The question of the foundation of rights is approached from the perspective of a tension between the individual and, on the one hand, something that claims to bind him "from above" in the manner of what has been traditionally called "law" and, on the other hand, someone "over and against" whom he exercises a claim to what is "his own by right." In each there is an existential tension between a free individual who is "his own" and a claim to bind him. The essay will take "right" to mean a legitimate or justified claim grounded in ownership in the strict and proper sense of the word. The theoretical justification of the grounding relation proposes a conceptual articulation of a central element entailed by a metaphysics of "right:" the nature of a gift in a development of traditional "natural law." Accordingly, the essay draws on the personalism of the current Pope and his predecessor. In the first section, the essay deals with the subjective foundations of rights from the perspective of the gift, focusing on the concepts of ownership, experience, self-possession and the free-personal center. In a second section, it deals with the possible "dialectic" of these concepts. Each can be understood as one of two mutually exclusive meanings according to the way that their "reference" is one of the two possible existential actualizations or exercises in personal acts. Each will have one of two existentially contrary meanings according to whether the individual performs personal acts for his own sake or for the sake of another. The concept of "ownership," for example, will mean one thing in the context of acts "for my own sake" and the opposite in the case of acts "for the sake of the other." Each concept will be an accurate and adequate grasp of a real experience that can serve as evidence for each of two opposed and ultimately irreconcilable theories of "right." The third section will deal with the objective foundations of right to include the structure of the gift, with its complementary moments of receiving and giving as key to understanding the objective bond it establishes, one in which the subjects of a reciprocal giving and receiving of the gift of self come to "belong" to each other. The nature of the gift should open the field of "rights" to an analysis of the ways a personal being can be "bound" to others, in the mode of "yours" and/or in the mode of "mine." The conclusion will reflect briefly on the way a hermeneutics of the gift can bring to light a personalist dimension not taken into account in traditional natural law theories.


Objectives: Digitaria exilis Stapf (white fonio) is a staple crop in West Africa, mainly consumed during food shortage and highly associated to cultural events. The aim of this study was to test the transferability of microsatellite loci developed for D. exilis to other species of the genus Digitaria in order to further investigate the diversity of species for which there is little genomic resources available. Methodology and Results : Eight (8) microsatellite loci on 119 accessions from 39 Digitaria species were tested. With an average amplification percentage of 62.8% ranging from 25% to 100 %, these SSR markers are transferable to other species of the genus Digitaria. The transferability was higher for D. argyrothrica, D. fuscescens, D. longiflora, D. milanjiana and D. ternata. In some species such as D. abyssinica, D. nuda, D.  pennata, D. pseudodiagonalis and D. tisserantii, the very low percentage of cross-amplification confirmed their distance from D. exilis. D. longiflora , thought as the most related wild species to D. exilis , exhibited 100% level of transferable polymorphic loci. Conclusion and application of findings : This set of markers will be useful for breeding and studying relationships between Digitaria species. Keywords : Cross-species amplification, Digitaria, genetic diversity, microsatellite loci.


Introduction Evaluations of rehabilitation potential are an everyday occurrence, yet the concept is poorly understood and there is a lack of understanding about the reasoning process. This study aimed to explore how occupational therapists and physiotherapists evaluated the rehabilitation potential of older people following an acute hospital admission. Method Focused ethnography was utilised, primarily using observation, interviewing and review of records within one acute medical ward in a general hospital in the United Kingdom. Five patient participants gave consent for their episode of care to be studied, for interactions with professionals to be observed and for their clinical records to be reviewed. Three occupational therapists and two physiotherapists then participated in individual interviews. Findings Thematic analysis of data led to the identification of a four-stage reasoning process. The four stages are as follows: gathering baseline information; provision of curative and supportive interventions; provision and monitoring of rehabilitative interventions; the evaluation of rehabilitation potential and decision about the subsequent pathway. Conclusions The reasoning process illustrates the professional reasoning of occupational therapists and physiotherapists when evaluating rehabilitation potential for older adults in acute care. However, it also highlights vulnerabilities to professional reasoning which may contribute to subjectivity, inconsistency or risk to patients.


About 20,000 early childhood development centers provided day care for and prepared for primary school more than 1 million children aged three to seven (roughly 20 percent of children in that age group) in Kenya in 1995. The number of child care facilities reached 23,690 by the end of 1999. The authors analyze the effect of child care costs on households' behavior in Kenya. For households with children aged three to seven, they model household demand for mothers' participation in paid work, the participation in paid work of other household members, household demand for schooling, and household demand for child care. They find that: A) A high cost for child care discourages households from using formal child care facilities and has a negative effect on mothers' participation in market work. B) The cost of child care and the level of mothers' wages affect older children's school enrollment, but these factors affect boys' and girls' schooling differently. An increase in mothers' wages increases boys' enrollment but depresses girls' enrollment. C) Higher child care costs have no significant effect on boys' schooling but significantly decrease the number of girls in school.


