Background: Caudal block is the most common regional anaesthesia technique used in children. It offers excellent perioperative analgesia in infra-umbilical surgeries. However, large-scale studies on caudal block in our paediatric population are not available.Objectives: We aimed to evaluate practice pattern, efficacy and safety of caudal block in paediatric infra-umbilical surgery.Methodology: Children (age less than 14 years) undergoing elective infra-umbilical surgery under general anaesthesia were included in this prospective observational study conducted over two years. Demographic characteristics, type of surgery, anaesthetic techniques and agents used, and details of caudal block were recorded. Perioperative events, complications and duration of analgesia were studied. Eligible children not receiving caudal block served as the control group. Analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.Results: Caudal block was employed in 72 out of 183 children who completed the study. It was mostly preferred for children weighing less than 20 kilograms. Ketamine pre-medication was used in 123 children. Majority received Propofol induction and laryngeal mask. Halothane was preferred over Isoflurane for anaesthesia maintenance. Bupivacaine was the exclusively used local anaesthetic agent. Vascular puncture occurred in three children but no serious complication was observed. Need for supplement intraoperative analgesics was significantly lower, and duration of analgesia was significantly longer in caudal group. Intraoperative hypotension, laryngospasm during emergence and postoperative vomiting were the most frequent perioperative events.Conclusion: Pre-incisional single-shot caudal block is safe, effective and well accepted component of multi-modal perioperative analgesic regimen for younger children undergoing infra-umbilical surgery.


Pediatric intracranial aneurysms are uncommon. Moreover ruptured aneurysms are extremely rare in preterm neonate. In this article we report a case of a 1 month old infant with a ruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm.

Aneurysm clipping surgery was scheduled for a 1 month 3 day old female neonate, weighing 2,450 g. She was born at a gestational age of 34 weeks and 2 days weighing 2,300 g. After birth, she was mechanically ventilated due to respiratory distress. On the 11th day after birth, she developed sepsis of unknown origin. She presented with abrupt anemia (hemoglobin dropped from 9.5 g/dl to 6.1 g/dl), and brain computerized tomogram (CT) with contrast enhancement was done identifying a intracranial hemorrhage. External ventricular drainage insertion was done. After the drainage, 3-dimensional CT angiography of the head and neck was done. About a 4.2 × 7.7 mm sized aneurysm, at the left MCA bifurcation site was found.

She was transported to operating room for clipping. Before anesthesia, her heart rate was 131 beats/min and blood pressure 68/37 mmHg (arterial catheter at right radial artery) with an infusion of dopamine 10 µg/kg/min and dobutamine 20 µg/kg/min. We connected her endotracheal tube with a ventilator and volume control mechanical ventilation was applied with FIO2 0.5, tidal volume of 20 ml, respiratory rate of 40 breaths/min and positive end-expiratory pressure 4 cmH2O. Peak airway pressure was maintained at about 17-20 cmH2O and peripheral pulse oxygen saturation was maintained at 100% and the endtidal carbon dioxide was maintained at 28-32 mmHg during anesthesia. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (0.6 vol%) and remifentanil (0.5-1 µg/kg/min). During four hours after the induction, a mean blood pressure of 40-55 mmHg was maintained, but after that time, epinephrine infusion (0-0.6 µg/kg/min) was added because of a reduction in the blood pressure.

Total anesthesia time was 7 hours 5 minutes. The patient recovered and was discharged 39 days after the surgery.

Intracranial aneurysms occur rarely in preterm neonate so the cause is presumed to be various. In the case of this neonate, a definite causal bacterium was not identified in the culture, but because there was a precedent for sepsis, it is thought to be a septic aneurysm caused by infection.

Neonates cannot localize pain due to a premature central nerve system, and it is known that they cannot interpret pain, because there is no memory of a pain experience. However Anand and Carr [1] stated that the pain sensation is conveyed to the brain region such as the sensory motor cortex and thalamus even in neonates. Appropriate anesthesia and analgesic are necessary even in neonates. For anesthesia methods, there is total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using propofol and anesthesia with inhalation agents.

Propofol reduces the oxygen consumption in the brain, decreases the cerebral blood flow, and contracts the cerebral vessels. A target controlled infusion (TCI) model is required to perform TIVA using propofol, and TCI models applicable for infants is the 'Paedfusor' model which can be applied to patients 1 year or older with a weight of 5 kg or more. Our case was a 1 month 3 day old neonate weighing 2,450 g, so currently there are no applicable TCI models.

There is controversy regarding the effect of volatile agents on the brain. Jevtoric-Todorovic confirmed that neuroapoptosis occurred in neonate rats when they were exposed to nitrous oxide, isoflurane, and midazolam for 6 hours [2]. Considering the above study, there was the possibility of potential neurotoxicity from the volatile agents; thus in this case, the authors used a minimum amount of 0.6 vol% sevoflurane and added a high dose of opioid. Using a high dose of opioid during anesthesia not only reduces the stress response but can also reduce the amount of anesthetic agent; therefore, it can reduce the neurotoxic effects [3]. Most complications anticipated when using opioids in infants or neonates are respiratory hold or apnea which appears during awakening or the recovery stage after surgery. In our case, the neonate was maintained in an intubation state and received ventilator care after surgery so it was not considered to be a problem.

When anesthetizing brain nerves, mild hypothermia (32-34℃) may be maintained to reduce brain oxygen consumption, cerebral blood flow, and intracranial pressure, but the effect is not definite in young patients. Regarding indications for hypothermia, Abraham limited it to neonates with a gestational age of 36 weeks or more who developed hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy within 6 hours of birth, and also restricted it to those who satisfied two more separate criteria [4]. The temperature of the neonate measured in our case was 34.8-37.4℃, and although warm air was turned on intermittently to raise the temperature, there were limitations in stably maintaining body temperature due to loss and replenishment of fluid during surgery, and a relatively large body surface area compared to the weight.

The total amount of infused fluid was 169 ml including leukocyte-depleted RBC 10 ml, and the predicted maintenance fluid requirement was calculated to be 100 ml and blood loss of 90 ml. The fluid administered was Lactated Ringer's solution 69 ml, 5% dextrose water 50 ml used to mix the inotropics, and normal saline 40 ml. Electrolyte imbalance was not observed in the blood test performed after surgery. Inotropics were used to maintain blood pressure during surgery, and 24.5 ml of urine was confirmed after surgery so the I/O balance is considered to be appropriate.

A surgical case of intracranial aneurysm in a neonate is very rare, but it is believed to be on the rise as more low-birth weight neonates survive because of the development of medical technology. More cases and prospective studies are needed to search for an anesthesia method which is more ideal and has a better outcome for neonatal aneurysm patients.


As financial resources diminish and the cost and development of land increases, community–school partnerships for the joint use of public school facilities have received growing attention. Although joint use is not a new concept, its resurgence as an efficient and effective way to deliver recreational services comes at a time when researchers, practitioners, and policy makers are examining ways to address challenges an increasingly inactive population faces. Although there are  examples  of  successful  joint use partnerships, many entities are reluctant to engage in them due to fears of vandalism, liability, overuse of facilities, cost, and lack of knowledge about how to develop joint use agreements. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a case study methodological approach to understand factors that resulted in a successful joint use agreement. The school and parks and recreation department used in this case study were purposefully selected due to the high amount of community- and school-related use during after school hours. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the school principal, school athletic director, town parks and recreation director, parks and recreation facility managers, and the town manager. The interviews yielded four major themes that were identified as reasons for the success of this joint use agreement: deliberate formation and continued maintenance of relationships, shared vision, agreements set up to be mutually beneficial, and resources to address community demands. Although our findings are limited because we examined only one joint use partnership in one region of the country and likely excluded the perspectives of other potential key informants (i.e., program participants), our results revealed patterns that might be useful for practice. In this case, the strengths of the parks and recreation administrators were their willingness to maintain constant  communication with school personnel and their emphasis on being respectful of the needs of the school administrators and their programs. Parks and recreation personnel understood the importance of establishing and maintaining positive relationships and how these relationships are directly linked to their ability to offer quality recreational programs. However, the development and maintenance of joint use agreements is not easy. For joint use agreements to work, there must be cooperation and effort by all parties involved, clearly stated objectives, and the pursuit of outcomes that are beneficial to both sides.


In the first year, college students will get the stressful events which related to leave parents and friends, also the transition of educational system and new home stay. The stressful events can cause negative of cognitive and emotional responses to college students. Therefore, it can cause depression on college student self. This research aims to test the effect writing about emotional experiences therapy on reducing depression for the first year college students. Research design uses two matched groups design. Subjects (N=12) were divided into experimental group (n=6) or control group (n=6). The experimental group was instructed to write about emotional experiences in four writing sessions lasting ± 30 minutes. Outcomes were measured at pretest, posttest, and follow up by Mixed ANOVA Design. Between Group ANOVA indicated the groups differed significantly on depression (F=25.88, p=.001). Within Group ANOVA indicated that experimental group reported significantly reduced depression at pretest, posttest, and follow up (F=33.72, p=.001). Post hoc test revealed that the repeat experimental group reported significantly reduced depression at pretest-posttest (p=.003), posttest-follow up (p>0,33), and pretest-follow up (p<0,01). This result indicated that writing about emotional experience therapy can reduce depression for first year college students.


