Flores, DF, Gentil, P, Brown, LE, Pinto, RS, Carregaro, RL, and Bottaro, M. Dissociated time course of recovery between genders after resistance exercise. J Strength Cond Res 25(11): 3039–3044, 2011—Comparisons between men and women of time course responses of strength, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and muscle swelling after a resistance training session are still controversial. Therefore, this study examined gender differences in strength loss, muscle thickness (MT), and DOMS between young men and women. Thirty apparently healthy, untrained volunteers (14 women and 16 men) participated in the study protocol. The resistance exercise session consisted of 8 sets at 10 repetition maximum load of the elbow flexor muscles of their dominant arm. Maximum isokinetic peak torque (PT), MT, and DOMS were recorded at baseline (TB), immediately after exercise (T0), and at 1 (T1), 2 (T2), 3 (T3), and 4 (T4) days after exercise. Baseline strength was expressed as 100%. There were no significant differences between the sexes for relative PT loss immediately after exercise (T0 = 74.31 ± 8.26% for men and 76.00 ± 6.31% for women). Also, PT was still significantly less than baseline from T1 to T4 for both genders. In contrast, recovery from PT was longer in women when compared with that in men. Muscle thickness responded similarly to PT in both genders. However, there was no significant difference between genders for DOMS at any time point. The time point that showed the greatest degree of mean soreness was T2 (4.94 ± 2.38 mm for men and 4.45 ± 2.07 mm for women). Our data suggest that after resistance exercise, women and men experience similar immediate strength loss; however they have dissimilar strength recovery across 4 days of recovery. Likewise, both genders experience a different time course of MT response after a traditional resistance exercise protocol. In contrast, men and women develop and dissipate muscle soreness in a similar manner.


81 subjects including 35 cases of acute hepatitis, 20cases of chronic hepatitis, 16 cases of liver cirrhosis, and 10 normal controls were selected for studying the glucuronic acid conjugation and bilirubin glucuronide formation in the subjects with liver diseases. Benzoic acid was administrated in every cases and the fractions of whole benzoic acid, hippuric acid and benzoyl glucuronide in the urine excreted within 6 hours were determined and the results obtained were compared with serum bilirubin glucuronide fraction or the results of liver function tests. The results were as follow. 1. In case that 4g of benzoic acid was administered, no more than 5.3% were conjugated to benzoyl glucuronide, however, when 5g was gigen, the conjugation rate increased to 10.7% in the average value. Then 4g administration was used for this experiment. 2. Although the excretion of total benzoic acid and hippuric acid showed the relative increase, the benzoyl glucuronide formation was found to be diminished in the cases of non icyeric acute or chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. 3. In the icteric stage, the excretion of whole benzoic acid or hippuric acid showed decrease as compared to the non icteric stage, while, benzoul glucuronide formation was found to be increased in the cases of acute or chronic hepatitis, however, no change or a little decrease was observed in the case of liver cirrhosis. 4. The excretions of whole benzoic acid, hippuric acid and benzoyl glucuronide were all decreased in the severe stage of hepatitis, however, the excretion of benzoic acid showed more marked increase as compared to that of hippuric acid excretion as the patients recovered, besides, benzoyl glucuronide excretion also increased with recovery. When the recovery of the patients more progressed the excretion of benzoic acid or hippuric acid became almost normal, on the contrary the benzoyl glucuronide formation decreased. 5. Although the relatively good correlation was observed between benzoyl glucuronide formation and the serum colloidar reactions (TTT, ZnTT, CoCl(2)), no significant correlation could be found between the serum colloidar reactions and the percentage of benzoyl glucuronide to whole benzoic acid excreted. No significant correlation could be found between benzoyl glucuronide and serum alkaline phosphatase or S-GOT, S-GPT. 6. Any significant correlation could not be observed between benzoyl glucuronide formation and the molar ratio of glucuronic acid contained in ester form bilirubin.


Section I - Understanding Substance Use and Misuse. Chapter 1. Introduction. Chapter 2. Concepts and Models. Chapter 3. Tobacco Smoking. Chapter 4. An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs. Chapter 5. Alcohol and Alcohol Related Problems. Chapter 6. It's Everybody's Business: the Responses of Health Care Professionals. Section II - Prevention, Recognition and Intervention. Chapter 7. Prevention and Health Education. Chapter 8. Screening and Generic Assessment. Chapter 9. An Overview of Intervention Strategies. Chapter 10. Service Provision for Substance Misusers. Section III - Generic Responses: Different Contexts and Settings. Chapter 11. Drug Use, Pregnancy and Care of the New-born. Chapter 12. Health Visiting and Substance Misuse. Chapter 13. Practice Nurse: Recognition and Early Interventions. Chapter 14. School Nursing and Substance Misuse. Chapter 15. Substance Misuse in the Accident and Emergency Department. Chapter 16. HIV, Hepatitis and Substance Misuse. Section IV - Addiction nursing: Specialist Responses. Chapter 17. Alcohol: Community Detoxification and Clinical Care. Chapter 18. Benzodiazepines: Clinical Care and Nursing Intervention. Chapter 19. Stimulants: Clinical Care and Nursing Interventions. Chapter 20. Opiate and Polydrug Use: Clinical Care and Nursing Intervention. Chapter 21. Nicotine Addiction: Health Care Interventions. Chapter 22. Working with Diverse Special Populations. Chapter 23. Working with Dual Diagnosis Clients. Chapter 24. Contemporary Issues in Addiction Nursing


Ownership is an innate perception of individuals which could manifest in their possessive behaviours. Owners of property are inclined to extend a sense of self to their possessions, demand a right to control them and use them as a tool with which to interact or negotiate with other people. Clarifying ownership of knowledge is difficult in terms of whether the knowledge in question should belong to an individual following privacy rights or it should belong to an organisation following intellectual property rights (IPR). Furthermore, conflicts occur between developed countries which have a stronger culture for the IPR than developing countries do. Studying knowledge ownership helps to understand these differing viewpoints. Previous works found that knowledge ownership influences the intentions to share knowledge. Nevertheless, little research has been done to explore the knowledge ownership concept particularly in a cross-cultural context. This thesis suggests that cross-cultural research is an appropriate approach to conduct a study on knowledge ownership because ownership perceptions vary from cultures to cultures. The work of Ekweozor (2008) is extended in this study to include a comparative study between the UK and Thailand to validate previous findings. Furthermore, knowledge ownership concept, its influencing factors and its relationship with knowledge sharing intentions are examined. Secondary data in the UK context were adopted from Ekweozor (2008)?s work. The Thai version questionnaires translated from her English version were distributed to collect data in the Thai context. The results show that knowledge sharing intentions vary according to types of ownership perception which include individual, organisational and collaborative ownership. Employees who perceive organisational ownership tend to have more intention to share knowledge than the others. In contrast, employees who perceive individual ownership tend to have less intention to share knowledge than the others. In addition, the results reveal that contextual factors including nationality and sector, and conditional factors including types of knowledge, the work environment and personal characteristics, influence what individuals believe about knowledge ownership. Moreover, apart from the mediating role, it is found that knowledge ownership also has a moderating role between the work environment and knowledge sharing intentions. It should be noted that the study was conducted only in the UK and Thailand thus it may not be able to generalise to other countries. Despite this limitation, this study emphasises that knowledge ownership perception is a crucial factor that influences knowledge sharing intentions in organisations. In addition, knowledge ownership could mediate and moderate the relationship between the work environment and knowledge sharing intentions. It is also recommended that contextual factors should be considered when conducting a study on knowledge ownership perceptions because each context differs in many respects such as cultures, regulations and the work environment. Therefore, in order to strengthen and validate research findings in this area, cross-cultural research is an important strategy. Overall, this study theoretically and practically contributes to and advances knowledge of knowledge ownership by providing empirical evidences and implications for researchers and practitioners in a cross-cultural context.


This paper is concerned with the resolvent operator of one dimensional singular Dirac operator with transmission conditions. We study the Titchmarsh-Weyl function of this problem. Later, we construct a Green function and a spectral function for regular and singular problems. With the help of these functions, we obtain an expansion into a Fourier series of resolvent in regular case. Furthermore, we give integral representations in terms of the spectral function for the resolvent of this operator with transmission conditions in singular case. Finally, we obtain a formula for the Titchmarsh-Weyl function in terms of the spectral function of the singular Dirac system.


This paper investigates the emerging global landscape for public-private co-investments in infrastructure. The creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and other so-called "infrastructure investment platforms" are an attempt to tap into the pool of both public and private long-term savings in order to channel the latter into much needed infrastructure projects. This paper puts these new initiatives into perspective by critically reviewing the literature and experience with public private partnerships in infrastructure. It concludes by identifying the main challenges policy makers and other actors will need to confront going forward and to turn infrastructure into an asset class of its own.