Parametric speakers produce sound by emitting ultrasound, and using the small nonlinearity in air to demodulate it back to audible sound. The use of ultrasound allows for producing very narrow audio beams, which finds application in a number of military and consumer scenarios. However, designing better parametric speakers has been hard: closed-form solution of the nonlinear wave equation for generic geometries is nearly impossible, and the only existing solution was derived for the simple case of a cylindrical beam. FDTD methods were considered not practical since the desired (audible) signal is orders of magnitude weaker than the ultrasound signal, and thus the noise floor (from the numerical approximation) will dwarf the audible signal. In this paper, we introduce a novel FDTD scheme that models nonlinear sound propagation for parametric speakers. By taking the difference between linear and nonlinear FDTD simulations, we successfully suppress the numerical noise floor and extract the audible signal. Both spectrum and radiation pattern of simulation match the measurements well. This offers a simulation tool for further research in creating advanced parametric speakers.


The electrical resistance of an electrical conductor is the opposition to the passage of an electric current through that conductor; the inverse quantity is electrical conductance, the ease at which an electric current passes. Electrical resistance shares some conceptual parallels with the mechanical notion of friction. The SI unit of electrical resistance is the ohm (Ω), while electrical conductance is measured in siemens (S).


Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a direct measurement of renal function. Although clearance tests using 24-h urine collection or blood sample series are gold standards for measuring GFR, serum-based prediction of GFR based upon the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation is acceptable for routine use in human adults. The purpose of our study was to assess the ability for a modified MDRD Study equation to predict expected changes in GFR in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using a healthy dolphin population represented by 1,103 routine serum samples collected from 50 dolphins of all age groups, years 1998-2005. Predicted GFR was also calculated from serum collected from a 32-yr-old male dolphin with end-stage renal disease. The dolphin-adjusted MDRD equation predicted GFR changes in our population that paralleled what has previously been reported in other mammals, including decreasing predicted GFR with age (P < 0.01), higher predicted GFR in dolphins that had recently eaten (P < 0.01), and rapidly decreasing predicted GFR in the animal with end-stage renal disease. We conclude that a serum-based GFR prediction equation may be a feasible means of detecting and tracking renal function in bottlenose dolphins.


Arctic acoustics. Invited paper. Experimental and theoretical analysis of spatial coherence on a horizontal array under the Arctic ice. Calibrations. Invited paper. A survey of European calibration facilities for underwater acoustics: Euromet Project A73. Communications. Invited paper. Channel-adaptive correlation reception of wideband underwater acoustic signals. Fisheries. Invited paper. Echo counting or echo integration for fish biomass assessment in shallow waters. Measurements. Acoustic bubble sizing through nonlinear combinations involving parametric excitations. Noise. Invited paper. Glass reinforced plastic minehunter considerations [shock and noise]. Propagation. Invited paper. Three-dimensional ocean acoustic modelling. Risk Assessment. Underwater noise exposure and hearing. Scattering. Invited paper. A refined boundary element/finite element technique for modelling acoustic radiation from submerged structures. Sea Floor. Invited paper. Development of a tube wave system for obtaining in-situ geotechnical parameters in shallow marine environments. Signal Processing. Invited paper. Classification of underwater objects using resonance 'scattering and neural networks'. Tomography. Reconstruction of sound velocity profiles in the sea using ocean acoustic tomography techniques. Transducers. Thermal limit analysis of low-frequency, high-power sonar projectors. Wideband. Invited paper. Wideband synthetic aperture sonar: advantages and limitations. Index.


In recent years, the use of information technologies, mobile devices, and social media, along with the evolving needs of students, professionals, and academics, has grown rapidly. New ways of bringing learning content to students, new learning environments, and new teaching practices are necessary to keep up with these changes. Assessing the Role of Mobile Technologies and Distance Learning in Higher Education provides a comprehensive understanding of m-learning processes by discussing challenges in higher education and the role of information technologies for effective learning. This reference book offers both real experiences and theoretical input for academicians, professionals, students, practitioners, policymakers, and managers.


This paper deals with numerical analysis and computing of spread option pricing problem described by a two-spatial variables partial differential equation. Both European and American cases are treated. Taking advantage of a cross derivative removing technique, an explicit difference scheme is developed retaining the benefits of the one-dimensional finite difference method, preserving positivity, accuracy, and computational time efficiency. Numerical results illustrate the interest of the approach.


Objective: The objective of this study was to determine antimicrobial drug use in newborns at a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit, to identify educational/research priorities in neonatal drug therapy. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 713 patients of neonatal sepsis over a period of 18 months. Data like name, age, sex, birth weight, gestational age, antibiotics used were recorded in the previously prepared case record form. Results: Number of patients admitted in early neonatal period was 467(65.5%) and number of patients admitted in late neonatal period was 246(34.5%). The mean age of all patients being admitted in NICU was 6.23 ± 5.86 days. The majority of neonates (92.56%) were prescribed 2 to 5 antibiotics and 29.59% of neonates were prescribed 2 antibiotics. Average number of antibiotics of all patients being admitted was 3.74 ± 1.38. Most frequently used antibiotics in decreasing frequency were: Amikacin (97.19%), ampicillin + sulbactam (60.17%), vancomycin (57.64%), ceftazidime (38.71%), cefotaxime (34.22%), ciprofloxacin (26.23%), piperacillin + tazobactam (19.07%). 73% drugs were given by generic name and 53.33% drugs were prescribed from the essential drug list. Mean length of stay in NICU of all patients being admitted was 7.59 ± 5.66 days. Conclusion: The present study provides valuable insight about the overall pattern of antimicrobial drug use profile in patients of neonatal sepsis of a tertiary care hospital. It is intended to be a step in broader evaluation of safety and efficacy of drug prescription in neonatal sepsis patients.