Objective: This poster presents a comparison of student and faculty responses to surveys on data management attitudes that were distributed during 2014. In the Spring, the Lamar Soutter Library distributed a survey to UMMS students on their attitudes toward and awareness of research data management best practices. Similarly, in the Fall and using the student instrument as a guide, the library surveyed UMMS faculty on their attitudes and practices around research data management. Results from the surveys set a baseline and identified needed resources and training opportunities on campus. Methods: Using both of these sources of data, we compare student and faculty attitudes on the management and sharing of research data at UMMS. Results: Students and faculty survey results reveal some similarities between the two groups. While faculty self-scored higher for general familiarity with data management activities and awareness of data management best practices, students and faculty report similar responses to questions concerning time spent managing data, common data management challenges and solutions, and systems used to manage data. Survey data also informed targets groups for outreach and identified existing resources for data management support throughout the university. Conclusions: Faculty and student responses to data management surveys at UMMS have revealed opportunities for collaboration and identified potential service areas for data management support. This feedback has been instrumental in informing the library's strategic agenda for library-based research data management services.


. We provide a general macrostatistical formulation of nonequilibrium steady states of reservoir driven quantum systems. This formulation is centred on the large scale properties of the locally conserved hydrodynamical observables, and our basic physical assumptions comprise (a) a chaoticity hypothesis for the nonconserved currents carried by these observables, (b) an extension of Onsager's regression hypothesis to fluctuations about nonequilibrium states, and (c) a certain mesoscopic local equilibrium hypothesis. On this basis we obtain a picture wherein the fluctuations of the hydrodynamical variables about a nonequilibrium steady state execute a Gaussian Markov process of a generalized Onsager-Machlup type, which is completely determined by the position dependent transport coefficients and the equilibrium entropy function of the system. This picture reveals that the transport coefficients satisfy a generalized form of the Onsager reciprocity relations in the nonequilibrium situation and that the spatial correlations of the hydrodynamical observables are generically of long range. This last result constitutes a model-independent quantum mechanical generalization of that obtained for special classical stochastic systems and marks a striking difference between the steady nonequilibrium and equilibrium states, since it is only at critical points that the latter carry long range correlations.


Objective To investigate the influence of the availability of drug eluting stents (DES) on treatment choice (TC) among medical therapy (MT), coronary by-pass surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and the consequent clinical outcomes in patients hospitalised because of coronary artery disease (CAD). Design Observational study comparing two cohorts hospitalised immediately before, and 3 years after DES availability. Setting Thirteen hospitals with cardiology facilities. Patients 2131 consecutive patients with at least one coronary stenosis >50% at coronary angiography (CA) after exclusion of those with acute myocardial infarction or previous CABG or associated relevant valvular disease. Main outcome measures Treatment choice after CA and 4-year clinical outcomes. Results TC among MT (27% vs 29.2%), PCI (58.6% vs 55.5%) and CABG (14.5% vs 15.3%) was similar in the DES and bare metal stent (BMS) periods (p = 0.51). At least one DES was implanted in 57% of patients treated with PCI in 2005. After 4 years, no difference in mortality (13.8% vs 13.2%, p = 0.72), hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (6.6% vs 5.2%, p = 0.26), stroke (2.2% vs 1.7%, p = 0.49) and further revascularisations (22.3% vs 19.7%, p = 0.25) were observed in patients enrolled in the DES and BMS periods. Only in patients with Syntax score 23–32 a significant change of TC (p = 0.0002) occurred in the DES versus BMS period: MT in 17.4% vs 31%, PCI in 62.2% vs 35.8%, CABG in 20.3% vs 33.2%, with similar 4-year combined end-point of mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction and further revascularisations (45.3% vs 34.2%, p = 0.087). Conclusions Three years after DES availability, the TC in patients with CAD has not changed significantly as well as the 4-year incidence of death, myocardial infarction, stroke and further revascularisations. In subgroup with Syntax score 23–32, a significant increase of indications to PCI was observed in the DES period, without any improvement of the 4-year clinical outcome.


Millimeter-wave antenna array Beam Forming Networks in Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) technology are an attractive alternative to the use of TEM transmission lines, such as microstrip or stripline. SIW allows reducing the transmission losses while maintaining low price and simple, yet accurate, fabrication of the Printed Circuit Board technology. However, SIW design has additional restrictions and limitations when compared to TEM transmission lines. This includes increased footprint, a need to use additional transitions to other transmission lines or some types of radiating element as well as a more complicated overall design. In this contribution the authors propose the design of a Ka-band antenna array, which extensively uses SIW technology. The design is based on the requirements of a real-life satellite application. These include limitations imposed on return loss bandwidth, gain, radiation pattern shape, and polarization. Moreover, also the feeding method is imposed and the antenna array footprint should be minimized. A prototype of the proposed design has been fabricated and measured. The results show a 8.9% return loss bandwidth, a 12% circular polarization bandwidth and a radiation efficiency over 60%. The obtained RF performance as well as other aspects, such as footprint, are compared with an alternative state-of-the-art design, which has been developed according to the same requirements but using different architecture and technologies.


Deformation twinning is evidenced by transmission electron microscopy examinations in electrodeposited nanocrystalline (nc) Ni with mean grain size 25 nm upon cryogenic rolling. Two twinning mechanisms are confirmed to operate in nc grains, i.e. heterogeneous formation via emission of partial dislocations from the grain boundary and homogeneous nucleation through dynamic overlapping of stacking faults, with the former being determined as the most proficient. Deformation twinning in nc Ni may be well interpreted in terms of molecular dynamics simulation based on generalized planar fault energy curves.


Gastrocolonic malignant fistulas can occur, although rarely, complicating gastric or colonic neoplasms. En bloc resection of the fistulous tract and involved segments is the first-line treatment whenever possible, with endoscopic treatment an alternative. Endoscopic closure has been described using covered stents [1, 2], over-the-scope clips [3], and atrial septal defect occlusion devices [4]. However, in the colon, covered stents are associated with a high migration risk [5]. We therefore developed a new technique to allow fistula closure, overcoming the risks of stent migration by initially placing an uncovered stent, which is followed by the deployment of a covered stent inside the first stent a few days later and fixation of the two stents to each other using through-the-scope clips. Our patient, a 58-year-old woman, had a metastatic and locally advanced intestinal-type gastric cancer with colonic invasion. After receiving 12 cycles of palliative chemotherapy, she was admitted with fecaloid emesis and a computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large fistulous tract (approximately 5 cm in length with a large orifice) between the stomach and the transverse colon. Although the patient had a good performance status, surgical resection was not considered feasible and endoscopic palliation was proposed. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed a large ulcerated neoplasm in the greater curvature of the gastric antrum, with a large orifice communicating with an ulcerated fistulous tract. Colonoscopy revealed a stenosis in the transverse colon and contrast instillation allowed characterization of the stricture and of the fistulous tract. An uncovered metal stent (WallFlex; 22–27mm×90mm; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA) was then placed in the strictured transverse colon where the colonic fistulous orifice was located. After 3 days (to allow time for embedment of the uncovered stent in the colonic wall), a similar E-Videos


Cartesian-inspired dualism enforces a theoretical distinction between the motor and the cognitive and locates the mental exclusively in the head. This collection, focusing on the hand, challenges this dichotomy, offering theoretical and empirical perspectives on the interconnectedness and interdependence of the manual and mental. The contributors explore the possibility that the hand, far from being the merely mechanical executor of preconceived mental plans, possesses its own know-how, enabling "enhanded" beings to navigate the natural, social, and cultural world without engaging propositional thought, consciousness, and deliberation. The contributors consider not only broad philosophical questions -- ranging from the nature of embodiment, enaction, and the extended mind to the phenomenology of agency -- but also such specific issues as touching, grasping, gesturing, sociality, and simulation. They show that the capacities of the hand include perception (on its own and in association with other modalities), action, (extended) cognition, social interaction, and communication. Taken together, their accounts offer a handbook of cutting-edge research exploring the ways that the manual shapes and reshapes the mental and creates conditions for embodied agents to act in the world. Contributors: Matteo Baccarini, Andrew J. Bremner, Massimiliano L. Cappuccio, Andy Clark, Jonathan Cole, Dorothy Cowie, Natalie Depraz, Rosalyn Driscoll, Harry Farmer, Shaun Gallagher, Nicholas P. Holmes, Daniel D. Hutto, Angelo Maravita, Filip Mattens, Richard Menary, Jesse J. Prinz, Zdravko Radman, Matthew Ratcliffe, Etiennne B. Roesch, Stephen V. Shepherd, Susan A.J. Stuart, Manos Tsakiris, Michael Wheeler


Background Progressive remodelling of the left ventricle with lateral and apical displacement of one or both papillary muscles can lead to recurrence of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in the presence of the mitral valve (MV) ring. The MitraClip (Abbott, USA) is the only option in cases with annuloplasty rings too large for implantation of a Sapien prosthesis in high surgical-risk patients. We present a case where the MR jet was directed toward a para-ring hole, and the MitraClip system was used successfully to treat this severe MR. Case summary An 80-year-old woman underwent coronary artery bypass surgery plus MV repair with C-shaped ring 6 years ago. In the past year, she experienced severe shortness of breath; her ejection fraction dropped to 15%. A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed that severe MR started at the level of MV leaflets and then passed to the left atrium beside the MV ring. Live 3D showed the severe MR coming through the oval-shaped hole beside the C-shaped MV repair ring. MitraClip implantation was decided, the two leaflets were grasped successfully, the clip was fully closed, and only trace MR remained at the MV leaflets with no flow to the para-ring hole. The patient was extubated after 12 hours and discharged home after 2 days. Follow-up transthoracic echocardiography after 6 months showed the clip in place and trace residual MR. Conclusion Implantation of MitraClip in the presence of MV repair ring is feasible and safe. The para-ring defect can be left if the origin of MR from the MV coaptation line is treated successfully with MitraClip. Symptomatic improvement with no rehospitalization was documented in this case.


