The ability to tune the dye structure synthetically has been crucial in the development of materials with tailored properties for given applications. In this contribution, a series of discrete molecules are reported, which are constructed from the perylene diimide (PDI) chromophore and three dyes, namely thienyl diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPPTh2 ), pyridyl diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPPPyr2 ), and thienoisoindigo (TII). Through the choice of dye molecule and linking of the dye and PDI through conjugated acetylene bridges, the light-harvesting characteristics can be engineered to exhibit optical absorption in the range 300-900 nm. Each molecule shows ambipolar redox behavior, leading to unique electrochromic behavior.


This paper investigates the political economy foundations of international Monetary Fund (IMF) surveillance by developing a taxonomy that accounts for its differential impact across the membership and examine its rationale in light of how surveillance has historically affected members' economic policies. With powerful member countries now pressing for the IMF to strengthen surveillance, we identify the factors that would enable it to affect the policies of its member countries, exploring the impact that IMF's internal governance has on the effectiveness of both bilateral and multilateral surveillance and contrasting it with the experience of select international organizations.


Band and choral preservice teachers (N = 44) studied band and choral scores, listened to recordings of school ensembles, and identified errors in the recordings. Results indicated that preservice teachers identified significantly more errors when listening to recordings of their primary area (band majors listening to band, p = .045; choral majors listening to chorus, p = .012). Furthermore, band majors identified rhythm errors more frequently than pitch errors when listening to both types of ensembles, while chorus majors listened predominantly for pitch errors. A significant correlation existed between choral majors' ability to detect pitch errors in choral recordings and their ability to detect pitch errors in band recordings (r = .556). Theory course grades were not significantly correlated to error detection abilities, but aural skills course grades were related to ability to identify pitch errors outside the primary area (band majors, r = .441; choral majors, r = .611).


CHEMISTRY
The miniaturization of electronic devices to the nanometer scale requires the fabrication of extremely narrow wires. One approach has focused on the synthesis of conducting metal or carbon nanotubes. A second approach is the self-assembly of small molecular components into conduits held together by noncovalent interactions. Stacked aromatic molecules such as tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) could potentially achieve this function. However, when adsorbed on graphite, the highly conjugated TTF molecule interacts strongly with the substrate and lies flat, which minimizes interactions between molecules; hence, the stack motif is unstable. Puigmarti-Luis et al. have derivatized TTF by capping two of the terminal sulfur atoms with amide groups, which are in turn bonded to long alkyl chains. The intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions between the amides allow the TTF moieties to form long one-dimensional chains in which the π electron-rich cores are tilted at a high angle to the surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy revealed that parallel wires are formed, spaced ∼5 nm apart, which is consistent with distances predicted by molecular modeling. Both quantum mechanical calculations and scanning tunneling spectroscopy suggest that the nanowires should be highly conducting. Furthermore, rectifying behavior was observed in the -1- to 1-V range, with a 10-fold increase in current at negative versus positive substrate bias. — PDS

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128 , 10.1021/ja0640288 (2006).


Data on the efficacy of alternative fumigants to methyl bromide for weed control in perennial crop nurseries in California are needed because few herbicides are registered for this purpose. Field studies were conducted from 2003 to 2006 in four commercial perennial crop nurseries in California. Treatments included a nonfumigated control; methyl bromide (98%) (MeBr) with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film; iodomethane (50%) + chloropicrin (50%) with HDPE film; 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) with HDPE film; 1,3-D (61%) + chloropicrin (35%) with HDPE film; 1,3-D (62%) + chloropicrin (35%) subsurface drip; and 1,3-D (61%) + chloropicrin (35%) with virtually impermeable film (VIF). All the fumigants reduced the seed viability of common purslane, johnsongrass, and tall morningglory but were not as effective on little mallow and field bindweed. Although total weed densities and the level of control provided by each fumigant differed between locations, weed density was generally reduced by all the fumigation treatments, compared to the nonfumigated control. At three locations, alternative fumigation treatments usually resulted in hand-weeding time similar to MeBr. Reductions in weed seed viability, weed emergence, and weed densities suggest that these alternative fumigants will provide weed control similar to MeBr in perennial nurseries. Nomenclature: 1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin (trichloronitromethane), iodomethane, methyl bromide, common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L. POROL, field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis L. CONAR, little mallow, Malva parviflora L. MALPA, johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. SORHA, tall morningglory, Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth PHBPU


In this chapter, artificial neural networks (ANNs) inverse model is applied for estimating the thermal performance ( ) in parabolic trough concentrator (PTC). A recurrent neural network architecture is trained using the Kalman Filter learning from experimental database obtained from PTCs operations. Rim angle (φr), inlet (Tin), outlet (Tout) fluid temperatures, ambient temperature (Ta), water flow (Fw), direct solar radiation (Gb) and the wind velocity (Vw) were used as main input variables within the neural network model in order to estimate the thermal performance with an excellent agreement (R2=0.999) between the experimental and simulated values. The optimal operation conditions of parabolic trough concentrator are established using artificial neural network inverse modeling. The results, using experimental data, showed that the recurrent neural network (RNN) is an excellent tool for modeling and optimization of PTCs.


This study examines the feasibility of using different lightweight aggregates (LA) and bottom ash as coarse and fine aggregates in concrete with fly ash. The lightweight materials were composed of 3 types, namely pumice, cellular lightweight aggregate and MTEC lightweight aggregate. The tests for physical and mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concretes (LWAC) were conducted in terms of workability, compressive strength, apparent density, abrasion resistance and absorption. Test results showed that compressive strength of LWAC increased with an increase in apparent density, which is mainly depending on the type of aggregate. The replacement of normal weight sand with bottom ash resulted in a decrease both in density of concrete by 180-225 kg/m3 and 28-day compressive strength of concrete by 16-26%. Moreover, the use of bottom ash to replace sand in concrete increased the demand for mixing water due to its porosity and shape and to further obtain the required workability. The type and absorption of LA influenced predominantly the water absorption of LWAC. Total replacement of natural sand by bottom ash increased the absorption of the concrete by 63-90%. With regard to abrasion resistance, the abrasion resistance of lightweight aggregate concrete was mainly dependent on the compressive strength of concrete: the higher the strength, the higher the abrasion resistance of LWAC. In addition, the use of bottom ash as a fine aggregate resulted in a lower abrasion resistance of lightweight aggregate concrete due to its porosity. Of the three types of lightweight materials, MTEC LA had achieved both low density and high compressive strength.


Introduction: HHUSM utilization is spreading outside radiology department at the point of care to guide some procedures and to assist clinical evaluation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HHUSM utilization in the pulmonologist9s hospital practice. Methods: An ultrasound report was written by the P after each examination Thoracic ultrasound evaluation (TUSE); a database was created after nine months. This database was analized to deduce the impact of HHUSM in pulmonologist9s practice. Results: Data are summarized in Table 1: 146 TUSE were analized; 108 were used in the clinical setting of lung opacities in the chest X ray and ultrasound assisted thoracentesis. According to the pulmonologist9s Knowledge, 38 TUSE were applied in critical care setting. Conclusion: HHUSM utilization is really important in several clinical situation. Limitations of tecnique were the operator9s knowledge and the standardisation of the skillfulness outside radiology department.Waiting for gold standard examination HHUSM utilization could help in clinical procedures and decisions when applied al point of care.


The number of small devices that are connected to the Internet is increasing rapidly
and the system that controls them are becoming more and more complex. Using
these devices in products and system has the potential to lower costs, increase performance
and provide new functionality. A substantial amount of these devices are
used in "smart homes" or to monitor and control critical electro-mechanical systems.
When developing such system often functionally and performance is prioritized in
comparison to security and many systems have computer security and network security
concerns.
To help the developers create secure systems it exist a practice named Threat Modeling
in which you work with the system through different stages to find its vulnerabilities.
There exist several threat models that are aimed for specific systems of a
certain type.
It exists limited research about threat models aimed for system consisting of small
devices connected to the Internet. In this project a threat modeling process will be
conducted and applied on a smartphone/IoT system developed by one of Cybercom's
customer. In addition, the threat modeling process will be evaluated for correctness
and applicability when applying it to a smartphone/IoT system and how the process
might be improved. Platform specific threat libraries created by accredited sources
will be used to for both validation and improvements. Penetration testing will be
carried out with a subset of the threats generated by the threat modeling process
and from the threat libraries in order to validate the applicability of the threats.


Neural circuits in the vertebrate retina extract the direction of object motion from visual scenes and convey this information to sensory brain areas, including the optic tectum. It is unclear how computational layers beyond the retina process directional inputs. Recent developmental and functional studies in the zebrafish larva, using minimally invasive optical imaging techniques, indicate that direction selectivity might be a genetically hardwired property of the zebrafish brain. Axons from specific direction-selective (DS) retinal ganglion cells appear to converge on distinct laminae in the superficial tectal neuropil where they serve as inputs to DS postsynaptic neurons of matching specificity. In addition, inhibitory recurrent circuits in the tectum might strengthen the DS response of tectal output neurons. Here we review these recent findings and discuss some controversies with a particular focus on the zebrafish tectum's role in extracting directional features from moving visual scenes.


Aim & Methods An observational, non interventional, open-label clinical study assessed the effectiveness/safety of trimetazidine in 101 patients with stable angina pectoris and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: Trimetazidine-based therapy was effective in stable coronary artery disease, with significant improvements from baseline (p < 0.05) in: number of angina attacks/week (2.9 ± 2.4 vs 1.1 ± 1.6), angina severity (Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification 1.9 ± 0.8 vs 1.2 ± 0.8), exercise capacity (metabolic equivalents 6.8 ± 1.7 vs 6.5 ± 1.7), and exercise-induced myocardial ischemia (min 5.5 ± 2.5 vs 6.5 ± 2.6). Discussion: Trimetazidine treatment significantly (p < 0.05) improved glucose metabolism, lowered HbA1c (7.1 ± 1.1% vs 6.6 ± 1.0%), glucose levels (7.7 ± 2.1 mmol/l vs 6.9 ± 1.6 mmol/l) and decreased arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity 11.2 ± 2.1 m/s vs 10.4 ± 2.2 m/s). In most patients, the tolerability of trimetazidine was rated as excellent to good, with a low incidence of adverse events.


