ABSTRACT Decisions and dicta of the United States Supreme Court provide direct and vivid guidance to business interests, not only in the United States, but across the globe. Large firms use general counsel to provide analysis of significant USSC cases, as well as landmark decisions in key jurisdictions like New York and California. This important case law analysis for large corporations is perceived as a non-essential or unaffordable luxury for small businesses. This paper promotes the use and implementation of LIDM, (Legal Insight Decision Making) as a tool to achieve improved business performance for small business and entrepreneurs; it offers a singularly focused review and preview of business related matters in the current term of the USSC and emphasizes the effect upon small business. INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW Small businesses are less likely and less able to navigate legal complexities than multinational or large corporations for three simple reasons: A small business is less likely to have an expert legal advocate or in-house legal counselor, is presumed to be less likely to be subjected to enforcement of the governing regulations yet bears a disproportionate share of the federal regulatory burden (Grain, Hopkins 2001), and is less likely to be able to afford the time, expertise or expense of lobbying for or against legislation. In fact, the best advocate for the small business owner is typically not an individual legal advisor or attorney, but is likely the Office of Advocacy of the SBA. The Office of Advocacy of the SBA provides extensive data and guidance related to entrepreneurship, job creation, minority and women owned business, banking, lending and credit practices, the environment, venture capitalism and many other important topics. The SBA commissions, funds and publishes research on those topics which are so important to small business interests each year. One important legal topic is the issue of regulatory burdens upon small businesses; in the research triangle of North Carolina, the private consulting firm Management Research and Planning Corporation (MRPC, 2002) investigated the means by which states attempted to piggyback states rules onto the federal Regulatory Flexibility Act. The consultants investigated whether states were effective in alleviating the regulatory burden falling on small businesses. The report concluded that only five states, Virginia, California, New York, Arizona and Illinois were effective in reducing federal regulatory burdens on their residents. However, even the passage of the federal Regulatory Flexibility Act and handmaiden bills like Executive Order 12866 and 13272 which were designed to diminish the federal regulatory burdens on small businesses, cannot fully correct the hefty and disproportionate burden of legal compliance that falls upon small businesses. Cultivation of knowledge of legal cases related to business law requires virtual "signing up on the USSC dance card" to monitor cases under review. Small business and entrepreneurship educators who desire to further the interests of small business owners, as well as consultants, practitioners and educators can utilize a simple program to analyze the meaning of these landmark cases. It is then possible to transmit that understanding to the discipline by publishing research dedicated to the practice of advocacy for small business and all business. Small business management experts and some scholars have recognized that familiarity with laws and regulations which have an impact upon business decisions is sometimes unrelated to decision making (Van Auken, Kauffmann and Herrmann 2009). In a remarkable study of owners' familiarity with Bankruptcy laws and their relation to capital acquisition, Van Auken et al recognized that although information is available, small firms may not have full access to the information nor perhaps do the consultants who advise them. Although the study was confined to Iowa businesses, the findings are likely to be applicable to multiple jurisdictions with similar state rules of bankruptcy exemptions, asset protection rules and states which are deed of trust states. …


This article describes eCHAT (electronic case-finding and help assessment tool), designed to improve health and well-being through systematic screening and intervention for modifiable lifestyle and mental health issues in primary care populations and monitoring to inform continuous quality improvement. eCHAT allows patients to identify unhealthy behaviors (risky substance use, gambling, being subject to abuse, physical inactivity) and negative mood states (depression, anxiety, anger) with which they would like help before a visit using an iPad in the waiting room or via the Internet in the community. Family physicians access summarized results, including scores and interpretations of screening tests at the point of care. eCHAT stimulates conversations between patients and clinicians about life changes they might make, encouraging active participation in decision making and engagement in self-management. Stepped-care clinical decision support tools offer interventions through self-management options to primary care interventions through to secondary care referral. As well as systematically screening and intervening in individual practice populations, anonymous collated and encrypted data also can be used to measure the mental health and lifestyle risk factors and interventions provided at practice network, regional, and national levels to monitor system and organizational performance improvements, identify regional and national variations, benchmark service delivery, and support quality improvement.


Studying similarity of objects by looking at their shapes arises naturally in many applications. However, under different viewpoints one and the same object appears to have different shapes. In addition, the correspondences between their feature points are unknown to the viewer. In this paper, we introduce the concept of intrinsic shape of an object that is invariant to affine-permutation shape distortions. We study geometry of the intrinsic shape space in the framework of differentiable manifolds with the emphasis on the computational aspects. We represent the intrinsic shape space as a folded Grassmann manifold. This allows us to easily analyze and compare different intrinsic shapes under the affine-permutation distortion without explicitly computing and recovering these intrinsic shapes. We present the mathematical equations for connecting two intrinsic shapes by a geodesic, measuring their similarity, and morphing one intrinsic shape onto another.


The profession of psychology in the UK is gradually showing signs of renewed interest in the area of religion/spirituality (e.g., Collicut, 2011). The present study aimed to (i) explore applied psychologists" accounts of their practice in the NHS, UK, with clients with religious/spiritual issues; and (ii) from these accounts identify participants" indications of religious/spiritual competencies. Thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006) was employed and subscribed to a critical realist position. Data was gathered through conducting semi-structured interviews with eight participants employed in the NHS. Following analysis, six super-ordinate themes were presented: [1] broad characteristics attributed to religion/spirituality, [2] personal attributes, [3] knowledge, [4] practice elements, [5] challenges faced when working with and acknowledging the role of religion/spirituality for clients, and [6] developing practice and raising visibility – training and practice.

These themes captured the diverse nature of participants" encounters with issues of religion/spirituality in their clinical work. The complex and diverse roles of religion/spirituality were seen across accounts. Three of the six themes - "personal attributes", "knowledge" and "practice elements" - were instrumental in indicating how participants work with clients" religious/spiritual issues. It appears that in the absence of appropriate training and professional guidance, participants needed to draw on their own personal experience, professional interests and knowledge in order to engage with and meet the needs of clients for whom religion/spirituality is important.

The following broad areas were suggested as participants" indications of religious/spiritual competencies: [1] Recognising the "broad characteristics attributed to religion/spirituality"; [2] Possessing certain "personal attributes"; [3] Having "knowledge"; and [4] Engaging in certain "practices". However, further research and substantial refinement is needed before these areas of competencies can be considered viable. Methodological limitations are considered and further research and professional implications are highlighted.


In this masterful volumethe culmination of his three-volume History of New Testament Research (vol. 1, From Deism to Tubingen, 1992; vol. 2, From Jonathan Edwards to Rudolf Bultmann, 2012)William Baird continues his insightful, balanced, and accessible survey of the major developments in New Testament scholarship. Volume 3 charts the dramatic discoveries and breakthroughs in method and approach that characterized the mid- and late twentieth century. Baird gives attention to the biographical and cultural setting of persons and approaches, affording both beginning student and seasoned scholar an authoritative account of the evolution of historical-critical study of the New Testament.


We report an unusual case of a patient with sporadic visceral myopathy and involvement of the entire gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Visceral myopathy is a form of chronic idiophatic intestinal pseudo-obstruction characterized by vacuolar degeneration, atrophy and fibrosis of the intestinal propia muscle layer without inflammatory cells. It can be found in childhood and adolescence affecting the gastrointestinal and urinary visceral muscle. The familial occurrence can be found in about 30% of cases and the mode of transmission is autosomal recessive in most families. It is crucial to exclude secondary forms of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and to obtain full thickness intestinal biopsy for the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is only beneficial in cases with isolated segmental involvement of the gastrointestinal tract.


This study aims to describe the two most currently used Non - Electronic English textbooks in Banjarmasin in the aspects of (1) the content appropriateness, (2) the presentation appropriateness, (3) the language appropriateness, and (4) their use in Banjarmasin.
This research was descriptive qualitative that was supported by quantitative data. The textbooks were evaluated using Krippendorf's content analysis (2004:83): unitizing, sampling, coding, reducing data, inferring contextual phenomena, and narrating the result. Criteria used were from Pedoman Penilaian Buku Teks Pelajaran Bahasa Inggris developed by the Board of National Education Standard Team, the Ministry of National Education (2007). The data were collected through observations, interview, and C-Test. The research took place in nine SMANs in Banjarmasin from January 2012 to May 2012. The respondents were all of the 102 eleventh grade students and nine English teachers. The validity used democratic validity and triangulation while the reliability used inter-coder reliability. The democratic validity was reached through giving all school components like principals, teachers, and students chances to speak while the triangulation was through experts' crosscheck. The inter-coders were given the needed data that should be ticked then concluded and counted the mean so that the final conclusion was more objective.
The result of the study shows as follows. (1) In the content appropriateness, the two textbooks have met 100% of the materials required for the eleventh grade for IPA and IPS programs, their depth of materials is mostly grouped into not-depth category especially for the exposure and production sub aspects, inaccurate texts are only 9.8 % for Look Ahead 2 and 13% for Progress XI, the materials are also out of date, none of the texts or activities in the textbooks support vocational skills. (2) In the presentation appropriateness, the two textbooks do not apply the balanced portion concept, Look Ahead 2 has the activities related to the learning presentation completely but very unbalancedly while Progress XI does not contain the activities that support self-reflection and self evaluation of students, Look Ahead 2 does not have glossary and indices while Progress XI has them but they do not meet the criteria. (3) In the language appropriateness, the readability level of the two textbooks is high enough, above 50%; there is also found ungrammaticality 16.6% for Look Ahead 2 and 32% for Progress XI, non unified and incoherent sentences in the textbooks under 10%. (4) In the use aspect, the two textbooks are used with changes in the form of addition in materials and activities. The material addition is from the internet and mostly from other books. As a recommendation, it is better to select textbooks before they are used in the classroom based on the criteria rather than on the teachers' personal opinions.