Scripting languages have become part of many of the ongoing standards activities related to multimedia. MPEG-4 has considered the inclusion of downloading mechanisms and a set of languages that could include a scripting language. MPEG III has considered the use of DSM-RSF as the reference script language for example decodings. One of the subgroups of the Digital Audio/Visual Council (Davic) could define a scripting language as part of the set-top box application programming interface. And the Hypermedia Languages Special Working Group of ISO JTC1/SCI8/WG8 (the same group responsible for SGML, HyTime, and other broadly applied document processing standards) is developing the Standard Multimedia/Hypermedia Scripting Language.


This paper analyses the link between the high-skilled employment share and the level of investment in information technology (IT) in the service production process. The analysis is based on an unbalanced panel data set for 933 West German firms over the period 1994–1996. To account for firms which do not employ high-skilled labor. proxied by university graduates. fixed and random effects Tobit models are applied. We investigate whether the impoflance of IT varies across subsectors by allowing coefficients to differ across the main service sector industries. The empirical evidence indicates that firms with a higher IT investment to output ratio employ a laier fraction of high-skilled workers. However the size of the IT effect on skill intensity is rather small.


Date Presented 04/06/19
 Care coordination has been identified as a key component of new healthcare models. The study purpose was to explore the perceptions of pediatric OT practitioners regarding their role in care coordination activities. Ten participants with an average of over 18 years of experience participated in interviews with five resulting themes. Implications for OT practice included the need for adapted productivity standards, opportunities for billing, and increased education regarding care coordination.
 Primary Author and Speaker: Allison Allgier
 Contributing Authors: Barbara Nadeau


In May 2008 Harvard's Law School announced it would open access to the intellectual content created by its faculty members. This means content that is produced by faculty at Harvard will be available for us all to read. A driving issue behind this turn of events is the cost of academic journals. Certainly the costs are prohibitive for most individuals. But it's sobering to note that fewer and fewer libraries can afford to stock titles that are directly relevant to academic courses. The university's blog post states, "the faculty voted to make each faculty member's scholarly articles available online for free, making HLS the first law school to commit to a mandatory open access policy. Under the new policy, HLS will make articles authored by faculty members available in an online repository, whose contents would be searchable and available to other services such as Google Scholar." Contrary to some of the negative rhetoric around openness, "open" does not necessarily mean losing control of ownership altogether; publications will be made available with copy/share-friendly licenses. The blog goes on to say, "Authors can also legally distribute the articles on their own websites, and educators here and elsewhere can freely provide the articles to students, so long as the materials are not used for profit." Appropriately, this announcement rattled swiftly around the blogosphere. For many it represents a significant step, a step toward the vision for democratic access to information on the Internet. Commentators and open-access campaigners were articulate on what this means for individuals and for the broader intellectual community. Peter Suber, a research professor of philosophy at Earlham College, and John Palfrey, of Harvard's Law School (also the executive director of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society and a principal investigator of the OpenNet Initiative) are both long-term open-access campaigners involved in the motion at Harvard, who both blogged the event. Writer Cory Doctorow, who has benefited from publishing novels online before moving to print, reported the event with enthusiasm on the technology and Internet "pulse" blog, BoingBoing (boingboing.net). Even for those not immersed in debates around open content, it is easy to see that this is an important step forward. From its inception, one of the founding concepts of what sociologist Patrice Fiichy refers to as the "Internet imaginaire" has been democratic access to content. Authors like Eric von Hippel, who wrote the 2006 book Open Innovation, have argued that closed knowledge bases limit innovation, stunt business potential, and reduce creative growth potential for business globally. How does all of this relate to us, the readers and writers of interactions? Well, directly. Recent debates around interactions illustrate how discussions of openness and open content are challenging traditional views of publication, content distribution and dissemination, and indeed the economics of idea circulation. This issue was foregrounded when the interactions website went live earlier this year, with a number of people expressing surprise that only the first paragraphs of articles were available for download unless one had a subscription to ACM's digital library. Currently, two pieces in each issue are available in their entirety on the interactions site; they're pieces that promote the magazine as a whole and the editors' vision for the magazine. But a subscription to the magazine is required for viewing the rest of the articles. At CHI 2008 in Florence, a


BACKGROUND & AIMS
Chronic stress alters the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increases gut motility, and increases the perception of visceral pain. We investigated whether epigenetic mechanisms regulate chronic stress-induced visceral pain in the peripheral nervous systems of rats.

METHODS
Male rats were subjected to 1 hour of water avoidance stress each day, or given daily subcutaneous injections of corticosterone, for 10 consecutive days. L4-L5 and L6-S2 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were collected and compared between stressed and control rats (placed for 1 hour each day in a tank without water). Levels of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1), and EP300 were knocked down in DRG neurons in situ with small interfering RNAs. We measured DNA methylation and histone acetylation at genes encoding the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), CNR1, and TRPV1. Visceral pain was measured in response to colorectal distention.

RESULTS
Chronic stress was associated with increased methylation of the Nr3c1 promoter and reduced expression of this gene in L6-S2, but not L4-L5, DRGs. Stress also was associated with up-regulation in DNMT1-associated methylation of the Cnr1 promoter and down-regulation of glucocorticoid-receptor-mediated expression of CNR1 in L6-S2, but not L4-L5, DRGs. Concurrently, chronic stress increased expression of the histone acetyltransferase EP300 and increased histone acetylation at the Trpv1 promoter and expression of the TRPV1 receptor in L6-S2 DRG neurons. Knockdown of DNMT1 and EP300 in L6-S2 DRG neurons of rats reduced DNA methylation and histone acetylation, respectively, and prevented chronic stress-induced increases in visceral pain.

CONCLUSIONS
Chronic stress increases DNA methylation and histone acetylation of genes that regulate visceral pain sensation in the peripheral nervous system of rats. Blocking epigenetic regulatory pathways in specific regions of the spinal cord might be developed to treat patients with chronic abdominal pain.


There is a lack of physiological data pertaining to how listening humans process auditory information. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has provided some data for the auditory cortex in awake humans, but there is still a paucity of comparable data for subcortical auditory areas where the early stages of processing take place, as amply demonstrated by single‐unit studies in animals. It is unclear why fMRI has been unsuccessful in imaging auditory brain‐stem activity, but one problem may be cardiac‐related, pulsatile brain‐stem motion. To examine this, a method eliminating such motion (using cardiac gating) was applied to map sound‐related activity in the auditory cortices and inferior colliculi in the brain stem. Activation in both the colliculi and cortex became more discernible when gating was used. In contrast with the cortex, the improvement in the colliculi resulted from a reduction in signal variability, rather than from an increase in percent signal change. This reduction is consistent with the hypothesis that motion or pulsatile flow is a major factor in brain‐stem imaging. The way now seems clear to studying activity throughout the human auditory pathway in listening humans. Hum. Brain Mapping 6:33–41, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


A reducing method for a detailed reaction mechanism is presented. In the reducing procedure, a reduced mechanism is systematically constructed in three steps by using the parameters obtained in the computation of reaction kinetics. The reducing method is applied to the reduction of the detailed mechanism for NO formation from the oxidation of pyridine. The calculated results with the reduced mechanism obtained by the present method are in good agreement with those obtained by the detailed mechanism. The computational time is significantly shorter than that with the detailed mechanism, although the computational time for the reaction kinetics with the reduced mechanism by the present method is larger than that using the conventional method. Furthermore, the computational time required for the construction of the reduced mechanism by the present method is about one tenth of that required by the conventional method. Therefore, the present reducing method is a powerful tool for the construction of the reduced mechanism.


The main contribution of the paper is to show that Gaussian sketching of a kernel-Gram matrix $\mathbf{K}$ yields an operator whose counterpart in an RKHS $\mathcal{H}$, is a random projection operator---in the spirit of Johnson-Lindenstrauss (JL) lemma. To be precise, given a random matrix $Z$ with i.i.d. Gaussian entries, we show that a sketch $Z\mathbf{K}$ corresponds to a particular random operator in (infinite-dimensional) Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$ that maps functions $f \in \mathcal{H}$ to a low-dimensional space $\mathbb{R}^d$, while preserving a weighted RKHS inner-product of the form $\langle f, g \rangle_{\Sigma} \doteq \langle f, \Sigma^3 g \rangle_{\mathcal{H}}$, where $\Sigma$ is the \emph{covariance} operator induced by the data distribution. In particular, under similar assumptions as in kernel PCA (KPCA), or kernel $k$-means (K-$k$-means), well-separated subsets of feature-space $\{K(\cdot, x): x \in \cal X\}$ remain well-separated after such operation, which suggests similar benefits as in KPCA and/or K-$k$-means, albeit at the much cheaper cost of a random projection. In particular, our convergence rates suggest that, given a large dataset $\{X_i\}_{i=1}^N$ of size $N$, we can build the Gram matrix $\mathbf{K}$ on a much smaller subsample of size $n\ll N$, so that the sketch $Z\mathbf{K}$ is very cheap to obtain and subsequently apply as a projection operator on the original data $\{X_i\}_{i=1}^N$. We verify these insights empirically on synthetic data, and on real-world clustering applications.