Two new Pt(II) derivatives of kiteplatin ([PtCl2(cis-1,4-DACH)]) with pyrophosphate as carrier ligand, one mononuclear (1) and one dinuclear (2), were synthesized with the aim of potentiating the efficacy of kiteplatin. Complex 1 resulted to be remarkably stable at physiological pH, but it undergoes a fast hydrolysis reaction at acidic pH releasing free pyrophosphate and (aquated) kiteplatin. The dinuclear compound 2 resulted to be less stable than 1 at both neutral and acidic pH forming 1 and (aquated) kiteplatin as first step. Both compounds (1 and 2) do not react as such with 5'-GMP, whereas their hydrolysis products readily form adducts with the nucleotide. The in vitro cytotoxicity assays against a panel of six human cancer cell lines showed that complex 2 affects cancer cell viability even at nanomolar concentrations. The cytotoxic activity of 2 is greater (up to 2 orders of magnitude) than that of cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and kiteplatin, whereas the mononuclear complex 1 has shown a cytotoxic activity comparable to that of oxaliplatin and kiteplatin, but higher than cisplatin. The latter result is not surprising, since the presence of two negative charges reduces the uptake of 1 into the tumor cells as compared to the neutral compound 2. The remarkable activity of 2 against the pancreatic cell line BxPC3 (average IC50 = 0.07 μM) deserves further investigation.


This study undertook to examine the enigmatic female characters in four works by Kawabata Yasunari: two novels, Snow Country and The Old Capital, and two short stories, 'The Izu Dancer' and 'One Arm.' The ultimate concern was on the social significance deriving from Kawabata's textual presentation of these characters in the selected works. The study was geared towards this end, with the socio-cultural context of the texts forming the point of departure. The premises of the research were that the characters projected have socio-cultural and
literary sources, and are used by the writer to make a statement. Within these premises, the study objectives were to examine the pre-textual socio-cultural and literary contexts of the selected texts, outline the forms of the female characters, and ultimately to determine their significance as presented in the texts. The research process, including the analysis of the research texts and deliberation on the significance of the perplexing nature of the characters, was projected from Wolfgang
Iser's theory of aesthetic response. This theoretical base was complemented with stylistic theory, especially in the analysis of the textual strategies constituting the forms of the characters.
The research was qualitative in nature. Examination of the diverse critical views was conducted, and the selected research texts subjected to a critical analysis, with the cultural milieu in consideration. In addition to consideration of the socio-cultural milieu, stylistic examination of the textual strategies in the selected texts was also carried out. This enabled the validation of the attempt to draw the social significance of Kawabata' s presentation of the problematic female figures in the texts.
After the texts were subjected to the stated theoretical and methodological procedures, the female characters were found to be enigmatic and that behind this nature is a nuanced traditional Japanese aesthetic, which the female characters embody.


ABSTRACT Differing methods of determining detrital modes of sand/sandstone have been developed by different "schools" due to different goals and different geologic settings. The Gazzi-Dickinson method of point counting was developed to maximize source-rock data, while minimizing the time, effort, and expense of gathering such data. Use of the method minimizes variation of composition with grain size, thus eliminating the need for sieving and multiple counts of different size fractions. Unsorted samples of any sand size may be used, thus allowing direct comparison between modern sands and poorly sorted ancient sandstones. The application of actualistic petrologic models relating composition to tectonic setting thus is facilitated. The unique aspect of the Gazzi-Dickinson method of point counting is the assignment of sand-sized crystals and grains within larger fragments to the category of the crystal or grain, rather than to the category of the larger fragment. In addition, every attempt is made to reconstruct original detrital compositions in spite of subsequent alterations. Six unconsolidated Holocene sand samples derived from a variety of source rocks in north-central New Mexico were collected, sieved, impregnated, sectioned, stained and point-counted, using both traditional and Gazzi-Dickinson methods. Results of these counts provide a comparative test of traditional and Gazzi-Dickinson methods. There are two reasons for variation of modal composition with grain size: 1) the breakage of fragments into constituent grains, and 2) actual mineralogic variation with grain size. The Gazzi-Dickinson method successfully eliminates the first source of compositional grain-size dependency. No point-counting method eliminates the second source. Use of the Gazzi-Dickinson method on unsorted samples produces results that are consistent with those from different size fractions of the same samples. Lithic-fragment compositions (for example, LmLvLs, QpLvmLsm) are especially consistent and provide the most useful parameters for relating composition to source rock and, ultimately, to tectonic setting.


This collection of articles and associated discussion papers focuses on a problem that has attracted increasing attention from linguists and psychologists throughout the world during the past several years. Reduced to essentials, the problem is that of discovering the character of the mental capacities that make it possible for human beings to attain knowledge of their language on the basis of fragmentary and haphazard early linguistic experience. A fundamental assumption running through all of these contributions is that people possess strong innate predispositions that are critical for success in this task.


Proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) is a useful method to identify unknown protein-protein interactions. Few reports have described genetically engineered knock-in mouse models for in vivo BioID. Thus, little is known about the proper method for biotin administration and which tissues are applicable. Here, we established a BioID knock-in mouse model of Brain and Muscle ARNT-Like 1 (BMAL1) and the BirA biotin ligase with R118G mutation (BirA*). The BMAL1-BioID mouse model was used to investigate the effect of biotin diet feeding on protein biotinylation in several tissues. The BMAL1-BirA* fusion protein retained proper intracellular localization of BMAL1 and binding to CLOCK protein in HEK293T cells. A biotin labeling assay in mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed the protein biotinylation activity of BMAL1-BirA* expressed in knock-in mouse cells depending on biotin supplementation. Lastly, feeding a 0.5% biotin diet for 7 days induced protein biotinylation in the brain, heart, testis, and liver of BMAL1-BioID mice without adverse effects on spermatogenesis. In the kidney, the biotin diet increased biotinylated protein levels in BMAL1-BioID and control mice, suggesting the existence of endogenous biotinylation activity. These results provide valuable information to optimize the in vivo BioID procedure.


Introduction

Btk is a kinase involved in B-cell receptor (BCR) signal transduction and a critical target in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). ACP-196-a potent, second generation Btk inhibitor that is more selective than the first-in-class Btk inhibitor, ibrutinib (Covey AACR2015)-has demonstrated antitumor activity in preclinical CLL models (Niemann AACR2014). Here, we present preliminary data from patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) enrolled in an ongoing Phase 1/2 study of single-agent ACP-196 (ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT02029443][1]).

Methods and Patients

This first-in-human study was designed to evaluate the safety, maximum tolerated dose, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of orally administered ACP-196 in patients with R/R CLL/SLL. Patients were continuously treated with ACP-196 at dosages ranging from 100 to 400 mg once daily (QD) as part of the dose-escalation portion of the study (4 cohorts of 6-8 patients per cohort), and 100 mg twice daily (BID) and 200 mg QD as part of the expansion portion of the study (2 cohorts). Of note, CLL patients with any degree of pancytopenia and prior exposure to PI3K inhibitors were allowed.

CLL responses were investigator assessed per IWCLL criteria (modified Hallek 2008). SLL responses were investigator assessed per IWG criteria (Cheson 2007). Patients had a median age of 62 years (range 44-84), bulky lymph nodes ≥ 5 cm (47%) and median of 3 prior therapies (1-13). High-risk prognostic factors included del(17)(p13.1) 31% (18/58), del(11)(q22.3) 29% (17/58) and unmutated IGVH genes 75% (38/51).

Results

Results are presented through 01 June 2015 for the first 61 R/R patients, including 60 evaluable for response. The median time on study (N=61) was 10.3 (0.5-15.9) months. ACP-196 has been well tolerated with 93% (57/61) of patients continuing on study drug. Of the 4 patients who discontinued, 1 patient each discontinued due to withdrawal of consent, physician decision, unrelated AE (pre-existing, active autoimmune hemolytic anemia) and related AE (Grade 3 dyspnea). To date, no dose-related effect has been observed in frequency or severity of AEs or serious adverse events. No dose-limiting toxicities have occurred, and most AEs were Grade ≤ 2. The most common Grade 1/2 AEs (≥ 15%) were headache (39%), diarrhea (33%) and URI (16%). Grade 3/4 AEs that occurred in ≥ 3 patients were anemia (7%), pneumonia (7%) and hypertension (5%). No major hemorrhage (including subdural hematomas), atrial fibrillation, tumor lysis syndrome or pneumonitis have occurred suggesting an improved safety profile compared with other BCR and BCL-2-targeted therapies.

Clinical activity has been observed in patients with R/R CLL/SLL at all doses evaluated. All patients experienced rapid reductions in lymphadenopathy. Treatment-related lymphocytosis (defined as ≥ 50% increase from baseline and above absolute lymphocyte count [ALC] of 5 K/µL) occurred in 61% (37/61) of patients and resolved in 81% (31/37) of these patients. In general, lymphocytosis peaked at a median of 3 weeks and resolved by a median of 19 weeks (range 1 to 58 weeks). The rapid decrease in lymphadenopathy and treatment-related lymphocytosis along with concurrent improvement in baseline cytopenias has led to a high proportion of partial responses (PRs) early in treatment (Figure 1).

Best overall response rate including PR and PR with lymphocytosis (PR+L) was 93% (PR=70%, PR+L=23%, SD=7%, PD=0%). For patients with del(17)(p13.1), the response rate was 100% (PR=72%, PR+L=28%). In the 4 patients with prior idelalisib therapy, the response rate also was 100% (PR=75%, PR+L=25%). To date, no disease progression or Richter's transformation has occurred (Figure 2).

Pharmacokinetic results showed exposure of ACP-196 was dose proportional with no drug accumulation. At dosages as low as 100 mg QD, pharmacodynamic results showed low intra-patient variability, high Btk occupancy (> 90% over 24 hr) and high phospho-Btk inhibition (> 90% over 24 hr).

Conclusion

ACP-196 is a highly potent and selective oral Btk inhibitor with a favorable safety profile. Responses occur early in treatment with no disease progression to date either in heavily pretreated patients or those with high-risk prognosis factors. ACP-196 is currently in Phase 3 trials for TN (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0247568) and R/R high-risk CLL (ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT02477696][2]).