IN AN EDITORIAL written in 1943 for Gastroenterology , Rudolph Schindler 1 suggested that in military hospitals gastric analysis be abandoned as a routine method. In the same issue, Walter C. Alvarez 2 expressed his dissatisfaction with this time-honored test in a somewhat similar vein. He pointed out, "The trouble is that most of the acid values commonly reported by the laboratory are perfectly compatible with a diagnosis of either normal stomach, gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gall stone or gastric cancer." Both Schindler and Alvarez had in mind the measurement of the concentration of free hydrochloric acid in a sample of gastric content removed either one hour after the administration of an Ewald meal or of fractional samples of gastric content removed at 10- or 15-minute intervals. It is probable that most internists and surgeons today would agree that gastric analysis by means of the Ewald test meal, the fractional


Agaricus blazei murill (ABM), Grifola frondosa (GF) and Hericium erinaceus (HE) are mushrooms that are native to China and are widely cultivated in Malaysia for its medicinal uses. They are considered as most important edible and culinary-medicinal biotechnology species. This study was carried out to examine the in vitro toxicity of these medicinal mushrooms and their possible risk to human health. Extracts were prepared from these mushrooms using various solvents. The cytotoxicity of these extracts was determined by using the MTT assay [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] in the Chinese hamster fibroblast cell line (V79). Five different concentrations of the mushroom extracts (2mg/ml, 1mg/ml, 0.5mg/ml, 0.25mg/ml and 0.125mg/ml) were used and cytotoxicity was determined following 24 hours treatment. The results showed that only aqueous extracts of Agaricus blazeii murill displayed cytotoxicity effects (IC50--2mg/ml) compared to the methanol extracts. In conclusion, the aqueous extracts of Agaricus blazeii murill showed weak cytotoxicity in vitro compared to methanol extracts, suggesting that these mushrooms are safe to consume.


Embryonic stem cell research is a field of study that continuously develops. From the commencement of science, starting with philosophers such as Aristotle to modern science, different religions have always seemed to take opposing sides concerning the beginning of life. This issue is crucial, as one's religious affiliation offers insight into what it means to be human and the moral status of an embryo. The question asks whether an agreement between religions is even possible, and if so, how would it look? Research has shown that there are several approaches to provide insight to this question, those being religious, philosophical, and scientific perspectives regarding the ethics of embryonic stem cell research, although it is not clear if any of these views can provide a concrete answer for the pressing issues formed by embryonic research. Although these ideas cannot necessarily propose a solution for this kind of research, they can provide a framework to understand the foundations of the argument and why differing religions have conviction for their beliefs.


Background and aims: Complimentary medicine plant an important role in treatment of disease because of variety of usefulness. Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad is one of the plants which is used to make nanoparticles.this study aims in Preparation, characterization and in vitro biology study of Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad essential oil-loaded chitosan nanoparticles. Method: The fabrication of Satureja khuzestanica Jamza essential oil (SKE) -loaded chitosan nanoparticles was achieved by a two-step method: oil-in water emulsion and ionic gelation of chitosan with pentasodium tripolyphosphate. Results: The obtained particles possessed encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) in the ranges of 13–30% and 3–11.2%, respectively, when the initial carvacrol content was 1–2% of chitosan. The individual particles exhibited a spherical shape with an average diameter of 185.5 nm, and a positively charged surface with a zeta potential value of −24.3 mV. The increment of initial carvacrol content caused a reduction of surface charge. SKE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. agalactiae, E. faecalis, L. monocytogenes, E. coli, S. typhi, S. paratyphi, S. enterica, with an MIC of 62.5, 15.6, 125, 15.6, 7.8, 62.5, 7.8, 15.6, 500 µg/mL, respectively. Skin inflammation was induced in the right hind paw of rats by the topical application of 2 mg/paw of carrageenan dissolved in 0.2 ml of 0.9% saline solution. The anti-inflammatory effect of the SKE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (25, 50,100 mg/kg) were compared to diclofenac sodium (200mg/kg). SKE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (50 mg/kg) produced significant anti-inflammatory effect (P<0.01). Conclusion: The findings from our present study suggest that SKE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. SKE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles could serve a potential novel compounds effective in inflammatory and antibacterial conditions.


Importance
Cryptogenic sensory peripheral neuropathy (CSPN) is highly prevalent and often disabling due to neuropathic pain. Metabolic syndrome and its components increase neuropathy risk. Diet and exercise have shown promise but are limited by poor adherence.

Objective
To determine whether topiramate can slow decline in intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) and/or neuropathy-specific quality of life measured using the Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy (NQOL-DN) scale.

Design, Setting, and Participants
Topiramate as a Disease-Modifying Therapy for CSPN (TopCSPN) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted between February 2018 and October 2021. TopCSPN was performed at 20 sites in the National Institutes of Health-funded Network for Excellence in Neurosciences Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT). Individuals with CSPN and metabolic syndrome aged 18 to 80 years were screened and randomly assigned by body mass index (<30 vs ≥30), which is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Patients were excluded if they had poorly controlled diabetes, prior topiramate treatment, recurrent nephrolithiasis, type 1 diabetes, use of insulin within 3 months before screening, history of foot ulceration, planned bariatric surgery, history of alcohol or drug overuse in the 2 years before screening, family history of a hereditary neuropathy, or an alternative neuropathy cause.

Interventions
Participants received topiramate or matched placebo titrated to a maximum-tolerated dose of 100 mg per day.

Main Outcomes and Measures
IENFD and NQOL-DN score were co-primary outcome measures. A positive study was defined as efficacy in both or efficacy in one and noninferiority in the other.

Results
A total of 211 individuals were screened, and 132 were randomly assigned to treatment groups: 66 in the topiramate group and 66 in the placebo group. Age and sex were similar between groups (topiramate: mean [SD] age, 61 (10) years; 38 male [58%]; placebo: mean [SD] age, 62 (11) years; 44 male [67%]). The difference in change in IENFD and NQOL-DN score was noninferior but not superior in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (IENFD, 0.21 fibers/mm per year; 95% CI, -0.43 to ∞ fibers/mm per year and NQOL-DN score, -1.52 points per year; 95% CI, -∞ to 1.19 points per year). A per-protocol analysis excluding noncompliant participants based on serum topiramate levels and those with major protocol deviations demonstrated superiority in NQOL-DN score (-3.69 points per year; 95% CI, -∞ to -0.73 points per year). Patients treated with topiramate had a mean (SD) annual change in IENFD of 0.56 fibers/mm per year relative to placebo (95% CI, -0.21 to ∞ fibers/mm per year). Although IENFD was stable in the topiramate group compared with a decline consistent with expected natural history, this difference did not demonstrate superiority.

Conclusion and Relevance
Topiramate did not slow IENFD decline or affect NQOL-DN score in the primary ITT analysis. Some participants were intolerant of topiramate. NQOL-DN score was superior among those compliant based on serum levels and without major protocol deviations.

Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02878798.


In recent years there has been a growing interest in the study of sparse representation of signals. Using an overcomplete dictionary that contains prototype signal-atoms, signals are described by sparse linear combinations of these atoms. Applications that use sparse representation are many and include compression, regularization in inverse problems, feature extraction, and more. Recent activity in this field has concentrated mainly on the study of pursuit algorithms that decompose signals with respect to a given dictionary. Designing dictionaries to better fit the above model can be done by either selecting one from a prespecified set of linear transforms or adapting the dictionary to a set of training signals. Both of these techniques have been considered, but this topic is largely still open. In this paper we propose a novel algorithm for adapting dictionaries in order to achieve sparse signal representations. Given a set of training signals, we seek the dictionary that leads to the best representation for each member in this set, under strict sparsity constraints. We present a new method-the K-SVD algorithm-generalizing the K-means clustering process. K-SVD is an iterative method that alternates between sparse coding of the examples based on the current dictionary and a process of updating the dictionary atoms to better fit the data. The update of the dictionary columns is combined with an update of the sparse representations, thereby accelerating convergence. The K-SVD algorithm is flexible and can work with any pursuit method (e.g., basis pursuit, FOCUSS, or matching pursuit). We analyze this algorithm and demonstrate its results both on synthetic tests and in applications on real image data


Most state universities in Chile (15 out of 18) have monetary incentive policies for scientific publications, but they are based on criteria that do not necessarily aim to improve institutional performance in all disciplines. This work compares affinities and differences of these policies in three areas: (i) type of publications encouraged, (ii) beneficiaries, and (iii) monetary amounts per type of publication. It was found that the 15 universities encourage publications with WoS indexing, 13 do so for Scopus and SciELO, and 6 are open to other databases. Only seven institutions encourage the production of books and book chapters. As expected, the 15 universities direct the incentives to their academic staff, although with different requirements, six accept non-academic staff, and only one university considers its student body. In general, the highest monetary amounts are received by WoS publications, with differentiation by quartile or impact factor of the journal. All in all, there is a clear need to design incentive policies in universities that are more homogeneous and take into account the "quality" and "impact" of the research they publish based on different metrics that tend to provide robust analyses in the different areas of knowledge.


In this study, we draw on findings from one year of participant observation and 12 in-depth interviews with men in a highly-ranked English university rugby team in order to nuance theoretical understandings concerning the re-production of homosexually-themed discourse in organised sport. We use ethnographic data to theorise the complex relationship between language, homosocial masculine relationships and organised sport. In examining the political, intentional and inadvertent effects of these men's discourses, we define and discuss the notion of gay discourse as a form of heteronormativity that is dissimilar to the traditional use of homophobic discourse. Highlighting that homosexually-themed discourse is best understood as a continuum, we stress the importance of context in interpreting the meaning and explicating the effects of this kind of discourse.