T cell activation is a fine-tuned process that involves T cell receptor and costimulation signals. To prevent undue activation of T cells, inhibitory molecules including PD-1 (programmed death 1) are induced and function as brakes for T cell signaling. In a steady state, the interaction of PD-1 with its ligands PD-L1 (B7-H1, CD274) and PD-L2 (B7-DC, CD273) maintains peripheral immune tolerance. However, the expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells and interaction with PD-1 on T cells dampen anti-tumor immunity. Therapeutic inhibitors of the PD-1 pathway have revolutionized tumor immunotherapy. Unfortunately, the majority of patients do not develop sustained anti-tumor responses. However, the knowledge about unique PD-1 interactions and their role in mediating PD-1 inhibitory signals is currently limited. Advances in the mechanistic understanding of the molecular and signaling integration of the PD-1 pathway could unleash the great potential in tumor immunotherapy by allowing the development of combinatorial approaches that target not only PD-1 and its ligands but also its unique downstream signal mediators. In this review, the current advances in understanding the mechanisms of extracellular and intracellular PD-1 interactions and their significance in potential future therapeutic approaches are discussed.


We investigated whether perceptual learning could be used to improve peripheral word identification speed. The relationship between the magnitude of learning and age was established in normal participants to determine whether perceptual learning effects are age invariant. We then investigated whether training could lead to improvements in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Twenty-eight participants with normal vision and five participants with AMD trained on a word identification task. They were required to identify three-letter words, presented 10° from fixation. To standardize crowding across each of the letters that made up the word, words were flanked laterally by randomly chosen letters. Word identification performance was measured psychophysically using a staircase procedure. Significant improvements in peripheral word identification speed were demonstrated following training (71% ± 18%). Initial task performance was correlated with age, with older participants having poorer performance. However, older adults learned more rapidly such that, following training, they reached the same level of performance as their younger counterparts. As a function of number of trials completed, patients with AMD learned at an equivalent rate as age-matched participants with normal vision. Improvements in word identification speed were maintained at least 6 months after training. We have demonstrated that temporal aspects of word recognition can be improved in peripheral vision with training across a range of ages and these learned improvements are relatively enduring. However, training targeted at other bottlenecks to peripheral reading ability, such as visual crowding, may need to be incorporated to optimize this approach.


Study Design. Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies for the treatment of cervical myelopathy with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) treated with laminoplasty or fusion. Objective. To delineate whether OPLL continues to progress after laminoplasty compared with fusion and to clarify the relationship between radiological progression of OPLL and neurological decline. Summary of Background Data. Laminoplasty is usually performed in patients with multilevel OPLL due to the surgical morbidity of anterior surgery. However, the disadvantage of laminoplasty is that the remaining OPLL can progress after the surgery. Methods. A literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library was performed to identify investigations concerning the progression of OPLL after laminoplasty or fusion. The pooled results were analyzed by calculating the effect size based on the event rate and the logit event rate. Results. We included data from 11 studies involving 530 patients, of whom 429 underwent laminoplasty and 101 underwent fusion surgery. The prevalence of radiological OPLL progression was 62.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 55.3%–69.3%) for the laminoplasty group and 7.6% (95% CI 3.4%–15.9%) for the fusion group. The laminoplasty displayed substantially high prevalence of the progression of OPLL compared with the fusion group. In the laminoplasty group, the prevalence of OPLL progression increased with time and reached 60% at about 10-year follow-up. The prevalence for neurological decline was similar for about 2 years, 8.3% (95% CI 3.7%–17.9%) for the laminoplasty group and 3.8% (95% CI 1.3%–10.2%) for the fusion group. Conclusion. Laminoplasty frequently induces progression of OPLL compared with fusion surgery, but does not make significant clinical deterioration. However, laminoplasty may not be recommended for OPLL patient because it can be getting worse with time. Level of Evidence: 1


Periodical studies have produced a wealth of research by not only fostering transdisciplinary cooperation but also encouraging the crossing of national and language boundaries. Being grounded in departments of history, literature, culture and area studies ensures the careful and granular reading of issues and the recovery of neglected print archives and personal networks. However, contemporary independent magazines have not yet featured in the scholarly journals of the field. This special issue entiteld "Independent Magazines Today" seeks to highlight the proliferation and vitality of magazines in a niche that is often overlooked, yet deserves closer analysis in order to understand its diversity on and off the page. This introduction first touches on some genealogical aspects of the development of indie aesthetics before discussing independent magazines' investment in the niche audiences for whom magazines and their aesthetics may serve as a vehicle for diverse contemporary lifestyles. The last section briefly discusses 'materiality' and 'affect' as two possible key concepts to understanding the workings of indie magazines and their appeal, before introducing the three contributions.


An active circuit which behaves like a "cold" noise source is described. The circuit which uses a gallium arsenide FET is given the name COLFET. The appropriate theory is developed and practical circuits described using the circuit. Equivalent noise temperatures of less than 50 K have been measured for a 50-omega source at 1400 MHz.


AIM
To evaluate the value of right trisectionectomy, previously named right trisegmentectomy, in the treatment of primary liver cancer by summarizing our 13-year experience for this procedure.

METHODS
Thirty three primary liver cancer patients undergoing right trisectionectomy from Apr. 1987 to Dec. 1999 were investigated retrospectively. The impacts in survival of patients by cancerous biological behavior, such as tumor thrombi and satellite nodules, were discussed respectively. All right trisectionectomies were performed under normothermic interruption of porta hepatis at single time. Ultrasonic dissector (CUSA system 200) was used in dissection of hepatic parenchyma from Nov. 1992, instead of finger fracture.

RESULTS
1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 71.9 %, 40.6 % and 34.4 %, respectively. The longest survival term with free cancer was 150 months (alive). There were no significant differences in survival curves between cases with and without tumor thrombi (right branch of portal vein) and satellite nodules. Operative mortality was 3.0 % (1/33). Main surgical complications occurred in 5 cases.

CONCLUSION
Right trisectionectomy should be regarded as an effective and safe procedure for huge primary liver cancers and is worth using more widely.


There are multiple options for determination of ensemble-relative Allan Deviation. We focus on the Three-Cornered Hat (TCH) algorithm as extended to N oscillators where N>=3, and the Groslambert Covariance (GCOV) or Allan Covariance algorithm recently reprised by Vernotte, Calosso, and Rubiola. The TCH algorithm uses as inputs pairwise measurements of Allan Deviation, whereas the GCOV algorithm requires time series of pairwise relative phase or frequency measurements. One observation we make is that while Vernotte et al report that the pairwise measurements must be made synchronously between all pairs of oscillators, we found that precise synchronization is not required for the algorithm to work. As long as the measurements are approximately coincident in time, they can be synchronized well enough retroactively. In the case of the extended TCH algorithm, the measurements for each pair of oscillators in the measurement suite are first used to compute pairwise Allan Deviation estimates. Those estimates are then combined in the extended TCH algorithm to produce ensemblerelative ADEV estimates. In the case of the GCOV algorithm, the original pairwise phase differences are first averaged to the desired time scale are then converted by the GCOV algorithm to ensemble-relative ADEV estimates. Both algorithms can be extended to N oscillators. Furthermore, both algorithms can be extended to estimate uncertainties of the ensemble-relative ADEV estimates. A benefit of the GCOV algorithm as reported by Vernotte et al is that it produces physically reasonable ADEV estimates whereas the TCH algorithm can produce negative (and unphysical) values. However, that apparent weakness of the TCH algorithm can be repaired by reformulating TCH as a maximum likelihood problem. The GCOV/Allan Covariance method also produces negative intermediary results which require special treatment, so this is not a significant difference between the two approaches. Overall, in our tests we found that the extended TCH algorithm gave results that were superior to the GCOV/Allan Covariance algorithm, especially at large time scales. TCH also may be preferable to GCOV because the TCH measurements do not require measurements that are either synchronized or approximately time-coincident.


To assess the validity and limitations of 2-week repeated daily dosing to detect toxic effects on male reproductive organs in rodents, a comparative 2- and 4-week oral repeated dosing study of boric acid, a known testicular toxicant, was given to 6- or 8-week-old Crj:Wistar rats at daily levels of 0, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg. The ages of the rats were selected so that they were all sacrificed at 10 weeks of age. The testes and epididymides were weighed at necropsy; histopathological specimens were prepared in a routine manner and stained with H&E or PAS-H. In addition, the sperm number and motility rates were evaluated. There were no boric acid-induced effects on reproductive organ weights and on gross behavior/appearance in any groups in either the 2- or 4-week studies. The sperm number and motility rate were not decreased in any group after 2 weeks, while both decreased in the 250 and 500 mg/kg groups after 4 weeks. Histopathologically, as evidence of toxicity at the early stage of boric acid exposure, retention of step 19 spermatids of stages IX-XI was observed in the testes of almost all rats treated with 500 mg/kg after both 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Degenerative/necrotic germ cells and multinucleated giant cell formation were observed in 2 weeks, though to a lesser extent than in 4 weeks. On stage analysis of germinal cells in 2 weeks, spermatogonia and spermatids of stage VII were found to be decreased, and pachytene spermatocytes of stage X were increased. In conclusion, the results indicate that if the selection of doses is appropriate, testicular toxicity of boric acid can be detected even after only 2 weeks of repeated daily oral treatment.


