The work described in this thesis investigates the effects of elastic strain on the performance of InP-based semiconductor lasers operating at wavelengths around 1.5mum. The results presented range from theoretical calculations of the strain relaxation observed at the edge of strained-layer structures to the experimental application of uniaxial stress to quantum well lasers. Using an atomistic approach, the strain distributions at the edge of a single 1% compressively-strained layer are calculated for layers of differing thickness. These results are compared with a continuum Fourier series method, to assess whether the continuum method becomes inappropriate at small layer thicknesses (< 30A.). Good agreement is observed in all results, even in layers with thicknesses of 5 monolayers (~15A), indicating that continuum calculations are still relevant for predicting the strain distributions of thin strained layers. The change in the performance of 1.55mum lasers, due to the introduction of tensile or compressive strain into the active region is studied theoretically using a bulk analysis. The study concentrates on the behaviour of the valence bands with strain. It is observed that the removal of the valence band degeneracy and subsequent change in the character and dispersion of the upper valence band states have a profound effect on the laser's performance. The work is quantified by investigating the threshold carrier and radiative current densities up to 2% tensile and compressive strain, and comparing with experimental quantum well laser results. The study of lasers using a bulk-like analysis can elucidate some of the important mechanisms responsible for the behaviour of strained quantum well lasers. However, it does not account for many other factors that influence quantum well devices. A qualitative and quantitative study of the threshold current in quantum well lasers operating around 1.5mum is considered. Sophisticated quantum- well modelling programs are used to calculate the band structure and gain in strained laser devices, and to compare directly with the experimental variation of the threshold current density with cavity length for lasers with unstrained, compressively-strained and tensile-strained active regions. Results indicate the persistence of Auger recombination as the dominant mechanism contributing to the threshold current, in all devices. The observed change in the threshold current density, and its cavity length dependence, with strain is attributed to several key device parameters; namely the differential gain, optical confinement factor, transparency carrier density and Auger recombination coefficient. The two-dimensional Auger coefficient is estimated numerically and compared with experimental and theoretical values in the literature. It is found to be in reasonable agreement with some quoted results. Poor electron confinement in the quantum wells and the presence of intervalence band absorption is also discussed and related to seemingly anomalous results. The design of quantum well lasers at differing strains, requires that the lasers be grown with active layers of differing material composition. This change in composition can provide uncertainties in a theoretical analysis. Thus, in order to evaluate the role of strain alone on a quantum well laser, uniaxial stress measurements are performed to apply elastic strain externally to a laser device without changing the composition. The design and implementation of a new uniaxial stress system using opposing metallised diamonds is described. The experimental technique is covered along with suggestions for improvements to the present system. Preliminary results on unstrained ridge-waveguide and tensile-strained oxide-defined stripe devices are shown, and discussed. Compressive uniaxial stresses, up to 6kbar, are applied along the growth direction of the laser, giving rise to an increase in the in-plane strain of the devices equivalent to approximately 0.3% tensile lattice-mismatch.


Background The use of oral chemotherapy (OC) is an effective and safe approach in the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (MCRP). Abiraterone and enzalutamide offer improved patient convenience and ease of administration. However, patients are now responsible for ensuring optimal adherence to their medication. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine adherence to abiraterone and enzalutamide in patients with MCRP. Material and methods A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out from September 2011 to March 2016. All patients treated with OC for MCRP were included. Patients with only one drug dispensation were excluded, because adherence could not be calculated. Patients´ medical records were reviewed and the following data were collected: demographics and pharmacotherapeutics (prior chemotherapy, abiraterona or enzalutamide treatment start and end date, dosing and dispensed data). Data were obtained from electronic clinical records, oncology prescription software and outpatient dispensing records. Adherence to OC was evaluated indirectly using dispensation records to calculate 'medication possession rate' (MPR). MPR is defined as the sum of all days of drug supplied within a given period, divided by the total number of days in that period. Optimal adherence was defined as MPR >80%, following previous studies. The end points were: measure of adherence to enzalutamide and abiraterone; duration of treatment; and percentage of patients who achieved optimal adherence. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 15.0. Results 45 patients (mean age 74 years (57–87)) with at least two drug dispensations were selected from the pharmacy database. 30 patients (66.6%) received abiraterone, 3 patients (6.66%) received enzalutamide and 12 patients (26.66%) received both drugs sequentially. Oral chemotherapy(OC) Patients(n) MPR (%) Optimal adherence: n (%) (MPR >80%) Mean duration (months) Mean Median Abiraterone 39 107 102 36 (92%) 12 (2–32) Enzalutamide 15 98 97 12 (80%) 5 (1–13) Conclusion Most patients showed high rates of adherence to OC in MCRP. The long duration of treatment and absence of symptoms in these patients could prove a threat to adherence to treatment. Oncology pharmacists have a key role by following patients with OC in MCRP and reminding them of the importance of adherence. Study limitations include measuring adherence using only one method. No conflict of interest


Road surface monitoring is a key factor in providing safe road infrastructure for road users. As a result, road surface condition monitoring aims to detect road surface anomalies such potholes, cracks and bumps, which affect driving comfort and on-road safety. Road surface anomaly detection is a widely studied problem. Recently, smartphone-based sensing has become popular with the increased amount of available embedded smartphone sensors. Using smartphones to detect road surface anomalies could change the way government agencies monitor and plan for road rehabilitation and maintenance.

Several studies have been developed to utilize smartphone sensors (e.g., Global Positioning system (GPS) and accelerometers) mounted on a moving vehicle to collect and process the data to monitor and tag roadway surface defects. Geotagged images or videos from the roadways have also been used to detect the road surface anomalies. However, existing studies are limited to identifying roadway anomalies mainly from a single source or lack the utility of combined and integrated multi-sensors in terms of accuracy and functionality. Therefore, low-cost, more efficient pavement evaluation technologies and a centralized information system are necessary to provide the most up-to-date information about the road status due to the dynamic changes on the road surface This information will assist transportation authorities to monitor and enhance the road surface condition.

In this research, a probabilistic-based crowdsourcing technique is developed to detect road surface anomalies from smartphone sensors such as linear accelerometers, gyroscopes and GPS to integrate multiple detections accurately. All case studies from the proposed detection approach showed an approximate 80% detection accuracy (from a single survey) which supports the inclusiveness of the detection approach. In addition, the results of the proposed probabilistic-based integration approach indicated that the detection accuracy can be further improved by 5 to 20% with multiple detections conducted by the same vehicle along the same road segments. Finally, the development of the web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) platform would facilitate the real-time and active monitoring of road surface anomalies and offer further improvement of road surface quality control in large cities like Toronto.


Abstract The antigens of the Cromer blood group system reside on decay accelerating factor (DAF), a protein belonging to the regulators of complement activation family. The blood group system consists of eight high-incidence antigens and three low-incidence antigens. The molecular basis for the antigens is known and, with the exception of IFC, each antigen is the product of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the DAF gene and has been localized to one of the four short consensus repeat regions on the DAF protein. The red blood cells (RBCs) of people with the Cromer null phenotype, Inab, lack DAF. Antibodies to Cromer antigens are rarely encountered although there is evidence that the antibodies may cause accelerated destruction of transfused RBCs. There is no risk of hemolytic disease of the newborn associated with Cromer system antibodies because the placenta is a rich source of fetally derived DAF, which is thought to adsorb the antibodies. Immunohematology 2002;18:95–103.


Morphometric data plays a pivotal role in understanding key life history traits to elucidate biological, ecological and evolutionary processes. Obtaining morphometric data from free-ranging cetaceans is difficult, as traditional methods rely on either post-mortem or highly invasive techniques. The present study evaluated the feasibility of remote laser photogrammetry as a non-invasive technique to obtain morphometric data on free-ranging coastal dolphins. First, simulation models and post-mortem specimens were used to investigate potential sources of measurement error and quantify their influence on the accuracy and precision of the morphometric data. These sources include horizontal angle, distance, and body curvature. Second, to demonstrate the potential applications of this technique, laser photogrammetry measurements were obtained during boat-based photo identification surveys on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) from Western Australia (Bunbury, Shark Bay and Mandurah). Laser-derived, blowhole-to-dorsal fin (BH-DF) measurements were obtained from individuals of known ages in Bunbury (N=103) and Shark Bay (N=76), in addition to individuals in Mandurah (N=28). Our laser-derived measurement data facilitated the development of population growth curves in conjunction with longitudinal demographic data from Bunbury (~10 years) and Shark Bay (~33 years). These growth curves characterise not only the relationship between age and length, but also the significant morphological differences between these geographically-isolated populations. This study demonstrates the value of remote laser photogrammetry as an effective tool to investigate individual and population-based growth and life-history parameters. This non-invasive technique will provide unique opportunities to better understand the ecological, demographic and life-history characteristics of a population and so better inform conservation management strategies for free-ranging cetacean populations.


In this paper, we have studied the charge trapping mechanisms of nitride-based non-volatile memories. The impact of different silicon-nitride (SiN) compositions (standard, std, and Si-rich) on the device characteristics has been investigated through material characterizations, electrical measurements, atomistic and electrical simulations. We found that the different physical nature of the dominant defects in the two SiN compositions is at the origin of the different device electrical behaviors. In particular, we argue that the different electron occupation number of the defect states of the two SiN materials explains the observed faster erasing speed and charge loss rate of Si-rich SiN devices, with respect to std SiN devices, in spite of comparable programming behavior. A simple trap model is proposed to improve state of the art simulators of SiN based memories.


