While numerous studies have examined gene expression changes from homogenates of heart tissue, this prevents studying the inherent stochastic variation between cells within a tissue. Isolation of pure cardiomyocyte populations through a collagenase perfusion of mouse hearts facilitates the generation of single cell microarrays for whole transcriptome gene expression, or qPCR of specific targets using nanofluidic arrays. We describe here a procedure to examine single cell gene expression profiles of cardiomyocytes isolated from the heart. This paradigm allows for the evaluation of metrics of interest which are not reliant on the mean (for example variance between cells within a tissue) which is not possible when using conventional whole tissue workflows for the evaluation of gene expression (Figure 1). We have achieved robust amplification of the single cell transcriptome yielding micrograms of double stranded cDNA that facilitates the use of microarrays on individual cells. In the procedure we describe the use of NimbleGen arrays which were selected for their ease of use and ability to customize their design. Alternatively, a reverse transcriptase - specific target amplification (RT-STA) reaction, allows for qPCR of hundreds of targets by nanofluidic PCR. Using either of these approaches, it is possible to examine the variability of expression between cells, as well as examining expression profiles of rare cell types from within a tissue. Overall, the single cell gene expression approach allows for the generation of data that can potentially identify idiosyncratic expression profiles that are typically averaged out when examining expression of millions of cells from typical homogenates generated from whole tissues.


Predictive analysis on mobile network traffic is becoming of fundamental importance for the next generation cellular network. Proactively knowing the user demands, allows the system for an optimal resource allocation. In this paper, we study the mobile traffic of an LTE base station and we design a system for the traffic prediction using Recurrent Neural Networks. The mobile traffic information is gathered from the Physical Downlink Control CHannel (PDCCH) of the LTE using the passive tool presented in [1]. Using this tool we are able to collect all the control information at 1 ms resolution from the base station. This information comprises the resource blocks, the transport block size and the modulation scheme assigned to each user connected to the eNodeB. The design of the prediction system includes long short term memory units. With respect to a Multilayer Perceptron Network, or other artificial neurons structures, recurrent networks are advantageous for problems with sequential data (e.g. language modeling) [2]. In our case, we state the problem as a supervised multivariate prediction of the mobile traffic, where the objective is to minimize the prediction error given the information extracted from the PDCCH. We evaluate the one-step prediction and the long-term prediction errors of the proposed methodology, considering different numbers for the duration of the observed values, which determines the memory length of the LSTM network and how much information must be stored for a precise traffic prediction.


This paper is concerned with the design, testing and performance evaluation of parametric array proposed to be used for sub-bottom applications. Some of the main parameters to be considered while designing parametric arrays are primary frequencies, secondary frequencies, transducer array size, transmitted power and the overall system complexity. Choice of these parameters is contradictory and has to be chosen as a compromise between their effects. Such considerations have been discussed in detail and a parametric sonar operating at primary frequencies centred around 40 k& and capable of generating secondary frequencies ranging from lkaz to 10kHi has been designed, Field trials were carried out in fresh Water Lake to evaluate its performance by measuring source levels and beam-patterns both at primary and secondary frequencies. The experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the theoretically expected performance.


Two novel pyrene containing monomeric and dimeric Schiff base derivatives PCS1 and PCS2 have been synthesized via one-pot reaction and their nano-J-type aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) was well demonstrated using UV-Vis/PL, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), and live cell imaging studies. In contrast to PCS2, PCS1 in CH3CN exhibits fluorescence "off–on" sensor selectivity towards transition trivalent metal ions (Fe3+, Cr3+ and Al3+) among other metals, via PET inhibition with excimer PCS1–PCS1* formation. The 2 : 1 stoichiometry of PCS1⋯M3+ (M = Fe/Cr/Al) sensor complexes was calculated from Job's plots based on their PL titrations. In addition, the binding sites of PCS1⋯M3+ sensor complexes were well recognised from the 1H NMR titrations and supported by ESI(+ve) mass and FTIR analysis. Additionally, fluorescence reversibilities of PCS1⋯M3+ were observed via consequent addition of M3+ ions and PMDTA, respectively. Furthermore, the detection limits (LODs) and the association constant (Ka) values of PCS1⋯M3+ complexes were calculated using standard deviation and linear fittings. Likewise, quantum yield (Φ) measurements, TEM analysis, determination of the effect of pH, density functional theory (DFT) and time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) studies were performed for the PCS1⋯M3+ sensor complexes. More importantly, confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging of Raw264.7 cells showed that PCS1 could be used as an effective fluorescent probe for detecting transition trivalent metal ions (Fe3+, Cr3+, and Al3+) in living cells. Impressively, both PCS1 and PCS2 showed "off–on" sensing at highly acidic pH values (1–3) with live cell applications.


Bach's surviving passions are an essential part of the modern repertory. These large, complex pieces are well loved, but behind these familiar passion settings lurk questions and problems that emerge from our distance from their original context. Bach scholar Daniel Melamed provides unique insight into Bach's passion settings. Hearing Bach's Passions uses the Bach repertory to introduce readers to some of the intriguing issues in the study and performance of older music, and explores what it means to listen to this music today.


Background : Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease of great public health importance. Macrovascular complications like stroke and myocardial infarction initially manifest as atherosclerosis which is seen as thickened arterial wall. Direct determination of the progression of atherosclerosis can be undertaken through serial ultrasound measurement of the common carotid artery (CCA) intima media thickness (IMT). Aim : The objective of the study was to compare the IMT of the CCA in diabetic patients and healthy subjects within the same age, sex and geographic distribution. Method : This prospective study was conducted on 100 diabetic patients and 100 non-diabetic subjects aged 21years and above. The CCAs were scanned using GE Logic 5 color Doppler scanner (2007) with 7.5MHz linear probe. Two measurements of the IMT were obtained at 1cm proximal to the right and left carotid bulbs and the mean value of the two measurements was recorded. Results : The age range of the 200 participants comprising of 65 males and 135 females was 21-70 years with a mean age of 46.60 ±12 years. Mean CIMT was significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to normal patients (0.81+0.25mm and 0.61+0.12mm, p= 0.001). Age has significant influence on the CIMT on both groups of participants. However, male and  overweight subjects had significantly higher CIMT values than female and underweight subjects respectively only among non-diabetic subjects. The overall right and left mean CIMT in the diabetic patients and control respectively were 0.78+0.21mm, 0.83+0.37mm, 0.61+0.12mm and 0.61+0.13mm. In each group, there was no significant difference between the two sides. Conclusion : CIMTvalues were higher among non-obese normotensive diabetic  patients compared to normal subjects. Age, sex, and BMI have effects on CIMT of non-diabetic subjects, whereas only age has significant effect on the CIMTof diabetic patients. Keywords : Diabetes Mellitus, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Non-Obese,  Normotensive


Business goals of manufacturing systems are typically in a state of constant change and greater
rates of change are predicted in the future. Whereas contemporary approaches to the design and
construction of these systems often results in inflexible enterprises that cannot readily be tuned to
changing business goals.
This study has specified and prototyped the use of a new model-driven approach to the design and
(re)configuration of"change capable" manufacturing cells. Manufacturing cells represent a typical
domain of manufacturing systems in which the existence of inflexible links between tasks and
resources can result in sub-optimal performance and an inability to cope with change.
The approach is based on a) the use of a semi-generic model of manufacturing cells, that structures
and targets the use of CIMOSA modelling constructs (as implemented by the SEWOSA tool)
towards producing a requirements specification and conceptual design in the form of a graphical
and computer executable model of a particular manufacturing cell, and b) the complementary use
of new computer executable modelling constructs and tools, that structure and support the detailed
design and runtime operation of a particular cell in the form of an explicit, model-based
configuration of cell resources and software components that realise the control processes required
in a particular cell. Part of the semi-generic model comprises descriptions of common tasks found in a given domain of
manufacturing cells. That part of the model has been captured and formalised by using CIMOSA
modelling constructs. A new development of this modelling structure allows pre- modelled tasks to
be selected, detailed and organised and suitable resources and reusable control system components
(or building blocks) assigned to groups of tasks. Thereby this new approached to designing and
building manufacturing cells can facilitate rapid and effective design and reconfiguration of
manufacturing cell control systems. General information requirements found during the modelling
and real world application of target cells, have also been formally defined and are met by using a
suitable modelling structure and specially developed tools. Furthermore, the research has shown
how modelled sets of software component building blocks can be specified and implemented as
modular, reusable elements of manufacturing cell control systems.
New modelling structures have been conceived and fonnalised and examples of their use evaluated
under laboratory conditions. The research has also deployed and developed pre-existing enterprise
modelling concepts and integration tools, including CIMOSA, STEP, EXPRESS, CIMBIOSYS
infrastructure services and component-based software design concepts. This has enable the creation
of a prototype tool-set that demonstrates how the concepts can be beneficially applied.
The main contributions made by this research are that:
a) It proposes and develops an approach to the design of manufacturing cell systems that successfully bridges a previous gap between top-down modelling concepts, methods and tools
(that typically support formal modelling of system requirements, tasks and resources) and
bottom-up detailed design and build techniques that lead to the operation, control and
monitoring of real cells,
b) It provides a modelling and implementation structure that 'integrates' the use of a classical
enterprise modelling approach (namely CIMOSA), design primarily to support the designers of
manufacturing systems, to the emerging component-based design and build concepts, that are
becoming popular with software and system vendors.