In this article, we present a framework for visual action planning of complex manipulation tasks with high-dimensional state spaces, focusing on manipulation of deformable objects. We propose a latent space roadmap (LSR) for task planning, which is a graph-based structure globally capturing the system dynamics in a low-dimensional latent space. Our framework consists of the following three parts. First, a mapping module (MM) that maps observations is given in the form of images into a structured latent space extracting the respective states as well as generates observations from the latent states. Second, the LSR, which builds and connects clusters containing similar states in order to find the latent plans between start and goal states, extracted by MM. Third, the action proposal module that complements the latent plan found by the LSR with the corresponding actions. We present a thorough investigation of our framework on simulated box stacking and rope/box manipulation tasks, and a folding task executed on a real robot.


Finding the optimal physical design for an electronic system is extremely time-consuming. In this paper, we describe a sequential global optimization methodology that can lead to better designs in less time, and illustrate its use by optimizing the design of a heat sink for a simple system. The results show the need for a global approach, the insights that can be gained through automated design optimization, and illustrate the efficiency of the reported methodology in finding the optimum design.


Hurwitz numbers enumerate ramified coverings of a sphere. Equivalently, they can be expressed in terms of combinatorics of the symmetric group; they enumerate factorizations of permutations as products of transpositions. It turns out that these numbers obey a huge number of relations represented in the form of partial differential equations for their generating function. This includes equations of the KP hierarchy, Virasoro-type constraints, Chekhov-Eynard-Orantin-type recursion and others. Only a few of these relations can be derived from elementary combinatorics of permutations. All other relations follow from a deep relationship of Hurwitz numbers with moduli spaces of curves, Gromov-Witten invariants, matrix models, integrable systems and other domains of mathematics which are often referred to as `mathematical physics'.

When discussing Hurwitz numbers in the talks, we consider them, thereby, as a sufficiently elementary but highly nontrivial model of all mentioned theories where all computations can be fulfilled completely, and all formulated relations can be checked explicitly in computer experiments.


The sources for pre-Arab trans-Saharan contacts are poor, but at least for the central Sahara a picture can be made out. The alignment of rock paintings and engravings of chariots along two trans-Saharari routes has been supposed to prove regular traffic across the desert. The inference is unjustified, but literary and archaeological sources indicate that the conclusion is correct. Herodotus attests the use of a route running west from Egypt to the Fezzan, then apparently south-west via Tassili and Hoggar to the Niger. This corresponds with the central Saharan 'chariot-route'. There was also a route to the Garamantes of the Fezzan from the Punic settlements on the coast of Tripolitania. Carthage imported from the Garamantes the precious stones known as 'carbuncles', which were apparently brought to the Fezzan from the south-west. Other possible imports are slaves and gold. Carthage imported gold from West Africa by sea, and it seems likely that her explorations down the coast were inspired by an overland trade in gold. But there is no direct evidence for such a trade. In the second century B.C. Rome replaced Carthage in control of the coast of Tripolitania. Between 20 B.C. and A.D. 86 she fought a series of wars with the Garamantes. Later friendly relations were established, but further trouble led to the organization of the 'limes Tripolitanus' after A.D. 201. Trade is attested by imported Roman material in tombs of the Fezzan dating from the late first to the fourth centuries. There is evidence that the Romans imported ivory from the Garamantes, and slaves are now attested directly. The commodities exported north by the Garamantes came not from the Fezzan, but from farther south. Literary sources refer to hunting expeditions and raids to the south, and finds of Roman material have been made along the 'chariot-route' south-west of the Fezzan as far as Ti-m-Missao. Trade ended with the collapse of Roman rule in North Africa. It was revived with the Byzantine reconquest after A.D. 533, and Christianity penetrated to the Fezzan. In 666 the Arabs overran the Fezzan.


In order to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in the world, we formulate S1 subunit of the virus with two types of adjuvants, amphiphilic adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CpG ODN for TLR9, into cationic multifunctional liposomes to produce a potent, safer, and translatable nanovaccine. The results show that the nanovaccine can efficiently elicit humoral immune response in mice. The sera from the vaccinated mice significantly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 to infect Vero cells. Moreover, relatively to the free S1 with traditional Alum adjuvant, the nanovaccine can elicit strong T cell immunity by activating both CD4+ and CD8+ cells, which may play critical roles in eliminating viral load in patients. Most importantly, the nanovaccine can elicit strong IgA antibody, providing potential mucosal protection to host. Altogether, this study offers a translatable design for a potent subunit SARS-CoV-2 nanovaccine.


A three year field and investigative study carried out on 33 individual sanitation systems showed that the frequency of septic tank emptying could be at least 5 years, corresponding to a sludge accumulation rate of 0.2 lfuser.day. This value should be included in the calculation of septic tank sizing. Other data showed within a septic tank the methanogenesis is only effective after 2 years of operation. Thereby a septic tank should not be desludged before this period of time. At last, among all the physico-chemical parameters monitored to study the sludge quality, the best indicators of system failures were both the solids (TS and VS) and soluble matter (COD and some VF A). Then, biochemical study of septic tank sludge showed that the main hydrolytic enzymes (cellulase, phosphatase, protease, lipase and urease) are present in septic tank sludges and linked to the insoluble particles. Their solubilization with different solvents (buffers. surfactants ... ) showed each enzyme was linked in a different way.


Abstract Bupleurum euphorbioides is a rare native plant attributed with analgesic, gallbladder-supportive, and other functions in China and the Republic of Korea. However, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of the native plant B. euphorbioides has not been determined. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome sequence, and examined the molecular phylogeny and genetic information of B. euphorbioides. The total chloroplast genome of B. euphorbioides was 154,871 bp in length with a large single-copy region (85,089 bp), small single-copy region (17,714 bp), and pair of inverted repeats regions (26,034 bp). The chloroplast genome encoded a total of 176 genes, including 131 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic tree indicated that B. euphorbioides was the most closely related to B. latissimum.


Plasmonic tweezers use surface plasmon polaritons to confine polarizable nanoscale objects. Among the various designs of plasmonic tweezers, only a few can observe immobilized particles. Moreover, a limited number of studies have experimentally measured the exertable forces on the particles. The designs can be classified as the protruding nanodisk type or the suppressed nanohole type. For the latter, microscopic observation is extremely challenging. In this paper, a new plasmonic tweezer system is introduced to monitor particles, both in directions parallel and orthogonal to the symmetric axis of a plasmonic nanohole structure. This feature enables us to observe the movement of each particle near the rim of the nanohole. Furthermore, we can quantitatively estimate the maximal trapping forces using a new fluidic channel.


There is a need to find interventions able to reduce the extent of injury in reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) beyond timely reperfusion. In this review, we summarise the clinical impact of STEMI from epidemiological, clinical and biological perspectives. We also revise the pathophysiology underlying the ischaemia/reperfusion syndrome occurring in reperfused STEMI, including the several players involved in this syndrome, such as cardiomyocytes, microcirculation and circulating cells. Interventions aimed to reduce the resultant infarct size, known as cardioprotective therapies, are extensively discussed, putting the focus on both mechanical interventions (i.e. ischaemic conditioning) and promising pharmacological therapies, such as early intravenous metoprolol, exenatide and other glucose modulators, N-acetylcysteine as well as on some other classic therapies which have failed to be translated to the clinical arena. Novel targets for evolving therapeutic interventions to ameliorate ischaemia/reperfusion injury are also discussed. Finally, we highlight the necessity to improve the study design of future randomised clinical trials in the field, as well as to select patients better who can most likely benefit from cardioprotective interventions.


Social scientists have proposed several concepts to give account of the way scientific life organizes. By studying "complexity sciences" – established in the mid-1980s by the "Santa Fe Institute" in New Mexico (USA) –, the present article addresses to interdisciplinary studies and emergent domains literature by proposing a new concept to describe this domain. Drawing from Bourdieusian sociology of science and STS, a "scientific platform" is defined as a meeting point between different specialties, which, on the basis of a flexible common ground, pursue together shared or parallel socio-epistemic objectives. Most of the specialties inscribed in complexity suffer from a relative marginality in their disciplinary field. The term "platform" refers to what the heterogeneous members of the collective mutualize, both in cognitive and social terms, in order to exist and expand.


The observation, measurement, and analysis of violent and contentious processes are essential parts of the scientific study of peace and conflict. However, concepts such as the level of repression, the number of individuals killed during a civil war, or the perception of members of an out-group, are often by definition difficult to observe directly. This is because governments, non-state groups, NGOs, international organizations, monitoring organizations, and other actors are not incentivized to make information about their actions systematically observable to analysts. In this context, latent variable models can play a valuable role by aggregating various behavioral indicators and signals together to help measure latent concepts of interest that would not otherwise be directly observable. Each of the articles in this special issue uses some form of a latent variable model or related measurement model to bring together observable pieces of information and estimate a set of values for the underlying theoretical concept of interest. Each of the articles pays special attention to the processes that make the observation of peace and conflict processes so challenging. As we highlight throughout this introductory article, the unifying framework we present in this special issue is validation. Though the substantive content of each of the articles in this special issue varies, they represent the diversity of substantive interests that span the study of peace and conflict, broadly conceived. Overall, we hope that the special issue becomes a standard reference for scholars interested in developing and validating new measurement models for the study of peace and conflict.