Strong ionization on close-in extrasolar giant planets (EGPs) suggests that their atmospheres may be affected by ion drag and resistive heating arising from wind-driven electrodynamics. Recent models of ion drag on these planets, however, are based on thermal ionization only and do not include the upper atmosphere above the 1 mbar level. These models are also based on simplified equations of resistive magnetohydrodynamics that are not always valid in extrasolar planet atmospheres. We show that photoionization dominates over thermal ionization over much of the dayside atmosphere above the 100 mbar level, creating an upper ionosphere dominated by ionization of H and He and a lower ionosphere dominated by ionization of metals such as Na, K, and Mg. The resulting dayside electron densities on close-in exoplanets are higher than those encountered in any planetary ionosphere of the solar system, and the conductivities are comparable to the chromosphere of the Sun. Based on these results and assumed magnetic fields, we constrain the conductivity regimes on close-in EGPs and use a generalized Ohm's law to study the basic effects of electrodynamics in their atmospheres. We find that ion drag is important above the 10 mbar level where it can also significantly alter the energy balance through resistive heating. Due to frequent collisions of the electrons and ions with the neutral atmosphere, however, ion drag is largely negligible in the lower atmosphere below the 10 mbar level for a reasonable range of planetary magnetic moments. We find that the atmospheric conductivity decreases by several orders of magnitude in the night side of tidally locked planets, leading to a potentially interesting large-scale dichotomy in electrodynamics between the day and night sides. A combined approach that relies on UV observations of the upper atmosphere, phase curve and Doppler measurements of global dynamics, and visual transit observations to probe the alkali metals can potentially be used to constrain electrodynamics in the future.


This paper updates our earlier work (Ahearne, Fernald, Loungani and Schindler, 2003) on whether China, with its huge pool of labor and an allegedly undervalued exchange rate, is hurting the export performance of other emerging market economies in Asia. We continue to find that while exchange rates matter for export performance, the income growth of trading partners matters far more. This suggests the potential for exports of all Asian economies to grow in harmony as long as global growth is strong. We also examine changes in export shares of Asian economies to the U.S. market and find evidence that dramatic changes in shares are taking place. Many of these changes are consistent with a 'flying geese' pattern in which China moves into the product space vacated by the Asian NIEs or with greater integration of trade across Asia in the production of final goods. Nevertheless, China's dramatic gains in recent years do increase the pressure on Asian economies, particularly in ASEAN and South Asia, to seek areas of comparative advantage.


: Light microscopy was used to investigate the morphology and topography of hypothalamic paraventricular subnuclei in adult male rats. The subnuclear cell reaction to experimental alloxan diabetes was studied by karyometry. The paraventricular nucleus was established to contain 10 subnuclei, 8 of which responded to disorders in carbohydrate metabolism. The data obtained are consistent with the hypothesis of the involvement of the paraventricular nucleus in the control of carbohydrate homeostasis.


A question frequently asked at the onset of economic crises is whether the existing bankruptcy regimes can adequately deal with the increase in corporate and bank failures. This paper describes how bankruptcy reforms developed, what bankruptcy regimes aim to achieve, how they achieve their goals in normal times, and what options policy makers have resorted to in previous systemic crises. It also provides a menu of choices on what policymakers can do in terms of bankruptcy reforms to alleviate the current crisis.


Purpose

In 2014, the UK Government introduced a new form of apprenticeship, the Degree Apprenticeship, which extends across all undergraduate degree and master's degree levels, maps to professional standards, and which is now embedded within governmental levies of large businesses. The purpose of this paper is to share early experiences of developing these Degree Apprenticeships, and consider the processes deployed to achieve it.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper combines desk research with reflections on the experience of developing the new Degree Apprenticeships within higher education institutes (HEIs) and considers the implications of this upon current and emerging HEI practice and research.

Findings

There were a number of key resources which facilitated the approval of the Degree Apprenticeship, and these included a pre-existing, flexible work-based learning framework, the associated mechanisms of accreditation, existing professional networks, and a professionally oriented interface between the university, employer and professional body.

Research limitations/implications

As the context is currently at the early stages of implementation, and the policy context is rapidly changing in the context of Brexit, so too will the related scholarship. This means factors others than those highlighted within this paper may emerge over the coming year or two.

Practical implications

There are a number of practical implications for the development of Degree Apprenticeships from this research that are reflected in the findings, and include the development of flexible and collaborative processes, resources and networks.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first published accounts of the development of a Degree Apprenticeship within the new policy context in the UK.


This thesis, an exploratory study, grew out of a concern for an ageing society in the economic stagnation experienced in Japan. Taking Kobe as a case study, the thesis reports social science research on elderly people in urban areas who are poor and have no functioning family. It is a group that will be of increasing concern in the future in Japan and many other countries. My study population lost homes in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in Kobe, Japan, and were repeatedly relocated to various types of housing schemes in the following years. By looking at the highly age biased community of Kasetsu (temporary shelter housing: TSH) created after the Kobe Earthquake and the following stage of Fukk? Jutaku (public reconstruction housing: PRH), this research follows the processes of reconstruction for older people after the earthquake with special reference to housing and community work. The research was based primarily upon media analysis, the Hyogo Health Survey, and ethnographic research at selected temporary shelter housings and public reconstruction housing compounds in central and suburban Kobe. I used a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The media is an important part of my research in the Japanese context. By doing secondary analysis of the Hyogo survey data, this thesis describes the changes that the different surveys show. By sampling the media, I show the main foci of public attention, how their views changed and how what they emphasised or presented changed. Older people, especially older people living alone, received considerable attention. I have also sampled three sites in terms of what was happening on the ground and conducted discourse analysis. This thesis shows how one set of myths about TSH was only partly true and how PRH are far from simple solutions to the problem of rehousing survivors. Case studies of the media's presentation of evidence of loneliness and Kodukushi (isolated deaths) have shown how these things are built up from very little into new facts and new aspects of culture. Gender perspectives were employed in all analyses. A gender focus was lacking in public surveys, yet gender was important in qualitative analysis in the media and field sites. The conclusions drawn from this evidence are that disasters are long drawn out events for vulnerable older people, especially those without money or families. Official statistics and the media make their own interpretations of what is going on, and the workers on the ground reproduce many of these views and some old prejudices of their own. Policy implications of this study's findings are considered. Methodology are examined and future research needs discussed.


Enteropathy occurs frequently in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and symptoms related to the gut are a major cause of debility. The pathogens associated with disease are diverse, often difficult to detect, and frequently poorly responsive to any therapeutic intervention. This brief review examines HIV-related enteropathy from the perspective of symptomatology, and discusses some of the recent advances in diagnosis of specific gut disorders.


Objective: Demonstrate the need to use locally generated data in the calibration of a near-infrared spectrometer (NIRS) in order to predict the chemical characteristics of fodder; instead of using data bases from other geographic regions, as is commonly done in Mexico.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Two groups of samples collected in prairies of the central highlands of Mexico, the first group was used to calibrate the equipment; the equations generated were validated with a second group, collected in prairies that were different from the ones of the calibration group, but in the same geographic zone.
Results: The best regression coefficients of the NIRS predictions, compared to traditional laboratory analyses were for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) (0.93, 0.87, 0.87, 0.56, 0.72 y 0.68 respectively). The lowest predictive value was observed in ashes (0.27).
Limitations of the study/implications: The results show the need to use local materials in the calibration process.
Conclusions: NIRS will make predictions of their chemical composition, since this is influenced by geographic origin of the sample and its botanical composition


Background Since desk-dominated work environments facilitate sedentary behavior, office workers sit for 66% of their working days and only 8% succeed in interrupting their prolonged periods of sitting within the first 55 minutes. Yet stretches of long and uninterrupted sitting increase the likelihood of several chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Objective We therefore developed a computer-based app designed to interrupt periods of prolonged sitting among office employees. Methods When developing the intervention, we applied the intervention mapping protocol. This approach for the systematic design of theory and evidence-based behavior change programs consists of 6 steps: creation of a logic model of the problem, creation of a logic model of change, program design, program production, design of an implementation plan, and development of an evaluation plan. Results Working through all 6 steps has resulted in an individually adaptable intervention to reduce sedentary behavior at work. The intervention, UPcomplish, consists of tailored, half-automatized motivational components delivered by a coach. To register sedentary behavior, the VitaBit (VitaBit Software International BV) toolkit, a wearable accelerometry-based monitoring device, is used. Among others, UPcomplish includes personalized goal setting, tailored suggestions to overcome hurdles, and weekly challenges. The VitaBit toolkit supports the participants to monitor their behavior in relation to self-set goals. Conclusions Intervention mapping is a useful protocol not only for the systematic development of a comprehensive intervention to reduce sedentary behavior but also for planning program adherence, program implementation, and program maintenance. It facilitates obtaining the participation of relevant stakeholders at different ecological levels in the development process of the intervention and anticipating facilitators to and barriers of program implementation and maintenance. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Register NL7503; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7503


Recently the Lymphoma Study Group ofJapan (LSGJ) proposed a new classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs), dividing NHLs into the follicular group consisting of three subsets and the diffuse group, 7. Each subset ofthe diffuse group is further divided into B or T cell types according to immunologic markers and/or morphologic prediction. In the review of 118 malignant lymphomas, the authors studied the 109 cases of NHLs, attempting to assess the clinicopathologic utility of this classification. Morphologic criteria, enzyme histochemistry, and immunoperoxidase technique were used to ensure the accuracy of the immunologic non-Hodgkin's phenotyping. The results suggest that the LSGJ classifi- cation is easily reproducible and yields a more precise clinicopathologic correlation than traditional, morpho- logic classifications. Consistent with similar studies in Japan, this study demonstrated a low incidence of Hodgkin's disease (7.6% ofall lymphomas) and follicular lymphomas (8.3% of all NHLs) and a high incidence of T cell lymphomas (34.9% of all NHLs). The incidence (45.9%) of extranodal presentation was high. These four features seem characteristic of lymphomas in Japan. (Am J Pathol 1982, 106:30-39) to to compare our and to evaluate the utility of LSGJ classification in terms


A 72-year-old female patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage was diagnosed to have posterior communicating artery aneurysm by preoperative cerebral angiography. The patient underwent a left pterional craniotomy to approach a left posterior communicating artery aneurysm. During the procedure, an unexpected vascular anomaly was discovered. On further dissection, we confirmed a ventral aneurysm of the left coiled intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) during the operation. However, we could not expose the neck of the aneurysm satisfactorily; hence, we finally used endovascular treatment to cure the patient. This demonstrates that the ICA may become coiled and thus make the ventral aneurysm of coiled intracranial ICA look like a posterior communicating artery aneurysm on cerebral angiography. Knowledge and anticipation of anatomic variants of the ICA are essential to avoid misdiagnosis and possible fatal hemorrhage during surgery.


Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are fast emerging as a viable and cost effective alternative for content delivery on the Internet. By offering rebates to users who share content with others, incentives can be provided to address the well-documented problem of free riding. A primary value proposition of P2P networks is their ability to scale well and facilitate fast distribution of digital products. While the fast diffusion of products in P2P networks has generated substantial interest in P2P, rigorous theoretical studies of the diffusion process have been in absence. Our paper provides one of the first analytical studies of the diffusion process in P2P networks. Starting with an analogy between P2P diffusion and epidemic diffusion, we develop a stochastic diffusion model for flat P2P networks. We find that product diffusion, in P2P networks is likely to follow classic S-shaped processes. Next, we develop a deterministic approximation that is computationally efficient. The model allows a content publisher to analyze the diffusion process, evaluate the impact of offering rebates on product diffusion and also determine the optimal rebate to offer by trading off the reduced margins with the faster diffusion of the product. Finally, we expand our study to account for generation of multiple requests and forwarding of requests in P2P networks. The analytical models presented in this paper serve as a starting point for rigorous modeling and study of content diffusion in P2P networks.


The universal NC program was inefficient for machining centrifugal pump vanes and a new tool-path generation method along section lines was proposed in this paper. After analyzing curve characteristics of centrifugal pump vanes, the mathematical model for calculating cutting step-lengths and determining the next tool contact parameter ui+1 through step estimating method was put forward. Furthermore, a new iterative algorithm was implemented, along with its terminal condition simplified. The proposed algorithm provided a new idea for developing special NC program of impellers.


Portfolio selection problem introduced by Markowitz has been one of the most important research fields in modern finance. In this paper, we propose a model (least squares support vector machines (LSSVM)-mean-variance) for the portfolio management based on LSSVM. To verify the reliability of LSSVM-mean-variance model, we conduct an empirical research and design an algorithm to illustrate the performance of the model by using the historical data from Shanghai stock exchange. The numerical results show that the proposed model is useful when compared with the traditional Markowitz model. Comparing the efficient frontier and total wealth of both models, our model can provide a more measurable standard of judgment when investors do their investment.


The diagnosis and treatment of oral premalignant lesions and squamous cell carcinoma are currently based on histopathologic features, site of involvement and stage of disease. Recent advances in techniques for detecting lesions and predicting their progression or recurrence are reviewed here. Adjuncts for detection of lesions and selection of biopsy sites include vital tissue staining (with toluidine blue) and exfoliative cytology. Advances in diagnosis and staging at the molecular level are expected to affect choice of treatment and patient outcomes. Oral health care providers should be aware of these advances in the evaluation and diagnosis of oral premalignant lesions and squamous cell carcinoma.


The French military engineer Charles Augustin Coulomb started in 1785 with the presentation of a series of memoirs on electricity and magnetism. Already in the first memoir [1], Coulomb described the central instrument that is nowadays inseparably connected to his name: the torsion balance. Moreover, he also described in this memoir the experimental demonstration of (the central part of) the electrostatic law that has been named after him. Coulomb's experiments to demonstrate the inverse square relation in case of electrostatic repulsion are certainly one of the classical examples in experimental science. This is absolutely justified as Coulomb's publication marks a significant step in the development of electrostatics if not physics, as the torsion balance is the first instrument that can be labeled electrometer in retrospect.


Military personnel and their families enrolled in certain Department of Defense health insurance plans are having difficulty finding clinicians who will provide them care, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported April 3.

In 2012, the defense department offered health care services to about 9.7 million eligible beneficiaries through its TRICARE insurance program. TRICARE offers health maintenance organization (HMO), fee-for-service, and preferred provider organization options. The GAO analyzed 2008-2011 beneficiary survey data and found that civilian physicians' acceptance of new TRICARE patients has decreased. Nearly 1 in 3 of the beneficiaries who were not enrolled in the HMO plan experienced problems finding a civilian clinician who would accept TRICARE insurance.


Abstract To evaluate the feasibility of accelerated simultaneous multislice diffusion weighted sequences (SMS-DWI) for lymph node detection in the abdominopelvic region. Sequences were evaluated regarding the number and depiction of lymph nodes detected with SMS-DWI compared with conventional diffusion weighted sequences, the most suitable SMS- acceleration factor, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the overall acquisition time (TA). Eight healthy volunteers (4 men, 4 women; age range 21–39 years; median age 25 years) were examined in the pelvic region at 3T using a conventional DWI sequence and a SMS DWI sequence with different acceleration factors (AF: 2–3). Moreover, a SMS DWI sequence with AF 3 and higher slice resolution was applied. For morphological correlation of the lymph nodes and as a reference standard, an isotropic 3-dimensional T2-weighted fast-spin-echo sequence with high sampling efficiency (SPACE) was acquired. Two radiologists reviewed each DWI sequence and assessed the number of lymph nodes and the overall image quality. For each DWI sequence, SNR, SNR efficiency per time, contrast to noise (CNR), and ADC values were calculated. Values were statistically compared using a Wilcoxon test (P < .05). Overall, scan time of SMS-DWI with AF2 (AF3) decreased by 46.9% (57.2%) with respect to the conventional DWI. Compared with the SPACE sequence, the detection rate was 89.6% for conventional DWI, 69.4% for SMS-DWI with AF2, and 59.9% for SMS-DWI with AF3. The highly resolved SMS-DWI with AF3 leads to a scan time reduction of 46.9% and detection rate of 83.0%. SNR and CNR were lower in the accelerated sequences (up to 51.0%, P < .001) as compared with the conventional DWI. SNR efficiency decreased to 19.3% for AF2 and to 31.3% for AF3. In the highly resolved dataset, an SNR efficiency reduction of 51.2% was found. This study showed that lymph node detection in the abdominopelvic region with accelerated SMS-DWI sequences is feasible whereby an AF of 2 represents the best compromise between image quality, SNR, CNR, TA, and detection rate.


Sovereignty and sovereign immunity occur along a continuum. The kings and queens of old at one end; the North Hudson Sewerage Authority and its ilk at another. The need for a bankruptcy system to address financial distress varies inversely with a sovereign's place on the continuum.
Queens and kings have no need for bankruptcy. They will pay or rework their debts only if larger political or economic considerations induce them to do so. A bankruptcy judge, operating under a bankruptcy law, has little to add to such discussions.
A municipal power company, on the other hand, is not readily liquidated or turned over to creditors to do as they see fit – turning off the power to any part of a nation these days seems incredible. Yet the power company has no sovereign immunity to hide behind. It needs a bankruptcy procedure to coral its creditors into an equitable solution, while keeping public assets out of private hands.
In short, pushing against sovereignty increases the need for a governmental entity to have access to sovereign bankruptcy. This insight has several important implications, which are addressed in this short paper.


The prograde metamorphic history of the Sulu ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic terrane has been revealed using Raman‐based barometry of the SiO2 phases and other mineral inclusions in garnet porphyroblasts of a coesite eclogite from Yangzhuang, Junan region, eastern China. Garnet porphyroblasts have inner and outer segments with the boundary being marked by discontinuous changes in the grossular content. In the inner segment, the SiO2 phase inclusions are α‐quartz with no coesite or relict features such as radial cracks. The residual pressures retained by the quartz inclusions systematically increase from the crystal centre to the margin of the inner segment. The metamorphic conditions estimated by calculation from the residual pressure and conventional thermodynamic calculation range from 500 to 630 °C and 1.3 to 2.3 GPa for the stage of the inner segment. Coesite and its pseudomorph occur as inclusions in the outer segment of the garnet and matrix omphacite. This occurrence of coesite is consistent with the pressure and temperature conditions of 660–725 °C and 3.1 GPa estimated by conventional geothermobarometry. Our results suggest that the quartz inclusions in the inner segment were trapped by garnet under α‐quartz‐stable conditions and survived phase transition to coesite at the peak metamorphic stage. The SiO2 phases and other inclusions in the garnet have retained evidence of the pre‐eclogite prograde stage even during exhumation stage. The combined Raman spectroscopic and petrological approaches used here offers a powerful means for obtaining more robust constraints prograde stages involving garnet growth where different SiO2 phases are present as inclusions.