Addresses the problem of finding near-optimal schedules for in-tree structured task graphs on a linear array with a fixed number m of identical processors. Each node of the tree requires one unit of execution time and every (directed) edge of the tree denotes that a task can begin execution only after receiving a message from all of its predecessors. The communication links between the processors are bidirectional and can transmit only one message in each direction in one unit of time. The natural goal is to prescribe a schedule that results in the fastest execution (e.g. minimizes the schedule length or makespan) of all the tasks in the tree. For this problem, we present an O(n log n) time algorithm that outputs a schedule that is guaranteed to be no more than 11 times the optimal schedule length. This is a significant improvement over the results of Kalpakis and Yesha(1993). Further, we demonstrate through simulation experiments that our algorithm performs extremely well in practice, with an approximation factor that is close to 2 and not more than 3.


In drawing microstructured optical fibers (MOFs), the cross-sectional hole structure, including holes' relative size and shape, in a finished fiber drawn down from a preform can be different from that designed in the preform due to combined effects of draw tension and surface tension. As a result, the fiber's optical properties relative to the initial design can be significantly altered. In order to find means of minimizing or exploiting hole deformation so that MOFs with desirable optical functionality can be fabricated, the underlying mechanism of hole deformation is analyzed by numerically investigating the continuous draw process of MOFs of different materials under different drawing conditions. It is found that three dimensionless numbers, i.e., 1) the capillary number (related to material properties), 2) the draw ratio, and 3) the aspect ratio (both related to the drawing conditions), can be used to predict the type of hole deformation. Silica and polymer materials are considered in particular, but the use of these dimensionless numbers allows the analysis to be applied to any other material.


CHEUNG AND CHEUNG : New NICE guideline on the treatment of Hypertension . The British guidelines on the management of primary hypertension, developed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), have just been published in August 2011. There are several significant changes in the diagnosis and the treatment for primary hypertension in adults. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement should be regarded as the new gold standard in the diagnosis. Home blood pressure monitoring is also useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension. Because of the results of the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial study, calcium channel blockers (CCB) and blockers of the renin-angiotensin system have surpassed diuretics and beta-blockers as first line options. Patients younger than 55 should receive an ACE inhibitor, or an angiotensin receptor blocker if the former is not tolerated. Older patients should be started on a CCB. A thiazide diuretic can be used as an adjunct to the first line treatment. Chorthalidone and indapamide are preferred as they showed favorable outcomes in large clinical trials. Treatment with these three drug classes should be sufficient in the majority of patients, but if triple therapy is still insufficient, referral to a hypertension specialist is recommended. Further diuretic therapy with spironolactone can be used as the fourth line treatment. Some aspects of the new guideline are controversial, such as the practical difficulties of using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in family practice, and the arbitrary blood pressure cutoff levels. Many doctors also believe that control of blood pressure is best achieved using a wider range of drugs to suit the individual patient. (J HK Coll Cardiol 2012;20:15-20) Guideline, hypertension, NICE


Raymundus Lullus (Ramon Lull) tells of an educated Mohammedan ruler, who, when urged by a missionary to embrace the Christian faith, answered him: "Prove to me that your faith is true; then I, with all my subjects, shall adhere to it." The missionary replied that Christian faith is too sublime a thing to be proved, and he contented himself with explaining the actual belief of the Christians. Answered the king: "If you ask me to leave what has been my faith thus far, then you should give me something reasonable instead of it." Lull uses this story in order to warn missionaries among the Mohammedans not to follow such a method. According to him, it is useless and even ridiculous to refuse to discuss Christianity in philosophical terms in giving demonstrations of its truth to people who are acquainted with such a method.


This paper discusses various theoretic concepts which play a role in assessing the public benefits of Target, the large value RTGS payment network operated by the Eurosystem. These concepts touch upon natural monopoly, network externalities, competition and contestability, as well as economies of scale and scope. Based on empirical results for the Federal Reserve's payment system (Fedwire), it is argued that if Target decided to standardize its operating platforms and consolidate its processing sites into one or a few centers, it too could realize strong scale economy benefits and lower unit costs. The main thrust of the paper concerns natural monopoly and the possibility of lowering unit payment processing cost via economies of scale. The existence of a natural monopoly provides a rationale for a temporary partial or full subsidy in order for Target to achieve the 'most efficient scale' or apply the most efficient technology to lower unit costs. Such a subsidy could be implemented through temporary 'penetration' pricing (i.e., pricing at less than full current cost). When the lower costs are realized, the subsidy would be removed and full cost pricing implemented. Once users face the full costs of their payment decisions, they are better able to match benefits with actual costs and implement a more efficient allocation of payment resources than occurs today on Target.


Abstract. In this study, modeling of mineral resources of underground water in karst mountain area of Maros-Pangkep, Indonesia was made by the Boltzmann lattice-gas automata method. This method was applied to solve the problem of groundwater flow by viewing them as a lattice gas. Simula tion models of groundwater flow in the form of 16 and 32 particle size with a barrier particles form a circle on the plate and different variations of time to reach steady its state. The simulation results showed that the greater the time duration, the mor e different fluid motion pattern. For the state of the karst region, this means that the heterogeneous medium karst very unstable and affect the movement of the particles. In addition, karstification process takes place in a relatively long time with adequate rainfall.


The purpose of this study is to examine the overall performance of A & M Realty Berhad with specific risk and macroeconomic factor on profitability performance. The data and information get from annual report of A & M Realty Berhad starting from 2011-2015. The measurement of liquidity ratio and operating ratio used to see the overall performance of A & M Realty Berhad in 5 years. Besides that, to measure is the asset size, the variable has negative and no significant relationship with liquidity risk. To see relationship of risks factors to the profitability, this paper is utilizing GDP, operational ratio and liquidity ratio. Data was analysed by utilizing regression and bivariate correlation. The regression and bivariate correlation shows only one factors of probability is significant to operating ratio which is ROA with the highest impact to the profitability. However, the liquidity and GDP is not significant to profitability with low impact to the profitability.


Takaful or Islamic insurance is part of well-growth Islamic finance industry today. Many efforts have been done by the governtment and the industry player, however the Small participation from the society is always doubted.This research try to find what are the factors that people do not join takaful. The auther also want to find how far is the respondent understand about takaful and what are their perceptions about it, furhermore both aspects influenced their participation square. This research also discussed about the takaful history, its basic concepts, principles which applied and the differences with conventional insurance. To get the objectives, the author has selected a group of postgraduate students of a local university and distributed questionnaires. To analyze the collected data, author used descriptive analysis,percentages, frequencies, mean, standard deviation and chi. The results revealed that the prime factor of respondent do not join takaful because they do not have clear information about it. Respondent's understanding and their perception are significant with the participation in takaful but not so strong because majority of those who joined takaful probably not understand well and lead negative perception about it.


Abstract L-glutaminase enzyme produced from Hypocrea jecorina pure culture and polyacrylic acid (PAA) in the presence Cu+ ions were composed the ternary complex at pH 7. The properties of free and immobilized enzyme were defined. The effect of various factors such as pH, temperature, heat, and storage stability on immobilized enzyme were investigated. The properties of immobilized enzyme were investigated and compared to those of free enzyme. Optimum pH and temperature of both enzyme were determined to be 8.0 and 50°C, respectively. Kinetic parameters of the immobilized enzyme (Km and Vmax values) were also determined as 0.38 mM of the Km and 10.9 U/L of the Vmax. No drastic change was observed in the Km and Vmax values. Thermal and storage stability experiments were carried out. The thermal stability studies indicated that the immobilization process tends to stabilize the enzyme.


: Various physiotherapy techniques have long been advocated as therapeutic tools for patients with chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD). The purpose of this review is to present an outline of the different techniques, a definition of the present controversies, and an illustration of the possible new directions for physiotherapy in the future. The following aspects of the disease are reviewed: pathophysiology; research; patient education; secretion removal (including techniques of coughing, postural drainage, and percussion); breathing control exercises (including use of the abdominal muscles, nasal inspiration, pursed lip breathing, positioning, alteration of regional ventilation, and the related short and long-term benefits); and thoracic mobility exercises. The authors conclude not only that the physical therapeutic techniques used with COAD patients are extremely diverse in nature, but that the investigations of their validity have been neither comprehensive nor conclusive. Immediate study is needed to define more specific physiological aims for each modality; more selective and effective treatment can then be performed and the true potential of chest physiotherapy realized.


