ABSTRACT Direct-acting antiviral therapy is safe and cost-effective for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, variability in drug payment rules represents a barrier to treatment that may disproportionately affect certain populations. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among HIV/HCV coinfected and HCV monoinfected patients using Kaplan–Meier and Fisher's exact test to analyze the time from the prescription of a direct-acting antiviral agent to delivery to the patient. Variables with significance p < .20 in univariate analysis were included in a Cox regression model. Factors associated with faster treatment were Infectious Diseases office setting (p = .01), public insurance payer (p = .01), and initial approval of requested regimen (p = .01). The presence of other liver disease was associated with delay in treatment (p = .05). Unrestrictive Medicare and Medicaid regulations resulted in more rapid delivery of medication compared to private payers. Fibrosis level, Child–Pugh class and HIV status did not significantly change time to treatment.


Military orders have historically played a key role in defining borders, both in a mental sense, by favouring an awareness of alterity in the most peripheral territories (Christians against Muslims and Christians against Pagans), and also in more direct ways, as owners of land in these territories. This article1 discusses both the influence, in the broadest sense, of territory and periphery upon the medieval military orders, and the relationship between the crown and the military orders. It will be done through a comparative historical analysis of two cases: Portugal and Denmark in the 12th–16th centuries. Both countries were placed at the periphery of the Western world in the Middle Ages, and they were both active agents in the Crusading movement.


The effect of thermal and pulsed electric field (PEF) processing on the shelf life of an orange juice-milk beverage (OJMB) was studied. The intensities of the treatments were selected to produce similar inactivation of pectin methyl esterase (PME), an enzyme responsible for the jellification and loss of fresh juice cloudiness. Physical properties (pH, degrees Brix, and color), microbial population, PME activity, and volatile compounds of the product were analyzed during a 4-wk storage at 8 to 10 degrees C. The pH was not affected by any treatment but decreased during the storage in the untreated sample. The degrees Brix values were decreased by the 2 treatments. The thermal and PEF treatments initially inactivated PME activity by 90%. During storage, the PME activity remained constant in the 2 treated samples and decreased slightly in the untreated sample. The reductions in bacterial as well as yeast and mold counts were similar after the 2 treatments (4.5 and 4.1 log CFU/mL for thermal against 4.5 and 5 log CFU/mL for PEF). Based on the initial bacterial counts of the control, it was estimated that the shelf lives of the OJMB treated with thermal and PEF processing stored at 8 to 10 degrees C were 2 and 2.5 wk, respectively. Differences were observed in the color parameters of the OJMB between the 2 treatments in comparison with the control, with a higher difference observed in the thermally processed samples. The relative concentration of volatile compounds was higher in OJMB processed by PEF treatment than that in the thermally processed sample. During storage, the loss of volatile compounds was lower in the PEF sample while thermal and control samples had a similar rate of loss. For an OJMB, treatment with PEF achieved the same degree of microbial and enzyme inactivation as the thermal treatment, but better preserved color and volatile compounds.


The basic objective of this research is to develop a model to simulate the performance and cost of oxyfuel combustion systems to capture CO{sub 2} at fossil-fuel based power plants. The research also aims at identifying the key parameters that define the performance and costs of these systems, and to characterize the uncertainties and variability associated with key parameters. The final objective is to integrate the oxyfuel model into the existing IECM-CS modeling framework so as to have an analytical tool to compare various carbon management options on a consistent basis.


The 22 October verdict by a court in L'Aquila, Italy, convicting seven Italian earthquake experts of manslaughter for failing to provide an adequate seismic warning to residents prior to a damaging quake in the region continues to send shockwaves through the scientific community. A sampling of the scientific community's concern about the verdict, which is likely to be appealed, included a 25 October joint statement from U.S. National Academy of Sciences president Ralph Cicerone and U.K. Royal Society president Sir Paul Nurse that noted "the difficult task facing scientists in dealing with risk communication and uncertainty." The statement continued, "Much as society and governments would like science to provide simple, clear-cut answers to the problems that we face, it is not always possible. Scientists can, however, gather all the available evidence and offer an analysis of the evidence in light of what they do know. The sensible course is to turn to expert scientists who can provide evidence and advice to the best of their knowledge. They will sometimes be wrong, but we must not allow the desire for perfection to be the enemy of good. That is why we must protest the verdict in Italy. If it becomes a precedent in law, it could lead to a situation in which scientists will be afraid to give expert opinion for fear of prosecution or reprisal. Much government policy and many societal choices rely on good scientific advice and so we must cultivate an environment that allows scientists to contribute what they reasonably can, without being held responsible for forecasts or judgments that they cannot make with confidence."


Advisor: Adam LeibovichIn this thesis we explore various heavy quarkonium decay and production processes in certain kinematic regime close to phase space boundaries. Our traditional understanding of heavy quarkonium physics is rooted in the nonrelativistic QCD (NRQCD) formalisms. However close to certain phase space boundaries, NRQCD factorization theorems for quarkonium production or decay break down. This is mainly due to the occurrence of very energetic jet states which are not properly included in the framework of NRQCD, which result in large perturbative and non-perturbative corrections. Discrepancies between NRQCD predictions and experimental results have been observed. Thus in these regions we utilize the soft collinear effective theory (SCET) to derive factorization theorems in which the collinear degrees of freedom will be included correctly meanwhile shape functions describing the internal motion of the heavy quarkonium will arise naturally. Large logarithmic corrections due to several well-separated scales are summed up using renormalization group equations (RGEs). Combining SCET with fixed order NRQCD calculations, we obtain results with better agreement with the experimental data.


Observations over the last 30 yr have shown that the sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean has slightly increased since 1979. Mechanisms responsible for this positive trend have not been well established yet. In this study we tackle two related issues: is the observed positive trend compatible with the internal variability of the system, and do the models agree with what we know about the observed internal variability? For that purpose, we analyse the evolution of sea ice around the Antarctic simulated by 24 different general circulation models involved in the 5th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), using both historical and hindcast experiments. Our analyses show that CMIP5 models respond to the forcing, including the one induced by stratospheric ozone depletion, by reducing the sea ice cover in the Southern Ocean. Some simulations display an increase in sea ice extent similar to the observed one. According to models, the observed positive trend is compatible with internal variability. However, models strongly overestimate the variance of sea ice extent and the initialization methods currently used in models do not improve systematically the simulated trends in sea ice extent. On the basis of those results, a critical role of the internal variability in the observed increase of sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean could not be ruled out, but current models results appear inadequate to test more precisely this hypothesis.


This article is dedicated to study one of the aspects of Charles deGaulle`s legacy, the first President of the Fifth Republic in France, namely to his principles in foreign policy. How relevant are these principles today, in the conditions of the post cold war international relations? Key in concept of French diplomacy are terms of national independence. Whole General de Gaulle`s activity in period of exile, and in the period of presidency was devoted to general aim – to achieve true national independence of France in the international level. Official position and the concept of Gaullism in the issue of European integration was also subordinated to the task to preserve the independence of member states of the European Community. On the other hand, namely Charles de Gaulle advocated the principles of multilateralism. Despite the change of geopolitical situation after the end of the cold war, France retains basic principles of its own foreign policy founded by S. de Gaulle. The essence of these principles – preservation of national independence of France in the name of its national interests.


Phase separated blends of polymers and low molecular weight liquid crystals, commonly known as polymer dispersed liquid crystals in short PDLCs, are investigated. These materials offer a realm of applications in modern technologies, including sensors, commutable windows, display devices and telecommunication systems. A particular attention is given to the effects of anisotropy of the liquid crystal on the phase behavior under equilibrium and non equilibrium conditions. The theoretical formalism used is based on the lattice model of isotropic mixing, combined with standards theories of nematic and smectic-A orders. Considering the equilibrium phase behavior, we find that the nematic order enhances the polymer / solvent phase separation, and that the osmotic pressure shows substantial changes for relatively small polymer volume fractions. We find that the anisotropy enhanced phase separation is more pronounced for a smectic-A liquid crystal, and the miscibility gap is widened. The kinetics of swelling by nematic LCs is examined using a linear solvent diffusion process, with a rate of swelling directly related to the derivative of the osmotic pressure. An abrupt swelling / de-swelling transition is found, due to overwhelming effects of the anisotropic interaction beyond the threshold LC concentration. Anisotropy enhanced phase separation is also investigated in the method of synthesis based on the polymerization induced phase separation mechanism. We find that the kinetics of separation during early stages of polymerization is faster, due to the anisotropic interaction of the low molecular weight solvent. The kinetics speed up is favored by the long range viscous flow effects due to hydrodynamic interactions. A limited selection of experimental data in the literature is chosen to validate some theoretical predictions obtained from the present formalisms.


Parasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Hematodinium have been reported from a number of commercially important crustacean hosts, including the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, from the coastal waters of Scotland. Several methods for detection of the parasite have been developed but each has associated drawbacks. As part of this study, an enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the detection of the parasite in the haemolymph of N. norvegicus and other crustaceans. The ELISA is a simple, sensitive, reproducible assay, with a detection limit of 5x104 parasites ml-1 haemolyph.