BACKGROUND
Demand for economic evaluations in health care is growing with expectations that they will help to develop regional and national policies on health and social programmes. We present here the scope, quality and content of systematic reviews and meta-analyses relating to the economics of dentistry published over the last 15 years.

OBJECTIVES
To review the quality and outcome of systematic reviews and meta-analyses relating to the economics of dental treatments, preventions and services.

METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in 14 electronic databases for systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between January 1997 and July 2011 on the economics of oral disorders and oral health care. Review papers were extracted by two independent investigators to identify the characteristics, results and quality of the reviews and to highlight gaps in knowledge about the economics of dentistry.

RESULTS
From 3150 unique references, we found 73 systematic reviews or meta-analyses of dental economics as primary or secondary outcomes. The focus of 12 of them was on the cost or cost-effectiveness of dental prevention, 54 on treatment, five on prevention and treatment and two on delivery of dental services. However, only 12 of the systematic reviews drew conclusions from economic data, and four of them constructed an economic model from synthesized data. Overall, the quality was good in the 12 systematic reviews but poor in the original studies.

CONCLUSIONS
There is very little helpful data published on the economics of dentistry.


AIM
The aim of this study was to describe the development and validation of the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial Process Rating Scale (UKATT PRS), a manual based method for monitoring and rating the delivery of psychosocial treatments of alcohol dependence and misuse.

METHODS
Following adaptation and further development of a validated rating scale, the ability of the UKATT PRS to rate the delivery of video-recorded treatment in the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial (UKATT) was tested.

RESULTS
Tests of the validity and reliability of the UKATT PRS show that it is valid and reliably able to detect the two treatments for which it was designed and to discriminate between them.

CONCLUSIONS
The UKATT PRS is a valid and reliable method of rating the frequency and quality of therapeutic style and content in the delivery of two psycho-social treatments of alcohol use and dependence.


Detta articulates an artistic and pedagogic practice which explores improvisation informed by the Feldenkrais Method. As an artist, this practice has allowed her to experience a lost body; as an educator, it allows space for others to experience theirs.
Awareness in Motion is an evolving somatic practice which uses words to find the body; body to find a language; language to find a voice. A practice that consciously engages with the notion…'where are we now'…A dance practice and study for the 21st century that aims to disrupt, dislodge and dismantle in order to unearth, discover and renew.
Connecting with our bony architecture, the Feldenkrais method delves beneath the skin to access new movement pathways; enriching bodied sensation to encourage letting go of the external image of self and instead experiencing the lesser known, felt self. From this unfolding and provocative world of Feldenkrais to the open and suggested world of improvisation, the dancer can explore these new found sensations, ask new questions and forge continued pathways towards self-discovery.
With reference to the writing of Guy Claxton who uses Winnie the Pooh to illustrate an example of his idea of slow knowing and new learning; both of which '….take time, and therefore require patience: a relaxed, unhurried, unanxious approach to problems' (Claxton 1997:49)
'There is a kind of knowing which is essentially indirect, sideways, allusive and symbolic; which hints and evokes touches and moves, in ways that resist explication. And it is accessed not through earnest manipulation of abstraction but through leisurely contemplation of the particular.' (1997:173)
This paper shares discoveries made and the importance of not knowing and knowing slowly, both of which have shaken up and refuelled an artistic practice and in turn have encouraged the dance student, to listen, notice and respond, igniting resilience and creativity. Awareness in Motion invites the possibility of choice which can unveil and set free the unspoken voice and nurture a journey into the realm of the unknown.


Appreciates courtesy of President Avila Camacho, other officials of Mexican Government, and colleagues of diplomatic corps in being present to take part in ceremony; library the result of a cooperative effort in which various agencies of U.S. Government worked with American Library Association to make project possible; special thanks to [Carl H.] Milan, [Marion A.] Milczewski, and [Charles Harvey] Brown of the American Library Association for their contribution and to Harry M. Lydenberg who has consented to organize library and become its first director; it is hoped library will make positive contribution to better understanding between Mexico and U.S.; assembled collection will include significant books and periodicals from U.S. as well as representative works from Mexico and educational motion pictures; children's room will contain books in Spanish and English; it is hoped library will become genuine cultural center where citizens of Mexico may come freely and mingle with U.S. citizens resident in Mexico.


This study uses a VAR model to analyse the dynamic relationship between gross domestic product (GDP) and domestic investment (DI) in Rwanda for the period 1970 to 2011. Several selection lag criteria chose a maximum lag of one and a bivariate VAR(1) model specification in levels was adopted. Unit root tests show that both GDP and DI series are nonstationary in levels but stationary in first differences, implying that both are integrated of order one I(1). Tests of cointegration established that GDP and DI are CI(1,1), suggesting there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between the two series. The error correction model indicates that DI adjusts to GDP with a lag whereby 0.2 percent of the discrepancy between long-term and short-term DI is corrected within the year. Granger causality tests show that there is unidirectional causality where GDP causes DI. The bivariate VAR (1) was unstable when estimated at levels, but was stable in first differences. Finally it was found out that GDP almost perfectly predicts DI in the estimated VAR (1) model. The forecasted value of DI in 2011 was 22.6%of GDP while the actual value was 22.7% of GDP. The small discrepancy may be attributed to the appropriate policy measures the Rwandan government and the private sector federation have thus far taken to facilitate investors in their businesses. Keywords : Gross Domestic Product (GDP); Domestic Investment (DI); Granger Causality; Cointegration; Vector Autoregression (VAR) and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM)


SUMMARY Three new complementation groups of type 2 herpes simplex virus are described bringing the total number of complementation groups characterized to 13. Of the three new groups, ts I I fails to make virus DNA at non-permissive temperature (38 °C) whereas ts Iz and ts 13 synthesize only very small amounts of virus or cellular DNA at 38 °C. ts II, like ts9 (Halliburton & Timbury, I973) fails to switch off host cell DNA synthesis at 38 °C. That this is a failure to switch off cell DNA rather than a stimulation of cell DNA synthesis was confirmed in experiments using resting cells. Both the inability to make virus DNA and the inability to switch off cell DNA are reversed in temperature shift-down experiments with cells infected with ts 9 or ts 11. In temperature shift-up experiments, cellular DNA synthesis is inhibited after the shift but virus DNA is only made in very small amounts, probably due to the continuing functioning of a protein made at permissive temperature (31 °C) before the shift but which cannot be made at 38 °C. The shift-down experiments and the fact that ts 9 and ts I I complement one another, suggest that the switch-off of host cell DNA synthesis may involve more than one virus specified function. U.v. irradiated virus fails to switch off host cell DNA synthesis.


The clinical practice of yesterday′s endodontics becomes the heresy of today, and today′s endodontic practice becomes the heresy of tomorrow. The history of endodontics begins in the 17 th century. Since then, there have been numerous advances and developments, and research has proceeded continuously without pause. The manufacture of the first instruments for endodontic use dates back to 1875. These early instruments were made by hand from thin steel wires, and they performed the function of modern barbed broaches. In 1955, Ingle was the first to express the need for standardization of canal instruments. In 1965, the American Association of Endodontists adopted the terminology and nomenclature of the proposed standardized system. For many years, the standard cutting instruments have been the reamer, the K-type file, and the Hedstroem file. Recent changes in both metallurgy and endodontic concepts have led to the introduction of a wide range of new instruments. An effort has been made here to present the journey of endodontic instruments from the past to the present.


The study revealed those changes in connective tissue components and validity of alveolar macrophages in bronchial lavage, which were in correlation with duration and severity of exposure to coal and rock dust. The data proved that roentgenologio changes in the lungs are preceded by changed quantity of viable alveolar cells, higher content of hexauronic acids and hexoses associated with proteins. The stated biochemical tests could be applied to early diagnosis in individuals prone to pneumoconiosis.


The study aims to describe, compare, and analyze how managers and basic staff in disability care reflects on education and competence in the organization and from an organizational context explain how the professionalization efforts can be understood at different levels of disability care. Highlighting these questions can stimulate discussion within this field when it comes to the evaluation of competence and skills of staff working with people with various disabilities, which is also sought after in society even more today. The study is qualitative and the result is based on five semi-structured interviews with managers and basic staff in disability care. The interview questions were categorized according to the concepts that are central in this essay: competence, training, professionalism and organization.The results show that there is some doubt about what a higher competence of personnel in direct contact with the users would mean. Among the basic staff uncertainty seems to be highest. Three different ways of relating to education and competence issues in the organization emerges: advocates of formal knowledge, advocate of practical knowledge and advocate of dialectical knowledge. The study shows some differences among managers and basic staffs attitude where basic staff seem to evaluate the practical knowledge, or dialectical, to a greater extent, while the managers seem to appreciate the theoretical knowledge to a greater extent.