In 1952, E. R. Lemon and A. E. Erickson introduced a method for measuring the rate
 of oxygen diffusion to a small platinum wire electrode inserted into the soil. This
 was considered analogous to measuring the oxygen movement to a plant root that would
 be in the same position as the wire electrode.
 In spite of certain limitations, the platinum microelectrode technique appears still
 to be the best method available at present for providing a measurement of oxygen conditions
 in soil which can be interpreted with respect to biological behavior.
 The first two papers of this series discuss theory, equipment, and the factors that
 can influence measurements. The third paper reviews the literature reporting research
 on correlation of oxygen diffusion rates to biological response.


WORLD POLITICS IN A NEW ERA provides a basic overview of international relations, providing a strong historical foundation coupled with the integration of current issues and a cohesive theme of globalization and fragmentation. Completely reorganized in the Third Edition to cover theoretical issues in the beginning, highlight the importance of political economy, then spotlight both historical and current global issues in the latter half, the book aims to give students context to better grasp the numerous issues in world politics today. In addition, a powerful new pedagogical program and research tools built into the book and its package, including Infotrac and a CD and International Relations Resource Center on the web, WORLD POLITICS IN A NEW ERA is a book both instructors and students appreciate for its reliability, flexibility, and readability.


This study had three objectives; to explore causality between aggregate public expenditure and economic growth, to assess whether convergence exists in public expenditure and economic growth and to estimate the effect of functional expenditure on economic growth. A Sub-Sahara African data set covering the period 1980-2007 was employed. Unidirectional Panel Granger causality between public expenditure and economic growth all in per capita terms, basing on Wagner's law, was found to run from per capita GDP to per capita expenditure at 1% significance level. On the other hand, aggregate expenditure was found to Granger cause GDP at 5% level of significance and the results were also unidirectional. Since per capita GDP is a preferred measure of economic growth in a number of studies, real per capita GDP granger causes per capita expenditure in a panel of 43 countries. Results of convergence showed that high income countries 1 converged faster in terms of per capita expenditure pointing to the fact that there is no tendency for the rich and poor countries to reduce differences in their public expenditure over time. On the other hand, although beta convergence in per capita income was found to exist in the panel as a whole, the robust test revealed divergence. Simultaneous analysis of sub-panels revealed that low income-coastalresource scarce countries converged faster than the low income-landlockedresource poor countries at 33% and 9% respectively. This indicates that poor countries exposed to trade in goods and services are likely to grow faster. The results also indicate that natural resources have a positive effect on the catch-up process of both middle and low income countries. Therefore labor, capital, trade openness and natural resource base are significant in explaining economic convergence process in SSA for the period under review. In a panel of fourteen countries with available data, defense expenditure was found to significantly reduce economic growth and the results were consistent in all models except the dynamic panel data. However, education, health, general public services and social welfare expenditures were only significant in enhancing economic growth measured in terms of GDP. There is need to reallocate resources to functional expenditures with a bias against defense spending. Monitoring outputs and outcomes from functional expenditures is implied. The negative coefficient on economic affairs expenditure needs further investigation. 1 Classification adopted from World Bank and African Development Bank


Foreign bodies, whether ingested or aspirated, may present a serious problem in any patient. In the psychotic patient the problem is peculiarly aggravated by the paucity of signs and symptoms and the frequent repetition of this aberration. Baudamont was one of the first to report, in 1779, the presence of foreign bodies in the intestine. 3 Numerous articles on this subject have appeared in the literature, including reports on both psychotic and normal patients.* Most of them are concerned with one or a few unusual cases. The consensus is that conservative measures should be followed since there is a widely held view that once the foreign body has reached the stomach it will pass through the gastrointestinal tract with little difficulty. Conservative measures are particularly advocated in dealing with psychotic patients because of the high recurrence rate. A study of this problem in the psychotic patient was undertaken at Saint


In a previous paper 1 I discussed the various theories which have been proposed to explain the great prevalence of gastro-enteric diseases in infants during the summer. The general conclusion in that study was that the heat theory is inadequate to explain the occurrence of diarrhea during the hot weather, although it may act as a predisposing cause. Excessively hot weather also increases the mortality of infants suffering from digestive disorders. Three years ago the study was taken up again. The cases were studied from the practitioner's standpoint. Each case was studied carefully in regard to its history and clinical characters. The question at issue was, what kind of cases make up the class which bring about the great mortality of the summer? First, there is the infant who has been suffering for a long period from digestive disorders, has lingered at the threshold of death, and the sudden appearance


Display advertising is a $25 billion business with a promising upward revenue trend. In this paper, we consider an online display advertising setting in which a web publisher posts display ads on its website and charges based on the cost-per-click (CPC) pricing scheme while promising to deliver a certain number of clicks to the ads posted. The publisher is faced with uncertain demand for advertising slots and uncertain traffic to its website as well as uncertain click behavior of visitors. We formulate the problem as a novel queueing system, where the slots correspond to service channels with the service rate of each server inversely related to the number of active servers. We obtain the closed-form solution for the steady-state probabilities of the number of ads in the publisher's system. We determine the publisher's optimal price to charge per click and show that it can increase in the number of advertising slots and the number of promised clicks. We show that the common heuristic used by many web publishers to convert between the cost-per-click and cost-per-impression pricing schemes using the so-called click-through-rate can be misleading as it may incur web publishers substantial revenue loss. We provide an alternative explanation for the phenomenon observed by several publishers that the click-through-rate tends to drop when they switch from the cost-per-click to cost-per-impression pricing scheme.


Background: Mobile health (mHealth) decision tools for implantable cardioverter defibrillator may increase physician knowledge and overall patient care. Objective: The goals of the ICD-TEACH pilot study were to design a smartphone app or mHealth technology with a novel physician decision support algorithm, implement a direct referral mechanism for device implantation from the app, and assess its overall usability and feasibility with physicians involved in the care of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Methods: The initial design and development of the mHealth or smartphone app included strategic collaboration from an information technology company and key stakeholders including arrhythmia specialists (electrophysiologists), general cardiologists, and key members of the hospital administrative team. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit general internists or cardiologists that refer to our local tertiary care center. Physicians were asked to incorporate the mHealth app in daily clinical practice and avail the decision support algorithm and direct referral feature to the arrhythmia clinic. Feasibility assessment, in the form of a physician survey, was conducted after initial mHealth app use (within 3 months) addressing the physicians' overall satisfaction with the app, compliance, and reason for noncompliance; usability assessment of the mHealth app was addressed in the physician survey for technical or hardware problems encountered while using the app and suggestions on improvement. Results: A total of 17 physicians agreed to participate in the pilot study with 100% poststudy survey response rate. Physicians worked in an academic practice, which included both inpatient and ambulatory care. System Usability Scale was applied with an average score of 77 including the 17 participants (>68 points is above average). Regarding the novel physician decision support algorithm for implantable cardioverter defibrillator referral, 11% (1/9) strongly agreed and 78% (7/9) agreed that the algorithm for device eligibility was easy to use. Only 1 patient was referred through the direct referral system via the mHealth app during the pilot study of 3 months. Feasibility assessment showed that 46% (5/11) strongly agreed and 55% (6/11) agreed that the mHealth app would be utilized if integrated into an electronic medical record (EMR) where data are automatically sent to the referring arrhythmia clinic. Conclusions: The ICD-TEACH pilot study revealed high usability features of a physician decision support algorithm; however, we received only 1 direct referral through our app despite supportive feedback. A specific reason from our physician survey included the lack of integration into an EMR. Future studies should continue to systematically evaluate smartphone apps in cardiology to assess usability, feasibility, and strategies to integrate into daily workflow. (JMIR Cardio 2018;2(2):e10499) doi:10.2196/10499


BACKGROUND: Women use various coping strategies to deal with stress and depression. These strategies are shaped by social contexts over the life course and may attenuate and/or exacerbate the physiologic effects of depression. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether coping strategies (active, disengaged, or social support coping) moderate depression-related diurnal cortisol dysregulation and to explore how social context influences women's use of coping. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods study of pregnant women (N = 65) during mid-pregnancy. Cortisol was measured in saliva collected during the waking hours of the day. Participants completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale and the Brief COPE. A subset of the sample participated in semistructured qualitative interviews (n = 20). RESULTS: Social support coping, but not active or disengaged coping, moderated end-of-day cortisol levels. Among depressed women, higher use of social support was associated with lower and more dynamic (i.e., less flat) diurnal cortisol rhythms. The qualitative findings revealed how complex social dynamics related to financial insecurity, lack of mutuality, and social identity affected women's use of and access to social support. CONCLUSION: These findings support theories of the stress-buffering effects of social support. Future research is needed to examine how social determinants affect access to social support, and how early life social experiences condition women's adaptive formation of social support coping strategies over the life course. Clinically, these findings underscore the value of relationship-centered nursing care for depressed women.


BACKGROUND In the last decade, minimally invasive techniques have been introduced in the treatment of lower extremity varicosities. Of these therapies, endovenous laser ablation is the most widely accepted and used treatment option for insufficient great and short saphenous veins. OBJECTIVE To present a review of reported common and rare and minor and major complications associated with endovenous laser ablation. METHODS A systematic review of studies and case reports on endovenous laser ablation–induced complications. The complications were classified as minor or major according to the Society of Interventional Radiology Standards of Practice Committee guidelines on reporting complications. A case‐series of complications after endovenous laser ablation is presented. RESULTS Ecchymoses and pain are frequently reported side effects of endovenous laser ablation. Nerve injury, skin burns, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism seldom occur. An exceptional complication is a material or device that by accident remains inside the body after the procedure. Ecchymosis, pain, induration, skin burns, dysesthesia, superficial thrombophlebitis, and hematoma were classified as minor complications. Deep vein thrombosis and nerve injury were classified as major complications. CONCLUSION Endovenous laser ablation may be considered a safe treatment of lower extremity varicosities. The incidence of common side effects may decrease with better laser parameters. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.