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Disclosures Byrd: Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Jones: Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. O'Brien: Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Schuh: Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Hillmen: Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Stephens: Immunomedics: Research Funding; Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Ghia: Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Adaptive: Consultancy; Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy. Devereux: Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Chaves: Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Barrientos: Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding. Wang: Acerta Pharma BV: Employment, Equity Ownership. Huang: Acerta Pharma BV: Employment, Equity Ownership. Covey: Acerta Pharma BV: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Navarro: Acerta Pharma BV: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rothbaum: Acerta Pharma BV: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties. Izumi: Acerta Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Hamdy: Acerta Pharma BV: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties. Furman: Gilead: Consultancy; Acerta Pharma BV: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

 [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT02029443&atom=%2Fbloodjournal%2F126%2F23%2F831.atom
 [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT02477696&atom=%2Fbloodjournal%2F126%2F23%2F831.atom
 [3]: pending:yes


Structural biology research places significant demands upon high-performance computing. The elucidation of protein structures at atomic resolution is computationally demanding and requires user-friendly interfaces to high-performance computing resources. Fortunately, critical calculations are embarrassingly parallel and thus ideally suited to distributed computing. Here we discuss how we are using Grid computing to determine the three dimensional structures of proteins in a massively parallel fashion, in a timeframe of hours to days orders of magnitude faster than is currently possible.


Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays are used to test patients and key workers for infection with the causative SARS-CoV-2 virus. RT-PCR tests are highly specific and the probability of false positives is low, but false negatives can occur if the sample contains insufficient quantities of the virus to be successfully amplified and detected. The amount of virus in a swab is likely to vary between patients, sample location (nasal, throat or sputum) and through time as infection progresses. Here, we analyse publicly available data from patients who received multiple RT-PCR tests and were identified as SARS-CoV-2 positive at least once. We identify that the probability of a positive test decreases with time after symptom onset, with throat samples less likely to yield a positive result relative to nasal samples. Empirically derived distributions of the time between symptom onset and hospitalisation allowed us to comment on the likely false negative rates in cohorts of patients who present for testing at different clinical stages. We further estimate the expected numbers of false negative tests in a group of tested individuals and show how this is affected by the timing of the tests. Finally, we assessed the robustness of these estimates of false negative rates to the probability of false positive tests. This work has implications both for the identification of infected patients and for the discharge of convalescing patients who are potentially still infectious.


Bacteria that adhere to the surfaces of implanted medical devices can cause catastrophic infection. Since chemical modifications of materials' surfaces have poor long-term performance in preventing bacterial buildup, approaches using bactericidal physical surface topography have been investigated. The authors used Nanoimprint Lithography was used to fabricate a library of biomimetic nanopillars on the surfaces of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films. After incubation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) on the structured PMMA surfaces, pillared surfaces were found to have lower densities of adherent cells compared to flat films (67%-91% of densities on flat films). Moreover, of the E. coli that did adhere a greater fraction of them were dead on pillared surfaces (16%-141% higher dead fraction than on flat films). Smaller more closely spaced nanopillars had better performance. The smallest most closely spaced nanopillars were found to reduce the bacterial load in contaminated aqueous suspensions by 50% over a 24-h period compared to flat controls. Through quantitative analysis of cell orientation data, it was determined that the minimum threshold for optimal nanopillar spacing is between 130 and 380 nm. Measurements of bacterial cell length indicate that nanopillars adversely affect E. coli morphology, eliciting a filamentous response. Taken together, this work shows that imprinted polymer nanostructures with precisely defined geometries can kill bacteria without any chemical modifications. These results effectively translate bactericidal nanopillar topographies to PMMA, an important polymer used for medical devices.


Although many investigations have been published regarding the proteins of edema fluids, the available data regarding their nonprotein constituents are exceedingly meager. In the standard and frequently copied analyses to be found in most textbooks these bodies are almost universally grouped together under the vague title of "extractives," and are to be found recorded under this general heading, together with the more elaborate analyses of the protein and inorganic constituents. By means of the micromethods which have come into general use during the past five years we now know, in a general way at least, the level at which the more common nonnitrogenous bodies are maintained in the blood in health and in disease. Investigations by modern methods along this line have, however, been extended in only a few instances 1 to body fluids other than blood. In view of this lack of available data it has seemed worth while to


The aim of this project was to explore drug deposition mechanisms on the aluminium canisters employed with Pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs). The investigation explored the influence of various surface treatments, applied to the canisters, to drug deposition phenomena. Physicochemical characterisation of the canisters was performed after the application of different surface treatments to explore potential links between: surface topography, surface chemical composition, total surface energy, and drug caking appearing on the canister walls. The coating treatments which were tested were; Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) lacquer, vapour deposited Parylene and a 3M-proprietary, fluid-applied fluorosilane. Anodisation was also explored both with and without additional fluorosilane treatment. A number of surface physicochemical characterisation techniques were employed, namely; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Contact Angle (CA) analysis. The data from these analyses were correlated with those from a Drug Deposition test employing drug quantification by UV spectrophotometry. The results obtained indicated a direct correlation of drug deposition on canister walls to the total surface free energy. The lowest total surface free energy values and lowest deposition values were seen when the 3M-proprietary fluorosilane coating was applied as the final treatment. In this case a surface free energy value of 15.73 mN/m and a percentage drug deposition of 7% compared to the calibration can, were achieved.