We investigated the efficacy of intravenous penicillin (sulbactam/ampicillin: SBT/ABPC) in adult patients with positive Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen test requiring hospitalization. We administered 3g of SBT/ABPC intravenously in the morning and evening for 7-14 days to 32 adult community-acquired pneumonia patients with positive Binax NOW ® S. pneumoniae urinary antigen. Clinical efficacy, bacteriological efficacy, and side effects of these patients were prospectively examined. We observed clinical efficacy in a total of 28 of 32 patients (87.5%); 24 of 26 moderate patients (92.3%), and four of six severe patients (66.7%). Side effects were drug eruption, increased GOT, increased AMY, and decreased WBC, observed in one patient each; however, all were mild. SBT/ABPC is extremely useful in patients with positive S. pneumoniae urinary antigen test requiring hospitalization


A large body of data suggests that the Alzheimer's amyloid peptide (Aβ) causes degeneration and death of neurons by mechanisms that involve reactive oxygen species. The pathways involved in Aβ‐mediated oxidative injury are only partially understood. We theorized that abnormal microaggregates and/or pathological conformations of Aβ peptides may behave as xenobiotics and trigger the induction of NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CP450r), an enzyme which, if induced by non‐physiological substrates (such as xenobiotics like drugs or other 'foreign molecules'), is known to cause oxidative stress. In order to test this hypothesis, i.e. that Aβ can increase the expression of CP450r, SK‐N‐SH human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to Aβ25‐35 and Aβ1‐42 and then examined for induction of this enzyme in immunoblots, using specific antibodies. Following exposure to Aβ peptides, neuroblastoma cells showed a clear‐cut induction of CP450r. To determine whether this mechanism is operational in vivo, we investigated the expression of CP450r in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in brains from patients afflicted with AD, using an immunocytochemical approach. Tissue sections from brains of transgenic mice exhibited strong immunoreactivity for CP450r, surrounding amyloid deposits. The pattern of expression of CP450r was similar to that exhibited by neuritic and oxidative stress markers. Sections from non‐transgenic mice showed no detectable immunoreactivity. Immunostaining of sections from four brains with neuropathologically confirmed AD showed a pattern of abnormality different from transgenic mice that was characterized by abnormal immunoreactivity for CP450r within the cytoplasm of cortical neurons. No labeling was seen in sections from aged‐matched control brains. The data showed that CP450r is induced by Alzheimer amyloid peptide and that such a response must be considered as one possible mechanism whereby Aβ causes oxidative stress.


UNLABELLED Aim of the study was the development and validation of a short observation list of possible early signs of dementia (OLD) for use in general practice. A stepwise development was carried out using reviews of publications and expert consensus. Experimental observations were carried out by 22 general practitioners in 19 Dutch practices. A field study (with interviews and family forms) was conducted out afterwards, to evaluate reliability and validity. Data reduction techniques were used to construct a short version. The first two patients seen on 15 working days (N = 470) were observed. INCLUSION CRITERIA age > 75, without a known diagnosis of dementia. Exclusion: psychiatric treatment, severe depression, acute illness with confusion. The patients were divided into three groups with no, intermediate, and the most signs (total of interviewed patients n = 60; family forms n = 39). Cronbach's alpha and factor-analysis were used to evaluate the reliability. The Cognitive Screening Test (CST), the Word Learning Test (WLT; total and retention), the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), the Groningen Activities Restriction Scale (GARS), and an IADL scale were used to evaluate convergent validity. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to evaluate discriminant validity. Construct validity was evaluated using PRINCALS. Incremental validity was evaluated using the intuitive opinion of the GP (McNemar test). The reliability in the total group was 0.88, the first factor explained 42.5% of the variance. Convergent validity (2-side ANOVA) results: CST (p = 0.00), WLT-total (p = 0.001), WLT retention (p = 0.00), IQCODE (p = 0.09). No statistically significant differences were found for GARS and IADL. The GDS (p = 0.30) showed no difference. The first factor of PRINCALS explained 48% of the variance. The OLD added to the GP opinion (McNemar p = 0.00). Reliability of the short version (12 items) was 0.89 (interviewed group), and 0.86 (total group). The conclusion is that the OLD is a valid and reliable method to detect early signs of dementia in general practice. (Partly adapted from: Hopman-Rock M, Tak ECPM, Staats PGM. Development and validation of the Observation List for early signs of Dementia (OLD). Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2001 (in press)).


It has recently been shown that the t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation fuses two genes, TEL on chromosome 12 and AML1 on chromosome 21. We have evaluated the frequency of this newly described translocation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and the feasibility of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of TEL-AML1 transcripts. Thirty-nine adult- and 45 childhood-ALLs consecutively diagnosed in a single center were included in this study. TEL-AML1 fusion transcripts were searched for in the 39 adult- and 45 childhood-ALLs for which material was available. BCR-ABL, E2A-PBX1, and MLL-AF4 transcripts were also studied by PCR in these cases. TEL-AML1 transcripts were found in 8 out of 35 (23%) childhood B- cell precursor ALLs (BCP-ALLs). TEL-AML1 transcripts were detected in only 1 of 31 adult BCP-ALLs (P = .04, Fisher's exact test). Nevertheless, in this adult case, TEL-AML1 transcripts were found at a low level in 2 of 3 different samples. BCR-ABL, E2A-PBX1, and MLL-AF4 transcripts were found in 12, 3, and 1 cases of 31 adult BCP-ALLs, and in 1, 2, and 1 cases of 35 childhood BCP-ALLs, respectively. TEL-AML1 transcripts were never found associated with any other fusion transcripts. Taken together, the four types of chimeric transcripts were detected in 12 of 35 (34%) childhood BCP-ALL cases. No TEL-AML1 transcripts were detected in 11 T-cell ALLs (4 adults and 5 children), nor in 2 B-cell (slg+) ALLs. MRD was evaluated in 21 samples collected in 9 TEL-AML1+ childhood BCP-ALL cases during therapy (median follow-up = 200 days). Of 8 patients evaluated after induction therapy, 4 showed detectable but low levels of MRD. Of 7 patients serially evaluated, only one showed persistence of detectable MRD. This study shows that TEL-AML1 transcripts are frequently detected in pediatric BCP-ALLs and that these transcripts are molecular targets that will simplify the strategy of MRD monitoring in childhood BCP-ALL.


The motivation for doing the study stems from my interaction with incarcerated women with young children either born in prison or who accompanied their mothers into prison as the only suitable care giver. These children are denied several rights and privilege that children are normally entitled to. The main aim of the study is therefore to analyse the rights of the children accompanying their incarcerated mothers in our Kenyan prisons. To accomplish this goal, this study is divided into four Chapters. Chapter one is a broad overview and layout of the research. It looks at the statement of the research problem, theoretical framework within which the research is carried out and the research justification. It also covers the objective of the research, research questions, hypotheses, the methodology applied as well as the literature review. Chapter 2 examines and provides an in depth understanding of international conventions and protocols touching on the rights of the children accompanying their incarcerated mothers in pnson. Chapter three undertakes a comprehensive coverage of the Kenyan situation on law, policy, and practices on the matters of the children accompanying the incarcerated mothers. The Chapter provides a birds' eye view of the law and exposes the reality on which the children in prison live in, hence making it easy to appreciate the need for the necessary measures to be taken and to recommend realistic changes. To this effect, an analysis of the provisions in the relevant acts will be undertaken, followed immediately thereafter with the findings from an institution entrusted with the implementation of the laws laid down in the Act. Chapter four brings out the conclusion drawn from the study as well as the recommendations made in pursuit of efficient and effective rights of the children accompanying their incarcerated mothers in Kenyan prisons.


Introduction Continuous monitoring is the hallmark of managing chronic disease. Multiple sclerosis (MS), in particular, requires patients to visit their treating neurologists typically twice a year, at least. In that respect, the COVID-19 pandemic made us rethink our communication strategies. This study determined satisfaction with remote visits for people with MS (pwMS) by comparing non-inferiority to conventional visits. Methods TELE MS was a randomized controlled trial that was open to any person with MS. We randomized a volunteer sample of 45 patients. We compared satisfaction with remote visits (via phone or via videochat) with conventional outpatient visits. The primary endpoint was patient satisfaction determined by the Telemedicine Perception Questionnaire (TMPQ, min: 17 and max: 85 points) with the hypothesis of non-inferiority of televisits to conventional visits. Physician satisfaction measured on the PPSM score (Patient and Physician Satisfaction with Monitoring, min: 5 and max: 25 points) was the secondary endpoint. Results The trial met both endpoints. Mean (SD) TMPQ scores in the individual groups were 58 (6.7) points for conventional visits, 65 (7.5) points for phone visits, and 62 (5.5) points for video visits. Physician satisfaction over the whole cohort was similarly high. Median (range) PPSM scores were 23 (16–25) for the whole cohort, 19 (16–25) for conventional visits, 25 (17–25) for phone visits, and 25 (16–25) for video visits. Conclusions Televisits in multiple sclerosis yield a high level of satisfaction for both patients and treating physicians. This concept for remote patient monitoring adopted during the current pandemic may be communicable to other chronic diseases as well. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04838990


IMPORTANCE
Occupational therapy practitioners use structured assessment tools to gather information from adults with intellectual disability (ID) in order to develop the occupational profile, guide occupational therapy intervention, and assess change over time.

OBJECTIVE
To identify occupational therapy-related tools in the peer-reviewed literature for use in practice with adults with ID.

DATA SOURCES
Peer-reviewed literature published between January 2002 and January 2018 included in CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus. Study Selection and Data Collection: The review included articles that had information on occupational therapy-related assessment with adults 18 yr or older who had primary or co-occurring ID.

FINDINGS
Fifty-eight articles identified 73 occupational therapy-related assessment tools.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This scoping review identified a broad range of assessment tools in the occupational therapy domain that are appropriate for adults with ID, some of which may be unfamiliar to occupational therapy practitioners. What This Article Adds: This scoping review provides occupational therapy practitioners with a summary of occupational therapy-related assessment tools for adults with ID and an assessment reference guide.


