnormal CD3 and CD45 ratios, but not LFA-1 expression. It is concluded that: (1) The proportion of PBLs expressing LFA-1 is depressed in animals with clinical GVHD consistent with their recruitment into the host's inflamed tissues. (2) CyA treatment corrects the abnormalities in T and B cell ratios but not the decreased expression of LFA-1 on PBLs and may relate to its known imperfect ability to treat GVHD.


Although the mechanisms responsible for the onset of preterm labor in human pregnancy are unclear, animal studies have demonstrated that decreased nutrient intake is associated with increased uterine prostaglandin F metabolite production and spontaneous uterine contractions. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of maternal nutrition and dehydration with preterm uterine contractility. Pregravid weight-for-height, pregnancy weight gain at 30 weeks' gestation, urine specific gravity, ketonuria, and dependent and generalized edema were measured in 30 women who had preterm uterine contractions and in 30 women matched for race, gestational age, socioeconomic status, and smoking who reported no symptoms of preterm contractility. Data were analyzed with the paired-difference t test, Fisher's exact test, and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. No statistical association was found for dehydration (high urine specific gravity) and preterm contractility. However, pregravid weight below standard body weight-for-height was statistically associated with preterm contractions (P < .001), as was low weight gain at 30 weeks' gestation (P = .04). There was an association between preterm contractions and both ketonuria (P < .0001) and the absence of edema (P = .02). Inexpensive clinical measurements of nutritional status may help to identify women at risk for preterm uterine contractility.


Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive degeneration of cortical and hippocampal neurons. This study aims to characterize the metabolic profiles of the hydro-ethanolic extracts of Bacopa monnieri L. (BM) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (RO) cultivated in Egypt via UPLC–ESI/MS analyses and reveal their possible mechanism of the prophylactic effect(s) on neuro-degeneration in rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, UPLC–ESI/MS analyses were employed for the characterization of hydro-ethanolic extracts. Forty-two male albino rats were intra-peritoneally injected with Aluminum chloride at a dose of 4.2 mg/kg to induce AD. The extracts of BM and RO were separately orally administered at doses of 300 and 450 mg/kg, and Donazil® was orally administered at dose 2.5 mg/kg. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured using ELISA. Further, Amyloid β-protein, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), τ-protein and serotonin levels were measured in brain tissue using ELISA. The UPLC–ESI/MS analyses revealed the presence of fifteen and seventeen active metabolites in BM and RO extracts respectively which may account for their effects on neuro-degeneration. Serum level of MDA, amyloid β-protein, AChE and τ-protein were significantly decreased in herbal treated groups when compared to AD group (P value < 0.0001). On the other hand, TAC and serotonin levels were significantly elevated in groups treated with BM and RO compared to AD group (P value < 0.0001). Consequently, BM and RO extracts were found to have a potential neuroprotective effect in AD rat model due to their variety of active metabolites.

 Key words: Alzheimer's, serotonin, anti-AChE, antioxidant, Bacopa monnieri, Rosmarinus officinalis.


This research focused on the visual factor of the background in video-mediated communication (VMC). Regarding its influence on people's attention level and the feelings of closeness. Subjects in the experimental group had an online simulated VMC with the speaker whose background was visually co-located with the subjects'. A total of 32 subjects were evaluated on the level of attention and closeness between the speaker and the subjects. Descriptive results showed that participants of the visually co-located VMC condition performed better in attention level and had closer feelings toward the speaker than those in the control group, without a synchronized background setting. However, these results did not reach statistical significance. Thus, the effect of a synchronized background in VMC remains unclear. Future research should work on a long-term (i.e. months) experiment to see if there is any effect that requires time to reveal and furthermore, work on a clearer, less distracted research methodology.


This paper presents a new method of grouping edges in order to recognize objects. This grouping method succeeds on images of both two- and three- dimensional objects. So that the recognition system can consider first the collections of edges most likely to lead to the correct recognition of objects, we order groups of edges based on the likelihood that a single object produced them. The grouping module estimates this likelihood using the distance that separates edges and their relative orientation. This ordering greatly reduces the amount of computation required to locate objects and improves the system''s robustness to error.


