This paper presents the finite element analysis of salt-creep behavior on deepwater wells with trapped annulus, considering cooling effects caused by injection operations. In addition, this effect was considered coupled with salt-creep behavior and its influence on casing collapse design under transient and steady state well operation. The scenarios of injection flow rate and temperature profile were analyzed using the coupled approach, for salt creeping and thermal trapped annulus. The wellbore profile is a typical Pre Salt Brazilian Offshore, where rock salt layer is confined under two casing shoes. The injection wells operation results in a pressure decrease in a confined annulus due to thermal cooling between casing and salt formation. Due to this pressure drop on the trapped annulus, the salt creeping behavior tends to increase, and proper casing stress verification must be done. The finite elements analysis for salt creeping was modeled using commercial finite elements software package, and thermal profile for transient and steady state injection was obtained using thermal casing design software. The coupled effects were evaluated using commercial casing design software. Preliminary studies have shown that there is a great influence on the salt creeping response on confined annulus when subjected to a pressure decrease due to thermal cooling on trapped annulus, caused by water injection operation. It is observed that there is a growth of the confined annular pressure due to salt creeping effects and that there is an acceleration in this phenomenon. The analysis also shows that casing collapse safety margin is time dependent considering a given operation. After well shutdown, the natural heating of the confined annulus occurs due to geothermal effects, and this pressure is added to the trapped annulus, increasing the pressure of trapped annulus. The final pressure is the sum of the salt pressure build up accelerated by the cooling steady state regime and geothermal pressure build up, during shutdown. The worst case scenario could be during restart the well injection, in that way, this kind of situation must be analyzed, so that it does not lead to critical situations on the casing design. Historically, according to literature review, only the annular pressure build up with production heating is analyzed. This work is a novel approach where annular pressure drop off, caused by cooling operations, was investigated including coupled salt-creeping and thermal phenomenon.


Background/Aim: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 67 stable adult haemodialysis patients with hyperphosphataemia. The objective was to determine the effect of monthly dietetic consultations on patients' serum phosphate concentrations and calcium × phosphate product. Methods: The intervention group received monthly dietetic consultations for 6 months using advanced counselling skills aimed at limiting phosphate intake in the diet and improving compliance with phosphate binders, whereas standard care with dietetic consultations every 6 months was provided to the control group. Results: Serum phosphate concentrations decreased in the intervention group from 2.05 ± 0.48 to 1.80 ± 0.48 mmol/l by month 3 (p < 0.05). However, this subsequently increased and by month 6 there was no significant difference from baseline. After controlling for confounding variables, the difference between the groups was approaching significance at month 3, but there was no difference by month 6, or following conclusion of the study. The calcium × phosphate product similarly decreased in both groups, achieving K/DOQI standards, but was not sustained either during the remainder of the study but decreased further by the 12-month follow-up and, although it was not significantly different, it did improve significantly from baseline in both the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: Increased frequency of dietetic consultations can result in improved phosphate control in the short term, and therefore more innovative strategies appear necessary to sustain longer-term control.


Low frequency oscillation, typical for Gamma Doradus g-mode type stellar core sensitive pulsation, as well as higher frequency Delta Scuti type pulsation typical for p-modes, sensitive to the envelope, make HD 8801 a remarkable hybrid pulsator with the potential to probe a stellar structure over a wide range of radius. In addition HD 8801 is a rare pulsating metallic line (Am) star. We determined the astrophysical fundamental parameters to locate HD 8801 in the HR diagram. We analyzed the element abundances, paying close attention to the errors involved, and confirm the nature of HD 8801 as a metallic line (Am) star. We also determined an upper limit on the magnetic field strength. Our abundance analysis is based on classical techniques, but uses for the final step a model atmosphere calculated with the abundances determined by us. We also discuss spectropolarimetric observations obtained for HD 8801. This object is remarkable in several respects. It is a non-magnetic metallic line (Am) star, pulsating simultaneously in p- and g-modes, but also shows oscillations with periods in between these two domains, whose excitation requires explanation. Overall, the pulsational incidence in unevolved classical Am stars is believed to be quite low; HD 8801 does not conform to this picture. Finally, about 75% of Am stars are located in short-period binaries, but there is no evidence that HD 8801 has a companion.


Providing information about transport-related attributes such as travel time, travel costs or carbon emissions might be seen not only as a service to the public, but as also an instrument to change their travel behaviour. While rational man theory suggests that individuals base choices on the attributes of the choice set (information content), the way information is being presented (information context) has also a strong effect on travellers' behaviour. "Choice architecture", through the design and incorporation of small features in the environment of choice making ('nudges'), could help individuals to overcome cognitive biases, and to highlight the better choices for them - without restricting their freedom of choice. This paper sketches a few of the more interesting among insights from behavioural economics, and suggests examples of how
they might be useful for influencing travel behaviour through the design of travel information and help promoting desired travel options.


BACKGROUND
Hypertension is a risk factor for stroke. Increasing patient knowledge and cognition about stroke among hypertensive patients is essential.

AIMS
To explore the effect of a health education intervention on the knowledge and cognition of stroke in hypertensive patients.

METHODS
A quasi-experimental design was used with 103 patients with hypertension. The sample was recruited from a cardiologist's outpatient office at a medical center in Kaohsiung city, southern Taiwan. Half the patients (experimental group, n = 52) received health education, whereas the others received only conventional general outpatient care (control group, n = 51). All patients underwent a pretest followed by posttests at 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention. A stroke knowledge scale and stroke cognition scale were used for data collection.

RESULTS
The experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group in level of knowledge and cognition of stroke.

DISCUSSION
This study supports that a health education CD-ROM and printed information provided in the outpatient clinical improves knowledge of and cognition of stroke among hypertensive patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
In outpatient clinical practice, nurses can help improve patients' knowledge and cognition of the risks of stroke by playing the health education CD-ROM and providing printed information during the patients' wait time before appointments.

CONCLUSIONS
Further studies with a longer follow-up (6 months or 1 year) are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of health education on stroke knowledge and cognition among patients with hypertension.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION
An outpatient health education program using a CD-ROM and printed information for hypertensive patients can improve the patients' knowledge and cognition of stroke.


Assessments of the cumulative ecological effects of chronic sublethal discharges from normal (non-spill) offshore petroleum operations have been based on (1) model studies, (2) controlled laboratory and microcosm experiments, (3) studies of spills of crude oil and its refined products and of severe organic pollution, and (4) ecological field studies in areas of intensive petroleum operations. Methods (2) and (3) involve (a) the extrapolation of results obtained from concentrations and rates of exposure that are not representative of chronic low-level exposure, (b) usually a different suite of chemical contaminants, and (c) usually a different ecosystem. The fourth method is faced with determining the ecological effects of very low levels of contamination in the presence of larger natural environmental and biological variations and of other sources or types of contamination. This paper compares predictions based on method (3) with results obtained by using method (4) in the Gulf of Mexico. Primary data are from three studies on cumulative effects and from studies of spills in the Gulf. The response of benthic macroinfaunal communities and populations to sediment hydrocarbon concentrations are the primary basis for comparisons. Some principal environmental variables are `normalized' to facilitate quantitative comparisons.


The study was undertaken to characterize breed features, reproductive performance, breeding practice, breed selection criteria and herd replacement in Ethiopian swine production systems. A total of 66 swine farms were selected in six major towns to collect quantitative and qualitative data on the studied parameters. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select sampling areas and respondents. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the data using person to person interview. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical procedures of SAS and SPSS software packages. The study revealed that Ethiopian swine breeds had diverse coat colors where white coat color was the predominant one. Average reproductive performances of swine herds for age at first puberty, litter size and gestation length were ranged from 9 – 10 (months), 8 – 10 (piglets per farrowing) and 3 to 3.5 (months), respectively. None of these reproductive performances were significant (P>0.05) across the three scales of production. About 76 – 86% of the total interviewed swine producers did select sires and dams for breeding. Dams section was mainly based on health status, body conformation and mothering ability; whereas, sires selection was based on health status, body conformation and coat color. Findings of this study can support the development of breeding strategies aiming to improve Ethiopian swine production and productivity.


Biphasic squamoid alveolar renal cell carcinoma (BSARCC) has been recently described as a distinct neoplasm. Twenty-one cases from 12 institutions were analyzed using routine histology, immunohistochemistry, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Tumors were removed from 11 male and 10 female patients, whose age ranged from 53 to 79 years. The size of tumors ranged from 1.5 to 16 cm. Follow-up information was available for 14 patients (range, 1 to 96 mo), and metastatic spread was found in 5 cases. All tumors comprised 2 cell populations arranged in organoid structures: small, low-grade neoplastic cells with scant cytoplasm usually lining the inside of alveolar structures, and larger squamoid cells with more prominent cytoplasm and larger vesicular nuclei arranged in compact nests. In 9/21 tumors there was a visible transition from such solid and alveolar areas into papillary components. Areas composed of large squamoid cells comprised 10% to 80% of total tumor volume. Emperipolesis was present in all (21/21) tumors. Immunohistochemically, all cases were positive for cytokeratin 7, EMA, vimentin, and cyclin D1. aCGH (confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization) in 5 analyzable cases revealed multiple numerical chromosomal changes including gains of chromosomes 7 and 17 in all cases. These changes were further disclosed in 6 additional cases, which were unsuitable for aCGH. We conclude that tumors show a morphologic spectrum ranging from RCC with papillary architecture and large squamoid cells to fully developed BSARCC. Emperipolesis in squamoid cells was a constant finding. All BSARCCs expressed CK7, EMA, vimentin, and cyclin D1. Antibody to cyclin D1 showed a unique and previously not recognized pattern of immunohistochemical staining. Multiple chromosomal aberrations were identified in all analyzable cases including gains of chromosomes 7 and 17, indicating that they are akin to papillary RCC. Some BSARCCs were clinically aggressive, but their prognosis could not be predicted from currently available data. Present microscopic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic data strongly support the view that BSARCC is a distinctive and peculiar morphologic variant of papillary RCC.