Lithium ion batteries are widely used as energy storage devices in a variety of products such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and other portable electronics. Thanks to their high energy density and cyclability, they are currently being used by and developed for electric vehicles. There is a growing need for cost reduction; increase in energy density; wider operating temperature range; and improved safety characteristics of the batteries. Organic carbonates are the primary solvents used in lithium-ion battery electrolytes along with electrolyte additives. The reversibility of current lithium-ion batteries is dependent upon the electrolyte used in the batteries. During the initial charging cycles of the cell, a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is formed by reduction of organic carbonates, electrolyte salts and/or electrolyte additives on the surface of the graphitic anode in lithium-ion batteries. The generation of a stable anode SEI prevents continuous electrolyte reduction on the surface of the anode. The SEI functions as a Li ion conductor but an electrical insulator. The reduction reactions of the electrolytes on the graphitic anode surface have been investigated for many years and it been proposed to contain a complicated mixture of products including lithium oxalate, lithium alkoxides, and lithium oxide from the carbonate solvents and LiF and lithium fluorophosphates from the reduction of LiPF6. Similar ambiguity exists about the components of SEI formed from electrolyte additives and other electrolyte salts. Despite the extensive investigations, the structure, formation mechanisms and evolution of the SEI are poorly understood. Understanding the mechanisms of the reduction reactions of organic carbonates, electrolyte salts and electrolyte additives along with the products of the reactions which result in the generation of the SEI is essential for the development of safer lithium-ion batteries with wider operating temperature range. Lithium naphthalenide has been investigated as a one electron reducing agent for organic carbonates solvents, some of the most robust additives and salts used in lithium ion battery electrolytes. The reaction precipitates have been analyzed by IRATR, XPS and solution NMR spectroscopy. The evolved gases and the volatile components have been analyzed by GC-MS. The reduction products of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate are lithium ethylene dicarbonate (LEDC) and ethylene and lithium propylene dicarbonate (LPDC) and propylene, respectively. The reduction products of diethyl and dimethyl carbonate are lithium ethyl carbonate (LEC) and ethane and lithium methyl carbonate(LMC) and methane, respectively. Electrolyte additives, FEC and VC reductively decompose to HCO2Li, Li2C2O4, Li2CO3, and polymerized VC. All the fluorine containing salts generate LiF upon reduction. In addition to LiF, LiBF4 generates LixByFz species; LiBOB and LiDFOB generate lithium oxalate and boron-oxalatoesters; LiPF6 yields LiPF2 species and LiTFSI produces lithium bis[N-(trifluoromethylsulfonylimino)] trifluoromethanesulfonate. The poor thermal stability of the SEI layer has been attributed to exothermic reactions between lithium alkyl carbonates and LiPF6. While the relationship between capacity fade and SEI instability is clear, and there have been some investigations of SEI component evolution, the mechanism of SEI component decomposition is complicated by the presence of many different components. The thermal stability of Li2CO3, LMC, and LEDC in the presence of LiPF6 in dimethyl carbonate (DMC), a common salt and solvent, respectively, in lithium ion battery electrolytes, has been investigated to afford a better understanding of the evolution of the SEI. The residual solids from the reaction mixtures have been characterized by a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (IR-ATR), while the solution and evolved gases have been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC-MS). The thermal decomposition of Li2CO3 and LiPF6 in DMC yields CO2, LiF, and F2PO2Li. The thermal decomposition of LMC and LEDC with LiPF6 in DMC results in the generation of a complicated mixture including CO2, LiF, ethers, phosphates, and fluorophosphates.


The Italian Academy, Columbia University Some of Johannes Kepler's works seem very different in character. His youthful Mysterium cosmographicum (1596) argues for heliocentrism on the basis of metaphysical, astronomical, astrological, numerological, and architectonic principles. By contrast, Astronomia nova (1609) is far more tightly argued on the basis of only a few dynamical principles. In the eyes of many, such a contrast embodies a transition from Renaissance to early modern science. However, Kepler did not subsequently abandon the broader approach of his early works: similar metaphysical arguments reappeared in Harmonices mundi libri V (1619), and he reissued the Mysterium cosmographicum in a second edition in 1621, in which he qualified only some of his youthful arguments. I claim that the conceptual and stylistic features of the Astronomia nova – as well as of other "minor" works, such as Strena seu De nive sexangula (1611) or Nova stereometria doliorum vinariorum (1615) – are intimately related and were purposely chosen because of the response he knew to expect from the astronomical community to the revolutionary changes in astronomy he was proposing. Far from being a stream-of-consciousness or merely rhetorical kind of narrative, as many scholars have argued, Kepler's expository method was carefully calculated both to convince his readers and to engage them in a critical discussion in the joint effort to know God's design.


Purpose: As an important issue, strategic planning in public libraries has been paid more attention in China recent years. However, a comprehensive and systematic research, especially strategic models based on empirical studies, is required in the public library strategic planning. The purpose of this research is to investigate the current practices and propose an appropriate reference and guidance of strategic planning in public libraries in Mainland China. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire-based survey method is carried out to collect the views of public libraries staff at different levels in Mainland China. The questionnaire is designed on the following four aspects toward strategic planning in public libraries: The attitude, the status quo, basic issues and the guides. The 882 valid questionnaires are processed by a statistic analysis to reflect the current practices of strategic planning in public libraries in Mainland China. Findings: Our research results reveal that the unclear and confused understanding of the strategic planning still exist among the public libraries staff in Mainland China. However, the majority of respondents still believe that the strategic planning in public libraries is significant and the library developments will be affected for lacking strategic planning. Moreover, it is considerable that the strategic plans are jointly made by independent agencies and public libraries, or by the public library itself. Also, guidelines and a set of softwares in strategic planning are needed. Research limitations/implications: The study was restricted to six main areas in China. A wider geographic sampling can preferable show the basic status of strategic planning in public libraries. The procedures of data collection would be another limitation. Nevertheless, case studies should be used in the further research. Originality/value: The importance of this research originates from a large number of first-hand data about strategic planning in public libraries in mainland China. The results provide extra perception into the future development of Chinese public libraries. The understanding obtained from this study will play a part in forthcoming evolution of this area of research.


The evolution of home mechanical ventilation is an intertwined chronicle of negative and positive pressure modes and their role in managing ventilatory failure in neuromuscular diseases and other chronic disorders. The uptake of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation has resulted in widespread growth in home ventilation internationally and fewer patients being ventilated invasively. As with many applications of domiciliary medical technology, home ventilatory support has either led or run in parallel with acute hospital applications and has been influenced by medical and societal shifts in the approach to chronic care, the creation of community support teams, a preference of recipients to be treated at home, and economic imperatives. This review summarizes the trends and growing evidence base for ventilatory support outside the hospital.


Total hip arthroplasty has led to a breakthrough in the treatment of patients with degenerative joint diseases and provides an appropriate response to the alleviation of pain and to patient mobility. The constant increase in the rate of operations for relatively young patients, as well as older ones, has raised the necessity for enhancing longevity of implants. It is currently assumed that the main reason for implant failure of conventional joints is the biological reaction to polyethylene wear that leads to bone absorption--osteolysis. In order to avoid this, interest has been renewed on alternative bearing surfaces metal-on-metal new implants technology that reduce the volume of wear particles and improve kinematics of those implants. Current technologies include highly cross-linked polyethylene in metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic surfaces. This paper reviews and discusses the biomechanical principles of metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties, and the clinical results of this technology.


The results of theoretical research and earthquake damage investigation show that seismic response analysis of different plane structure in horizontal direction is different. Dynamic characteristics and seismic response analysis of four kinds of architectural models with different planes were analyzed by using the finite element analysis software. The inherent characteristics and earthquake time-history curves in different intensity level X, Y direction of displacement, velocity, acceleration and angle displace were studied. The results show that the seismic response of the four kinds of structures separates gradually, and the separation gap increases with increase of earthquake intensity. The building structure is safer in the long side direction than that in the short side in lateral earthquake response. The irregular structure can cause strong response in both horizontal in a single direction of earthquake effect. The second floor is a weak layer of the building structure which should be paid more attention to.


The effects of estradiol benzoate (EB) and estradiol cypionate (EC) on induction of ovulation after a synchronized LH surge and on fertility of Bos indicus females submitted to timed AI (TAI) were evaluated. In Experiment 1, ovariectomized Nelore heifers were used to evaluate the effect of EB (n 5) and EC (n 5) on the circulating LH profile. The LH surge timing (19.6 and 50.5 h; P 0.001), magnitude (20.5 and 9.4 ng/mL; P 0.005), duration (8.6 and 16.5 h; P 0.001), and area under the LH curve (158.6 and 339.4 ng/mL; 0.01) differed between the EB and EC treatments, respectively. In Experiment 2 (follicular responses; n 60) and 3 (pregnancy er AI; P/AI; n 953) suckled Bos indicus beef cows submitted to an estradiol/progesterone-based synchronization protocol were ssigned to receive one of two treatments to induce synchronized ovulation: 1 mg of EB im 24 h after progesterone (P4) device removal r 1 mg of EC im at P4 device removal. There was no difference (P 0.05) between EB and EC treatments on follicular responses maximum diameter of the ovulatory follicle, 13.1 vs. 13.9 mm; interval from progesterone device removal to ovulation, 70.2 vs. 68.5 h; nd ovulation rate, 77.8 vs. 82.8%, respectively). In addition, P/AI was similar (P 0.22) between the cows treated with EB (57.5%; 77/482) and EC (61.8%; 291/471). In conclusion, despite pharmacologic differences, both esters of estradiol administered either at P4 evice removal (EC) or 24 h later (EB) were effective in inducing an LH surge which resulted in synchronized ovulations and similar /AI in suckled Bos indicus beef cows submitted to TAI. 2012 Elsevier Inc. Open access under the Elsevier OA license.


The careers of the Curial secretaries Poggio Bracciolini (1380-1459) and Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472) reveal many parallels. In 1437-1438 the Este court of Ferrara, where Eugenius IV convoked a church council, provided a focal point for their friendship. It was to the Ferrarese canon Francesco Marescalchi that Poggio dedicated Book 1 of his Latin epistles (1436), and Alberti his Hundred Apologues (1437). Both men were inspired to critiques of contemporary society by the Greek satirist Lucian, and both indulged in composing brief witticisms that expose human vice: Poggio in his Facetiae (Jests) and Alberti in his Apologi (Fables) and Vita (Autobiography). From Lucian, they also learned to dramatize human foibles on the imagined stage of the theatrum mundi, or theater of the world: Poggio in his dialogues, and Alberti in both the Intercenales and Momus. Despite such literary affinities, their approach to ethical questions differed, especially concerning the validity of allegory, which Poggio rejected but Alberti embraced. As a tribute to his colleague, Alberti dedicated Book 4 of his Intercenales to Poggio; he prefaced the work with an ironic Aesopic fable that asserts the superiority of recondite scientific research over commonplace humanistic studies. Eventually, Alberti's status as an outsider in Florence was reflected in the deterioration in his relations with Poggio. The rift was widened in 1441, when Alberti organized the Italian poetic competition called the Certame Coronario that was held in the Florence cathedral on October 22. Poggio was a member of the jury that, to Alberti's chagrin, refused to declare a winner.