Multimedia processing in software has been significantly accelerated by the addition of subword-parallel instructions to the instruction set architectures (ISAs) of modem microprocessors. While some of these multimedia instructions are simple and effective, others are very complex, requiring large, special-purpose functional units that are not practical for constrained environments such as handheld multimedia information appliances. For such environments, low-power and low-cost are as important as the high performance required for real-time multimedia processing and the general-purpose programmability required to support an ever growing range of applications. In this paper, we introduce PLX, a concise ISA that selects the most useful features from the first two generations of multimedia instructions added to microprocessors, and explores new ISA features for high-performance yet low-cost multimedia processing with small footprint processors. PLX is unique in that it is designed from scratch as a fully subword-parallel architecture with novel features like datapath scalability from 32-bit to 128-bit words, and a new definition of predication for reducing conditional branches. We illustrate the use of PLX's architectural features with four frequently used multimedia kernels: discrete cosine transform, pixel padding, clip test and median filter. Our performance results show that a 64-bit PLX implementation achieves significant speedups compared to a basic 64-bit RISC processor and to IA-32 processors with MMX and SSE multimedia extensions. PLX's datapath scalability feature often provides an additional 2x speedup in a cost-effective way.


Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hyperthyroidism among patients with suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Background: Hyperthyroidism can significantly diminish patient quality of life and increase the financial burden on patients and health systems. We hypothesized that many patients with hyperthyroidism remain undiagnosed because physicians fail to recognize and evaluate suppressed TSH as the first indication of disease. Methods: We reviewed administrative data on 174011 patients with TSH measured at a tertiary referral center between 2011 and 2017 to identify individuals with hyperthyroidism (TSH <0.05 mU/L) and their subsequent outcomes: evaluation (measurement of T4, T3, radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake scan, thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin, thyroid peroxidase antibodies) diagnosis, referral and treatment. We used Kaplan-Meier methods and multivariable time-related parametric hazard modeling to measure our outcomes. Results: We found 3336 patients with hyperthyroidism. The mean age of our cohort was 52 ± 17 years, with 79% females and 59% whites. Only 1088 patients (33%) received any appropriate evaluation and hyperthyroidism remained undiagnosed in 37% of patients who had the appropriate workup. Among those diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, only 21% were referred for surgery and 34% received RAI. Predictors for hyperthyroidism diagnosis include lower TSH (0.01u/L), younger age, African-American race, private commercial insurance, being seen in an outpatient setting, absence of medical comorbidities, presentation with ophthalmopathy, or weight loss. Conclusions: Hyperthyroidism is frequently unrecognized and untreated, which can lead to adverse outcomes and increased costs. Improved systems for detection and treatment of hyperthyroidism are needed to address this gap in care.


When Henry T Lynch thought that he had discovered the existence of hereditary cancers among Nebraskan families in the 1960s, his hope was that it would lead to more effective means of cancer control. Lynch argued that the identification of such cancers offered tremendous opportunities for improving detection and treatment. If cancer ran in families, he claimed, the discovery of a hereditary cancer in one family member should be an alert to the possibility of cancer in others, and so prompt careful scrutiny for any signs that might indicate the presence of the disease in "healthy" individuals. Lynch hoped that by targeting cancer families it would be possible to catch more cancers at an earlier stage than was hitherto possible. Cancers caught early were often curable, the American Cancer Society (ACS) claimed.


We describe resonance effects in laser desorption– ionization (LDI) of particles that substantially increase the sensitivity and selectivity to metals in single-particle mass spectrometry (SPMS). Within the proposed scenario, resonant light absorption by ablated metal atoms increases their ionization rate within a single laser pulse. By choosing the appropriate laser wavelength, the key micronutrients Fe, Zn and Mn can be detected on individual aerosol particles with considerably improved efficiency. These ionization enhancements for metals apply to natural dust and anthropogenic aerosols, both important sources of bioavailable metals to marine environments. Transferring the results into applications, we show that the spectrum of our KrF-excimer laser is in resonance with a major absorption line of iron atoms. To estimate the impact of resonant LDI on the metal detection efficiency in SPMS applications, we performed a field experiment on ambient air with two alternately firing excimer lasers of different wavelengths. Herein, resonant LDI with the KrF-excimer laser (248.3 nm) revealed iron signatures for many more particles of the same aerosol ensemble compared to the more common ArF-excimer laser line of 193.3 nm (nonresonant LDI of iron). Many of the particles that showed iron contents upon resonant LDI were mixtures of sea salt and organic carbon. For nonresonant ionization, iron was exclusively detected in particles with a soot contribution. This suggests that resonant LDI allows a more universal and secure metal detection in SPMS. Moreover, our field study indicates relevant atmospheric iron transport by mixed organic particles, a pathway that might be underestimated in SPMS measurements based on nonresonant LDI. Our findings show a way to improve the detection and source attribution capabilities of SPMS for particle-bound metals, a health-relevant aerosol component and an important source of micronutrients to the surface oceans affecting marine primary productivity.


The aim of the present contribution is to analyze how relations of loyalty emerge between researcher and researched during ethnographic fieldwork and to defend a perspective against the principle of open science. I discuss methodological issues with respect to my several years of multi-sited fieldwork experience in various labs, research centers and medical institutions, during which I inquired into the design and use of exoskeletal devices. Exoskeletal devices are technologies applied to three fields of application: rehabilitation, industry and the armed forces. Their invention is the subject of high levels of economic and scientific competition. Given these constraints, I was compelled to develop "loyalty strategies", one of which I call the "contract of silence". I associate this category with an ethnographic exercise in how to address one's interlocutors during fieldwork. I conceive of this process as a result of consciously retaining the information obtained from interviewees that might endanger the position of the researcher in the field. Although a tacit contract with one's interlocutors during ethnographic fieldwork implies anonymity, certain sensitive fields and research situations require forms of auto-censorship and the control of published results. I associate these strategies with the fabrication of fieldwork secrecy.


I was interested to read D r Ryan's article, 'Anaesthesia for repair of exomphalos' (AnaeJthesiu, 1973, 28, 407), and would like to make a brief comment on one aspect. He mentioned that a sheet of aluminium foil placed beneath the baby acted as a heat conductor from the underlying blanket and also as a diathermy pad. Later in the article he mentioned that the ECG is monitored, during anaesthesia. Some 10 years ago while a Senior Registrar a t Great Ormond Street, I found that problems of electrical interference associated with the simultaneous use of an electric blanket and ECG could be minimised by 'screening' the blanket-I used the foil backed black paper in which X-ray film was packed. I wonder if Dr Ryan's sheet of aluminium foil was behaving in a similar fashion in addition to its use as heat conductor and diathermy plate?


Sufi master Rumi's best loved poems and stories illustrated with authentic, inspiring, Sufi and Islamic art. One of the world's best-selling poets, 13th century Sufi mystic Jalaluddin Rumi has inspired and enlightened thousands with his playful, passionate work celebrating the sacred in everyday life. Now, the spiritual wealth of Rumi's stories and poetry in translation are restored to their authentic settings as delightful teaching tales and are accompanied by rare and wonderful art in the Sufi and Islamic tradition ranging throughout the history of Islam. This fresh rendering brings new life to this incomparable literature, which has transcended time, place, culture, and religion to speak directly to the hearts and souls of contemporary readers. With a foreword by Huston Smith.


Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are activated in plants during responses to pathogens or to pathogen-derived elicitors and mediate intracellular stress responses. Here, we show that a rice (Oryza sativa) MAPK, OsMAPK6, was posttranslationally activated in a cell culture by a sphingolipid elicitor. Suppression of OsMAPK6 expression by RNA interference resulted in a strong reduction of pathogen-induced Phe ammonia-lyase mRNA, whereas the mRNA level of another rice MAPK, OsMAPK5a, was highly increased. Silencing of a small GTPase, OsRac1, by RNA interference or loss-of-function mutation (d1) of the heterotrimeric G-protein α-subunit gene resulted in a strong reduction of the OsMAPK6 protein levels and of kinase activation by a sphingolipid elicitor. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation experiments with OsRac1 and OsMAPK6 proteins showed that OsMAPK6 is closely associated with the active form of OsRac1, but not with inactive forms of OsRac1. These results indicate that these two G-proteins regulate an elicitor-inducible MAPK in rice at the protein level.


The lamination process of aluminum sheets generates a flammable oil-soaked waste, which had been thermally treated (TTW) and used as adsorbent of reactive Remazol Black B (RB) and Remazol Red RB133 (RR), two of the most used dyes in the printing processes on textile industries, with reported carcinogenic and toxic properties. The adsorbent was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-specific surface area, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Kinetic and equilibrium studies were performed to evaluate the TTW adsorption parameters and the isotherm model which best represented the process. It was observed that the system reached the equilibrium state after 5 min for both dyes and obtained their maximum adsorption capacity (qm) at pH 4: 0.69 mg·g−1 and 2.89 mg·g−1, for RB and RR respectively; moreover, the pseudo-second-order model better fitted the adsorption kinetics. The equilibrium data were better fitted to Langmuir isotherm compared to Freundlich's for the RB and RR adsorption. The maximum removal efficiency obtained in the experiments was 80.2% for RB and 80% for RR; moreover, after the acid activation of TTW, the RB removal efficiency increased from 84.9% to 93.7%.