Purpose: Our objective was to identify the genetic changes involved in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) oncogenesis and evaluate their clinical relevance. Experimental Design: We investigated a series of 29 newly diagnosed, HIV-negative, PCNSL patients using high-resolution single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays (n = 29) and whole-exome sequencing (n = 4) approaches. Recurrent homozygous deletions and somatic gene mutations found were validated by quantitative real-time PCR and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Molecular results were correlated with prognosis. Results: All PCNSLs were diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, and the patients received chemotherapy without radiotherapy as initial treatment. The SNP analysis revealed recurrent large and focal chromosome imbalances that target candidate genes in PCNSL oncogenesis. The most frequent genomic abnormalities were (i) 6p21.32 loss (HLA locus), (ii) 6q loss, (iii) CDKN2A homozygous deletions, (iv) 12q12-q22, and (v) chromosome 7q21 and 7q31 gains. Homozygous deletions of PRMD1, TOX, and DOCK5 and the amplification of HDAC9 were also detected. Sequencing of matched tumor and blood DNA samples identified novel somatic mutations in MYD88 and TBL1XR1 in 38% and 14% of the cases, respectively. The correlation of genetic abnormalities with clinical outcomes using multivariate analysis showed that 6q22 loss (P = 0.006 and P = 0.01) and CDKN2A homozygous deletion (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01) were significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival and overall survival. Conclusions: Our study provides new insights into the molecular tumorigenesis of PCNSL and identifies novel genetic alterations in this disease, especially MYD88 and TBL1XR1 mutations activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, which may be promising targets for future therapeutic strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 18(19); 5203–11. ©2012 AACR.


While management scholars and development economists have provided a compelling case for greater attention to the bottom of the pyramid, few contributions have examined specific strategies for reaching the bottom of the pyramid. The majority comprising the bottom of the pyramid resides in hundreds of thousands of villages located beyond most multinationals' distribution networks. Its access to essential goods is limited not just by high prices, but also by inadequate rural distribution. We use the term socially responsible distribution (SRD) to describe initiatives that provide poor producers and consumers with market access for goods and services that they can benefit from buying or selling by helping neutralize the disadvantages they suffer from inadequate physical links to markets, information asymmetries, and weak bargaining power. This paper examines five SRD case studies of MNCs, government and NGO initiatives. It identifies the role they play in promoting SRD, the different kinds of intervention strategies they use, and the payoffs for multinationals and people at the bottom of the pyramid. The paper examines the obstacles to higher earning potential and access to cheaper consumer goods for poor consumers, identifying direct (e.g., infrastructure shortcomings) and moderating factors (e.g., illiteracy), and the strategies of organizations from the three sectors in addressing these obstacles using broad and targeted interventions. These strategies include bridging the infrastructure gap, use of empowering information, leveraging technology, and cross-sectoral collaboration as well as differentiated distribution and leveraged-bidirectional and leveraged-shared distribution.


A cosmic string network created during an inflationary stage in the early Universe - here defined as i-string network - is expected to enter a transient stretching regime during inflation, in which its characteristic length is stretched to scales much larger than the Hubble radius, before attaining a standard evolution once the network re-enters the Hubble volume after inflation. During the stretching regime, the production of cosmic string loops and consequent emission of gravitational radiation are significantly suppressed. Here, we compute the power spectrum of the stochastic gravitational wave background generated by i-string networks using the velocity-dependent one scale model to describe the network dynamics, and demonstrate that this regime introduces a high-frequency signature on an otherwise standard spectrum of the stochastic gravitational wave background generated by cosmic strings. We argue that, if observed by current or forthcoming experiments, this signature would provide strong evidence for i-strings and, therefore, for (primordial) inflation. We also develop a simple single-parameter algorithm for the computation of the stochastic gravitational wave background generated by i-strings from that of a standard cosmic string network, which may be useful in the determination of the observational constraints to be obtained by current and forthcoming gravitational wave experiments.


When a reinforced concrete structure suffers from a big fire, its quality will change and its bearing ability will be reduced. It is necessary to take a comprehensive testing and to formulate corresponding reinforcement to restore the structure. This article mainly talks about a series of detections and their results of a reinforced concrete culvert which suffered from fire, and then selects a better reinforcement program. It can provide reference for the reinforcement of similar concrete structures.


adopted from your shelter? Then ask another question: Which animals are most likely to leave before they are spayed or neutered? For many shelters, unfortunately, the answer to both of these questions is the same: kittens and puppies. According to a 2009 survey by PetSmart Charities, approximately one in three pet owners do not have their pets spayed or neutered in a timely fashion following adoption. Of those surveyed, 13 percent of dog owners and 19 percent of cat owners had allowed their pet to have a litter—usually unintentionally. Furthermore, the survey revealed that substantial confusion exists among pet owners regarding the appropriate age for spay/neuter. When animal adoption organizations require neutering but fail to perform the surgery prior to placement, they inevitably end up adding to the number of litters born in their community. Even if a shelter has a 90 percent compliance rate for post-adoption spay/neuter, if one of their adopted dogs has a litter of 10 puppies, they're right back where they started. For these reasons, shelters should always strive for neuter-before-adoption for all cats and dogs, including those often-overlooked kittens and puppies as young as 6 weeks of shelter medicine


This study shows that when social movements achieve a general acceptance for the legitimacy of their cause in the institutional environment, they may start pursuing further demands by challenging their target entities through the 'politics of alignment,' meaning engaging these entities in professionally developed programs and demanding specific outcomes by introducing timed interventions in them. This study exemplifies this politics using the case of American LGBT workplace movement which used its Corporate Equality Index (CEI) program to extend reputational and economic benefits to its target entities—the Fortune 500 corporations—but also added an intervention to this program in 2011 to demand the adoption of gender transition-related health benefits by these corporations as a specific movement outcome which, if not met, would make these corporations lose the benefits they had been deriving through their performance in the CEI program. A longitudinal study of 456 Fortune 500 corporations from 2008 to 2017 conducted through hazard rate analysis indicates that corporations affected by this intervention, as well as by other movement factors, were the most likely to adopt these health benefits for their employees. Further quantitative analysis—using QCA—shows that early adoptions were explained largely by the LGBT workplace movement forces and the later adoptions by insider activism and isomorphic diffusion. These findings highlight that an incisive understanding of organizational change can be best gathered by examining social movements and institutional forces together.


Self-assembled III-V quantum dots (QDs) have been intensely studied for potential applications in solar cell (SC) devices in order to increase power conversion efficiency. Due to their quantum confinement of carriers, QDs have been proposed as a means of implementing the intermediate band solar cell (IBSC). The IBSC concept is characterised by in an increase in photocurrent and a preservation of output voltage, resulting from an enhanced sensitivity to the solar spectrum. The work reported in this thesis is concerned with the development of InAs QDs in GaAs p-i-n solar cell structures, with the aim of realising of an IBSC. The work involves the design, epitaxial growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), device processing and characterisation of the QDSCs. This thesis first investigates InAs/InGaAs dot-in-a-well (DWELL) solar cell structures grown under different conditions. The use of a high-growth-temperature GaAs spacer layers is demonstrated to significantly enhance the performance of the multilayer DWELL solar cells. Threading dislocations were observed for a 30-layer QD structure with GaAs spacer layers grown at a low temperature (510 oC). By growing the GaAs spacer layer at a higher temperature (580 oC), the formation of threading dislocations were suppressed, resulting in enhanced optical properties. The thesis then goes on to address the main challenges facing QD IBSCs, that is, the reduction in open-circuit voltage and the lack of significant increase in short-circuit current. To eliminate the wetting layer and enhance the open-circuit voltage of the QD solar cell, an AlAs cap layer technique was used. This resulted in an enhancement of the open-circuit voltage of a 20-layer InAs/GaAs QDSC from 0.69 V to 0.79 V. Despite a slight reduction in short-circuit current, for the QDSC with AlAs cap layer, the enhancement in the open-circuit voltage was enough to ensure that its efficiency is higher than the QDSC without AlAs cap layers. In an attempt to enhance the short-circuit current, an antimony-mediated growth approach was used to grow high-density QDs. After optimisation of the growth temperature and InAs coverage, a very high in-plane QD density of 1  1011 cm-2 was achieved by applying a few monolayers of antimony prior to QD growth. Compared with a reference QDSC without the incorporation of antimony, the high-density QDSC demonstrates a distinct improvement in short-circuit current from 7.4 mA/cm2 to 8.3 mA/cm2. This result shows that a significant increase in short-circuit current could potentially compensate for the drop in open-circuit voltage observed in InAs/GaAs QD solar cells. Ongoing work on the development of QDSCs with both AlAs capping and antimony-mediated growth have resulted in the simultaneous elimination of the wetting layer and increase in QD absorption in a single device. Overall, the studies in this thesis present important implications for the design and growth of InAs/GaAs QD solar cell structures for the implementation of IBSCs.


This paper employs impulse response function of VAR model and the estimation variance decomposition method to investigate the two-way dynamic relationship between environmental regulation and FDI during 1985 to 2009. The result of generalized impulse response shows the impact effects of environmental regulation exerting to FDI become less and less in long-term, which verifies "hypothesis of pollution haven". The inverse U-shape curve of "environmental regulation - FDI" depends on the choice of regulation indicators. Furthermore, the positive impulse response shows the inflows of FDI would cause the deterioration of ecology and the intervene of governments, which gives pressure to the transformation of environmental regulation standard.


