Rigidity investigations in virtual Lego models In this thesis, we investigate the potential improvement of the algorithms detecting rigid structures in virtual Lego models in the computer application Lego Digital Designer. First, the previously achieved results are presented. This mainly involves a heuristic triangle rigidity detection algorithm described in a Bachelor's thesis. Then, the two theoretical fields framework rigidity and generic rigidity are examined. The aim is to apply them to virtual Lego models. The two theoretical fields face different obstacles. Framework rigidity does not seem suitable for detecting rigid structures; it also suffers from its dependence on the rank computations of a matrix that can grow very large and its compliance with infinitesimal rigidity instead of the kind of rigidity desired in the application. Generic rigidity most importantly fails because of its loss of geometric information, which leads to incorrect calculations of rigidity properties, and the fact that Laman's theorem does not generalize to three dimensions for general graphs. Finally, a heuristic approach is chosen. A rigidity detection algorithm for so-called "prism structures" is presented in pseudo code. The worst-case time complexity for the algorithm to detect prism rigidity after a brick has been added is O(r), where r is the number of previously detected rigid structures in the model. We conclude that the emphasis of future research should be put on heuristic approaches, e.g. treating three-dimensional structures with four (or more) one-dimensional joints, the removal of bricks, and the consequences of adding the domain of Technics bricks to the Digital Designer application.


STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to assess the risk of back symptoms in people admitted to hospital because of traffic accidents and falls. DESIGN--The study was a cross sectional survey with information collected by postal questionnaire. Main outcome measures were associations between hospital admission for a traffic accident or fall and reported first onset of back symptoms at the same age and at later ages. SETTING--General practices in seven towns and one rural district. SUBJECTS--1172 men and 1495 women aged 20-59 years were selected from the age-sex registers of 136 general practitioners in the study areas. MAIN RESULTS--Low back pain was reported by 1556 subjects and hospital admission for a traffic accident or fall by 362. The incidence of low back pain was unusually high during the year of age at which subjects were first admitted to hospital for trauma (RR = 5.5, 95% CI 3.8-7.8). The risk of first developing symptoms in subsequent years was lower, but still significantly increased (RR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6). Low back pain which started at the age of an accident tended to last longer than that occurring in other circumstances, and was more often ascribed to injury (56% of cases). However, this proportion was smaller than the calculated attributable proportion for traffic accidents and falls (82%). CONCLUSIONS--The data suggest that a person under age 60 years who is admitted to hospital for a traffic accident or fall has a 7% chance of developing low back pain as result of the injury. However, the link between the injury and subsequent symptoms is often not obvious to the patient.


Turkish-Russian relations have had a tumultuous history characterized by periods of tensions and conflicts but also intense cooperation. This chapter uses a theoretically guided narrative of Turkish-Russian relations to trace how different factors have combined to yield particular foreign policies and changing patterns of bilateral relations. It argues that despite periods of intense cooperation between the two countries, bilateral relations lack institutionalization and an ability to develop a stable and common perspective on regional and global matters. Consequently, the fate of bilateral relations depends on short-term definitions of the national interest and forces the two countries into a fragile cooperation vulnerable to sudden domestic and geopolitical shifts.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if orally delivered tizanidine will control spastic hypertonia due to acquired brain injury.

DESIGN
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, with 2 8-week treatment arms separated by a 1-week washout period at baseline. Patients were randomly assigned to receive tizanidine or a matching placebo.

SETTING
Tertiary care outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation center attached to a university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS
Seventeen persons recruited in a consecutive manner, 9 of whom had suffered a stroke and 8 a traumatic brain injury, and had more than 6 months of intractable spastic hypertonia.

INTERVENTION
Over a 6-week period, subjects were slowly titrated up to their maximum tolerated dose (up to 36 mg/d). Following a 1-week drug taper and 1-week period in which no study drug was administered, patients were then crossed over to the other study medication following an identical titration regime.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Subjects were evaluated for dose and effect throughout the trial as well as for side effects. Data for Ashworth rigidity scores, spasm scores, deep tendon reflex scores, and motor strength were collected on the affected upper extremity (UE) and lower extremity (LE). Differences over time were assessed via descriptive statistics, Friedman's analysis, and Wilcoxon's signed-rank. Data are reported as the mean +/- 1 standard deviation.

RESULTS
Following 4 weeks of treatment when subjects reached their maximal tolerated dosage, the average LE Ashworth score on the affected side decreased from 2.3 +/- 1.4 to 1.7 +/- 1.1 (p <.0001). The spasm score decreased from 1.0 +/- 0.9 to 0.5 +/- 0.8 (p =.0464), while the reflex score was not statistically significant decreasing from 2.2 +/- 1.0 to 2.0 +/- 1.1 (p =.0883). The average UE Ashworth score on the affected side decreased from 1.9 +/- 1.1 to 1.5 +/- 0.9 (p <.0001). There was no significant change in the UE spasm and reflex scores. While there were positive placebo effects on motor tone, the active drug was still significantly better than placebo for decreasing LE tone (p =.0006) and UE tone (p =.0007). With a reduction in motor tone, there was an increase in motor strength (p =.0089). The average dosage at 4 weeks was 25.2mg/d.

CONCLUSION
Tizanidine is effective in decreasing the spastic hypertonia associated with acquired brain injury, which is dose-dependent. There are limitations on its use due to side effects related to drowsiness.


This paper traces the sources of power that Majeed, the protagonist of Syed Waliullah's Tree Without Roots (1967), manipulates to claim his influential position in Mahabbatpur – a fictional village in the then East Pakistan. Tree without Roots is Waliullah's own transcreation of his novel Lal Shalu (1948). While "lal shalu" literally means "red cloth," the significant change in the title of the transcreation – with its recurrent use of images of roots, rootlessness and uprooting – reflects the author's added emphasis on Majeed's obsession with power. Exploiting social and cultural elements, such as religion, superstition, gender inequality and class structure, Majeed creates an atmosphere of fear to rule over Mahabbatpur. He becomes economically and socially powerful, for a time dominating the entire village with his narrative before any hint of resistance. This paper comparatively analyses the original novel and its transcreation, examining the works in the context of the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, a division based on religion – the chief of source of Majeed's power. The paper interprets Majeed's vulnerability and eventual downfall as an allegory of the futility of separate nation states based on religion.


A MEMS‐based impedance biosensor was designed, fabricated, and tested to effectively detect the presence of bacterial cells including E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium in raw chicken products using detection region made of multiple interdigitated electrode arrays. A positive dielectrophoresis based focusing electrode was used in order to focus and concentrate the bacterial cells at the centerline of the fluidic microchannel and direct them toward the detection microchannel. The biosensor was fabricated using surface micromachining technology on a glass substrate. The results demonstrate that the device can detect Salmonella with concentrations as low as 10 cells/mL in less than 1 h. The device sensitivity was improved by the addition of the focusing electrodes, which increased the signal response by a factor between 6 and 18 times higher than without the use of the focusing electrodes. The biosensor is selective and can detect other types of pathogen by changing the type of the antibody immobilized on the detection electrodes. The device was able to differentiate live from dead bacteria.


Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG), formerly called giant cell reparative granuloma, is a non-neoplastic proliferative lesion of unknown etiol-ogy. It occurs most commonly in the mandible. The case reported here resembled a wide variety of conditions that led to a misdiagnosis both on clinical and radiographic examinations but was histopathologically diagnosed as CGCG. We describe a case of CGCG arising from the poste-rior maxilla to highlight the importance of histo-pathology in the diagnosis of this enigmatic le-sion.


Partial discharge (PD) is the main sign of the insulation deterioration; therefore, the online PD localization of the power transformers can provide the equipment degradation characteristics and has great value for the power grid. Because of some unique merits, acoustic PD detection is one of the best options for such applications. However, when discharges happen inside the windings, precise PD localization by acoustic method becomes very challenging. As the acoustic PD signal can be reverberated and distorted along its propagation, the type and number of sensors, with their installation, should be carefully studied and selected. In this paper, the acoustic wave propagation inside the transformer is explored via numerical simulation. Based on the understanding of wave propagation, a novel-structure fiber-optic acoustic sensor array is properly designed and installed into one phase winding, which is from a real 35 kV transformer. Experimental verification shows that, by using this proposed design, PD localization with less than 5-cm error can be achieved. Therefore, the novel sensor array developed in this paper, together with the installation and localization method, unveils a novel access to accurate online PD localization, especially for those PDs which happen inside transformer windings.


With the soaring demand to provide global mobility for wide range of services, a growing trend for wireless access networks is to support multiple radio technologies that can be achieved efficiently by using TCP/IP protocols in the access network. In the thesis, we consider a mobile wireless access network where DiffServ is deployed as the QoS solution and Mobile IP is employed as the handover protocol. We first conducted a study on the impact of handover on DiffServ flows. Then we introduced a transient service level for handover flows and propose our QoS scheme and admission control algorithms for handover flows, which protect local flows from losing bandwidth to handover flows by separating the two flows into different service classes. We also proposed a service upgrade algorithm to upgrade the service level of handover flows based on the dynamic information of bandwidth utilization and different service upgrade priorities. To guarantee the proper provisioning for each service class, we proposed a dynamic bandwidth-provisioning algorithm that allows dynamic adjustment of bandwidth allocations to different service classes by adjusting their respective weights configured at the scheduler. We evaluated the feasibility of our QoS scheme and algorithm by simulating different handover situations and results show that the proposed scheme is viable under variety of provisioning scenarios.