Introduction : effective case management involving prompt parasitological diagnosis and treatment with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) has been recognized as the cornerstone of malaria control strategies. Despite Ghana's adoption of these recommendations, malaria accounts for 66% of all OPD cases in Tolon District which is higher than the regional average. This raises doubts about malaria diagnosis and treatment practice. This study therefore sought to assess malaria diagnosis and treatment practices in the Tolon District. Methods : a health facility based cross sectional study was conducted in the Tolon District from December 2014 to May 2015 to assess malaria diagnosis and treatment practices. Direct observation of patient consultations, interviews and record abstraction were employed for data collection. Categorical variables were expressed as proportions and continuous variables were summarized. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between test and treat and the independent variables. Results : the study assessed six health centers, 25 health workers, 175 patient consultations and 420 patient records. Testing rate was 67.1% (278/420). ACT was prescribed to 89.3% of the patients and only 41.0% of suspected malaria patients were diagnosed and treated with ACT. However, 57.5% (50/87) of patients with negative test results received ACT and 75.9% (104/137) of those who were not tested also received ACT. Compliance to treatment guidelines was found to be associated with: compared to health centers, CHPS has 0.64 times [AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.95] decreased likelihood of compliance to guidelines, supervision [AOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.15???5.41]. Cadre of health worker, training, years served by health worker and patient age were not significantly associated with compliance to treatment guidelines. Conclusion : malaria diagnosis and treatment practice in Tolon District is sub optimal. Despite availability of RDT, only 67.1% (282/420) of suspected malaria cases were tested. 89.3% (375/420) of the patients received the first line treatment drug AA. 57.5% (50/87) of patients who tested negative for malaria and 75.9% (104/137) of patients not tested for malaria received ACT. Compliance is higher in health centers than in CHPS. Supervision should be intensified especially in the CHPS compounds.


4128 Advanced ovarian cancer (stages III and IV) accounts for more than 75% of the approximately 23,000 new cases of epithelial ovarian cancer per year in the United States. Over 16,000 deaths per year occur, making this cancer the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Although ovarian cancer is notable for its initial chemotherapy sensitivity using combination platinum and taxane chemotherapy following debulking surgery (greater than 75% response rates), the vast majority of these women (75%-80%) relapse within 12 to 24 months after diagnosis and die of a progressively chemotherapy-resistant tumor. Despite significant investment, no major improvements in survival have been achieved in more than 10 years.
 Recently, we embarked on a large-scale project to develop a detailed understanding of the molecular events associated with chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Using more than 250 well-annotated formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples, we have generated expression profiles for 12,000 mRNA and 735 miRNAs using the Illumina DASL® platform. The resulting de-identified data have been collected with the relevant clinical information in a web-accessible relational database and subjected to rigorous statistical and computational analysis to identify expression profiles predictive of outcome. Categorical functional analysis of the resulting gene lists has identified a number of novel mechanisms associated with chemoresistance. Application of a recently-developed seeded Bayesian Network algorithm has allowed construction of predictive models that provide testable hypotheses regarding mechanism and potential therapeutic intervention. Results are being validated using qRT-PCR and tissue microarray analysis and network models are being refined using an iterative strategy using RNA interference, expression profiling, and computational analysis.
 We will present an overview of the laboratory and analytical methodologies we have developed and describe our findings relevant to overcoming chemoresistance.


The purpose of this report is to provide an updated description of the technique of bilateral sequential lung transplant via median sternotomy. A sternotomy provides the advantage of less morbidity than the clamshell incision, as well as exposure to perform mechanical circulatory support and concurrent cardiac procedures. Our experience shows that lung transplantation via a midline sternotomy can be done with equivalent to better short-term outcomes than a clamshell incision, including earlier extubation and fewer transfusions. Familiarity with this technique is important for all surgeons managing end-stage lung disease.


The OpenGL programming is used to develop courseware in solid physics. Firstly, the OpenGL 's initialization and Release action at the end of program is a encapsulation of a GLScene control through the C++ Builder's control development function and add it to the Compoment Palette. Then, according to requirements, some OpenGL function are packaged into a class. Finally, the designed face centre cubic lattice structure courseware is develped. The advantages are really 3d images can be got, the size, location and geometry exercise can be described strictly according to the given parameter or function, and can realize human-computer interaction, real-time describe.


Silver-embedded manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (Ag-OMS-2) nano-rods were synthesized using a pre-incorporation approach, and unambiguously characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A highly uniform distribution of Ag nanoparticles embedded in the porous structure of OMS-2, was found to be in favor of high catalytic activity of the composite for hydration of nitriles to corresponding amides in aqueous solution. By using a catalyst dosage of 30 mg per mmol of substrate, in the temperature range of 80–100 °C, and reaction times of 4–9 h, excellent yields (73–96%) of the desired amides (13 examples) were obtained. Also, the catalyst was easy to recycle, and showed a slight decrease in efficiency after six consecutive runs.


To improve the efficiency and durability of gas turbine components, advancements are needed in cooling technologies. To accomplish this task, some manufacturers are turning to additive manufacturing (AM), as it offers the ability to both rapidly iterate on component design, as well as incorporate unique internal cooling structures directly into parts. As one example, wavy microchannels can be readily integrated into turbine components. This study investigates wavy channels of varying channel amplitude and wavelength through experimental measurements of heat transfer and pressure loss. In addition to experimental testing, CFD predictions were made to identify internal flow features that impacted performance. Five channel geometries were integrated into test coupons that were additively manufactured out of Hastelloy-X using direct metal laser sintering. True coupon geometric characteristics and wall roughness values were captured non-destructively using computed tomography (CT) scans. Geometric analyses indicated that coupons were reproduced accurately with minimal deviation from design intent. Experimental results indicated that decreasing the channel wavelength and increasing the channel amplitude resulted in substantial increases in both bulk friction factor and Nusselt number with respect to the nominal case and were scaled using a relative waviness parameter. CFD simulations predicted significant mixing of flow in the cases with the smallest wavelength and greatest amplitude.


The aim of this paper is to show how sociocybernetics can usefully combine biological, psychological and sociological concepts to provide conceptual clarification and insightful understandings of human consciousness. Following a brief discussion and critique of how the term "consciousness" is used in contemporary cognitive science, awareness and consciousness are characterised in cybernetic terms as the dynamics of self-organising, autopoietic systems and their interactions. Sociocybernetic models of conscious systems are presented and discussed. It is argued that in order to characterise human consciousness it is necessary to make a distinction between bio-mechanical systemic unities and psychosocial systemic unities. Reflexively, this gives rise to a second-order cybernetics in which the observer explains herself to herself. Finally, there is a discussion of how sociocybernetic understandings of consciousness can give guidance for how to create and sustain communities in which good will prevails.


This study evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on venous thromboembolism (VTE) site and assessed a possible interaction between BMI and prothrombotic risk factors in patients included in the EDITH (Etude des Déterminants et Interactions de le THrombose veineuse) study. A cross‐sectional study was used to compare the site of unprovoked VTE according to BMI categories in 1077 patients and a matched case‐control study (732 pairs) assessed the joint effect of BMI and prothrombotic mutations on VTE risk. The cross sectional analysis showed that the proportion of patients with pulmonary embolism was higher in overweight (63%) and obese (63·5%) patients than among patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 (55%), P = 0·02 and P = 0·05 respectively. No interaction was found between F5 G1691A (factor V Leiden) and BMI for VTE risk (P = 0·90). There was a significant interaction between F2 G20210A and BMI (P = 0·02). The risk of VTE associated with BMI was 1·7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0·8–3·7], 4·36 (95%CI: 1·49–12·78) and 12·03 (95%CI: 1·53–94·29) in patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2, 25 ≤ BMI < 30 and ≥30 kg/m2 respectively after adjustment for age and oestrogen use. This study showed that BMI may play a role in determining the site of VTE and may interact with F2 G20210A but not with F5 G1691A for the risk of VTE.


Binary transition metal nitride films have excellent tribological properties but these binary systems are still inadequate for high temperature applications due to their low oxidation temperature. Above 700°C, formation of porous oxides at the film surface deteriorates their mechanical properties rapidly by the. Especially impact and indentation resistance of these films deteriorate very quickly. In order to overcome these problems, Al based Al1-xCrxN films with X=0.29 and X=0.69 were synthesized by closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering with vertical magnetron sources and their chemical composition, crystalline structure, morphology and mechanical properties including impact and indentation resistance were investigated. Synthesized Al1-xCrxN films formed solid solution showing FCC B1 type structure with strong (111) preferential orientation and films with X=0.29 showed a superhard hardness value of approximately 41GPa while films with X=0.69 did approximately 31GPa. While there was insignificant difference between Al1-xCrxN films with X=0.29 and X=0.69 in terms of Rockwell C indentation resistance, much improved impact resistance could be observed from the Al1-xCrxN films with X=0.29.


P2P is lack of immunity to several kinds of attacks because of his own characteristics of open and dynamic. So it is important to construct a safe and reliable trust model. In this Paper, the advantage of basing on JXTA to design and realize Peer Trust Service in P2P Network is firstly analyzed. Then, the method and approach to realize the service is illustrated in particular. Finally, a system prototype was realized and some tests were carried on.