This volume brings together a collection of Graham Holderness's writings on Shakespeare in film and television. Published in books and journals between 1984 and 1998, these essays constitute a resource for the study of Shakespeare in the media. These essays have been acknowledged as pioneering applications of the terms of Shakespeare criticism to film theory and media study. The fact that film and television versions of Shakespeare are now accepted as a standard element of Shakespeare studies is due in no small part to the work collected in this volume. The volume also includes a bibliography of work in this particular field.


Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic alloys of composition Fe-19Cr-0.5Y2O3 have been prepared by mechanical alloying at various heat-treatment conditions to produce a range of grain sizes and dispersed oxide particle size. Fine oxide particles appear to pin grain boundaries and result in inhibition of grain growth in the alloy matrix. Particle strengthening is shown to be a larger component of the material strength, rather than grain boundary strengthening or matrix strength, indicating that the finely dispersed oxide particles contribute very significantly to the total strength of 19Cr-ODS ferritic alloy.


Ewan Roderick Tearlach Goodier BEng (Birmingham) RELUCTANCE MACHINES WITH FLUX ASSISTANCE This thesis presents three reluctance machines with flux assistance. These machines provide alternative novel geometries that provide high efficiencies with a reduction in the ampere turns in the armature windings for torque production, lowering armature winding switching losses and reducing the power electronic rating. The Dual Stack Variable Reluctance Machine is a switched reluctance variant of the homopolar inductor alternator topology. The Single Stack Variable Reluctance Machine is a simplification of the Dual Stack machine. Both machines use a toroidal field winding to provide additional flux. The methods of connecting armature coils on each stator pole to utilise the armature flux and the choice of power electronic circuitry are important. Testing shows that such machines favour unipolar excitation with single coil per pole for the armature windings. Use of the field winding in series with the armature windings improves torque production. The Dual Stack Variable Reluctance Machine can have the mechanical angular displacement between the two stator stacks varied to provide an improved back emf waveshape for smoother torque production. The Single Stack Variable Reluctance Machine has parasitic and axial air gaps that pose interesting design issues (e.g. end thrust). Magnets can be placed in steel sections where flux is unidirectional. An ideal candidate for magnet insertion is the Flux Switching Motor. A Permanent Magnet Flux Switching Motor has been built that replaces the field windings with ferrite magnets. The Permanent Magnet Flux Switching Motor achieves efficiencies of over 80%. It adds no additional cost to the fan application as cost savings in lower temperature rated thermoplastics offsets the cost of magnets. A prototyping circuit incorporating a novel micro-processor program to alter the commutation timings as the machine operates has been designed to allow fast optimisation of each machine for minimum input power.


Background: The causal relation between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer has enabled HPV self-sampling to be envisaged as a possible screening method. Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the acceptability and reliability of HPV DNA self-sampling as an alternative option for cervical screening among female sex workers. Methods: Sixty-eight participants carried out self-sampling for HPV testing, gave a clinician-obtained sample for HPV testing, and a Papanicolaou test. After the samplings, the participants were questioned on the acceptability of the tests. Results: Most participants (65.6%) preferred to adopt HPV DNA self-sampling in the future; in particular, those without previous experience of Papanicolaou tests marginally significantly preferred self-sampling (86.7%, P = .055). The overall crude agreement in HPV detection rates between clinician and HPV DNA self-sampling was 85.3% (58/68), with a &kgr; of 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.51–0.87). The sensitivity and specificity of self-collected samples were 66.7% and 66.1%, respectively, and the positive and negative predicted values were 24.0% and 92.5%, respectively. The prevalence of HPV was slightly higher in self-collected samples (39.7%, 27/68) than in clinician-collected samples (36.8%, 25/68). The participants expressed positive attitudes toward self-sampling but were less confident in their skills of self-sampling compared with clinicians (70.6% versus 91.2%). Conclusions: The findings showed that self-sampling could be incorporated into current cervical cancer screening approaches. Implications for Practice: Self-sampling could potentially increase compliance to cervical cancer screening and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer. Further research and education on self-sampling will be required for women of diverse backgrounds.


Information derived from sensor networks plays a crucial role in the success of many critical tasks such as surveillance, and border monitoring. In order to derive the correct information at the right time, sensor data must be captured at desired locations with respect to the operational tasks in concern. Therefore, it is important that at the planning stage of a mission, sensing resources are best placed in the field to capture the required data. For example, consider a mission goal identify snipers, in an operational area before troops are deployed - two acoustic arrays and a day-night video camera are needed to successfully achieve this goal. This is because, if the resources are placed in correct locations, two acoustic arrays could provide direction of the shooter and a possible location by triangulating acoustic data whereas the day-night camera could produce an affirmative image of the perpetrators. In order to deploy the sensing resources intelligently to support the user decisions, in this paper we propose a Semantic Web based knowledge layer to identify the required resources in a sensor network and deploy the needed resources through a sensor infrastructure. The knowledge layer captures crucial information such as resources configurations, their intended use (e.g., two acoustic arrays deployed in a particular formation with day-night camera are needed to identify perpetrators in a possible sniper attack). The underlying sensor infrastructure will assists the process by exposing the information about deployed resources, resources in theatre, and location information about tasks, resources and so on.


ABSTRACT We propose a new notion called "extremal depth" (ED) for functional data, discuss its properties, and compare its performance with existing concepts. The proposed notion is based on a measure of extreme "outlyingness." ED has several desirable properties that are not shared by other notions and is especially well suited for obtaining central regions of functional data and function spaces. In particular: (a) the central region achieves the nominal (desired) simultaneous coverage probability; (b) there is a correspondence between ED-based (simultaneous) central regions and appropriate pointwise central regions; and (c) the method is resistant to certain classes of functional outliers. The article examines the performance of ED and compares it with other depth notions. Its usefulness is demonstrated through applications to constructing central regions, functional boxplots, outlier detection, and simultaneous confidence bands in regression problems. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.


This paper presents a novel condylar hinge for robotic limbs which was inspired by the human knee joint. The ligaments in the human knee joint can be modeled as an inverted parallelogram four-bar mechanism. The knee joint also has a condylar cam mechanism between the femur and tibia bones. The bio-inspired joint mimics the four-bar mechanism and the cam mechanism of the human knee joint. The bio-inspired design has the same desirable features of a human knee joint including compactness, high mechanical advantage, high strength, high stiffness and locking in the upright position. These characteristics are important for robotic limbs where there are often tight space and mass limitations. A prototype hinge joint similar in size to the human knee joint has been designed and tested. Experimental tests have shown that the new condylar hinge joint has superior performance to a pin-jointed hinge in terms of mechanical advantage and stiffness. The prototype hinge has a mechanical advantage that is greater than a pin-jointed hinge by up to 35% which leads to a corresponding reduction in the peak force of the actuator of up to 35% for a squatting movement. The paper also presents a five-step design procedure to produce a combined inverted parallelogram mechanism with a cam mechanism.


Thermally driven microfluidics, that is, flow that is driven by a temperature gradient, has applications from lab-on-a-chip to electronics cooling. Development of such devices requires tools to predict and probe temperature and velocity fields. We have developed analytical, numerical, and experimental analysis tools for design and characterization of thermally driven microfluidic systems. We demonstrate these tools through the analysis of two different systems: an electrothermal microstirring biochip, and a high aspect heat pipe for cooling. First, a numerical model is developed for temperature and velocity fields, in a hybrid electrothermal-buoyancy microstirring device. An analytical tool, the electrothermal Rayleigh number, is used to further explore the relative importance of electrothermal and buoyancy driven flow. Finally, two experimental thermometry techniques are described: fluorescence thermometry and infrared thermometry. These analytical, numerical, and experimental tools are useful in the design of thermally driven microfluidic systems, as demonstrated here through the development and analysis of microstirring and heat pipe systems.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


Advances in transgene and gene targeting technology have enabled sophisticated manipulation of the mouse genome, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac conduction, arrhythmogenesis, and sudden cardiac death. The mouse is currently the principal mammalian model for studying biological processes, particularly related to cardiac pathophysiology. Murine models have been engineered harboring gene mutations leading to inherited structural and electrical disorders of the heart due to transcription factor mutations, connexin protein defects, and G protein and ion channelopathies. These mutations lead to phenotypes reminiscent of human clinical disease states including congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies, and long-QT syndrome, creating models of human electrophysiological disease. Functional analyses of the underlying molecular mechanisms of resultant phenotypes require appropriate and sophisticated experimental methodology. This paper reviews current in vivo murine electrophysiology study techniques and genetic mouse models pertinent to human arrhythmia disorders.