A hybrid X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging system (XMR) has been proposed as an interventional guidance for cardiovascular catheterisation procedure. However, very few hospitals can benefit from the XMR system because of its limited availability. In this paper we describe a new guidance strategy for cardiovascular catheterisation procedure. In our technique, intra-operative patient position is estimated by using a chest surface reconstructed from a photogrammetry system. The chest surface is then registered with the same surface derived from pre-procedure magnetic resonance (MR) images. The catheterisation procedure can therefore be guided by a roadmap derived from the MR images. Patients were required to hold the breath at end expiration during MRI acquisition. The surface matching accuracy is improved by using a robust trimmed iterative closest point (ICP) matching algorithm, which is especially designed for incomplete surface matching. Compared to the XMR system, the proposed guidance strategy is low cost and easy to set up. Experimental data were acquired from 6 volunteers and 1 patient. The patient data were collected during an electrophysiology procedure. In 6 out of 7 subjects, the experimental results show our method is accurate in term of reciprocal residual error (range from 1.66m to 3.75mm) and constant (closed-loop TREs range from 1.49mm to 3.55mm). For one subject, trimmed ICP failed to find the optimal transform matrix (residual = 4.89, TRE = 9.32) due to the poor quality of the photogrammetry-reconstructed surface. More studies are being carried on in clinical trials.


Two-phase and single-phase pressure drop data were obtained for flow in horizontal 5.08-cm-dia pipe and piping components that included: a 9.14-m straight section of pipe; a gate valve; an elbow; a combination of elbow and gate valve separated by different pipe lengths; a globe valve; a swing check valve; and a union. Single-phase pressure drops produced by each component were used to establish the resistance coefficient, K. This resistance was then used to calculate two-phase pressure drops for each component using the Tremblay and Andrews homogeneous flow model. An acceptable agreement was found between measured and predicted pressure drops for all piping components studied. Pressure recovery lengths for individual components were found to be 10-50 pipe diameters, depending on flow rates. The resistance coefficient of two components separated by a distance less than the recovery length was always greater than the summation of each individual resistance coefficient.


The New Second Circuit Local Rules provides a general account of the origins, accretion, and renewal of local rules in the federal appellate courts, and specific commentary on the wholesale revision of the Second Circuit's local rules, adopted in 2010. The Second Circuit local rules had not been holistically reappraised in over 100 years when, in 2008, the Court engaged me to spearhead a comprehensive review and rewrite. Among other things, the project undertook to comply with appellate local rule-making strictures imposed by 1995 amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and by Judicial Conference mandates that originated in a burst of local rule study and superintendence during the 1990s. Notably, the Second Circuit is alone among the thirteen federal appellate courts to conduct such a comprehensive overhaul of its local rules in accordance with the new strictures. This ambitious project has met with great success and provides a role model for other courts considering rules reform. The article has two objectives: (1) to explain the context of the Second Circuit local rules revision project by providing a history of local rulemaking in the federal appellate courts, including efforts at the national level to reform the circuits' fragmented collections of local rules, and the Second Circuit's response to those efforts; and (2) to supply a commentary on the new and revised Second Circuit local rules that details how the new rule-making parameters were applied, and the practical effect of the resulting reforms. It is hoped that an account of how the Second Circuit local rules revision was accomplished may animate and facilitate other federal courts' efforts at local rules reform, and assist the practicing bar to understand the proper purposes of local rule-making generally and to navigate the Second Circuit's new rules.


We have investigated the possibility of calibrating the PMTs of scintillation detectors, using the primary scintillation produced by X-rays to induce single photoelectron response of the PMT. The high-energy tail of this response, can be approximated to an exponential function, under some conditions. In these cases, it is possible to determine the average gain for each PMT biasing voltage from the inverse of the exponent of the exponential fit to the tail, which can be done even if the background and/or noise cover-up most of the distribution. We have compared our results with those obtained by the commonly used single electron response (SER) method, which uses a LED to induce a single photoelectron response of the PMT and determines the peak position of such response, relative to the pedestal peak (the electronic noise peak, which corresponds to 0 photoelectrons). The results of the exponential fit method agree with those obtained by the SER method when the average number of photoelectrons reaching the first dynode per light/scintillation pulse is around 1.0. The SER method has higher precision, while the exponential fit method has the advantage of being useful in situations where the PMT is already in situ, being difficult or even impossible to apply the SER method, e.g. in sealed scintillator/PMT devices.


Antistatic and antireflection (ASAR) coating using indium tin oxide (ITO) by magnetron reactive sputtering (MRS) technique is presented. The relationship between sheet resistance and optical transmittance of ITO prepared by MRS is investigated, and the optimum ITO parameters by MRS are studied through the variation of oxygen flow, temperature, argon flow, and sputtering power. The optical constant of ITO is modeled by combining a single Lorentz oscillator and a Drude free-electron component in the range of 300–1500 nm, which fits well with the experimental data. ASAR coating is designed using ITO based on the optimized parameters, and is implemented by MRS. Experimental results show that ASAR coating by MRS displays high transmittance of up to 99.2%, and low sheet resistance of less than 1.1 kΩ. OCIS codes: 310.0310, 160.0160, 220.0220. doi: 10.3788/COL201008S1.0201.