The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is one of the most altered in cancer, leading to a range of cellular responses including enhanced proliferation, survival, and metabolism, and is thus an attractive target for anticancer drug development. Stimulation of the PI3K pathway can be initiated by alterations at different levels of the signaling cascade including growth factor receptor activation, as well as mutations in PIK3CA, PTEN, and AKT genes frequently found in a broad range of cancers. Given its role in glucose metabolism, we investigated the utility of [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([ 18 F]FDG PET) as a pharmacodynamic biomarker of PI3K pathway–induced glucose metabolism. PTEN deletion in human colon carcinoma cells led to constitutive AKT activation but did not confer a phenotype of increased cell proliferation or glucose metabolism advantage in vivo relative to isogenic tumors derived from cells with a wild-type allele. This was not due to the activation context, that is, phosphatase activity, per se because PIK3CA activation in xenografts derived from the same lineage failed to increase glucose metabolism. Acute inhibition of PI3K activity by LY294002, and hence decreased activated AKT expression, led to a significant reduction in tumor [ 18 F]FDG uptake that could be explained at least in part by decreased membrane glucose transporter 1 expression. The pharmacodynamic effect was again independent of PTEN status. In conclusion, [ 18 F]FDG PET is a promising pharmacodynamic biomarker of PI3K pathway inhibition; however, its utility to detect glucose metabolism is not directly linked to the magnitude of activated AKT protein expression.


We read with great interest the article by Shanahan et al 1 describing the roles of environmental conditions, notably co-housing with wild type (WT) littermates, and mouse genetic background in nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2)-dependent production of anti-microbial peptides in the mouse intestine. These authors demonstrate that expression, translation and anti-microbial activity of α-defensins are independent of NOD2.1 Robertson et al 2 recently confirmed that housing conditions rather than NOD2 status influenced intestinal microbiota composition. Shanahan et al address the question whether an increase in the number of Paneth cells could compensate for a NOD2-dependent reduction in the level of defensin production in Paneth cells. Using a combination of hematoxylin and eosin staining (to assess crypt numbers), immunohistochemistry (using anti-lyzozyme staining) and flow cytometry (sorting for expression of lyzozyme and lack of expression of CD45—a haematopoietic cell marker) of the entire ilea of WT and NOD2-deficient mice showed NOD2 status did not influence Paneth cell numbers.1

CD24, a heavily glycosylated protein marker of intestinal crypt stem cells and Paneth cells, is upregulated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).3 ,4 Sato et al 3 demonstrated that the combination of CD24hi and …


In Article 8 ECHR privacy right jurisprudence, photographs are deemed distinct forms of information that are particularly intrusive in nature. This article is concerned with explaining why this is so. Part 1 examines the notion of 'intrusion' itself. It argues that 'intrusion' functions as a legal metaphor and plays an important role in constructing a binary between an outer self presented to the world and a 'spiritual', emotional interior that privacy purports to protect from transgression. Part 2 argues that this 'spiritual intrusion' metaphor is influential in the continental personality right that informs the ECtHR's approach to Article 8 protection for photographed individuals. This leads to potentially stronger protection for image, including a basic Article 8 right to control one's image. Yet there is a divergence of approach in the English courts, where personality theory has limited influence; here there is traditional scepticism towards an image right and photographic capture is largely neglected. Part 3 argues that photography becomes a relevant factor at publication stage, where courts agree that the distinctive features of the medium may cause or exacerbate intrusion. This is because photography creates a permanent, infinitely replicable 'truthful' record of the individual's image that can be disseminated to the objectifying gaze of a mass audience. But the medium also leads viewers to overlook its inherent complexities and ambiguities. Ultimately, Article 8 jurisprudence, particularly in the ECtHR, occasionally adopts reasoning that contains echoes of the 'photographs steal souls' mythology.


The occlusion problem in crowded people environment makes human segmentation and tracking more difficult in video surveillance. Thus, a human segmentation method combing human model with body edge curve is presented. Because segmentation may result in serious defect and distortion, robust BP neural network model is adopted as tracking mode. For improving autonomous learning ability of BP network, Hierarchical Dirichlet Process (HDP) is used to decide whether new types of human body characteristic data is generated, which provides decision basis for BP network learning. The simulation experiments confirm that the method presented in this paper can effectively solve the problem of partial human body occlusion. Meanwhile, this method has unique advantage of simplicity and real-time over others.


We present fast prototyping of injection molding tools by the definition of microfluidic structures in a light-curable epoxy (SU-8) directly on planar nickel mold inserts. Optimized prototype mold structures could withstand injection molding of more than 300 replicas in cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) without any signs of failure or release. The key parameters to avoid mold failure are maximum adhesion strength of the epoxy to the nickel insert and minimum interfacial energy of the epoxy pattern to the molded polymer. Optimal molding of microstructures with vertical sidewalls was found for nickel inserts pre-coated by silicon oxide before applying the structured epoxy, followed by coating of the epoxy by a fluorocarbon layer prior to injection molding. Further improvements in the mold stability were observed after homogeneous coating of the patterned epoxy by a second reflowed layer of epoxy, likely due to the resulting reduction in sidewall steepness. We employed the latter method for injection molding bondable polymer microfluidic chips with integrated conducting polymer electrode arrays that permitted the culture and on-chip analysis of cell spreading by impedance spectroscopy.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the serum level of C-C chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) and its clinical significance in rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS
The serum CCL19 levels in both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and health controls were detected by ELISA. The proportion of peripheral blood B cells and memory B cell subsets were also detected in some patients. Then the clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected. The CCL19 levels in patients with different clinical features were analyzed. And the correlation between the clinical data, laboratory parameters, B cell subsets proportion and serum CCL19 levels were also analyzed. Independent samples t test, paired t test, Pearson and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS
The levels of CCL19 was higher in the RA patients than the health controls (P<0.05). The serum CCL19 levels were decreased in the RA patients who accepted disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) treatment for 6 months (P<0.001). Serum CCL19 levels were correlated with the titers of both rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (r=0.42, P=0.002; r=0.33, P=0.013), but not with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) (P>0.05). The levels of CCL19 were higher in the serum positive (RF and anti-CCP antibody) patients, but there were no differences between low and high disease activity RA, as well as early and non-early RA. There was no correlation between the serum CCL19 levels and the proportion of B cells as well as memory B subsets. All the proportion of peripheral blood CD27+ memory B cell subsets in RA was lower than the healthy controls, including CD27+IgD+, CD27+IgD- and CD27+ B cells.

CONCLUSION
The increased serum CCL19 levels in RA patients are associated with the activity of B cells, so CCL19 might predict whether the RA type is a B cell mediated RA, and specify the treatment directions for the rheumatologist.


INTRODUCTION
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) promotes hypertrophy and fibrosis in heart, and increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Ferric citrate is a dietary phosphate binder used to control hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients. It has been shown to raise iron stores, improve anemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism, and decrease vascular calcification in CKD patients. The present study was done to explore the effects and mechanism of actions of ferric citrate on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Male SD rats were randomized to CKD (5/6 nephrectomized) and sham-operated control groups. CKD rats were fed regular diet or a diet containing 4% ferric citrate. After 8 weeks, hemoglobin, renal function and cardiovascular endpoints including blood pressure, heart/body weight ratio, serum N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac histology and markers of hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation were assessed.

RESULTS
Compared to the controls, untreated CKD group exhibited hypertension, elevated serum urea, creatinine, phosphate, and NT-proBNP concentrations, anemia, cardiomegaly ,cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Treatment with ferric citrate significantly increased hemoglobin and serum iron concentrations, reduced serum phosphate and NT-proBNP levels and ameliorated hypertension, heart/body weight ratio, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation. In addition, ferric citrate administration reduced the size of cardiomyocytes and expressions of myocardin, transforming growth factor-β, interleukin-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1.

CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with ferric citrate attenuated renal failure and cardiovascular abnormalities including myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in CKD rats.


BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to identify the precise time of occurrence of irreversible coma from brain stem dysfunction that precedes brain death. Sympathetic storm, which is a cardiovascular hyperdynamic state manifested by brain stem ischemia, is known to be related to brain stem failure in animal models. We studied sympathetic storm in the clinical setting and compared the clinical findings observed before and after sympathetic storm to identify the precise time of occurrence of irreversible apneic coma.

METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of 15 comatose traumatic brain injury adult patients at the National Taiwan University Hospital's Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit. Data on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, intracranial pressure, and clinical findings such as cerebral blood flow pattern, Glasgow Coma Scale, brain stem reflexes, utilizations of catecholamines, and occurrence of central diabetes insipidus throughout the course in the intensive care unit were collected retrospectively from medical records.

RESULTS
Prolonged uncorrectable cerebral hypoperfusion was found after a characteristic irreversible apneic coma-associated sympathetic storm (IACASS) in all 15 patients. A mean cerebral perfusion pressure of 11.9 mm Hg +/- 10.3 mm Hg and 13 mm Hg +/- 3.5 mm Hg remained at 12 hours and 24 hours, respectively, after IACASS. Differences in clinical findings before and after IACASS that were statistically significant were cerebral circulation pattern (p = 0.0455), Glasgow Coma Scale (p = 0.0143), brain stem reflexes (p = 0.0143), utilization of catecholamines (p = 0.0254), and occurrence of central diabetes insipidus (p = 0.00468).