To further investigate low-level hematodinium infection in n. norvegicus and other crustacean hosts, a set of Hematodinium-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers and DNA probes have been developed, based on Hematodinium ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions. In the PCR assay, a diagnostic band of 380 bp is produced in the presence of parasite DNA. The limit of detection of the assay was found to be 1 ng DNA, which is equivalent to 6 parasites. The DNA probes detected Hematodinium cells in a range of tissues from N. norvegicus and from the crab Carcinus maenas.

The level of genetic similarity between nine isolates of Hematodinium originating from several species of Crustacea from the Uk was examined. PCR was used to amplify and sequence the 3' of the small sub-unit (SSU) and the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of the parasite rDNA complex. Analysis of the SSU and ITS 1 sequences revealed that both the regions are highly conserved (92.2%) or greater) between isolates examined, and that there is no apparent geographical separation of isolates. the results suggested that the same species of Hematodinium infects a number of crustacean species from different geographical locations.

Hematodinium perezi, the parasitic dinoflagellate of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, has been successfully isolated and cultured in vitro. Although the in vivo form of this parasite is morphologically and mollecularly very different from that of the Hematodinium sp. infecting N. norvegicus, a number of similar life cycle stages were observed in vitro. These included syncytial networks, filamentous trophonts, and gorgonlock colonies. The isolation and in vitro culture of H. perezi and the Hematodinium sp. infecting n. norvegicus allowed the internal and external enzyme profiles of both species to be examined using the API ZYM system and biochemical assays, leading to the identification of several enzymes that may have pathogenic importance during Hematodinium infections. Differences in the secrretion of acid phosphate and leucine arylamidase by the two Hematodium sp. studied may account for their different levels of virulence and infectivity.

A ciliate infection of the wild and laboratory-held N. norvegicus was discovered during the course of this project. Extensive damage to heart muscle tissue was observed in affected lobsters. The ciliate was identified as belonging to the genus Mesanophyrs, based on silver carbonate impregnation of oral structures. However, molecular sequence data (ITS1 and ITS2) indicated that the ciliate sequences have 100% identity with rDNA sequences from Orchitophyra stellarum, a ciliate parasite of sea stars. Since the morphology of O. stellarum differs from that of Mesanophyrs, the possibility arises that the previous studies have misreported the molecular data. Otherwise, it must be concluded that morphological features cannot be used to discriminate between closely related ciliate species.

The initiation of in vitro cultures of the ciliate isolated from N. norvegicus allowed the investigation of proteolytic factors that may be involved in the initiation and progression of its infection. The ciliate was found to secrete a number of proteases into the culture medium, and these are exclusively of the metallo type They have gelatinolytic and azocaseinolytic activities and are active at the physiological temperature and haemolyph pH of the host. Secreted proteases were selective in the degradation of several host proteins, including the myosin heavy chain, which is a common structural component of all lobster muscle tissues. Consequently, these proteases may have multiple roles in the invasion and progression of this ciliate infection, or in assisting nutrient uptake by the ciliate.

The results of these studies are discussed in terms of the thechnical development of diagnostic assays for Hematodium, their potential application in examining the prevalence and transmission of this parasite in N. norvegicus and other crustaceans, and the potential pathogenic mechanisms involved in parasitic infections of N. norvegicus.


Hantzsch dihydropyridine-based ratiometric fluorescent NO probes, viz. PyNO and TPANO, were synthesized and characterized. These two probes were shown to be selective and sensitive for NO among the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) studied in HEPES buffer medium by absorption, fluorescence, and visual color change with detection limits of 2.6 μM and 0.08 μM, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) reacts with Hantzsch dihydropyridines to give the corresponding intensely fluorescent product pyridines via aerobic oxidation and this is applied to detect nitric oxide (NO). A reaction mechanism for dihydropyridine with NO is proposed in this study. The probe shows good stability over a broad pH range (pH > 4). The structures of the PyNO and TPANO probes have been established by single-crystal XRD. DFT and TDDFT calculations were done to demonstrate the electronic properties of the probes and their aromatic products. Moreover, the utility of the PyNO and TPANO probes in detecting NO in live cells has also been demonstrated using Vero cells as monitored by fluorescence imaging. A study of the detection of endogenously generated NO was also carried out by increasing the incubation time of the probe with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pre-treated cells and it was found that a highly fluorescent cell image could be obtained.


In this article, we describe the background and issues to be addressed related to dependent children in juvenile court. In an important effort to systematically examine developmental functioning and treatment needs in maltreated and violence-exposed young children, the Prevention and Evaluation of Early Neglect and Trauma (PREVENT) initiative of the Dependency Court Intervention Program for Family Violence, a national demonstration project in the Miami-Dade Juvenile Court, developed a program to evaluate all infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are adjudicated dependent by the court. The goal of the intervention is to raise awareness of the needs of infants and toddlers in juvenile court and to work toward healing the child. The PREVENT program involved the evolution of a judicial-mental health partnership designed to assist the court in making more informed decisions about the best interest of the child by adding scientific knowledge about development, prevention, intervention, evaluation, and treatment. The outcome of the partnership and multidisciplinary approach is illustrated through presenting a case vignette of a mother and baby showing the challenges and strengths of intervention. Finally, we consider overall outcomes of the intervention and directions for the future.


Management system of chronic diseases in developing countries and post-disaster situation has been required. Body area network (BAN, IEEE 802.15.6) is expected to be useful in medical field. To evaluate BAN standard, we are implementing BAN in our attaché case type sensor set named "Portable Health Clinic" (PHC), and conducting systematic health checkup in rural and urban areas in Bangladesh. (Methods) In the PHC, we packed weight scale, blood pressure meter, blood sugar meter, body thermometer, pulse oxymeter, as electrical devices, and tape measure (for height, waist and hip), urine test tape (for urine sugar, urine protein and urobilinogen) as no-electrical devices. We provided checkup in rural villages and urban companies in Bangladesh by PHC, and transmitted data by cellphone network to the data center in Dhaka. Individual health condition was categorized into 4 grades, green (healthy), yellow (caution), orange (affected), and red (emergent) by international diagnosis standards of diseases. We provided telemedicine for orange and red, and tele-prescription for hypertensive patients. We are making all sensor devices implemented with BAN. (Results) The health checkup was provided to 5498 subjects until the end of 2012 and categorized green 14%, yellow 66%, orange 17%, and red 3%. The result shows its potency as an effective healthcare system in developing countries and in a chronic phase after disaster. We continue to provide the e-health service for 10K-15 K people each year until March 2014.


Children are the biggest national investment that a society can make. With increased child population so too have their problems increased, amongst which are the increased incidence of street children, which as a result has endangered their health. This research is a descriptive and cross sectional study towards determining the effective factors on the self-concept of street children aged 6-12 years who were referred to the Khajouye Kermani culture house of Tehran in 1380. In this regard, 140 street children between the ages of 6-12 were chosen. The method was a 4-part questionnaire which included personal, family and societal information and questions related to the selfconcept of the children. The data was collected by interviews with the children. In accordance with the average and the deviation criteria achieved, the level of self-concept was divided into four groups, extremely negative, negative, positive and extremely positive. The results showed that half of the subjects (50%) had very negative concepts of themselves and only 2.2% of them had a very positive selfconcept levels. Therefore the street children had a very low selfconcept level. Also as concerns the factors affecting selfconcept was also a meaningful relationship between selfconcept and some factors such as gender, education, level of income, duration of work, level of happiness within the family, counseling, reaction to the child's mistakes, having necessities for the home, adequate nutrition and clothing, having street friends before work (P<0.05). Therefore street children are at risk as regards their mental and physical development because they suffer from low selfconcept levels and require special attention. Because of the vast responsibilities nurses can play an important role to improve of the health of these children.


Extracting event temporal relations is a critical task for information extraction and plays an important role in natural language understanding. Prior systems leverage deep learning and pre-trained language models to improve the performance of the task. However, these systems often suffer from two short-comings: 1) when performing maximum a posteriori (MAP) inference based on neural models, previous systems only used structured knowledge that are assumed to be absolutely correct, i.e., hard constraints; 2) biased predictions on dominant temporal relations when training with a limited amount of data. To address these issues, we propose a framework that enhances deep neural network with distributional constraints constructed by probabilistic domain knowledge. We solve the constrained inference problem via Lagrangian Relaxation and apply it on end-to-end event temporal relation extraction tasks. Experimental results show our framework is able to improve the baseline neural network models with strong statistical significance on two widely used datasets in news and clinical domains.


This study is an attempt to highlight the principal sources of claims, the most outstanding types of claims and also suggesting the root causes of such claims in the U.K. construction industry. To achieve this aim, the study has started by examining the definition of claims and their origin. Claims usually arise from breaching the terms in the conditions of contract or duties placed by the common law. The various types of construction contracts and their legal basis have also been examined. The main observation made is that the construction contracts usually allocate risks between clients and contractors. There are several factors which cause claims. These are delay caused by the parties to the contract, discrepancies in contract documents, late site possession, differences in view regarding payments, environmental hazards, damage and injury to persons and property. The court cases examined in the study showed that late possession of site, discrepancies in contract documents, delay and prolongation, payments and damage to property as principal sources of claims. Interviews were undertaken whose aim was to look at the issues raised in the objectives of the study namely the principal sources of claims and the most outstanding types of claims. The major conclusions of the interviews were that variitions and inadequate or late informations played a very key role in all the projects and hence becoming very prominent sources of claims. The study concludes that the major sources of claims are late and/or inadequate information, variation orders and site instructions, late possession of site, discrepancies in the contract documents, late approval;by local authorities, misunderstanding or misinterpretation of contract conditions and inclement weather. The most outstanding types of claims are extension of time, disruption and prolongation costs. The author has endeavoured to give explanations for the above factors and also to make recommendations which if adhered to could minimise the incidence of claims in the industry.