Introduction Custom decrees that the Chairman of your Section should, at the interval of a year following his presidency, deliver before you an appropriate address. It has seemed to me that I could best command your interest in some field of discussion where every one of us, geographer and geologist alike, has had experience. So I have selected the broad field connoted by the highly inclusive term, "scientific investigation"; and I would direct your attention, not to any particular results of such investigation, but to a concrete problem of method which I suppose must concern every scientific worker. This problem can briefly be stated as follows: What is the precise role analysis in a properly conceived and successfully executed scientific investigation? To answer such a question it is obvious that we must first determine, as best we may, what constitutes "a properly conceived and successfully executed scientific investigation." The early . . .


The Chicago Lakefront, along Grant Park, is internationally regarded as an urban gem. Its development - or, perhaps more accurately, lack of development - has been the result of a series of legal challenges and court rulings, most famously involving the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, Illinois Central R.R. v. Illinois (1892), and four decisions of the Illinois Supreme Court, from 1897 to 1910, involving Aaron Montgomery Ward. The former invented the modern public trust doctrine, which continues as much the favorite of environmental groups; the latter involved the now largely forgotten public dedication doctrine. This article begins with a description of the evolution of what is now known as Grant Park. After tracing the origins of the public dedication doctrine in the nineteenth century, the article describes how the doctrine was invoked in controversies over the use of the Chicago lakefront before Montgomery Ward came on the scene. The article then details Ward's remarkable crusade to save Grant Park as an unencumbered open space, which created a powerful body of precedent having a lasting impact on the use of the park. Next, the article describes the limits of the public dedication doctrine that was recognized in the Ward precedents. The article concludes with some brief observations about why the public trust doctrine eclipsed the public dedication doctrine, a comparison of the efficacy of the two doctrines in the context of the Chicago lakefront, and by offering general reflections about what this history tells us about the promises and pitfalls of recognizing 'antiproperty' rights to contest development of public spaces.


This study proposed and empirically examined a developmental model of multicultural counseling competence among mental health service trainees based on an integration of the Cognitive and Cultural Flex Theory of Personality, Contact Theory, and Theory of Multicultural Counseling and Therapy. The model incorporated four culturally transcendent variables: (a) multicultural experiences, (b) cognitive flexibility, (c) cultural flexibility, and (d) multicultural personality. Based on the proposed model, it was hypothesized that multicultural experiences, cognitive flexibility, cultural flexibility, and multicultural personality would predict multicultural counseling competence. Results provided support for the utility of the model. Specifically, multicultural experiences predicted cognitive and cultural flexibility. These two variables, in turn, predicted multicultural personality, which was positively related to multicultural counseling competence. Implications of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the use of a new silver needle therapy for treating tender points involved in intractable low-back pain after removal of nucleus pulposus.

SUBJECTS
The study involved 24 patients (17 men and 7 women) aged 26 to 67 years with a mean age of 54.5 +/- 5 years.

SETTINGS
The Department of Orthopedics at the First Military Medical University, the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the General Hospital of PLA in Beijing, and the Department of Acupuncture, the First People's Hospital in Kunming City, People's Republic of China, were the settings for this study.

METHODS
The patients were treated with traditional silver needle therapy at tender points in the low back and buttocks. Pain at each of the tender points was measured before and after treatment; the scores were compared with a Student t test.

RESULTS
The therapeutic results suggest that the total scores for each tender point after treatment were significantly lower than those taken before treatment (P <.001).

CONCLUSION
Silver needle therapy shows promise for treating low-back pain after surgery for disc herniation. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment.


Extension of coded apertures to the MWIR introduces the effects of diffraction and other distortions not observed in shorter wavelength systems. A new approach is being developed under the DARPA/SPO funded LACOSTE (Large Area Coverage Optical search-while Track and Engage) program, that addresses the effects of diffraction while gaining the benefits of coded apertures, thus providing flexibility to vary resolution, possess sufficient light gathering power, and achieve a wide field of view (WFOV). The photonic MEMS "eyelid" array technology is currently being instantiated in this DARPA Surveillance program study as the "heart", mediating the flow of the incoming signal. However, speed, lifetime, packaging and scalability are critical factors for the MEMS "eyelid" technology which will determine system efficacy as well as military and commercial usefulness. The electronic eyelid array is the fundamental addressable unit for adaptive code generation and will allow the system to multiplex in time for increased resolution. The binary code which determines whether a 500μm eyelid is open or closed is referred to as the "eyelid code." Groups of eyelids can work together as a "super aperture" by virtue of a "macro-code." A macro code becomes relevant to describe how dispersed eyelids across the 0.19m x 0.19m aperture will function together. Dynamic aperture arrays were fabricated on both quartz and sapphire substrates for operation in the visible to MWIR. Both 8x8 and 40x40 element arrays were designed, fabricated, and tested with macro-codes consisting of 4, 8, and 16 unique combinations. The die were packaged and tested in ambient for robust eyelid operations. The point spread function was also measured in an optical setup with the eyelid arrays located in the aperture plane.


Wound healing is a complex process, in which a sequence of interrelated phases contribute to a reduction in wound size. For diabetic patients, many of these processes are compromised, so that wound healing slows down. We present a simple ordinary differential equation model for wound healing in which attention focusses on the dominant processes that contribute to closure of a full thickness wound: proliferation and migration of cells in the epidermis; tissue growth in the dermis; and contraction of the dermal tissue. The model is easily comparable with the current level of experimental data, typically given by a time series of averaged wound areas. We use the model to distinguish between growth and contraction in healing, quantities which are not easily measured experimentally. By fitting the model to experimental data we find that the major difference between normal and diabetic healing is a marked reduction in the rate of dermal tissue growth for diabetic patients.


The questions whether the EU possesses a "strategic culture" and is capable of developing a "grand strategy" has attracted considerable attention at the nexus of policy debates and the academic discourse on EU foreign relations. Arguably the salience of grand strategy increases in times of change, both as a condition for and a hindrance to necessary adaptation. The paper departs from the perception that the EU is challenged by external developments that involve armed territorial conflicts on its eastern and southern borders. In the main part I discuss different understandings of grand strategy and make the argument that polities have grand strategies whether they know it or not, and that grand strategies concern the institutionalized organization of knowledge which is in part a rational and conscious process but in significant ways concern tacit rules and routines of collective thought. I conclude that developing appropriate responses to the diverse external challenges that faces the EU presumes a better understanding of the grand strategy it actually presents.


Plasmonic nanohole arrays for biosensing applications have attracted tremendous attention because of their flexibility in optical signature design, high multiplexing capabilities, simple optical alignment setup, and high sensitivity. The quality of the metal film, including metal crystallinity and surface roughness, plays an important role in determining the sensing performance because the interaction between free electrons in the metal and incident light is strongly influenced by the metal surface morphology. We systematically investigated the influence of metal crystallinity-related morphologies on the sensing performance of plasmonic nanohole arrays after different metal deposition processes. We utilised several non-destructive nanoscale surface characterisation techniques to perform a quantitative and comparative analysis of the Au quality of the fabricated sensor. We found empirically how the surface roughness and grain sizes influence the permittivity of the Au film and thus the sensitivity of the fabricated sensor. Finally we confirmed that the deposition conditions that provide both low surface roughness and large metal grain sizes improve the sensitivity of the plasmonic sensor.


Fused-deposition modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technique which is widely used for the fabrication of polymeric end-use products in addition to the development of prototypes. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the scientific and industrial communities for new materials showing high performance, which can be used in a wide range of applications. Ultem 9085 is a thermoplastic material that can be processed by FDM; it recently emerged thanks to such good properties as excellent flame retardancy, low smoke generation, and good mechanical performance. A deep knowledge of this material is therefore necessary to confirm its potential use in different fields. The aim of this paper is the investigation of the mechanical and thermal properties of Ultem 9085. Tensile strength and three-point flexural tests were performed on samples with XY, XZ, and ZX building orientations. Moreover, the influence of different ageing treatments performed by varying the maximum reached temperature and relative humidity on the mechanical behavior of Ultem 9085 was then investigated. The thermal and thermo-oxidative behavior of this material was also determined through thermal-gravimetric analyses.


Climate change and its consequences have become a fixture for many political agenda. Controversial though discussion about climate change may be, there is international and crossparty political consensus that global warming is going to be one of the greatest political, economic and social challenges for the coming years. In social terms in particular climate change plays an increasingly important role. The consequences of global warming already present are confronting whole societies with enormous burdens, whether this is due to increasing rainfall and floods in some areas, the scarcity of rainfall and prolonged drought periods in others, or failed harvests or a shortage of drinking water. International organisations, representatives of various governments as well as experts on climate and migration all around the world are meanwhile discussing the possible effects of climate change on global migration processes. Climate experts assume that global warming may well lead to a global shortage or at least to a displacement of cultivable land. The reasons for this are as diverse as are the impacts of climate change; rising sea levels will lead to more frequent flooding and storms in coastal and delta regions, small island states and low-lying coastal regions could disappear completely as a result. In some regions rainfall will increase significantly, provoking periodic flooding, while in other regions precipitation will quickly decrease, rapidly promoting droughts and desertification. Soil erosion caused by sandstorms and the decline in vegetation will reduce agricultural productivity in these areas — often already low — to a minimum, potentially endangering the food supply for major regions as a whole. The creeping effects of global warming and the associated increase in extreme weather events, as well as the deterioration in living conditions, may give rise to new migration streams. This policy brief deals with the phenomenon of environmental migration. It focuses entirely on the effect of climate change on global migratory movements without neglecting the environmental consequences on the regions of origin and destination. The following paragraphs will firstly contain a comparison of estimates as to how many people will be affected worldwide and an introduction of those areas where climate change is most likely to cause migration. The brief will then examine the two main controversies concerning this phenomenon: the causality relationship between environmental factors and new migratory movements as well as the legal position of the persons concerned. The conclusion emphasises the necessity of extending the protection of people affected by the phenomena of climate change at the international level, even if it cannot be assumed that there is an exclusive causal relationship between climate change and migration.