CONCLUSIONS
Coma might have become irreversible immediately after IACASS because the prolonged duration of cerebral hypoperfusion could have caused irreversible cerebral tissue injury. Our study provides some preliminary findings suggesting that IACASS may be a predictor of impending brain death. A prospective study is the next step to understanding whether this phenomenon can be applied clinically to diagnose irreversible apneic coma.


An optical study (high resolution images and long-slit spectra in the Her range) of the Serpens reflection nebula (SRN) is presented. The SRN is a bipolar nebula illuminated by the low mass pre-main-sequence (PMS) star Serpens/SVS 2. The Ho profile of Serpens/SVS 2 is shown to be very broad (the width at a 10% of the peak intensity is 13.1 Angstrom (similar to 600 km/s)). The profile has three emission peaks centered at -137, 5 and 100 km/s. The relative strength of the peaks varies with the slit orientation. The blue and redshifted components have similar intensities at low inclinations (PA = -55 degrees and PA = -30 degrees) while at high inclinations the blueshifted component is weaker than the redshifted suggesting a significant contribution of absorption by low latitude outflowing gas. These profiles could be produced in a rotating, latitude dependent wind with the outflow axis parallel to the disk axis. The nebular H alpha profile is double peaked; it has a blue and a redshifted component at the same velocities as the star. The profile shows no significant variations along a given PA; the emission is best explained by single scattering of the stellar radiation. The absence of the 0-velocity emission component is suggestive of the presence of warm absorbing gas within a few stellar radii. There are several knots of gas and dust embedded within the north-western (NW) nebular lobe. These knots are connected by a faint emission, defining a helical path around the major axis of the nebula. This area is also characterized by an unusually large polarization that reaches a 30-40% at 0.95 mu m that is consistent with a concentration of large and reflecting dust grains that are presumably ice coated carbon grains. This region coincides with a ridge of hot (T similar or equal to 35 K) dust detected by IRAS along: the major axis of the SRN.


ABSTRACT The authors identify some of the theoretical premises of biocybernetic art objects, with reference to the works of Nam June Paik, Edward Ihnawitz, Ulrike Gabriel, and most notably, Gilberto Esparza, the Mexican biocybernetic artist. Systems theory anticipates stochastic convergences in nature, defying the classic certitude of the teleological notion of form. Evidence for this paradigmatic shift is found in the biocybernetic creatures conceived by these roboticists. In much biocybernetic art, beauty emerges in the form of adaptive mechanisms, such as in robotic tetrapods or self-organizing artificial plants. Such structures provide a template for survival mechanisms in an increasingly entropic environment.


Adolescent knowledge about reproductive health is still low, it causes high cases of adolescent reproductive health. Lack of adolescent knowledge about reproductive health is caused by several factors such as lack of information about reproductive health among adolescents. One way to increase adolescent knowledge is to provide knowledge about true reproductive health through the education process. In formal education about reproductive health has been published as part of the curriculum and described in KD 4.1. It presents the results of tracing information from various sources related to health and prevention efforts for reproductive organ disorders. The purpose of this study is to determine the percentage of adolescent reproductive health preventive efforts in the reproduction system materials in the integrated science books SMP. This research is descriptive research. Population and sample in this research is material of reproduction system which is found in integrated science book of junior high school which is mostly used by junior high school student in Padang city, that is book of Kemendikbud, Erlangga, and Yudhistira. Samples were taken by purposive sampling technique. Data collection uses book analysis instruments that contain indicators of adolescent reproductive health preventive efforts. Data analysis techniques are performed using percentages for each category and determine the coefficient of agreement.The results showed that the percentage of adolescent reproductive health preventive efforts in books Kemendikbud 62%, Erlangga 39%, and Yudhistira 44%. So it can be concluded that the three books are still less presenting efforts to prevent adolescent reproductive health is <70%.


High levels of the macrophage activation marker neopterin have been described in metastatic cancer patients. Since macrophages may either counteract or stimulate tumor development, it is important to establish which macrophage activity is mainly related to neopterin release. The present study was carried out to evaluate neopterin levels in metastatic solid tumor patients in respect with the antitumor macrophage cytokine TNF and with soluble IL-2 receptor (SIL-2R), whose secretion is stimulated by macrophages and it is associated with the immunosuppressive status of cancer patients. The study included 35 patients with metastatic solid neoplasms. Serum levels of neopterin, TNF and SIL-2R were measured in blood samples collected during the morning. Abnormally high concentrations of neopterin were seen in 18/35 (51%) patients. Patients with high levels of neopterin showed significantly higher concentrations of SIL-2R than those with normal neopterin values, whereas no difference was found in TNF levels. This study would suggest that the increased secretion of neopterin may reflect macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in metastatic solid neoplasms, rather than to be associated with the antitumor activity of macrophages.


Copyright © (2015) by the American Nuclear Society All rights reserved. Three complementary methods have been implemented in the code Denovo that accelerate neutral particle transport calculations with methods that use leadership-class computers fully and effectively: a multigroup block (MG) Krylov solver, a Rayleigh quotient iteration (RQI) eigenvalue solver, and a multigrid in energy preconditioner. The multigroup Krylov solver converges more quickly than Gauss Seidel and enables energy decomposition such that Denovo can scale to hundreds of thousands of cores. The new multigrid in energy preconditioner reduces iteration count for many problem types and takes advantage of the new energy decomposition such that it can scale efficiently. These two tools are useful on their own, but together they enable the RQI eigenvalue solver to work. Each individual method has been described before, but this is the first time they have been demonstrated to work together effectively. RQI should converge in fewer iterations than power iteration (PI) for large and challenging problems. RQI creates shifted systems that would not be tractable without the MG Krylov solver. It also creates ill-conditioned matrices that cannot converge without the multigrid in energy preconditioner. Using these methods together, RQI converged in fewer iterations and in less time than all PI calculations for a full pressurized water reactor core. It also scaled reasonably well out to 275,968 cores.


Subjective video quality assessment (VQA) strongly depends on semantics, context, and the types of visual distortions. Currently, all existing VQA databases include only a small number of video sequences with artificial distortions. The development and evaluation of objective quality assessment methods would benefit from having larger datasets of real-world video sequences with corresponding subjective mean opinion scores (MOS), in particular for deep learning purposes. In addition, the training and validation of any VQA method intended to be 'general purpose' requires a large dataset of video sequences that are representative of the whole spectrum of available video content and all types of distortions. We report our work on KoNViD-1k, a subjectively annotated VQA database consisting of 1,200 public-domain video sequences, fairly sampled from a large public video dataset, YFCC100m. We present the challenges and choices we have made in creating such a database aimed at 'in the wild' authentic distortions, depicting a wide variety of content.


To the Editor. —A 6-year-old boy presented to the University of Connecticut Family Medicine office for well-child care. He had just arrived in the United States, having received al 1 prior care in Europe. The parents brought an immunization certificate that listed the following immunizations and dates: BCG vaccine (January 16, 1985); polio (February 27, 1985; May 31, 1985; November 27,1985); diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) (April 24, 1985; May 31,1985; June 20,1985; December 26,1986; November 29, 1987); and measles (February 1, 1986). However, according to the parents, their child had only received one or two parenteral and oral immunizations because of a local vaccine shortage. The parents were not told what immunizations were given and had never seen their child's immunization records. The immunization certificate was filled out when the family was leaving Romania and the parents did not know how the information on the certificate was obtained. Because the validity of


The condition of sickness or health problems decreases the ability to work physically, being weak the sharpness of thinking to make quick and precise decisions, and decreases alertness and accuracy with the consequences of the worker concerned  vulnerable to the occurrence of accidents This study aims to determine the relationship between aromatherapy type dominant to changes in pulse rate controlled by age variables, smoking habits, sleep duration, history of heart disease, fatigue, working hours of driver
The research method using Quasy Experiment research design with non equivalent control group design is pre-test and post-test in experiment and control group with 40 samples taken by purposive sampling by considering inclusion criteria. The test used in this study is Paired T Test.
The conclusion of this study is the using  of aromatherapy does not affect the pulse. Type of giving atomatherapy , the time of giving is a factor confounding controlled.


ABSTRACT In this study, a novel artificial neural network (ANN)-Jaya algorithm hybrid artificial intelligence model was developed to estimate Turkey's future energy use. The model estimates energy consumption based on gross domestic product (GDP), population, import data, and export data. The Jaya algorithm used in our model's development is a simple and powerful metaheuristic algorithm that overcomes the complexity of difficult optimization problems; it provides optimal results quickly owing to its ease of applicability and simple structure. Our ANN-Jaya model's performance was compared with the performance of artificial bee colony (ABC) and teaching learning based optimization (TLBO) algorithm-trained ANN models. According to the root mean square error (RMSE) values obtained for the test set, the proposed ANN-Jaya model performed 36.7% and 46.2% better than the ANN-ABC and ANN-TLBO models, respectively. After defining the optimal configurations, three energy consumption prediction scenarios were developed and compared with previously published forecasts.


Using quarterly data between 1981q1 and 2018q4, the paper investigates the relationship between trade liberalization and economic growth in Nigeria. Exploring Johnasen cointegration technique and the Vector Error Correction (VEC) method, the paper considers three alternative measures of trade liberalization to determine whether the response of economic growth to trade liberalization is sensitive to the choice of the indicators of trade liberalization under consideration. The paper finds significant effects of trade liberalization on the economy. The paper recommends that government should implement policies that will promote trade openness in Nigeria. This may be achieved by establishing bilateral and multi-lateral agreements that are favourable and that will support appropriate technology transfer to domestic producers.