AbstractThis study concentrates on the efficiency of numerous ground motion intensity measures (IMs) to be used in estimating the response of seismic-isolated bridges (SIBs). Efficiency of commonly used IMs was investigated through their correlation with maximum isolator displacement (MID) obtained from nonlinear dynamic analyses. Two sets of ground motions (GMs), classified as ordinary and pulse-like, were used in nonlinear dynamic analyses of SIBs. In the analyses, varying isolation parameters, such as the isolation period, T, and the characteristic strength of the isolator, Qd/W, were studied. Sensitivity to varying T and Qd/W and the effect of ground motion type on the correlation of IMs with MID of SIBs were examined. To improve the correlation of existing IMs, modified IMs were proposed. The results revealed that the isolation period has a pronounced effect on the correlation of IMs with MID of SIBs, especially for pulse-like GMs. Among the investigated IMs, modified velocity spectrum intensity appe...


The field relationships, petrography, geochemistry and phase chemistry of the peridotite-gabbro-basalt sequence of the Khawr Fakkan - Wadi Shi - Wadi Madha area suggest that the various components are genetically related. They result from partial melting of the upper mantle, followed by fractional crystallisation of the basic magma generated by this process. The rocks comprise a typical ophiolite sequence and are similar to assemblages from other Alpine-type ultramafic complexes. The area studied may be broadly subdivided into two major zones. In the west the rocks are principally tectonised ultramafics, while to the east of these a series of cumulate gabbros, with dolerite dykes particularly prevelant in the east, passes upwards into basaltic lavas. The tectonised ultramafics are separated from the gabbroic and basaltic rocks by an easterly-dipping thrust- fault zone, which strikes approximately north-south. The rock types exposed in the area to the west of the major thrust fault are harzburgites, dunites and wehrlites. They are all, to some extent, serpentinised. The harzburgites have an intensely tectonised fabric, and consist of an assemblage of highly refractory chemistry. The dunites also show a strong tectonic fabric and total absence of cumulus textures. Textural evidence shows that most of the wehrlites are strongly deformed. A set of criteria to distinguish the refractory residua of partial melting from the cumulates are developed from analytical data and textural evidence. The rock types exposed to the east of the major thrust fault are gabbyo cumulates. The cumulus types recognised include olivine pyroxenites, olivine gabbros, norites and hypersthene gabbros, gabbros and anorthosites and leucocratic gabbros. Where transected by faults gabbro mylonites are developed. Cumulus textures include heteradcumulates, adcumulates and mesocumulates. The basaltic rocks occur both as intrusive dolerite dykes and as lava flows. The basalts are invariably altered, with ferroraagnesian minerals being represented by amphibole in the most part. They are also silicified. variation in major and trace elements reveal that the crustal members of the ophiolite suite (gabbros and basaltic rocks) are tholeiitic. The parent magma being a low-Ti and low-K tholeiitic type. Whole-rock analyses and mineral chemistry are used in an attempt to estimate the nature and composition of the partial-melt magma from which both the cumulate gabbros and basaltic rocks have evolved. A variety of methods have been used, and compared, in an attempt to estimate the equilibration temperatures and pressures of the ultramafic rocks and cumulate gabbros. The application of several geothermometers gave values for dunite of 872 to 1075oC, for harzburgites of 1099 to 1167oC, for a wehrlite of 1104oC, and for the rare rock- type plagioclase peridotite, a somewhat higher value of 1263oC. Temperatures recorded for olivine pyroxenite cumulates range from 879 to 974oC, and for gabbros and norites from 839 to 999oC. Lower temperatures of 909 to 989oC using an orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene geothermometer, as compared to 1099 to 1167oC, for the harzburgites may reflect the late, lower temperature, crystallisation of clinopyroxene from trapped liquid. In all cases pressures were less than 7 Kb and correspond to a maximum depth of about 22 Km in the oceanic setting.


The formation of a dispersive shock wave in a colloidal medium, due to an initial jump in the light intensity, is studied. The compressibility of the colloidal particles is modeled using a series in the particle density, or packing fraction, where the virial coefficients depend on the particle interaction model. Both the theoretical hard disk and sphere repulsive models, and a model with temperature dependent compressibility, are considered. Experimental results for the second virial coefficient show that it is temperature dependent and that the particle interactions can be either repulsive or attractive. These effects are modeled using a power-law relationship. The governing equation is a focusing nonlinear Schrodinger-type equation with an implicit nonlinearity. The initial jump is resolved via a dispersive shock wave which forms before the onset of modulational instability. A semi-analytical solution is developed for the one-dimensional line bore case which predicts the amplitude of the solitary waves which form in the dispersive shock wave. The solitary wave amplitude versus jump height diagrams can exhibit three different kinds of behaviors. A unique solution, an S-shaped solution curve and multiple solution branches where the upper branch has separated from the lower branches. A bifurcation from the low to the high power branch can occur for many parameter choices as the amplitude of the initial jump increases. The effect of temperature on the evolution of the bore, the amplitude of the solitary waves and the bifurcation patterns are all discussed and the semi-analytical solutions are found to be very accurate.


Children of imprisoned parents have been identified as a particularly vulnerable group of
children. Despite being an under-recognised and under-researched group, these children come into contact with a wide variety of professional groups and other stakeholders. From a wider study on the mental health, well-being and resilience of children of imprisoned parents, this paper presents findings from 122 stakeholder consultations in England,Germany, Romania, and Sweden. Despite significant differences in prison systems and service provision, common issues were raised across the four countries. Prominent themes
included: restrictions on regular contact with the imprisoned parent posing a threat to even
strong parent-child relationships; the adverse emotional and social impact and the potential
long-term consequences; stigma and secrecy; a lack of information; and issues surrounding
availability of support services (although examples of good practice emerged, particularly
from NGOs). There is a need for a reduction in the stigma that often prevents children and
their families from accessing available services, greater awareness of the vulnerabilities of
children of prisoners at policy level, a more equitable distribution of service provision
development of good practice models and more professional training.


OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results obtained with management by modified plication of the tunica albuginea in patients with congenital penile incurvation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between January 1992 and December 1996, a modified plication technique of the tunica albuginea was used to correct congenital and acquired penile incurvations; the procedure was performed in 27 cases of patients with congenital penile incurvation and 17 patients with de la Peyronie's disease. Mean age was 22.8 years (range 15-40 years), single ventral incurvation being the most frequent (51.8%) type. A modified technique of tunica albuginea plication was used. RESULTS Complete correction of the incurvation was achieved in all patients (100%), with a low rate of complications. CONCLUSIONS Modified plication of the tunica albuginea is a simple and effective surgical technique to achieve correction of congenital penile incurvations.


Significance Learning to read results in the formation of a specialized region in the human ventral visual cortex. This region, the visual word form area (VWFA), responds selectively to written words more than to other visual stimuli. However, how neural circuits at this site implement an invariant recognition of written words remains unknown. Here, we show how an artificial neural network initially designed for object recognition can be retrained to recognize words. Once literate, the network develops a sparse neuronal representation of words that replicates several known aspects of the cognitive neuroscience of reading and leads to precise predictions concerning how a small set of neurons implement the orthographic stage of reading acquisition using a compositional neural code. The visual word form area (VWFA) is a region of human inferotemporal cortex that emerges at a fixed location in the occipitotemporal cortex during reading acquisition and systematically responds to written words in literate individuals. According to the neuronal recycling hypothesis, this region arises through the repurposing, for letter recognition, of a subpart of the ventral visual pathway initially involved in face and object recognition. Furthermore, according to the biased connectivity hypothesis, its reproducible localization is due to preexisting connections from this subregion to areas involved in spoken-language processing. Here, we evaluate those hypotheses in an explicit computational model. We trained a deep convolutional neural network of the ventral visual pathway, first to categorize pictures and then to recognize written words invariantly for case, font, and size. We show that the model can account for many properties of the VWFA, particularly when a subset of units possesses a biased connectivity to word output units. The network develops a sparse, invariant representation of written words, based on a restricted set of reading-selective units. Their activation mimics several properties of the VWFA, and their lesioning causes a reading-specific deficit. The model predicts that, in literate brains, written words are encoded by a compositional neural code with neurons tuned either to individual letters and their ordinal position relative to word start or word ending or to pairs of letters (bigrams).


ObjectivesTo determine the failure rate of brachytherapy as definitive treatment for localized prostate cancer in transplant and otherwise immunosuppressed patients compared with patients not undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. MethodsA retrospective study of 314 patients treated with brachytherapy for prostate cancer between July 1995 and March 2007, 7 of whom were previously transplanted and currently on immunosuppression (4 heart transplants, 3 renal transplants), and 10 of whom were on immunosuppression for other medical conditions. Outcomes were defined by both American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and Phoenix definitions of biochemical failure. ResultsThe mean patient age at implant was 67.3±7.3 years; mean follow-up was 7.5±2.8 years, with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. In the nonimmunosuppressed group, a 15.8% failure rate by the ASTRO definition and 13.6% rate by the Phoenix definition were observed. When excluding patients with previous external beam radiation and/or neoadjuvant hormone therapy, a 13.6% failure rate by the ASTRO definition and 11.4% rate by the Phoenix definition were observed. Within the transplanted patient subset, failure rates by both ASTRO and Phoenix definitions were 14.3%. For all immunosuppressed patients, failure rates were 11.8% by both definitions. While performing a Fisher exact test, there was no statistical difference in failure rates between all groups by either definition of failure. ConclusionsImmunosuppressed prostate cancer patients treated by brachytherapy seem to enjoy similar cancer control rates as the similarly treated nonimmunosuppressed population. It is recognized, however, that a much larger cohort of immunosuppressed patients would need to be studied to demonstrate statistical equivalence.