The paper analyses the sustainable development of tourism in selected cities located in Turkey and in Poland. The starting point for the conducted research was the adoption of indicators used to assess the sustainable development of tourism in the cities of Amasya (Turkey) and Zakopane (Poland). Ultimately, the authors used slightly modified indicators developed by the Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Tourism (VISIT). The studies demonstrated that in Amasya the development of tourism is quite stable and revealed quite a lot of deficiencies in Zakopane. Sustainable development was assessed as poor in terms of environmental obligations, in particular waste water management solutions and municipal waste management as well as in terms of water consumption. The research revealed that some of the indicators were not recorded in central statistical offices, which hindered the assessment considerably. This refers mainly to indicators related to social and cultural considerations. In general, the results are rather surprising, as the analysis revealed significant differences in the development of technological infrastructure and land use intensity. Unfortunately, in these aspects, Zakopane seems to have lost the competition.


The species of Pritha Lehtinen, 1967 in Italy are revised for the first time, and a preliminary putative diagnosis for the genus is provided. Two new Italian species are described: Pritha parva sp. nov. (male and female) and P. sagittata sp. nov. (male and female). P. pallida (Kulczyński, 1897) and the type species P. nana (Simon, 1868) are entirely re-described. The copulatory organs, some other somatic characters and the habitus of each sex of the four Italian species are illustrated and photographed at high magnifications. P. debilis (Simon, 1911) and P. vestita (Simon, 1873) are removed from the synonymy with P. nana and revalidated to species status, and a lectotype is designated for the latter. P. pallida is recorded from Spain and Greece for the first time. Distribution, behavioural aspects and ecology of the four Italian species are discussed and photographs of live specimens, webs and habitats are provided.


Dust mite allergens cause conditions including asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis in people globally. Most studies investigating aspects of mite ecology and epidemiology have focussed on Pyroglyphid mites, which include those species generally most abundant in homes and have formed the basis for allergen sensitisation thresholds over the last two decades. Some studies have highlighted that mite species outside of the Pyroglyphidae family also harbour important allergens capable of causing sensitisation, yet these are regularly left unreported in research examining house dust mites. Additionally, knowledge gaps regarding the presence and quantity of allergenic mites in specific biotopes thus far exist, with no comprehensive research conducted on allergenic mite fauna in Irish homes to date.
The aim of Chapters 2 and 3 of this thesis is to bridge important research gaps in the determination of quantities and species of allergenic mite fauna in previously understudied biotopes. In the first study described in this thesis, mites in dust from 30 homes with pets were compared with 30 homes without pets, with a view to assessing the influence that domestic pets have on allergenic mite densities and species composition within the home. Mite species richness was greater in homes with pets compared to homes without pets, suggesting that the presence of pets can result in a wider variety of epidemiologically important mite species within households.
Vehicles have been greatly understudied with regard to quantifying dust mites and their associated allergens, with no published research thus far concerning mite densities and allergen levels in child car seats, an important void given that young children are most susceptible to developing conditions associated with dust mite allergens. A survey of 106 cars found 12 species of mites, with 80% of driver seats and 77% of child car seats containing mites. There was a significant correlation between the number of mites per gram of dust and the levels of Der p 1 allergen in the car seats sampled, with over 12% of driver seats and 15% of child car seats containing dust mite quantities sufficient to be risk factors for sensitisation and allergic reactions.
Although clothing is the one of the main suspected mechanisms by which dust mites are dispersed and come to colonise new habitats, no research to date has investigated the physical properties that determine quantities transferred. Since dust mites were found in abundance in the vehicle-based survey, the dynamics involved in the transfer of dust mites from car seat material to modern clothing fabrics were hence investigated. Fabric type, mite condition (live or dead) and the applied force between the fabrics were all shown to have a significant effect on the transfer efficiency of house dust mites, while duration of contact was found to have no effect.%%%%2017-03-31


: 31 children with eventration of the diaphragm were observed at the surgical department of the University Children's Hospital in Zurich from 1960 to 1975. 27 of the 31 children were less than one year old. In 14 of the cases the eventration was caused by a congenital hypoplasia of the diaphragm, in 12 by a traumatic paralysis of the phrenic nerve and in 3 cases it occurred postoperatively. 2 children had acquired the eventration later on in childhood. 18 of the 31 children were operated upon, 13 were treated conservatively. All except one survived and were examined again 3 to 15 years later. The various pathological anatomical forms, the clinical picture, signs and symptoms and the indication for conservative or operative treatment are discussed and illustrated by typical cases of the present series.


Background: Bronchiolitis is an acute, highly communicable lower respiratory tract infection. A variety of agents ranging from nebulised racemic epinephrine, salbutamol and routinely available levoepinephrine have been tried. The Present study was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of adrenaline and salbutamol in acute bronchiolitis in children aged 2 months to 2 years.
Materials and Methods: The Present study was conducted at Nobel medical College Teaching Hospital over the period of one year from Feb 2018 to Jan 2019. Two different cohorts were identified in which clinically diagnosed cases and were grouped into Group A and Group B to receive the different drugs as per the study protocol. Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) Scores was used for clinical assessment.
Results: The age of the patients ranged from 2 months to 24 months with a median of 8 months. The males constituting about 57.42% of the study population of 155 patients. On comparing the prenebulisation variables with 10 and 30 minutes post nebulisation values, it was found that Both adrenaline and salbutamol caused overall significant improvement in RR (p-value <0.00001 in both groups) except in the age group of 19-24 months. Adrenaline was seen to be superior to salbutamol in decreasing the RR (p<0.0001) except for children in the age group of 19-24months. Adrenaline also caused greater rise in heart rate in comparison to salbutamol in all age groups.
Conclusion: This study concludes that Adrenaline was seen to be superior to salbutamol in decreasing the RR and RDAI, although it showed variance with age.


Objective: A number of water objects of Abkhazia (the Western Caucasus) have been studied. Physicochemical indicators of water and characteristics of zooplankton community were investigated. Water bodies of Abkhazia are specified by high water quality, due to glacier-derived nourishment of rivers. In the mouth areas, the quality of water deteriorates, sometimes significantly, due to the pollution by sewage. However, most of the studied water bodies have high quality of water. The exceedance of maximum permissible concentration of biogenic elements was not revealed in rivers. In waterfalls water is ultra-fresh. In rivers, water is fresh with low hardness. Materials and Methods: A total of 17 zooplankton taxa were identified in the studied water bodies. The dominant species in various water objects were the following: Thermocyclops crassus, Pleuroxus aduncus, Pleuroxus trigonellus, Alona rectangula, Penilia avirostris, Macrothrix laticornis, and Eucyclops serrulatus. Zooplankton communities are characterized by low species richness. It is due to the high flow rate of mountain rivers, and their low temperature that creates unfavorable conditions for the development of zooplankton. Results and Discussion: The abundance of zooplankton varied from 5 specimens/m3 (the Mokva River) to 570 specimens/m3 (the Edyrtaa River). The biomass of zooplankton varied from 0.127 mg/m3 (the Mokva River) to 5.1 mg/m3 (the Akuna Channel). Quantitative indicators of zooplankton are low. Conclusions: According to the value of saprobity index, water in the Dzyguta, Edyrtaarivers, the channel from the Gali reservoir refers to β-mesosaprobic zone, and water in the Kudry Khuchi and Smyrakha rivers - to oligosaprobic zone.


Advances in forensic techniques have expanded the temporal horizon of criminal investigations, facilitating investigation of historic crimes that would previously have been considered unsolvable. Public enthusiasm for pursuing historic crimes is exemplified by recent high-profile trials of celebrities accused of historic sexual offences. These circumstances give new urgency to the question of how we should decide which historic offences to investigate. A satisfactory answer must take into account the ways in which the passage of time can erode the benefits of criminal investigation, the costs associated with investigating old crimes, and the need to prioritize investigations in the face of limited police resources. This article emphasizes the first of these factors. It begins by considering the moral goals of a criminal justice system and the contribution of criminal investigations to the achievement of these goals, distinguishing between contributions that depend on further steps in the criminal justice process, such as prosecution and punishment, and contributions that can have value independently of these further steps. Using this important distinction, the article then examines a range of factors that relate the passage of time to criminal justice goals, including the seriousness of the crime; deterioration of evidence; death of the offender, victim and others affected by the crime; and diminished psychological connectedness between those affected by the crime and their current selves. While the range and non-uniformity of relevant factors preclude a simple answer to the question of when historic crimes should be investigated and call instead for case-by-case assessment, we find that the analysis does support some general conclusions that can guide such an assessment.