This three-year project has two general objectives. The first objective is to compare the effectiveness of gels in fluid diversion with those of other types of processes. Several different types of fluid-diversion processes are being compared, including those using gels, foams, emulsions, and particulates. The ultimate goals of these comparisons are to (1) establish which of these processes is most effective in a given application and (2) determine whether aspects of one process can be combined with those of other processes to improve performance. Analyses are being performed to assess where the various diverting agents will be most effective (e.g., in fractured vs. unfractured wells, deep vs. near-wellbore applications, reservoirs with vs. without crossflow, or injection wells vs. production wells). Experiments are being performed to verify which materials are the most effective in entering and blocking high-permeability zones. Another objective of the project is to identify the mechanisms by which materials (particularly gels) selectively reduce permeability to water more than to oil. In addition to establishing why this occurs, our research attempts to identify materials and conditions that maximize this disproportionate permeability reduction.


Over the last few decades, increased flexibility and lack of stability in employment has made job insecurity a work stressor that affects more and more employees. Since worrying about potential job loss (quantitative job insecurity) or possible loss of valued job features (qualitative job insecurity) constitutes a subjective perception, it has been claimed that personality factors may be decisive for job insecurity perceptions. Furthermore, the perception of a stressor, in this case job insecurity, could be argued to be dependent on appraisals of available coping resources. This study investigates whether core self-evaluations predict job insecurity perceptions, and whether coping mediates this relationship, in a two-wave data set from a Swedish sample of white-collar workers (N = 425). The results show that core self-evaluations had a negative total effect on both qualitative and quantitative job insecurity. Core self-evaluations were positively related to problem-focused coping but not to emotion-focused coping. However, there was no mediating effect of coping style on the association between core self-evaluations and job insecurity.


TCR-specific activation is pivotal to dendritic epidermal T cell (DETC) function during cutaneous wound repair. However, DETC TCR ligands are uncharacterized, and little is known about their expression patterns and kinetics. Using soluble DETC TCR tetramers, we demonstrate that DETC TCR ligands are not constitutively expressed in healthy tissue but are rapidly upregulated following wounding on keratinocytes bordering wound edges. Ligand expression is tightly regulated, with downmodulation following DETC activation. Early inhibition of TCR–ligand interactions using DETC TCR tetramers delays wound repair in vivo, highlighting DETC as rapid responders to injury. To our knowledge, this is the first visualization of DETC TCR ligand expression, which provides novel information about how ligand expression impacts early stages of DETC activation and wound repair. The Journal of Immunology , 2012, 188: 000–000.


The incidence rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the United States have almost doubled between 1970 and 1990, representing one of the largest increases of any cancer. Although the overall incidence rates of NHL began to stabilize in the late 1990s, the temporal trends varied by histologic subtype. Some of this increase may be artifactual, resulting from improved diagnostic techniques and access to medical care, or directly related to the development of NHL in 25- to 54-year-old men with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, additional factors must be responsible for this unexpected increase in frequency of NHL that has been observed throughout the United States.


ABSTRACT Hopkins, M.; Lopez, J., and Songy, A., 2022. Coastal subsidence due to faults: Insights from elevation profiles of vehicular bridges, southeastern Louisiana, U.S.A. Journal of Coastal Research, 38(1), 52–65. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Normal faults are common geological structures in the Mississippi River Delta within the underlying thick Cenozoic sedimentary section. Some faults have been identified as active, have deformed artificial features in the past century, and are concurrent with Louisiana's massive loss of coastal wetlands. Subsidence due to vertical motion, or slip, on faults, however, is poorly understood spatially and over decadal to centennial timescales. Therefore, how faults contribute to subsidence and subsequent land loss over these timescales must be considered for coastal wetland restoration efforts. Here, the elevation profiles of seven vehicular bridges that cross five known faults were analyzed to investigate the spatial and temporal behavior of the faults. Bridge elevation profiles are an effective method to analyze these faults over the timescale of interest for several reasons: (1) the bridges are of known age (10–89 y), (2) they were initially constructed horizontally, and (3) they are constructed on a foundation anchored below compacting Holocene sediments. Faults were projected to the surface using subsurface data such as seismic reflection data and well logs, and abrupt vertical offsets in the elevation of the bridges near a known fault are the result of slip. Four of the five faults examined show an offset in the bridges that cross them, and the offsets are largest at the traces. Offset rates, which are interpreted to be fault-slip rates, were calculated utilizing bridge age and the total offset amounts at the traces. Slip rates range from 0.6 ± 0.06 mm/y to 3.2 ± 0.2 mm/y. Restoration project viability may face significant risks from fault-related subsidence. The biggest threat appears to be limited spatially to within hundreds of meters of the faults, however, that risk cannot be totally precluded at greater distances from the faults.


SUMMARY An efficient inverse scattering method is developed for imaging near-surface heterogeneities using scattered surface waves. Three dimensional elastodynamic wave propagation and scattering in a laterally invariant embedding medium is considered. The Born Approximation is used and the scattered wavefield is expressed as a domain type integral representation. The computation time of Green's tensor elements is reduced by considering the radial symmetry of the medium. The method is validated by numerical tests. Ultrasonic laboratory data obtained from a scale model experiment are used for imaging the near-surface inhomogeneities caused by an epoxy-filled hole in the surface of an aluminum block. Both synthetic and the scale model tests show that the location, the actual density contrast and the depth of the inhomogeneities are reasonably well estimated.


The work presented deals with tokamak plasma turbulence in the case where fluxes are fixed and profiles are allowed to fluctuate. These systems are intermittent. In particular, radially propagating fronts are usually observed over a broad range of time and spatial scales. The existence of these fronts provides one possible way to understand the fast transport events sometimes observed in tokamaks. It is also shown that the confinement scaling law can still be of the gyro-Bohm type in spite of these large scale transport events. Some departure from the gyro-Bohm prediction is observed at low flux, i.e. when the gradients are close to the instability threshold. Finally, it is found that the diffusivity is not the same for a turbulence calculated at fixed flux as for a turbulence calculated at fixed temperature gradient, with the same time averaged profile.


The author collected completed questionnaires from 52 psychiatrists who had failed to pass the examinations of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) on their first try. He quotes from the responses of 6 of these psychiatrists, showing the profound emotional impact of their failure. He recommends that the ABPN explain its low pass rate, supply feedback on the exam results, provide the specific criteria by which competence is judged, allow candidates to take the written exam on a trial basis, and drop the oral exams if their reliability cannot be documented. He also recommends that the profession of psychiatry take responsibility for the certification procedure.


The web is becoming the preferred medium for communicating and storing information pertaining to almost any human activity. However it is an ephemeral medium whose contents are constantly changing, resulting in a permanent loss of part of our cultural and scientific heritage on a regular basis. Archiving important web contents is a very challenging technical problem due to its tremendous scale and complex structure, extremely dynamic nature, and its rich heterogeneous and deep contents. In this paper, we consider the problem of archiving a linked set of web objects into web containers in such a way as to minimize the number of containers accessed during a typical browsing session. We develop a method that makes use of the notion of PageRank and optimized graph partitioning to enable faster browsing of archived web contents. We include simulation results that illustrate the performance of our scheme and compare it to the common scheme currently used to organize web objects into web containers.


In the business-to-business (B2B) sector, new electronic commerce (e-commerce) initiatives like Internet-enabled supply chains and electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces) offer firms significantly lower procurement costs, increased operating efficiencies, and expanded market opportunities. Using an event-study methodology, we find that the capital markets respond favorably to firms announcing new B2B e-commerce initiatives and alliances. For B2B e-marketplaces, we find slightly higher, though statistically insignificant, average abnormal returns associated with vertical markets than with horizontal markets. When examining the data by the type of partner the e-commerce provider aligns with, we find that the capital markets reward firms the greatest when they form alliances with a competitor or a computer industry giant. The abnormal returns associated with these announcements are on average more than three times greater than returns from announcing a B2B e-commerce initiative alone or with Old Economy industry leaders.


Lubricant viscosity is one of the key parameters in hydrostatic bearing research. In order to solve the load capacity of hydrostatic bearing in the heavy equipment, viscosity-temperature equation of lubricant film is established, and the viscosity-temperature curve is fitted by B-Spline curve. Finite volume method is used on numerical simulation of pressure field of heavy hydrostatic bearing in constant and variable viscosity respectively and in different rotational velocity, whereafter, viscosity influence on load capacity of heavy hydrostatic bearing is discussed. The results show that, viscosity impose a minor influence on cavity pressure of hydrostatic bearing when rational velocity is low; whereas, when rational velocity is high, especially to the heavy hydrostatic bearing which with high liner velocity influence of viscosity changing must be taken into account in calculation. Numerical simulation results reflect the pressure distributing state of bearing veritably; furthermore, these provide theoretical basis for hydrostatic bearing design and lectotype in practical application.