BackgroundThis report describes the first miniport method using subcutaneous endoscopically assisted ligation (SEAL) for the treatment of girls with inguinal hernia. To validate its safety and efficacy, the authors evaluated their early experiences. MethodsBetween April 2014 and December 2014, 19 SEALs using miniport were performed on 14 patients at the Fukaya Red-Cross Hospital, Saitama, Japan. Their mean age was 6 years (range, 11–128 months). This technique was performed using two ports (a 5 mm port placed using the open technique and an additional 2 mm miniport). A 5 mm laparoscope was inserted via the umbilicus. The miniport was introduced percutaneously in the inguinal region under laparoscopic guidance and manipulated around the medial or lateral hemicircumference of the internal ring extraperitoneally to place a purse-string around the internal ring. The hernia sac and patent processus vaginalis were closed at the level of the internal inguinal ring extraperitoneally with circuit suturing using the 2 mm miniport. Only the umbilical fascia was closed with an absorbable suture. No skin sutures were applied. We collected data regarding operative time, complications, and recurrence. ResultsThe mean operative time was 20±6 min (unilateral, n=9) or 42±8 min (bilateral, n=5). The mean follow-up period was 12.8±2.5 (range, 9–19) months. No intraoperative complications associated with the procedure occurred and no hernial recurrences have been identified so far. ConclusionSEAL using miniport proved to be a successful operative procedure compared with other laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure procedures and produced excellent cosmetic results. SEAL using miniport for the treatment of girls with inguinal hernias appears to be safe, effective, and reliable.


(BALB/c × SJL)F1 mice, perinatally injected with peptide‐N‐glyconase F‐treated, deglycosylated IgE heavy chain or recombinant IgE heavy chain (CHϵ2‐CHϵ4), were profoundly inhibited in antigen‐specific IgE production. There exist minimally two tolerogenic IgE peptides, residing in the CHϵ2 and CHϵ4 domains. Peptide I, generated by V8 protease, comprises 39 amino acids within CHϵ2, beginning at amino acid 103. Peptide E begins at amino acid 312 of the CHϵ4 domain and extends through the CHϵ4 domain. The total lack of antigen‐specific IgE responses in IgE peptide‐treated mice was not due to overproduction of interferon‐γ, nor lack of interleukin (IL)‐4, as predicted by the Th2/IL‐4 paradigm for IgE production. IgE‐tolerant mice exhibited comparable levels of circulating anti‐IgE antibodies to those of PBS‐treated control mice. IgG obtained from sera of both sources failed to inhibit IgE responses in vitro. Moreover, IgE responses of spleen cells from IgE peptides‐treated mice were restored by CD4+ T cells from PBS‐treated control mice. We hypothesize that regulation of antigen‐specific IgE responses is mediated by CD4+ T cells which normally recognize IgE peptides on IgE precursor B cells, and can be rendered tolerant by perinatal IgE peptide treatment.


This study examined the influence of bureaucratic reform policies that have been implemented at Training and Education Center of Budget and Treasury, Ministry of Finance since 2007 on employee performance. Bureaucratic reform in its implementation using the concept of two-way social approach, ie persuasive and coercive. Persuasive approach to drive performance through improved remuneration. While the approach of coercion restriction or supervision, and strict punishment to avoid attitudes and behaviors that can be detrimental to the organization through the dimensional change of mindset, structuring the organization and business process, and discipline improvement and human resource management. This study used a quantitative approach with a survey method. The results showed that the bureaucratic reform give an effect and improve the employee performance. Base on the result, it is recommended that bureaucratic reform policy can be implemented to other ministries and institutions to improve the employee performance.


Introduction: The impact of the disease of the kidney is enormous in developing countries like Nigeria. With the increasing use of erythropoietin stimulating agents in anaemic patients with CKD, there is a need to evaluate the changes in haematological parameters in these patients. This study assessed the haematological changes in patients with known chronic kidney disease.

Materials and methods: Our research was a cross-sectional study that assessed and compared the haematologic parameters of 113 patients who had established chronic kidney disease and 113 -healthy controls who were age–and sex-matched. The full blood count (FBC) was determined by SysmexKX21(Sysmex, Japan). The test of significance was set at a P- value of <0.05.