Background and aim of the work: Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of esophageal cancer at most stages. Some patients undergo T-shaped irradiation that includes the subclavicular region. In this procedure, the cervical region receives a higher dose of radiation than the lower thoracic region because of differences in thickness. We asked whether the field-in-field (FIF) technique would reduce the size of the hot region in T-shaped irradiation. Methods: Our study consisted of 16 patients with esophageal cancer; the prescribed dose was 40 Gy in 20 fractions. The conventional radiotherapy plan included 4 fields: anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior (AP/PA) parallel-opposed fields and right-anterior oblique and left-posterior oblique fields. The FIF plan included an additional subfield, which was generated by copying the PA field. The multileaf collimators of the subfield were manipulated to shield the areas of the planning target volume (PTV) receiving doses ≥107% of the prescribed dose on the beam's eye view. After dose calculation, weight was shifted from the original PA field to the subfield until the hot spot disappeared. Results: The volumes of the PTV receiving 107% of the prescribed dose, the maximum doses (Dmax) to the PTV and spinal cord, and the homogeneity index of the PTV were significantly smaller in the FIF plan than in the conventional plan. Conclusions: These findings show that the FIF technique improves the dose homogeneity of the PTV and reduces the maximum dose to the spinal cord in thoracic esophageal cancer.


Multi-Agent Path Finding (MAPF) deals with the problem of finding collision-free paths for a set of agents moving in a shared environment, while each agent has specified its own destination. Colored MAPF generalizes MAPF by defining groups of agents that share a set of destination locations. In the paper, we evaluate several approaches to optimally solve colored MAPF problem, namely, a method based on network flows, an extended version of conflict-based search, and two models using Boolean satisfiability. We also investigate methods for obtaining lower bounds on optimal solutions based on constraint and continuous relaxation techniques.


When tissue interacts with electromagnetic radiation it exhibits resistivity and permittivity changes, which decrease with frequency. Above 100 kHz it is expected that dielectric changes in tissue (permittivity) will allow one to distinguish damaged and necrotic tissue. Furthermore, tissue impedance at medium frequencies (100 kHz-1 MHz) have not been well characterized. The aim of this work was to design instrumentation for an impedance tomographic spectrometer to cover the minimum band 10 kHz-1 MHz. In order to produce images sensitive to small changes in resistivity, voltage measurement must be accurate to at least 0.1%. Using commercially available operational amplifiers, PSPICE simulations demonstrated 0.1% accuracy up to 800 kHz, falling off to 0.5% at 1 MHz. Implementation achieved a reasonably flat amplitude (+or-0.5 dB) and a phase shift of 50 degrees from 10 kHz to 3 MHz and a receive response of 0.13 dB to 5 MHz and phase shift of -40 degrees at 3 MHz. With channel correction this design will provide useful readings up to 3 MHz.


Abstract The geographic pattern of mtDNA variation in lemmings from 13 localities throughout the Eurasian Arctic was studied by using eight restriction enzymes and sequencing of the cytochromebregion. These data are used to reveal the vicariant history ofLemmus, and to examine the effect of the last glaciation on mtDNA variation by comparing diversity in formerly glaciated areas to the diversity in non-glaciated areas. Phylogenetic congruence across different Arctic taxa and association between observed discontinuities, and probable Pleistocene barriers, suggest that glacial-interglacial periods were crucial in the vicariant history ofLemmus. Differences in amount of divergence (2.1–9.1%) across different historical barriers indicate chronologically separate vicariant events during the Quaternary. Populations from a formerly glaciated area are no less variable than those in the non-glaciated area. Regardless of glaciation history, no population structure and high haplotype diversity were found within geographic regions. The lack of population structure indicates that populations with high ancestral haplotype diversity shifted their distribution during the Holocene, and that lemmings tracked a changing environment during the Quaternary without reduction of effective population size.


Acute pancreatitis secondary to viral infections is well established. Acute pancreatitis as a complication of fulminant hepatic failure has been mostly reported but as secondary to non fulminant hepatitis especially due to HEV infection has been rarely rep and cell destruction has been attributed as main cause. We describe a case report of acute pancreatitis secondary to viral hepatitis due to HEV infection


The multinomial logit model is a standard approach for determining the probability of purchase in product line problems. When the purchase probabilities are multiplied by product contribution margins, the resulting profit function is generally nonconcave. Because of this, standard nonlinear search procedures may terminate at a local optimum which is far from the global optimum. We present a simple procedure designed to alleviate this problem. The key idea of this procedure is to find a "path" of prices from the global optimum of a related, but concave logit profit function, to the global optimum of the true but nonconcave logit profit function.


With the fast development of modern industry, the fact that coal dominates the main energy structure will not change for a long time. While the output of coal gangue has accounted for 15%~20% in that of coal. Therefore, coal gangue has become one of the greatest contributions to industrially discharged solid waste in China currently. Nowadays the comprehensive utilization ratio is less than 20%, so there is so much room for the activity and comprehensive utilization of coal gangue. In this article, coal gangue in Tongchuan stimulated by thermal, mechanical and chemical activation has been used as supplementary gelatinize material in cement. The optimal activated ways and technological parameter have been selected by the test of strength, fluidity, water requirement for normal consistency of cement paste, and stability. Also XRD and SEM are used to discuss the change of microstructure which has taken place in activated coal gangue preliminarily.