RAB3A-interacting molecule (RIM) proteins are important regulators of transmitter release from active zones. At conventional chemical synapses, RIMs contribute substantially to vesicle priming and docking and their loss reduces the readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles by up to 75%. The priming function of RIMs is mediated via the formation of a tripartite complex with Munc13 and RAB3A, which brings synaptic vesicles in close proximity to Ca2+ channels and the fusion site and activates Munc13. We reported previously that, at mouse photoreceptor ribbon synapses, vesicle priming is Munc13 independent. In this study, we examined RIM expression, distribution, and function at male and female mouse photoreceptor ribbon synapses. We provide evidence that RIM1α and RIM1β are highly likely absent from mouse photoreceptors and that RIM2α is the major large RIM isoform present at photoreceptor ribbon synapses. We show that mouse photoreceptors predominantly express RIM2 variants that lack the interaction domain for Munc13. Loss of full-length RIM2α in a RIM2α mutant mouse only marginally perturbs photoreceptor synaptic transmission. Our findings therefore strongly argue for a priming mechanism at the photoreceptor ribbon synapse that is independent of the formation of a RIM–Munc13–RAB3A complex and thus provide further evidence for a fundamental difference between photoreceptor ribbon synapses and conventional chemical synapses in synaptic vesicle exocytosis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT RAB3A-interacting molecules 1 and 2 (RIM1/2) are essential regulators of exocytosis. At conventional chemical synapses, their function involves Ca2+ channel clustering and synaptic vesicle priming and docking through interactions with Munc13 and RAB3A, respectively. Examining wild-type and RIM2 mutant mice, we show here that the sensory photoreceptor ribbon synapses most likely lack RIM1 and predominantly express RIM2 variants that lack the interaction domain for Munc13. Our findings demonstrate that the photoreceptor-specific RIM variants are not essential for synaptic vesicle priming at photoreceptor ribbon synapses, which represents a fundamental difference between photoreceptor ribbon synapses and conventional chemical synapses with respect to synaptic vesicle priming mechanisms.


Dual-comb spectroscopy (DCS) utilizes two phase-locked optical frequency combs to allow scanless acquisition of spectra using only a single point detector. Although recent DCS measurements demonstrate rapid acquisition of absolutely calibrated spectral lines with unprecedented precision and accuracy, complex phase-locking schemes and multiple coherent averaging present significant challenges for widespread adoption of DCS. Here, we demonstrate Global Positioning System (GPS) disciplined DCS of a molecular electronic transition in solution at around 800 nm, where the absorption spectrum is recovered by using a single time-domain interferogram. We anticipate that this simplified dual-comb technique with absolute time interval measurement and ultrabroad bandwidth will allow adoption of DCS to tackle molecular dynamics investigation through its implementation in time-resolved nonlinear spectroscopic studies and coherent multidimensional spectroscopy of coupled chromophore systems.


The Virtual Population (ViP) phantoms have been used in many dosimetry studies, yet, to date, anatomical phantom uncertainty in radiofrequency (RF) research has largely been neglected. The objective of this study is to gain insight, for the first time, regarding the uncertainty in RF‐induced fields during magnetic resonance imaging associated with tissue assignment and segmentation quality and consistency in anatomical phantoms by evaluating the differences between two generations of ViP phantoms, ViP1.x and ViP3.0. The RF‐induced 10g‐average electric (E‐) fields, tangential E‐fields distribution along active implantable medical devices (AIMD) routings, and estimated AIMD heating were compared for five phantoms that are part of both ViP1.x and ViP3.0. The results demonstrated that differences exceeded 3 dB (−29%, +41%) for local quantities and 1 dB (±12% for field, ±25% for power) for integrated and volume‐averaged quantities (e.g., estimated AIMD‐heating and 10 g‐average E‐fields), while the variation across different ViP phantoms of the same generation can exceed 10 dB (−68% and +217% for field, −90% and +900% for power). In conclusion, the anatomical phantom uncertainty associated with tissue assignment and segmentation quality/consistency is larger than previously assumed, i.e., 0.6 dB or ±15% (k = 1) for AIMD heating. Further, multiple phantoms based on different volunteers covering the target population are required for quantitative analysis of dosimetric endpoints, e.g., AIMD heating, which depend on patient anatomy. Phantoms with the highest fidelity in tissue assignment and segmentation should be used, as these ensure the lowest uncertainty and possible underestimation of exposure. To verify that the uncertainty decreases monotonically with improved phantom quality, the evaluation of differences between phantom generations should be repeated for any improvement in segmentation. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:458–471. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society


Euphotic layer dinitrogen (N-2) fixation and primary production (PP) were measured in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (38 degrees N-21 degrees S) using N-15(2) and C-13 bicarbonate tracer incubations. This region is influenced by Saharan dust deposition and waters with low nitrogen to phosphorus (N/P) ratios originating from the Subantarctic and the Benguela upwelling system. Depth-integrated rates of N-2 fixation in the north (0 degrees N-38 degrees N) ranged from 59 to 370 mu mol N m(-2) d(-1), with the maximal value at 19 degrees N under the influence of the northwest African upwelling. Diazotrophic activity in the south (0 degrees S-21 degrees S), though slightly lower, was surprisingly close to observations in the north, with values ranging from 47 to 119 mu mol N m(-2) d(-1). Our North Atlantic N-2 fixation rates correlate well with dust deposition, while those in the South Atlantic correlate strongly with excess phosphate relative to nitrate. There, the necessary iron is assumed to be supplied from the Benguela upwelling system. When converting N-2 fixation to carbon uptake using a Redfield ratio (6.6), we find that N-2 fixation may support up to 9% of PP in the subtropical North Atlantic (20 degrees N-38 degrees N), 5% in the tropical North Atlantic (0 degrees N-20 degrees N), and 1% of PP in the South Atlantic (0 degrees S-21 degrees S). Combining our data with published data sets, we estimate an annual N input of 27.610 Tg N yr(-1) over the open Atlantic Ocean, 11% of which enters the region between 20 degrees N and 50 degrees N, 71% between 20 degrees N and 10 degrees S, and 18% between 10 degrees N and 45 degrees S.


We study possibilities to define a static quark anti-quark pair in a colour-adjoint orientation based on Wilson loops with generator insertions, using both lattice QCD and leading order perturbation theory in various gauges. Non-perturbatively, the only way to obtain non-zero results while maintaining positivity of the Hamiltonian is by some form of temporal gauge. In this case the correlator is equivalent to a gauge invariant correlation function of a static quark anti-quark pair and a static adjoint quark, the resulting threepoint potential is attractive. Saturating open colour indices with colour magnetic fields instead also leads to a gauge invariant correlator. However this object is found to couple to the singlet sector only. There appears to be no lattice observable that reproduces the repulsive adjoint potential predicted by perturbation theory in Lorenz or Coulomb gauges.


The article is based on a selection of data commissioned by the Government Office of the Republic of Estonia and received during 10 weeks from weekly surveys (COVID-THEMATIC SURVEY) conducted by Turu-uuringute AS, a market research company The study began on 17 March and lasted for 10 weeks to 21 May On three days of every week, about 2,000 Estonian residents aged 15 and over were interviewed The respondents were randomly selected and represented the entire population of Estonia in terms of gender, age, ethnicity and social affiliation The time series on the assessment of virus infections, hospital and intensive care (mechanical ventilation) and COVID deaths, compiled on the basis of data published by the Health Board, was also used as background information The first three rounds took place during the period of increasing morbidity, the following four rounds (4-7) during the study period when the morbidity situation remained more or less stable, and all the established restrictions also applied The last stage, rounds 8-10, took place at a time when morbidity was declining and restrictions were gradually eased The survey revealed that Estonia was not ready for the crisis - just like most of the world's countries The crisis tested, on the one hand, the government's ability to make difficult decisions and make significant use of the brain potential of the country's research community, and, on the other hand, the people's reasonableness, stress tolerance and ability to comply with rather awkward restrictions It follows from the present analysis that all the restrictions were opposed by those who did not believe in their appropriateness However, compared to the total population, their number was small, and, therefore, the restrictions in Estonia were maintained without sanctions and no contradictions arose, let alone unrest The open action of the Crisis Committee was very important: the number of new infections, the number of patients in need of hospital treatment and mechanical ventilation, as well as the number of deaths, were reported daily at both the government press conference and in the media The survey showed that there were very few people in the country who thought they did not know everything they needed about the crisis The fact that people remained rather cautious in their assessments even after the end of the emergency situation adds to the hope of coping with the virus in the future - should a second wave or any other threat come


Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. The majority of HCC patients are diagnosed at advanced stage, and curative therapeutic options for HCC are very limited. Therefore, searching for additional therapy is strongly recommended. It has been shown that, curcumin and taurine revealed therapeutic role against hepatocarcinoma cells propagated ex-vivo and in vivo using experimental animal model in addition to piperine was found to increase the absorption and the bioavailability of curcumin.
Patients and methods: Mononuclearleukocytes(MNLs) and serum were obtained from HCC patients (N=15) before and after treatment with 4 g curcumin mixed with 0.02 gm piperine and 0.5 gm taurine taken daily for three weeks, and six weeks compared to untreated healthy control (N=30). Sera Cytokines levels and immunophenotypic characterization of MNL were determined. Clinical data for the patients were also performed.
Results: Regarding, cytokine evaluation in sera of the patient's post-treatment did show that, IL-10 was significant decrease, on contrary there was significant increase in IFN-γ level. On contrast, levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TGF-α did not show significant difference compared to baseline (before treatment). As for immunophentyping of MNL of the patients under investigation; there were highly significant differences in CD4+%, CD8+%, CD4+CD25+%, and CD8+CD25+% after treatment compared to baseline (untreated patients).
Conclusion: Curcumin, piperine and taurine open novel avenue as promising therapeutic natural derived agents in treatment of patients suffering from hepatocellular Carcinoma.