Results and Discussion: The mean age of patients with CKD was 55.00 + 15.37 years, whilst that of controls was 52.73 ± 13.59 years. (p-value 0.240) The values of the mean of the Hb and RBC among the patients were 9.69+ 2.25g/dl and 3.62 ± 0.92 x 1012/L respectively and were found to be significantly lower than that seen among controls (13.62 ± 1.45 and 4.94 ± 0.62 respectively) with a P-value<0.001. Significantly higher values of the mean WBC and platelet count were found in the patients when compared with the control participants (p-value<0.001). A significant proportion of our patients had microcytic hypochromic anaemia (32%).

Conclusion: Careful evaluation of the cause of anaemia and urgent interventions are needed in the managements of these patients


Background In the UK, about 2.3 million people each year require intervention for wax impaction, while otitis externa accounts for just over 1% of general practice consultations. Aural microsuction of debris from the ear canal is a commonly performed procedure within the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) outpatient clinic. This article examines the patient acceptability of an aural microsuction service delivered in general practice. Aim To determine patient satisfaction following the introduction of a new microsuction service in general practice compared with a hospital-delivered service. Design & setting This is a prospective comparative study in two rural general practices in Ireland and the emergency department (ED) of the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH), Dublin. Method A 3-month period of data collection on usual care of 56 patients in general practice was followed by a 3-month period of GP-intervention data collection on 67 patients. Comparative data were collected on 37 patients who attended the RVEEH for the same intervention procedure. Patients completed a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ-18). Results Both general practice groups scored significantly higher in all seven aspects of medical care than the RVEEH cohort. Patients in the GP-intervention group scored significantly higher in terms of satisfaction with procedure technique compared with the usual care GP group. Conclusion The provision of microsuction as a service in general practice confers as much or more patient satisfaction as the provision of the service in a hospital setting.


Motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) arises generically in fluids of self-propelled particles when interactions lead to a kinetic slowdown at high densities. We will show how a scalar continuum description of active matter, akin to a generalized Cahn-Hilliard equation, provides a unified description of MIPS. Indeed, it allows to understand the phase equilibria and quantitatively account for the phase diagram and finite size effects of the two models in which MIPS have been most commonly studied: self-propelled particles interacting either through a density-dependent propulsion speed or via direct pairwise forces.


The gathering of clinical data on fractures of dental restorations through prospective clinical trials is a labor- and time-consuming enterprise. Here, we propose an unconventional approach for collecting large datasets, from which clinical information on indirect restorations can be retrospectively analyzed. The authors accessed the database of an industry-scale machining center in Germany and obtained information on 34,911 computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) all-ceramic posterior restorations. The fractures of bridges, crowns, onlays, and inlays fabricated from different all-ceramic systems over a period of 3.5 y were reported by dentists and entered in the database. Survival analyses and estimations of future life revealed differences in performance among ZrO2-based restorations and lithium disilicate and leucite-reinforced glass-ceramics.


This research looks at two issues that are becoming more widely spread among children and adolescents: body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Past literature has centered on individuals who are dissatisfied with their bodies and the fact that this may put them more at risk for developing an eating disorder. Most school professionals are not experts when it comes to eating disorder and body image terminology and treatment practices. As school counselors help with the personal/social, career, and academic needs of each student they work with, it is important for them to be aware of the prevalent issues that are affecting their students and how to deal with them. This article looks at different types of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa as well as muscle dysmorphia, which is a body image disorder. It defines body image and body dissatisfaction while discussing what factors contribute to a person's body image. Finally, this paper explains the school counselor's role in addressing body image issues in schools by providing preventative programming ideas and intervention strategies. SCHOOL COUNSELING AND BODY IMAGE iv


The catalyst of MnOx-CeOx/ACF prepared by impregnation method was used for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3, and more than 90% NO conversion was obtained at 230°C. Fe、Cu or V was used respectively to prepare transition metal modified MnOx-CeOx/ ACF catalysts which had lower catalytic activity than that over MnOx-CeOx/ACF. SEM, N2 adsorption and NH3-TPD were used to analyze the catalysts. The results showed that transition metal modified catalysts had a reduced surface area, pore volume and surface acidity. SO2 had a negative effect on SCR performance of the catalysts. Fe modified catalyst exhibited SO2 tolerance in the first 6h in the presence of 100ppm SO2. Thermal treatment in N2 at 350°C was used to regenerate the deactivated catalysts by SO2. The decomposition of ammonium salts recovered the catalytic activity to some extent. The sulfated active components in deactivated catalysts after the thermal treatment enhanced the surface acidity of the catalysts.