This paper describes our research on learning browsing behavior model for predicting the current information need of a web user. This inference is based on a parameterized model of how the sequence of browsing behavior indicates the degree to which page content satisfies the user's information need, and the model parameters can be estimated using standard methods from a labelled corpus. Data from lab experiments demonstrate that the prediction model can effectively identify the information needs of new users, browsing previously unseen pages. The paper concludes with an overview of our WebIC which integrates the model into a web browser, to help the user find the relevant information effectively from the web.


We propose a model where voters experience an emotional cost when they observe a firm that has displayed insufficient concern for other people's welfare (altruism) in the process of making high profits. Even with few truly altruistic firms, an equilibrium may emerge where all firms pretend to be kind and refrain from charging "abusive" prices to their customers. Our main result is that, as competition decreases, the set of parameters for which such pooling equilibria exist beomes smaller and firms are more likely to anger consumers. Regulation can increase welfare, for example, through fines (even if there are no changes in prices). We illustrate these gains in a monopoly setting, where regulation affects welfare through 3 channels (i) a reduction in monopoly price leads to the production of units that cost less than their value to consumers (standard channel); (ii) regulation calms down existing consumers because a reduction in the profits of an "unkind" firm increases total welfare by reducing consumer anger (anger channel); and (iii) individuals who were out of the market when they were excessively angry in the unregulated market, decide to purchase once the firm is regulated, reducing the standard distortions described in the first channel (mixed channel).


Neuropathy of facial nerve (NFN) is actual problem in neurology, which is determined by the frequency of complications and the lack of a sufficiently effective treatment. In this research there are developed optimal methods of rehabilitation therapy of peripheral neuropathy of the facial nerve using acupuncture, therapeutic exercises, taking into account the peculiarities of clinical and functional changes depending on the timing of the disease. 64 outpatient records of patients (n = 64) aged from 16 to 60 years with a lesion of the facial nerve were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups. The main group consisted of 34 patients who received acupuncture with electrostimulation together with pharmacotherapy. The control group included 30 patients who used pharmacotherapy. The use of A-IRT and ES together with pharmacotherapy made it more effective in restoring facial nerve neuropathy and its complications than using these methods separately from each other. Early use of these techniques in patients at the onset of the disease may be the cause of complete rejection of glucocorticoid, hormonal therapy, which makes it possible to optimize the rehabilitation of the facial nerve lesion based on the restoration of functions of the affected facial muscles.


This paper presents a new three-dimensional (3D) anisotropic elastic viscoplastic (EVP) model for the time-dependent stress-strain behavior of Ko-consolidated marine clays. A nonlinear creep function with a limit for the creep volumetric strain under an isotropic or odometer Ko-consolidated stressing condition and a nonsymmetrical elliptical loading locus are incorporated in the 3D anisotropic EVP model. An alpha-line defines the inclination of the nonsymmetrical elliptical loading locus in the p'-q plane and is commonly used for natural soils. All model parameters are determined from the results of one set of consolidated undrained compression tests and an isotropic consolidation/creep test. With the parameters determined, the 3D anisotropic EVP model is used to simulate the behavior of Ko-consolidation tests and the strain-rate-dependent stress-strain behaviors of the Ko-consolidated triaxial compression and extension tests on natural Hong Kong marine deposit clay specimens. These triaxial Ko-consolidated specimens were sheared at step-changed axial strain rates from +2 to +0.2, +20, -2 (unloading) and +2%/h (reloading) for compression tests; or from -2 to -0.2, -20, +2 (unloading), and -2%/h (reloading) for extension tests, all in an undrained condition. The simulation results of all these tests are compared with the test results. The validation and limitations of the model are then evaluated and discussed.


Methods of monitoring suspended sediment concentration profiles have largely relied on in situ point sampling by water bottles, coupled with optical instrumentation. These intrusive methods can affect the measurements, and optical instrumentation must usually be raised and lowered through the water column at rates too slow to obtain near instantaneous profiles. At the extremely high suspended sediment concentrations sustained by cohesive sediments in estuarial waters optical attenuation is severe, and optics cannot provide data on concentrations or gradients without very short path lengths, or use of multi-sensors. Remote sensing acoustic backscatter techniques overcome these difficulties, and provide high resolution spatial (~ 1-10 cm) and temporal (~ 0.1-1 s) concentration profiles. Despite their use for over a decade, acoustic backscatter measurements in the field have been confined almost wholly to non-cohesive sediments. Measurements of suspended cohesive sediment concentration profiles in Changjiang Estuary demonstrate the capability of acoustic instrumentation to obtain high resolution profiles at dynamic scales in a difficult environment with high gradients and concentrations.


ABSTRACT The comparative-genomic sequencing of two Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains enabled us to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for studies of evolution, pathogenesis, and epidemiology in clinical M. tuberculosis. Phylogenetic analysis using these "comparative-genome markers" (CGMs) produced a highly unusual phylogeny with a complete absence of secondary branches. To investigate CGM-based phylogenies, we devised computer models to simulate sequence evolution and calculate new phylogenies based on an SNP format. We found that CGMs represent a distinct class of phylogenetic markers that depend critically on the genetic distances between compared "reference strains." Properly distanced reference strains generate CGMs that accurately depict evolutionary relationships, distorted only by branch collapse. Improperly distanced reference strains generate CGMs that distort and reroot outgroups. Applying this understanding to the CGM-based phylogeny of M. tuberculosis, we found evidence to suggest that this species is highly clonal without detectable lateral gene exchange. We noted indications of evolutionary bottlenecks, including one at the level of the PHRI "C" strain previously associated with particular virulence characteristics. Our evidence also suggests that loss of IS6110 to fewer than seven elements per genome is uncommon. Finally, we present population-based evidence that KasA, an important component of mycolic acid biosynthesis, develops G312S polymorphisms under selective pressure.


The radiolabeling of leukocytes and other cellular elements of the blood has allowed a number of physiologic processes to be investigated. In addition, many commonly performed clinical nuclear medicine procedures utilize these techniques. The following is a review of the labeling technique and of the utility of radiolabeled leukocytes.


A fully digital frequency synthesizer for RF wireless applications has recently been proposed. At its foundation lies a digitally controlled oscillator with sufficiently fine frequency resolution to avoid analog tuning. The conventional phase/frequency detector, charge pump and RC loop filter are replaced by a time-to-digital converter and a simple digital loop filter. When implemented in highly scaled digital CMOS processes, the proposed architecture is more advantageous over conventional charge-pump-based phase-locked loops (PLLs) since it exploits signal processing capabilities of digital circuits and avoids relying on the fine voltage resolution of analog circuits. In this brief, we present novel techniques used in the all-digital PLL to achieve an ultra-fast frequency acquisition of <50 mus while maintaining excellent phase noise and spurious performance during transmission and reception. This approach has been validated and incorporated in commercial single-chip Bluetooth and Global System for Mobile Communications radios realized in deep-submicrometer CMOS


Purpose: The local health department (in German: Gesundheitsamt) ordered a shutdown of a teaching hospital due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak – one index patient and five infected healthcare workers – and put it under quarantine. For the first time, all patients plus all employees of one German hospital (healthcare providers, physicians, and nurses) were tested to detect silent or asymptomatic carriers.

 Methods: A serial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 was performed three times (1) between April 3rd and 5th, 2020 [n = 1171], (2) between April 8th and 9th, 2020 [n = 953] and (3) between April 14th and 17th, 2020 [n = 983].

 Results: The teaching hospital's proven coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient load on Friday, April 3rd, 2020, was 34 patients, of whom 11 were on ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU), one in the intermediate care unit (IMC), and 22 in the infectious disease ward. Another 32 patients in a different infectious disease ward were suspected for COVID-19 with test results pending. COVID-19 silent carrier (asymptomatic) positivity rates based on the phases of testing were (1) n = 24 (2.1%), (2) n = 25 (2.6%) and n = 9 (0.9%). The cumulative infection rate for healthcare providers, physical therapists, physicians, and nurses was 1.8%, 4.5%, 4.8%, and 11.9% which were associated with the type and extent of COVID-19 patient contact (p < 0.05).

 Conclusion: Despite prior proper preparation, a COVID-19 positive patient load of up to 34.8% (46 of 132 hospital beds) resulted in a 10- to 20-fold increase in risk for healthcare workers for SARS-CoV-2 compared to the general population. Because of asymptomatic carriers, a COVID-19-free hospital cannot be expected to exist. Based on our experience, repeated testing of all staff members with patient contact is necessary and is the best option to effectively contain the virus. Those having the most contact with patients had the highest risk of becoming infected (10- to 20-fold higher risk), with nurses being at the highest risk.


Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells showed significant anti-leukemic activity in B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Allogeneic, HLA-mismatched off-the-shelf 3rd-party donors may offer ideal fitness of the effector cells but carry the risk of graft-versus-host disease. Knockout of the endogenous T-cell receptor (TCR) in CD19-CAR-T cells may be a promising solution. Here, we induced a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the TCRb-chain in combination with a 2nd-generation retroviral CAR transduction including a 4-1BB costimulatory domain in primary T cells. This tandem engineering led to a highly functional population of TCR-KO-CAR-T cells with strong activation (CD25, IFN-γ), proliferation and specific killing upon CD19 target recognition. TCR-KO-CAR-T cells had a balanced phenotype of central memory and effector memory T cells. KO of the endogenous TCR in T cells strongly ablated alloreactivity in comparison to TCR-expressing T cells. In a patient-derived xenograft model of childhood ALL, TCR-KO-CAR-T cells clearly controlled CD19+ leukemia burden and improved survival in vivo. However, co-expression of endogenous TCR plus CAR led to superior persistence of T cells and significantly prolonged leukemia control in vivo, confirmed by a second in vivo model using NALM6 leukemia cells. These results point towards an essential role of the endogenous TCR for longevity of the response at the price of alloreactivity. In conclusion, anti-CD19 CAR-T cells with a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TCR-KO are promising candidates for non-matched third-party adoptive T-cell transfer with high anti-leukemic functionality in the absence of alloreactivity, but long-term persistence in vivo is better in the presence of the endogenous TCR.