Incubation of Spirometra eggs was conducted in the helminthology laboratory Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture during the period July to September, 2012. Spirometra eggs from faeces of naturally infected lions (Panthera leo) from Tarangire National Park, Tanzania were cultured at laboratory condition using modified Harada-Mori method. The objective of the study was to hatch coracidia and use in a life-cycle experiment. The culture consisted of a thin film of washed eggs on a strip of filter paper inserted in an upright falcon tubes containing sterile sand and stones to the bottom up to 1 cm level and aquarium water up to just below the egg smear. Eggs were cultured at temperature 26-29oC and light. On day 6 the eggs started hatching coracidia. Under the circumstance it was fruitful to culture Spirometra eggs using modified Harada-Mori method. The modified Harada-Mori culture technology showed a high rate of hatching of Spirometra eggs. We recommend using this modified Harada-Mori method for culture of Spirometra eggs being able to hatch many eggs, inexpensive and less time consuming. Key words : Harada-Mori, culture, eggs, Spirometra.


Abstract Medical imaging tasks, such as segmentation, 3D modeling, and registration of medical images, involve complex geometric problems, usually solved by standard linear algebra and matrix calculations. In the last few decades, conformal geometric algebra (CGA) has emerged as a new approach to geometric computing that offers a simple and efficient representation of geometric objects and transformations. However, the practical use of CGA-based methods for big data image processing in medical imaging requires fast and efficient implementations of CGA operations to meet both real-time processing constraints and accuracy requirements. The purpose of this study is to present a novel implementation of CGA-based medical imaging techniques that makes them effective and practically usable. The paper exploits a new simplified formulation of CGA operators that allows significantly reduced execution times while maintaining the needed result precision. We have exploited this novel CGA formulation to re-design a suite of medical imaging automatic methods, including image segmentation, 3D reconstruction and registration. Experimental tests show that the re-formulated CGA-based methods lead to both higher precision results and reduced computation times, which makes them suitable for big data image processing applications. The segmentation algorithm provides the Dice index, sensitivity and specificity values of 98.14%, 98.05% and 97.73%, respectively, while the order of magnitude of the errors measured for the registration methods is 10−5.


The well-proven benefits of influenza immunization can now be made available to persons with a history of egg allergy. Individuals with diagnosed or suspected egg allergy who need an influenza vaccination should be evaluated by an allergist/immunologist for evaluation of egg allergy and for administration of the 2010-2011 trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) if clinically indicated. Studies have suggested that influenza vaccines can be administered to patients with a history of anaphylaxis to egg without adverse effects. However, such studies are limited in number, and reactions to influenza vaccines in egg allergic persons can occur. Caution is warranted in patients with a history of anaphylaxis or where the severity of their clinical reactivity is uncertain, particularly when the ovalbumin content of the vaccine is unknown. Therefore, consultation with an allergist experienced in food allergy and anaphylaxis is strongly recommended. For the 2010-2011 influenza season, the routine practice of skin testing to the TIV is no longer recommended. Both the 2-dose (10%, 90%) and single-dose methods are appropriate for administering influenza vaccine to egg allergic individuals. Egg allergic individuals can receive TIV without prior skin testing to the vaccine, with the vaccine being administered via a 2-step graded challenge: first administer 10% of the age-appropriate dose, with a 30-minute observation after administration for symptom development. If no symptoms develop, the remaining 90% can be administered, with a 30minute observation for symptom development. The same TIV product brand should be used for booster vaccinations if possible, but it is not necessary to use the same lot. Egg allergic individuals can receive TIV without prior skin testing to the vaccine as a single, age-appropriate dose without use of graded challenge. Individuals should be observed for 30 minutes after injection for evidence of a systemic reaction. The same TIV product brand should be used for booster vaccinations, but the same lot is not necessary.


Despite the strong normative commitments of the US legal system to the prohibition of torture, the events of 9/11 and the subsequent declaration of a war on terror quickly made short shrift of this consensus; torture became an acceptable tool of statecraft and even popular culture embraced torture as an acceptable tool to be used in the battle against terrorists. This essay shows that this is not the first time that US practice has deviated in substantial measure from its professed ideals, and argues that Abrahamic religion – by refusing cooptation at the hand of the state – has a particularly important role to play in ensuring that states adhere to their moral commitments, even when it may be convenient not to do so.


This paper makes the case for greater use of randomized experiments "at scale." We review various critiques of experimental program evaluation in developing countries, and discuss how experimenting at scale along three specific dimensions – the size of the sampling frame, the number of units treated, and the size of the unit of randomization – can help alleviate them. We find that program evaluation randomized controlled trials published in top journals over the last 15 years have typically been "small" in these senses, but also identify a number of examples – including from our own work – demonstrating that experimentation at much larger scales is both feasible and valuable.


This report describes a patient with preexisting multiple chemical sensitivity who has developed a pronounced electromagnetic hypersensitivity. According to the patient, he is even able to distinguish various sources of electromagnetic fields (e.g. Wi-Fi, DECT or cell phone, DVB-T TV). His symptoms range from skin manifestations, which require treatment, to hypertension and brain-related disorders as well as intestinal bleeding. The unusual skin reactions, which look like burns and have occurred several times, appear to be especially worrisome. An explanation of what caused them is still lacking.


Abstract Comparing the financial characteristics of firms in different countries has been a popular research topic in finance. However, general financial characteristics of European and Asian manufacturing firms have never been compared. In this paper, we undertake such a study with the MANOVA (Multivariate Analysis of Variance) technique. Our research uses all European and Asian manufacturing firms included in the Research Insight/Global Vintage database at the end of 2015. Our findings may provide valuable insights for financial managers and global investors. We find that Asian firms tend to have less liquidity risk but more bankruptcy risk compared with European firms. European firms have more efficient accounts receivable management and higher fixed and total assets turnover rates. However, Asian firms have higher inventory turnover and sales growth rates. Return on equity is not significantly different in European and Asian firms. However, Asian firms have significantly higher net profit margin and return on assets compared with European firms.


The socioeconomic status effects on individual health state are increasingly recognised in ac ademic literature. This survey reviews the existing theoretical and empirical findings in Greece, the indicators applied and the methodological problems encountered in the existing literature. Thus, the study aims at informing both the researcher and the policy maker about the state of knowledge regarding the effects of socioeconomic and occupational status on health.


The influenza fusion peptide domain (HAfp23) is comprised of the N‐terminal 23 residues of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein which are highly conserved and have been shown to be essential for membrane fusion and the infection process of the Influenza virus. HAfp23 has a helical hairpin structure consisting of two tightly packed amphiphilic helices that rest on the membrane surface. We reveal that HAfp23 is a new class of amphipathic helix that functions by leveraging the negative curvature induced by two tightly packed helices on membranes. The helical hairpin structure has an inverted wedge shape characteristic of negative curvature lipids, with a bulky hydrophobic region and a relatively small hydrophilic head region. The F3G mutation reduces this inverted wedge shape by reducing the volume of its hydrophobic base. We show that despite maintaining identical backbone structures and dynamics as the wild type HAfp23, the F3G mutant has an attenuated fusion activity that is correlated to its reduced ability to induce negative membrane curvature. The inverted wedge shape of HAfp23 is likely to play a crucial role in the initial stages of membrane fusion by stabilizing negative curvature in the fusion stalk.


ZnMgO films were prepared at room temperature on freestanding diamond (FSD) substrates with and without ZnO buffer layers by radio-frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering method. The effects of annealing treatment and ZnO buffer layers on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the ZnMgO films were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectrophotometer, and electrical measurements. The experimental results suggested that the annealing treatment and buffer layer were helpful to improve the crystalline quality of ZnMgO/diamond heteroepitaxial films.


Abstract Psychologists and educators need to be aware of developmental challenges that are present for gay and lesbian youth as well as the factors that are protective in negotiating homosexual orientation. This article reviews developmental tasks and trajectories in the adolescence period as well as central risk and protective factors. Attachment theory is used as the theoretical base to understand the impact that rejection of relationship connections can have on the development of gay and lesbian adolescents. The developmental challenges for gay and lesbian youth are addressed as are the frequent failure of families and schools to provide continuity of secure caregiving to these youth. School psychologists are challenged to promote and be part of a response that provides a secure base and promotes healthy development for gay and lesbian adolescents.


1. Water uptake is not inhibited by centrifugation, exposure to 45 °C, burning of the integument or by submergence in water for 1 h.

2. Repeated desiccation followed by rehydration does not inhibit water uptake. This, however, results in insects with an extremely high water content.

3. Starvation also results in insects with a very high water content, the latter depending on the length of starvation, and also results in the depletion of dry matter.

4. Desiccation followed by rehydration does not result in any loss in dry matter additional to that caused by starvation.

5. The ability to rehydrate of insects desiccated at various stages of the moulting cycle is described. It is concluded that at the later stages of the moulting cycle water uptake ceases.