A space-qualified flight model of a pulsed ultraviolet (UV) laser has been developed for the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument of the ExoMars 2020 mission. The design is based on a passively Q-switched Nd:Cr:YAG laser oscillator with subsequent two-stage frequency quadrupling. It emits nanosecond pulses with an energy tuneable between 13 μJ and 130 μJ at a wavelength of 266 nm. Considering its small physical dimensions and weight, the interior of the laser head is rather complex. Besides the aforementioned infrared oscillator and frequency conversion stage it contains the pump optics, two wavelength division assemblies within main beam path, a complex monitoring stage including two photodiodes for pulse energy measurement, a beam shaping setup and a deflection unit for fine adjustment of the beam pointing towards the sample location within the instrument. Most of the laser head is enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing, while the deflection unit is sealed separately. Both volumes are filled with 1 bar of dry, filtered air.


One of the most effective, economical and environmentally safe methods to reduce crop yield losses from diseases is to use pathogen-resistant cultivars. The challenges of classical approaches for rating host suitability for phytonematodes are presented and critical factors influencing phenotypic expression of the resistance are considered. An accurate identification of both plant genetic background and pathogens is necessary for an exact measurement of pathogen/host compatibility. Scientists with expertise in plant nematology should collaborate with plant breeders and molecular biologists to investigate new sources of resistance and their effectiveness, the nature of resistance traits and their inheritance, and the probability of DNA recombination during cycles of cultivar improvement. Specific molecular markers of plant resistance to nematodes should be determined for unique pathogen/host systems to rate resistance/susceptibility to the most economically important nematode families, which would save effort, time and money. Such markers may also be represented by enzymes with promise for use as genetically-based biochemical markers for screening breeding lines with potential for nematode resistance. More sensitive, rapid and accurate electrophoretic methods, such as those that are possible with miniaturized and automated equipment, should further facilitate identification of desirable markers. At present, more investigation is needed for effective transfer of cloned genes into susceptible plant species to integrate resistance to nematodes that have a broad host range. While tightly linked markers must be identified and used to monitor introgression, analysis of the chromosomal region concerned should be made to explore any unexpected linkage drag. The comparative value of molecular markers and consideration of the most up-to-date strategies of gene transfer for nematode resistance are also reported.


Space division multiple access (SDMA) is a technique that can be superimposed on traditional multiple access schemes such as frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA) or code division multiple access (CDMA) to increase the system capacity. Several different studies have shown the effectiveness of SDMA in a mobile communication environment. This paper derives a modified formulation for SDMA blocking probability from Galvan-Tejada and Gardiner's (1999) derivation and the cellular traffic theory (Lee and Miller, 1998). A simulation is also presented to verify our derivation.


The power spectrum of acoustic A-mode backscattering was used to determine size of small scatterers. Mean acoustic size of scatterers and histological measurement of mean alveolar sac size were determined from alveolar regions of the normal preterm lamb lung. Comparisons between these date showed no statistical difference (/spl alpha/=0.05, p value=0.144), and suggested that A-mode ultrasound could provide important information about the anatomical changes of the developing alveolus.


A key limitations to understand kidney function and disease development has been that specific cell types responsible for specific homeostatic kidney function or disease phenotypes have not been defined at the molecular level. To fill this gap, we characterized 57,979 cells from healthy mouse kidneys using unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing. We show that genetic mutations that present with similar phenotypes mostly affect genes that are expressed in a single unique differentiated cell type. On the other hand, we found unexpected cell plasticity of epithelial cells in the final segment of the kidney (collecting duct) that is responsible for final composition of the urine. Using computational cell trajectory analysis and in vivo linage tracing, we found that, intercalated cells (that secrete protons) and principal cells (that maintain salt, water and potassium balance) undergo a Notch mediated interconversion via a newly identified transitional cell type. In disease states this transition is shifted towards the principal cell fate. Loss of intercalated cells likely contributes to metabolic acidosis observed in kidney disease. In summary, single cell analysis advanced a mechanistic description of kidney diseases by identifying a defective homeostatic cell lineage. One Sentence Summary A comprehensive single cell atlas of the kidney reveals a transitional cell type and cell plasticity determined by Notch signaling which is defective in chronic kidney disease.


He urges that every form of symbolic logic can be derived by specialization from the classical "S is P." If "S is P" is considered as an unanalyzed whole, p, we have the basic element of the calculus of propositions. The simplest type of a propositional function, <t>x is but another way of expressing the attribution of an accident to a substance classically expressed by "S is P." Class membership, x t A is a special form of "S is (a member of A)"; class inclusion A C B is a special form of "A is (included in B)." Similarly xRy is but a special case of "x is (Ry)." With the basic forms of the calculi of propositions, propositional functions, classes, and relations thus tortured into Aristotelian shape, the author is content to accept the many developments of symbolic logic.