A vortex generator was incorporated into a wind tunnel to investigate more realistic inflow conditions for film cooling test rigs. The flow field signals are sampled numerically by probes in LES simulations and experimentally by using 1D hot-wire measurements to determine turbulence quantities. The LES shows that the turbulence is anisotropic which cannot be detected by the 1D hot-wire. Furthermore, the integral length scale which shall provide insight into the sizes of the turbulent eddies is determined using two approaches. The first uses the one probe at two times correlation method and could be evaluated from the numerical and experimental probes. The second correlation method exploits the spatial resolution in the LES domain by using the two probes at one time approach. Both methods show combustor-like turbulence length scales downstream of the vortex generator if the triple decomposition is applied onto the velocity signal.


Sertoli cell -only syndrome (SCOS) is a type of testicular pathological failure that causes male infertility and no effective treatment strategy, is available for this condition. Moreover, the molecular mechanism underlying its development remains unknown. We identified DExD/H-Box helicase 58 (DDX58) as a key gene in SCOS based on four datasets of testicular tissue samples obtained from the Gene Expression Synthesis database. DDX58 was significantly upregulated in SCOS testicular Sertoli cells. Moreover, high expression of DDX58 was positively correlated with the expression of several testicular inflammatory factors, such as IL -1β, IL-18, and IL-6. Interestingly, DDX58 could be induced in the D-galactose (D-gal)-stimulated TM4 cell injury model. Whereas silencing of DDX58 inhibited D-gal -mediated p65 expression, inflammatory cytokine release, and growth arrest. Mechanistically, we found that DDX58 acts as an RNA-binding protein, which enhances p65 expression by promoting mRNA stability. Furthermore, p65 gene silencing decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of cell growth in D-gal-induced cells. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that DDX58 promotes inflammatory responses and growth arrest in SCOS Sertoli cells by stabilizing p65 mRNA. Accordingly, the DDX58/p65 regulatory axis might be a therapeutic target for SCOS.


INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to determine the range of mean age at onset of menarche (AOM) and puberty (AOP) of girls living in Aydin province and to determine the factors affecting the onset age of menarche. METHODS: A total of 1891 girls aged between 8 and 16 years attending primary, secondary and high schools in Aydin province were planned to be included in the study. A questionnaire that was prepared in line with the literature was delivered to the parents in a closed envelope. The subjects who accepted to participate in the study were examined by an experienced physician by measuring height and weight and pubertal status was defined according to Tanner scale. BMI values were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 1520 female students were accepted to the study with the permission of their families. The mean AOM of participants was 12.11±1.32 years. The mean AOM was 13.12±1.46 years for their mothers, and 12.73±1.25 years for their sisters. June was the month that menarche occurred most frequently. We observed that the children living in rural areas had an earlier age of menarche. The mean age at onset of puberty was 9.71±1.46 years. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study is important in terms of being the first study conducted in Aydin province that determined the mean AOM and AOP of girls aged between 8 and 16. In our study, we showed that the age of menarche shifted to an early age, while the age of puberty did not shift. The age at onset of menarche and puberty were similar to the results obtained in other studies conducted in neighboring regions. We believe that larger scale studies may contribute to assess the actual mean age at menarche of girls living in Turkey.


The authors of this article simulate several styles of fixed–income portfolio management using a variation of the "perfect foresight" approach and explore performance at manager skill levels ranging from 0% (random selection) to 100% (perfect foresight). The portfolio strategies are designed so as to isolate the management styles: duration allocation, sector allocation, quality allocation, and security selection. Information ratios are reported for each strategy at various levels of manager skill. At equivalent levels of skill, the strategy based on security selection outperforms duration allocation and sector/quality allocation techniques in terms of information ratios. The number of independent decisions in the allocation process is a key determinant of strategy success. The advantage of security selection lies in the diversification of risk provided by making many security selection decisions simultaneously. This does not negate the importance of duration decision–making in fixed–income portfolio management.


The need for less resource-intensive agricultural waste treatment alternatives has lately increased. Vegetative treatment areas (VTAs) are considered a low-cost alternative to the collection and storage of various agricultural wastewaters. As VTAs become more widespread, the need for design guidance in varying climates and landscapes increases. The purposes of this study were to investigate runoff movement and nitrate-nitrogen concentrations within two VTAs and to use the results to improve VTA design and recommendations for management. Silage bunker runoff movement through the selected VTAs following a 7.8 mm (0.31 in) rainfall event was characterized using a chloride tracer. Both surface and subsurface runoff movement was analyzed using tracer concentrations and a simple binary mixing model. Results show that concentrated surface flow paths existed within both VTAs, and surface flow in general was more prevalent in the VTA that received a higher hydraulic loading. Rapid preferential flow to shallow monitoring wells was also observed. A shallow restrictive soil layer likely exacerbated surface flow but restricted runoff water and nitrate-nitrogen from leaching to deeper groundwater. The nitrate-nitrogen did not appear to be directly linked to runoff movement, but concentrations as high as 28 mg L−1 were observed in downslope surface flow in the wetter VTA. A more comprehensive VTA design process is called for that accounts for shallow soils and antecedent moisture conditions. Regular maintenance and design measures to prevent the formation of concentrated flow paths are also critical to the prevention of surface discharge.


Background: Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are a valuable yet untapped resource in Canadian healthcare – especially in the emergency department (ED). Multiple international studies showed positive outcomes associated with NPs working in EDs, but limited Canadian studies are available.
Aim: The objective of this study was to review the literature available in Canada on the outcomes associated with having NPs in the ED. These outcomes include wait times, length of stay (LOS), rates of patients who left without being seen (LWBS), willingness to be treated by an NP, and patient satisfaction with their treatment by an NP.
Methods: This scoping review was informed by the procedures outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Reporting was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Two independent reviewers systematically searched CINAHL, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE in January 2022. All peer-reviewed articles that met the eligibility criteria were included. A pair of independent reviewers completed the selection process, screening, and data extraction. The reviewers discussed disagreements until they reached a consensus.
Results: A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria. Decrease in wait times, LOS, rates of patients who LWBS, and increase in patient throughput were noted. One study did not find significant improvement in wait times, LOS, and rates of patients who LWBS. There was also a high rate of patient satisfaction and willingness to see an NP.
Conclusion: This review shows evidence of positive change on the outcomes of decreased wait times, LOS, rates of patients who LWBS, and patient satisfaction associated with having NPs in EDs. However, there is limited up-to-date evidence in the Canadian literature leaving room for future research. Future research needs to address outcomes associated with NPs working in the ED in Canadian provinces other than British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, research that is more in line with the current political climate of the pandemic and lack of resources, and how NPs can be best integrated into EDs


Abstract This paper introduces a generalized PID type controller for controlling high-order dynamical systems. An optimal generalized PID control design method is developed to provide a simplified high-order output feedback control design procedure and tunable response characteristics. The controller design procedure is reduced to the specification of the desired natural frequency and the solution of a polynomial equation. The control method is capable of providing a desired control performance under set-point and disturbance variations. The performance of the proposed control method is implemented on some unstable and nonlinear mechatronic systems to illustrate the robustness, e ectiveness and feasibility of the method.


Characterizing the physical properties of individual nanostructures is challenging because of the difficulty in manipulating the objects of sizes from nanometers to micrometers. Most nanomeasurements have been carried using scanning probe microscopy. In this article, we demonstrate that transmission electron microscopy can be a powerful tool for quantitative measurements of the mechanical and electrical properties of a single nanostructure. Dual-mode resonance of an oxide nanobelt has been observed, and its bending modulus has been measured. An in situ technique was demonstrated for measuring the work function at the tip of a carbon nanotube. The ballistic quantum conductance of a multiwalled carbon nanotube was observed at room temperature using the setup in TEM. It is concluded that in situ measurement by directly linking structure with property is a future direction of electron microscopy.


Self-phase modulation (SPM) of optical pulses is one of the most important effects in ultrafast nonlinear optics and the physical cause of a variety of phenomena such as optical solitons, spectral broadening, etc. While the nonlinear propagation of pulses with a duration of many cycles is rather well studied, the physical phenomena in the ultrashort (few-cycle and sub-cycle regime) are yet not well understood. In this region, the widely used approximate methods, such as truncated Taylor series approximation to dispersion and the slowly varying envelope approximation (SVEA), are no longer adequate to describe the pulse propagation. In the present talk we investigate this regime and study the possibility to extend the method of pulse compression into the optical subcycle regime. We solve the exact Maxwell equations without the use of the SVEA and apply a global approach to dispersion with a modified Sellmeyer expansion. In such a way dispersion effects, infrared losses due to vibrational modes, as well as other higher-order effects such as self-steepening due to intensity-dependent group velocity, are adequately taken into account. With the help of this approach the character and the limitation of ultrawide spectral broadening by SPM and the frequency-dependence of the phase (chirp) during propagation are explored. We show that pulses with a duration of 0.5 fs or approximately half of a cycle can be generated by SPM, whereby chirp compensation can be achieved using a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator.