We present a primitive-level pipelining method in rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) technology. In RSFQ circuits, binary information is represented by discrete voltage pulses unlike voltage levels in CMOS and related circuits. The method utilizes inherent storage capability in RSFQ primitives as pipeline registers. We propose a new RSFQ primitive that carries out a binary operation, holds the result, and controls the output. As the three tasks are performed in one primitive, it is expected to eliminate interconnect delays that are inevitable if three separate primitives are used. Data is transferred following a request-acknowledgment protocol in a delay-insensitive (DI) fashion. Due to delay insensitivity, high modularity is achieved. As examples, several adders and an array multiplier are designed on the DI model. We confirm the correctness of the circuit designs using a verification tool.


Developments in web technology are creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and venture investors alike and facilitate the emergence of new breeds of introduction services connecting these parties more efficiently. The article relies on clinical analyses of over 40 identified "best practice" angel networks in the U.S. and Europe to provide a systematic study of the newest and most innovative practices in angel networks, focusing in particular on the use of information technology to facilitate the flow of ideas and capital to start-ups and early-stage companies and its implications for tomorrow's private equity markets and the financing of high-potential ventures. It highlights two simultaneous polar developments, one toward the mass distribution of information regarding start-up opportunities (entrepreneur-centric networks) and the other, in reaction to the first, toward extreme screening of the information for a select audience (investor-centric networks).


This work presents a framework for dynamic 3D shape and motion reconstruction from multiviewpoint images using a deformable mesh model. By deforming a mesh at a frame to that at the next frame, we can obtain both 3D shape and motion of the object simultaneously. The deformation process of our mesh model is heterogeneous. Each vertex changes its deformation process according to its 1) photometric property (i.e., if it has prominent texture or not), and 2) physical property (i.e., if it is an element of rigid part of the object or not). This heterogeneous deformation model enables us to reconstruct the object which consists of different kinds of materials or parts with different motion models, e.g., rigidly acting body parts and deforming soft clothes or its skins, by a single and unified computational framework.


Quantum entanglement is ubiquitous in the microscopic world and manifests itself macroscopically under some circumstances. But common belief is that it alone cannot be used to transmit information nor could it be used to produce macroscopic non-local effects. Yet we have recently found evidence of non-local effects of chemical substances on the brain produced through it. While our reported results are under independent verifications by other groups, we report here our experimental findings of non-local chemical, thermal and gravitational effects in simple physical systems such as reservoirs of water quantum-entangled4 with water being manipulated in a remote reservoir. With the aids of high-precision instruments, we have found that the pH value, temperature and gravity of water in the detecting reservoirs can be non-locally affected through manipulating water in the remote reservoir. In particular, the pH value changes in the same direction as that being manipulated; the temperature can change against that of local environment; and the gravity can change against local gravity. These non-local effects are all reproducible and can be used for non-local signalling and many other purposes. We suggest that they are mediated by quantum entanglement between nuclear and/or electron spins in treated water and discuss the profound implications of these results.


Abstract Isoniazid is one of the most important drugs in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis; of all the antituberculous drugs, it is one of the most commonly implicated drugs in drug-induced psychosis. We report a case of isoniazid-induced psychosis in a 31-year-old patient with pulmonary tuberculosis.


Copper-64 was produced in large scales and high specific activities in late 1990s' using compact cyclotrons based by 64Ni(p,n)64Cu reaction and many radiopharmaceuticals developed since then by various groups based on interesting physicochemical and nuclear properties of the radionuclide. The unique emission of beta particles as well as positron particles offers a spectacular real therapeutic/diagnostic ("Theranostic") radionuclide in nuclear medicine. Although the development of copper-64 radiopharmaceuticals continued with a slower rate in 2010s' due to availability of 68Ga-tracers, however recent advances in application of therapeutic doses of 64Cu has emerged a new trend in the radiopharmaceutical development based on coppe-64. In this review, recent advances in the copper-64 theranostic radiopharmaceuticals including introduction of new chelating groups with enhanced stability as well as radiolabelling conditions as well as application of simple 64CuCl2 radiopharmaceutical as areal theranostic agent in human subjects are summarized. A proposed strategy for development of peptide based copper-64 radiopharmaceuticals with high and low dose therapeutic applications has been suggested.


An equivalent dipole model is proposed in this paper to represent the source of radiated electromagnetic emissions from an integrated circuit (IC). The height of an IC is usually much smaller than its length and width, so only three dipole moments are sufficient to characterize an IC in terms of its electromagnetic emissions. The dipole moments can be extracted from three TEM cell measurements. The radiated fields from the IC can then be calculated based on the extracted dipole sources. This IC emission model with three dipole moments is validated using the far-field measurements in a semi anechoic chamber for a test IC. For complex structures, it is desirable that the extracted dipole moments can be incorporated into a commercial full-wave tool as equivalent sources to simulate the radiations from an IC. This is demonstrated using an approach developed in this paper.


The empirical investigation in this paper develops the perspective of media in education by focusing on how the use of film in education stimulates the production of cultural, societal and social values and norms in school when pupils talk about "the police" in school cinema activities in Sweden. "Police" is regarded as a keyword and stereotype and the analysis focuses on how difference is created and negotiated between pupils and between pupils and teachers. Moreover, the paper highlights how acknowledging or disavowing difference is used by the pupils to position themselves. The result suggests that pupils create the police as negative and positive sign to gain position as: (1) included in a welfare society and (2) as problem solvers in the classroom (and society).


Introduction: Ultrasound cycloplasty (UCP) is commercially available in Europe. It has been shown to have less side effects than its trans-scleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation counterpart in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in refractory glaucoma patients.
Case presentation: This retrospective case series followed seven patients treated with UCP for refractory glaucoma at the Ophthalmology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Patients were aged 52–80 years, with baseline IOP 14–27 mmHg. All patients received sequential activation of the transducers lasting 8 seconds. Postoperatively, patients were followed-up at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. No complications or changes in best-corrected visual acuity were recorded postoperatively. One patient underwent a trabeculectomy 3 months post-procedure, whilst the others continued regular medication. At 1-month postoperative, there was IOP reduction of 6–10 mmHg in six patients. At the 3-month follow-up, IOP returned to the preoperative levels. Conservative power and duration of the shots were used to ensure patients safety.
Conclusion: Most studies on UCP safety and efficacy have been conducted on Caucasian populations. A longer duration of UCP may be necessary in the Asian population. Further studies are required to determine the efficacy of UCP in the Asian population.


A well‐known result of Rödl and Ruciński states that for any graph H there exists a constant C such that if p≥Cn−1/m2(H) , then the random graph Gn, p is a.a.s. H‐Ramsey, that is, any 2‐coloring of its edges contains a monochromatic copy of H. Aside from a few simple exceptions, the corresponding 0‐statement also holds, that is, there exists c > 0 such that whenever p≤cn−1/m2(H) the random graph Gn, p is a.a.s. not H‐Ramsey. We show that near this threshold, even when Gn, p is not H‐Ramsey, it is often extremely close to being H‐Ramsey. More precisely, we prove that for any constant c > 0 and any strictly 2‐balanced graph H, if p≥cn−1/m2(H) , then the random graph Gn, p a.a.s. has the property that every 2‐edge‐coloring without monochromatic copies of H cannot be extended to an H‐free coloring after ω(1) extra random edges are added. This generalizes a result by Friedgut, Kohayakawa, Rödl, Ruciński, and Tetali, who in 2002 proved the same statement for triangles, and addresses a question raised by those authors. We also extend a result of theirs on the three‐color case and show that these theorems need not hold when H is not strictly 2‐balanced.


Family doctors in Scotland have cut the cost of prescribing by 11% at a time when the number of prescriptions issued has risen by a third.

The savings have been achieved by improving the management of GPs' prescribing, including GPs getting regular feedback on their prescribing and most having support from pharmacists. From 2004 to 2012 the quantity of drugs prescribed rose by 33% to 3.2 billion defined daily doses …


This chapter introduces criminal liability for non-compliance with English environmental law. Environmental crime can be defined as behaviour that contravenes statutory provisions for the protection of the ecological and physical environment, where there is some kind of punitive sanction imposed for the contravention, with such provisions sometimes also pursuing the protection of public health. Environmental crime can also include criminal offences created through the common law, such as public nuisance. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss overarching themes, such as key elements of strict liability offences, in criminalizing behaviour that damages the environment, rather than details of specific offences spelt out in particular statutes. The argument here is that environmental crime sits uneasily within the environmental law regulatory landscape, which has been shaped in the UK in recent years by co-operative, 'better regulation' agendas that seek to reduce burdens on business.


436 Erciyes Med J 2020; 42(4): 436–40 • DOI: 10.14744/etd.2020.00907 ORIGINAL ARTICLE – OPEN ACCESS This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Şahin Temel , Kürşat Gündoğan , Birkan Ülger , Hüseyin Arıcan , Kadir Bulut , Ali Sarı , Hilal Sipahioğlu , Ali Yeşiltepe , Ayşim Ertürk , Özgür Karabıyık , Murat Sungur Characteristics and Outcomes of the Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Admitted to Intensive Care Units: Erciyes University COVID-19 Center Experience Objective: This study aims to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively in a medical ICU. All patients admitted to were either laboratory-confirmed or clinically probable COVID-19 patients, and all patients admitted to our ICU during this period were enrolled in the study. Results: We enrolled 47 patients. The mean age was 68.4±13.4 years and 66% of patients were male. The most common co-morbidities were hypertension (66%) and cardiovascular diseases (40%). The mean APACHE II score was 22.4±8.5, and the first-day median SOFA score was 5 (range: 1–12). Hydroxychloroquine was the most common drug prescribed (78.7%). All patients received at least one antibiotic other than Azithromycin as the most common drug was Piperacillin-Tazobactam (63.8%). Among 47 patients, 55.3% (28 patients) who were admitted to the ICU needed invasive mechanical ventilation. Prone positioning was used in 23% (6 patients) of mechanically ventilated patients. The mean positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 10±3 cm H 2 O. The median PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio was 200 (range, 91–458). The most common ventilator mode was SIMV-PSV volume-controlled mode. ICU mortality rate was 34% (16 patients). Conclusion: The most common reason to admit SARS-CoV-2 infected patients to our ICU was acute respiratory failure and hypoxemia during the first month of pandemics. COVID-19 patients have a high mortality rate when they develop severe disease.