Empathy, generally defined as the ability to understand and share another's emotional state (Eisenberg & Strayer, 1987), is an important social skill. It is thought to foster prosocial behaviour (Hoffman, 2008) and inhibit unwanted behaviour, like aggression (Austin, Bondu, & Elsner, 2017). Empathy problems are often associated with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) (De Wied, Gispen-De Wied, & Van Boxtel, 2010). Children and adolescents with ODD/CD form a heterogeneous group, however, and researchers suggest that there are individual differences in the mechanisms underlying their empathy deficits (e.g., Blair, 2013; De Wied et al., 2010). The literature often distinguishes between those with and without callous unemotional (CU) traits. CU traits are an extension of the interpersonal-affective dimension of adult psychopathy and are identified by a lack of empathy, a lack of guilt and shallow affect (Frick & Hare, 2001). Over the years, empathy in those with high levels of CU traits has received much research attention. Far less attention has been dedicated to empathic functioning of those without CU traits. We have therefore limited knowledge about empathy problems in children and adolescents with ODD/CD.A more thorough investigation of these problems in ODD/CD subtypes is crucial for the development of more targeted and effective treatment strategies to improve empathic functioning in children and adolescents with ODD/CD. In light of this, the current dissertation aimed to elucidate the nature of empathy impairments in ODD/CD children and adolescents and to explore possible mechanisms involved. We have used a taxonomy suggesting that some individuals with ODD/CD may show a lack of empathy because of under responsiveness to other's distress cues (CU subtype), whilst others may show a lack of empathy because of over responsiveness to other's distress cues, hostility and/or poor emotion regulation abilities (non-CU subtype; De Wied et al., 2010). The first two studies of the current dissertation addressed empathy dysfunction related to the CU subtype, whereas the final two studies addressed empathy dysfunction related to the non-CU subtype. Findings from the current dissertation revealed that (1) children and adolescents with ODD/CD show more consistent impairments in affective empathy than in cognitive empathy, (2) that there are differences in empathy impairments among ODD/CD subtypes; that is, (3) those with and without CU traits exhibit distinct autonomic patterns to other's distress cues, (4) those with higher CU traits report lower levels of empathic sadness, whilst those with higher ASD symptoms report lower levels of cognitive empathy, and finally (5) aspects of emotion regulation may be involved in empathy impairments among ODD/CD individuals. Future research should focus on the development of diagnostic instruments for affective empathy and further elucidate the role of emotion regulation in empathy-related responding and how this relates to social functioning in ODD/CD children and adolescents.


One of the sadly neglected areas in the study of culture in Texas and other areas of the West is the founding and operating of ranches. It is true that some of the larger ranches have been the subject of research and writing, for books are available on such large spreads as King Ranch, YO, Pitchfork and others. The segment of ranching culture which has been ignored is what may be termed the "smaller ranches," although some of them are quite significant in size. Several examples of such ranches will be included later.The stories associated with ranches contain information culturally and economically significant in the development of the state because these business ventures provided in many cases the framework in which families grew up, developed and contributed to the communities near which these ranches are located. In addition, a great deal of folklore and legend is found in these stories. All of this information contributes to the so-called "myth of the West" and involves stories about hardship, heartbreak, sorrow and joy, and stories of man against man as well as man against animal and nature. In short, these are in many cases remarkable stories revealing the drama of human existence.Although Frederick Jackson Turner in his famous frontier thesis declared the frontier closed many years ago, the remnants of that experience are still evident in the stories involved in founding and operating ranches. In fact, to people outside the state, ranching is still considered part of the native element of Texas, and that belief is, indeed, a reality. Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry recently confirmed that Texas produces more beef cattle than any other state in the U.S. A large number of ranches are still being operated in the state and will be for a long time to come because the land currently in ranching is suitable for little other activity.Texas culture is not easy to accurately characterize. It has several large metropolitan areas including Houston, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth, but it has in addition a number of other cities that are homes to 100,000 or more inhabitants. Such cities as Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, Abilene and a host of others are still significant centers of population with all the services that one expects to find in those. And there is more than a slight element of polite culture in many of these. I recall being asked by a representative of a major news network who was planning a trip to Abilene to film a story if Abilene had an airport and motels. I was quick to reply that we had not only those ingredients of modern life, but three small universities, two local dramatic groups and a symphony.Texas has, in addition, enormous amounts of farming, particularly on the High Plains, fertile East Texas and the Coastal Plains and is blessed with the lush, warm lower Rio Grande Valley, which produces delicacies for tables in a wide area year around because of the almost tropical climate found there. In addition, although oil is not what it once was to the Texas economy, the state still produces a major portion of the petroleum produced in the United States. This brief synopsis of Texas life does not include all elements of Texas life for Texas also has significant heavy and high tech manufacturing. In addition to this modern kind of life, however, ranching is still a major part of Texas life. It remains one of the last bastions of traditional family life to be found in the state.It might be helpful to define what is meant by the term "ranch" for the purposes of this discussion I think it appropriate to define the ranch as a piece of property upon which livestock is raised--be it cattle, horses, sheep or goats. That operation constitutes at least a major portion of the work activity and is a principal source of income for the individuals involved in the operation. I am reluctant to set a minimum number of acres, although the small tract upon which an individual or couple might live in retirement even if they have a horse or two and a few head of livestock would not qualify for this definition. …