6. The results are discussed in the light of current theories of the uptake mechanism. It is suggested that the uptake mechanism is primarily concerned with volume regulation.

7. It is also suggested that anal blockage, which is known to arrest uptake, results in a nervous inhibition bringing about such an effect, rather than the rectum being the site of uptake.


In this paper we study Bénard-Marangoni convection in confined containers where a thin fluid layer is heated from below. We consider containers with circular, square and hexagonal cross-sections. For Marangoni numbers close to the critical Marangoni number, the flow patterns are dominated by the appearance of the wellknown hexagonal convection cells. The main purpose of this computational study is to explore the possible patterns the system may end up in for a given set of parameters. In a series of numerical experiments, the coupled fluid-thermal system is started with a zero initial condition for the velocity and a random initial condition for the temperature. For a given set of parameters we demonstrate that the system can end up in more than one state. For example, the final state of the system may be dominated by a steady convection pattern with a fixed number of cells, however, the same system may occasionally end up in a steady pattern involving a slightly different number of cells, or it may end up in a state where most of the cells are stationary, while one or more cells end up in an oscillatory state. For larger aspect ratio containers, we are also able to reproduce dislocations in the convection pattern, which have also been observed experimentally. It has been conjectured that such imperfections (e.g., a localized star-like pattern) are due to small irregularities in the experimental setup (e.g., the geometry of the container). However, we show, through controlled numerical experiments, that such phenomena may appear under otherwise ideal conditions. By repeating the numerical experiments for the same non-dimensional numbers, using a different random initial condition for the temperature in each case, we are able to get an indication of how rare such events are. Next, we study the effect of symmetrizing the initial conditions. Finally, we study the effect of selected geometry deformations on the resulting convection patterns. AMS subject classifications: 65C20, 76D05, 76E06, 65N35


This article theorizes mentoring in higher education, particularly considering the gap that senior academic staff notice in terms of support after being granted tenure. Following discussions of the various definitions of the concept as well as the identification of its features and several operational models as found in the literature, the authors propose a model for mentoring of experienced college professors. The model in question capitalizes on parameters that characterize effective mentoring, while comparing the pre- and post-tenure experiences of senior academic staff. The focus of a prospective professional development program relying on mentoring should take into account contextual parameters that motivate seasoned college instructors as contributors to their institution's knowledge base and positive culture. Keywords : Senior Academic Staff; Mentoring; Professional Development


The problem of peritonitis has long been puzzling and vexatious for the abdominal surgeon and the clinician as well. Some peritonitis probably occurs postoperatively in every case in which an abdominal operation is performed. Usually the degree of this peritonitis is slight, and the origin is chemical or traumatic. In intestinal operations, particularly on the large bowel, there is in most instances some bacterial peritonitis. Fortunately, if certain accepted principles are followed, in most cases the postoperative peritonitis is mild and nonfatal. However, when one is operating on malignant lesions of the large bowel, perforation of the growth and formation of abscess are often encountered. Occasionally, too, the anatomic situation of the malignant lesion places insuperable difficulties in the path of the surgeon. It has been our hope that we might increase the resistance of each patient against fatal peritonitis and thereby reduce the number of postoperative deaths. We realized


Cr3+ modified readily available cation exchange resins were prepared and explored as heterogeneous bifunctional catalysts for the dehydration of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in tetraethyl ammonium bromide (TEAB)/water as reaction medium. Excellent HMF isolated yields of up to 70% were achieved using simple crystallization of the reaction medium (TEAB) from ethyl acetate/ethanol which allowed the isolation of HMF in high purity. The best identified catalyst (Amberlyst 15/Cr3+) exhibited high activity over 4 cycles. The loss of activity was attributed to the decreased number of acidic sites of the catalyst, thus a simple treatment of the catalyst with 10% HCl efficiently restored its activity in the following cycles.


Abstract In Mexico, the study of the composition and changes of the sporulating microfungi on decaying fallen leaves in rainforest ecosystems has not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the species richness, diversity, abundance and similarity of the sporulating microfungi inhabiting the leaf litter of Rinorea guatemalensis, a dominant evergreen tree in family Violaceae (Malphigiales) from the rainforest of the "Agua Bianca" park in the state of Tabasco. The study was done over a period of 210 days. In parallel we analyzed the loss of leaf biomass. The litter bag method was used. Fungal fruiting structures were detected and quantified using moist chambers. A total of 38 taxa were detected. Two main phases were detected in the biomass loss and in the changes in the microfungi community; the primary phase was characterized by the highest biomass loss and corresponded with the highest diversity, specific richness, as well the highest values of frequency of occurrence for the sporulating microfungi. In the secondary phase the biomass loss and diversity remain with little apparent changes and with a tendency of decrease gradually with increasing foliar decomposition. In the later stages of decomposition, the similarity in the microfungal community increased. The frequency and periodicity of occurrence values indicated that the sporulating microfungi community was structured mainly by rare and sporadic species. Cylindrocladium scoparium, Microthyrium sp., Volutella ciliata and Volutella minima were considered as residents throughout the study. fungal diversity / leaf litter / leaf decomposition / Mexico / tropical microfungi


Title IX expresses society's commitment to sex equality in educational settings. The structure of the statute's regulatory scheme makes clear that the goal is sex equality, not sex neutrality. Notwithstanding the general preference for sex neutral measures, the sports exception to Title IX's general nondiscrimination rule has long been one of the statute's most popular features. The challenge in the beginning of the Title IX era was to get educational institutions to conceive of and equally to support females as athletes. We continue to fight for equal support, but as Title IX concludes its first semi-centennial, we no longer struggle as we did in the beginning with the basic concept of females as athletes, or of female sport as a high value social good.

The challenge as we move into Title IX's second semi-centennial is to get institutions to address the remaining disparities in their treatment of female athletes and female sport at the same time as we enter a new era in which we are being asked to imagine that "female" includes individuals of both sexes so long as they identify as women and girls. This ask reflects the intellectual choice to conceive of sex as a social construct rather than as a fact of biology tied to reproduction, and also the strategic choice of trans rights advocates to work toward law reform that would disallow any distinctions on the basis of sex. The problem is that female sport is by design and for good reasons a reproductive sex classification. These reasons have nothing to do with transphobia and everything to do with the performance gap that emerges from the onset of male puberty. Whether one is trans or not, if one is in sport and cares about sex equality, this physical phenomenon is undeniably relevant. Changing how we define "female" so that it includes individuals of both sexes, and then disallowing any distinctions among them on the basis of sex, is by definition and in effect a rejection of Title IX's equality goals. Those who push for these changes are committed to sex neutrality, not sex equality.

The goals of this paper are to provide the legal, factual, and normative background necessary to evaluate the merits of this challenge to the sports exception to Title IX's general nondiscrimination rule, and then to present the case for re-affirming the exception in a form that is appropriate for this next period of its history. It proceeds in three parts: Part I describes the legal history of Title IX's sports exception, its goals, and the current state of the legal doctrine. Part II explains its scientific basis and rationale. Part III sets out the best case for and against affirming the commitment to sex equality in education-based sport, and then presents our argument for resolving the collision of interests at issue. The paper concludes that the original Title IX commitment to sex equality continues to do important work and should not to be abandoned, including in the sports space where equality requires not only recognizing but also celebrating physical sex differences. Including trans people within this design is difficult by definition, but policymakers should accept the challenge.


Lempasing is a Coastal Fishing Port (CFP) which located in Bandar Lampung. It is one of the centers of fisheries activities in the city. One of the fishing gear which operated by most of fishermen in Lempasing is mini purse seine. Mini purse seine fishing activities in the Lampung Bay Area and Lempasing CFP is not in accordance with the conditions of the surrounding waters area. The research was conducted in the Lampung Bay Area and Lempasing CFP, Lampung. This study aims to: 1) determine the status of fisheries resources utilization, 2) to describe the dominant fish caught by mini purse seine.  Analysis methods were used in this study namely: 1) Fishing Power Index (FPI), Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE), and Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) to determine the status of fisheries resource utilization. The dominant small pelagic fishes caught were scad fish Selaroides sp ., mackerel fish Rastrelliger sp ., longnose trevally fish Carangoides chrysophrys . The result showed that Fox model was the best fits models with estimated maximum sustainable yield of 15.5 ton and fishing effort of 992 trip/year for mini purse seine. The longnose trevally fish in lampung bay area in do not exceeded the optimal catch fish condition can be used to sustainably. In these condition is necessary to wisely manage and setting the catches to not exceed the allowable catch of the small pelagic fish, so the stock of small pelagic fish in the Lampung Bay Area can be used sustainably.


This paper presents a brief, critical analysis of the role of potential leachable ingredients in polymeric implants in relation to performance characteristics when in contact with the physiologic environment. Leaching is the reverse phenomenon of sorption, in which diffusing small molecules, such as additives, are removed by constant or non-constant rates from the bulk to the surface of polymeric materials from which they enter the physiologic milieu. Improved extraction procedures must be accompanied by thorough physico-chemical, mechanical, and biological testings aimed at the better simulation of the in vivo performance. There is a need to develop potentially non-leaching additives for polymers intended for biomedical uses.


Boundary condition for the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) photonic simulation truncated with a gain medium is studied. Reflection occurs when applying the perfectly matched layer (PML) due to the impedance mismatch. The implementation of PML for the simulation truncated with gain medium is presented including both the un-split and split-field formulation, respectively. Numerical validation through simulating the light propagating in an active semiconductor waveguide containing gain medium indicates that the boundary formulation derived can effectively absorb the out-going light under different carrier densities.