In a remarkable scene in Jean Cocteau's 1950 film Orphee, an acclaimed poetry review entitled Nudisme is revealed to be nothing more than a series of blank pages. While Cocteau may have wished to satirise the existentialism of the day, contemporary campaigners for state spending to develop Scots in Scotland might recall his visual pun when discussing the substance and funding of policy in the language's homeland. In Northern Ireland, however, there is a comprehensive legislative and non-legislative framework for its promotion. Academics broadly agree regarding the position of Scots in Ulster. Robinson (1997: 1-2), alone in postulating separate status on structural grounds, mentions 'the Scots language itself, at times indistinguishable in literary form from Ulster-Scots'. Adamson (1982, 1991: 76) terms the local variety 'a purer form of Lallans than that spoken in Scotland', (1) while Herbison stresses that the common literary dialect of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries does not stem from affectation, emulation or an unsuitable standard: It used to be asserted by critics [...] that Ulster-Scots poets were slavish imitators of Burns. Yet there can be no doubt that the Rhyming Weavers were using their own language, not some artificial literary imitation. (1989, 1999: 7) Mac Poilin supports that view: While most argue that Ulster-Scots is a dialect or variant of Scots, some have argued or implied that Ulster-Scots is a separate language from Scots. The case for Ulster-Scots being a distinct language, made at a time when the status of Scots itself was insecure, is so bizarre that it is unlikely to have been a linguistic argttment. (1999:116) John McIntyre, from the UK committee of the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL), has said that it 'accepts Ulster-Scots as a variety of Scots and that is probably the view held by most people'. (2) That the utility of Ulster Scots depends on links with Scotland is commented on by Mac Giolla Chriost (2002: 466), who states that 'those promoting the interests of Ulster-Scots could forge energising linkages with the Scots language community in Scotland'. Academic debate regarding status appears to centre on whether Ulster Scots is best regarded as one of five major dialects of Scots or as a sub- or contact variety of the main Central (Mid) Scots dialect, which, extrapolated from the 1996 GRO Scotland study, may account for two-thirds of Scots-speakers. The Scottish National Dictionary states on page 32 of its introduction that 'Ulster Scots is in the main a variant of wm. [westmid] Scots.' Macafee (2005: 71) states that 'Ulster Scots is [...] clearly a dialect of Central Scots (Mid Scots).' Milroy highlights the basic identity of Ulster Scots and Central Scots as follows: It must be emphasised that in their strongest rural form these dialects are Lowland Scots dialects. Those of Antrim and North Derry are barely distinguishable from Ayrshire dialects. (1982: 27) Using criteria developed by Kloss (1952) to determine whether a speech variety is a language or potential language, one can construct a flowchart. In Fig. 1, Abstand refers to divergence between a high language and a given idiom, Ausbau to the latter's degree of codification, standardisation and functionality, Spielart to a national standard variety codified separately but without the structural divergence necessary for classification as an Ausbau language, (3) and Mindestabstand to the minimum divergence distinguishing a dialect with structural potential to be developed as an Ausbau language from one with structural potential only to be developed as a Spielart. Although Scots can prove difficult for English-speakers, it is not a structurally divergent Abstand language. However, its traditional dialects, attested in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century literature, have enough structural divergence to fulfil Kloss's Mindestabstand criterion, constituting a potential Ausbau language. …


Several major securities markets including Nasdaq in the United States and the London Stock Exchange's SEAQ are organized as dealer markets that use computer screen displays of competitive dealer quotes to establish fair trade prices. To improve their markets and to reduce investors' trading costs, these exchanges are introducing new rules and systems for handling investors' orders. The redesign of a market structure raises important strategic issues for exchanges; more attractive trading mechanisms will increase order flow and improve liquidity, but margins and total profits earned by traditional exchange intermediaries may be reduced. To examine the consequences of market structure changes, we conducted experimental tests of the integration of an order-driven trading system into a dealer/quote-driven market. Using computer-based simulations of a stock market, experimental subjects traded using a traditional dealer quote screen to which a public limit order facility was added. Data captured on subjects' trading decisions revealed that the limit order system was used by the subjects, attracting some orders that would have otherwise gone to dealers, and lowered investor trading costs. The integration of limit orders reduced dealers' activities as a percentage of total market volume and lowered dealers' trading margins, except in a special "informed dealer" case.


: Schizophrenic patients with a substance abuse condition present one of the highest risks for violent behaviour. The traditional safety measures used in psychiatry are still in force but challenged by a trend to avoid all involuntary action, in respect of patient autonomy. There is an urgent need to develop strategies to cope with this situation, which is especially difficult to cope with in case of first encounters with dual diagnosis patients in psychiatry. The risk for open aggressiveness is difficult to assess and to manage in first encounters, avoiding an escalation and working a deescalation strategy. The strategy described in this paper is based on a distinction of the different types of first encounter and on general rules. Abstract Schizophrenic patients with a substance abuse condition present one of the highest risks for violent behaviour. The traditional safety measures used in psychiatry are still in force but challenged by a trend to avoid all involuntary action, in respect of patient autonomy. There is an urgent need to develop strategies to cope with this situation, which is especially difficult to cope with in case of first encounters with dual diagnosis patients in psychiatry. The risk for open aggressiveness is difficult to assess and to manage in first encounters, avoiding an escalation and working a de- escalation strategy. The strategy described in this paper is based on a distinction of the different types of first encounter and on general rules.


A mathematical modeling for breathing vibration problem of vascular stent is presented. The vascular stent is considered in structure as an elastic cylindrical lattice shell, in which the cell element is treated as a spatial frame structure. Based on the force equilibrium and the deformation geometry analysis for the cell element, calculative formulae for effective elastic parameters of the lattice shell are obtained by using homogenization method. Hence, the vascular stent is modeled as an orthogonally anisotropic thin shell. The equation of vibration for vascular stent is derived from Flügge shell theory. The computation of natural frequency of vibration is performed. The analytic results from the presented formulae are close to that from finite element method by the means of ANSYS, which validates the applicability of the presented modeling of vascular stent structures. The vibration analysis could be a useful reference for practical engineering designs of vascular stent.


Mammalian eggs and embryos possess a major cytoskeletal network composed of large planar "sheets" distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Cytoskeletal sheets are found neither in mammalian somatic cells nor in eggs or embryos of non-mammals. In this study, we have investigated the structural composition of the sheets in eggs and embryos of the golden Syrian hamster by (1) analysis of replicas from quick-frozen, deep-etched specimens, (2) analysis of thick, resin-embedded specimens using an intermediate voltage electron microscope (IVEM), (3) laser diffraction of EM images, (4) differential extraction with detergents, and (5) immunocytochemistry. Our results indicate that each sheet is composed of two closely apposed arrays of 10-nm filaments. Each filament within an array is held in register with its neighbor by lateral cross-bridges and the two parallel arrays of filaments are interconnected by periodic cross-bridges about 20 nm in length. Laser diffraction of negatives from IVEM images indicates that each array is composed of fibers that form a square lattice, and the two arrays are positioned in register by cross-bridges forming a single sheet. This lattice forms the skeleton of the sheets which is covered with a tightly packed layer of particulate material. By incubation in media containing different ratios of mixed-micelle detergents, it is possible to remove components sequentially from the sheets and to extract the particulate material. Immunocytochemical localization demonstrates that the sheets bind antibodies to keratin, and to a small extent actin, but do not bind antibodies to vimentin or tubulin. Examination of sheets within embryos at the time of embryonic compaction demonstrates that the sheets begin to fragment and disassemble in regions of blastomeres where desmosomes form, but undergo no structural alterations in interior and basal surfaces of the blastomeres. In regions of blastomere-blastomere contact the sheets fragment and associate with granules resembling keratohyalin granules found in keratinocytes.