Thank you very much for attending today and welcoming me. What I hope to speak about is "The Future of the EU and the UK's Role in it". Before I start my presentation today, I would like to mention that I have been involved in research in the field of EU external relations and this has always been related to my personal view that although I am from UK I very much believe in the European integration which puts me in a minority. But I always believe that Europe should not always be inward looking but outward. And, this is where my interest lies, how Europe engages with the rest of the world. I have studied in different countries like UK, France and Japan because I wanted to get very different perspectives on EU law and integration; I wanted to see how Europe is perceived and seen to work outside Europe. Then, I spent some time in the European Commission Delegation in Tokyo and it was extremely interesting for a number of reasons; it was fascinating to see how the Japanese Government and the civil servants reacted to the changes happening in Europe which at that time was the advent of the single currency in Europe. My particular interest has always been in European relations with Asian countries, so I am delighted to be at AEI today. Many Thanks. What I would like to talk today is the future of the EU and delivering some thought provoking questions. Talking about the future of the EU is very difficult thing to predict because one has to be not only too optimistic or too pessimistic but also to deal with what is the present of the EU before looking into its future. So let's have a look what are EU's achievements until today.


We propose a novel approach to compute the camera pose with respect to a reference object given only mirrored views. The latter originate from a planar mirror at different unknown poses. This problem is highly relevant in several extrinsic camera calibration scenarios, where the camera cannot see the reference object directly. In contrast to numerous existing methods, our approach does not employ the fixed axis rotation constraint, but represents a more elegant formulation as a rotation averaging problem. Our theoretical contribution extends the applicability of rotation averaging to a more general case, and enables mirror-based pose estimation in closed-form under the chordal L2-metric, or in an outlier-robust way by employing iterative L1-norm averaging. We demonstrate the advantages of our approach on both synthetic and real data, and show how the method can be applied to calibrate the non-overlapping pair of cameras of a common smart phone.


In this study, the distribution strategies (DS) in evolutionary computations and their application to the inverse airfoil design problems have been introduced. Distribution strategies are based on the decomposition of the genetic operations for both upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil. We developed new strategies and combined these with a real coded genetic algorithm to obtain a faster and more robust method. We applied this new powerful method to the inverse airfoil design problems for inviscid, incompressible, and transonic flow conditions. The performance of this new method is compared with ones that were offered by classical or more commonly used genetic algorithms seen in the literature. That the number of computational fluid dynamics calculations decreased considerably, as much as 75%, shows the effectiveness of our new method.


Abstract. The variational formulation of Bayes' theorem allows inferring CO2 sources and sinks from atmospheric concentrations at much higher time–space resolution than the ensemble or analytical approaches. However, it usually exhibits limited scalable parallelism. This limitation hinders global atmospheric inversions operated on decadal time scales and regional ones with kilometric spatial scales because of the computational cost of the underlying transport model that has to be run at each iteration of the variational minimization. Here, we introduce a physical parallelization (PP) of variational atmospheric inversions. In the PP, the inversion still manages a single physically and statistically consistent window, but the transport model is run in parallel overlapping sub-segments in order to massively reduce the computation wall-clock time of the inversion. For global inversions, a simplification of transport modelling is described to connect the output of all segments. We demonstrate the performance of the approach on a global inversion for CO2 with a 32 yr inversion window (1979–2010) with atmospheric measurements from 81 sites of the NOAA global cooperative air sampling network. In this case, we show that the duration of the inversion is reduced by a seven-fold factor (from months to days), while still processing the three decades consistently and with improved numerical stability.


ABSTRACT This article argues that strategic culture, long consigned to the margins of broader, more substantial IR theories, offers a novel mode by which to explore recent developments in EU-Russia energy relations. Approaching seminal strategic policies from the perspective of institutionalised norms and cultural value-sets, strategic culture explores the power of the past and its ability to produce and influence national attitudes in governments and societies. This enables analyses of strategic energy relations between actors like the EU and Russia to move beyond obvious polarities to nuanced insights about the national value sets by which energy security is itself rendered strategic. Beginning with the individual strategic cultures of both the EU and Russia within the area of contemporary energy security policies, the article then appraises the range of bilateral EU-Russia energy security policies, suggesting that in many ways, these shared policies constitute a sector-specific strategic energy culture that includes both the EU and Russia. Areas of ongoing intransigence and policy convergence in EU-Russia energy security approaches constitute the case studies, illustrating that both sides are essentially motivated toward the same goals of energy security, market prosperity and actor-based prestige, but on the basis of vastly different visions, using widely diverse modes of implementation, and with dissimilar standards of evaluation. The analysis then appraises whether this co-constituted area is progressive or regressive in terms of the cooperation or conflict generated between the two sides, concluding that a basis of acknowleged commonalities – made available through strategic culture perspectives – both sides retain the impetus to cooperate to the point of complete agreement on some areas, whilst simultaneously remaining in conflict to the point of aggression in others.


The reuse of treated wastewater in arid and semi-arid areas to recharge aquifers contributes to decrease the pressure on conventional water. This paper aims is to develop a methodology to locate and rank suitable sites for groundwater recharge with treated wastewater using fuzzy-AHP based on GIS. The Nabeul-Hammamet (Tunisia) shallow aquifer is selected as the target area. Several important parameters are identified considering simultaneously : technical, economical and environmental aspects. These parameters are weighted using pairwise matrix, layered using geo-spatial techniques and then standardized using fuzzy functions. The final map is obtained by a weighted linear combination of the standardized parameters. The results show that the total suitable area covers 5400 ha which represents about 19% of the total aquifer area. This constitutes quite a large zone that can absorb the entire volume of available treated wastewater. The best selected sites to receive the surplus amount of TWW are located near of the treatment plants and inside agricultural lands. A detailed hydrodynamic study of the non-saturated and saturated zone is necessary to know quantitatively and qualitatively the impact of this charge on groundwater.


We present the first X-ray secondary (photoelectron) emission microscopy (XSEM) pictures and video microimages of an uncoated and unstained neuron specimen. This novel kind of synchrotron radiation microscopy is suitable for local chemical analysis with a lateral resolution in the micron range. We explored the details of the neuron system, demonstrated chemical contrast by scanning the photon energy, studied in real time the photoelectron emitting properties of the specimen's components, and made preliminary tests of the radiation damage. These results significantly enhance the potential role of photoemission techniques in the life sciences and specifically in neurobiology.


3D bioprinting has become a versatile and powerful method in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and is increasingly adapted by other disciplines due to its tremendous potential beyond its typical applications. However, commercially available 3D bioprinting systems are typically expensive circumventing the broad implementation, including laboratories in low-resource settings. To address the limitations of conventional and commercially available technology, we developed a 3D bioprinter by modification of an off-the-shelf 3D desktop printer, that can be installed within a single day, is of handy size to fit into a standard laminar flow hood, customizable, ultra-low cost and thus, affordable to a broad range of research labs, or educational institutions. We evaluate accuracy and reproducibility of printing results using alginate and alginate/gelatin-hydrogels and demonstrate its potential for biomedical use by printing of various two-and three-dimensional cell-free and mammalian cell-laden objects using recombinant HEKYFP cells, stably expressing yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) as a model system and high-content imaging. We further provide a parts list and 3D design files in STL and STEP format for reconstructing the device. A time-lapse video of the custom-built device during operation is available at https://vimeo.com/274482794.


Present study examined production practices of broiler farming in Gazipur district and analyzed productivity, profitability and variability in supply. For measuring productivity, stochastic moment based production function was estimated following Generalized Method of Moment Procedure. It was found that the variable inputs of production like chick, feed and electricity were positively contributing to output but age, education of producers, medicine and vaccine were negatively contributing to mean production of broiler. Age and education of producers, chick cost, medicine and vaccine found to reduce variability in production and positively contributing to sustainable broiler production. While feed cost and electricity were adversely affecting sustainability of broiler production. The total cost of broiler production of 100 birds was TK 5851.81 on cash cost basis and non-cash cost basis it was TK 5277.31. Largest proportion of total cost was spent for both day-old chicks and feed that constituted 35.89 and 33.70 per cent, respectively. The return of the broiler production was estimated TK 7248.80 per 100 birds. BCR on full and cash cost basis were 1.24 and 1.37, respectively. It was found that seasonal variability in supply, demand and prices of broiler exist. It was found that the broiler producers were severely affected by the downward swing of price fluctuation.