BACKGROUND
Blunt pulmonary contusion (BPC) evolves over 12 to 24 hours, and the initial plain radiographs fail to reliably identify patients at risk of clinical deterioration. Admission computed tomography (CT) may offer accurate characterization of BPC and early prediction of the need for mechanical ventilation (MV).

METHODS
This was a combination of a 5-year retrospective study (January 2002 to April 2007) and a 6-month prospective study (September 2007 to February 2008) of adult blunt trauma (BT) patients with thoracic injuries and a chest CT upon hospital arrival. The primary outcome was MV due to thoracic trauma. To ensure that MV was required for BPC and not for associated injuries, all patients with significant extrathoracic injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale score >2) were excluded. The extent of BPC was measured by two scoring systems.

RESULTS
Of 392 patients (67% males; age, 48 years ± 21 years; Abbreviated Injury Scale score chest, 3 ± 1; and Injury Severity Score [ISS], 13 ± 6), 243 (62%) had BPC. Twenty-five (6%) patients required MV and two (0.5%) died. The combination of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <14, BPC score >2, and >4 ribs fractured predicted MV in 100% of the cases, and the absence of all factors precluded MV in 100%. In the prospective period of 6 months, 55 patients had BPC and we confirmed our finding that the absence of the three factors precludes MV.

CONCLUSION
A simple score derived by the initial chest CT, in combination with GCS and the number of fractured ribs, can predict the need for MV early. In the presence of these predictors, patients should be admitted to a high level of monitoring.


We present neutral hydrogen absorption observations of the luminous infrared merger NGC 6240 using MERLIN with a resolution of 0.2 arcsec. Broad absorption (a few hundred km s) has been found against two compact radio sources within the central kpc providing dynamical information about the neutral gas components in front of these sources. A narrow absorption component is also detected superimposed upon this broad absorption and additionally against some of the extended L-band continuum. From these results we deduce that the broad component is a result of absorption by a highly disturbed disc-like structure of neutral gas aligned along the position angle of the two compact radio sources, similar to the model previously proposed by Tacconi et al. at the end of the last century based on spectral CO emission data. The narrow component is likely to arise from absorption by less disturbed neutral gas at much larger scales within the system. Continuum observations presented here at 1.4 and 5 GHz support the view that NGC 6240 contains a double nucleus resulting from a galactic merger event and show these as two compact radio sources separated by 1.52 arcsec. We have also applied luminosity and morphological considerations to the continuum results to determine the most feasible source of radio emission for this luminous merger galaxy. We conclude that the most likely source of the radio flux found in NGC 6240 is a combination of starburst emission from radio luminous supernova remnants, similar to those found in Arp 220, and emission from a weak AGN probably triggered by a merger event.


PURPOSE
Motor unit conduction velocity (MUCV) represents the propagation velocity of action potentials along the muscle fibres innervated by individual motor neurons and indirectly reflects the electrophysiological properties of the sarcolemma. In this study, we investigated the effect of a 4-week strength training intervention on the peripheral properties (MUCV and motor unit action potential amplitude, RMSMU) of populations of longitudinally tracked motor units (MUs).

METHODS
The adjustments exhibited by 12 individuals who participated in the training (INT) were compared with 12 controls (CON). Strength training involved ballistic (4x10) and sustained (3x10) isometric ankle dorsi flexions. Measurement sessions involved the recordings of maximal voluntary isometric force (MViF) and submaximal isometric ramp contractions, while high-density surface EMG (HDsEMG) was recorded from the tibialis anterior. HDsEMG signals were decomposed into individual MU discharge timings and MUs were tracked across the intervention.