Astronomy accelerates tumor imaging Immunohistochemical stains for individual markers revolutionized diagnostic pathology decades ago but cannot capture enough information to accurately predict response to immunotherapy. Newer multiplex immunofluorescent technologies provide the potential to visualize the expression patterns of many functionally relevant molecules but present numerous challenges in accurate image analysis and data handling, particularly over large tumor areas. Drawing from the field of astronomy, in which petabytes of imaging data are routinely analyzed across a wide spectral range, Berry et al. developed a platform for multispectral imaging of whole-tumor sections with high-fidelity single-cell resolution. The resultant AstroPath platform was used to develop a multiplex immunofluorescent assay highly predictive of responses and outcomes for melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy. Science, aba2609, this issue p. eaba2609 Image analysis methods from astronomy improve tumor characterization and prediction of immunotherapy response. INTRODUCTION New therapies have been designed to stimulate the host's immune system to fight cancer. Despite these exciting, recent successes, a large proportion of patients still do not respond to anti–programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or anti–programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) therapies, and thus, biomarkers for patient selection are highly desirable. The only U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved histopathology biomarker tests for anti–PD-1 or anti–PD-L1 therapy is assessment of PD-L1 protein expression by means of immunohistochemistry. This approach is unidimensional and has limitations. Innovative characterization of the tumor microenvironment (TME) with a focus on multidimensional, spatially resolved interactions at the single-cell level will provide critical mechanistic insights into therapeutic responses and potentially identify improved biomarkers for patient selection. Using multispectral approaches to image the TME and substituting cells for stars and galaxies, we applied the methodology and infrastructure developed for astronomy to pathologic analysis of specimens from patients with melanoma. RATIONALE The next generation of pathologic analyses will require platforms that can characterize the coexpression of key molecules on specific cellular subsets in situ and spatial relationships between tumor cells and multiple immune elements. To that aim, we applied astronomical algorithms for high-quality imaging and the establishment of relational databases to multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) labeling of pathology specimens, facilitating spatial analyses and immunoarchitectural characterization of the host-tumor interface. In all, we curated and coordinately mapped six markers, both individually and in combination in tumor tissue from 98 patients with melanoma receiving anti–PD-1 therapy. This dataset comprised ~127,400 image mosaics composed of more than 100 million single cells. The data outputs were linked to patient outcomes, informing in a clinically relevant way how cancer evades the immune system and potentiating biomarker assay development for precision immunotherapy. RESULTS The imaging protocols used in this study were used to address outstanding questions regarding the impact of high-power field sampling strategies on biomarker performance. This information was then used to develop an approach for operator-independent field selection. The image handling strategies also facilitated the robust assessment of the intensity of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in situ (negative, low, mid, and high levels) on different cell types. Thus, with only six markers (PD-1, PD-L1, CD8, FoxP3, CD163, and Sox10/S100), we were able to develop 41 combinations of expression patterns for these molecules and map relatively rare cells such as CD8+FoxP3+ cells to the tumor stromal boundary. Moreover, a high density of CD8+FoxP3+PD-1low/mid cells was closely associated with response to PD-1 blockade. Cell types associated with a lack of response to therapy were also identified—for example, CD163+ macrophages that were PD-L1–. This latter phenotype was also found to have a negative effect on long-term survival. When these and other key cell phenotype densities were combined, they were highly predictive of objective response and stratified long-term patient outcomes after anti–PD-1–based therapies in both a discovery cohort and an independent validation cohort. CONCLUSION Here, we present the AstroPath platform, an end-to-end pathology workflow with rigorous quality control for creating quantitative, spatially resolved mIF datasets. Although the current effort focused on a six-plex mIF assay, the principles described here provide a general framework for the development of any multiplex assay with single-cell image resolution. Such approaches will vastly improve the standardization and scalability of these technologies, enabling cross-site and cross-study comparisons. This will be essential for multiplex imaging technologies to realize their potential as biomarker discovery platforms and ultimately as standard diagnostic tests for clinical therapeutic decision-making. Strong parallels between multispectral analyses in astronomy and emerging multiplexing platforms for pathology. The next generation of tissue-based biomarkers are likely to be identified by use of large, well-curated datasets. To that end, image analysis approaches originally developed for astronomy were applied to pathology specimens to produce trillions of pixels of robust tissue imaging data and facilitate assay and atlas development. IMAGES: (BENEATH "ASTRONOMY") SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY; (MICROSCOPE) AKOYA BIOSCIENCE Next-generation tissue-based biomarkers for immunotherapy will likely include the simultaneous analysis of multiple cell types and their spatial interactions, as well as distinct expression patterns of immunoregulatory molecules. Here, we introduce a comprehensive platform for multispectral imaging and mapping of multiple parameters in tumor tissue sections with high-fidelity single-cell resolution. Image analysis and data handling components were drawn from the field of astronomy. Using this "AstroPath" whole-slide platform and only six markers, we identified key features in pretreatment melanoma specimens that predicted response to anti–programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)–based therapy, including CD163+PD-L1– myeloid cells and CD8+FoxP3+PD-1low/mid T cells. These features were combined to stratify long-term survival after anti–PD-1 blockade. This signature was validated in an independent cohort of patients with melanoma from a different institution.


OBJECTIVE
Researchers continue to gather evidence that transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels contribute towards pain signalling pathways. However, it is unknown whether polymorphisms of the TRPV gene are associated with FM. For the first time, we investigated the association between the polymorphisms of the TRPV2 and TRPV3 genes, FM susceptibility and the severity of the symptoms.

METHODS
A total of 409 patients with FM and 423 controls were enrolled from 10 medical centres that participated in the Korean nationwide FM survey. The alleles and genotypes at three positions [rs3813768(C > G), rs8121(C > T) and rs1129235(C > A)] in the TRPV2 gene and two positions [rs7216486 (G > A) and rs395357(C > T)] in the TRPV3 gene were genotyped.

RESULTS
The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes of individual TRPV2 and TRPV3 genes were not significantly associated with FM susceptibility. However, the GTA haplotype of TRPV2 showed a defence against FM susceptibility (P = 0.035). In addition, polymorphisms of TRPV3 were associated with symptom severity in FM patients. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs395357 of TRPV3 was associated with the scores of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (P = 0.017) in FM patients. Furthermore, haplotypes of TRPV3 were associated with the Brief Fatigue Inventory and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey mental health summary scores (P = 0.036).

CONCLUSION
This study was the first to evaluate the associations of TRPV gene polymorphisms with FM. Our results suggest that certain TRPV2 haplotypes may have a protective role against FM and that some genotypes and haplotypes of TRPV3 contribute towards the symptoms of FM.


Purpose
Although the literature has established the effect of online reviews on customer purchase intentions, the influence of psychological factors on online ratings is overlooked. This paper aims to examine these factors under the perspective of construal level theory (CLT).

Design/methodology/approach
Using review data from TripAdvisor and Booking.com, the authors study three dimensions of psychological distances (temporal, spatial and social) and their direct and interaction effects on review valence, using regression analysis. The authors examine the effect of these distances on the information content of online reviews using a novel bag-of-words model to assess its concreteness.

Findings
Temporal distance and spatial distance have positive direct effects on review valence. Social distance, on the other hand, has a negative direct effect. However, its interaction with the other two distances has a positive effect, suggesting that consumers tend to "zoom-out" to less concrete things in their ratings.

Practical implications
The findings provide implications for the interpretation of review ratings by the service providers and their information content.

Originality/value
This study extends the CLT and electronic word-of-mouth literature by jointly exploring the effect of all three psychological distances that are applicable in post-purchase evaluations. Methodologically, it provides a novel application of the bag-of-words model in evaluating the concreteness of online reviews.


The dynamics of line singularities in three different physical systems are considered, namely vortices in an inviscid fluid, vortices in a type–II superconductor, and dislocations in an elastic crystal. When the core of the singularity can be regularized with a continuum model, as is the case for superconducting and fluid vortices, the dynamics can be derived systematically in the asymptotic limit as the core radius tends to zero. The asymptotic analysis is more difficult when the core of the singularity is so small as to demand an atomic model, as is the case for dislocations, where the derivation of a law of motion is still an open problem in the mathematical sense.


and Implications To determine the minimum biological capacity for nitrogen (N) excretion for pigs, dietary regimens were created and fed that were designed to eliminate fecal excretion of undigested feed N, minimize endogenous N secretions and minimize intakes of nitrogenous compounds (amino acids) above those of the pigs biological needs. Excretion of undigested fecal N was eliminated by feeding ingredients containing highly digestible (≈100%) sources of nitrogen and by eliminating compounds that bind N. Endogenous secretions were minimized by eliminating antinutritional factors from the diet and by minimizing enteric bacterial populations. Intakes of amino acids above the animal's needs were minimized by providing a pattern of amino acids that closely matched that needed by the pig. Furthermore, dietary amino acids were provided to the pigs in amounts above, at, and below their biological needs based on the amounts of urea N excreted in the urine and the amounts of N accrued in the body. From two-slope breakpoint analysis, apparent digestible N intake resulting in maximum N retention (2.58 g⋅kgBW⋅d) was determined to be 3.66 g⋅kgBW⋅d. When daily apparent digestible nitrogen intakes were below the pigs' determined need, the amount of digestible N (mg⋅kgBW⋅d) lost for body maintenance processes was estimated as .239 in urine and .080 in feces. The amount lost in urine as unusable for body N accretion was .206 g⋅kgBW⋅d of each gram of digestible N consumed above body maintenance needs. When daily apparent digestible N intakes were above the pigs determined need, .900 g of each gram of additional N consumed above that needed for body N accretion was excreted. The minimum biological capacity for N excretion in pigs, defined as total (urinary plus fecal) obligatory losses of N, is estimated to be .287 g⋅kgBW⋅d to support pigs at N maintenance and 1.11 g⋅kgBW⋅d for pigs at maximum body N accretion. Using these estimates, the minimal biological capacity for N excretion can be calculated for pigs at various stages of growth. For example, in 60 kg pigs, minimum capacity for N excretion is estimated at .10 and .39 g/kg body weight/day in pigs in states of N maintenance and maximum body N accretion, respectively. These values are 12 and 44%, respectively, of N excretion relative to published standards (ASAE D384.1). Similarly, the N content of excreta from animals excreting N at their biological minimum was determined to be 2.57 g N/liter, or 18% of standard excreta N content (corrected for volatilization, ASAE D384.1). Based on these data, the minimum biological capacity for the excretion of N in pigs is substantially less than current estimates of N excretion and can be achieved by eliminating dietary factors that contribute to N excretion. Furthermore, dietary regimens that allow the minimum biological capacity for N excretion to be achieved are biologically capable of supporting maximum rates of body accretion (i.e., lean tissue growth) in pigs.


Workflow management systems coordinate and allocate work through the various stages of executing business processes. The benefits of such systems appear pervasive, but no hard data is available that confirms that their implementation improves organizational performance. In part, this is due to the difficulty of measuring the effects of enterprise-wide initiatives in general. In this paper, the results are presented of a longitudinal, multi-case study into the effectiveness of workflow management technology. The study builds on a novel methodology that combines field work and computer simulations. Through its application, the contribution of this technology to conduct business processes faster and with less effort could be quantitatively assessed. Surprisingly, only a fraction of the projects that were followed in this longitudinal study led to a fully operational implementation of a workflow management system at all. Even so, in most of the projects where such a system was introduced this resulted in substantial improvements. We present success and fail factors for the implementation of this technology within organizations, which we inferred from a follow-up analysis. The novel methodology presented in this paper is thought to be of value to track the performance effects of introducing other technologies or organization concepts as well.