Purpose To evaluate corneal biomechanical parameters with an ocular response analyzer (ORA) in patients with psoriasis and compare these parameters with age-matched control subjects. Study Design This was a cross-sectional observational case–control study. Methods Thirty eyes of 15 psoriasis patients were included in the study and compared with 30 eyes of 15 control subjects. Corneal biomechanical properties were calculated by ORA. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by anterior-segment optical coherence tomography. The main outcome measures were corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc), and Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg). For dry-eye evaluation, Schirmer's test was used. Results Mean CH in the psoriasis group was 10.20±1.55 mmHg and in the control group 10.66±1.36 mmHg (p=0.215). Mean CRF in the psoriasis group was 9.76±1.60 mmHg and in the control group 10.97±1.42 mmHg (p=0.003). Mean IOPcc in the psoriasis group was 14.84±3.43 mmHg and in the control group 16.67±3.17 mmHg (p=0.035). Mean IOPg in the psoriasis group was 13.92±3.35 mmHg and in the control group 16.62±3.10 mmHg (p=0.002). Mean CCT in the psoriasis group was 543.90±37.27 µm and in the control group 551.23±28.63 µm (p=0.392). Schirmer's test results in the psoriasis group were 11.4±1.57 mm/5 min and in the control group 17.5±1.52 mm/5 min (p<0.001). Conclusion Psoriasis affects corneal biomechanical properties with statistically significantly lower corneal biomechanics than normal. CH correlates negatively with disease activity. These corneal biomechanical changes should be considered when determining IOP values and during corneal evaluation for keratoconus-suspected patients.


This doctoral research pursues the impact of the diversity of perspective on board effectiveness. This research is conducted by collecting data through elite interviews with thirty board members. Collected data are then thematically analysed, and observed themes are reported. The findings of the study suggest that the diversity of perspective on boards is critical for improving board effectiveness and can be obtained by appointing Directors with diverse experiences.
The different experiences of board members that influence their perspective, such as gender, functional background, nationality, may impact board effectiveness differently. The gender of board members is a unique experience altering their perspectives markedly. As a result, gender diversity on boards may have the broadest impact on board effectiveness. The diversity of functional experience and of nationality on boards also has a wide range of impacts on board effectiveness. Age diversity strengthens boards' decision-making ability by providing access to unique inputs regarding the aspirations and critical knowledge of the younger generation. However, boards may put a higher premium on the experience of Directors than the potentially unique input of younger Directors. Additionally, diverse ethnicity may endow board members with a unique perspective, but only if other diverse experiences augment it. The findings of this study also reveal that hitherto less researched experiences such as religious affiliation, parenthood, and socioeconomic background may also impact board members' perspective significantly.
This research may make a significant contribution to theory, practice, and policymaking. The study is guided by Strategic Leadership theory (Finkelstein et al., 2009), and contributes notably to its application. The findings of the research present evidence suggesting that board members take actions and decisions based on their cumulative experiences, which impact their perspective. The study also contributes to role-performance theories - Agency theory (Jensen and Meckling, 1976; Fama, 1980), Resource Dependency theory (Pfeffer and Salancik, 1978), and Signalling theory (Spence, 1973). The findings of the research may also contribute to improving practices in companies by suggesting that board diversity, when defined broadly may result in improved board effectiveness. This research may have significant policy implications, as it presents the views of corporate elites who have an exclusive perspective on board diversity and effectiveness.


In this study, a diffusion bonding of aluminium alloy A6061 was preformed using an Ag-28Cu filler metal in order to conduct eutectic brazing. Melting mechanism was surveyed. Interface behaviors of the brazed joints were observed after brazing and T6 solution treatment. Also, tensile property of the brazed joints was examined. During diffusion bonding of Al6061 alloys with Ag-28Cu filler metal, eutectic melts were formed by eutectic reaction between Al6061 and Ag-28Cu filler metal. It was found that the reaction layer consist of two phases formed at the interface between AA6061 and Ag-28Cu filler metal. EPMA analysis revealed that two phases in the reaction layers consist of Ag-rich phase and Cu-rich phase. Tensile strength was 300 MPa after ageing treatment at 175°C.


State constraints in AI Planning globally restrict the legal environment states. Standard planning languages make closed-domain and closed-world assumptions. Here we address open-world state constraints formalized by planning over a description logic (DL) ontology. Previously, this combination of DL and planning has been investigated for the light-weight DL DL-Lite. Here we propose a novel compilation scheme into standard PDDL with derived predicates, which applies to more expressive DLs and is based on the rewritability of DL queries into Datalog with stratified negation. We also provide a new rewritability result for the DL Horn-ALCHOIQ, which allows us to apply our compilation scheme to quite expressive ontologies. In contrast, we show that in the slight extension Horn-SROIQ no such compilation is possible unless the weak exponential hierarchy collapses. Finally, we show that our approach can outperform previous work on existing benchmarks for planning with DL ontologies, and is feasible on new benchmarks taking advantage of more expressive ontologies.


Credit rating has an outstanding importance on the capital market. Opinions and assessments of rating agencies help us to improve growth, stability and efficiency of international and domestic markets, which now include over 80 trillion dollars of rated bonds and other securities with the fixed income. The contribution of the credit agencies to the market stability and efficiency is reflected in their ability to provide accurate, clear and reliable assessments of the solvency of participants on the financial markets. An adequate and proper risk assessment of securities contributes to stability. In order to achieve a given goal and to satisfy its purpose, the assessments should be based on a fundamental understanding of the key components of the credit risk. Also, in order to ensure a reliable framework for making investment decisions, the rating agencies are obliged to offer and to provide a wide range of securities, which are based on a global comparability of rating symbols and on the support given by the credit rating assignment committee and by the other relevant decision making bodies. Markets for structured products could not have developed without the quality assurance provided by CRAs. When analyzing a securitization program CRAs examine legal and structural protections provided to investors. Since the globalization is an inevitable phenomenon in today's world the importance of the credit rating becomes more noticeable. On the other hand, the rating agencies have an obligation to reanalyze their decision making models in order to contribute to the reliability of the evaluation.


Recently, regulations governing outdoor advertisements have been enacted in Kyoto, and elsewhere, based on landscape and cityscape planning considerations. Commonly, such regulations are based on desires to preserve historical townscapes and permit development of more attractive cities. In this study, we aimed to clarify conditions by which signboards can be made to harmonize with their surrounding landscape from the viewpoint of color, while maintaining a sufficient level "functionality" in locations where we normally live. The experiment was conducted using a personal computer monitor on which colored signboards were displayed against various backgrounds. The results are suggested that coloring patterns in which white is used as the background or lettering color are highly evaluated for "harmony", and coloring patterns of black or chromatic color background × white lettering are likely to remain in the viewer's "impression".


The use of a boiling structure to enhance heat transfer can help improve evaporation efficiency and heat transfer capacity. In this paper, a planar boiling structure consisting of integrated spiral V-shaped grooves is proposed; the forming process of this structure, i.e., a ploughing-extrusion method based on a copper plate, is also presented. The relationships among the ploughing-extrusion speed V P-E , rotational speed n p , and cutting feed f p are discussed. The effect of the cutting feed on the fin height and the ratio of the fin height to the ploughing-extrusion depth is studied. The relationship among the ploughing-extrusion speed, cutting feed, and processing time and that among the processing time, cutting feed, and rotational speed is analyzed. The experiment also examines the effect of related parameters on the structure formation and their appropriate combinations, determining the conditions required to form a structure consisting of only a V-shaped groove. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.23.2.18112


L5, the most electronegative subfraction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration. We hypothesized that serum L5 is associated with cognitive impairment and investigated the association between serum L5 levels and cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This cross-sectional study conducted in Taiwan included 22 patients with MCI and 40 older people with normal cognition (healthy controls). All participants were assessed with the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) and a CASI-estimated Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-CE). We compared the serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and L5 levels between the MCI and control groups and examined the association between lipid profiles and cognitive performance in these groups. The serum L5 concentration and total CASI scores were significantly negatively correlated in the MCI group. Serum L5% was negatively correlated with MMSE-CE and total CASI scores, particularly in the orientation and language subdomains. No significant correlation between the serum L5 level and cognitive performance was noted in the control group. Conclusions: Serum L5, instead of TC or total LDL-C, could be associated with cognitive impairment through a disease stage-dependent mode that occurs during neurodegeneration.


The development of a simple particle redistribution model for estimating the effect on surface obscuration after particle shed from a neighboring surface during random vibration is discussed. The model uses both spherical and elliptical particles and existing failure data of glass spheres on a metal surface to estimate the critical body force to cause the particles to release from the surface. The resulting obscuration from shedding particles on the shedding surface can then be added to the receiving surface. The model assumes that the force due to gravity exceeds the buoyancy force from venting. Because the redistribution analysis shows that particles 80 µm and larger will shed, and particles 60 µm and larger are verifiable using Visually Clean-II (VC-II) conditions, highly reflective surfaces cleaned to a VC-II level will pose little threat to neighboring surfaces from redistribution at 6-g quasi-static loading.