RESULTS
MViF (+14.1%, P=0.003) and average MUCV (+3.00%, P=0.028) increased in the INT group, while normalized MUs recruitment threshold (RT) decreased (-14.9%, P=0.001). The slope (rate of change) of the regression between MUCV and MUs RT increased only in the INT group (+32.6%, P=0.028), indicating a progressive greater increase in MUCV for higher-threshold MUs. The intercept (initial value) of MUCV did not change following the intervention (P=0.568). The association between RMSMU and MUs RT was not altered by the training.

CONCLUSION
The increase in the rate of change in MUCV as a function of MU recruitment threshold, but not the initial value of MUCV, suggests that short-term strength training elicits specific adaptations in the electrophysiological properties of the muscle fibre membrane in high-threshold motor units.


Tiedemann, Arthur R.; Woodard, Paul M. 2002. Multiresource effects of a stand-replacement prescribed fire in the Pinus contorta-Abies lasiocarpa vegetation zone of central Washington. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-535. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 26 p. A stand-replacement prescribed fire in an over-mature lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.)-subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) stand (snag area) and in a mature lodgepole pine thicket (thicket area) resulted in lower plant diversity within the first year after burning, and as fire energy outputs increased, postburn plant cover and diversity decreased. There was no reestablishment of the original plant cover where total heat output exceeded 100 000 kcal/m. Apparently, most plants in this habitat were not fire resistant. Postfire recovery appears to depend on immigration of seeds from adjacent unburned areas or on seeds and rhizomes that survive on unburned microsites (refugia) within the burn. After fire, temperatures increased in the forest floor fermentative layer (FL) (10 to 19 °C) and upper 10 cm of the soil layer (SL) (3 to 7 °C) on several dates in summer 1976. Increased pH levels in FL (about 2 units) and SL (about 0.5 unit) after burning provided an improved environment for bacterial development, and counts of total bacteria and proteolytic bacteria both increased. Both nitrogen fixation and nitrification were increased after burning. Despite the apparent increase in microbiological activity, microbial respiration declined after burning—apparently because of reduced forest floor organic carbon energy reservoir. Diversity of birds increased the year after burning. New species of birds included hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus), three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), common flicker (Colaptes auratus), and mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides). Numbers of needle-foraging species, such as Townsend's warbler (Dendroica townsendi ), hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa), and western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), declined or were absent after fire. Responses of small mammals to fire were not definitive, but there was a marked decline in Townsend's chipmunk (Tamias townsendii) after burning. In the first year after burning, forage for elk (Cervus elaphus) in the burned area was higher in crude protein than in unburned areas, but low productivity and distance from water diminished the value of the burned area for elk.


Introduction: Nature-based therapy (NBT) has shown positive effects on different health-related outcomes and is becoming a more frequent approach in various rehabilitative interventions. Economic evaluations are widely used to inform decision makers of cost-effective interventions. However, economic evaluations of NBT have not yet been reviewed. The aim of this review was to uncover existing types and characteristics of economic evaluations in the field of nature-based therapeutic interventions. Methods: In this scoping review available knowledge about the topic was mapped. A comprehensive search of selected databases (MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; Scopus; Cochrane; PSYCinfo; Web of Science) and grey literature was conducted in November 2021. Data was synthesised in a thematic presentation. Results: Three papers met the inclusion criteria, containing differences in design, types and dose of nature-based therapeutic interventions, outcome measures and target groups (n = 648). The papers showed tendencies toward a good treatment effect and positive economic effect in favour of NBT. Conclusions: Three different cohort studies have tried calculating the economic impact of NBT indicating a good effect of the NBT. The evidence on the economic benefits of NBT is still sparse though promising, bearing the limitations of the studies in mind. Economic evaluation of NBT is a new area needing more research, including high-quality research studies where the economic evaluation model is included/incorporated from the beginning of the study design. This will enhance the credibility and usefulness to policy makers and clinicians.


Mutualistic plant-microbe interaction can increase the availability or absorption of nutrients and affect plant metabolism. Metabolomics is the study of all metabolites contained in living beings at a specific time. This research aims to study the effect of metanotrophic bacteria (BGM 9 isolate) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (ITJ 7 isolate) on rice plant growth and reveal the information about metabolites produced by rice plant interacting with the bacteria. Three rice plant varieties (Ciherang, Hawara Bunar, and IR64) were grown on liquid media (Yoshida solution) and were inoculated with the bacteria five weeks after planting. Metabolites in the liquid media were detected seven days after inoculation using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and analyzed using MassLynx v4.1. The results showed that the bacterial inoculation had significant effect on rice growth. Chromatograms resulted from LC-MS showed there are 34 unique peaks from Ciherang, 21 unique peaks from Hawara Bunar, and 30 unique peaks from IR64. The unique peaks in each variety were affected by the bacteria inoculation treatments.