The flower-like α-Fe2O3 superstructures were fabricated by a novel hydrothermal route and sequential annealing at 600 °C for 1 h using FeCl3×6H2O as the starting precursor. The structures and morphologies of the synthesized flower-like superstructures have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is revealed that the flower-like α-Fe2O3nanostructures consist of nanorods with the average diameter of about 70 nm and an average length of about 200nm growing from the centers. The critical role of urea in the hydrothermal synthesis of the flower-like nanostructures is discussed.


A patient with chronic active hepatitis developed vomiting, dyspnoea, tachycardia, diarrhoea and diffuse pains. For several years she had been treated with azathioprine and for a few weeks before admission with phenformin for mild diabetes. Laboratory examination revealed acute disseminated intravascular coagulation and lactacidaemia. Despite intensive treatment the patient died a few hours after admission, the post-mortem examination revealing diffuse pulmonary haemorrhages. The present case report and those published in the literature suggest that phenformin should not be given to diabetics who also have renal or hepatic disease. In any case, if phenformin is given, it should be stopped if hepatic, renal, infectious or thrombotic complications occur. In these cases and those of sudden unexplained deterioration in diabetics, hospitalisation is essential and lactic acid levels should be determined and coagulation tests performed.


The increasingly intensive coexistence of diverse radio systems and the inability of existing institutions to resolve conflicts in a timely manner requires a change in the way operating rights are defined, assigned and enforced. We propose that operating rights should be articulated using transmission permissions and reception protections, defined probabilistically (the Three Ps). Transmission permissions should be based on resulting field strength over space and frequency, rather than radiated power at a transmitter. Reception protections should state the maximum electromagnetic energy an operator can expect from other operations. This formulation does not require a definition of harmful interference, which is delegated to operators and adjudicators should the need for it arise, and does not entail receiver standards. We also recommend ways to facilitate the adjustment of rights in the market place. The remedy (injunction vs. damages) that attaches to an operating right should be stipulated when it is issued. The regulator should separate its rule making and adjudication roles by not changing rights during dispute resolution. The regulator should leave parameter values unchanged after defining an entitlement, though it may add new parameters at license renewal. Values may be adjusted by negotiation between operators at any time, though any changes should be recorded in a public registry of entitlements. The number of parties to a negotiation should be limited by minimizing the number of rights recipients and by enabling direct bargaining between the parties through effective delegation, obviating the regulator's participation.


A microwave-promoted one-pot, three-component sequential cyclization-Mannich reaction of unactivated ketones, o-formyl carbamates and primary amines has been developed. Cyclic N-acyliminium ions are generated in situ from the carbamate and amine starting materials. This metal-free cascade protocol provides rapid access to structurally diverse 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones in good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity for the terminal methyl group, in the case of unsymmetrical methyl alkyl ketones. Key features of the developed protocol include its operational simplicity, ease of product purification, and wide functional group tolerance.


The flow of information is continually increasing due to the ubiquitous use of information technology. Information communication and distribution is highly automated to meet the demand for an unobtrusive information flow. Servers, systems and applications overtake the tasks of gathering, storing, distributing and selecting the diverse information requests, though the task of presenting the information in a communicatively effective manner is still a manual tasks handled by professionals. In certain contexts, such as the distribution of dynamically generated content by web servers, the manual tasks restrict the system from performing as efficiently as possible. At the moment there is a great potential for production efficacy gain by automating the workflow to some extent. The system utilization of a document layout generator may cover some designer functions and thereby reducing task redundancy related to the presentation of information. Document layout automation algorithms are typically implemented with weighting metrics for the purpose of quantifying layout characteristics, also called layout attributes, of generated layout in the perspective of visual quality. Several different weighting metrics and algorithms have been studied and implemented in the past years, but still they fail to produce layouts matching the general performance of a designer in practice. Literature suggests that many of the weighting metrics, despite their advanced mathematical implementation, lack the implementation of a persistent set of preference attributes. Weighting metrics based on an extended set of preference attributes related to designer preferences may further improve the performance of a document layout automation algorithm. The scope of this thesis is to establish knowledge about the utilization of document layout attribute operators in document layout automation. How do document layout automation system with an extended attribute operator set perform related to layout quality? The study presented in this thesis reveals that implementing operators for the layout characteristics alignment and equilibrium in layout generators doesn't automatically enhance the visually perceived quality of the layout generated. A second scope of this thesis is to generalize the modeling paradigms derived from existing literature related to document layout automation systems. Several systems have been proposed for solving layout automation related problems, but still there is a lack of literature related to the generalization of layout automation system models. Is it possible to recognize modeling patterns can be generalized an utilized in a wide range of layout automation systems, applications and / or components? We propose a layout automation system modeling framework based on a grounded theory study of related literature. The presented proof of concept system LaG is modeled based on this modeling framework and provides an affirmation of the modeling framework flexibility regarding layout automation technology and architectural modeling patterns.


Abstract Large-scale ecosystem models are important tools for carbon assessment at national scales. Many of these models are not initialised with known field data from any particular time, but simulate the growth of each stand from its estimated germination year up to the present or future. The models will overestimate current-day standing volume or biomass unless historic stand management (biomass removal due to thinning) is taken into account. The full management history of each stand is rarely known, and must be somehow estimated. One possibility is to build statistical thinning models based on data in a National Forest Inventory, which could then be integrated into the ecosystem models. If the harvesting model is constructed using only variables that are also used within the ecosystem model, then the management impacts can be included in the ecosystem model for the entire simulated life of the stand. In the case of most flux dynamics models, this precludes the use of the tree-level data that harvesting models have traditionally relied on. In this article, we develop a novel means to interrogate a subset of the Austrian National Forest Inventory based on deriving probability density functions for particular combinations of stand and site variables. We determine the parameters of a probabilistic model to estimate historic patterns of timber removals and validate it against inventory estimates. Our procedure can establish supportable estimates of historic management regimes suitable as input data for subsequent modelling of national-scale forest carbon stocks, sources and sinks.


The long-term results of 25 patients treated nonopera tively with isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries were evaluated. Mean followup was 6.2 years (range, 2.2 to 16 years). All patients were evaluated both subjectively (questionnaire) and objectively (clinical examination, x-ray films, Cybex II dynamometer, and KT-1000 Knee Arthrometer). At followup, 80% of the patients were satisfied with their knees and 84% had returned to their previous sport (68% at the same level of performance, 16% at a decreased level of performance). Mean torque Cybex II quadriceps values for three velocities of testing (45, 90, and 180 deg/sec) in patients fully returned to sport and satisfied with their knees was greater than 100% of uninvolved quadricep; conversely, those not satisfied with their knees all had values less than 100% of uninvolved knee. The amount of knee instability as determined by the KT-1000 Arthrometer was not re lated to the patient's return to sport nor to knee satis faction. We concluded that the majority of athletes with isolated PCL injuries who maintain strength in muscu lature return to sports without functional disability.


Electron beam lithography is capable of defining structures with sub-10 nm linewidths. To exploit this capability to produce working devices with structures defined in multiple 'lithographic steps' a process of alignment must be used. The conventional method of scanning the electron beam across simple geometrically shaped markers will be shown inherently to limit the alignment accuracy attainable. Improvements to alignment allow precise placement of elements in complex multi-level devices and may be used to realise structures which are significantly smaller than the single exposure resist limit.

Correlation based alignment has been used previously as an alignment technique, providing improvements to the attainable accuracy and noise immunity of alignment. It is well known that the marker pattern used in correlation based alignment has a strong influence on the magnitude of the improvements that can be realised. There has, to date, however, been no analytical study of how the design of marker pattern affects the correlation process and hence the alignment accuracy possible. This thesis analyses the correlation process to identify the features of marker patterns that are advantageous for correlation based alignment. Several classes of patterns have been investigated, with a range of metrics used to determine the suitability and performance of each type of pattern. Penrose tilings were selected on this basis as the most appropriate pattern type for use as markers in correlation based alignment.

A process for performing correlation based alignment has been implemented on a commercial electron beam lithography tool and the improvements to the alignment accuracy have been demonstrated. A method of measuring alignment accuracy at the nanometer scale, based on the Fourier analysis of inter-digitated grating has been introduced.

The improvements in alignment accuracy realised have been used to facilitate the fabrication of 'nanogap' and 'nanowire' devices - structures which have application in the fields of molecular electronics and quantum conduction. Fabrication procedures for such devices are demonstrated and electrical measurements of such structures presented to show that it is a feasible method of fabrication which offers much greater flexibility than the existing methods for creating these devices.


Smart clothing is enabled by different technologies coupled with the innovations in the fields of textile materials and their structures, i.e. nanotechnologies, microelectronics, wearable devices, IT biotechnology, electro spinning, etc. The era of smart clothing and intelligent materials has started with military applications – from bullet resistant body armour to chemically protective clothing; from biological or chemical sensors to self-repairing materials. Nowadays there are many more applications of smartness in garments. They are not only civilian police, fireman, emergency responders, but also mountain climbers, sports and medical personnel. Even businessmen with built-in wearable microcomputers. The aim of this paper is to present historical development of smart garments, to describe their assortment and peculiarities of materials they are made of. Also, to discuss the role of design process in the development of such smart products.