JEL classification numbers: F31, F13, F41.
Keywords: Trade liberalization, Tariffs, Economic growth, Nigeria.


Abstract The depth to which a vertebrate track is indented can provide a wealth of information, being a direct result of the weight, duty factor, and limb kinematics of the animal as well as media ( =  substrate or sediment) consistency. In order to recreate the formation of the track and elucidate media consistency at the time of track formation, such factors as animal mass, duty factor, and foot morphology must be taken into consideration. This study uses Finite Element Analysis and physical modeling to demonstrate for the first time that the shape of the foot is an important factor that influences the depth to which the sediment is penetrated. In cohesive sediment, less compact morphology allows more sediment to move vertically upwards at the edges of the foot, dissipating force at the surface, and retarding transmission of load vertically down into the sediment. The reverse of this effect is seen in noncohesive sediment. Foot morphology, therefore, has a direct impact on preservation potential, both of surface tracks and undertracks, that is irrespective of the pressure exerted on the sediment surface by the foot and independent of mass and duty factor.


In automated transport systems, the origin-destination combinations are normally connected through a fixed layout, not representing the shortest path. The flexibility of these systems is limited and often the infrastructure is not optimally used. With the introduction of more powerful onboard computers and advanced sensor technology, the positioning and navigating possibilities of AGVs increased. However the routes, although virtual, are still fixed. A new step ahead would be to determine each path dynamically. This would use the free ranging capacities of AGVs to its full potential. In this paper, the benefits of the dynamic free ranging approach are investigated; a simulation model on the strategic level is presented that compares several common fixed layouts with the shortest connection approach. Naturally, the avoidance of collisions plays a central role. It is concluded that dynamic free ranging has high potential in terms of transport capacity of the resulting system


Abstract. In order to improve the robustness and generalization ability of model recognition, sonar images are enhanced by preprocessing such as conversion coordinates, interpolation, denoising and enhancement, and the transfer learning method under the Caffe framework of MATLAB as an interface is used respectively (mainly composed of 8 layers of network structure, including 5 convolutional layers and 3 full chain layers) And the transfer learning method under the Python deep learning framework Inception-Resnet-v2 model for sonar image training and recognition. First of all, part of the sonar image dataset (derived from the 2021 National Robot Underwater Competition online competition data), using MATLAB as the interface Caffe framework, the sonar image is trained to obtain a training model, and then through parameter adjustment, the convolutional neural network model of sonar image automatic recognition is obtained, and the transfer learning method can use less sonar image data to solve the problem of insufficient sonar image data, and then make the training achieve a higher recognition rate in a shorter time. When the training data is randomly sampled for testing, the sonar data recognition model based on the Caffe framework is quickly and fully recognized, and the recognition rate can reach 92% when the test sample does not participate in the training of sonar image data; The transfer learning method under the Inception-Resnet-v2 model of python deep learning framework is used to train recognition on sonar images, and the recognition rate reaches about 97%. Using the two models in this paper, it is feasible to identify sonar images with high recognition rate, which is much higher than traditional recognition methods such as SVM classifiers, and the two sonar image data recognition models based on deep learning have better recognition ability and generalization ability.


This article aims to discuss the school inclusion of students with high ability/giftedness (AH/SD), given that educational inclusion is present in most Brazilian schools. However, this still seeks to be an effective school inclusion that goes beyond ensuring enrollment of students with special educational needs (NEEs) in regular school. Thus, it is intended that public policy efforts to move that student to remain in school due to the quality of teaching and learning which this one is entitled. To collaborate with this discussion will be presented the investigation of educational inclusion of a student with indicators AH/SD, registered in the early grades of a public school in the city of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. The research set is qualitative, descriptive, and of case study type. Data were collected from the observation of everyday classroom in which the student was enrolled, also featured school enrichment activities, and interviews with the teacher and the parents of the student. Subsequently the interview was transcribed and the data were analyzed descriptively relating them to the participants that the researchers conducted observations in the school environment. At the end of the research it was found that the pedagogical strategies that the teacher used did not contribute to the school inclusion of student with indicators of AH/SD. Unfortunately, these data reveal that the inclusion of these school students still have a long way to go, considering that many teachers still do not recognize that students with AH/SD present NEEs, so many of these students are still invisible in classrooms.


In World Agriculture in Disarray I argued that the result of government intervention in agriculture would be to increase the costs of farm policies to taxpayers and consumers and to restrict agricultural trade. A review of the current situation in world agriculture confirms these projections. The policies of the major countries in relation to agriculture have clearly not succeeded in their aims and at the same time have created many problems, particularly in the sphere of agricultural trade. The solution to the crisis in the farm sector must take account of the inherent characteristics of agriculture itself.


Community pharmacists' roles have expanded in recent years to include offering test and treat programs where they perform testing on Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)‐waived point‐of‐care testing (POCT) devices to diagnose specific acute infectious conditions, such as influenza and group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis, and then potentially prescribe and dispense appropriate antimicrobials. Availability of these services in pharmacies has several benefits, including increased access to care, decreased overutilization of other health care services, and decreased antimicrobial resistance. States have different requirements for collaborative practice agreements and reimbursement for these clinical services in community pharmacies. Several studies have looked at outcomes related to community pharmacies implementing test and treat programs for influenza and/or GAS. Other studies looked at outcomes related to implementing testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 and referring for treatment. Most studies described successful implementation and barriers to integration of these programs into pharmacy workflow. Some studies showed that patients want these services to be offered in community pharmacies and are willing to pay for the services. Data show that these services are cost effective compared to physician provider‐based treatment. Newer CLIA‐waived POCT technology may increase implementation of these services, but studies are needed to evaluate their utility in community pharmacies. Pharmacy schools should implement widespread training on these devices, and research should continue in this area to test the use of newer technology (i.e., multiplexed devices) and their economic impact.


Revascularisation by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) is often a technically challenging procedure. The manipulation of wires and devices through a CTO during PCI without any means to visually identify vessel-wall boundaries involves an inherent risk of complications such as arterial dissection, perforation and cardiac tamponade. With the tremendous advances in multidetector CT technology and the popularity of utilising coronary CT angiogram (CCTA) for a workup of chest pain patients, an increasing number of CTO cases are being encountered. Therefore, the primary goal of CCTA for imaging in CTOs involves identifying the presence and locations of CTO as well as predicting the potential clinical benefits derived from revascularisation of the occluded segment. The secondary goal includes preprocedural planning to shorten procedure times, visualisation of the procedure in predicting the ease with which a CTO can be crossed and the frequency of procedure-related complications such as contrast nephropathy and radiation skin injury. Apart from these, CCTA also plays a role in postprocedural assessment of the revascularised arterial segments and long-term follow-up on the patency of coronary stents.


Off-site transfer of nutrient-rich burnt soil has implications for downstream water quality. Coarsening of effective particle size (EPS) distributions in burnt material via aggregation of fines into composite particles modifies post-fire sediment and nutrient transport dynamics. Experiments were undertaken to establish temperature controls on wildfire-enhanced soil aggregation. Burnt and unburnt soil from a temperate eucalypt forest were analysed for EPS and settling velocity using a LISST-ST (Laser In Situ Scatter and Transmissometry with Settling Tube) particle size analyser. Next, samples were burnt (250–550°C) before further analysis with the LISST-ST. Settling velocities of naturally burnt soil aggregates were greater than unburnt aggregates of the same EPS. Experimental burning indicated that dense water-stable aggregates form at relatively low temperatures (250°C) probably due to distillation and carbonisation, through pyrolysis, of organic volatiles in surface litter. Under these conditions, the EPS distribution of burnt surface soil coarsens with up to 50% of the <63-μm fraction becoming aggregated. A positive relationship between 'plant-available' phosphorus and burn temperature was observed. Given that a large proportion of soil particulate phosphorus is associated with the <63-μm fraction, fire-related aggregation processes have potentially important implications for post-fire fine sediment and nutrient transport and storage dynamics.


The paper expands theoretical and empirical understanding of the interaction between formal boundary spanning mechanism (i.e. individuals formally nominated to span boundaries for knowledge sharing) and informal boundary spanning mechanism (i.e., informal seeking of information via social ties crossing boundaries) in a far-flung operation of a global company. Through a case study of engineering groups at a U.S. based manufacturing plant, we found that both formal and informal boundary spanning mechanisms had a positive effect on the ability of dispersed groups to identify and transfer remotely situated knowledge from other sites. However, we also found that the formal boundary spanning mechanism may have a suppressing effect on the informal boundary spanning mechanism when jointly pursued in certain circumstances. The findings call into question the implicit view of the boundary spanner and virtual team literatures that has largely portrayed the effects of both mechanisms on cross-boundary knowledge transfer as independent or complementary.


This paper focuses on efforts to build what policymakers call the "smart grid," involving 1) improved remote monitoring and automatic and remote control of facilities in high-voltage electricity transmission networks; 2) improved remote monitoring, two-way communications, and automatic and remote control of local distribution networks; and 3) installation of "smart" metering and associated communications capabilities on customer premises so that customers can receive real-time price information and/or take advantage of opportunities to contract with their retail supplier to manage the consumer's electricity demands remotely in response to wholesale prices and network congestion. I examine the opportunities, challenges, and uncertainties associated with investments in "smart grid" technologies. I discuss some basic electricity supply and demand, pricing, and physical network attributes that are critical for understanding the opportunities and challenges associated with expanding deployment of smart grid technologies. Then I cover issues associated with the deployment of these technologies at the high voltage transmission, local distribution, and end-use metering levels.