Satellite data acquired and processed in real time now have the potential to provide the spacetime information on rainfall needed to monitor flood and landslide events around the world. This can be achieved by integrating the satellite-derived forcing data with hydrological models and landslide algorithms. Progress in using the TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) as input to flood and landslide forecasts is outlined, with a focus on understanding limitations of the rainfall data and impacts of those limitations on flood/landslide analyses. Case studies of both successes and failures will be shown, as well as comparison with ground comparison data sets both in terms of rainfall and in terms of flood/landslide events. In addition to potential uses in real-time, the nearly ten years of TMPA data allow retrospective running of the models to examine variations in extreme events. The flood determination algorithm consists of four major components: 1) multi-satellite precipitation estimation; 2) characterization of land surface including digital elevation from NASA SRTM (Shuttle Radar Terrain Mission), topography-derived hydrologic parameters such as flow direction, flow accumulation, basin, and river network etc.; 3) a hydrological model to infiltrate rainfall and route overland runoff; and 4) an implementation interface to relay the input data to the models and display the flood inundation results to potential users and decision-makers. In terms of landslides, the satellite rainfall information is combined with a global landslide susceptibility map, derived from a combination of global surface characteristics (digital elevation topography, slope, soil types, soil texture, and land cover classification etc.) using a weighted linear combination approach. In those areas identified as "susceptible" (based on the surface characteristics), landslides are forecast where and when a rainfall intensity/duration threshold is exceeded. Results are described indicating general agreement with landslide occurrences. However, difficulties in comparing landslide event information (mostly from news reports) with the satellite-based forecasts are analyzed.


ABSTRACT The Richard Review of the United Kingdoms (UK) Apprenticeships in 2012 proposed degree apprenticeships (DA) as a new model for the unification of academic and vocational learning. Apprenticeships have long been acknowledged as a practical vehicle to develop the vocational skills and educational achievements of the UK employee resource. The UK Government set a target of 3 million apprenticeship starts between 2015 and 2020. In order for higher education institutions (HEI) to participate in the new apprenticeship marketplace, they need to consider distinct factors that do not surface in traditional Bachelors programmes. Cognizant of these challenges this paper evaluates the development of the new degree apprenticeship programmes for built environment education through the research lens of HEI. This paper evaluates extant literature and primary data collected from qualitative interviews carried out across the UK HEI sector during 2017. Research findings are presented following analysis using NVivo. Narratives on the barriers, benefits, and opportunities, of degree apprenticeships, including academic quality assurance, governance, and pedagogic dimensions are presented. The findings include industry designed curriculum producing a different graduate output, redefining the purpose of HE, restructuring governance and resource, additional contractual obligations for stakeholders and the embedding of work-based learning strategies.


This study investigates the problem of enabling Quality of Service (QoS) of multimedia traffic at the input port of high-performance input-queued packet switches using a simulation-based evaluation. We focus on the possibility of assuring QoS of multimedia traffic in such switches by implementing traffic prioritization at the input port where each input-queue has been modified to provide a separate buffer for each of the service classes. The multimedia traffic can be categorized into three classes based on its real-time properties and loss tolerance and assigned a separate queue for each class. We select appropriate models for each of three types of traffic: video, voice and data. Then, we propose an efficient dynamic scheduling strategy by implementing multimedia traffic prioritization at the input port of input-queued packet switches. Simulation-based comparisons show that while the static priority scheme is beneficial for highest priority class at the expense of the others, the dynamic prioritization serves fairly well all the classes in terms of delay and loss requirements.


The haptic rendering of surface mesostructure (fine relief features) in dense triangle meshes requires special structures, equipment, and high sampling rates for detailed perception of rugged models. Some approaches simulate haptic texture at a lower processing cost, but at the expense of fidelity of perception. We propose a better method for rendering fine surface detail by using image-based Hybrid Rugosity Mesostructures (HRMs), composed of paired maps of piece-wise heightfield displacements and corresponding normals, which are layered on top of a less complex mesh, adding greater surface detail than the one actually present in the geometry. The core of the algorithm renders surface features by modulating the haptic probe's force response using a blended HRM coat. The proposed method solves typical problems arising at edge crossings, concave foldings and smoothing texture stitching transitions across edges. By establishing a common set of specially devised meshes, HRM mesostructures, and a battery of performance tests, we build a usability testing framework that allows a fair and balanced experimental procedure for comparing haptic rendering approaches. The trial results and user testing evaluations show the goodness of the proposed HRM technique in the accurate rendering of high 3D surface detail at low processing costs, deriving useful modeling and perception thresholds for this technique.


Recently, household energy consumption has been highly
increasing, although there is a decrease in the source of energy.
Consequently, the base price of electricity has been rising. Thus,
there are a variety of approaches to save electricity costs. One
proposed approach is the User-in-the Loop (UIL) method, in which
the consumers are given satisfactory incentives (for instance
decreasing the base price of the electricity) to postpone their
demand until low peak hours. To investigate the effectiveness of
UIL, both control models are examined under three types of pricing.
Additionally, we propose the dynamic pricing model, in which the
base price of the electricity is updated every 5 minutes based on a
feedback message received from users. As a result of this study, we
found that there is an inverse relationship between the number of
users and the efficiency of UIL with the dynamic pricing
model.


Introduction Neurological disorders are routinely characterized by loss of cells in response to an injury or a progressive insult. Stem cells could therefore be useful to treat these disorders. Sources of data Pubmed searches of recent literature. Areas of agreement Stem cells exhibit proliferative capacity making them ideally suited for replacing dying cells. However, instead of cell replacement therapy stem cell transplants frequently appear to work via neurotrophic factor release, immunomodulation and upregulation of endogenous stem cells. Areas of controversy and areas timely for developing research Many questions remain with respect to the use of stem cells as a therapy, the answers to which will vary depending on the disorder to be treated and mode of action. Whereas the potential tumorigenic capability of stem cells is a concern, most studies do not support this notion. Further determination of the optimal cell type, and whether to perform allogeneic or autologous transplants warrant investigation before the full potential of stem cells can be realized. In addition, the use of stem cells to develop disease models should not be overlooked.


This paper describes the early conception and latest developments of electroactive polymer (EAP)- based sensors, actuators and power sources, implemented as wearable devices for smart electronic textiles (e-textiles). Such textiles, functioning as multifunctional wearable human interfaces, are today considered relevant promoters of progress and useful tools in several biomedical field, such as biomonitoring, rehabilitation and telemedicine. This paper presents the more performing EAPbased devices developed by our lab and other research groups for sensing, actuating and energy harvesting, with reference to their already demonstrated or potential applicability to electronic textiles.


In the new round of medical and health system reform, the cost management of DRGs hospital is taken as the entry point, and the medical reform literature and policy documents are compiled. The DRGs are used as a means of payment and evaluation, which is applied to the hospital's cost management and performance evaluation. Analysis DRGs cost accounting is the focus of implementing DRGs payment methods. It is related to the smooth promotion of DRGs payment methods in public hospitals. It will force public hospitals to put more energy into controlling medical costs, and provide scientific and accurate basis for hospital decision-making


Necrotizing fasciitis may be caused by a variety of organism . The progression of the disease may be gradual or have a fulminant course. We report a case of septicaemia, gangrene and fulminant necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio Vulnificus with fatal outcome. The patient expired inspite of I.V antibiotics and amputation of the affected limb. Transmission to men is through contact with skin, mucosa or wounds exposed to sea water, and/or consumption of certain undercooked fish or raw shell , specially during the summer months. Significant risk factors for fulminant course of the disease include preexisting liver disease and im-munocompromised states. This infection should be clinically suspected and recognized from its typical history of exposure to sea water and fulminant clinical progress as a delay in di-agnosis and treatment may result in considerable mortality.


In this (CAMOXI) study, three carbon monoxide (CO) monitors and salivary cotinine are assessed regarding their ability to distinguish smokers from nonsmokers, both in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy people. Twenty-six healthy smokers, 25 healthy nonsmokers, 25 smoking, and 25 former smoking stable COPD patients (age 40-72 years) were included based on self-report (N = 101). All volunteers were measured following a 12-h abstinence period. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of a positive and negative test result were assessed for a range of cutoff points for both CO and salivary cotinine. The prescribed 9-ppm cutoff point of the Breath CO generates a sensitivity of 68% and 42% for COPD patients and healthy people, respectively. Using the prescribed cutoff point (10 ppm) the Smokelyzer produces 56% sensitivity for COPD patients and 23% for healthy people. Both monitors generate 100% specificity in both groups. The cutoff point for the Micro CO meter (5 ppm) generates 88% sensitivity and 92% specificity for COPD patients, and for healthy people 92% and 88%, respectively. The optimal cutoff points depend upon the goal of the test. Salivary cotinine has a 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value over the range of 15 ng/mL through 40 ng/mL for healthy participants and at 10 ng/mL for COPD patients. The prescribed cutoff points for all three CO monitors generate misleading results concerning the determination of the smoking status in both populations. Salivary cotinine measurement outperforms CO measurements and a combination of the two tools is recommended.


In this paper, we analyze the results of the recent Aurora large vocabulary evaluations. Two consortia submitted proposals on speech recognition front ends for this evaluation: (1) Qualcomm, ICSI, and OGI (QIO), and (2) Motorola, France Telecom, and Alcatel (MFA). These front ends used a variety of noise reduction techniques including discriminative transforms, feature normalization, voice activity detection, and blind equalization. Participants used a common speech recognition engine to postprocess their features. In this paper, we show that the results of this evaluation were not significantly impacted by suboptimal recognition system parameter settings. Without any front end specific tuning, the MFA front end outperforms the QIO front end by 9.6% relative. With tuning, the relative performance gap increases to 15.8%. Both the mismatched microphone and additive noise evaluation conditions resulted in a significant degradation in performance for both front ends.