Background Clustering key clinical characteristics of participants in the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP), a large, multicenter prospective observational study of patients with asthma and healthy controls, has led to the identification of novel asthma phenotypes. Purpose To determine whether quantitative CT (qCT) could help distinguish between clinical asthma phenotypes. Materials and Methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted with the use of qCT images (maximal bronchodilation at total lung capacity [TLC], or inspiration, and functional residual capacity [FRC], or expiration) from the cluster phenotypes of SARP participants (cluster 1: minimal disease; cluster 2: mild, reversible; cluster 3: obese asthma; cluster 4: severe, reversible; cluster 5: severe, irreversible) enrolled between September 2001 and December 2015. Airway morphometry was performed along standard paths (RB1, RB4, RB10, LB1, and LB10). Corresponding voxels from TLC and FRC images were mapped with use of deformable image registration to characterize disease probability maps (DPMs) of functional small airway disease (fSAD), voxel-level volume changes (Jacobian), and isotropy (anisotropic deformation index [ADI]). The association between cluster assignment and qCT measures was evaluated using linear mixed models. Results A total of 455 participants were evaluated with cluster assignments and CT (mean age ± SD, 42.1 years ± 14.7; 270 women). Airway morphometry had limited ability to help discern between clusters. DPM fSAD was highest in cluster 5 (cluster 1 in SARP III: 19.0% ± 20.6; cluster 2: 18.9% ± 13.3; cluster 3: 24.9% ± 13.1; cluster 4: 24.1% ± 8.4; cluster 5: 38.8% ± 14.4; P < .001). Lower whole-lung Jacobian and ADI values were associated with greater cluster severity. Compared to cluster 1, cluster 5 lung expansion was 31% smaller (Jacobian in SARP III cohort: 2.31 ± 0.6 vs 1.61 ± 0.3, respectively, P < .001) and 34% more isotropic (ADI in SARP III cohort: 0.40 ± 0.1 vs 0.61 ± 0.2, P < .001). Within-lung Jacobian and ADI SDs decreased as severity worsened (Jacobian SD in SARP III cohort: 0.90 ± 0.4 for cluster 1; 0.79 ± 0.3 for cluster 2; 0.62 ± 0.2 for cluster 3; 0.63 ± 0.2 for cluster 4; and 0.41 ± 0.2 for cluster 5; P < .001). Conclusion Quantitative CT assessments of the degree and intraindividual regional variability of lung expansion distinguished between well-established clinical phenotypes among participants with asthma from the Severe Asthma Research Program study. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Verschakelen in this issue.


Although there is a well developed theory on the relationship between the intrinsic growth rate r and temperature T, it is not yet clear how r relates to abundance, and how abundance relates to T. Many species often have stable enough population dynamics that one can talk about a stochastic equilibrium population size N*. There is sometimes an assumption that N* and r are positively correlated, but there is lack of evidence for this. To try to understand the relationship between r, N*, and T we used a simple chemostat model. The model shows that N* not only depends on r, but also on the mortality rate, the half-saturation constant of the nutrient limiting r, and the conversion coefficient of the limiting nutrient. Our analysis shows that N* positively correlates to r only with high mortality rate and half-saturation constant values. The response curve of N* vs. T can be flat, Gaussian, convex, and even temperature independent depending on the values of the variables in the model and their relationship to T. Moreover, whenever the populations have not reached equilibrium and might be in the process of doing so, it could be wrongly concluded that N* and r are positively correlated. Because of their low half-saturation constants, unless conditions are oligotrophic, microorganisms would tend to have flat abundance response curves to temperature even with high mortality rates. In contrast, unless conditions are eutrophic, it should be easier to get a Gaussian temperature response curve for multicellular organisms because of their high half-saturation constant. This work sheds light to why it is so difficult for any general principles to emerge on the abundance response to temperature. We conclude that directly relating N* to r is an oversimplification that should be avoided.


We present a qualitative study that examines the role of headhunters as actors in a broader institutional change process aiming to increase gender diversity on corporate boards. We draw on institutional and diversity management theories to conceptualize their change agency in the broader field of women on boards. We describe their role as 'accidental activists' and theorize two micro-processes that define their change agency in this field: voluntaristic framing of intentionality and role redefinition by drawing on competing logics. This conceptualization does not match the heroic image of the institutional entrepreneur driving institutional change, or that of the tempered radical championing diversity, but rather casts light into a marginal and previously neglected change role. We demonstrate the opportunistic and precarious nature of this role with regards to both institutional change and diversity management, and discuss its possibilities and perils.


The security demands on modern system administration are enormous and getting worse. Chief among these demands, administrators must monitor the continual ongoing disclosure of software vulnerabilities that have the potential to compromise their systems in some way. Such vulnerabilities include buffer overflow errors, improperly validated inputs, and other unanticipated attack modalities. In 2008, over 7,400 new vulnerabilities were disclosed--well over 100 per week. While no enterprise is affected by all of these disclosures, administrators commonly face many outstanding vulnerabilities across the software systems they manage. Vulnerabilities can be addressed by patches, reconfigurations, and other workarounds; however, these actions may incur down-time or unforeseen side-effects. Thus, a key question for systems administrators is which vulnerabilities to prioritize. From publicly available databases that document past vulnerabilities, we show how to train classifiers that predict whether and how soon a vulnerability is likely to be exploited. As input, our classifiers operate on high dimensional feature vectors that we extract from the text fields, time stamps, cross references, and other entries in existing vulnerability disclosure reports. Compared to current industry-standard heuristics based on expert knowledge and static formulas, our classifiers predict much more accurately whether and how soon individual vulnerabilities are likely to be exploited.


Despite decades of research, diagnostic tests with specificity and accuracy for early breast cancer are yet unavailable. Major problems associated with poor diagnosis are either due to incompetency of reported biomarkers or small volume of patients under study. Moreover, heterogeneity of the disease further complicates the struggle of identifying effective biomarkers. Therefore, to improve the survival rate, look for new, sensitive and specific biomarkers for early breast cancer diagnosis is need of hour. In this study, we have reviewed recently reported serum biomarkers and categorized them based on their biomolecular nature such as protein, ctDNA, epigenetics regulation and miRNA. Potential role of these available biomarkers in early diagnosis of breast cancer has also been discussed. Based on the facts obtained from literature review, it is revealed that using any individual biomolecule as a biomarker is not sufficient to diagnose breast cancer at early stages rather it is suggested that a panel of proteins or miRNAs would offer better sensitivity and specificity. Whereas, unavailability of a potential ctDNA and epigenetics regulation candidate for diagnostic purpose is and suggest the use of more sophisticated techniques to unwound these regulations in serum especially at early stages of breast cancer.


Introduction : Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is involved in neurogenesis, phenotypic differentiation, and neuronal survival is gaining traction in the field of gerontology research as a relevant factor in cognition and vitality in the older population. Frailty which is losing body weight or lean body mass, experiencing fatigue and loss of strength or endurance, may easily fall and fracture bones, thus becoming hospitalized and bedridden. We studied a distribution of mean BDNF levels or hand grip strengths in the classified BMI, and found the lowest BMI class of thin category has significantly (p<0.01) lower mean BDNF level or mean hand grip strength than in the normal or obese 1 category of BMI.  Therefore we defined the lowest BMI category "thin" as "prodromal frailty", but not pre-frailty. We will report the findings of "prodromal frailty" and discuss how to prevent this stage from advancing to frailty. Methods : We measured serum BDNF concentrations, BMI and various health parameters in 805 elderly (aged 65–84) regional health examination participants from the Tokyo area. Their serum BDNF levels and grip strengths were divided according to BMI classification. Results : The mean serum BDNF levels increased linearly according to BMI categorization from thin (<18.4 kg/m 2 ) to obese2 (30–34.9 kg/m 2 ) and decreased in the obese3 group (35–39.9 kg/m 2 ). The mean serum BDNF level in the thin category was significantly lower than that in the normal category (p<0.01). The BDNF levels in the obese1 and obese2 categories did not differ significantly from that in the normal category. Mean hand grip strength (kg) was also similarly distributed to the mean BDNF level distribution in the classified BMIs. Conclusions : Elderly people in the thin BMI category had significantly lower serum BDNF levels and weaker hand grip strength than those in the normal or slightly obese categories and the people in this category is so called "prodromal frailty" but not pre-frailty. Keywords: Frailty, body mass index, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, health examination, hand grip strength


Background It was previously thought that persons with genetic predispositions to vitiligo develop the condition after exposure to various precipitating environmental factors. However, in many cases, the aggravating factors of vitiligo have not been clearly identified. Objective To identify the aggravating factors of vitiligo in the working environment and daily life. Methods A total of 489 vitiligo patients were recruited from 10 institutions in South Korea; patients were provided with a questionnaire about environmental factors and behavior patterns in the workplace and in daily life, and their association with vitiligo. Results Ninety-five of the 470 enrolled patients (20.2%) answered that environmental risk factors in daily life and in the workplace affected the development of vitiligo. The most frequently attributed causes were trauma and burn (13.6%), followed by sunlight (12.8%), stress (12.8%), cleaning products/disinfectant/chemicals (4.9%), and hair dye (2.1%). Conclusion Vitiligo of the hand and foot was associated with frequent exposure to aggravating materials and overexposure to sunlight, along with frequent trauma of these areas, all of which could be considered important risk factors of vitiligo. The development of vitiligo could potentially be controlled through the early detection of aggravating factors.