Increasingly, nowadays students must learn more advanced technical skills in order to secure jobs in a competitive 21st century workforce. This is true even in the Gulf Countries, including the UAE, where less IT work opportunities are available and where competition to find a good IT job is becoming harder. Yet the curriculum that was available to teach them these cutting-edge skills was often textbook-based, uninspiring, and limited in its appeal. Therefore, it was essential to address these issues at the curriculum of developmental program of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) before students move on to their specific discipline. Considering the earlier mentioned flaws in IT, UGRU curriculum, leadership team in spring 2005 decided to introduce critical and creative thinking and cognition based ICT literacy program along with PBL (Problem Based Learning). The basic objectives of the PBL projects are to promote (i) Research, (ii) Critical Thinking, and (iii) Application of ICT knowledge. The themes of the projects are based on geo-social, scientific or general awareness. In this paper the IT UGRU developmental program will be compared to those counterparts that exist in leading Universities such as UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, UK, Canada, and USA. This paper describes the PBL based teaching strategies and their overall effectiveness. It also discusses the impact of these projects on student learning and achieving educational goals. Results are very encouraging. The outcome of this research indicates that using PBL in ICT classrooms can help students become self learners, able to search out, understand, analyze, and synthesize information in a better way. It also helps them to understand the real value of ICT in their lives.


ABSTRACT Escherichia coli strains carrying null alleles of genes encoding single-strand-specific exonucleases ExoI and ExoVII display elevated frameshift mutation rates but not base substitution mutation rates. We characterized increased spontaneous frameshift mutation in ExoI− ExoVII− cells and report that some of this effect requires RecA, an inducible SOS DNA damage response, and the low-fidelity, SOS-induced DNA polymerase DinB/PolIV, which makes frameshift mutations preferentially. We also find that SOS is induced in ExoI− ExoVII− cells. The data imply a role for the single-stranded exonucleases in guarding the genome against mutagenesis by removing excess single-stranded DNA that, if left, leads to SOS induction and PolIV-dependent mutagenesis. Previous results implicated PolIV in E. coli mutagenesis specifically during starvation or antibiotic stresses. Our data imply that PolIV can also promote mutation in growing cells under genome stress due to excess single-stranded DNA.


A solution to the problem of controlling a car-like nonholonomic robot is proposed using a "virtual" vehicle approach, which is shown to be robust with respect to errors and disturbances. The proposed algorithms are model independent, and the stability analysis is done using a dynamical model, in which, for instance, the side slip angles are taken into account.


Introduction: The MCP card is a tool for pregnant women, young mothers and family members to learn understand and achieve good health practices. It contains information about antenatal care, danger signs, preparation for delivery, newborn care, immuniza-tion and growth chart.
Objective: The study conducted to assess the use of MCP card by beneficiaries attending VHND sessions in rural Valsad.
Methodology: It was a cross sectional study. Total 43 pregnant and lactating mothers were interviewed to know the use of MCP card by them. Their knowledge was checked by asking open ended questions about information provided in MCP card.
Results: 65.1% mothers had read the MCP card. 86.5% of the mothers could tell at least one use of Mamta card of which majority (86.49%) used it as immunization record of the child while 67.57% used it for information. 88% mothers brought the card at every visit to the health center. Mothers were quite aware about emergency signs, but knowledge about vaccination, growth monitoring, hygiene and various government schemes was poor.
Conclusion: Effective use of MCP card is still lacking by beneficiaries. Advocacy by health care providers may improve the knowledge of beneficiaries about various health information provided already in MCP card.


Public agencies have subsidized taxi rides for people who have difficulty driving a car or using the regular transit system – targeting older residents and people with disabilities. There is interest among public agencies to add transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, to subsidized ride programs as a travel option due to the widespread availability of TNCs and high-quality service. Key issues include the need for wheelchair accessible vehicles, subsidy needs, and clients who lack or are uncomfortable using a smartphone and credit card. This research included a review of programs nationwide and interviews with program managers and clients to identify best practices. Best practices from agencies included contracting for wheelchair accessible TNC services, offering classes to help clients learn how to use the needed technologies, arranging for prepaid debit cards, creating a centralized billing system, providing a concierge service for those who need extra assistance, and setting subsidies based on need. Other recommended practices include providing high travel needs coverage, developing straightforward pricing structures, and not imposing restrictions on trip distance or trip purposes eligible for subsidy.


There are many surgeons in the United States who consider themselves "general surgeons," and presumably each of them has some concept of what this term means. Yet any cocktail-party conversation soon reveals that the lay public has no clear idea of the role of the general surgeon. Indeed, whereas the family practitioner has a clearly defined image, there is some doubt that the general surgeon is even a specialist! A recent workshop at the Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons suggests that general surgeons themselves may be unable to define their speciality. Against this background, an attempt to define both the field of general surgery and the expertise of the general surgeon may be warranted. The first source of such a definition should be the American Board of Surgery. The booklet of that board is quite specific. It states that "general surgery" requires a detailed knowledge of seven


Although the positive traits and qualities that compose heroism such as courage, bravery and empathy have received research support, little experimental research has directly investigated the perception of heroic acts. The primary purpose of the current research was to address this gap in the literature by investigating a basic question about a central defining feature of heroism, namely the risk of potential harm. A related objective was investigating how implicit theories of personality and moral character influence perceptions of heroism, particularly as it relates to risk of harm. Results revealed how incrementally escalating the level of risk to the actor can transform an otherwise prosocial behavior into heroism through separating altruism from heroism. Implicit theories impacted perceptions of heroism consistent with the theorizing behind entity/incremental orientations, and produced an interactive effect with the situational manipulation through information about the particular level of risk differentially affecting entity and incremental belief systems.


The q-theory of asset pricing predicts a negative relation between a firm's investment and its future stock returns, and the negative relation is stronger among firms with higher investment frictions. These predictions arise from each firm's decision. Therefore, testing it does not require that the amount of investment be in investors' information set, and skipping between the investment and future stock returns is unnecessary. We document a positive relation between a firm's investment and its immediate future stock returns. This positive relation, in most empirical specifications, fully subsumes the traditionally documented negative investment-return relation that starts several quarters after investment. After considering immediate future returns, the investment-return relation is more positive among firms with higher investment frictions. These findings challenge the q-theory based interpretation of the investment-return relation.


In order to study the stability of the disulfide chemical bond in molecules subjected to a flux of high energy photons, the ionic fragmentation of two molecules containing a disulfide chemical bond, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and methyl propyl disulfide (MPDS), has been studied following excitation around the S 1s edge (∼2470 eV). Synchrotron radiation and electron-ion coincidence techniques were used. The core excited states of DMDS and MPDS have also been theoretically investigated at the multiconfigurational self-consistent field (MCSCF) level and multireference perturbation theory. Deep core excitation (S 1s) induces multiple ionization and intense fragmentation of the molecules, as clearly demonstrated by the observation of cations such as S+, S2+ and S3+. Splitting of the S+ peak is observed in the mass spectra of the two molecules when they are excited to a resonant state with antibonding (S–S) character. Although fragments associated with the breakage of the disulfide bond (S+ and CHnS+) play a dominant role in the dissociation of the molecules, a fragment containing the disulfide chemical bond, S2+, survives, nevertheless, at all photon energies.


In this study, the effects of diameter and location of drain pipes in uplift force, exit hydraulic gradient and seepage in the foundation of gravity dams are investigated. For this purpose, the SEEP/W software as a subgroup of Geo-Studio software is implemented and foundation of a gravity dam is simulated. The results showed that the existence of drain pipes under the gravity dam, reduce 4, 6, and 9 times of uplift force, exit hydraulic gradient and seepage respectively. Installation of two drain pipes with 0.25L distance from each other and in depth of 0.26D near the dam heel, presents more suitable position respect to uplift force reduction (D is the pervious foundation depth). Also, by defining the best position for the location of drain pipes, it was observed that drainage pipes in these situations reduce 41-67% in the volume of the studied dam and increase the safety factor up to 2 to 3 times against the dam overturning. It is also found that the drainage pipe diameter has less effect on uplift force, exit hydraulic gradient and seepage and and is controlled by the rules of the executive. For validation, the numerical method used in this study was compared with the laboratory method by others and a suitable match


BACKGROUND
The mechanisms of immunity to Rickettsia conorii that have been elucidated in mouse models have not been evaluated in human tissues.

METHODS
In this study, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the levels of expression of inflammatory and immune mediators in skin-biopsy samples collected from 23 untreated patients with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF).

RESULTS
In all 23 patients, the levels of intralesional expression of mRNA of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha , interferon (IFN)- gamma , interleukin (IL)-10, RANTES, and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme involved in limiting rickettsial growth by tryptophan degradation, were higher than those in control subjects; 6 of the 23 patients had high levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a source of microbicidal nitric oxide. Positive correlations between TNF- alpha , IFN- gamma , iNOS, IDO, and mild/moderate MSF suggest that type 1 polarization plays a protective role. Significantly higher levels of intralesional expression of IL-10 mRNA were inversely correlated with levels of intralesional expression of IFN- gamma mRNA and TNF- alpha mRNA. The mRNA-expression level of the chemokine RANTES was significantly higher in patients with severe MSF.

CONCLUSION
Mild/moderate MSF is associated with a strong and balanced intralesional proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory response, with a dominant type 1 immunity, whereas severe MSF is associated with increased expression of chemokine mRNA. Whether these factors are simply correlates of mild and severe MSF or contribute to antirickettsial immunity and pathogenesis remains to be determined.