OBJECTIVE
To empirically describe changes in terminal care management behavior over time with the advent of natural death acts and public dialogue and institutional policy regarding terminal care.

DESIGN
Retrospective analysis of medical decision-making and outcome was performed in a cohort of 237 intensive care unit (ICU) patients who received a do-not-resuscitate decision.

SETTING
Medical ICU in a tertiary care center.

PATIENTS
The cohort of 237 consecutive patients who received a terminal care decision in the ICU, i.e., a do-not-resuscitate decision with or without additional limitation of care, represented 9.3% of 2,185 patients admitted to the ICU over a 4-yr period. Brain-dead patients were excluded from the cohort.

INTERVENTIONS
Implementation of hospital-wide policies on do-not-resuscitate decisions and discontinuation of life-prolonging procedures in 1986.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
A change in frequency and nature of terminal care decisions occurred. By 1988, do-not-resuscitate decisions occurred twice as often as in 1984 (p = .016) compared with ICU deaths. Formal terminal wean decisions, i.e., additional limitation or withdrawal of care, occurred more frequently after 1985 (p = .027). The hospital mortality rate for the do-not-resuscitate cohort was 96.4% (226/237). The diagnosis of cardiac arrest was correlated with subsequent terminal care decisions (p = .0005, r2 = .08). Age of >56 yrs was increasingly correlated with probability of a terminal care decision (p < .0001, r2 = .05). White women received withdrawal of care most frequently, followed by white men, African American men, and African American women. Outcomes analysis indicated that after a do-not-resuscitate decision, most nonsurvivors died within 48 hrs. Eleven patients without additional limitation or withdrawal of care survived to hospital discharge (11/237 [4.6%]). No patient survived a terminal wean.

CONCLUSIONS
There is now an increasing probability that impending death will be acknowledged by a formal terminal care decision. Such decisions may become even more frequent with the dialogue generated by the Patient Self Determination Act and the advent of decisions based on physiologic futility.


Animal movement patterns are increasingly analysed as spatial networks. Currently, structures of complex movements are typically represented as a single-layer (or monoplex) network. However, aggregating individual movements, to generate population-level inferences, considerably reduces information on how individual or species variability influences spatial connectivity and thus identifying the mechanisms driving network structure remains difficult. Here, we propose incorporating the recent conceptual advances in multilayer network analyses with the existing movement network approach to improve our understanding of the complex interaction between spatial and/or social drivers of animal movement patterns. Specifically, we explore the application and interpretation of this framework using an empirical example of shark movement data gathered using passive remote sensors in a coral reef ecosystem. We first show how aggregating individual movement networks can lead to the loss of information, potentially misleading our interpretation of movement patterns. We then apply multilayer network analyses linking individual movement networks (i.e. layers) to the probabilities of social contact between individuals (i.e. interlayer edges) in order to explore the functional significance of different locations to an animal's ecology. This approach provides a novel and holistic framework incorporating individual variability in behaviour and inter-individual interactions. We discuss how this approach can be used in applied ecology and conservation to better assess the ecological significance of variable space use by mobile animals within a population. Further, we argue that the uptake of multilayer networks will significantly broaden our understanding of long-term ecological and evolutionary processes, particularly in the context of information or disease transfer between individuals.


Considering the strain rate then puts forward the modified uniaxial dynamic constitutive model related to strain rate in concrete-filled square steel tube and the modified calculation results match well with the experimental results. Based on the above conclusion, uniaxial compression performance finite element analysis with different strain rate among 10-5/s–10-3/s is completed, the results showed that strain rate can obviously change the dynamic performance of the concrete-filled square steel tube. Through the analysis of the influencing factors of the core concrete compressive strength, it is showed that with the increasing of the strain rate and the improving of concrete strength, the ultimate bearing capacity of concrete-filled square steel tube is higher and the ductility is reduced. With the increasing of stirrup ratio, ultimate bearing capacity is greater and the ductility is enhanced. With the sectional dimensions increasing, the ultimate bearing capacity is greater and the ductility is enhanced.


: One area of particular concern, on behalf of the pediatric dental patient, is the routine use of low doses of ionizing radiation in the form of bitewing radiographs at semi-annual examinations. Patients at high-risk for interproximal caries should receive bitewing examinations at the first clinical evidence of caries. The use of pit and fissure caries as a criterion for determining relative interproximal caries risk may not be reliable in fluoridated communities.


Federal dams have been the focus of major disputes involving application of the Endangered Species Act, especially Section 7 and its prohibition on federal actions causing jeopardy to protected species. Operating agencies and project beneficiaries have sought to keep the ESA from restricting dam operations, including by arguing that such operations are nondiscretionary and thus exempt from Section 7. In proposing new ESA implementing rules, the Trump Administration suggested – though did not formally propose – that ongoing federal actions (such as dam operations) should be considered part of the "environmental baseline" for Section 7 purposes. Redefining the environmental baseline in that way could have dramatically changed over 25 years of practice in applying the ESA to federal dams, reducing or even eliminating the crucial protection provided by Section 7. Although the Administration ultimately adopted a more modest change to the definition, it apparently did so due to legal rather than policy concerns. The article then examines the policy goals that the Administration apparently sought to pursue with the suggested rule, and identifies issues that will likely arise from ongoing efforts to pursue those policy goals at the project level. Although the Administration decided against a national rollback regarding ongoing actions, there are sure to be ongoing battles over the application of the ESA to federal dams.


Qualitative responses to a survey of 314 social work faculty from nearly half of the graduate schools of social work (MSW programs) in the United States elucidated valuable information about culturally sensitive social work education. This article explores faculty perceptions of the deficits or MSW programs in preparing students for culturally sensitive social work practice with Latinos. While nearly 90% of social work MSW faculty agreed or strongly agreed that it is important to prepare students for work with this population, many perceive that their programs are not currently able to do so adequately. Faculty opinions concerning the nature of the deficits and ways of remedying said deficits are discussed.


This article presents quantitative evidence that shows that the introduction of a research assessment scheme similar to the proposed Research Quality Framework (RQF) is likely to exacerbate gender inequity in the Australian university sector. It contributes new measures of gender differences in the publications records of Australian academics. It also identifies the significant impact that measured research performance already has on the promotion chances of Australian academics. Both pieces of evidence indicate that an RQF-style scheme would increase the importance of measured research success in determining career chances and, in doing so, would further reduce gender equity in the university sector.


We studied the ultrasonographic (US) features of the pes anserinus insersion (PA) and subcutaneous medial knee fat in patients clinically diagnosed of pes anserinus tendino-bursitis (PATB) syndrome. Thirty seven consecutive patients with suspected PATB were clinically evaluated and their knees examined using a 7.5 MHz linear probe. In twenty-three patients with unilateral clinical PATB (group A) the painful knee was compared with their painless opposite knee. Six patients with bilateral clinical PATB (group B) were compared with 6 healthy controls (group C). All patients were women with radiographic knee osteoarthritis in 93% and body mass index > 27 in 75%. US pes anserinus tendinitis was found in one symptomatic knee and pes anserinus bursitis in two symptomatic knees and in one asymptomatic knee. No US signs of panniculitis were found in patients and controls. In conclusion, patients diagnosed of PATB syndrome in rheumatology rarely have US tendinitis or bursitis of the PA.


Sixty skin biopsies taken from positive tuberculoid and borderline tuberculoid late lepromin reaction were studied using histological techniques. The distribution of mycobacterial antigen and nerves was demonstrated using immunochemical methods . A total of 557 nerve bundles was observed in 51 biopsies; 9 were devoid of nerves in the sections examined; 475 nerve bundles showed some relationship to the inflammatory infiltrate (85%); perineuritis being seen in 1 44 (30%) and endoneuritis in 5 (0 '9%) . Mycobacterial antigens inside the granuloma were detected in 59 of the 60 biopsies (98 %) . Only one specimen, showing a strong tuberculoid reaction, failed to show these antigens . On the contrary, mycobacterial antigen was absent in almost all nerves. Small deposits were detected in the perineurium of one nerve with perineuritis, and inside a Schwann cell of another, the latter belonging to a previously multi bacillary patient. The neurotropic tendency of the granuloma does not seem to be stimulated by the presence of mycobacterial antigens inside the nerves, as normally these antigens do not penetrate them. The hypothesis of some antigenic fraction of the neural tissue which cross-reacts with Mycobacterium /eprae antigens, thus eliciting a perineural or near-perineural inflammatory reaction is put forward, but needs further investigation.


The main purpose of robot calibration is the correction of the possible errors in the robot parameters. This paper presents a method for a kinematic calibration of a parallel robot that is equipped with one camera in hand. In order to preserve the mechanical configuration of the robot, the camera is utilized to acquire incremental positions of the end effector from a spherical object that is fixed in the word reference frame. The positions of the end effector are related to incremental positions of resolvers of the motors of the robot, and a kinematic model of the robot is used to find a new group of parameters which minimizes errors in the kinematic equations. Additionally, properties of the spherical object and intrinsic camera parameters are utilized to model the projection of the object in the image and improving spatial measurements. Finally, the robotic system is designed to carry out tracking tasks and the calibration of the robot is validated by means of integrating the errors of the visual controller.