Human teeth display various colors under natural light. Dental restorations, such as zirconia crowns, are generally used to rehabilitate the oral function of patients with tooth loss due to trauma or natural tooth falls. However, significant improvements in the color and translucency of zirconia are required to meet the clinical needs for dental restoration. In the past, a large amount of ceramic powder has been used to improve the appearance of zirconia. However, the interface between the ceramic powder and zirconia makes them prone to falling off. Therefore, the aesthetics of zirconia crowns remains a major challenge. Recently, substantial advances have been made in the field of dental materials, as special staining agents for zirconia have been introduced as alternatives to ceramic powders. Therefore, this study tested zirconia-specific staining agents that were used to produce zirconia samples with A1 and A3 colors. A dental colorimetric plate was used as the control group to assess the staining effects of the different brands of staining agents. Meanwhile, two hypotheses were proposed: that the staining effects of these special staining agents for zirconia met the criteria for clinical application and that there was no significant difference between the different staining agents for zirconia. The results showed that the coatings of different brands of staining agents were ultrathin, with a thickness of approximately 27–78 µm. In addition, the coloring effects of the zirconia staining agents were not significantly different from those of the colorimetric plates. After staining, the zirconia samples had decreased surface roughness and contact angle values, which improved surface smoothness and cleanliness. In summary, the results support the hypothesis of this study that zirconia stains can be used as an alternative to the current fabrication methods for clinical dental restorations. We sought to identify the clinical techniques that are easier to perform and to overcome the current problem of dental technicians requiring considerable dentin space for staining. It is expected that the results of this study will be useful in clinical dental restorations.


Consumption of starchy foods, such as bread and pasta, affects the glucose response in the blood after the meal. A repeated high glucose response may play a role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Development of starchy foods with slow starch digestibility (slow intestinal glucose release and thereby a low glucose response), is therefore essential. We compared several wheat products with different structures or ingredients. We found in healthy individuals however that a slow release of glucose from the pasta meal resulted in a similar glycemic response compared to bread with rapid starch digestibility. The slow glucose release after pasta additionally resulted in a low response of insulin and the gastrointestinal hormone GIP (which can potentiate the insulin response), resulting in more gradual uptake of glucose from the blood into tissues and a longer presence of glucose in the blood. These moderate underlying processes could also be beneficial in the prevention of insulin resistance and T2DM; glucose is not always a good reflection of these beneficial metabolic aspects. Consumption of a more compact structured bread (flat bread) gave a similar beneficial response, whereas the addition of special bran or broken wheat kernels to bread did not affect the glucose fluxes. However, the gut hormone GLP-1, relevant in the prevention and management of T2DM, seemed affected by the addition of wheat kernels, which deserves further research. Product modification, e.g. compact bread structure which could be obtained by traditional bread making, may affect the response after a meal and thereby play a role in the prevention of the development of T2DM.


This is a review of the literature on family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease from 2013 to 2017 available in the BVS, Scopus, and PubMed databases. The descriptors used (translated from Portuguese) were Alzheimer's disease, caregivers, elderly health, by combination. Of the 163 papers analyzed, after applying the relevance test, we selected 26 papers presented from five thematic units: 1Literature reviews; 2Prevalence profiles of AD caregivers; 3Qualitative research that analyzes the feelings and sufferings of caregivers; 4Comparative studies and objective tests; 5Evaluation studies of intervention programs. The comprehensive and comparative analysis of the investigations highlighted differences and similarities, advantages, and disadvantages of the samples and methodologies adopted in Brazil and the US. The articles analyzed factors that influence family caregivers' impact with Alzheimer's disease, identifying the affective bonds involved, the expected reciprocity, the physical, emotional, and social costs associated with a prolonged chronic illness and requiring increasingly complex care. Family caregivers and older adults with AD require a broad, accessible, or articulated support network inside and outside the family.


Conclusion. The olfactory event-related potential (OERP) method provides a means of objectively assessing olfactory function. However, further validation is needed before OERPs can be routinely applied in clinical assessment of olfactory dysfunction. Objective. To assess OERPs in patients with olfactory impairment and in healthy controls to investigate possible dose-response effects of odor concentration on OERP parameters in these groups, thereby exploring possibilities and limitations regarding the clinical utility of the OERP method. Subjects and methods. Twenty-three patients with a history of impaired olfactory function and 24 controls participated in the study. Olfactory function was assessed with psychophysical tests, i.e. assessment of the odor threshold, and odor identification. OERPs were obtained in response to the olfactory stimulant butanol at two different concentrations, presented via an olfactometer. Results. The OERP amplitudes increased and the latencies shortened with increasing stimulus concentration. Furthermore, a difference between the groups was found, with higher OERP amplitudes and shorter latencies in healthy subjects compared with patients.