Protein posttranslational processing is a cellular mechanism fundamental to the generation of bioactive peptides, including the anorectic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) peptides produced in the hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei, respectively. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) promotes positive energy balance in part by suppressing α-MSH and TRH. The mechanism by which NPY regulates α-MSH output, however, is not well understood. Our results reveal that NPY inhibited the posttranslational processing of α-MSH's inactive precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) by decreasing the prohormone convertase-2 (PC2). We also found that early growth response protein-1 (Egr-1) and NPY-Y1 receptors mediated the NPY-induced decrease in PC2. NPY given intra-PVN also decreased PC2 in PVN samples, suggesting a reduction in PC2-mediated pro-TRH processing. In addition, NPY attenuated the α-MSH-induced increase in TRH production by two mechanisms. First, NPY decreased α-MSH-induced CREB phosphorylation, which normally enhances TRH transcription. Second, NPY decreased the amount of α-MSH in the PVN. Collectively, these results underscore the significance of the interaction between NPY and α-MSH in the central regulation of energy balance and indicate that posttranslational processing is a mechanism that plays a specific role in this interaction.


One of the determinant factors in the success of breeding programs that aim to select genotypes for different geographical regions is understanding the interaction between genotypes and environments (GxE). The objectives of this study were to evaluate GxE interaction, stability, and adaptability, and determine the need for environmental stratification of open pollinated progenies of Eucalyptus urophylla. Five progeny tests were established in study areas with different environmental conditions in southeast and mid-west Brazil. We used a complete randomized block experimental design with 138 to 167 progenies, and variations in the numbers of replicates and plants per plot. The trait measured was diameter at breast height (DBH) at two years of age and the AMMI method was used to determine patterns of GxE interaction. Significant effects were detected for genotypes, environments, and for GxE interaction. The effect of environment was responsible for the greatest proportion of the phenotypic variation, followed by the effect of genotypes and GxE interaction. Some progenies with greater productivity and stability were identified, although stability is not associated with productivity. The stratification of the selection in three specific environments is necessary due to the occurrence of a complex GxE interaction.


Background: Unfortunately, patients who desire repair of contour deformities after partial mastectomy unually present after radiation therapy, which may increase the risk of complications an result in a poor aesthetic outcome. The authors reviewed their experience with repair of partial mastectomy defects to determine the optimal approach to breast reconstruction ater partial mastectomy. Methods: Sixty-nine patients who underwent repair of a partial mastectomy defect and received radiation therapy were included in this analysis. The reconstructive techniques were categorized as local tissue rearrangement (LTR), breast reduction, or use of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap or thoracoepigastric skin flap (here-after referred to as flap). Results: fifty patients underwent immediate reconstruction before radiation therapy, and 19 underwent delayed rreconstruction after radiation therapy. The reconstructive techniques in patients with immediate reconstruction were local tissue rearrangement in 28 percent, breast reduction in 66 percent, and flaps in 6 percent. In patient with delayed reconstruction, 32 percent had local tissue rearrangement, 42 percent had breast reduction, and 26 percent had flaps. The complication rates for immediate and delayed reconstruction were 26 percent and 42 percent, respectively. Overall, and in the setting of immediate reconstruction, the flap technique was associated with a higher complication rate than local tissue rearrangement and breast reduction. However, in the setting of delayed reconstruction, the flap technique was associated with a lower complication rate than the other two techniques. Fifty-seven percent of the immediate reconstructions performed with the local tissue rearrangement or breast reduction technique, but only 33 percent of the immediate reconstructions performed with the flap technique, were associated with an excellent or good aesthetic outcome. Conclusion: Immediate repair of partial mastectomy defects with local tissues results in a lower risk of complications and better aesthetic outcomes than immediate repair of partial mastectomy defects with a latissimus dorsi flap.


"Sustainability," being the buzzword of the 21st century, is particularly challenging to the current generation, now in their early teens, which grew up with a childhood of lackadaisical use of fossil energy. This generation, which will soon be leading the world, has been inappropriately labeled the "generation me" and is expected to prove its successful transitioning into "generation p[ostfossil]." If the young emerging architectural professionals choose, they can be the mission group in helping reduce the overall fossil footprint that buildings contribute to the world by 40 percent. The young professionals, however, must be proactive because developers and contractors increasingly target low or no emission structures. While their energy performance is undoubted, their architectural performance is questionable. An architecture student at the University of British Columbia recently and most appropriately addressed this dilemma in a much unplugged way, "..you guys screwed up everything and we are supposed to fix it..." This paper investigates two major missions: first, and most important, how to get the upcoming architectural generation p(ostfossil) excited about the topic of bioclimatic design, and second, where to begin in the future to create a sensitive and intuitive understanding for both the poetics and pragmatics of eco- and archi- friendly architectural design.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and its incidence is rising in many countries. Like most types of cancer, hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process involving a number of different genetic alterations that ultimately lead to malignant transformation of the hepatocyte. Large geographic differences in the incidence of HCC suggest that environmental factors likely contribute to its development. However, the relative contribution of different factors and their molecular interactions are still poorly understood.

Epidemiological studies indicated that chronic viral infection is the most important oncogenetic agent for HCC development and hepatitis B (HBV)-associated carcinogenesis is currently construed as a multifactorial process comprising both direct and indirect mechanisms that likely act synergistically.1 In the Western world, 70–90% of HCC develop in a cirrhotic liver. Cirrhosis has been considered as a pre-neoplastic condition, as it leads to a hypermutagenic status that affects cell cycle genes and promotes deregulated proliferation.2 The strong association between cirrhosis and HCC suggests that the common pathway for hepatocarcinogenesis may be the increased liver cell turnover induced by chronic liver injury and regeneration, which induces or selects a malignant clone. However, while HBV-related HCC mostly develops in patients with underlying cirrhosis in the Caucasian population, the tumour occurs more frequently in the absence of cirrhosis in Asian patients. Thus, although it is clear that HBV-induced cirrhosis likely represents a major factor involved in liver carcinogenesis, evidence for a direct effect of HBV is rapidly growing.3

HBV-induced HCC probably results from a combination of different interacting effects; for example, the integration of HBV DNA and the transactivating activity of viral proteins, such as the enigmatic HBx and the truncated PreS2/S. Integration of HBV sequences into the host cell genome is not essential for viral replication, but it allows the viral genome to …


Unsupervised anomaly detection approaches have been widely accepted in applications for industrial systems. Industrial systems often operate with multiple modes since they work for multiple purposes or under different conditions. In order to deal with the difficulty of anomaly detection due to multiple operating modes, multiple modeling strategies are employed. However, estimating the optimal set of models is a challenging problem due to the lack of supervision and computational burden. In this paper, we propose DeconAnomaly, a deep learning framework to estimate the optimal set of models using transfer learning for unsupervised anomaly detection under a multiple modeling strategy. It reduces computational burden with transfer learning and optimizes the number of models based on a surrogate metric of detection performance. The experimental results show clear advantages of DeconAnomaly.


In this paper, three different double Raman fiber bus networks are compared and demonstrated experimentally for the first time as a means of gathering information from wavelength-division-multiplexed optical sensors: the double-bus scheme, the improved double-bus configuration, and the hybrid topology. We report how these structures reduce the received amplified-spontaneous-scattering noise generated. This low-noise configuration yields signal-to-noise ratios over 43 dB and increases the number of sensors that could be multiplexed in a single structure. Furthermore, the last one enables the reutilization of the gratings' wavelengths


Males of many species use social cues to predict sperm competition (SC) and tailor their reproductive strategies, such as ejaculate or behavioural investment, accordingly. While these plastic strategies are widespread, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Plastic behaviour requires individuals to learn and memorize cues associated with environmental change before using this experience to modify behaviour. Drosophila melanogaster respond to an increase in SC threat by extending mating duration after exposure to a rival male. This behaviour shows lag times between environmental change and behavioural response suggestive of acquisition and loss of memory. Considering olfaction is important for a male's ability to assess the SC environment, we hypothesized that an olfactory learning and memory pathway may play a key role in controlling this plastic behaviour. We assessed the role of genes and brain structures known to be involved in learning and memory. We show that SC responses depend on anaesthesia-sensitive memory, specifically the genes rut and amn. We also show that the γ lobes of the mushroom bodies are integral to the control of plastic mating behaviour. These results reveal the genetic and neural properties required for reacting to changes in the SC environment.


The survival rate of children with solid tumours is increasing. As a consequence the late effects of cancer therapy have become an important issue requiring further research. The oral health of an individual is central to their general health, level of nutrition and quality of life. This study therefore set out to investigate: • Whether or not the effects of cancer therapy resulted in a reduced level of oral health during and after treatment. • The need for dental input in comparison with the general population. • If patients had knowledge of the effects of cancer therapy on the oral cavity. • If the oral health care needs of patients differed according to tumour type and treatment regime undertaken. The study group consisted of 120 patients aged 0-17 years, attending the solid tumour follow up clinic at Birmingham Children's Hospital from July 2006-February 2007. The complete study group was investigated and analysed, with stratification according to tumour diagnostic group and medical treatment regime. The results were compared with national data from the 2003 office of national statistics Child Dental Health Survey. The study had two main parts. Part A included a dental examination, and part B included a questionnaire completed by the parent/guardian. Demographic information was collected about each subject, cancer diagnosis, date of diagnosis, type of cancer therapy and time since completion of therapy. Part A recorded the current oral health of each subject. Caries prevalence, enamel opacities and gingivitis were recorded. Part B utilised a questionnaire to assess the reported experience of the family regarding oral health care prior to, during and after cancer therapy. The parents/guardians perceived level of oral health input from the dental services and level of knowledge about the effects of cancer therapy on the oral cavity were also investigated. The results of this study demonstrated that the neuroblastoma diagnostic group and the high dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue (HDCSCR) therapy group had greater oral health needs compared to the remaining study group and 2 general population. The level of decay in the primary dentition was increased in the neuroblastoma and HDCSCR groups. Microdont teeth were found in children who had received chemotherapy under the age of 3.5 years. There was a statistically significant relationship between the age at receipt of chemotherapy and the presence of microdont teeth. Thirty seven percent of the study group reported problems involving the oral cavity during cancer therapy with 40% demonstrating limited knowledge of potential future oral health complications. This study concludes that oral health input is important for all patients suffering from a solid tumour. The possible adverse sequelae on the oral cavity are significant and arise both during and after cancer therapy. Children receiving chemotherapy under the age of 3.5 years should be warned of the possibility of microdontia in the permanent dentition. Extra attention should be directed towards those with a neuroblastoma or who are receiving HDCSCR. Clinical protocols and care pathways should be created for the oral health care of those patients suffering from a solid tumour. Specific and separate care pathways for neuroblastoma patients and those patients receiving HDCSCR should also be considered.