Based on reciprocating electroplated diamond wire saw (REDWS) slicing experiments, a study on REDWS machining brittle-ductile transition of single crystal silicon was introduced. The machined surfaces and chips were observed by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and some experimental evidences of the change of material removal mode had been obtained. The experimental results indicate there is a close relationship between material removal mode and the ratio r value of ingot feed speed and wire speed, through controlling and adjusting the r value, the material removal mode can be complete brittle, partial ductile and near-ductile removal.


Clinical presentation of COVID-19 infection can be variable in the current pandemic, even in patients presenting to the clinic with mild history of upper respiratory complaints. Various cutaneous manifestations have been noticed in COVID-19 patients with herpes zoster (HZ) being one among them. HZ is an infection that results when varicella zoster virus reactivates from its latent state in a posterior dorsal root ganglion. Here, we aim to expand our knowledge by reporting three cases of associated zoster infection in COVID-19 patients admitted to our intensive care unit in view of respiratory complaints. All the three patients admitted had revealed lymphocytopenia at the time of HZ diagnosis and were managed conservatively throughout the course. In all the cases, acyclovir/valacyclovir led to the resolution of lesions in 10 days. No postherpetic sequelae were observed. We hereby suggest that the clinical presentation of HZ at the time of current pandemic should be considered as an alarming sign for a latent subclinical SARS-CoV-2 infection and thorough follow-up of such patients should be adopted.


Harm reduction, a modern post-2000 form of treatment for substance use behaviors, provided a public health and disease model for the reduction of the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus in the early 1980s. Different from the traditional choice of treatment, abstinence, harm reduction is designed to meet people "where they are at". The traditional 12-step treatment for substance use disorders does not allow the individual to relapse, lest it is considered the treatment has failed. Harm reduction focuses on the reduction of negative consequences of substance use and allows the substance user to accept moderate and safer use, thereby, reducing the harmful effects of the disorder. The inclusion of mindfulness with harm reduction places the individual in the present state of awareness, the here and now, making them aware of cues that trigger the desire to use substances. This article will compare the use of harm reduction treatments combined with mindfulness techniques as an alternative treatment for substance abuse when the 12-step substance abuse program does not work for everyone.


INTRODUCTION
Surgical training using simulation can fill gaps in traditional surgical residency learning. We hypothesize that arthroscopy training conducted on a virtual reality simulator will be preferred by orthopaedic surgery residents over a traditional dry lab simulation model.

METHODS
38 orthopaedic surgery residents at a single U.S. residency program were randomized to train for a shoulder arthroscopy procedure using either a virtual reality simulator or a table-top dry lab simulator. Training and learning preferences were then asked of the resident participants.

RESULTS
Junior residents were likely to report training preference for the virtual reality simulator compared to senior residents [15/24 (62.5%) v. 8/14 (57.1%); P = .043]. Simulator preference was not influenced by subspecialty interest, prior arthroscopy experience, or simulator experience. Virtual reality simulation was associated with positive attitude towards arthroscopy and high chance of reporting learning gains on general arthroscopic understanding. Senior residents were 4.7 times more likely than juniors to report learning gains via staff discussion pre- and post-operatively. A majority of residents [34/38 (89.5%)] reported, however, wanting more simulation for training surgical skills.

CONCLUSION
Simulation is a desired and potentially valuable adjunct to training orthopaedic residents in arthroscopy. Training needs do evolve; and junior arthroscopists may benefit more from virtual reality platforms for general skills. Senior residents preferred dry lab simulation, possibly because it allowed for handling of actual instruments and implants.


With the referral of the Kodak - Fuji market access dispute to the World Trade Organization, the role of retail distribution channel control by incumbent firms as a barrier to imports has drawn much interest. This paper reviews the issues from an historical perspective and analyzes the difficulties facing firms attempting to sell their products in other nations' automobile and photo supplies markets. There has been a natural evolution of retail distribution channels from mom and pop stores to hyper markets. The earlier the stage in this evolutionary process at which a nation's retail channels stand, the more difficult it is for consumer goods importers to secure their own products' distribution. Volkswagen's early entry into the U.S. automobile market and Nissan's later entry are analyzed as examples of how exclusive distribution channels controlled by incumbents can be surmounted. Key aspects of the Kodak Fuji case are also examined. The advantages and disadvantages of manufacturers' restraints on their distributors are so complex, the paper concludes, that it would be difficult to adopt uniform international competition policies toward trade-impairing vertical restraints.


The purpose of this study was to use mixed methods to examine the factors that contribute to the adoption of translation and interpreting (T&I) technologies by university instructors. The qualitative outcomes aimed to ascertain which technologies are currently being used in Australian universities, in the categories of web-search, CAT, mobile and tablet, and language lab software and hardware. An infographic was used to help display the technologies in these four domains. The findings of the quantitative analysis indicate that the frequent use of T&I technologies in instructors' current practice significantly affected their intention to use technologies in the future. However, their experiences in both teaching and using such technologies were not factors that influenced their future use. The instructors who viewed T&I technologies favourably tended to recommend these tools to their friends and family; they believed that these tools helped them improve the accuracy of their job performance and secure their current job, and generally gave them an advantage in the employment market. At the same time, the instructors in our study faced some issues in using T&I technologies, such as the accuracy of their output and the lifespan of the software. Regardless of the challenges they faced, if an instructor perceived T&I technologies to be useful, they tended to express an intention to continue to use such technologies in the future.


Abstract Does public participation matter in planning? Although the paradigm of participation has strengthened, its practical implementation is not always successful. Critical literature stresses that public engagement is often ineffective since planning choices are mainly influenced by the most affluent groups. While most studies focus on collaborative or innovative cases of participation in urban design and transformation, this article focuses on local comprehensive planning and the statutory involvement of the public and interest groups. To assess their influence, their access to the planning process is analysed with data from a survey of elected officers and staff in the municipalities of the largest region in Italy. It is inferred that the access for non-governmental actors predicts the latter's impact on policy decisions. Participation from citizens and stakeholders through the formal and legally regulated mechanisms does not seem to be empty rhetoric: their contributions appear to be taken into consideration. In most cases, they manage to make an impact on decision-makers by collaborating with them, while confrontation is seldom experienced. Residents and economic associations are the most influential players, while political parties are the least prominent ones. This implies that particular interests and expectations, manifested by many residents and stakeholders, may hinder policymakers striving to plan for the wider community's benefit.


The extensive care provided by families to their elderly relatives in the home is well documented. Although family caregiving is likely to be continued during hospitalization of elderly relatives, limited research has been conducted to address the nature of family care for hospitalized elders. The main purpose of this qualitative study was to refine the content domain of family care for hospitalized elders. Altogether 25 interviews were done. Of the 16 participants, 6 were family members, 6 were patients, and 4 were nurses; 7 participants were interviewed once and 9 participants were interviewed twice. Qualitative analysis based on Lofland and Lofland's (1984, 1995) approach resulted in the identification of three major content domains: family members providing care to the patient, working together with the health care team, and taking care of themselves. This typology suggests a shift of research in this area from its current focus on family needs to a view of family caregivers as partners with the health care team.


Diarrhea is a common side effect of chemotherapy regimens, particularly fluorouracil- and irinotecan-based therapies and abdominal and pelvic radiation regimens. Diarrhea can cause depletion of fluids and electrolytes, malnutrition, dehydration, and hospitalization, all of which can lead to cardiovascular compromise and death. Therefore, diarrhea can interfere with and detract from cancer treatment by causing dosing delays or reductions. Evidence supports pharmacologic interventions such as loperamide and octreotide as recommendations for practice. Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics are likely to be effective, but more extensive research is warranted as the field evolves. Soluble fiber supplements are likely to be effective for treating chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-induced diarrhea; however, additional research is needed because the type and dose of soluble fiber most effective in treating and preventing these types of diarrhea are unknown. This article is limited to recommendations for chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced diarrhea. The chemotherapy regimens included in most of the studies reviewed were the commonly used regimens containing drugs such as fluorouracil, cisplatin, adriamycin, and irinotecan.


As a novel attack on the perennially vexing questions of the theoretical status of thematic roles and the inventory of possible roles, this paper defends a strategy of basing accounts of roles on more unified domains of linguistic data than have been used in the past to motivate roles, addressing in particular the problem of ARGUMENT SELECTION (principles determining which roles are associated with which grammatical relations). It is concluded that the best theory for describing this domain is not a traditional system of discrete roles (Agent, Patient, Source, etc.) but a theory in which the only roles are two cluster-concepts called PROTO-AGENT and PROTO-PATIENT, each characterized by a set of verbal entailments: an argument of a verb may bear either of the two proto-roles (or both) to varying degrees, according to the number of entailments of each kind the verb gives it. Both fine-grained and coarse-grained classes of verbal arguments (corresponding to traditional thematic roles and other classes as well) follow automatically, as do desired 'role hierarchies'. By examining occurrences of the 'same' verb with different argument configurations—e.g. two forms of psych predicates and object-oblique alternations as in the familiar spray/load class—it can also be argued that proto-roles act as defaults in the learning of lexical meanings. Are proto-role categories manifested elsewhere in language or as cognitive categories? If so, they might be a means of making grammar acquisition easier for the child, they might explain certain other typological and acquisitional observations, and they may lead to an account of contrasts between unaccusative and unergative intransitive verbs that does not rely on deriving unaccusatives from underlying direct objects.