Purpose: Biopsy of the prostatic urethra is an integral part of clinical staging in patients prior to radical cystoprostatectomy (RC) and urinary diversion. We examined whether preoperative transurethral resection (TUR) biopsy was associated with final apical urethral margin status and hypothesized that a negative biopsy could replace intraoperative frozen section for decision making regarding the feasibility of orthotopic neobladder reconstruction. Methods: TUR biopsy, frozen section, urethrectomy, and final apical urethral margin pathologic data were extracted from the charts of men who had undergone RC at the Houston Methodist Hospital between 1987 and 2013. TUR biopsies were performed at five and seven o'clock adjacent to the verumontanum. A positive biopsy was defined as the presence of in situ or invasive urothelial carcinoma. Clinical and perioperative variables were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: We reviewed the medical records of 272 men. Preoperative TUR biopsies of the prostatic urethra were negative in 74% (200/272) and positive in 26% (72/272) of men. The overall incidence of apical urethral margin positivity on final pathology was 2.2% (six of 272). Four men underwent primary or secondary urethrectomy. TUR biopsy negative and positive predictive values for apical urethral margin positivity were 99.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 97.2 to 99.9) and 6.9% (95% CI: 2.3 to 15.5), respectively. Conclusions: The incidence of a positive apical urethral margin was low in patients undergoing RC. A negative preoperative TUR biopsy of the prostatic urethra was reliably associated with a negative final margin, obviating the need for intraoperative frozen section. Furthermore, a positive biopsy was not reliably associated with final margin status. These data will aid in the counseling of patients regarding the feasibility of neobladder reconstruction.


High azimuth resolution and wide swath coverage pose contradicting requirements in conventional spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. In order to overcome these inherent limitations, the technique of displaced phase centers multiple azimuth beams (MAB) has been proposed in recent years. The principle of MAB SAR is discussed here and then the problems related with this mode, such as the differential path error and nonuniform sampling error, are analyzed when the Earth rotation is considered. The corresponding solutions to these problems are presented.


In macrophages, an adhesion receptor both mediates phagocytosis of bacteria and triggers the generation of reactive oxygen species to kill them. Abstract This Podcast features an interview with James Casanova, author of a Research Article that appears in the 2 February 2016 issue of Science Signaling, about a macrophage adhesion receptor that both mediates the internalization of bacteria and stimulates the intracellular machinery that kills them. In addition to cleaning up debris from dead cells, macrophages also engulf and destroy cancer cells and bacteria. The adhesion-class G protein–coupled receptor BAI1 is a phagocytic pattern recognition receptor that induces the internalization of Gram-negative bacteria by macrophages. Billings et al. discovered that BAI1 also stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species, which are important for killing the internalized bacteria. In mice, BAI1 was required for efficient clearance of Gram-negative bacterial infections. Thus, BAI1 is important for both internalization and killing of Gram-negative bacteria. Listen to Podcast


This paper proposes to clarify some important questions that are still open in thefield of index number theory. The main results are the following: (i) the so-called Quadratic Identity on which the superlative index numbers are based can be applied in more general cases than those traditionally considered; (ii) it is not only the Tornqvist index number that does not rely on separability restrictions, but also some other indicators of absolute or relative changes are not based on such restrictions; (iii) in practice, however, all the index numbers or indicators that are considered to be superlative in Diewert's (1976) sense generally fail by construction to be really "superlative"; (iv )t hese hybrid index numbers may be far from providing the expected secondorder approximation to the true index and may be found beyond the Laspeyres-Paasche interval even in the homothetic case. In conclusion, it would be more appropriate to construct a range of alternative index numbers (including even those that are not "superlative") rather than follow the common practice of searching for only one "optimal" formula.


Exclusive breastfeeding is breast milk given to babies from birth to 6 months without added food or drinks
except drugs for medical indications. Many factors can affect mothers in giving exclusive breastfeeding.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between husband's support and the support of
health workers with exclusive breastfeeding. The research used observational analytic method with cross
sectional research design. The sample in this study were 65 mothers who have baby aged 7-12 months in
Sidotopo Surabaya. The research used simple random sampling technique with Chi-square test with 95%
confidence level. The results showed there was no correlation between husband support (p = 0.426) and
health workers support (p = 0.166) with the behavior of mothers in exclusive breastfeeding. The conclusion
of the study is that there is no significant correaltion between husband support and health workers support
with the behavior of mothers in exclusive breastfeeding. So it is necessary to increase counseling about the
importance of exclusive breastfeeding, family planning counseling and lactation management.


Code metric analysis is a well-known approach for assessing the quality of a software system. However, current tools and techniques do not take the system architecture (e.g., MVC, Android) into account. This means that all classes are assessed similarly, regardless of their specific responsibilities. In this paper, we propose SATT (Software Architecture Tailored Thresholds), an approach that detects whether an architectural role is considerably different from others in the system in terms of code metrics, and provides a specific threshold for that role. We evaluated our approach on 2 different architectures (MVC and Android) in more than 400 projects. We also interviewed 6 experts in order to explain why some architectural roles are different from others. Our results shows that SATT can overcome issues that traditional approaches have, especially when some architectural role presents very different metric values than others.


Kin selection theory predicts that grandparents will differentially invest in their grandchildren as a function of paternity certainty. This study explored the hypothesis of "discriminative grandparental solicitude" (Euler and Weitzel, 1996; Smith, 1988) in a sample of college students. Students with four living grandparents were asked to indicate the frequency of various behaviors received from or directed to each grandparent. A significant linear trend on a majority of the measures supported this hypothesis. Reported contact and closeness were highest with the maternal grandmother (most genetically certain) and lowest with the paternal grandfather (least genetically certain); maternal grandfathers and paternal grandmothers were intermediate. The "preferential investment hypothesis" (Laham, Gonsalkorale, and von Hippel, 2005) predicts that the investment behavior of the maternal grandfather and the paternal grandmother should differ only when there are cousins through the father's sisters. Contrary to the predictions of this hypothesis, grandchildren did not rate the maternal grandfather consistently higher on any of the indices when more certain investment outlets were available to the paternal grandmother.


Many infectious diseases have been nearly eliminated in industrialised countries through mass vaccination programmes. However, the bacteria and viruses that cause these diseases still exist and are a threat to the health of those who are not protected through vaccination. The authors examine the benefits of childhood immunisation and this information could be used by nurses when advising parents.


Isaac Albalag is an almost unknown Jewish philosopher who lived in Catalonia in the second half of the thirteenth century. He translated al-Ghazall's Maqasid al-Faldsifah into Hebrew, and wrote long annotations to which he gave the title Tiqqun ha-De'ot. He was above all concerned with the relations between philosophical and religious truth, and put forward the theory that there were two distinct orders of truth, philosophical and prophetic, and that both are true even when the words used contradict one another. Dr. Vajda's scholarly work can be warmly recommended to all interested in this field.


Circadian rhythms generated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are entrained to the environmental light/dark cycle via intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) expressing the photopigment melanopsin and the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP). The ipRGCs regulate other nonimage‐forming visual functions such as the pupillary light reflex, masking behavior, and light‐induced melatonin suppression. To evaluate whether PACAP‐immunoreactive retinal projections are useful as a marker for central projection of ipRGCs in the monkey brain, we characterized the occurrence of PACAP in melanopsin‐expressing ipRGCs and in the retinal target areas in the brain visualized by the anterograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B (CtB) in combination with PACAP staining. In the retina, PACAP and melanopsin were found to be costored in 99% of melanopsin‐expressing cells characterized as inner and outer stratifying melanopsin RGCs. Two macaque monkeys were anesthetized and received a unilateral intravitreal injection of CtB. Bilateral retinal projections containing colocalized CtB and PACAP immunostaining were identified in the SCN, the lateral geniculate complex including the pregeniculate nucleus, the pretectal olivary nucleus, the nucleus of the optic tract, the brachium of the superior colliculus, and the superior colliculus. In conclusion, PACAP‐immunoreactive projections with colocalized CtB represent retinal projections of ipRGCs in the macaque monkey, supporting previous retrograde tracer studies demonstrating that melanopsin‐containing retinal projections reach areas in the primate brain involved in both image‐ and nonimage‐forming visual processing. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:2231–2248, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Large amount of research has been undertaken on the effects of conventional thermomechanical treatment and chemistry variations on the mechanical properties of nanostructured bulk materials developed for wire rod and sheet products. The thermomechanical treatments are selected to refine as much as possible the microstructure to achieve high strength. In most of the cases, the alloy additions are deliberated added to be beneficial to the mechanical properties of the nanostructured materials, especially the tensile strength. In addition to refine the microstructure, both the thermomechanical treatments and chemistry variations may also alter the shape and distribution of the strengthening phases. This article describes the nanostructured composites with face-centered cubic (fcc) copper or body-centered cubic (bcc) ferrite as matrix and discusses several factors that affect the mechanical strength of such materials.


This research in brief is a summary of ICTD Working Paper 80 by Kas Sempere : In the broad sense, 'tax justice' explores pro-poor and redistributive tax systems able to reduce inequality. It involves a transparent process of pro-poor collection (those who have less, pay less) and pro-poor expenditure (those who have less, receive more), for instance, through public services. Tax justice has become a popular concept at the international and national levels. For instance, reports and campaigns have exposed the unfairness of tax havens and harmful tax breaks. Yet, the idea of tax justice at the local level is less known and more needs to be done to unpack it.