Following the binding of antigens, the BCR transduces signals and internalizes antigens for processing and presentation, both of which are required for initiating an effective antibody response. The BCR, consisting of membrane Ig and Ig(alpha)/Ig(beta) heterodimer, facilitates antigen processing by accelerating antigen targeting to the processing compartment. Previous reports showed that Ig(alpha) or Ig(beta) alone is competent for internalizing antigens. However, both Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) are required for BCR-enhanced antigen presentation. Using chimeric proteins containing the extracellular and transmembrane domains of human platelet-derived growth factor receptor fused with the cytoplasmic domain of Ig(alpha) or Ig(beta), we studied the roles of the cytoplasmic tails of Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) in BCR-mediated antigen transport. The Ig(beta) chimera rapidly moves through the endocytic pathway to lysosomes, while the Ig(alpha) chimera slows down this movement. The Ig(alpha), but not the Ig(beta) chimera, is required for an increase in the turnover rate of the chimeras in response to stimulation. Only when Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) chimeras are co-expressed do the chimeras rapidly and specifically target antigens to the processing compartment. These findings suggest that Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) play distinct roles in BCR trafficking, and the cooperative interaction of Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) controls and regulates the kinetics and specificity of antigen targeting.


The taxonomic position of a group of actinobacterial strains isolated from the phyllosphere of potato plants was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Although the similarity values for their 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested an intermediate position between Microbacterium and Agrococcus, the phylogenetic tree demonstrated a clear clustering of the representative strain, K 114/01(T), within the genus Agrococcus. The presence of 2,4-diaminobutyric acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain K 114/01(T) substantiated the affiliation to the genus Agrococcus. An analysis performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry revealed highly similar spectral patterns for the isolated strains, which, together with their conformity regarding a multitude of phenotypic features, supported their affiliation to the same species. Differences in several physiological features, peptidoglycan and menaquinone composition and whole-cell fatty acid profiles enabled discrimination of the phyllosphere isolates with respect to recognized Agrococcus species. As the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were below 97 %, the strains isolated from the phyllosphere of potato plants represent a novel species of the genus Agrococcus, for which the name Agrococcus versicolor sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K 114/01(T) (=DSM 19812(T) =LMG 24386(T)).


"Aspects of Psychologism" is a penetrating look into fundamental philosophical questions of consciousness, perception, and the experience we have of our mental lives. Psychologism, in Tim Crane's formulation, presents the mind as a single subject-matter to be investigated not only empirically and conceptually but also phenomenologically: through the systematic examination of consciousness and thought from the subject's point of view.How should we think about the mind? Analytical philosophy tends to address this question by examining the language we use to talk about our minds, and thus translates our knowledge of mind and consciousness into knowledge of the concepts which this language embodies. Psychologism rejects this approach. The philosophy of mind, Crane believes, has become too narrow in its purely conceptual focus on the logical and linguistic formulas that structure thought. We cannot assume that the categories needed to understand the mind correspond absolutely with such semantic categories. A central claim of Crane's psychologism is that intentionality--the "aboutness" or "directedness" of the mind--is essential to all mental phenomena. In addition, Crane responds to proponents of materialist doctrines about consciousness and defends the claim that perception can represent the world in a non-conceptual, non-propositional way.Philosophers must take more seriously the findings of psychology and phenomenology, Crane contends. An investigation of mental phenomena from this broader viewpoint opens up philosophy to a more realistic and plausible account of the mind's nature.


Part 2 of "Project X: Accelerator Reference Design, Physics Opportunities, Broader Impacts". In this Part, we outline the particle-physics program that can be achieved with Project X, a staged superconducting linac for intensity-frontier particle physics. Topics include neutrino physics, kaon physics, muon physics, electric dipole moments, neutron-antineutron oscillations, new light particles, hadron structure, hadron spectroscopy, and lattice-QCD calculations. Part 1 is available as arXiv:1306.5022 [physics.acc-ph] and Part 3 is available as arXiv:1306.5024 [physics.acc-ph].


In this paper, we evaluate the impact of feature selection on the classification accuracy and the achieved dimensionality reduction, which benefits the time needed on training classification models. Our classification scheme therein is a Cartesian ensemble classification system, based on the principle of late fusion and feature subspaces. These feature subspaces describe different aspects of the same data set. We use it for the ensemble classification of multiple feature sets from the audio and symbolic domains. We present an extensive set of experiments in the context of music genre classification, based on Music IR benchmark datasets. We show that while feature selection does not benefit classification accuracy, it greatly reduces the dimensionality of each feature subspace, and thus adds to great gains in the time needed to train the individual classification models that form the ensemble.


BACKGROUND
Interaction between lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS-binding protein, and the CD14 receptor at the surface of LPS-responsive cells results in inflammatory cytokine release and internalization and detoxification of LPS. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against the deep-core lipid A or the O-linked polysaccharide moieties of LPS accelerate internalization and detoxification of LPS without stimulating cytokine release. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the antibody-mediated internalization of LPS is an Fc receptor (FcR)--mediated process.

METHODS
Fluoroisothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Escherichia coli O111:B4 LPS was incubated with RAW 264.7 cells and allowed to internalize for 2 hours in the presence and absence of anti-LPS, anti-CD14, and isotype control mAbs, and Fab fragments from the anti-CD14, anti--Fc receptor, and control mAbs. Tumor necrosis factor--alpha (TNF-alpha) release was measured by WEHI 164 cell bioassay. FITC-LPS uptake was measured by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was by analysis of variance and Fisher exact test.

RESULTS
Addition of anti-LPS antibodies resulted in a 30- to 40-fold acceleration of LPS internalization (P <.01) in agreement with previous studies. This increase was blunted by anti-CD14 and also by isotype control holo-antibody (P <.01), but not by Fab fragments from anti-CD14 or isotype control antibody. Both anti-FcR antibodies and Fab fragments blocked anti-LPS antibody--stimulated uptake of FITC-LPS. Both intact anti-CD14 holo-antibody and Fab fragments blocked TNF-alpha release (P <.01).

CONCLUSIONS
Clearance and detoxification of LPS are thought to be essential to the host response to endotoxin. It has been shown that antibodies to LPS accelerate its internalization by monocytic cell lines without increasing the elaboration of cytokines. We found that specific blockade of CD14 by Fab fragments could block TNF-alpha release but not alter the accelerated internalization of LPS produced by anti-LPS antibodies. In contrast, a nonspecific blockade of internalization was produced by competing antibody, which suggests a mechanistic role for the FcR. Specific blockade of FcR by either holo-antibody or Fab fragments blocked accelerated internalization, which confirms a FcR mechanism. We conclude that the accelerated internalization of LPS produced by anti-LPS antibody is an Fc receptor--mediated process. These results have significance for the development of adjuvant immunotherapy for gram-negative bacterial sepsis.


Galactoglycoprotein is a unique human plasma protein [76% carbohydrate (23% N-acetylneuraminic acid, 20% galactose, 3% mannose, 1% fucose and 29% N-acetylgalactosamine plus N-acetylglucosamine) and 24% polypeptide, a single polypeptide chain of about 200 amino acid residues that is high in serine and threonine content] [Schmid, Mao, Kimura, Hayashi & Binette (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 3221-3226]. Highly purified exoglycosidases with well-defined specificities were used to prepare five derivatives of galactoglycoprotein in which sequential residues of N-acetylneuraminic acid, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, a second galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine were removed with 83% of the total carbohydrate cleaved. C.d. shows that native galactoglycoprotein and all derivatives in aqueous buffer are predominantly random coil, suggesting that removal of a large number of electrostatic net charges, as well as the major portion of the carbohydrate moiety, does not alter the secondary structure of the polypeptide chain. Examination of the size and conformation of tungsten-shadowed galactoglycoprotein and asialo and agalacto derivatives by electron microscopy shows the size and conformation of all three preparations to be similar, with only minor differences in particle length and width.


One of the most challenging tasks facing a writer or storyteller seeking to explain his or her creative process is to address the lack of a critical vocabulary in which to express a writer's rather than a reader's, critic's or teacher's point of view. As Michael Rosen noted in his PhD thesis, trying to represent the writer's point of view puts one in contention with the most respected theorists and critics: "According to some I am dead (Barthes). To others whatever I intend is irrelevant (Wimsatt and Beardsley). And to yet others, the whole task is pointless because whatever I think that my writing-language is signifying, it is not (Saussure, Derrida); and anyway, in the final instance it's only the reader who knows what's written (Fish)." In this paper I trace the development of my re-telling of the Lincolnshire folk tale, 'Yallery Brown', and how the processes of researching and adapting it for performance as a chamber opera, and subsequently for solo storytelling, helped shape the printed versions published by Scholastic and Ginn. I also present the idea of a 'narrative environment', a term I'm appropriating from interior design, and extending Henry James's notion of the 'house of fiction, to imagine a fantasy, multi-dimensional space in which stories are re-configured, re-interpreted and re-combined with other whole stories, fragments of stories, poems, songs, images, objects - part of a symbiosis which is not simply self-replicating but dynamically evolving.


This symposium article addresses the question of whether payday and title lenders serve primarily the working poor, as some critics claim, or the middle class, as the payday and title loan industries claim. This article starts by discussing how and why lenders claim to serve the middle class. It then describes how scholars define the middle class and the typical indicia of middle class America. The paper then summarizes the demographic data gathered to date on payday and title loan customers, focusing on income and home ownership rates, and concluding that these data refute the middle class myth. The article also briefly discusses how geographic studies bear on the questions of class and payday and title loans. Next, this article describes the methodology and results of our own study of payday demographics, which analyzes data from the Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Mexico from 2007-2011. This article ends with the results of this modest study, which conclude that bankruptcy debtors who list payday loans are far less likely to own their own homes and overall, have lower incomes than bankruptcy debtors who do not list payday loans. It also concludes that the bankruptcy debtors in the sample who also own homes did not turn to payday loans in higher numbers after the 2008 crisis.