The primary objective of this study is to report the initial efficacy data observed with the use of cryopreserved human umbilical tissue allografts for supplementation in patients with symptomatic degeneration of load-bearing articular cartilage in the knee joint. Our primary endpoints were pain, stiffness, and functional recovery scores. In this ongoing study, 55 participants (age 56–93 years) received a single Wharton's jelly tissue allograft application. The study dose consisted of 150 mg of Wharton's jelly allograft suspended in approximately 2 mL of sterile sodium chloride 0.9% solution (normal saline). Each study knee application was performed under ultrasound guidance in a physician's office. The research methodology consisted of Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) subsection scores including pain, stiffness, and physical function. Study enrollment consisted of 55 patients followed for a post-application duration of 90 days. No adverse events or adverse reactions were reported. The results demonstrated statistically significant improvements of NPRS and WOMAC in initial versus 90-day examination. The data represent Wharton's jelly tissue allograft applications are safe, non-surgical, and efficacious for patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee.


We present two transits of the hot-Jupiter exoplanet XO-2b using the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). The time series observations were performed using long-slit spectroscopy of XO-2 and a nearby reference star with the Optical System for Imaging and low Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy (OSIRIS) instrument, enabling differential spectrophotometric transit light curves capable of measuring the exoplanet's transmission spectrum. Two optical low-resolution grisms were used to cover the optical wavelength range from 3800 to 9300 A. We find that sub-mmag-level slit losses between the target and reference star prevent full optical transmission spectra from being constructed, limiting our analysis to differential absorption depths over ∼1000 A regions. Wider long slits or multi-object grism spectroscopy with wide masks will likely prove effective in minimizing the observed slit-loss trends. During both transits, we detect significant absorption in the planetary atmosphere of XO-2b using a 50-A bandpass centred on the Na i doublet, with absorption depths of Δ(Rpl/R★)2 = 0.049 ± 0.017 per cent using the R500R grism and 0.047 ± 0.011 per cent using the R500B grism (combined 5.2σ significance from both transits). The sodium feature is unresolved in our low-resolution spectra, with detailed modelling also likely ruling out significant line-wing absorption over an ∼800 A region surrounding the doublet. Combined with narrow-band photometric measurements, XO-2b is the first hot Jupiter with evidence for both sodium and potassium present in the planet's atmosphere.


Background: The pathophysiology of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is multifactorial. This study attempts to identify genetic and clinical factors contributing to IVH in newborns with a focus on those born ≤28 weeks of gestation. Methods: This was a prospective study of 382 consecutive newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. DNA purification was conducted using standard methods. TaqMan SNP assays were conducted for functional polymorphisms in VEGF (RS699947, RS2010963, RS3025039, and RS1570360) and MMP2 (RS243685 and RS2285053) genes. An RFLP assay was done for a polymorphism in MMP9 (RS3918242). Results: The GG genotype in VEGF RS1570360 (p = 0.013) and the CC genotype in VEGF RS699947 (p = 0.036) were associated with a lower incidence of IVH amongst newborns ≤28 weeks of gestation. Chorioamnionitis, Caucasian race, and patent ductus arteriosus were associated with a higher incidence of IVH. A binary logistic regression analysis of clinical and SNP data that was significant from bivariate analysis demonstrated that VEGF RS1570360 was significantly associated with IVH (p = 0.017). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the GA/AA genotype in VEGF RS1570360 and the AA/AC genotype in VEGF RS699947 were associated with higher incidence rates of IVH in newborns ≤28 weeks of gestation. A future study is warranted to comprehensively examine VEGF polymorphisms in association with IVH.


Deltas are a particular type of estuarine system in which the dependence on river flow (water, sediments and nutrients) is very strong, especially in river-dominated deltas such as the Mediterranean ones, but environmental flow (e-flow) proposals for deltaic systems are scarce. The Ebro Delta is one of the largest wetland areas in the western Mediterranean and one of the most important estuarine systems in Europe. The aim of this paper is to review the state of the art regarding e-flows and to carry out a critical analysis of the proposals for the lower Ebro River and Delta, in order to highlight the possible environmental and socioeconomic impacts arising from the e-flow regime currently approved. Additionally, based on existing scientific information, methods to establish an e-flow regime that allows the maintenance of the main socio-ecological functions and values are discussed; including those functions and values for which not enough information is available. The study concludes that the currently approved e-flows are not suitable for maintaining most functions and values, as they would not prevent the proliferation of alien fish species and macrophytes in the river, the intrusion of the salt wedge in the estuary, the deficit of sediment/nutrient transport and the degradation of riparian habitats or the decline of coastal fisheries. Socioeconomic consequences on coastal fisheries, river navigation, salt water intrusion, sediment deficit, biodiversity, water quality, aquaculture and hydropower are also considered. Other e-flow proposals such as the proposed by the Catalan government would be more suitable to maintain the main socioecological functions and values of the lower Ebro River and Delta. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to validate e-flows in some relevant aspects such as the capacity of the river to transport sediments to the delta to avoid coastal regression and mitigate the effects of sea level rise and subsidence, as well as the capacity of floods to control the spread of macrophytes. The lower Ebro River and delta is among the case studies where more quantitative and qualitative criteria to set e-flows with a holistic approach have been established.


LCA is the embodiment and technicalization of sustainable development, is tolerance and technical support of sustainable development. Meanwhile, LCA is the important mean and scientific method of ecological environment design, clean production audit, environmental material development too. Firstly, this thesis expatiates on the proposition background and basic intension of LCA. Secondly, the thesis summarizes domestic and foreign research actuality of LCA on this basis. Foreign LCA theoretical research has achieved great success, but still there are places not perfect either, which reflect in technological detail mainly. Because of short developing time, domestic accumulation of LCI is still far from enough. Finally, the thesis summarizes: LCA is not only applied to technological sciences and natural science, but also is applied extensively to social science, economic science, management science and international relationship etc; The implementation of LCA not only depends on LCA standard, but also depends on the implementer's exact understanding of method and target and one's own experience and technological background, and there is much limitation mainly in practical application.


This study examined whether adolescents' depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior were associated with discrepancies between self- and peer-reports of peer victimization experiences. A sample of 203 10th-grade adolescents completed self-report measures of victimization and depressive symptoms as well as peer nominations of victimization and aggression. Residual scores were computed as a measure of discordance between peer- and self-reported peer victimization. Adolescents' aggressive behavior was associated with underestimations of peer victimization on self-reported measures, as compared to peer-reports, whereas depressive symptoms were associated with overestimations of peer victimization on self-report, as compared to peer-reports. Different patterns of findings were revealed for different forms of victimization (overt, relational, reputational) and by gender. Findings have implications for studies of adolescent peer victimization using multiple reporters and suggest that adolescents with high levels of depressive symptoms may be vulnerable to misperceptions of their social experiences among peers.


A compact parallel optical receiver consisting of a four-channel 25-Gb/s CMOS transimpedance-amplifier (TIA) array and a PIN-PD array for board-to-board optical interconnects was developed. Both arrays are directly mounted on a multi-layer ceramic package. The 25-Gb/s TIA array was fabricated by using 65-nm CMOS technology. To improve gain flatness and reduce inter-symbol interference caused by insertion loss, a gain-stage amplifier with flat frequency response and a 50-Ω output driver with an analogue equalizer were implemented in the TIA array. The TIA array achieves transimpedance gain of 69.8 dBΩ, bandwidth of 22.8 GHz, and gain flatness of ±2 dB after equalizing the effect of insertion losses at the input and output ports. A compact 100-Gb/s CMOS optical receiver is composed of a four-channel 25-Gb/s PIN-PD and the TIA array mounted on a 16-mm-square multi-layer low-temperature on-fired ceramic (LTCC) package. To alleviate the inner-channel crosstalk, the output signal lines from the PIN-PD array are connected to the TIA array through the coplanar lines, which are sandwiched by the upper and lower ground layers and the right-and-left ground lines. The optical receiver demonstrates negligible inter-channel crosstalk of less than -17 dB at operation frequency up to 25 GHz. Its measured sensitivity for a solitary signal input at 10-12 BER is -8.1 dBm, and its crosstalk between adjacent channels is 0.8 dB. Moreover, its power dissipation is only 3.0 mW/Gb/s at a data rate of 25 Gb/s, and its total power consumption (including that of the equalizer function) is low, i.e., 295 mW.


Stopover tourism is an important but neglected area of study. This article combines a discrete choice experiment with eye-tracking measures and self-stated attribute importance ratings to analyze stopover destination preferences. A sample of Australian residents shows safety is the most critical determinant of stopover destination attractiveness based on both the importance ratings and choice model results, but that it does not receive the greatest amount of visual attention. Seven attributes showed little consistency between the methods. However, when the measures are combined into one choice model, there are insights into associations between ratings, amounts of visual attention, and the final impact of an attribute on the choice outcome. Findings indicate the overall importance of each attribute and show how attribute importance varies across the sample and during the choice process. The article thus illustrates how different measures can be combined to study preferences for destination attributes in a specific travel context.