Incidence and mortality rates due to skin cancer are rising in most Western countries. Early detection of these tumours at a stage when they can be easily cured is the primary approach taken by many people wishing to deal with the problem. A primary prevention approach, that is, reduction in sunlight exposure, is being considered by an increasing number of organizations. The public health approach to primary prevention of skin cancer, including melanoma, requires an understanding of the role of sunlight in the production of these tumours. Despite a clear understanding of exactly how sunlight does this, there is enough epidemiological and laboratory evidence to suggest a broad approach to the problem. This includes reduction of sunlight exposure, particularly in childhood and adolescence. It also suggests the need to recommend avoidance of suntanning and particularly the excessive exposures that lead to sunburn. Widespread primary prevention public health programmes have been running in Australia for almost 20 years. The data measuring the effect of these programmes indicate a very large shift in knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about sunlight exposure and suntans, and major shifts in behaviour. Suntans are no longer as popular as they were and people are reducing their sunlight exposure by a variety of methods encapsulated in Slip! Slop! Slap! Cohort analysis of the incidence rates for melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancer show that the incidence of these tumours is levelling out in young people and is dropping in some instances. These are the people who were able to be influenced by the public health programmes in recent decades. Finally, following initial dramatic changes in all the behavioural variables related to the programme, a period of consolidation with continuing effort and more specific targeting will be required in the coming decades to maintain the improvement.


The effects of background n- and p-type doping on Zn diffusion in GaAs/AlGaAs multilayered structures are investigated by secondary-ion-mass spectrometry and photoluminescence measurements. Zn diffusions are performed at 575 degrees C into Si-doped, Be-doped, and Si/Be-codoped identical GaAs/Al0.2Ga0.8As multiple-quantum-well structures. The results obtained by secondary-ion-mass spectrometry show that the Zn diffusion induces an enhancement of Be out-diffusion and the disordering of all structures. The effective Zn diffusivity and the disordering rate are increased by Be doping and reduced by Si doping. Photoluminescence measurements give information about the reactions of different point defects during the diffusion process. Before Zn diffusion, the Si-doped structures contain a high concentration of column-III vacancies, whereas As vacancies are the dominant defects in the Be-doped structures. After Zn diffusion, we observe a reduction of column-III vacancy concentration in Si-doped structures and an increase of column-III interstitial concentration in Be-doped structures. A model based on the "kick-out" mechanism of Zn diffusion is proposed to explain our observations. The supersaturation of column-III interstitials behind the Zn diffusion front is responsible for the enhancements of Al-Ga interdiffusion and Be out-diffusion. The effective Zn diffusivity is controlled by the background donor or acceptor concentration ahead of the Zn diffusion front and by the concentration of column-III interstitials behind the Zn diffusion front. For Be-doped structures, the increase in the background acceptor concentration and the supersaturation of column-III interstitials in the Zn-diffused region results in an enhancement of the Zn diffusivity. For Si-doped structures, the effective Zn diffusivity decreases with increasing background donor concentration. Moreover, the concentrations of column-III interstitials and column-III vacancies in the Zn-diffused region are reduced due to their mutual annihilation, leading to a retardation of Zn diffusion. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)05913-7].


Existing studies on the influence of performance information on budgeting decisions are limited and have produced contradictory findings. This paper argues that most previous work has somewhat problematically focused on self-reported use of performance information rather than on the legislative context into which performance information is introduced. This study offers a framework that links performance information to legislators' budgeting decisions. I argue that the impact will differ depending on whether performance information is reflected in the budget proposal, whether the allocation issue concerns a politically difficult value tradeoff for the decision-maker, and whether the implications of the performance information fall into a receptive partisan mind. This paper studies these aspects by manipulating the first two of these factors in an experimental setting involving budgetary decision-making by 57 actual legislators. The control groups consist of 65 undergraduate students. The results show that the introduction of performance information into the legislators' deliberation process leads to stronger deviations from the status quo allo-cation. I argue that this difference occurs because performance information highlights more clearly the expected consequences of budgetary changes and allows for more pronounced reactions. This paper concludes that more informed decisions based on good performance budgets might also create a situation in which it is more difficult for legislators to compromise because individual positions become more polarized.


The CARDI E-bulletin provides up-to-date information on ageing research including events, funding opportunities, latest research and innovation.CARDI E-Bulletin: Nov/Dec 2011


The complex Radon correspondence relates an n-dimensional projective space with the Grassmarm manifold of its p-dimensional planes. This is the geometric background of the Radon-Penrose transform, which intertwines cohomology classes of homogeneous line bundles with holomorphic solutions to the generalized massless field equations. A good framework to deal with such problems is provided by the recently developed theory of integral transforms for sheaves and £>-modules. In particular, an adjunction formula describes the range of transforms acting on general function spaces, associated with constructible sheaves. The linear group SL(n + 1,C) naturally acts on the Radon correspondence. A distinguished family of function spaces is then the one associated with locally constant sheaves along the closed orbits of the real forms of SL(n 4- 1, C). In this paper, we systematically apply the above-mentioned adjunction formula to such function spaces. We thus obtain in a unified manner several results concerning the complex, conformal, or real Radon transforms.


2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF) and furfuryl alcohol (FFA) are two substituted furans that are formed during the processing of foods and have also been used as food flavorings. DMF and FFA are proposed to be bioactivated by human sulfotransferases (SULTs) which are not expressed in conventional cell lines used for genotoxicity testing. Therefore, in addition to the standard V79 cell line, we used a transfected V79 derived cell line co-expressing human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 and human SULT1A1 to assess the genotoxicity of DMF and FFA. The alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was used to detect DNA damage in the form of single strand breaks and alkali-labile sites after exposure to DMF (0.5h; 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2mM) or FFA (3h; 1, 3, 6 or 15mM). DMF induced DNA damage in V79 cells in a concentration-dependent manner irrespective of the expression of human CYP2E1 and SULT1A1. Almost no increase in the level of DNA damage was detected after exposure to FFA, except for a weak effect at the highest concentration in the transfected cell line. The results suggest that DNA damage in V79 cells from exposure to DMF detected by the alkaline SCGE assay is independent of human CYP2E1 and SULT1A1, and the genotoxic effect of FFA, as assessed by SCGE, is minimal in V79 cells.


OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with use of a veterinarian by small-scale food animal operations.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional descriptive survey.

SAMPLE
16,000 small-scale farm or ranch operations in all 50 states.

PROCEDURES
Surveys were conducted via mail or telephone during 2011 for small-scale operations (gross annual agricultural sales between $10,000 and $499,999) in which an animal or animal product comprised the highest percentage of annual sales.

RESULTS
8,186 (51.2%) operations responded to the survey; 7,849 surveys met the inclusion criteria. For 6,511 (83.0%) operations, beef cattle were the primary animal species. An estimated 82.1% of operations (95% confidence interval [CI], 81.1% to 83.0%) had a veterinarian available ≤ 29 miles away; 1.4% (95% CI, 1.2% to 1.7%) did not have a veterinarian available within 100 miles of the operation. Operations for which the nearest veterinarian was ≥ 100 miles away or for which a veterinarian was not available were located in 40 US states. Overall, 61.7% of operations (95% CI, 60.6% to 62.9%) had used a veterinarian during the 12 months prior to the survey. Producers with college degrees were significantly more likely to use a veterinarian (675%) versus those who did not complete high school (52.9%).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results of this study indicated most small-scale operations had adequate access to veterinarians during 2011, but there seemed to be localized shortages of veterinarians in many states.


Oil belongs to nonrenewable resources. With the oil supply relatively limited and the global economy enters a fast development cycle and oil demand is increasing, oil prices rising is inevitable. Impact of high oil prices is deep and continuous, will change our country's energy production and consumption structure. As China's largest offshore oil and gas producers, China's CNOOC must take positive and correct development strategy, and energetically develop and use of in the new energy, and provide high quality energy for our country's economic and social development. This paper expounds some effort in the field of new energy development and utilization of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation(CNOOC), mainly including wind power development, bio-fuels development, natural gas hydrate recover and so on.


Artificial metalloenzymes have received increasing attention over the last decade as a possible solution to unaddressed challenges in synthetic organic chemistry. Whereas traditional transition-metal catalysts typically only take advantage of the first coordination sphere to control reactivity and selectivity, artificial metalloenzymes can modulate both the first and second coordination spheres. This difference can manifest itself in reactivity profiles that can be truly unique to artificial metalloenzymes. This Review summarizes attempts to modulate the second coordination sphere of artificial metalloenzymes by using genetic modifications of the protein sequence. In doing so, successful attempts and creative solutions to address the challenges encountered are highlighted.