Abstract Farm producers attempt to mitigate risk and uncertainty by utilizing accurate and reliable information. This research attempts to identify sources of information used by Ohio fruit producers and then determine which of these sources are best meeting their information needs. Results are based on a logit analysis of Ohio fruit producers and several factors are shown to influence producers' evaluation of the "adequacy" of their marketing information. Among these factors are age, business size, education, type of enterprise, and types of information sources. Reported findings have implications for marketing efficiency, particularly if producers' evaluation of infonnation as adequate is positively related to its efficient use.


Cryptococcal meningitis is a severe opportunistic infection in HIV disease. Although the prevalence is declining with the expansion of antiretroviral treatment, it remains an important issue in resource-limited settings. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, EMBASE and AJOL were searched with focus on epidemiology, mycology and pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, and challenges in resource-limited settings, and future developments. Challenges particularly in resource-limited settings include inadequate diagnosis due to poor laboratory facilities and low index of suspicion, and poor availability of current effective antifungal drugs. Although studies are still on going on the use of interferon-γ in cryptococcal meningitis, the tempo of research on development of preventive cryptococcal vaccine should also be increased.


There is limited understanding of risk and protective factors associated with depression among African American adolescents living in impoverished, urban settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify a range of risk and protective factors associated with depressive symptoms among low-income urban African American adolescents. The sample (n = 467) comprised African American adolescents from three high-poverty urban neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. A self-administered read aloud survey completed by adolescents assessed depressive symptoms as well as various individual- and environmental-level risk and protective factors. Multivariate analyses indicated that female gender, living with an adult with a substance abuse problem, greater exposure to physical violence, and greater peer delinquency were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Greater home assets and self-awareness were associated with lower depressive symptoms. Future interventions to prevent and treat depression among urban African American adolescents should focus on minimizing their risk factors while enhancing those factors found to be protective.


Novigrad Sea is a small bay of the Adriatic Sea in which northeastern part Zrmanja River discharges and forms highly stratified estuary. Investigation of geochemical, sedimentological and mineralogical characteristics of sediments of wider area of the Novigrad Sea was conducted in order to determine the origin of the material, the deposition conditions as well as natural and anthropogenic factors of influences on sedimentation in the Novigrad Sea. The results showed that the composition of the Novigrad Sea sediments is primarily
 determined by natural factors, although sporadically we find the impact of anthropogenic activities. Composition of the investigated sediments is influenced by geological background, hydrodynamic conditions, biogenic production as well as the physico-chemical processes that govern the yield of dissolved and particulate phases of the Zrmanja River and Karisnica River and coagulation of colloidal materials along the salinity gradient. Material brought by Zrmanja River partly deposits on the mouth of the river in the Novigrad Sea while the material in suspension deposits in the deeper parts of the basin. Reoxidation of metal oxides at the water-surface interface makes Novigrad Sea sediments place of trace element disposal. Most of the material brought by River Zrmanja and River Karisnica deposits within the Novigrad Sea and the Karin Sea area. The composition of the Zrmanja River sediments indicates the impact of the ex-alumina factory Jadral and transfer by wind of the material from its immediate proximity to the water system of the Zrmanja River. The composition of surface and bottom water of the Novigrad Sea area reflects the geological and hydrogeological background, while the distribution of trace elements in the water column is determined by salinity and remobilization of elements from the sediment into the water column.


In this study, the experience of prospective science teachers, who watched a cinema film adapted from the life story of a well-known scientist for the first time in an informal environment, was examined. Answers of two questions were sought in the study; (1) what aspects of the nature of science did the prospective science teachers experience through which scenario elements of the film? (2) how do pre-service teachers interpret these experiences? In this study, being conducted based on hermeneutic phenomenology design; the data were collected through focus group interviews with semi-structured questions prepared by taking into consideration the aspects of the nature of science. Participants were 29 (23 girls, 6 boys) prospective science teachers. The collected data were analyzed by qualitative methods. The findings showed that the participants experience and interpret some aspects of the nature of science through specific scenario elements (representations). It was determined that participants highlighted certain sections (e.g. process of discovery, social reaction) in the story. It was observed that the participants correlated these sections with the nature of science in a positive or negative way and interpret them. The results show that these kinds of films adopted from history of science, which are recommended in the literature, can give positive messages about the nature of science.  In addition, it was observed that the film caused misconceptions about the nature of science, especially due to the scenario. Therefore, it can be said that such films produced for different purposes may lead to some problems in the teaching of the nature of science. From this point of view, even if such films are used, it is obvious that rather than an informal environment, it is necessary to integrate these films into a more structured learning environment where inappropriate messages given by the film can be seen critically.


Chronic cough or cough that lasts more than 8 weeks, once a chest x-ray and spirometry are confirmed normal, is caused by an alteration in a section of the route between peripheral receptors, mainly in the upper and lower airway and oesophagus, spinal cord and the cough centre in the brain stem involving the cortex. These mechanisms of cough have their homology in the circuit of chronic pain, and on that basis, should expand future research of chronic cough. Clinically chronic cough is easy to diagnose by an excessive response or hypertussia to low-intensity stimuli or banal stimuli, which we now call hypersensitivity cough syndrome, quantified by a positive reflex cough with capsaicin or citric acid. However, hypersensitivity cough syndrome can be impossible to quantify in the laboratory when the hyper-responsiveness originates in the central nervous system. This is normally caused by excessive peripheral input or convergence of stimuli from different sources. Once central hypersensitivity is acquired, peripheral input is not as important for activation of the cough.


Ever since the discovery of specific immune response (Ir) genes in the I regions of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of mammals (1), certain characteristic features of the phenomena they control presented a considerable challenge:
 1)H-linked Ir gene control has been observed only for thymus-dependent antigens that are proteins or polypeptides, and is concerned with T cell responses such as the stimulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and specific helper T cells (1, 2). 2)The specificity of Ir gene function is remarkable and distinguishes readily between antigens with different amino acid primary sequences (3–6). This has been demonstrated for synthetic antigens and also for native antigens. It is nevertheless remarkably distinct from the specificity of the T cell responses themselves (7), a matter of considerable concern to me when we initially proposed that the Ir gene product could be the elusive T cell receptor (1).


Since the end of World War II, universities and their faculties have changed in noteworthy ways. Some deplore the present and take pleasure in romantic backward glances. However, nostalgia for the snows of yesteryear will not move higher education forward. The two-part question worth asking now that the changes have taken place is: What should a contemporary metropolitan university expect of its faculty? What should a contemporary faculty expect of its metropolitan university? In creating the form and texture of professional lives, both faculty and administrators should elude three traps designed specifically to ensnare academic climbers and/or those prone to seek in apathy refuge from the hierarchical intellectual world. One, serious scholarship is the exclusive province of research university faculty. Two, the nature of scholarship pursued by faculty in metropolitan universities is less worthy than that pursued by faculty in research universities. And three, metropolitan university faculty should structure and teach courses of study that are of immediate economic usefulness-even to the neglect of those that are of long-term intellectual importance.


The objective of this 2-year field survey was to sample multiple ecological compartments within swine production systems to identify potential sources of Salmonella infection for swine. Twelve single-site production systems within Illinois were identified by slaughter sampling to have detectable Salmonella in swine and therefore selected for study. There were four visits to each farm during a 5-month period. Fecal samples were obtained from swine and other wild and domestic mammals. Arthropods and environmental samples of feed, water, pen floors, boots, and bird feces were also collected. All 8,066 samples obtained were cultured to detect Salmonella. Salmonella was detected on 11 of the 12 farms. There were 206 positive cultures, including samples from swine (83), pen floors (54), boots (32), flies (16), mice (9), cats (3), and birds (3). Swine shedding Salmonella in feces were detected on 9 of the 12 farms. The more Salmonella-abundant ecological compartments were cats (12% of samples positive), boots (11%), bird feces (8%), flies (6%), and mice (5%); 2.1% of 4,024 swine samples were positive. All 221 feed samples were negative for Salmonella. There was a correlation between a farm having a high prevalence of shedding Salmonella in pigs and a high abundance on pen floors, flies, and boots. The most common serotypes detected were Derby, Agona, Worthington, and Uganda, which were distributed throughout the ecosystem, suggesting widespread transmission across ecological compartments. The ubiquitous distribution of Salmonella suggests that an effective control strategy must target multiple compartments of the swine production ecosystem.


(Lowiaceae) were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Vessels with long scalariform perforation plates occur in both roots and rhizome; perforation plates have more pit membrane remnants in rhizomes. At least a few tracheids are present. The degree of perforation plate specialization correlates with the moist forest understory habit of Orchidantha, and is similar to that in primitive families of monocotyledons that occupy marshy habitats. Vessel data suggest a primitive position for Lowiaceae within Zingiberales in accordance with recent phylogenies of monocotyledons, but recent molecular data point to a position more nearly terminal in the clade; this situation needs resolution. Raphides are figured with SEM, as are starch grains with rounded outlines, the shape of the latter newly reported for Lowiaceae.


Multivocal morality concentrates attention on the ideologies of voice in efforts to narrate boundary-crossing moral dilemmas. This article's focus on the relationship between narrative and sentiment in moral transgression brings together two distinct bodies of literature. One is anthropologists' recent statements about a disciplinary shift from the study of law-like morality to ethical reasoning. The other is literary scholars' emphasis on the novel as the privileged genre of narrative in generating moral sentiments such as sympathy and compassion. While anthropologists risk turning a blind eye to their discipline's past achievements in understanding the complex interplay between customary obligation and moral sentiment, literary scholars foreclose an open discussion about the genres and media by which narrative may generate moral sentiments. The importance of attending to the notion of voice is elaborated through the work of two self-styled grandfathers on Zambian radio who, thirty years apart, performed the same story about strangers within. Despite the different eras of broadcast, they both assembled multiple voices in order to generate the moral sentiment of sympathy. The customary codes of elderhood informed multivocality not by giving others their voices as an act of charity or justice but by having moral authority to assemble those voices in the first place.