—The theoretical studies and methodological guidelines for transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys assume an ideal step turn-off of transmitter current. Yet, the pulse duration in the survey practice is nonzero: It depends on penetration depth and has economic or logistic limitations. The turn-off time, which cannot be too short for technical reasons, affects especially the late-time transient responses, while the transmitter waveform is more essential at early times. Therefore, forward calculations of voltage decay should take into account the real parameters of the turn-off ramp. Earlier it was suggested to use transmitter current of a special waveform to improve the resolution of TEM soundings, e.g., in the designed and successfully tested compensation method. In this study the problem is treated from a broader perspective, in terms of TE and TM polarization of the TEM field. The two components are excited by different sources and behave in different ways in responses of a two-layer earth with a resistive lower layer to transmitter current of different waveforms.


Dominant pre-training works for image-text retrieval adopt "dual-encoder" architecture to enable high efficiency, where two encoders are used to extract image and text representations and contrastive learning is employed for global alignment. However, coarse-grained global alignment ignores detailed semantic associations between image and text. In this work, we propose a novel proxy task, named Visual-Language Error Modeling (ViLEM), to inject detailed image-text association into "dual-encoder" model by "proofreading" each word in the text against the corresponding image. Specifically, we first edit the image-paired text to automatically generate diverse plausible negative texts with pre-trained language models. ViLEM then enforces the model to discriminate the correctness of each word in the plausible negative texts and further correct the wrong words via resorting to image information. Further-more, we propose a multi-granularity interaction framework to perform ViLEM via interacting text features with both global and local image features, which associates local text semantics with both high-level visual context and multi-level local visual information. Our method surpasses state-of-the-art "dual-encoder" methods by a large margin on the image-text retrieval task and significantly improves discriminativeness to local textual semantics. Our model can also generalize well to video-text retrieval.


Identification and interpretation of fractures, bed boundaries, and borehole breakout from high-resolution images plays a crucial role in optimizing completion design. In low-angle wells drilled with oil-based mud (OBM), images may be acquired using wireline. However, using wireline has been a challenge when inclinations exceed 45°, making logging-while-drilling (LWD) acquisition preferable. This paper presents the first use of a 4¾-in. ultrasonic LWD service to provide high-resolution images to assess fractures in the Marrat formation in North Kuwait.
 This paper presents LWD log data and high-resolution acoustic amplitude images used to evaluate carbonates within the Middle and Lower Marrat formations and describes their input into the design of the completion program. The 4¾-in. ultrasonic imaging tool was placed within a complex bottomhole assembly (BHA) composed of density and neutron porosity, acoustic, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensors. The methodology used to create high-resolution images for both drilling and wipe run data sets using the logging speed and tool rotation is detailed, along with a description of how the image interpretation was used to optimize the completion design.
 The 6-in. borehole sections of the Middle and Lower Marrat formations are known to have prominent open fractures. During drilling, significant mud losses were encountered which required a reduction of mud weight to stabilize the well. From the memory data, 256-sector acoustic amplitude images were interpreted to provide an initial assessment of fractures and geological features. It was observed that an interval of log where mud losses were believed to have occurred corresponded with a large fracture and borehole breakout. In addition, multiple sections of borehole breakout at the top and bottom of the borehole were observed, with bed dip interpretation supporting the known field structure.
 Further post-well processing of the acoustic amplitude data was performed which created enhanced-resolution images. The processing method takes all of the raw impedance measurements–up to 2000 acquisitions per second–and re-sectors the data based upon the logging speed and tool rotation. The resulting images (540 sector for the drilled section and 360 sector for the wiped section) enabled identification of 255 features over the logged interval. The interpretation of fractures, their location, and dip and strike directions were used to optimize the completion design.
 The ability to acquire high-resolution LWD images in OBM applications within high-angle 6-in. hole sections to identify a wide range of features, including fractures, bed boundaries, and borehole breakout, represents a first in Kuwait. Removing the need to use wireline logging technologies in high-angle wells with wellbore stability concerns helps to reduce well time and logging risk. Deliverables from the 4¾-in. ultrasonic imaging service provide direct input into completion design, helping to optimize production.


This paper presents an approach to the synthesis of secure real-time applications mapped on distributed embedded systems, which focuses on preventing fault injection attacks. We utilize symmetric cryptographic service to protect confidentiality, and deploy fault detection within confidential algorithm to resist fault injection attacks. Several fault detection schemes are identified, and their fault coverage rates and time overheads are derived and measured, respectively. Our synthesis approach makes efforts to determine the best fault detection schemes for the encryption/decryption of messages, such that the overall security strength of resisting fault injection attack is minimized, and the deadline constraint of the real-time applications is guaranteed. Since addressing the problem is still a NP-hard problem, we propose an efficient algorithm based on Fruit fly Optimization Algorithm (FOA), which can achieve better results by lower time overheads, compared with simulated annealing algorithm. Extensive experiments demonstrate the superiority of our approach.


Globally, the oral health needs of children who have, or are suspected of having, experienced abuse or neglect has become a focus of concern. It is thus valuable and timely to map the contemporary nature of the research landscape in this expanding field. This review reports the findings of a scoping review of the international empirical literature. The aim was to explore the relationship between child maltreatment and oral health and how this complex issue is addressed in contemporary dental, health, and social work practice. The review identified 68 papers, analysis of which identified three themes: (1) There is a relationship between poor oral health and child maltreatment that is well evidenced but conceptually underdeveloped. (2) There are discrepancies between the knowledge of members of the dental team about child maltreatment and their confidence and aptitude to identify and report child protection concerns. (3) There are areas of local-level policy and practice development that seek to improve working relationships between dentists and health and social work practitioners; however, there is widespread evidence that the oral health needs of this group of vulnerable children are not consistently met. To orientate critical discussion and planning for future research and practice, we present the Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for practice and Research recommendations (PAGER) framework. The review's findings are likely to be of interest to researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working across dentistry, health and social work.


The economic aspects of hypertension are critical to modern medicine. The medical, economic, and human costs of untreated and inadequately controlled hypertension are enormous. Hypertension is distributed unequally and with iniquity in different countries and regions of the world. Treatment of hypertension requires an investment over many years to prolong disease-free quality years of life. The high prevalence and high cost of the disease impacts on the microeconomics and macroeconomics of countries and regions. The criteria used for inclusion in clinical guidelines for hypertension impact on the cost and cost/utility of diagnosis or treatment.


In this study, we consider a collusion model for competitive pool based electricity markets operated by an independent system operator (ISO), where it aims to prevent tacit collusion among generators. In order to determine the existence of tacit collusion in the market, we have employed the the game-theoretic bilevel optimization model proposed by [1]. This model represents the market clearing mechanism, where generators determine their bids in order to maximize their profit while the system operator allocates power and determine locational electricity prices. The resulting optimization problem is a bilevel multi-criteria problem with non-linear terms, which is already complex and difficult to solve. We provide reformulations and linearization methods to obtain equivalent problems, e.g., a mathematical problem with equilibrium constraints (MPEC), a mixed integer non-linear problem (MINLP) and a mixed integer problem (MIP). A simple 6-bus system is used to test the rate of detection for collusive states for the reformulations and the results are presented. We have found that MIP models and reformulations detect strong collusive states. This model can guide ISOs in identifying and preventing cases of generator collusion.


Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) represents one of the major causes of mortality among preterm infants, and the best approach to treat it is an open research issue. The use of perfluorocarbons (PFC) along with non-invasive respiratory support techniques has proven the usefulness of PFC as a complementary substance to achieve a more homogeneous surfactant distribution. The aim of this work was to study the inhaled particles generated by means of an intracorporeal inhalation catheter, evaluating the size and mass distribution of different PFC aerosols. In this article, we discuss different experiments with the PFC perfluorodecalin (PFD) and FC75 with a driving pressure of 4–5 bar, evaluating properties such as the aerodynamic diameter (Da), since its value is directly linked to particle deposition in the lung. Furthermore, we develop a numerical model with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The computational results showed an accurate prediction of the airflow axial velocity at different downstream positions when compared with the data gathered from the real experiments. The numerical validation of the cumulative mass distribution for PFD particles also confirmed a closer match with the experimental data measured at the optimal distance of 60 mm from the catheter tip. In the case of FC75, the cumulative mass fraction for particles above 10 µm was considerable higher with a driving pressure of 5 bar. These numerical models could be a helpful tool to assist parametric studies of new non-invasive devices for the treatment of RDS in preterm infants.