Abstract Purpose To systematically identify, describe and characterise the collaborative initiatives, which have been established between the Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam and local health care providers in the adjacent community. Background The viability of university hospitals is jeopardised. Their narrowed orientation on delivering the most advanced services to the sickest patients challenges their missions in patient care, science and education. By linking up with local health care providers, university hospitals create synergistic relationships that should secure these three academic missions for the future. Methods We conducted a multiple case study in two stages. Initially, division leaders and the director of integrated care were consulted to identify all existing collaborative initiatives of the Academic Medical Centre. Successively, face-to-face interviews were held with the leaders of these initiatives. During these interviews data were primarily collected through a questionnaire. Notes of the interviewer, and documents (if available) were also collected. The analysis focused on systematically describing and characterising the initiatives using the concept of 'community-based integrated care'. Results Twenty-seven heterogeneous initiatives were identified. Half of these initiatives are targeted to the adjacent community of the Academic Medical Centre, but only four of them are initiated on the basis of community information and involve the community and/or patients. Furthermore, the extent of integration differed per dimension. Functional integration within the initiatives has been relatively low, clinical integration mixed, and professional integration quite advanced. Conclusions The results indicate that a considerable number of collaborative initiatives have emerged. Still, these initiatives are loosely 'community-based' and hardly focus on the full integration of care services. This suggests that the community linkages of the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam could be further developed by gaining the full support of all clinical departments for the strategic approach and by adapting an overall hospital perspective to monitor the progress towards community-based integrated care.


An infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has unveiled a hitherto hidden reality: the vulnerability of the population living in long-term care facilities for the elderly (LTCF). To date, several scientific publications have revealed a concentration of up to 60% of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in such institutions. Most LTFC residents share the primary risk factors currently associated with increased morbimortality due to the COVID-19 infection. It is crucial to define actions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread in this environment, besides the usual measures of social distancing and isolation of the carriers of this disease. This paper proposes strategies for the investigation of this infection in LTCF residents and workers using laboratory tests available in Brazil. The early identification of individuals with SARS-CoV-2, who may actively and continuously spread the virus, allows adopting measures aimed at interrupting the local transmission cycle of this infection.


This thesis explores the benefits of lifelong learning and employs narrative inquiry as a key methodological tool to assess the value of learning in later years for black Caribbean women who came to Britain in the 1950s and early 1960s with the expectation of a better life. The study engages with black feminist epistemology (Collins, 2000; hooks, 2001; Hudson-Weems, 2004) to explore social and cultural identities brought to learning, illustrating solidarity in Caribbean sisterhood as the women find ways to rise above past and current oppression. The research examines the nature of learning for a category of women who are living at a time when being black, female and older is often associated with deteriorating health, poverty and isolation and challenges those who might argue that in urban areas, older minority populations have little to offer.
Lifelong learning has been studied in a variety of ways and diverse research has examined its nature (Coffield, 1997, Field, 2000), its significant benefits (Schuller, 2001); its role in an ageing society (McNair, 2007, Withnall, 2000, Aldridge and Tuckett, 2001, Soulsby, 1999, McGivney, 1999), and in addressing class and gender divides (Jackson, 2004). However, limited empirical research exists exploring lifelong learning and minority ethnic communities and this study therefore seeks to make an important contribution in this area.
The context for the research is located within the wider, largely economic debates into lifelong learning and often conflicting government rhetoric in the UK. It is set against a backdrop of shifting policies and diminishing resources for widening participation and adult learning and acknowledges the global challenge of an ageing society. Through contemporary narrative inquiry embedded primarily in the works of, Clandinin (2007) and Chase (2005), the study draws on the narratives of 102 older African Caribbean women, exploring the social and political dimensions of lifelong learning, alongside the individual benefits, and questions the extent to which their learning also benefits their wider communities.


This study proposes a reading of my works and research, which I produced in two years, around the concepts of language, memory and meaning. How far do language and writing enable us to communicate or represent ourselves? My research investigates the presence of a possible contingency and fictional quality of testimony and witness inherent in established structures. Throughout the study, the role of boundary is examined in terms of language, body and their intertwined relation in the context of meaning. While articulating the problematic of these conceptions, the border between ourselves, the border between me and you, between inside and outside become a focal point. How can a relationship with the past functions within the learned language? All the documents of recording imply a threat that is all related to the archive of memory. How is it possible to recall the past through writing and speaking?


Abstract Background: Thai Mental Health Indicator (TMHI), developed by Department of Mental Health (DMH), can measure happiness status and screen mental problems. In late adolescence, many changes occur including emotional status, thoughts, societal grouping identification, relationships and academic stressor. These factors can affect their happiness status. Objectives : To study the happiness status and related factors among Grade 10-12 students at Khonkaenwittayayon School, Khon Kaen, 2006 Design : Cross-sectional descriptive study Setting :  Khon Kaen Wittayayon School Population : 2,188 second-semester students in grade 10-12 at Khonkaen Wittayayon School in academic year 2006 Sampling Method :  Cluster sampling Sample Size :  450 students Measurements : Self-administered questionnaire and Thai Mental Health Index (TMHI) 2004 Data were analyzed using median, Inter Quartile Range, frequencies, percent, Pearson Chi-square, Multiple logistic regression, OR and 95% CI Results: There was 91.8% response rate. The median of the happiness scores were 34 (95% CI: 33, 34) and IQR = 6.25.  Overall happiness status was fair.  According to DMH, 10.1% of the population has poor happiness status, 45.1% fair and 44.8% good.  We found no differences in happiness status between sex and grade. The significantly related factors for happiness status were: (1) a student's income (P=0.017) [OR = 0.38(95%C1:0.17, 0.84)]; (2) parents' marital status (P=0.030) [OR = 0.42(95%C1:0.20, 0.92)] and (3) problems with friends (P=0.028) [OR = 0.44(95%C1:0.21,0.91)] Conclusion: Most of the students had a normal state and greater of happiness status.  The statistically significant related factors were income, parents' marital status and problems with friends.


Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive form of glioma, is often heterogeneous, diffusely invasive and hypervascularized. Despite being aggressive, extracranial metastases are rare, suggesting constraints on hematologic dissemination or distant survival of primary GBM cells. We recently developed a novel microfluidic device, termed the CTC-iChip, for efficient, antigen agnostic capture of rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Using the CTC-iChip, we set out to determine whether GBM cells can be detected in the blood of mice using two orthotopic xenograft models representing diffuse (GBM8) and focal (GBM24) GBM. CTCs were identified in 5/11 and 2/5 mice bearing GBM8 and GBM24 xenografts, respectively. CTC numbers did not correlate with tumor size or latency. We then expanded our analysis to patients and identified CTCs in 12/38 GBM patients with a median 5.3 cells per ml (range: 0 to 48.2 cells per ml). To understand the molecular characteristics of GBM CTCs, we analyzed the expression of 49 GBM-specific and stem cell transcripts in single GBM CTCs from both mouse xenografts models as well as GBM patients. The expression of mesenchymal gene transcripts including VIM, TGFBR2, TGFB, and SERPINE1 was elevated in CTCs compared with cultured cells and matched primary tumor cells. Moreover, CTCs exhibited lower proliferative indices and decreased neural lineage transcripts. To determine the pathophysiologic significance of this expression profile and the prospective origin of GBM CTCs, RNA-ISH was performed on xenografts and patient tumor samples. In the highly migratory GBM8 xenograft model, broad tumor cell expression of CTC/mesenchymal transcripts was observed. However, in the GBM24 focal tumor growth model, CTC/mesenchymal gene transcripts were predominantly expressed in regions of tumor invasion, migration along fiber tracts, and around regions of necrosis. Similarly, RNA-ISH analysis of 6 GBM patient tumors revealed prominent expression of CTC/mesenchymal genes in peri-necrotic and migratory pseudopalisading cells. Finally, RNA-ISH analysis of a rare case of metastatic GBM revealed a significant enrichment of GBM/mesenchymal gene expressing tumor cells within lung and lymph node metastases. Taken together, these data provide the first evidence for the hematologic circulation of GBM cells and reveal the involvement of mesenchymal features in the pathophysiology of malignant brain tumors. Citation Format: James P. Sullivan, Brian V. Nahed, Andrew S. Chi, Marissa N. Madden, Samantha M. Oliveira, Simeon Springer, Hiroaki Wakimoto, Deepak Bhere, Khalid Shah, Phil Spuhler, Ajay M. Shah, David N. Louis, Mehmet Toner, Shyamala Maheswaran, Daniel A. Haber. Molecular characterization of circulating glioblastoma cells identifies a mesenchymal-like tumor cell subpopulation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4004. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4004


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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often observed in hemophilic patients who received a blood transfusion of clotting factor concentrates before the mid-1980s, and this increases comorbidity and mortality rates.1 About 80% of HCV-infected patients have chronic HCV infections, and at least 20% develop end-stage liver disease (ESLD).2,3

In Korea, anti-HCV positivity in 1999 was reported to be 49.1% and 47.9% for hemophilia A and B, respectively; since then, it has steadily decreased to 40.1% and 34.1% in 2005 and 33% and 23.8% in 2012.4 However, among hemophilic patients with anti-HCV positivity, about 31% were positive in HCV RNA testing, and about half remain untreated.5 A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of hepatitis C and the use of antiviral treatment among patients with hemophilia in the Netherlands showed that about 68% of patients remained untreated. The reasons for non-treatment included the fear of unpleasant side effects of antiviral treatment by the patients (46%), normal liver enzyme values (45%), and doctors' beliefs that the treatment was not very effective (35%).6