An independent state must have its own army. If we don't defend ourselves, someone else will come and defend us. The conflicts in the border areas of the collapsing Soviet Union and the Balkans in the 1990s as well as the unstable situation in Estonia and neighbouring countries underlined the need for the quick establishment of Estonia's own army. At the time the state's independence was restored, there were no people in Estonia who knew Western weaponry or how to carry out weapons procurements. The only things left behind by the Russian army were old gas masks, helmets, fuel and lubricants, a number of buildings and a polluted environment.


An analysis of a coupled plane elasticity problem of crack/contact mechanics for a coating/substrate system with functionally graded properties is performed, where the rigid flat punch slides over the surface of the coated system that contains a crack. The graded material is treated as a non-homogeneous interlayer between dissimilar, homogeneous phases of the coated medium and the crack is assumed to exist along the interface between the interlayer and the substrate. Based on the Fourier integral transform method and the transfer matrix approach, formulation of the current coupled mixed boundary value problem lends itself to the derivation of a set of three simultaneous Cauchy-type singular integral equations. In the numerical results, the emphasis is placed on the investigation of interactions between the contact stress field and the crack-tip behaviour for various combinations of material, geometric and loading parameters of the coated system. Specifically, effects of interfacial cracking on the distributions of the contact pressure and the in-plane stress component along the coating surface are examined and the mixed-mode stress intensity factors evaluated from the crack-tip stress field with the square-root singularity are provided as a function of punch location. Further addressed is the quantification of the singular character of contact pressure distributions at the trailing and leading edges of the flat punch in terms of the punch-edge stress intensity factors. Implicit in this particular analysis of the coupled crack/contact problem presented henceforth is that the crack closure behaviour under the compressive contact stress field is not taken into account, ignoring the influence of crack-face contact and friction.


Magnetorheological finishing technology is a new generation of high-precision optical accessory polishing and processing methods. It presents a MRF dwell time algorithm that can quickly calculate the resident time during magnetorheological processing of the rotational optical parts. A magnetorheological forming polishing experiment on a prototype has been carried out on BK9 glass parts of 20mm rotary symmetrical face shape. The algorithm can improve the surface shape precision of the workpiece from 6.5um to 0.61um. Emulational and experimental results show that the surface shape error of a spherical polished workpiece is convergent by this method, which is also, applies to magneto-rheological finishing of non-spherical and planar workpiece.


Color rendering feature of certain device or process can be described more specifically if the color gamut can be described quantitively which is difficult to achieve due to the color samples dispersed unorderly in color space. In this paper, a method of comparising color gamut quantitively is brought forward based on spacial dissection theory. A cetain color gamut can be represented by a certain and unregular three dimentional cubic in the Lab color space. Marking out the coordinates' data on the surface of this cubic, means the outline of the color cubic is obtained. These special coordinates' data are those color spots which possess strong saturation, and this feature facilitates the process of outlining the color cubic. Based on this feature, according to the Delaunay theory applied in three dimension, the dispersed data in Lab color space produces tetrahedral network, which means the irregular color cubic can be divided into tetrahedrons, whose volume can be calculated via its coordinates' data(the value of Lab), and consequently, the whole volume of color gamut can be be finaly obtained by these divided tetrahedrons. Experimental results show that, this method can be applied effectively for gamuts comparison quantitively, further more,by choosing certain color spots in certain area of the color space, more accurate calculation and comparison can be obtained.


Background: The development of resistance to chemotherapies in cancer leads to disease progression resulting in impaired survival. Resensitization to these previously effective but now failed therapies could lead to improvements in patient survival and response. RRx-001, a novel dinitroazetidine ROS-mediated epigenetic modulator that has demonstrated activity against DNMTs and HDACs may resensitize colorectal cancer patients to previously effective irinotecan therapies resulting in improvements in survival. Methods: The ROCKET study is a two stage trial that investigates RRx-001-mediated resensitization to irinotecan therapies. Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who previously responded, then progressed on irinotecan-based therapies, with or without bevacizumab, cetuximab or panitumumab and an ECOG PS 0-1 are randomized in Stage 1 to receive RRx-001 1xweek or regorafenib until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients then advance to Stage 2 to receive irinotecan-based therapies. Target accrual is approx. 190 patients and the primary endpoint is overall survival with secondary endpoints to investigate resensitization. Recruitment is ongoing. Study Status and Results: To date, 28 patients have been randomized with 20 entering the resensitization stage of the study. 13 post RRx-001 patients entered the second stage of the study showing an improving patient survival, marked decreases in CEA and radiological responses. In contrast, the 7 regorafenib patients eligible for stage 2 were too systemically unwell to proceed to subsequent treatment. Conclusions: Early results suggest that RRx-001, a systemically non-toxic epigenetic agent, may resensitize colorectal cancer patients to irinotecan-based therapies. These interesting early results appear to be generalized and may translate to increased overall survival, adding an additional regimen after disease progression. The trial is continuing. Citation Format: Tony Reid, George Fisher, Corey Carter, Cheryl Cho-Phan, Pamela Kunz, Bryan Oronsky, Gary Fanger, Meaghan Stirn, Scott Caroen, Christopher Parker, Jan Scicinski. RRx-001, a novel epigenetic modulator: Resensitization to previously failed therapy in the ongoing phase 2 colorectal cancer study, ROCKET. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chromatin and Epigenetics in Cancer; Sep 24-27, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B26.


The propulsion system of space launch vehicle generates thrust by supplying oxidizer and fuel to combustion chamber. KSLV-II 2nd stage engine, currently under development by KARI, is to use liquid oxygen as a oxidizer and JET-A1 as a fuel. The 2nd stage pump-fed engine is mainly composed of combustion chamber, turbo-pump and engine supply system. To develop liquid propulsion engine, the development of combustion chamber must be preceded. For performance validation of the combustion chamber, the designed and manufactured combustion chamber should be tested in combustion chamber test facility (CCTF). The detailed design for the planned CCTF in Naro Space Center was conducted. The oxidizer supply system modeling using AMESim was performed based on the results of the detailed design, and the oxidizer supply characteristics was analyzed in this paper.


Did you know that keeping your mitochondria fit is essential for quality of life, brain and muscle function, and resistance against preventable, immunological, and age-related degenerative diseases?
The capacity of cellular oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) — a direct measure of mitochondrial function — is a result of evolution, age, gender, lifestyle, and environment (EAGLE). Increasingly, western lifestyle and aging contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and the current epidemic of preventable diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and various types of cancer. The mitObesity epidemic leads to multimorbidity in aging and threatens to overwhelm the capacity of healthcare systems.
Training in mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics, therefore, has high relevance to society. The 'Blue Book' on Mitochondrial Pathways and Respiratory Control presents a fundamental introduction to OXPHOS analysis for students and researchers in life sciences ― from evolutionary biology to medical and environmental applications. It combines concepts of bioenergetics and biochemical pathways related to mitochondrial core energy metabolism, provides the basis for substrate-uncoupler-inhibitor titration (SUIT) protocols, and updates the terminology consistent with the MitoEAGLE white paper on Mitochondrial Physiology.
It is now our responsibility to transfer the enthusiasm for innovation, reproducibility, and quality in science, and to translate mitochondrial research into visionary healthcare solutions.
How to cite:
Gnaiger E (2020) Mitochondrial pathways and respiratory control. An introduction to OXPHOS analysis. 5th ed. Bioenergetics Communications 2020.2. https://doi.org/10.26124/bec:2020-0002


The structuralist view of mathematics was quite extended among mathemati-cians in the second half of the twentieth century. This paper attempts to assess the extent of this perspective of mathematics, in its various forms, in providing a unifying framework for mathematics. The paper is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to the study of the genesis and develop-ment of structuralism in algebra. The second one presents, on the one hand, Bourbaki's work in particular, and, on the other hand, the contributions of some category theorists to the extension of structuralism to mathematics in general. After pointing out the widely accepted weaknesses of Bourbaki's enterprise, I discuss the different positions we can find under the general term of 'categorical structuralist perspective'. We see that, even though some positions are more acceptable than others, they all have a fundamen-tal problem. Category theory has clearly shown the central role played by the general notion of function, but the broad categorical framework hides in some degree this aspect in favor of the notion of structure (category). This notion is important, but it is not the most relevant one to understand the internal organization of mathematics.


With fluid forming processes getting more and more common in industrial application a lot of research is carried out to analyze the forming behavior of sheet metal within these processes. In order to gather experimental information about the forming behavior of the workpiece, an imaging system is presented, that will allow determining the actual shape within the forming process. The system has to be functional in liquid media as well as in a high pressure environment. Therefore an ultrasonic based system has been chosen, consisting of a small number of transducers which are alternately used as transmitter and receiver. It is possible to cover 100 by 100 mm² with only 10 by 10 transducers by the use of special algorithms. The reconstruction of the echographic images from the recorded data is done by a SAFTalgorithm (synthetic aperture focusing technique) followed by an analysis with special contourdetection algorithms, which are able to scan the image for contour data. It can be shown that the accuracy of the reconstruction is quite good in the 2.5-dimensional domain, if appropriate contour models for the description are used. Because of the small number of transducers and the specular reflection of the signals, the quality of the image can be improved significantly by the extension of the SAFT algorithm with an angle-weighted factor. The three dimensional reconstruction is also possible and will be demonstrated for simple geometries. The ability for sampling more complex geometries and enhancing the accuracy will be achieved by the integration of three dimensional contour models and three dimensional angle-weighting.