Biometrics has its own popularity in recent years especially in engineering field. Biometrics related researches have been increasingly handled by scientists to achieve more secure and high performed systems. In low level or higher level designs, there are two basic criterion initially to be considered: area and speed. Hardware designs like in smart cards require less complex circuits in the sense of area. In this study, there will be system related biometric research and implementations by only considering the high level designs. Module based high level design is implemented which includes feature extraction and decision modules. In the first, biometric feature extraction together with relatively new techniques is handled. Fingerprint identification and face recognition are the first part interests by using new operators to reduce the operation complexity. In the second module, the decision of the authentication will be handled by using multi biometrics. Fingerprint and face are popular biometrics. In the feature extraction phase, new method to obtain features is used both for the finger and for the face. New image processing operator, Relational Bit Operator (RBO) is for the face biometry. Besides, Angle Invariant Fingerprint Features Matching Technique (AIFM) is for fingerprint matching. This paper presents the introduction to biometric systems together with literature review. After the design issues are presented, the test results related to biometric authentication metric is added in the final draw of the paper.


background: Helminthiasis is a neglected disease that lack of attention both prevention and handling. Eventhough helminthiasis is tent not to be deadly disease but it can reduce the nutrition that influence the growth and mental of the children. For the adult it brings out the reducing of productivity. That's why it is very important to determine helminthiasis prevention strategies in South Kalimantan by doing a comprehensive effort to be the basic data for determining policies to helminthiasis control programs appropriatly. This study is aimed to know the specific aspects that retart the program of helminthiasis control in Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. Methods: It is descriptive study with cross sectional design. The data are collected by indepth interview to the policy holder that has connection with the helminthiasis control and the guardian of elementary schoo, they are 291 respondents. results: There has not any coordination yet between cross programs and sector to control helminthiasis and there has not any budget yet for helminthiasis program. Those are one of the obstruction that make helminthiasis program can not wotk effectively. The public knowledge of Banjar Regency about helminthiasis is in good level. There is no relationship between parental knowledge with helminthiasis, otherwise there is relationship between knowledge of children with helminthiasis. conclusion:Policy only focus on curative services due to helminthiasis is not a deadly disease. recommendation: Increasing the budget of program and improving the awareness of across sector and program will support helminthiasis control program.


Organ printing, among different tissue engineering innovations, is a layer-by-layer additive fabrication approach for making three-dimensional (3D) tissue and organ constructs using cellular spheroids or bioink as building blocks. The capability to fabricate 3D cellular tubes is the first step as well as an important indicator of the overall feasibility of envisioned organ printing technology. In this study, vascular-like alginate tubes with a hemi-branching point, which mimic typical vascular constructs, are fabricated both vertically and horizontally using drop-on-demand inkjetting. In addition, manufacturing challenges associated with the vertical and horizontal printing configurations are briefly discussed. This study lays a foundation for the effective and efficient fabrication of viable 3D vascular constructs with complex anatomies (e.g. branching) as required in organ printing of vascular trees.


Feedforward neural networks are used to solve an optimal tracking control problem for discrete-time nonlinear dynamic systems with quadratic cost function. Control input to the plant is separated into two parts. One, called feedforward input, corresponds to the steady-state output of the plant. The other, called feedback input, corresponds to the transient-state output of the plant. Two multilayer neural networks are constructed as the feedforward and the feedback controllers. The feedback controller is trained by the backpropagation through time (BTT) algorithm to minimize a general quadratic cost function. The proposed methodology is useful as an off-line control method where the plant is first identified and then a controller is designed for it.


Concurrent with nutrient pollution, agriculture has significantly impacted the quantity, composition, and bioavailability of catchment-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in stream ecosystems. Based on the stoichiometric theory, we tested the hypothesis that bioavailable DOC will stimulate the heterotrophic uptake of soluble reactive P (SRP) and inorganic nitrogen in stream sediments. In a simplified laboratory column flow-through study, we exposed stream sediments to additions of glucose, nitrate, and phosphate alone and in combination (+C, +NP, +CNP), and calculated gross and net changes in DOC and nutrients via a mass balance approach. Our results show that glucose-C increased nutrient uptake, but also that NP additions resulted in the enhanced consumption of both native and added organic C. The effects of C addition were stronger on N than P uptake, presumably because labile C stimulated both assimilation and denitrification, while part of the P uptake was due to adsorption. Internal cycling affected net nutrient uptake due to losses of dissolved organically-complexed P and N (DOP and DON). Overall, our study shows that increases in the stoichiometric availability of organic carbon can stimulate N and P sequestration in nutrient-polluted stream sediments. Future studies are required to assess the effects of complex organic carbon sources on nutrient uptake in stream sediments under different environmental conditions, and whether these stoichiometric relations are relevant for ecosystem management.


Producer cooperatives and strategic alliances could assist lamb producers and market efficiency by improving price signals through product grading. Opportunities exist for first and second cross lamb producers to achieve price premiums by forming intersectoral linkages with processors/wholesalers and retailers. Producer cooperatives enable producers to supply consistent quantities of high quality lambs to satisfy the market requirements of the wholesalers/retailers within an alliance. Alternatively, opportunistic lamb suppliers who are constrained by environmental or cost factors may not be able to derive similar price premiums.


According to University Grants Commission (a body of Government of India) Blended learning is an instructional methodology, a teaching and learning approach that combines face-to-face classroom methods with computer mediated activities to deliver instruction. agMOOCs a learning platform for students of agriculture and allied sciences has developed 22 MOOCs so far on agriculture and allied sciences since 2015. The platform was developed by Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (India) in collaboration with Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver. Of which the author has offered three courses on agricultural extension. More than two million students have accessed the courses on agMOOCs platform and benefitted in their learning activities. In the last couple of years during the global pandemic period the educational activities were also facing difficulties. An effort was made to adopt the blended learning methodology for masters' students of agriculture at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The method of participant observation and discussion with learners were used to collect the data. Whole enumeration was the sample size. The data was analysed using descriptive qualitative methods by adopting steps viz., i. quick data, ii. Coding data, iii. Qualitative analysis and Quantitative analysis iv. Interpretation of results. Students were asked to go through the videos, PPTs and transcripts available on the platform before coming to the class. The classes were organised in hybrid mode (online as well as offline). The respective topics scheduled for the day were discussed in the class instead of explaining the contents as in case of regular classes. The results of the study reveal that 1. Enhancement in the grasping ability of students 2. Improvement in analysing the concepts and contents of the course 3. Enhanced interaction with course instructor 4. Surge in academic discussion abilities of learners 5. Augmentation in framing questions to be asked in the classroom. The challenges while using the methodology include maintaining learners interest over a period of time, preparation of contents for circulation before to be brief enough and providing exhaustive resources for the learners.


We extend the standard scale-free network model to include a "triad formation step." We analyze the geometric properties of networks generated by this algorithm both analytically and by numerical calculations, and find that our model possesses the same characteristics as the standard scale-free networks such as the power-law degree distribution and the small average geodesic length, but with the high clustering at the same time. In our model, the clustering coefficient is also shown to be tunable simply by changing a control parameter---the average number of triad formation trials per time step.


This letter investigates the outage behavior of a dual-hop N^{th}-best decode-and-forward (DF) relay system in which the relay and the destination undergo independent sources of co-channel interference (CCI). The fading envelopes associated with the desired and interfering users are assumed to follow independent but non-identically distributed (i.n.d.) Rayleigh fading models. Through the analysis, exact and approximate outage probability are derived based on which the diversity order and coding gain are obtained. Our findings suggest that the diversity order linearly increases with the number of relays and decreases with the order of the relay. Furthermore, results reveal that the system is still able to achieve full diversity gain in the presence of finite number of interferers with finite powers. The analytical results are supported and validated by Monte-Carlo simulations.


Achieving optimal results in breeding programs require to make informed choices of parents based on general and specific combining ability. Determining of the combining ability and genetic variance components is one of the most important stage in breeding program of maize inbred lines. For this purpose, the number of 25 early maturity lines with two testers (k1263/1 early and late A679) crossed in line × tester method and 50 hybrids were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in both the normal irrigation and drought stress conditions in 2013 in Mashhad Agricultural Research Station. The results of the analysis of variance showed significant differences among hybrids for all traits in both environments at the 1% probability level. Variance of line × tester and ratio of σsca / σ gca indicated greater role of non-additive variance (dominance variance) for most of the traits in both irrigation conditions. For yield and other traits in normal conditions, the lines 1, 5, 14, 15 and 18 and in stress condition, the lines 1, 10, 18, 26 and 31 have positive and significant GCA and the earliness, the lines 1, 7, 8, 10 and 28 have negative and significant GCA in both conditions. For yield, composition including L5 × T1, L9 × T1, L16 × T2 and L19 × T1 in normal conditions and combinations of L1 × T1, L13 × T1, L27 × T2 and L16 × T2 had a positive and significant SCA in drought conditions. The selected genotypes can be used in regional trails and also for estimation of genotype × environment interaction effects.