The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has till date (26/7/20) affected 1crore 62 lac 73 thousand 638 people globally with almost 6.5 lakh mortalities. COVID-19 has invaded the operation theatre and intensive care unit (ICU) in a short span of 6 months. It appears inevitable that all of us, as anesthesiologists, have to treat COVID-positive patients, either in the ICU or the operation theatre. Many asymptomatic, presumably noninfected people including frontline health care workers are also consuming potential anticorona viral drugs (such as hydroxychloroquine) prophylactically and may present for surgery. Detailed knowledge of which anesthetic and perioperative care drugs can interact with anti-COVID drugs would be very valuable for pre, intra-, and postoperative management of such patients and COVID-19 positive patients requiring intubation, mechanical ventilation, and ICU-sedation. Powered with this knowledge, anesthesiologists and intensivists can minimize the adverse effects of drug interactions. An extensive literature search using different search engines including Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed for all indexed review articles, original articles, case reports, and referenced webpages was performed to extract the most current and relevant literature on drug-drug interactions for clinicians.


The relatively low thermal mass of timber frame buildings is a limiting factor for their energy efficiency and for the thermal comfort. The aim of this study is to assess the performance of wood-based wallboards integrated with PCM (Phase Change Materials) in a cold climate (Québec, Canada), from the heating season to the summer. Two timber-frame test huts, of 2 × 2.5 × 3 m, were built following the National Building Code of Canada and placed in the LAVAL University Campus. The first hut was equipped with wood-based panels integrated with the commercial bio-based PCM Puretemp®23 with a 23 °C melting point. The second hut was equipped with standard interior wood panels. Large double glaze windows were installed facing south. Dry indoor air temperatures were recorded for both huts and for the heating season, heating consumptions were monitored. The behaviour of the two huts was compared and PCM panels efficiency was evaluated over several seasons. A reduction of heating consumption was observed for cold months. For the heating season, panels were found to be more efficient as the months were getting milder. By gathering solar energy during the day, they allowed to reduce the test-hut heating consumption, by a maximum of 41% in May. In summer, the PCM panels had a positive impact in order to reduce the hut overheating. However their efficiency was found limited by a poor ability of discharge during the night. The solidification of the PCM was often impossible to achieve due to unsuitable night conditions. The results presented in this study will improve the knowledge concerning wood/PCM composites performance and concerning PCMs issues in cold climates. This study exposes the potential of wood-based panels integrated with PCM to achieve winter energy savings and enhance the summer thermal comfort of a timber-frame building, for a cold Canadian climate.


Most of the engineering parts are made from metal based materials. Composites have recently become an economic alternative to traditional materials like metals due to their considerable advantages especially in high specific strength and specific stiffness. But, turning of composites is different from turning conventional metals because of the
inhomogeneity and anisotropic characteristics of composites. It also depends on the diversity of fiber and matrix properties, fiber orientation, and the relative volume of matrix and fibers. During a turning operation, vibration and noise are generated as a result of the interaction between the rotating work piece and moving cutting force. Therefore, there is a need to understand the dynamic behaviour of composites during machining particularly turning. In this project, the influence factors contributing to surface finish, vibration and noise during turning operation have been established. A mathematical model for the dynamic behaviour of the turning operation is constructed via Rayleigh beam theory and coded into MATLAB tool for simulation. A parametric study is also performed which involves several operational conditions and work piece characteristics to discover their effect on vibration of a work piece(hence the surface finish) through simulation. Results from the numerical simulation generated are found to be consistent with many experimental findings done by the previous researcher.


Abstract. This paper focuses on the design of a cartographic user experiment that employs both eye tracking (ET) and electroencephalogram (EEG). When creating such an experiment, one is confronted with a large number of (often conflicting) challenges which need to be resolved: quality of the recorded signals, design of appropriate stimuli and tasks, synchronization of the data, etc. The goal of the experiment is to explore the (cognitive) strategies of expert and novice map users through cognitive load measurements when they are asked to memorize and then remember a (part of) map content with varying levels of complexity. Because the procedure of memorizing a map content in order to retrieve it stimulates the cognitive map production in map users' brains and hence it causes a cognitive load which can be measured with ET and EEG techniques. Throughout the paper, we will address the design issues by emphasizing the content of the stimuli and task, procedures of how the experiment will be executed and psychological measures to indicate cognitive load. For this, we combined a within and between subjects design: two different groups of participants studied different groups of stimuli (with varying levels of complexity).In order to organize this in a structured way, the experiment is composed of seven blocks containing 50 trials. These blocks are shown in a random order. Each block is related to a certain level of complexity, represented by a (group of) map feature classes that should be remembered: (i) the whole sketch map, (ii) roads and hydrography, (iii) roads and green areas, (iv) green areas and hydrography, (v) green areas, (vi) hydrography, or (vii) roads. As such the cognitive load demand of tasks in each block is different, because each block is dedicated to the retrieval of a different map feature class or a combination of classes.Each trial in the experiment is composed out of two parts. First, a map stimulus to study, which is derived from Google maps at zoom level 15 with 1 km scale bar, is shown for seven seconds long (Figure 1). This zoom level was chosen considering the size of the display screen and the consistency of the cartographic generalization for this level of detail among all the stimuli included in the experiment. This part corresponds to a free-viewing condition in which participants were asked to study a map stimulus, focusing on certain main structuring elements of the map. Second, a response screen appeared (Figure 2) with four graphical response panel: sketch maps which reflects the map content relevant to the task and are prepared by digitizing the main structuring elements considering cartographic generalization principles. Only one of the options corresponds to the map stimulus that was shown. Participants were required to keep the correct answers in their memory (a, b, c, d) and indicate it in the next screen.We recorded EEG and ET simultaneously throughout the experiment. Typically, a high number of trials is included in an EEG experiment to be able to filter out the noise in the EEG data because besides brain-related activity, EEG data consists of noise elicited from different external sources (e.g. muscle or blink artifacts, power line noise generated by electrical devices in the room). When the number of trials are increased, the chances of obtaining artifact-free trials are higher.It is important to decide which ET and EEG metrics can be used to calculate the cognitive load. On the one hand, the cognitive load can be measured using EEG activity power spectrum. For instance, spectral power change across frontal and temporal channel locations under alpha frequency band is a good indicator of cognitive load. Therefore, we can average the alpha power (8-13 Hz) for 7 seconds-long EEG recordings (i.e. same as the duration of the stimulus on the screen) of all 50 trials for each block. Average alpha power can be computed for expert and novices groups separately to study the differences between them and also based on blocks to study the influence of cognitive load into recalling performance. On the other hand, ET data can be used to identify blinks, fixations and saccades within the EEG data for noise reduction. After preprocessing, eye metrics such as number of fixations and fixation durations for each trial can be calculated and correlated to EEG data for overall cognitive load estimation.In short, this experiment design allows us to examine how cognitive load affects the recalling performance, and whether some features are recalled independently of task difficulty. If so, we can identify which features are recalled easily/primarily, especially when the task demands higher cognitive load. Therefore, this outcome can contribute to create cartographic products in a more effective way by indicating the potential benefits of implementing EEG in cartographic usability research.


The effect of 2-deoxy-d-glucose and cycloheximide on the synthesis and secretion of the cell-wall constituents protein and mannan in yeast protoplasts was examined in detail. Although the 2-deoxy-d-glucose hardly influenced protein synthesis, a significant parallel inhibition of carbohydrate and protein secretion into the medium was observed. The mechanism of this inhibition is considered as an interference of metabolites of 2-deoxy-d-glucose with the synthesis of yeast mannan. Cycloheximide, which is an effective inhibitor of protein synthesis in yeast (Kerridge, 1958), inhibited the secretion of non-diffusible carbohydrate in yeast protoplasts, but on the other hand had no effect on the activity of particulate yeast mannan synthetase. Our results clearly show that blocking the synthesis of either part of the mannan-protein complex prevents the extracellular appearance of the other component. The nature of this phenomenon is discussed.