The analysis of the characteristics of a number of proto-oncogenes reveals some similarities with the site of action (plasma membrane receptor, nucleus) or the mechanisms of action (coupling protein of the "G" family, transcriptional activity) of neuropeptides and namely hypophysiotropic hypothalamic neuropeptides. The example illustrated in this review concerns the induction of the early nuclear oncogene c. fos by TRH in a prolactin secreting rat pituitary cell line. TRH regulates both, hormone release and biosynthesis, in this cell line. Kinetic and pharmacological studies suggest that the induction of the proto-oncogene mRNA accumulation is rather associated with the TRH-induced release of the stored hormone than with the increased transcriptional activity of the prolactin gene.


When Zandria Robinson returned home to interview African Americans in Memphis, she was often greeted with some version of the caution "I hope you know this ain't Chicago." In this important new work, Robinson critiques ideas of black identity constructed through a northern lens and situates African Americans as central shapers of contemporary southern culture. Analytically separating black southerners from their migrating cousins, fictive kin, and white counterparts, Robinson demonstrates how place intersects with race, class, gender, and regional identities and differences.Robinson grounds her work in Memphis--the first big city heading north out of the Mississippi Delta. Although Memphis sheds light on much about the South, Robinson does not suggest that the region is monolithic. Instead, she attends to multiple Souths, noting the distinctions between southern places. Memphis, neither Old South nor New South, sits at the intersections of rural and urban, soul and post-soul, and civil rights and post-civil rights, representing an ongoing conversation with the varied incarnations of the South, past and present.


Renal involvement in patients with mumps virus infections has been investigated in a series of studies by Utz et al. 1-4 Viruria, transient hematuria, proteinuria, and reduced creatinine clearance were noted in each of 20 patients with mumps confirmed by laboratory findings. These studies suggested a prolonged viral infection of the urinary tract and viral multiplication within the kidneys. Instances of concurrent mumps virus infections and nonfatal nephritis have also been reported, 5,6 although in these cases, concomitant poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis could not be excluded. We describe a patient in whom nephrotic syndrome developed after mumps virus infection was confirmed by serologic tests. Report of a Case .—A 5-year-old girl who had previously been healthy was admitted to a hospital two weeks after the onset of parotitis. Insidious swelling was noted around her eyes, ankles, and feet. The output of urine had decreased gradually. Her BP was normal. The following abnormal


Materials and Methods: A collaborative study initiated by the College Francais d'Echographie Foetale (CFEF) assemble 7 laryngeal atresias. We drawn up a questioning to reach our objectives. Results: Median maternal age was 26 years, sex ratio = 1, gestational age at discovery was 22 W.+/−3 W. All ultrasound scan findings were related in a table. We found a high frequency (6/7) of large echogenic lungs, tracheal dilatation, inverted or flattened diaphragm, and compressed median heart. Ascites, polyhydramnios (5/7), subcutaneous edema (4/7) and moderate pleural bleeding (2/7) were noted. All fetuses have normal karyotype. Associated malformations were found: 1 Fraser syndrome, 1 IUGR wilt oesophagus stenosis and cryptorchidia, 1 supernumerary vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the left atrium, with single pulmonary vein. Also a mono-chorionic, bi-amniotic twin pregnancy was described: T2 deceased to D21(Leucomalacia). Four fetuses were terminated. One died intra-partum. Two deceased during the post-natal period. Autopsy and/or bronchoscopy were performed in six cases. The obstruction level was performed; almost always type 2 of the classification by Smith and Bain. The atypical case was in relationship with a probable eso-tracheal fistula. Conclusion: Prenatal diagnosis of laryngeal atresia can be performed in prenatal. The ultrasound semiology is almost constant. The prognosis in our series is poor. In case of no other malformation an EXIT (EX utero Intrapartum Treatment) procedure could be proposed to parents after correctly information.


The Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain is a highly conserved signaling domain found in the intracellular regions of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), in interleukin-1 receptors, and in several cytoplasmic adaptor proteins. TIR domains mediate receptor signal transduction through recruitment of adaptor proteins and play critical roles in the innate immune response and inflammation. This work presents the 2.2Å crystal structure of the TIR domain of human TLR10, revealing a symmetric dimer in the asymmetric unit. The dimer interaction surface contains residues from the BB-loop, DD-loop, and αC-helix, which have previously been identified as important structural motifs for signaling in homologous TLR receptors. The interaction surface is extensive, containing a central hydrophobic patch surrounded by polar residues. The BB-loop forms a tight interaction, where a range of consecutive residues binds in a pocket formed by the reciprocal BB-loop and αC-helix. This pocket appears to be well suited for binding peptide substrates, which is consistent with the notion that peptides and peptide mimetics of the BB-loop are inhibitors for TLR signaling. The TLR10 structure is in good agreement with available biochemical data on TLR receptors and is likely to provide a good model for the physiological dimer.


Comprehensive measurements of the dependence of the weld width, penetration depth, and joint strength on the Au coating thickness in laser welding techniques for semiconductor laser packages are presented. The results obtained from the Invar-Invar joints show that the welded joints with thick Au coating exhibit narrower weld width, shallower penetration, and hence less joint strength than those the package joints with thin Au coating. A finite-element method (FEM) has been carried out on the effect of Au thickness on laser beam penetration in Invar-Invar joints. This method has been employed successfully to predict the laser beam penetration in laser welded Au-coated materials that the weld width and the penetration depth are reduced as the Au coating thickness increases. The likely cause for the reduction is the increased thermal conduction of thicker Au in the welded region. In addition to Au coating, the effect of Ni coating on laser beam penetration is also presented. Detailed knowledge of the effect of Au coating thickness on laser beam penetration is important for the practical design and fabrication of reliable optoelectronic packaging having laser welded Au-coated materials.


In 100 patients with trophoblastic tumors the functional activity of the adrenal cortex was examined before and after chemotherapy. Androgen-producing function of the adrenal cortex was found to be reduced as well as the absolute number of excreted 17-ketosteroids separate fractions and their ratio. The glucocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex shows a monotonous character. Only in patients having uterine chorion-epithelioma with metastases a reliable reduction of the fraction of 11-hydroxy-17-ketosteroids is noted before and after chemotherapy, while the per cent content of free 17-oxy-corticoid fraction is increased with regard to their total amount. Successful chemotherapy, associated with a lower titre of chorionic gonadotropins up to its complete disappearance, does not result in normalization of values characterizing the functional activity of the adrenal cortex.


Aim To compare the efficacy and safety between posterior sub-tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) and intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) (IVIA) in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. Patients and methods A total of 45 eyes were retrospectively enrolled (23 eyes with intravitreal bevacizumab and 22 eyes with posterior sub-tenon triamcinolone acetonide). Main endpoints included logMAR of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after treatment at 6 months. Results The mean logMAR improved from 0.78 to 0.56 at 6 months for intravitreal bevacizumab (p=0.001), and from 0.91 to 0.79 and 0.87 at 3 and 6 months (p=0.038 and 0.13), respectively, for sub-tenon triamcinolone acetonide. At 6 months, the BCVA was significantly better in the bevacizumab group (p=0.02). Both groups' mean CMT significantly improved, from 478 µm at baseline to 295 µm at 6 months in IVIA group (p<0.001) and from 419 µm at baseline to 350 µm in PSTA group (p=0.012); however, this was not different between the groups at 6 months (p=0.065). Recurrence of macular edema was not different between the groups either (p=0.08). Poorer final vision was associated with poorer baseline BCVA and diagnosis of central retinal vein occlusion after adjustment for age and sex (p<0.001 and 0.012, respectively). Significant elevation of IOP was noted at 3 months in the PSTA group, but declined at 6 months compared with baseline (p=0.002 and 0.41, respectively). Conclusion Intravitreal bevacizumab seemed to achieve better visual acuity compared with posterior sub-tenon injections of triamcinolone acetonide at 6 months, while CMT was comparable. PSTA still resulted in transient IOP elevation.


In this paper, friction compensation in a controlled one-link robot is studied. Since friction is generally velocity dependent and controlled mechanical systems are often equipped with position sensors only, friction compensation requires some form of velocity estimation. Here, the velocity estimate is provided by a reduced-order observer. The friction is modeled by a set-valued velocity map including an exponential Stribeck curve. For the resulting discontinuous closed-loop dynamics, both the case of exact friction compensation and nonexact friction compensation are investigated. For the case of exact friction compensation, design rules in terms of controller and observer parameter settings, guaranteeing global exponential stability of the set-point are proposed. If the proposed design rules are not fulfilled, the system can exhibit a nonzero steady-state error and limit cycling. Moreover, in the case of nonexact friction compensation, it is shown that undercompensation leads to the existence of an equilibrium set and overcompensation leads to limit cycling. These results are obtained both numerically and experimentally.


The pathologic features of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (CPDD), particularly the synovial abnormalities, have not been adequately described or depicted in textbooks or journals; this report details the findings in 12 cases. Attention is drawn to the practical reasons for distinguishing CPDD arthropathy from other arthropathies, particularly osteoarthritis; clinical and gross pathologic features that should suggest CPDD arthropathy in cases that are not suspected preoperatively; and characteristics of the tophaceous deposits in CPDD.