The geometry of seven NAD + analogues bound to horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH) modified only in their nicotinamide group, have been studied using AMBER molecular mechanics energy-minimization procedures. Starting geometries were taken from X-ray crystallographic data for NAD+/Me2SO/LADH reported by Eklund and co-workers. In this study the NAD' analogues were encaged by the constituent amino acids of the enzyme within a range of 0.6 nm from the initial NAD+/Me2SO/Zn2+ complex. The calculational method used is able to rationalize individual substituent effects and to evaluate the essential interactions between NAD+ analogue, enzyme, Me2S0 and Zn2+ without the necessity of additional X-ray data. The results presented here demonstrate that the reactivity of NAD' derivatives as reported in literature can be qualitatively related to the position of the pyridine moiety in the active site.


Electroplating using a Ni-plating solution/CO2 macroemulsion was carried out at a supercritical condition. This method is that the Ni+2 ions in the macroemulsion using a surfactant have been deposited onto Cu. For forming the macroemulsion, we synthesized the fluorocarbonhydrocarbon surfactants, that is, sodium salt of bis (2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro-1-pentanol) sulfosuccinate with both 'CO2 philic' chains and the 'hydrophilic' head group. The Cu plate, screw and chip as complicated shaped metals were plated by using this method. And the plated ware performed by this method was compared with that performed by the conventional method (electroplating at 1atm) to evaluate the effectiveness of the effective plating process.


The goal of this project is to apply the WPA's proactive outreach strategy to the problem of educating the public about the likely transmission infrastructure developments concomitant to the significant development of wind energy resources in North Carolina. Given the lead time to develop significant new transmission infrastructure (5-10 years), it is critical to begin this outreach work today, so that wind resources can be developed to adequately meet the 20% by 2030 goal in the mid- to long-term (10-20 years). The project team planned to develop a transmission infrastructure outreach campaign for North Carolina by: (1) convening a utility interest group (UIG) of the North Carolina Wind Working Group (NC WWG) consisting of electric utilities in the state and the Southeast; and (2) expanding outreach to local and state government officials in North Carolina.


A recent study reported that the average annual fees for full-time infant care in a child care center ranged from $3,803 in Alabama to $13,480 in Massachusetts. This study analyses this variation in state-level average child care center prices using a standard economic model of supply and demand. We found that a large proportion of the variation in average child care prices can be explained by a small set of variables, including median family income, wages paid to child care workers, and the number of young children in the state. Although the gov-ernment plays an important role in the child care market, the wide variation in average fees across states mostly reflects what parents can afford to pay. Given the importance of quality child care to current workforce needs and future human capital development, strategies to in-crease affordability such as child care subsidies and tax credits should be considered along with direct investments in quality improvements.


In this paper, we propose a novel QoS guaranteed algorithm for real-time applications in IEEE 802.15.4 protocol. The IEEE 802.15.4 standard provides a Guaranteed Time Slot (GTS) mechanism to allocate a specific duration within a superframe structure for time-critical transmissions. However, there are many weak points to support real-time applications. We suggest a new slot allocation algorithm that enables guaranteed services to be more efficient. The proposed algorithm also allocates a new guaranteed time slot dynamically to support real-time applications which have periodic messages. We evaluate the delay bounds and the throughput of the proposed scheme compared with original protocol. We then show that our proposal improves the bandwidth utilization and guarantees real-time features more strictly.


Electronic public procurement (EPP) has been considered an important tool for promoting competition, simplifying procedures, and ensuring transparency in decision-making processes. In Portugal, EPP replaced paper-based pre-contractual procedures for communication and processing. Addressing this general issue, the authors designed and proposed the TrivPlat, a free access tool for monitoring, managing, and evaluating the electronic platforms of public procurement. This tool is even more relevant if we take into account that the current legal framework establishes the free choice of electronic platforms for contracting authorities and economic operators. This paper presents the TrivPlat project, reporting its development by now: the identification and characterization of legal requirements that electronic platforms for public procurement are complied to obey in Portugal. These requirements may be grouped into four types: general operating rules, functional requirements, technical requirements, and safety requirements. In addition, within the actual regulatory framework, they correspond to a new paradigm.


This document concerns an exploratory research towards the application of collaborative Markov chains as a forecasting model within the field of healthcare insurance. The model proposed is based on both predicting care demand and associated institutional pathway traversal. A system of collaborative Markov chains allows the user to jointly model several probabilistic elements that share dependencies. It describes a collection of Markov chains in which the state of a certain chain within the collection influences transition probabilities in other chains within the collection. It allows the use of different types of techniques to estimate forecasting parameters as an input within one model. It entails a modular structure which allows the user to perform case-based analyses. Simulation of simplified proof-of-concept cases has shown accurate predictive behaviour. Due to the fact that Markov chains and consequently systems of collaborative Markov chains are probabilistic in nature, simulation of a sufficient number of sampling replication yields results that tend to follow a Normal distribution. The statistical nature of the simulation results lends itself perfectly for consecutive statistical post-processing. Systems of collaborative Markov chains provide in modelling complex probabilistic systems in which several dependencies might exist. Current challenges within the application of systems of collaborative Markov chains involve the complexity in terms of the number of parameters to estimate and associated running times. Additionally the existence of potential "inactive elements" with respect to the field of healthcare insurance introduces additional challenges in parameter estimation of the model.


The author establishes how the field of algebra was developed by Muslim mathematicians, which helped to spur a revolution in the field. He also rebuts a number of philosophers, including Edmund Husserl, a philosopher and writer on modern history of the period post fourteenth century A.D. For the author, the work produced in the fourteenth century is comparatively of a lower standard than that produced in the twelve and thirteenth centuries during which time the Latin scholars were in the process of understanding and appreciating what the Arab academics had produced in the variety of fields of science and in particular that of geometry, algebra and optics. The book is rich in its detail of the intellectual heritage of both the East and West. The book consists of three papers, the original work being a lecture presented by Roshdī Rāshid in French. The book is written in three languages, Arabic, English and French.


All Creatures Great and Small Bereavement Services will assist you to deal with the loss of your pet and make arrangements for a memorial to your loved pet


During the last half century roll forming has become a highly productive metal forming technology, well-established in the industry for the manufacturing of mass products. About 8 % of the annual world production of steel is processed by roll forming mills. Roll forming technology enables the manufacturing of profile-shaped products with an extremely wide spectrum of geometrical shapes. In lightweight construction, the utilization of roll-formed structures of high and ultra-high-strength steels has increased remarkably in the recent years. However, the application of those types of steel entails some disadvantages resulting in a decreasing forming capacity and enormous efforts to reach the required dimensional accuracy. Until a profile leaves the roll forming machine with the target quality, it is mostly necessary to align the forming rolls several times. Sometimes even design changes are required. This is the result of unreliable process planning. Furthermore, typical profile failures such as twist, flare and spring-back occur even stronger compared to mild steels. Nowadays, it is usual to control the dimensional accuracy of the profiles after the last forming stand. This kind of quality control has the following disadvantage: manufacturing errors are detected very late. Therefore, a continuous quality control process and an active manipulation during the forming process promise a large potential for an improvement of the dimensional accuracy and an increase of roll forming productivity.


Abstract Much of the bioavailable and geochemically reactive iron in aerobic, circumneutral settings is frequently found in the form of nanoscale particles of a hydrated iron(III) oxyhydroxide phase known as ferrihydrite. Developing useful structural descriptions of defective nanophases such as ferrihydrite has long posed significant challenges. Recently, Michel et al. (2007, 2010) proposed a structural model for ferrihydrite in place of the long-accepted model of Drits et al. (1993). Both models reproduce to high accuracy certain forms of X‑ray scattering data from powdered ferrihydrite. However, discrepancies remain that we hypothesized are due to forms of structural disorder not easily represented by existing models. To test this hypothesis, we performed a novel structural analysis of total X‑ray scattering data acquired from 6-line ferrihydrite. We generated three candidate whole-nanoparticle models of ferrihydrite composed of a two-phase Drits model, the Michel model, and a hybrid phase based on a single-phase Drits model that incorporated tetrahedral Fe sites, creating a lattice in which the Michel model was one of many possible topologies. We implemented a reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) approach to explore alternative configurations of iron occupancies plus structural disorder, and to refine the nanoparticle structure using both the reciprocal and real-space forms of the X‑ray scattering data. We additionally used oxygen K-edge X‑ray absorption spectroscopy to semi-quantitatively assess the ratio of protonated:non-protonated oxygen sites in an iron(III) oxides. This analysis provides independent evidence for a significantly lower OH:O stoichiometric ratio for ferrihydrite than for goethite, further constraining the RMC models. The hybrid structure model gave better agreement to the experimental total scattering data than nanoparticles based upon either the Michel or Drits models. Models that incorporated tetrahedrally coordinated iron sites consistently achieved better matches to the data than models containing facesharing octahedra. Long-range vacancy disorder was essential for optimum fits to the scattering data, highlighting the utility of whole-nanoparticle models in place of unit-cell models with random distributions of iron vacancies. The RMC-derived structures do not satisfy all experimental constraints on composition and structure. Nevertheless this work illustrates that a suitably constrained RMC method applied to whole-nanoparticle models can be an effective approach for exploring disorder in nanocrystalline materials.