The response rate of hemophilic patients to interferon (IFN) monotherapy treatment was reported to be low, with a sustained virologic response (SVR) of about 20% (6.5-47.6%); combination therapy of IFN plus ribavirin showed a higher SVR than IFN monotherapy at about 36% (17.7-50.0%).1,7 Reasons for the low SVR with IFN monotherapy compared to non-hemophilic patients include a long duration of HCV infection, male gender, greater prevalence of HCV genotype 1, and high levels of viremia.7 In many studies, combination therapy of pegylated interferon (PegIFN) plus ribavirin resulted in variable treatment response rates due to differences in ethnicities and comorbidities in the patients enrolled. In those studies, the rate of SVR was generally high, at about 49-63% (33-51% in genotype 1/4, 71-86% in genotype 2/3) and showed no difference compared to non-hemophilic patients.1,3,8,9,10,11 Also, severe thrombocytopenia and bleeding tendency, side effects to be considered with the treatment, showed no difference in hemophilic patients compared to non-hemophilic patients11; major bleeding has not been reported in hemophilic patients.9,10,12

Recently, Fransen van de Putte et al.13 compared patients with inherited bleeding disorders (including mainly hemophilia) who either did or did not receive antiviral therapy. The rates of developing ESLD were 0.6%, 1%, 16%, and 19% in the spontaneous clearance group, successful treatment group, never-treated group, and unsuccessful treatment group, respectively.3 In addition, when successful HCV treatment was carried out, hepatic fibrosis improved.13 In summary, the treatment effect and frequency of serious side effects, including bleeding, were not different between hemophilic patients and non-hemophilic patients receiving PegIFN plus ribavirin; furthermore, hepatic fibrosis improved, and the rate of developing ESLD was reduced in the treatment group. Accordingly, unless contraindicated, hemophilia patients with HCV infections must be treated with PegIFN and ribavirin.

The effect of HCV treatment in achieving SVR varies based on ethnicity and country; in the case of Korea, the response to PegIFN plus ribavirin is better than for the US or Europe. However, there have been no studies on IFN monotherapy or combination therapy in domestic hemophilic patients. This may be because interest in hemophilia in Korea is low due to the lack of hemophilic patients, with just 2,204 hemophilic patients, 600 anti-HCV-positive cases, and nearly 200 HCV PCR-positive cases.5 In this issue of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Yang et al. analyzed the treatment effect of PegIFN plus ribavirin in hemophilia patients with HCV infection as subjects. The results were very interesting and surprising. The majority (85.6%) of hemophilic patients demonstrated SVR, and when analyzed by genotype, the rates were 82.4% and 91.7% for genotype 1/6 and genotype 2/3, respectively. This indicates the rate of reaching SVR was higher than reported in other studies. The authors reported high compliance, more patients who were younger, few patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection, and a favorable rate of IL28B polymorphism as the reasons for the high treatment success rate compared to other studies. Many studies have shown that the response to PegIFN plus ribavirin treatment is poorer with older age, HIV co-infection, high viral load, genotype 1, and failure to achieve rapid virologic response (RVR) or early virologic response (EVR).8,9,10,14 Additionally, there is a report that Koreans with HCV infection have the IL28B polymorphism, which shows a favorable response to treatment.14,15

This study showed that among factors important for achieving SVR, only achievement of RVR was significant upon multivariate analysis. In particular, the genotype, which is known as an important factor associated with SVR, was not statistically significant. However, this may be because the success rates of treatment in both groups were relatively similar and because there were few patients. In addition, the rates of severe thrombocytopenia or discontinuation of antiviral treatment due to thrombocytopenia noted in this study did not differ significantly compared with the results of previous studies on non-hemophilic patients. Additionally, severe bleeding was not reported in patients with hemophilia in this study. Although bleeding is the most worrisome complication in patients with hemophilia, the current findings suggest that it would not be problematic to treat patients with HCV infections who also have hemophilia, as long as the guidelines are carefully followed.

This study is significant in that treatment with PegIFN plus ribavirin was reported for HCV-infected patients with hemophilia for the first time in Korea; moreover, there were no severe adverse events compared to non-hemophilic patients. As studies on HCV infection including more than 100 hemophilic patients are rare, this study is expected to play an important role in the treatment of patients with hemophilia. Since a poorer treatment response has been reported for hemophilic patients with past treatment failure9 or HIV co-infection1,16 compared to those without such conditions, further studies are needed on these patients. Protease inhibitors (boceprevir, telaprevir, etc.) have been recently approved for the treatment of HCV genotype 1 infections; in combination with PegIFN plus ribavirin, these may be considered a triple combination therapy as an alternative for such patients.3,14,17 In several recent case reports, successful results have been reported on protease inhibitor-based triple therapy for HCV infection treatment in patients with hemophilia.18,19,20 Additionally, combining current approaches with other new direct acting antivirals, such as NS3/4A protease inhibitor, NS5A inhibitor, NS5B polymerase inhibitor, may shorten the treatment period. Furthermore, in the near future, treatment regimens without interferon will be available to patients for whom interferon therapy is contraindicated.


approved: Signature redacted for privacy. Dr. D. C. Church A series of factorial experiments (4 x 4 and 4 x 4 x 4) was designed to investigate the effects of selected combinations of some major and trace elements upon in vitro rumen cellulose digestion. Inocula, varying in ratios of clarified rumen fluid (strained through No. 50 cheesecloth and centrifuged at 365 x g for 2 minutes) to basal mineral medium to phosphate buffer, were incubated at 39 degrees C with purified cellulose and the corresponding treatments of test elements. After a 24-hr incubation period, cellulose digestion was calculated. In addition, the mineral composition of rumen fluid and rumen bacteria was studied in relation to the mineral composition of the diet of a fistulated steer. Mineral analysis for 6 major and 15 trace elements clearly indicated that, when compared to the diet, concentrations of these elements in the clarified rumen fluid were several times lower, whereas concentrations in rumen bacteria were several times higher. In general, rumen bacteria appeared to concentrate trace elements to a greater extent than major elements with approximately the following overall distribution: elements concentrated in excess of 20 times included Go; 10 to 20 times-Se; 5 to 10 times-Na, F, Al, Fe, Mo; 1 to 5 times-Ca, K, Mg, S, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, F, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn. Chromium was the only element found to be in lesser concentrations in rum en bacteria than in the diet. Significant interactions (P< . 05) affecting in vitro rumen cellulose digestion were found amongst the following combinations of elements: Mn-Zn, Ga-Zn, Mg-Ca, Mn-Fe, S-Mg-Ni, P-Mg-Ni, Mg-Co, P-Mg-Go, Mg-Co-Ni, and Cu-Mo-S. Additions of non-toxic levels of Mn partially but significantly reversed the inhibition in cellulose digestion caused by additions of excessive Zn. This protective effect remained significant when ratios of clarified rumen fluid to basal mineral medium to phosphate buffer were altered. Similarly, additions of Ga to the incubation medium significantly (P<. 05) protected against the toxicity of excessive Zn. The significant (P <. 05) depression caused by excessive Ca, on the other hand, was partially but significantly reversed by additions of Mg. Added Fe (only at levels of 10 j.g/m1) had some protection against the depression in cellulose digestion caused by excessive Mn. Additions of 0. 1 percent NaC1 were effective in counteracting the depression in cellulose digestion caused by excesses of KC1, however, additions of larger quantities of NaC1 in the presence of 1. 0 percent KC1 resulted in total suppression of cellulose digestion. Significant interactions (P<. 05) were found between S, Mg and Ni. Additions of non-toxic levels of Mg partially reversed the severe depression in digestion caused by excessive Ni with additions of S or P significantly enhancing this protection. Non-toxic levels of Mg were also successful in alleviating the depressing effects of excessive Co. Additions of S or P, however, were ineffective in augmenting the protection offered by Mg. When Mg, Co and Ni were tested simultaneously, Mg offered the already established protection against Ni and Co individually as well as against combinations of the two elements. However, as the concentrations of Ni and Co increased, the depression in cellulose digestion also increased, but the protection offered by Mg decreased. Copper was found to be highly toxic to rumen microorganisms (additions of 0. 5 1i.g/ml practically stopped all microbial activity). Neither Mo nor S or both were effective in alleviating the depression caused by excessive Cu. In lieu, the simultaneous presence of the three elements, in concentrations in which individually were nondeleterious to cellulose digestion, proved toxic to cellulose digestion. Nonetheless, additions of Mo significantly (P<. 05) increased digestion in the absence of added Cu and S. A S requirement by rumen microorganisms for optimum cellulose digestion was established in three separate experiments. A level of 8. 4g/ml S--present in the inoculum--did not support adequate cellulose digestion, whereas, additions of l0g/ml S (18.4 pg/ml total S) to the inoculum resulted in maximum digestion. Effect of Some Major and Trace Element Interactions Upon In Vitro Rumen Cellulose Digestion


Contemporary practices in alternative insemination are challenging binaries — the either/or categories — on which family law has long relied. In particular, when unmarried women use the sperm of known donors, often bypassing physician assistance and medical regulation, they defy traditional rules that distinguish parents from nonparents and sexual conception from nonsexual conception. Several highly publicized recent cases showcase the shortcomings of family law's conventional approach. These cases present contests over a known donor's visitation rights and support obligations as well as claims advanced by the "free sperm movement." This Article analyzes these cases and responds to the problems that they raise by considering the promise of three less categorical and more flexible solutions: an intermediate status lying between "parent" and "donor," contractual relationships, and analysis centered on the child's interests.


We present preliminary results of our research on intraoperative brain shift modeling. This is a part of our wider research interest on intraoperative brain MR registration. We try to increase the accuracy of preoperative to intraoperative MR image registration. We are particularly interested in intraoperative images obtained after a tumour resection had been performed. The soft brain tissue deforms as the body of the tumour is being removed. The topic of this paper is modeling of gravity-induced brain shift appearing due to tumour resection, in order to guide a preoperative to intraoperative brain registration algorithm. The idea is to segment the brain from the intraoperative images and to construct an elastic model of the brain based on segmentation results. Elastic parameters of the brain model are obtained from in-vivo experiments. In order to model the effect of gravity force we apply the force equal to gravitation but with opposite direction. Such model of the brain without tumour body is then deformed using Finite Elements Method (FEM). In this research we used National Library of Medicine Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit (ITK).