The need for secure group communication is increasingly evident in a wide variety of governmental, commercial, and Internet communities. Secure group key management is concerned with the methods of issuing and distributing group keys, and the management of those keys over a period of time. To provide perfect secrecy, a central group key manager (GKM) has to perform group rekeying for every join or leave request. Fast rekeying is crucial to an application's performance that has large group size, experiences frequent joins and leaves, or where the GKM is hosted by a group member. Examples of such applications are interactive military simulation, secure video and audio broadcasting, and secure peer-to-peer networks. Traditionally, the rekeying is performed periodically for the batch of requests accumulated during an inter-rekey period. The use of a logical key hierarchy (LKH) by a GKM has been introduced to provide scalable rekeying. If the GKM maintains a LKH of degree d and height h, such that the group size n ≤ dh, and the batch size is R requests, a rekeying requires the GKM to regenerate O(R × h) keys and to perform O(d × R × h) keys encryptions for the new keys distribution. The LKH approach provided a GKM rekeying cost that scales to the logarithm of the group size, however, the number of encryptions increases with increased LKH degree, LKH height, or the batch size. In this dissertation, we introduce a framework for scalable and efficient secure group key management that outperforms the original LKH approach. The framework has six components as follows. First, we present a software model for providing secure group key management that is independent of the application, the security mechanism, and the communication protocol. Second, we focus on a LKH-based GKM and introduce a secure key distribution technique, in which a rekeying requires the GKM to regenerate O( R × h) keys. Instead of encryption, we propose a novel XOR-based key distribution technique, namely XORBP, which performs an XOR operation between keys, and uses random byte patterns (BPs) to distribute the key material in the rekey message to guard against insider attacks. Our experiments show that the XORBP LKH approach substantially reduces a rekeying computation effort by more than 90%. Third, we propose two novel LKH batch rekeying protocols . The first protocol maintains a balanced LKH (B+-LKH) while the other maintains an unbalanced LKH (S-LKH). If a group experiences frequent leaves, keys are deleted form the LKH and maintaining a balanced LKH becomes crucial to the rekeying's process performance. In our experiments, the use of a B+-LKH by a GKM, compared to a S-LKH, is shown to substantially reduce the number of LKH nodes (i.e., storage), and the number of regenerated keys per a rekeying by more than 50%. Moreover, the B +-LKH performance is shown to be bounded with increased group dynamics. Fourth, we introduce a generalized rekey policy that can be used to provide periodic rekeying as well as other versatile rekeying conditions. Fifth, to support distributed group key management, we identify four distributed group-rekeying protocols between a set of peer rekey agents. Finally, we discuss a group member and a GKM's recovery after a short failure time.


In order to theoretically simulate the welding process of complex structure with large quantities of welding spots, a simplified method for analyzing a single spot welding should be developed firstly. In this paper, a 2D axisymmetric model of thermoelectric Finite Element Method (FEM) is developed to analyze the transient thermal behavior of Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) process using ANSYS. The determination of the contact resistance at the faying surface is moderately simplified to reduce the calculating time, while the temperature dependent material properties, phase change and convectional boundary conditions are taken into account for the improvement of the calculated accuracy. The thermal history of the whole process and temperature distributions for any position in the weldment is obtained through the analysis. The model can also predict the weld nugget size and the width of the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ).


The response of dairy cows to omitting one milking weekly was investigated in two successive experiments conducted with Holstein cows milked twice daily. Experiment 1 compared the lactational performances and udder changes in eight cows (31.2 L/d, 201 d in milk) in the 5 wk before and the 5 wk after introducing the suppression of one milking weekly. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk composition twice weekly. Milk partitioning in the udder (alveolar and cisternal milk) and cisternal size (ultrasonography), 8 h after milking, were also measured at the start and the end of the experiment. Although daily milk yield decreased 32% during the experiment (10 wk), linear regression analysis revealed a loss of milk yield of 1.1 L/d (3.7%) as a consequence of the omission of one milking weekly. Milk composition, lactation persistency, and somatic cell count (SCC) were unaffected by milking omission. Milk partitioning in the udder decreased by 38% in alveolar milk volume and showed a tendency to decrease in cisternal milk volume (15%) and cisternal size (7%), as a result of milking omission and advancing lactation. Loss in total milk yield was negatively related with cisternal milk volume (r = -0.77) and cisternal size (r = -0.70) indicating smaller losses in the udders with large cisterns. In Experiment 2, five cows (21.0 L/d, 227 d in milk) previously adapted to the milking omission schedule were used to study the daily effects of milking omission on milk yield, milk composition and udder health during 10 wk. Milk yield and milk composition were approximately constant but SCC increased with lactation stage. The omission of one milking caused an important decrease in milk yield, fat content and SCC on the omission day and a compensatory increase over the following 2 d, but milk protein and lactose did not vary. All variables reached the average weekly value three days after the milking omission (six milkings). In conclusion, under the conditions used, omitting one milking weekly slightly reduced milk yield and did not affect milk composition when healthy cows were used. Milk losses by milking omission depend on udder cistern characteristics; evaluating cistern size by ultrasonography may be a useful tool for choosing cows that are better adapted to a reduced milking frequency.


Slave Morality: Theological Perspectives on the Law of Moses. The fusion between the regulations for human relations and behavior on the one hand and worship of and belief in YHWH on the other is the most prominent feature of Biblical Law. The historical background and growth of this characteristic is here investigated and some of its theological implications are scrutinized. Beginning with the latter I take my starting point in the introduction to the Decalogue: "I am YHWH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." (Exod 20:2) From this line six theological perspectives on the Law of Moses are highlighted. (1) "I am YHWH." – The revelation. According to Israel's theologians the Law is divine revelation: here humans meet the transcendent and immanent God. (2) "Your God." – The election. The frame for the divine will is the mysterious choice of YHWH's beloved people and the law is interpreted as the human response to this act of love. (3) Sinai. – The place. The Law of Moses is located in the desert, i.e. outside the state's sphere and authority. Thus, Biblical Law is both before and above the state, Israelite or pagan. (4) "Out of the land of Egypt." – The journey. The Law of Moses is proclaimed during a journey and the will of YHWH is thus not a static entity. As a guide the Law may inspire to moral judgment rather than to foster a moral security. (5) "Out of the house of slavery." – The narrative. The various laws are interpreted from an historical experience: only those who do not forget the exodus from Egypt know that the Law means freedom. (6) "Out of the house of slavery." – The liberation. The most vital theological angle is to be found in the understanding of Mosaic Law as a divine answer to human pain and cry for deliverance: "you shall act as one delivered from slavery." In this respect the Law is a "slave morality" (F. Nietzsche), that is, the morality of delivered slaves. The Covenant Code (Exod 20:22-23:33) is the birth place of Biblical Law. Presumably this code was gradually composed in Judah at the end of the eight century or at the beginning of the seventh century BCE. During this period two central theological concepts were formed, probably by the same circles: the theology of history and covenant theology. Together with the earliest Biblical law code these twin concepts appear in a context that is strongly critical to the state, to power, and the power of the state. Characteristically, when the Law is proclaimed the Biblical traditions never mention a king or priest as the representative of Israel. Throughout the Law is mysteriously related to this mystical prophetic figure of the past and the desert, Moses (Exod 34:27; Deut 34:6). (Less)


This study examines men's talk on gender roles in the context of the lack of a legitimate successor to the male provider role (Bernard, 1981) despite social change in gender relations and egalitarian value systems. Discourse analysis was performed on 46 interviews with professional, white, heterosexual men to examine the management and functions of talk that legitimised or contested traditional gender roles. Traditional gender roles were justified through both biological and socialisation arguments that presented these roles as unchangeable and people as non-agentic. The provider role functioned to define success and status; 'real' work; and the legitimate mechanism for the production of male identity. Attention to the possibility of being heard as sexist was managed through the incorporation of counter arguments, feminist critiques and the construction of non-provider men in terms of positive, but gender neutral, characteristics. The absence of a masculinity-egalitarian coupling is discussed as an explanation for the continued support of traditional gender roles.


BACKGROUND
In the pediatric emergency department (PED), resuscitations require medical teams form ad hoc, rarely communicating beforehand. Literature has shown that the medical community has deficiencies in communication and teamwork. However, we as medical providers do not know or understand the perceived barriers of our colleagues. Physicians may perceive a barrier that is different from nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, or technicians. Perhaps we do not know in which area of teamwork and communication we are deficient. Only when we understand the perceptions of our fellow coworkers can we take steps toward improvement in quality resuscitations and therefore patient safety.

OBJECTIVE
The primary objectives of this study were to describe and understand the perceived barriers to effective communication and teamwork among different disciplines forming spontaneous resuscitation teams at a tertiary urban PED and to determine if providers of different disciplines perceived these barriers differently.

METHODS
This was a mixed-methods study conducted in a single, tertiary care freestanding children's hospital emergency department. Survey questions were iteratively developed to measure the construct of barriers and best practices within resuscitation teamwork, which was administered to staff among 5 selected roles: physicians, nurses, respiratory technicians, PED technicians, and PED pharmacists. It contained open-ended questions to provide statements on specific barriers or goals in effective teamwork, as well as a priority ranking on 25 different statements on teamwork extracted from the literature. From the participant data, 9 core themes related to resuscitation teamwork were coalesced using affinity diagramming by the authors. All statements from the survey were coded to the 9 core themes by 2 authors, with high reliability (κ = 0.93). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the prevalence of themes mentioned by survey participants. A χ test was used to determine differences in prevalence of core themes by role. Rank data for the 25 statements were converted to a point system (5 points for most important, 4 points for second most important, etc), and a mixed within-between analysis of variance was used to determine the association of role and relative rank.

RESULTS
There were 125 respondents (62% response rate) who provided 893 coded statements. The core theme of communication-in particular, closed-loop communication-was the most prevalent theme, although no differences in the proportion of themes represented were seen by PED staff of different roles (P = 0.18). There was a significant effect from the core theme (P = 0.002, partial η = 0.13), with highest priority on team leader performance (mean points out of 5 = 2.5 ± 1.9), but neither effect nor interaction with role (P = 0.6, P = 0.7).

CONCLUSIONS
When answering open-ended questions regarding barriers to effective resuscitations, all disciplines perceived communication, particularly closed-loop communication, as the primary theme lacking during resuscitations. However, when choosing from a list of themes, all groups except physicians perceived deficiencies in team leader qualities to be the greatest barrier. We as physicians must work on improving our communication and leadership attributes if we want to improve the quality of our resuscitations.