A television system for receiving a plurality of television programs includes a programming unit for causing the television system to receive and record a particular television show aired on a given channel, at a particular time and date in accordance with schedule data entered by a user. The television system includes a controller (415R) for generating the on-screen displays in response to user-entered data. Upon completion of a programming entry, the controller causes a display of a substantially grammatically correct sentence (210;310) summarizing the entered programming instructions and acting as a confirmation screen. In one embodiment, the confirmation screen (300) is interactive in that certain variables (325;335;350;380) within the sentence may be modified by the user to change the sense of the sentence, and thus to modify the programming instructions.


BACKGROUND
The selection criteria for entry into the MBBS programme used by Women Medical College (WMC) includes previous academic achievements, namely Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), and the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). This study determined the predictive validity of these selection tools and explored the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the selection process and the use of selection tools in WMC.

METHODS
This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods involved a retrospective cohort study design to determine the statistical correlation between the performance of candidates in the selection tools and their subsequent academic achievements at medical college. This consisted of data collected from three cohorts (n=186) of students who graduated in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Qualitative methods of the study explored the perceptions of stakeholders through purposive sampling using face-to-face semi-structured interviews, which were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS
The study showed very weak correlations of SSC with performance in the fourth professional examination undertaken by the students and HSC with performance in the first and second professional examinations. MDCAT did not correlate with any professional examination. Qualitative analysis identified three emerging themes; a) lack of standardization, b) fairness of selection criteria, and c) assessment of noncognitive attributes.

CONCLUSIONS
The selection tools showed poor predictive ability for the performance of students in the medical college. Standardizing the selection tools and including an assessment of non-cognitive attributes in the selection criteria is suggested.


Mediated channels continue to be one of the main methods of dispersing pertinent information to and from Black communities. Black women's voices have historically been stifled due to patriarchy and racism; thus, Black women have often used forms of media as a primary means to build coalitions with other Black women and to effectively communicate resistance. This research will closely analyze how prominent participants in the #SayHerName movement approach intersectionality in the digital era of the 21st century. Data will be directly extracted from the digital platform Twitter to contribute to the growing conversation surrounding Black women's impact on Twitter, as well as the need for intersectional social media movements.


A former coal tar processing facility processed crude coal tar supplied from manufactured gas plants in the area. Coal-tar-contaminated ground water from the site was observed seeping through an existing timber bulkhead along a tidal river and producing a multicolored sheen on the surface of the river. As part of a short-term measure to abate the seepage into the river, 64-m long anchored sheet pile wall with sheet pile wing walls at each end was constructed inland of the of the timber bulkhead. The sheet piles extended to low-permeability soils at depth and the interlocks of the sheet piles were provided with polyurethane rubber seals. Based on postconstruction observations for leakage and sheens related to leakage, the steel sheet piles with polyurethane rubber interlock seals appeared to provide a successful seal and abate coal-tar-contaminated ground water seepage into the river. The tie rod penetration sealing proved to be a more problematic detail, but through several postconstruction grouting episodes, an effective seal was produced.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if patients elect molecular testing over diagnostic surgery or repeat fine needle aspiration for indeterminate thyroid nodules. Can ThyroSeq v2.1 molecular testing reduce diagnostic thyroid surgery and rule out cancer?

STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective review Setting: Single institution, single-practice surgeon.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Fifteen month retrospective review of indeterminate thyroid nodules that went on to ThyroSeq v2.1 testing.

RESULTS
286 patients met American Thyroid Association guideline criteria for surgeon- performed, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for a thyroid nodule with on-site cytopathology. The indeterminate (Bethesda III or IV) fine needle aspiration cytology rate was 9.1 percent. Prevalence of malignancy in indeterminate nodules was 19 percent. 26/26 (100 percent) patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules elected molecular testing. 16 patients had no mutation, 9 had one or more mutations, and I had no result. 16 of 25 (64 percent) patients with no mutation elected not to undergo diagnostic surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients demonstrated a strong preference for molecular testing instead of diagnostic thyroid surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules. All patients in this series, 25/25 (100 percent) with indeterminate thyroid nodules elected molecular testing instead of repeat biopsy or diagnostic thyroid surgery. 16 of 25 (64 percent) patients tested had no mutation. All 16/16 (100 percent) patients with no mutation on ThyroSeq "rule out" testing elected active surveillance rather than surgery or biopsy, reducing diagnostic surgery. The risk of malignancy among mutation negative patients was not definitively established. There are a number of factors currently that may mute the power of "rule in" testing.


Even in the Renaissance, there were not that many Renaissance men. But if it was hard to live many lives in one even for the best placed of Renaissance Europe it is surely harder in contemporary republican Brazil. And yet Fernando Henrique Cardoso or FHC achieved it. How was this possible and at what cost in terms of conflict between the different specialized roles he occupied? What does this tell us about "politics as a vocation" in twenty-first century democratic Brazil? And what light does it shed on the scope for and limit of political leadership in contemporary democracies? To understand how choices are made we need to consider what motivated the career; what baggage the leader brought into office; what team of ministers were assembled and how their talents were used; what rivals (or enemies) spurred the leader into self-definition; what ethics were in play. These strands are not arbitrary or beyond systematic analysis. They are what mostly explain how democratic leaders behave, one of the most vital dimension of democratic performance.


Fatty acids play important roles in human nutrition and disease management. Fish are rich in Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs). Marine fish are the best source of these fatty acids. They typically include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The major health maintenance and prevention of diseases recognized in EPA and DHA. These forms of fatty acids have excellent body usability component: Reduces heart attack risks, Reduce stroke risks, Brings down blood pressure, Manages heart rhythms and hence reducing possible heart failures. Further, Omega-3 fatty acids from fish supplements could also be useful in preventing a number of diseases including: Diabetes, Arthritis, Heart disease, Cancer, Depression, Hyperactivity. Factors underlying the popularity of 0-3 fatty acids, their recommended daily indices, clinical trials showing their benefits on cardiovascular health, and prevention of arthritis, inflammation, and allergy, child development, mental alertness, cognitive function and mood have been pointed out in this review Diseases that may be prevented or ameliorated with Omega-3 fatty acids, in descending order of the strength of the available evidence.


The use of an area array of solder joints allows the self-alignment of a large number of components in microelectronic packages. The sensitivity to statistical variations in solder joint volumes is investigated. The analysis shows that sufficiently large arrays of randomly distributed volumes lead to very narrow distributions in the height and tilt of one component relative to another. >


Metal complexes
 generally and organotin(IV) compounds especially are used routinely
 in several biomedical and commercial applications like agricultural
 biocides, disinfectants, antitumor agents, wood preservatives,
 antioxidants, stabilizers for polyvinylchloride, marine antifouling
 coating, anti-herpes agents, flame retardants, smoke suppressants,
 anti-wear agents, homogenous catalysts and recycling agents. A
 number of organotin compounds have been shown to be toxic, and there
 is increasing concern regarding their widespread use in
 environmental and biological systems. Among organotin compounds,
 organotin carboxylates are highly important; these contain Sn
 bond formed through COO¯ group and have a number of interesting
 structural features and biological applications.
 Three groups of novel organotin(IV) carboxylates including mono-, di-
 and triderivatives of ligands: 3,4-methylenedioxy
 6-nitrophenylpropenoic acid (L1), 3,4- methylenedioxyphenylpropenoic
 acid (L2) and 2,3-methylenedioxybenzoic acid (L3) were examined for
 their different biological activities.
 In vitro antimicrobial activities of these compounds were determined
 against six pathogenic bacterial strains (antibacterial assay) and
 six pathogenic fungal strains (antifungal assay). Determined by the
 antimicrobial studies organotin(IV) carboxylates demonstrated a
 higher level of activity towards all tested bacterial and fungal
 strains than the respective free ligands. As a whole, antibacterial
 activities decreased in order of; diorganotin carboxylates tri-organotin
 carboxylates mono-organotin carboxylates ligand acids. However,
 tri-organotin compounds were the best towards antifungal activities.
 Since the organotin(IV) carboxylates inhibited the growth of
 micro-organisms, it has been assumed that the production of an
 enzyme has been affected, hence the micro-organisms were less able
 to metabolize nutrients and consequently, growth ceased.
 All the compounds were also investigated for their antitumor
 activities and cytotoxicity by crown gall tumor inhibition (potato
 disc) assay and brine-shrimp lethality bioassay, respectively. As
 determined by crown gall tumor inhibition assay and brineshrimp
 lethality assay; the antitumor or cytotoxic activities of these
 compounds fall in the order of; tri-organotin carboxylates
 di-organotin carboxylates mono-organotin carboxylates, a similar
 pattern is reported in literature. Such compounds may yield new
 leads for the development of antitumor drugs, which can display a
 different spectrum of antitumor activity.
 A panel of different mono-, di- and tri-organotin(IV) carboxylates
 that have higher biological activities in previous assays were
 selected to investigate their effect on MCF-7 cells. Determined by
 the clonogenic assay, organotin(IV) compounds (0.1 µg/ml, 1.0 µg/ml
 or 10.0 µg/ml) were markedly cytotoxic following treatment of MCF-7
 cells with 1.0 µg/ml particularly tri-organotin carboxylates.
 Further investigation was aimed to determine genotoxic effect and
 biochemicalcell fingerprint of MCF-7 cells following treatment with
 selected panel of mono-, di- and tri-organotin(IV) carboxylates
 (0.01 µg/ml, 0.1 µg/ml or 1.0 µg/ml) that were used in clonogenic
 assay. Induction of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) were measured by
 using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay and
 their relative micronucleus-forming activities using the cytokinesis-block
 micronucleus (CBMN) assay as well as alterations in biochemical-cell
 signatures was ascertained using attenuated total reflection fourier
 transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy.
 In comet analysis, although there were marked fluctuations in the
 background levels of DNA SSBs measurable in control MCF-7 cell
 populations, a remarkable consistency in the ability of all the
 organotin(IV) carboxylates to be comet-forming was noted. However,
 with the alkaline comet assay it was more difficult to distinguish
 between the relative abilities of tri-organotin carboxylates,
 di-organotin carboxylates or mono-organotin carboxylates to induce
 elevations in DNA SSBs. Probably as a consequence of their lower
 relative cytotoxicities, higher levels of micronucleus-forming
 activities were observed following treatment with either mono- or
 di-organotins as compared to tri-organotins. Following interrogation
 of treated-cell populations compared to control using ATR-FTIR
 spectroscopy, infrared spectra (900 1800 cm-1) derived from
 organotin-treated MCF-7 cells exhibited clear alterations in their
 biochemical-cell fingerprint following exposures as low as 0.0001
 µg/ml; this was especially evident in the DNA/RNA spectral region (
 1490 1000 cm-1). These results demonstrated a differential
 biocidal, cytotoxic, genotoxic and cell effects of organotin(IV)
 compounds.