Neorautanenia mitis is a leguminous sub-shrubby climbing plant with a tuberous root which could be exploited as a potential source of pharmaceutical grade starch. This study aims to determine the suitability of Neorautanenia mitis starch (NMS) as a disintegrant in tablet formulation. Its physicochemical properties such as solubility, acidity, pH, hydration capacity, swelling capacity, content of amylose and amylopectin and flow properties were determined. The starch (NMS) was employed as a disintegrant in the preparation of paracetamol granules at concentrations of 7.5, 10 and 15 % and evaluated. The granules were compressed into tablets at 0.5, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 MT and tablet properties were evaluated. The physicochemical properties showed NMS has good flow, lower amylose content and higher swelling power than maize starch BP (MS). Tablet formulations containing NMS had similar hardness with those containing MS at 0.5 MT while hardness was observed to increase with increase in compression pressure. Tablets containing NMS were found to elicit faster tablet disintegration than those containing maize starch BP and also had higher t75 values. Furthermore, increasing the compression pressure was found to be decrease the rate of drug release.


1. A method is described for the isolation of rat parotid acinar cells by controlled digestion of the gland with trypsin followed by collagenase. As judged by Trypan Blue exclusion, electron microscopy, water, electrolyte and ATP concentrations and release of amylase and lactate dehydrogenase, the cells are morphologically and functionally intact. 2. A method was developed for perifusion of acinar cells by embedding them in Sephadex G-10. Release of amylase was stimulated by adrenaline (0.1-10muM), isoproternol (1 or 10 MUM), phenylephrine (1 muM), carbamoylcholine (0.1 or 1 muM), dibutyryl cycle AMP (2 MM), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (1mM) and ionophore A23187. The effects of phenylephrine, carbamoylcholine and ionophore A23187 required extracellular Ca2+, whereas the effects of adrenaline and isoproterenol did not. 3. The incorporation of 45Ca into parotid cells showed a rapidly equilibrating pool (1-2 min) corresponding to 15% of total Ca2+ and a slowly equilibrating pool (greater than 3h) of probably a similar dimension. Cholinergic and alpha-adrenergic effectors and ionophore A23187 and 2,4-dinitrophenol increased the rate of incorporation of 45Ca into a slowly equilibrating pool, whereas beta-adrenergic effectors and dibutyryl cyclic AMP were inactive. 4. The efflux of 45Ca from cells into Ca2+-free medium was inhibited by phenylephrine and carbamoylcholine and accelerated by isoproterenol, adrenaline (beta-adrenergic effect), dibutyryl cyclic AMP and ionophore A23187. 5. A method was developed for the measurement of exchangeable 45Ca in mitochondria in parotid pieces. Incorporation of 45Ca into mitochondria was decreased by isoproterenol, dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 2,4-dinitrophenol, increased by adrenaline, and not changed significantly by phenylephrine or carbamoylcholine. Release of 45Ca from mitochondria in parotid pieced incubated in a Ca2+-free medium was increased by isoproterenol, adrenaline, dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 2,4-dinitrophenol and unaffected by phenylephrine or carbamoylcholine. 6. These findings are compatible with a role for Ca2+ as a mediator of amylase-secretory responses in rat parotid acinar cells, but no definite conclusions about its role can be drawn in the absence of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved, their location, and free Ca2+ concentration in appropriate cell compartment(s).


Feature extraction is one of the most challenging tasks in the design of a classification system. In this work we present a novel floating evaluation and search algorithm focused on weak features. In classification problem with a high number of weak features an exhaustive feature selection protocol is calculation cost prohibitive, so in our approach a floating method is proposed with restricted feature subset evaluation. Our proposal considerably decreases the calculation costs of feature search compared with conventional bottom-up, top-down and floating techniques, as well with other recent techniques, without reducing the classification performance. The proposed methodology was tested for 7-class facial expression recognition and the results show the viability of the approach for multiclass problems with weak features.


An estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured cerebral aneurysm [1]. If left untreated, these aneurysms can rupture and to lead to severe brain function impairment or even death. Shape memory polymer (SMP) foams have been proposed for use to optimize endovascular embolization in place of current embolization devices [2,3].SMPs are capable of actuating from a programmed secondary geometry to their expanded primary geometry in response to a stimulus, such as body temperature [4]. The expanded foam geometry provides an interface for embolization of the aneurysm to occur, however, treatment with these devices has limited visibility under fluoroscopy.Previous work by Hasan et al. increased radiopacity through the incorporation of tungsten (W) nanoparticles. These composite foams showed successful x-ray visibility, but aggregate disruption of the SMP matrix led to decreased mechanical properties [5].This work addresses limitations of composite SMP foams, namely toughness, by chemically incorporating x-ray visible monomers, such as the triodobenzene containing monomer, 5-Amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid (AT), into the material composition. These materials enable contrast agent loading without disrupting the polymer matrix. This polymer foam system was characterized to determine the clinical relevance of the improved radiopaque SMP foam for occlusion devices.Copyright © 2017 by ASME


We consider a cognitive radio network with an energy-harvesting secondary transmitter to improve both energy efficiency and spectral efficiency. The goal of this paper is to determine an optimal spectrum sensing policy that maximizes the expected total throughput subject to an energy causality constraint and a collision constraint. The energy causality constraint comes from the fact that the total consumed energy should be equal to or less than the total harvested energy, while the collision constraint is required to protect the primary user. We first show that the system can be divided into a spectrum-limited regime and an energy-limited regime depending on where the detection threshold for the spectrum sensor lies. Assuming infinite battery capacity, we derive the optimal detection threshold that maximizes the expected total throughput subject to the energy causality constraint and the collision constraint. Analytical and numerical results show that the system is energy-limited if the energy arrival rate is lower than the expected energy consumption for a single spectrum access. They also show that a decreasing probability of accessing the occupied spectrum does not always result in decreased probability of accessing the idle spectrum in the energy-limited regime.


Computational modelling of porous hybrid organic-inorganic materials is a challenging task. The dual nature and flexibility of frameworks require the delicate description of systems. In addition, the absence of reliable force-fields and the size of systems makes the density functional theory (DFT) the best choice. The poor description of long-range dispersion interactions, a crucial deficiency of DFT, has been circumvented by introducing the dispersion correction schemes. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF), extended analogues of inorganic zeolites by topological similarity, are the focal point of this thesis. Their prospective applications in gas adsorption/separation and catalysis are driving the search of new not-yet-syntesised structures and methods to tune their properties. A set of new hypothetical ZIF has been explored, including lightweight LiB-based frameworks. To establish structure-property relationship, the impact of topologies and linker has been analysed. It has been revealed the crucial role of linker-linker interaction and packing for the thermodynamics stability of frameworks. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of ZIFs have been explored. Close collaboration with experimentalist groups has allowed the cross-linked analysis and rationalization of the observed of phenomena. Finally, an empirical force-field fitting protocol from ab initio data has been improved. The idea is to exploit the redundant internal coordinates in fitting as it makes the problem more linear, but an existing code was able to handle non-periodic models only. The periodicity has been implemented to allow fitting force-field for material, which could not be partitioned into non-periodic models, including ZIFs. The new protocol has been tested with several systems.


The main objective of this paper is to detect an accident in which immediately help is required to driver and driver is not in position to inform any medical rescue team. In this kind of situation there is a need to develop such system which should inform automatically to medical rescue team that some accidents have taken place along with geo-graphical location. This paper proposed a method using various sensors for monitoring accidents and providing on spot medical facility.


This paper considers a design problem involving a servomechanism system with a flexible axis which has a high-order nominal model used for controller design. The controller obtained by a standard H/sup /spl infin// algorithm is the same order as the generalized plant. This paper investigates low-order H/sup /spl infin// controller design in the chain-scattering matrix framework. The method uses positive-real matrices to construct a low-order controller generator which is able to generate a set of low-order H/sup /spl infin// controllers.


A fundamental challenge in habitat ecology and management is understanding the mechanisms generating animal distributions. Studies of habitat selection provide a lens into such mechanisms, but are often limited by unrealistic assumptions. For example, most studies assume that habitat selection is constant with respect to the availability of resources, such that habitat use remains proportional to availability. To the contrary, a growing body of work has shown the fallacy of this assumption, indicating that animals modify their behavior depending on the context at broader scales. This has been termed a functional response in habitat selection. Furthermore, a diversity of methods is employed to model functional responses in habitat selection, with little attention to how methodology might affect scientific and conservation conclusions. Here, we first review the conceptual and statistical foundations of methods currently used to model functional responses and clarify the ecological tests evaluated within each approach. We then use a combination of simulated and empirical data sets to evaluate the similarities and differences among approaches. Importantly, we identified multiple statistical issues with the most widely applied approaches to understand functional responses, including: (1) a complex and important role of random- or individual-level intercepts in adjusting individual-level regression coefficients as resource availability changes and (2) a sensitivity of results to poorly informed individual-level coefficients estimated for animals with low availability of a given resource. Consequently, we provide guidance on applying approaches that are insensitive to these issues with the goal of advancing our understanding of animal habitat ecology and management. Finally, we characterize the management implications of assuming similarity between the current approaches to model functional responses with two empirical data sets of federally threatened species: Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) in the United States and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada. Collectively, our assessment helps clarify the similarities and differences among current approaches and, therefore, assists the integration of functional responses into the mainstream of habitat ecology and management.


Report presents the results of an experimental investigation conducted in the full-scale tunnel to determine the accuracy of the Jones and the Betz equations for computing profile drag from total and static pressure surveys in the wake of wings. Surveys were made behind 6 by 8-foot airfoils of the NACA 0009, and 0018 sections at zero lift and behind the NACA 0012 at positive lifts. The surveys were made at various spanwise positions and at distances behind the airfoil ranging from 0.05c to 3.00c.