Background: Cycling injuries are increasing, particularly among elite athletes during major events such as the Tour de France. Many athletes miss considerable time from sport and require surgical intervention. Little is known about the epidemiology of injuries to guide practice participation strategies, return-to-competition expectations, and injury prevention protocols. Purpose: To evaluate the injury epidemiology, operative incidence, and return-to-competition timeline among all elite cyclists participating in the 21-stage Tour de France race over a span of 8 years. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: All injuries sustained during 1584 unique rides by cyclists participating in the Tour de France from 2010 to 2017 were evaluated. In the absence of an established Tour de France injury database, demographic, injury, surgical, and return-to-competition details from all athletes who withdrew because of a traumatic injury were retrospectively compiled using publicly available data, which were cross-referenced for validity. The inclusion criterion consisted of any cyclist who withdrew from the Tour de France because of an injury; cyclists who withdrew for noninjury reasons were excluded. Independent variables included injury demographics, missed days, and whether the injury required surgery. Injury prevalence, relative frequency distributions, and sample proportions were dependent metrics for this investigation. Results: Among the 1584 cycling entries evaluated over the 8-year study period, there were 259 cyclists (16%) who withdrew (17 cyclists/year). A total of 138 withdrawals were caused by acute trauma, 49% of which were fractures (n = 67), which represented the most common reason for withdrawal. A total of 29 (43%) cyclists with fractures underwent surgery. The most commonly fractured bones were the clavicle (n = 21), followed by the wrist (n = 6), hand (n = 5), femur (n = 5), humerus (n = 5), and ribs (n = 5). Cyclists who underwent operative fracture fixation had a longer time between the injury and their next race compared with those who did not undergo surgery (77 vs 44 days, respectively; P = .065). Conclusion: The most common injury leading to withdrawal from the Tour de France over the study period was acute fracture, comprising 49% of all injuries. Almost half of the cyclists with fractures underwent surgery. The clavicle was the most commonly fractured bone. For cyclists who underwent operative treatment of their fractures, return to competition was more than 1 month longer than for those who did not. A prospective database is warranted to catalog injuries among these elite cyclists.


Generally, an electric railroad feeding system has many problems due to the different characteristics in contrast with a load of general three-phase AC electric power system. One of them is harmonics problem caused by the switching device existing in the feeding system, and moreover, the time-varying dynamic loads of rail way is inherently another cause to increase this harmonics problem. In Korea power systems, the electric railroad feeding system is directly supplied from the substation of KEPCO. Therefore, if voltages fluctuation or unbalanced voltages are created by the voltage and current distortion or voltage drop during operation, it affects directly the source of supply. The trainloads of electric railway system have non-periodic but iterative harmonic characteristics as operating condition, because the electric characteristic of the electric railroad feeding system is changed by physical conditions of the each trainload. According to the traditional study, the estimation of harmonics has been performed by deterministic way using the steady state data at the specific time. This method is easy to analyze harmonics, but it has limits in some cases which needs an assessment of dynamic load and reliability. Therefore, this paper proposes the probabilistic estimation method, moments matching method(MW) in order to overcome the drawback of deterministic method. In this paper, distributions for each harmonics are convolved to obtain the moments and cumulants of TDD(Total Demand Distortion), and this can be generalized for any number of trains. For the case study, the electric railway system of LAT(Intra Airport Transit) in Incheon International Airport is modeled using PSCAD/EMTDC dynamic simulator. The raw data of harmonics for the moments matching method is acquired from simulation of the LAT model.


We investigate the general equilibrium effects of minimum consumption constraints over labor supply decisions. Within a simple static model, a minimum consumption constraint modifies labor supply decisions of unskilled workers, generating the well-known added worker effect. The results of the model help to analyze the Turkish labor market where added worker effects were observed following the 2001 crisis. We investigate the asymmetric effects of the crisis, using the Household Budget Surveys that cover the period between 2002 and 2005. The substantial decrease in real wages has increased labor supply for unskilled labor, especially for women.


A sample of 139 medical students (87 male, 52 female) at an Australian university took part in a questionnaire study in which they completed the Rokeach Value Survey and rated the importance of various reasons for their decision to take up medicine as a career. It was found that the students tended to endorse social/altruistic reasons (working with people, helping others) and the opportunity to become involved in a challenging occupation as the most important reasons for their occupational choice. Other reasons, such as satisfying one's parents or having the opportunity to achieve high social status and to benefit financially, were rated much lower in importance. In comparison with females, male students tended to rate personal, agentic reasons as more important, and interpersonal, expressive reasons as less important. The students' value priorities were related in predictable ways to the importance ratings they assigned to particular reasons, especially to status/materialistic reasons. Results were assumed to provide evidence about the self-concepts of medical students. It was suggested that future research might investigate how these self-concepts might change during training and in medical practice, and the extent to which actual behaviour in the work situation would be consistent with these self-concepts.


An interview in three sessions in 1993 with Rudolph A. Marcus, Arthur Amos Noyes Professor of Chemistry at Caltech and Nobel laureate in chemistry, 1992, conducted by Shirley K. Cohen. Marcus recalls growing up in Montreal and Detroit, his undergraduate and graduate student days in chemistry at McGill University (BSc 1943, PhD 1946); Canadian anti-Semitism and quota on Jewish students; recollections of advisor Carl Winkler and other teachers Raymond Boyer, Otto Maass, and Bob McIntosh; fellow students Louis Nirenberg, Lazar Novak, Sam Epstein; research on chemical reaction rates. He then went to the National Research Council of Canada to do postdoctoral work under Edgar Steacie and Basil Darwent. Marcus discusses his interactions with Nathan Rosen and Wayne Bowers; the "Anomalies in Reaction Kinetics" 1951 symposium at the University of Minnesota where he first presented his work on the theory of unimolecular reactions (the RRKM theory); and his quest for a faculty appointment. In 1951 Marcus joined the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn faculty as assistant professor of chemistry. He recalls early experimental work there with gases, high-vacuum equipment, and rates of various chemical and photochemical reactions; his colleagues Herman Mark, Frank Collins, Paul Doty, Ernest Loebl, Herbert Morawetz, Bruno Zimm, and Paul Ewald; and his key paper in 1956 in electron transfer theory. Sabbatical year (1960-1961) spent at Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University; Dick Bernstein's role in Marcus's decision to wind down his experimental program around 1960; professor of chemistry at University of Illinois (1964-1978) and head, division of physical chemistry (1967-1968). Oxford and Munich sabbatical, 1975-1976. Consultant at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Norman Sutin's influence. Faculty years at Caltech (1978-present) and interactions with Harry Gray, Fred Anson, Jackie Barton, Ahmed Zewail, and other colleagues. Concludes the interview with his approach to theoretical research and getting students to focus on experimental phenomena; honors; post-Nobel life; opinions on "hype" and the role of chance in research.


The epidemic of COVID-19 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been in the headlines since December 2019. This Think Piece presents ethnographic vignettes from a recent (February 2020) field visit to Dharamsala, where the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and a Tibetan exile community reside in the northwestern Indian Himalayas. At that time there were no COVID-19 cases in India except in Kerala, South India, which had three confirmed cases. There were no cases in Tibetan communities in India, but they were considered vulnerable because of the influx of Buddhist pilgrims from China. My ethnographic focus is on traditional Tibetan medical responses of prevention and conceptions of contagion prior to any outbreak. I explore what counts as prevention, protection, and contagion in a Tibetan medical public outreach context during pre-epidemic days, and how politics and fear of 'the other' merge with the preventive aspects of traditional medicinal products and public health announcements in Dharamsala. Taken together, these ethnographic vignettes illustrate how local epidemic imaginaries draw on complex webs of potency. These combine, for example, substances and their smells with mantras, protective oils, and facemasks in varied ways, all in an effort to reduce anxiety and prevent contagion.


The Hodge theorem for compact manifolds states that every real cohomology class
of a compact manifold M is represented by a unique harmonic form. That is, the
space of solutions to the differential equation .d Cd

/ D 0 on L2 forms over M;
a space that depends on the metric on M; is canonically isomorphic to the purely
topological real cohomology space of M: This isomorphism is enormously useful
because it provides a way to transform theorems from geometry into theorems in
topology and vice versa. No such result holds in general for complete noncompact
manifolds, but in many specific cases there are Hodge-type theorems. One of the
oldest is the description, due to Atiyah, Patodi, and Singer [1], of the space of L2
harmonic forms on a manifold with complete cylindrical ends. By calculating the
solutions to the equation for harmonic forms on the cylindrical ends, they showed
that the space of L2 harmonic forms is isomorphic to the image of the relative cohomology
of the manifold in the absolute cohomology. Another Hodge-type result
was found by Zucker [14] for a natural class of metrics called Poincare metrics.
These metrics, first constructed by Cornalba and Griffiths [4], are complete Kahler
metrics with hyperbolic cusp-type singularities at isolated points on a Riemann
surface. Zucker showed that the space of L2 forms on a Riemann surface that are
harmonic with respect one of these metrics is isomorphic to the standard cohomology
of the surface. This result was extended by Cattani, Kaplan, and Schmid [3]
to analogous metrics on bundles over projective varieties with singularities along
a divisor. These metrics can be thought of as complete Kahler metrics on the noncompact
manifold given by removing the divisor.