The optical fibers with epoxy acrylates and urethane acrylates UV-curable coatings were embedded in composites. It's found that after high-temperature heated, when the coating's glass transition temperature was higher than the heating temperature, the microstructure of the coating would not change, but when the coating's glass transition temperature was lower than the heating temperature, the coating would detached from optical fiber. FBG (fiber Bragg grating) sensors with coating and naked FBG (without coating) sensors were embedded in composite materials to monitor impacting damage. It was found that when the coating broke away from the optical fiber which was embedded in the composites, the sensitivity of the FBG sensors would reduce.


The objective of this research is to evaluate Program Regional Training Center (PELATDA) PON XIX South Sulawesi. This is a qualitative and quantitative research with evaluation approach using Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) model. Methods of collecting data in triangulation using questionnaires, interviews, document studies and observation. The result shows that: (1) Context Evaluation: having strong government policies, objectives and targets are well manifested, with an analysis of conditions that need to be improved, as well as a good strategy. (2) Input Evaluation; Excellent athlete and coach resources while for nutrition and medical teams has not been well implemented, funding, transparency and fund accountability need to be improved, adequate facilities and infrastructure support, and good cooperation between stakeholders and provincial branches of sport. (3) Process Evaluation; The training plan is well executed, the implementation of the training still needs to be improved, the nutritional and medical demands are not maximal, and the implementation of evaluation and monitoring still need to be optimally implemented. (4) Product Evaluation; Increasing physical condition, psychology and athletic health, but the medal achievement on PON XIX in West Java did not reach the target charged by Koni South Sulawesi Province. It can be recommended that Regional Training Center Program (PELATDA) PON XIX South Sulawesi is very disappointing because it does not reach the target of rank VI, so it is advisable to build synergy between the Government, Koni and Board of Sport Branch and Private Parties in improving the maximum Sport Achievement in South Sulawesi Province.


Studies on Subject Pronoun Expression (SPE) in the Portuguese-speaking world have shown a distinction between European Portuguese, which is a Null Subject Language (NSL) with high rates of null subjects, and Brazilian Portuguese, which is controversially treated as a partial-NSL and exhibits a considerably lower rate of null subjects. No specific studies have been conducted on the matter on Santomean Portuguese, but we know that both null and overt subject personal pronouns exist in this variety of Portuguese. The objective of this paper is to investigate variation in SPE in Santomean Portuguese, and to situate this variety of Portuguese in comparison with other varieties. Results of the variationist analyses show that Santomean Portuguese patterns more like European Portuguese in its high rate of use of null subject. Interestingly, and contrary to previous studies, Santomeans with a higher level of education disfavor the use of null subject, which I relate to a sensitivity to grammatical ideology and the favoring of the overt subject in more formal situations. Most of the results regarding the linguistic predictors, which are stronger than the social predictors, relate Santomean Portuguese to other varieties of Portuguese, and to Spanish.


Abstract. The objective of the present study was to estimate the heritability and to assess the existence of maternal effects for economic traits in Iranian native fowl. Variance components were estimated for body weight at hatch (BW0), 8 (BW8) and 12 (BW12) weeks of age, age at sexual maturity and weight at sexual maturity, egg number and average egg weight at 28th, 30th and 32nd weeks using restricted maximum likelihood method and six animal models. The best model was determined using the Akaike information criterion for each trait. For age at sexual maturity, the basic model consisting of direct genetic effects was superior. For weight at sexual maturity and egg number, a model consisting of maternal permanent environmental effects in addition to direct genetic effects was the best. For average egg weight at 28th, 30th and 32nd weeks, the model with direct and maternal genetic effects assuming no covariance between them was the best. For BW0, BW8 and BW12, the model including maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects in addition to direct genetic effects was the most appropriate. The estimates of direct heritability ranged from 0.05 (BW0) to 0.35 (weight at sexual maturity). Direct genetic variance and heritability were overestimated if maternal effects were ignored in the statistical model for all traits except ASM. The results indicated that the evaluation of direct and maternal genetic and phenotypic trends based on the best model for each trait was carried out. Maternal genetic trends for BW0, BW8, BW12 and average egg weight at 28th, 30th and 32nd weeks were significantly positive. Present results indicated favourable effects of the performed breeding program for all traits except BW0, during generations.


Fecal contamination of source waters and its associated intestinal pathogens continues to pose risks to public health although the extent and effect of microbial contamination of source waters gets very little attention in designing treatment plants in most developing countries. Coliform counts give an indication of the overall bacterial contamination of water and thus its safety for human consumption. However, their presence fails to provide information about the source of fecal contamination which is vital to managing fecal contamination problems in surface waters. This study explored the use of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indexing as means of differentiating E. coli isolates from different sources. A total of 322 E. coli isolates were obtained from municipal wastewater and from fecal samples from domestic and wild animals. Conventional culture methods and standard chemical and biochemical tests were used for isolation and identification of E. coli . Isolates were assayed against 10 antibiotics using the micro-dilution technique. The results obtained generated antibiotic resistance profiles which were used to statistically group the isolates into different subsets. Correct source classification was obtained for 60% of human-derived and 95% non-human-derived E. coli respectively. These results indicate the validity of the usefulness of MAR indexing as a method of bacterial source tracking.


Epithelial monolayers are one-cell thick tissue sheets that separate internal and external environments. As part of their function, they withstand extrinsic mechanical stresses applied at high strain rate. However, little is known about how monolayers respond to mechanical deformations. In stress relaxation tests, monolayers respond in a biphasic manner and stress dissipation is accompanied by an increase in monolayer resting length, pointing to active remodelling of cell architecture during relaxation. Consistent with this, actomyosin remodels at a rate commensurate with mechanical relaxation and governs the rate of monolayer stress relaxation – as in single cells. By contrast, junctional complexes and intermediate filaments form stable connections between cells, enabling monolayers to behave rheologically as single cells. Together, these data show actomyosin cytoskeletal dynamics govern the rheological properties of monolayers by enabling active, ATP-dependent changes in the resting length. These findings have far-reaching consequences for our understanding of developmental morphogenesis and tissue response to mechanical stress.


To gain insight into the aetiology of posterior subcapsular congenital cataract from the perspective of transcriptional changes, we conducted an mRNA sequencing analysis of the lenses in posterior subcapsular congenital cataract patients and in normal children. There were 1533 differentially expressed genes from 19,072 genes in the lens epithelial cells of the posterior subcapsular congenital cataract patients compared to in the normal controls at a cut-off criteria of |log2 fold change| of >1 and a p-value of <0.05, including 847 downregulated genes and 686 upregulated genes. To further narrow down the DEGs, we utilised the stricter criteria of |log2 fold change| of >1 and an FDR value of <0.05, and we identified 551 DEGs, including 97 upregulated genes and 454 downregulated genes. This study also identified 1263 differentially expressed genes of the 18,755 genes in lens cortex and nuclear fibres, including 646 downregulated genes and 617 upregulated genes. The downregulated genes in epithelial cells were significantly enriched in the structural constituent of lenses, lens development and lens fibre cell differentiation. After filtering the DEGs using the databases iSyTE and Cat-Map, several high-priority candidate genes related to posterior subcapsular congenital cataract such as GRIFIN, HTRA1 and DAPL1 were identified. The findings of our study may provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of posterior subcapsular congenital cataract and help in the prevention and treatment of this disease.