The red and lateritic zone (RLZ) of Eastern India comprises of south-west part of West Bengal, a part of Odisha and Jahrkhand grimly a low position in respect of yield levels compared to many other parts of India. Soil of this area is poor in inherent fertility status with low to medium available nutrients of phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Most of the lands are located on higher elevation and erosion hazards and gully formation are very common. Monsoon rainfall is erratic or unevenly distributed in this region and, thus partial or even total failure of rainfed crops is very common. The major parts of this zone are rainfed, rice-fallow based mono-cropped and cropping intensity of the region is between 125-130%. This region of India is home of millions of resource-challenged small and marginal farmers having poor food and nutritional vis-à-vis economic security. To alleviate this grim situation of drought prone RLZ of Eastern India, intensification of Rice-fallow by inclusion of suitable crops was one the major challenges due to several bio-physical constraints. In this context, being the climate resilient and drought tolerant crops, millets may be the best choice for the rice-based crop sequence, any fallow and marginal land, agro-forestry system or even for popularizing any millet-based crop sequence for escalating the level of livelihood of the small and marginal farmers of the dry tract of RLZ. The objective is to develop a model using implementing millet-based cropping system to address food and nutritional security for the regions like RLZ of eastern India. Available research data on millet production feasibility in the region was used. A multidisciplinary approach was used for value-addition and small-scale agri-industry. In this present paper, we conceptualized the current status, prospects and research strategies for augmenting the millet production system to improve the food and nutritional security across drought prone and red laterite region of Eastern India. We believe that same model can be applied elsewhere in the world with agro-climatic conditions like RLZ.


Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are present in nearly 1% of live births; according to WHO, there are 1. 5 million newborns affected by CHD per year and more than 4 million children waiting for cardiac surgery treatment worldwide. The majority of these children (~90%) could be treated, saved and subsequently have a good quality of life but unfortunately, in developing countries with a suboptimal care or no access to care, they are destined to die. Cameroon, one of the 40 poorest countries in the world, is a typical example of this dramatic scenario and this is why we started a collaboration project with a local religious partner (Tertiary Sisters of Saint Francis) in 2001 with the aim of establishing the first cardiac surgery center in this country. There are various well-known organizational models to start a cooperation project in pediatric cardiac surgery in a developing country. In our case, the project included a long-term collaboration with a stable local partner, a big financial investment and a long period of development (10 years or more). It is probably the most difficult model but it is the only one with the greatest guarantee of success in terms of sustainability and autonomy. The aim of this study is to analyze the constructive and problematic aspects of the 17-year collaboration in this project, and to assess possible solutions regarding its critical issues. Although much has been done during this 17-year we are aware that there is still a lot that needs to be done.


Hydrogen bonds are known to play an important role in prescribing the mechanical performance of certain hydrogels such as polyether-based polyurethanes. The quantitative contribution of hydrogen bonds to the toughness of polymer networks, however, has not been elucidated to date. Here, a new physical model is developed to predict the threshold fracture energies of hydrogels physically crosslinked via hydrogen bonds. The model is based on consecutive and sequential dissociation of hydrogen-bonded crosslinks during crack propagation. It is proposed that the scission of hydrogen bonds during crack propagation allows polymer strands in the deformation zone to partially relax and release stored elastic energy. The summation of these partial chain relaxations leads to amplified threshold fracture energies which are 10-45 times larger than those predicted by the classical Lake-Thomas theory. Experiments were performed on a hydrophilic polyurethane hydrogel where urea additions were used to control the density of hydrogen bonds. The measured fracture energies were in good agreement with the calculated values. Disciplines Engineering | Physical Sciences and Mathematics Publication Details Xin, H., Oveissi, F., Naficy, S. & Spinks, G. M. (2018). A Sequential Debonding Fracture Model for Hydrogen-Bonded Hydrogels. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 56 (19), 1287-1293. This journal article is available at Research Online: https://ro.uow.edu.au/aiimpapers/3299


An individual who desires to become a registered nurse (RN) may choose from three types of education: associate degree, diploma, and baccalaureate degree programs. The dilemma of this decision is heightened by the strong disagreement within the nursing profession regarding which of the three modes best prepares a nurse to become a competent practitioner. The purpose of this study was to examine variables which might explain variance in the technical competence of RNs as evidenced by skill in administering oral medications. Six variables were investigated as possible predictors of the variance in oral medication administration procedure, i.e., basic nursing education, drug knowledge, age, previous RN experience, previous nursing experience, and highest nursing education completed. Sixty volunteer RNs in a Baltimore community hospital (252 beds) were observed twice each as they administered two oral medications to a patient. A Technical Competence Tool (TCT) was used to record performance of the 16 critical behaviors deemed essential for safe and accurate drug administration. The total scores from observation one and two were summed to obtain a total competence score. Each nurse also completed a 14-item Drug Knowledge Profile (DKP) and Demographic Data Sheet (DDS). Although there was a wide range of total competence scores, only three percent of the variance was explained by the six predictor variables. It was concluded that the selected variables were not significant predictors of the technical competence of RNs in the administration of oral medications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC) is reliably active during working memory (WM) across human and animal models, but the role of lPFC in successful WM is under debate. For instance, non-human primate (NHP) electrophysiology research finds that lPFC circuitry stores WM representations. Human neuroimaging instead suggests that lPFC plays a control function over WM content that is stored in sensory cortices. These seemingly incompatible WM accounts are often confounded by differences in the amount of task training and stimulus exposure across studies (i.e., NHPs tend to be trained extensively). Here, we test the possibility that such long-term training may alter the role of lPFC in WM maintenance. We densely sampled WM-related activity across learning, in three human participants, using a longitudinal functional MRI (fMRI) protocol. Over three months, participants trained on (1) a serial reaction time (SRT) task, wherein complex fractal stimuli were embedded within probabilistic sequences, and (2) a delayed recognition task probing WM for trained or novel stimuli. Participants were scanned frequently throughout training, to track how WM activity patterns change with repeated stimulus exposure and long-term associative learning. WM task performance improved for trained (but not novel) fractals and, neurally, delay activity significantly increased in distributed lPFC voxels across learning. Pattern similarity analyses also found that item-level WM representations emerged within lPFC, but not in sensory cortices, and lPFC delay activity increasingly reflected sequence relationships from the SRT task, even though that information was task-irrelevant for WM. These findings demonstrate that human lPFC develops stimulus-selective WM responses with learning and WM representations are shaped by long-term experience. Influences from training and long-term memory may reconcile competing accounts of lPFC function during WM.


When Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands in December, he is accompanied by Zwarte Pieten made up in blackface, with afro wigs and bright red lips. Zwarte Piet, translated as "Black Pete," has created growing controversy as a hurtful, racist caricature. Increasing voices demand change, but most of the population is opposed to altering the tradition. One way forward is to examine attitude change, and gain insight into how we can facilitate this process. This paper introduces the topic and reviews recent academic work on the controversy. Then, using autoethnographic vignettes (Humphreys, 2005), we explore our experiences with the tradition, weaving our stories together in relation to personal history, awareness, and attitude change. We provide an international perspective, as Renata is a Dutch/Cape Verdean woman born and raised in the Netherlands, and Janelle is a white woman, born and raised in Minnesota, who has lived in the Netherlands for 16 years. This approach allowed us to write together from an insider/outsider perspective (Zempi & Awan, 2017). Our stories depict attitude change from distinctive starting points, and by sharing them we hope to shed light on how attitude change can occur in relation to Zwarte Piet and broader social injustice issues.


The routing architecture, heavily using programmable switches, dominates the area, delay and power of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Resistive Random Access Memories (RRAMs) enable high-performance routing architectures through the replacement of Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)-based programming switches. Exploiting the very low on-resistance state achievable by RRAMs, RRAM-based routing multiplexers can be used to significantly reduce the FPGA routing delays. In addition, RRAM-based routing architectures are less sensitive to supply voltage reductions and show promises in low-power FPGA designs. In this paper, we propose a near-Vt low-power RRAM-based FPGA where both delay and power reductions are achieved. Experimental results demonstrate that a near-Vi RRAM-based FPGA design leads to a 15% area shrink, a 10% delay reduction, and a 65% power improvement, compared to a conventional FPGA design for a given technology node. To achieve low on-resistance values, RRAMs typically require high programming currents. In other word, they need relatively large programming transistors, potentially resulting in area, delay and power inefficiencies. We also present a design methodology to properly size the programming transistors of RRAMs in order to further improve the area-efficiency. Experimental results show that a correct programming transistor sizing strategy contributes to further 18% area and 2% delay shrink, compared to the initial near-Vi RRAM-based FPGA.


Dog arterial and venous plasma and lymph were fractionated by Cohn method 10 and the fractions tested for inhibitory activity when added to normal arterial blood in the dog hind leg preparation adapted for studies on hemostasis.

Cohn fraction IV from arterial or venous plasma and from lymph was the only fraction, at low concentrations, able to inhibit the hemostatic ability of normal arterial plasma.

Some facts suggest that alpha-lipoproteins are the plasma constituent of fraction IV with inhibitory effect on normal arterial blood. Biochemical changes in blood plasma seem more important or more directly connected with the mechanism of normal hemostasis control than the participation of blood cellular elements.