Bianchi I cosmological models describing the contraction of an anisotropic universe with an essentially non-linear massless scalar field are considered. The conditions which guarantee a regular bounce for these models are found


The editorial in the September 1982 issue ofthisjournal and many articles before and since have addressed the problem ofinformed consent. Is it possible? Is it a useful concept? Is there anything new to be said about it? In this article the basic rationale ofthe rule (patient autnomy) is explained and the extent ofthe rule explored. Various exceptions have been offered by the law and an attempt is made to catalogue the chiefofthese. A number ofspecially vulnerable groups are then identified, the most important, and vexed, being children. How can informed consent be secured in the case ofyoung patients? Finally, afew problems are mentioned in an attempt to get this subject back to reality. The appeal to theprinciple primum non nocere may be medicalpaternalism in disguise. Informed consentis the competing principle that reminds us ofthe primacy of human autonomy. A pointer is given to thefuture: even the use ofsound recordings to explain medicalprocedures and to activate informed consent so that it may become a reality and notjust a lawyer's myth, should be considered. The article is based on a paper delivered at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney to the Association of University Clinical Professors ofAustralia.


The increasing demand in recent years for energy in China has resulted in coal being mined in complex geological conditions. This has included the mining of coal seams located beneath reservoirs, aquifers and flooded abandoned mine workings. Throughout China the extraction of coal in these circumstances has resulted in groundwater inrushes into working mines. This has caused loss of lives, disruption or abandonment of coal mining, and the sterilization of coal resources. This paper demonstrates that numerical modelling using ANSYS-2D, FLAC-2D and FLAC-3D combined with field observations may provide a method for the modelling of fractures that develop in the rock mass above a roof of coal mines. These fractures may increase significantly the permeability of the strata and groundwater flows into mine workings.


We develop an automated technique for fitting the spectral components of solar microwave spike bursts, which are characterized by narrowband spectral features. The algorithm is especially useful for periods when the spikes occur in densely packed clusters, where the algorithm is capable of decomposing overlapping spike structures into individual spectral components. To test the performance and applicability limits of this data reduction tool, we perform comprehensive modeling of spike clusters characterized by various typical bandwidths, spike densities, and amplitude distributions. We find that, for a wide range of favorable combinations of input parameters, the algorithm is able to recover the characteristic features of the modeled distributions within reasonable confidence intervals. Having model-tested the algorithm against spike overlap, broadband spectral background, noise contamination, and possible malfunction of some spectral channels, we apply the technique to a spike cluster recorded by the Chinese Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) spectrometer, operating above 4.5 GHz. We study the variation of the spike distribution parameters, such as amplitude, bandwidth, and related derived physical parameters, as a function of time. The method can be further applied to observations from other instruments and to other types of fine structures.


Cisco Voice Gateways and Gatekeepers provides detailed solutions to real-world problems encountered when implementing a VoIP network. Each chapter presents an overview of a technology followed by a detailed scenario and associated solutions. Emphasis is placed on the accepted best practices and common issues encountered. It will initially serve readers as a reference for complex gateway and gatekeeper deployments and will also be a valuable study aid for the Cisco Certifified Voice Professional (CCVP) certification track. Cisco Voice Gateways and Gatekeepers is divided into five sections. Part one provides an introduction to the roles of both gateways and gatekeepers and includes advice on when to use each. Part two focuses on deploying gateways; working with MGCP, H.323, and SIP; connecting to the PSTN, PBXs, and the IP WAN; configuring basic and advanced dial peers; and implementing SRST. Part Three focuses on deploying and configuring gatekeepers. Part four discusses use of gateways and gatekeepers in a service provider environment. Part five addresses use of the Cisco Tool Command Language (TCL). This book is also recommended self-study training for the CCVP GWGK exam.


Propeptide processing occurs in specific compartments of the secretory pathway, but how these processing-competent organelles are generated from their processing-incompetent precursor compartments is unknown. To dissect the process biochemically, we have developed a novel cell-free system reconstituting the production of processing-competent secretory granules in AtT-20 cells. Using donor membranes containing [(35)S]sulfate labeled pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)(5) in the trans-Golgi, we can reconstitute cytosol- and ATP-dependent prohormone processing as well as incorporation of processed ACTH into immature secretory granules (ISGs). Under limiting cytosol conditions, both reactions are greatly stimulated by ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) but not by the GDP-bound ARF1 T31N mutant. pH studies show that lumenal acidification, most likely due to ARF-mediated sorting of proton pumps and leaks during budding, confers processing competency to the resulting organelle. Surprisingly, comparison of onset of processing and ISG release reveals that they are distinct biochemical processes with different kinetics and separate cytosolic requirements. Moreover, ARF regulates the onset of prohormone processing but not ISG release. Our data suggest a two-step mechanism (onset of processing followed by ISG release) for the production of processing-competent organelles from the trans-Golgi and provide the first system with which these two steps may be individually dissected.


MANET is collection of mobile nodes that can able to communicate with each other. Mobile nodes main purpose is to communicate and sharing the information over the network. As we know that MANET providing the support of real time application and multimedia application which can requires various aspects. These aspects are end to end delay, jitter and energy and bandwidth. This paper mainly presents the overview of the quality of service routing protocols. This study of the quality of service protocols are which having current issues and challenges in the mobile ad hoc network.


This study investigated the effect of music listening for performance on a 25-question portion of the analytical section of the Graduate Record Exam by 72 undergraduate students (M age 21.9 yr.). Five levels of an auditor condition were based on Mozart Piano Sonata No. 3 (K. 281), Movement I (Allegro); a rhythm excerpt; a melody excerpt; traffic sounds; and silence. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the stimuli. After a 5-min., 43-sec. (length of the first Allegro movement) listening period, participants answered the questions. Analysis indicated participants achieved significantly higher mean scores after all auditory conditions than those in the silent condition. No statistically significant pairwise mean difference appeared between scores for the auditory conditions. Findings were interpreted in terms of an arousal framework, suggesting the higher means in all auditory conditions may reflect immediate exposure to auditory stimuli.


Digital video compression is a computationally intensive task, in which motion estimation accounts for a significant portion of the arithmetic operations. This paper presents ME64, a dedicated scalable hardware architecture for fast computation of motion vectors. ME64 is a highly parallel architecture, based on a matrix of 64 processing elements at its core, an I/O interface, and comparison and control units. The proposed architecture was implemented in an FPGA to treat reference and search blocks of 8/spl times/8 and 15/spl times/15 pixels, respectively. ME64 is scalable to be able to cover larger search blocks if needed. It implements the full search algorithm using the SAD criteria. ME64 was fully described in VHDL and prototyped in the Xilinx XC2S150 FPGA device, with a maximum frequency of 33 MHz. Using this FPGA device, ME64 reaches 2.1 GOps (billions of 8-bit operations per second) and 107.32 frames (640/spl times/480 pixels) per second. The results herein presented validate the ME64 against a software implementation, using an external I/O data driver.


Oncogenesis of tumours related to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is associated with somatic deletions involving the MEN1 locus, suggesting inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene in this region. Identification of meiotic cross-overs in MEN1 families has placed the MEN1 locus centromeric of D11S807. An extended deletion mapping was performed in 27 primary parathyroid tumours, and identified D11S427 as the closest centromeric flanking marker. Through physical mapping using newly isolated cDNA clones, we estimated the distance between the flanking markers D11S807 and D11S427 to be less than 900 kb. One of these cDNA clones showed expression of a 4.4 kb message in multiple tissues, including those affected in MEN1, while in five endocrine tumours no transcript was detected. Sequence characterization showed that this gene encodes for the phospholipase C beta 3, a key enzyme in signal transduction.