Considering the impact of using waste steel fibers in improving concrete mortar behavior especially its tensile strength and ductility, in this research the main effective features of these fibers including length to thickness ratio, geometry (with or without hook), material, strength and coherence to mortar were studied. In order to study on the fibers produced from welding and milling, they had to be categorized according to thickness, strength and width ranges. At first stage, contaminates such as grease were removed from fibers; then the cleaned fibers were cut into lengths of 3-4 cm, meaning that approximately 30% of the total waste were suitable for the experiment.
In the experiments one specific mortar without any fiber was considered as an index. Other samples were made adding 1, 2, 3 and 5 of fiber weight percent to the mortar with properties similar to the index. Finally characteristics changes of the samples were determined through comparing with the index.
Although experiment results indicated that using waste steel fibers leads to significant improvement in concrete flexural behavior, application of industrial fibers fabricated in the factory is still the first
preference. This is mainly due to the possibility of producing industrial fibers with high quality materials and with uniform features especially tensile strength, length and thickness. On the other hand, quality control of material features of waste steel fibers is less than industrial fibers; thus the application of them is only recommended in low important structures and on a limited basis.


(abridged) The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) was the top-ranked priority for a new ground-based facility in the 2000 Canadian Long Range Plan. Ten years later, at the time of LRP2010, ALMA construction was well underway, with first science observations anticipated for 2011. In the past 8 years, ALMA has proved itself to be a high-impact, high-demand observatory, with record numbers of proposals submitted to the annual calls and large numbers of highly cited scientific papers across fields from protoplanetary disks to high-redshift galaxies and quasars.
The LRP2010 ALMA white paper laid out 8 specific metrics that could be used to judge the success of Canada's participation in ALMA. Among these metrics were publications (number; impact), collaborations (international; multi-wavelength), and student training. To call out one particular metric, Canadians are making excellent use of ALMA in training graduate students and postdocs: as of June 2018, 12 of 23 Canadian first-author papers were led by a graduate student, and a further 4 papers were led by postdocs. All 8 metrics argue for Canada's involvement in ALMA over the past decade to be judged a success. The successful achievement of these wide-ranging goals argues strongly for Canada's continuing participation in ALMA over the next decade and beyond.
Looking forward, our community needs to: (1) maintain Canadian access to ALMA and our competitiveness in using ALMA; (2) preserve full Canadian funding for our share of ALMA operations; (3) identify components of ALMA development in which Canada can play a significant role, including stimulating expertise in submillimetre instrumentation to capitalize on future opportunities; and (4) keep Canadians fully trained and engaged in ALMA, as new capabilities become available, reaching the widest possible community of potential users.


Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neuromodulatory technique extensively used as a method in neuroscience research and in treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Application of anode over the target cortical area is called anodal tDCS (a-tDCS), increases corticospinal excitability (CSE). Although a-tDCS is a promising technique for brain modulation, optimal parameters of stimulation are still not entirely set. The broad aim of this thesis was to provide optimal parameters of a-tDCS for enhancement of CSE and to establish a-tDCS protocol for induction of larger CSE changes and motor performance improvement, which lasts longer. Prior to the main studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to verify the effects of a-tDCS with different stimulation parameters on CSE and motor performance in both healthy individuals and subjects with stroke. From the findings of the meta-analysis, it was concluded that longer application of a-tDCS and larger current densities are associated with longer and larger lasting effects. The trend of changes was in favour of motor performance improvement in both healthy individuals and patients with stroke. Healthy right-handed participants were recruited for all studies. Sample size was calculated based on the power and effect size (Appendix 1) of a pilot data analysis. Surface electrodes recorded electromyography activity of extensor carpi radialis (ECR) (Studies 3-5 and 7) and first dorsal interossei (FDI) muscles (Study 6) at rest. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess primary motor cortex (M1) excitability changes by recording peak-to-peak amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of the target muscle(s). The first two experimental studies were conducted to test the intra- and inter-session reliability of the elicited MEPs (Study 2) and to fine-tune the set-up for application of TMS as an assessment tool and a-tDCS as the intervention (Study 3). Once, the set-up has been developed and tested, 4 other studies were conducted. Study 4 investigated the optimal current density for application of a-tDCS using four different current intensities (0.3, 0.7, 1.4 and 2 mA) with a constant electrode size of 6×4 cm2. The findings showed that the smallest current intensity (0. 3 mA) produces significantly larger CSE changes than the next two higher current densities (0.7 and 1.4 mA) with considerably less total charge to the cortical area. In study 5 the role of active electrode sizes on the induced M1 CSE changes was assessed. It was found that reducing stimulation electrode size (12 cm2) to one third of the conventional one (35cm2) increases the efficacy of a-tDCS for induction of larger M1 CSE. This increase could be due to spatially more focused stimulation. Study 6 investigated the optimal within-session repetition rate of a-tDCS applications (once, twice or three 10 minutes) and interval (5 or 25 minutes) between these stimulations for induction of longest lasting effects on M1 CSE and motor performance. The results showed that compared to a single 10 minutes stimulation, both twice and three times repetition of a-tDCS, induced excitability enhancements which lasted up to 24 hours. It should be noted that, significant improvement was only seen in motor performance following three times repetition with 25 minutes inter stimulus intervals. Study 7 investigated the effects of a novel noninvasive neuromodulatory paradigm named transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) on M1 CSE. Anodal-tPCS (a-tPCS) with short (a-tPCSSIPI) and long inter-pulse interval (a-tPCSLIPI) was compared to a-tDCS and sham a-tPCSSIPI. a-tPCSSIPI, but not a-tPCSLIPI and sham a-tPCSSIPI induced larger excitability changes in the human cortex compared to the conventional a-tDCS. Furthermore, a-tPCSSIPI induced larger CSE changes compared to a-tPCSLIPI. This suggests the importance of IPI in induction of CSE changes. This thesis demonstrated optimal parameters for a-tDCS application on healthy individuals. Establishing optimal parameters of stimulation is of particular importance to increase the a-tDCS lasting effects.


Recent postmodern work on cultural evaluation, such as Barbara Smith's Contingencies of Value (1989), argues that cultural value cannot be treated as an inherent or objective quality of cultural products. Instead, cultural value must be understood as "value for": relative, that is, to the identities and interests of particular cultural consumers and producers. Theorists (for instance, John Frow in his 1995 study Cultural Studies and Cultural Value) have employed similar relativist logic in their analyses of the putative "structures" or institutions that supposedly give shape to Western culture-as-a-whole: "high" culture, "popular" culture, "mass" culture and so on. This "postaxiological" strain of cultural theory undermines the real-world integrity of those categories by suggesting that they (the categories) are merely contingent effects of critical / evaluative discourse. Other archetypically "postmodern" arguments in literary and cultural studies have focused on charting or advocating both the demise of the modernist "great divide" between "high" and "low" culture, and its replacement, in cultural production and criticism, with more permissive and socially egalitarian modes of interplay between "high" and "low" culture. Some critics and critically aware cultural producers have treated these two projects as though they are complementary facets of a general "postmodern" turn. Yet contesting or reversing obsolete hierarchies of cultural value does not necessarily lead critics to contemplate the status of "high"/"low" categories themselves. A meaningful refusal of the logic of the modernist "great divide" would obligate critics and producers to reflect on the contingency of those categories and their own interests with respect to those categories. Juxtaposing an "encyclopaedic" modernist text renowned for its interspersion of "high" and "low" cultural elements (James Joyce's Ulysses) with a postmodern text that seems knowingly to do the same (David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest), two case studies illustrate the inseparability of readings or narratives that are couched in "high"/"low" terms from the particular interests of cultural producers and consumers.


Abstract Propane-air detonation is used as an example to illustrate a generalized and accurate method to predict the induction phase, heat release profile, and equilibrium state in complex hydrocarbon reactions. This is accomplished by representing pre-integrated heat-release and species information during the reaction via a mapping methodology, external to the fluid dynamic solver. The mapping, nondimensionalized and scaled in chemical time, uses a simplified system-entropy parameter to track reaction progress. Multilayer feedforward neural networks are used as function approximators to reproduce the parameters extracted from the detailed integrations and to perform the non-linear interpolations required between reaction points. Several sample cases for different reaction initial conditions are evaluated and presented. The mapping method results are accurate to within 1% to 3% to the results of detailed integrations, and the computational effort is reduced by two orders of magnitude. In problems of practical interest, further reduction in computational times are achievable, because this mapping method removes the numerical stiffness of the chemical reaction equations from the fluid dynamic solver and reduces the number of conservation equations. This approach is shown to work satisfactorily for rapidly compressed, non-diffusing, premixed near-stoichiometric reactions of propane and air under constant volume and constant pressure assumptions, forming the conceptual framework for potential extensions of the method to general reaction and combustion processes.


This paper provides new insight into the classical problem of determining both the capacity of the discrete-time channel with uniform output quantization and the capacity achieving input distribution. It builds on earlier work by Gallager and Witsenhausen to provide a detailed analysis of two particular quantization schemes. The first is saturation quantization where overflows are mapped to the nearest quantization bin, and the second is modulo quantization where overflows are mapped to the nearest quantization bin after reduction by some modulus. Both the capacity of modulo quantization and the capacity achieving input distribution are determined. When the additive noise is gaussian and relatively small, the capacity of saturation quantization is shown to be bounded below by that of modulo quantization. In the limit of arbitrarily many uniform quantization levels, it is shown that the difference between the upper and lower bounds on capacity given by Ihara is only 0.26 bits.