1. The authors use a polyexponential equation (equation 1) to describe the time course of the plasma concentrations of a drug in lieu of a compartmental interpretation suggested by Sheiner et al. As a consequence, the effect compartment can now contain any amount of a drug and is not limited to being "negligibly small" as postulated by Sheiner et al. 2. Sheiner et al. introduced keo as the first-order transport rate constant from the effect compartment to "outside" but did not define the transport rate constant from plasma into the effect compartment. It follows from theorem 1 (appendix) that the authors use ke0 as the rate constant for drug transport from plasma into the effect compartment as well as for the transport from the effect compartment into plasma. Hence, the transport of a drug into and out of the effect compartment is defined differently from that of Sheiner et al., but the authors retain the label ke0. 3. The definition of tpeak is given once (page 324) as "the time of maximum effect site concentration following an intravenous bolus dose when there is no drug initially in the system" and again as "a model independent parameter, as it can be directly observed following a submaximal bolus dose." Which definition takes precedence? Because any dose of a drug may be injected as a bolus intravenously, all clinically used doses are presumably "submaximal." It is the pharmacologic effect that is submaximal or maximal, as the case might be, and not the dose. Also, the time to peak pharmacologic effect represents a single time point among the observed points relating the magnitude of the effect to the time after injection. It is not a pharmacodynamic parameter. In our view, the time to the peak submaximal effect is observed during the collection of the data and, along with other data points, provides information necessary to simulate the time course of drug concentrations in the effect compartment and, in conjunction with the pharmacodynamic parameters ( and IC50), the time course of the effect. 4. As evident from equation 3 on page 325, tpeak and ke0 are interrelated, but only if the pharmacologic effect is submaximal. A maximal pharmacologic effect may be associated with a given concentration in the effect compartment or with one many times higher. In theory and with extremely high doses, circulation time represents the lower limit for the time to the maximal effect for most drugs. 5. Are the authors satisfied that measuring an effect to an endpoint defines the peak, but submaximal, effect? The endpoint measurements were used in some of the cited studies. 6. Overlapping of the curve "Shanks PK/PD" with that labeled "Shanks PK with Stanski tpeak" in figure 1 is only possible because the times to peak effect are nearly identical (Stanski and Maitre ~ 1.75 min and Shanks et al. ~ 1.73 min). The time course of the plasma concentrations described by Stanski and Maitre is markedly different from that described by Shanks et al., and each description requires a separate ke0 (Stanski and Maitre 0.58 min 1 and Shanks et al. 0.29 min ). In spite of these differences, the peak concentration in the effect compartment is simulated at approximately identical times. It is not "naive" but mathematically and conceptually incorrect to substitute ke0 from one study into another. Therefore, this maneuver may be a priori excluded. Even if the value of ke0, calculated from tpeak of Stanski and Maitre (ke0 0.284 min ), fits the concentration of Shanks et al. in the effect compartment well (fig. 1), so does the value of ke0, calculated from tpeak of Shanks et al. (ke0 0.595 min ), produce concentrations in the effect compartment that overlap those simulated by Stanski and Maitre. However, the peak concentration of thiopental in the effect compartment simulated by Stanski and Maitre is higher than that simulated by Shanks et al. (0.0655 vs. 0.0438 relative units). Although the tpeak approach brings the two peak concentrations in the effect compartment to overlap in time, the approach does not reconcile the other aspects of the studies. The differences in the time course of the concentrations in plasma and the effect compartment, in the peak concentrations in the effect compartment, and, presumably, in the pharmacodynamic parameters ( and IC50) remain. What can then be the purpose of the tpeak approach? 7. The authors compare different scenarios for the time course of the concentrations of remifentanil in the effect compartment. However, no data for the time course of the pharmacologic effect are presented. In the absence of these data, no effect compartment can be postulated and, if one is postulated, it cannot be differentiated from any other peripheral compartment. 8. Concentrations of a drug in the effect compartment cannot be verified. Quality of simulations can be documented only by comparing the simulated with the observed time courses of (1) the plasma concentrations and (2) the effect. The goal of pharmacodynamic simulations is to reproduce the time course of the effect, but these simulations are missing in the article.


This research aimed to study the work of women in public transportation by bus, specifically those that hold positions of drivers and collectors in two companies in the cities of Araraquara and São Carlos, São Paulo. The general objective was to analyze the work of these women in a predominantly male environment and check the sociability of those working in this environment, and the ways how they deal with it in their daily lives. For the research, documentary sources, observations of work on buses, terminals were used and 12 in-deep interviews were applied with the workers of these companies. The relation between workers and the company was obtained that there is no differentiation between men and women, occurring only differentiation between the posts, however the working underscore the need for drivers to have to be sure of themselves and prove they are as capable as men run driving the bus. Colleagues, workers claim that the relationship is positive and in some situations should "take a joke" what they say. The "take a joke" was considered here as a self-defense mechanism, as well as the isolation and distrust in this workspace were seen as internal forms of protection to continue carrying out the activities. The presence of the harassment was found, both moral and sexual harassment attempts as well, which again lead them to use the mechanisms available to them, among them the serious and masculine stance to avoid sung. The emotional work was also seen in the activity, being reflected by stress and exhaustion as a result of dealing with passengers, colleagues and look after the house, occurring as a third working day for drivers and collectors. KEY-WORDS: Work on bus; Gender; Emotional Labor; Drivers; Collectors.


Some Lessons from Canada P Mohanan Pillai The ongoing recession and the crisis dimensions that the Canadian economy has reached do not seem to constitute a transitory phase. The present crisis would appear to be the outcome of the cumulative impact of a gamut of structural maladies the economy has inherited on account of the particular development strategy it followed A vicious circle of dependence has developed overtime which seems to be gathering pace among trade and investment dependence, the weak balance of payments, slow growth rate and declining manufacturing productivity in the Canadian economy, this paper is an attempt to understand the nature and significance of the structural features and factors that have contributed to the ongoing crisis in Canada IN the literature on foreign investment Canada once used to be considered a 'miracle' country that prospered by the free flow of foreign capital and foreign technology. However, today the county is referred to with a sense of despair; the image of Canada today is that of an economy pauperised by the same forces which once generated the so-called miracle of prosperity.


While the Taylor–Melcher electrohydrodynamic model entails ionic charge carriers, it addresses neither ionic transport within the liquids nor the formation of diffuse space-charge layers about their common interface. Moreover, as this model is hinged upon the presence of non-zero interfacial-charge density, it appears to be in contradiction with the aggregate electro-neutrality implied by ionic screening. Following a brief synopsis published by Baygents & Saville (Third International Colloquium on Drops and Bubbles, AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 7, 1989, American Institute of Physics, pp. 7–17) we systematically derive here the macroscale description appropriate for leaky dielectric liquids, starting from the primitive electrokinetic equations and addressing the double limit of thin space-charge layers and strong fields. This derivation is accomplished through the use of matched asymptotic expansions between the narrow space-charge layers adjacent to the interface and the electro-neutral bulk domains, which are homogenized by the strong ionic advection. Electrokinetic transport within the electrical 'triple layer' comprising the genuine interface and the adjacent space-charge layers is embodied in effective boundary conditions; these conditions, together with the simplified transport within the bulk domains, constitute the requisite macroscale description. This description essentially coincides with the familiar equations of Melcher & Taylor (Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech., vol. 1, 1969, pp. 111–146). A key quantity in our macroscale description is the 'apparent' surface-charge density, provided by the transversely integrated triple-layer microscale charge. At leading order, this density vanishes due to the expected Debye-layer screening; its asymptotic correction provides the 'interfacial' surface-charge density appearing in the Taylor–Melcher model. Our unified electrohydrodynamic treatment provides a reinterpretation of both the Taylor–Melcher conductivity-ratio parameter and the electrical Reynolds number. The latter, expressed in terms of fundamental electrokinetic properties, becomes $O(1)$ only for intense applied fields, comparable with the transverse field within the space-charge layers; at this limit the asymptotic scheme collapses. Surface-charge advection is accordingly absent in the macroscale description. Owing to the inevitable presence of (screened) net charge on the genuine interface, the drop also undergoes electrophoretic motion. The associated flow, however, is asymptotically smaller than that corresponding to the Taylor–Melcher circulation. Our successful matching procedure contrasts the analysis of Baygents & Saville, who considered more general electrolytes and were unable to directly match the inner and outer regions. We discuss this difference in detail.


Two antipeptide antibody preparations were raised against deduced amino acid sequences within the presumed second extra-cellular loop (antibody TP/1) and the carboxyl-terminal domain (antibody TP/2) of the canine-derived A2 adenosine receptor (A2AR) cDNA species termed RDC8. Immunoblotting of canine liver plasma membranes with both TP/1 and TP/2 identified a single band of 52 kDa, which co-migrated with 125I-2-[4-[2-[2-[(4- azidophenyl)methylcarbonylamino]ethylaminocarbonyl]ethyl] phenyl]ethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine-labeled receptor. However, in membranes prepared from canine striatum, photoaffinity labeling and immunoblotting with TP/2, but not TP/1, revealed a single band of 34 kDa; the identity of the band observed on the immunoblot as an A2AR was confirmed by the ability of TP/2 to specifically immunoprecipitate photoaffinity-labeled receptor from crude canine striatal membranes. The size difference between liver and striatal A2ARs was not due to tissue-specific proteolysis, because membranes from striatum were prepared with a protease inhibitor cocktail previously shown to be effective in inhibiting endogenous A2AR proteolysis during membrane preparation. Also, the protease-sensitive carboxyl-terminal region of the receptor had remained intact, because the peptide used to raise TP/2 antibodies resides in this domain of the molecule. The difference in size was also not due to a greater carbohydrate content of the liver receptor, because treatment of liver and striatal membranes with endoglycosidase F produced small mobility shifts for both receptors. Removal of N-linked carbohydrate chains also did not alter the inability of TP/1 to recognize the striatal A2AR. Hence, we conclude that the A2AR present in liver, which displays the predicted immunoreactivity of RDC8, is immunologically distinct from the A2AR expressed in striatum and that the latter may represent an additional A2AR subtype.


Background A coherent sexuality education program for adolescents is part of their sexual and reproductive rights and can help them have a healthier future. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and intervention preferences of Iranian stakeholders regarding comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in male adolescents based on the IMB model (Information, Motivation, Behavioral skills).Methods This qualitative study was conducted using directed content analysis. Iindividual interviews and focused group discussions (FGDs) were used for data collection. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in two schools and the Education Department in Sari and the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education in Tehran from March 2019 to August 2019. Data saturation was achieved after 28 interviews and 1 FGDs with 9 participants. Finally, two sets of data were coded and analyzed using directed content analysis.Results In this study, five themes emerged as (1) role of institutions; (2) role of organizations; (3) need for stakeholder's partnership; (4) need for adolescent sexuality socialization management; and (5) need for enhancing the teachers' professional competence, which seemed to influence the implementation of CSE in male adolescents. Participants also expressed a number of intervention preferences for CSE.Conclusions The results of this study revealed the need for a CSE program for adolescents' sexuality socialization. The finding showed that teachers required training to enhance their professional competence about sexuality issues. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement culture-appropriate skill based programs to enhance the teachers' professional competence regarding the adolescents' sexual health.