Background No studies have examined the associations between adult height and ischemic stroke subtypes. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control study that included 2,451 thrombotic and 687 embolic stroke cases, as well as 1,623 intracerebral and 768 subarachnoid hemorrhage cases without history of stroke aged 40–79 years, and the same number of sex- and age-matched controls. Cases and controls were grouped according to the quintile cut-off values of height in controls, and the third quintile, which was approximately the average height group, was used as the reference group. Height divided by one standard deviation of height in controls was also examined as a continuous variable. The analyses were carried out separately for participants aged 40–59 years and 60–79 years. Results In both younger and older men, height was linearly inversely associated with total and thrombotic strokes, and the shortest quintile compared to the reference group was associated with increased risks of these strokes. Although height was linearly inversely associated with embolic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage in younger men, the shortest quintile did not show increased risks of these strokes. Height did not seem to be associated with total stroke and any stroke subtypes in younger women. In contrast, the tallest quintile was significantly associated with increased risks of total stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, and height tended to be positively associated with these strokes in older women. Conclusion We reported the associations between adult height and ischemic stroke subtypes for the first time, which differed according to sex and age group.


Flood detection and produced maps play essential roles in policymaking, planning, and implementing flood management options. Remote sensing is commonly accepted as a maximum cost-effective technology to obtain detailed information over large areas of lands and oceans. We used remote sensing observations from Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) to study the potential of this technique for the retrieval of flood maps over the regions affected by the recent flood in the southeastern part of Iran. The evaluation was made using spaceborne GNSS-R measurements over the Sistan and Baluchestan provinces during torrential rain in January 2020. This area has been at a high risk of flood in recent years and needs to be continuously monitored by means of timely observations. The main dataset was acquired from the level-1 data product of the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) spaceborne mission. The mission consisted of a constellation of eight microsatellites with GNSS-R sensors onboard to receive forward-scattered GNSS signals from the ocean and land. We first focused on data preparation and eliminating the outliers. Afterward, the reflectivity of the surface was calculated using the bistatic radar equations formula. The flooded areas were then detected based on the analysis of the derived reflectivity. Images from Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used for evaluation of the results. The analysis estimated the inundated area of approximately 19,644 km2 (including Jaz-Murian depression) to be affected by the flood in the south and middle parts of the Sistan and Baluchestan province. Although the main mission of CYGNSS was to measure the ocean wind speed in hurricanes and tropical cyclones, we showed the capability of detecting floods in the study area. The sensitivity of the spaceborne GNSS-R observations, together with the relatively short revisit time, highlight the potential of this technique to be used in flood detection. Future GNSS-R missions capable of collecting the reflected signals from all available multi-GNSS constellations would offer even more detailed information from the flood-affected areas.


: Metabolism of tritium-labeled testosterone, delta4-androstane-3, 17-dion, dihydrotestosterone. 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diod and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-dion by the isolated hypophyses and epiphyses of male and female 30-day rats was studied. The glands were incubated in Eagle's medium containing the mentioned androgens with the concentration of 1-2.10(-8) M for 90 min at 37 degrees C. As revealed, restoration of testosterone and delta4 androstane-3, 17-dion by 5alpha-reductase occurred in the epiphyses and hypophyses; under conditions of incubation androgen hydroxylation was realized only in the 3alpha- and 17beta-positions. Organ and sexual specificity of the androgen metabolism in the hypophyses and the epiphyses was quantitative in character: the metabolism level of all the androgens was greater in female rats than in the male both in the hypophysis and in the epiphyses; the activity of 5-reductase was lower in the epiphyses of animals of the both sexes than in the hypophyses. It appeared that in the process of biotransformation androgens in the organs under study served as precursors of the polar unidentified metabolites poorly retained by the tissues and eliminated from the organs into the incubation medium during the incubation.


Objectives Guidelines recommend against the use of Papanicolaou (Pap) or human papillomavirus (HPV) testing when determining eligibility for the HPV vaccine. Optimally, the HPV vaccine should be administered before sexual initiation. Guidelines recommend that age-eligible women with past exposure to HPV should still be vaccinated. Little is known about how primary care providers (PCPs) use sexual history and HPV and Pap tests in their HPV vaccine recommendations. Methods Data from the 2007 Cervical Cancer Screening Supplement (CCSS) administered with the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) were used to assess HPV vaccination recommendations. The CCSS investigates cervical cancer screening practices, HPV testing and HPV vaccine recommendations among PCPs. A summary measure of compliance with guidelines was defined as rarely or never using the number of sexual partners and HPV tests and Pap tests to determine vaccine receipt. A total of 421 PCPs completed the CCSS in 2007. Results Among NAMCS and NHAMCS providers who recommend the HPV vaccine, only 53% (95% CI 42% to 63%) reported making guideline-consistent recommendations. The majority reported sometimes to always recommending the HPV vaccine to women with a history of an abnormal Pap result (85%; 95% CI 75% to 91%) and a positive HPV test (79%; 95% CI 70% to 86%). Conclusions A large proportion of providers report practices that are inconsistent with guidelines. Providers may also be recommending the vaccine to women who may receive little benefit from the vaccine. Provider and system-level efforts to improve guideline-consistent practices are needed.


Abstract Experimental procedure and measured estimates of the tensile strength of snow are given by a new method utilizing large sample sizes of naturally deposited snow. Data are presented as a function of average sample density, temperature, loading rate, and snow type. The results show less scatter in the data than previous in-situ estimates and lower mean strength values as a function of density. The relevance of the data to tensile fracture as observed in slab avalanche release is discussed.


This paper analyzes the problems originating from patentability of modern agricultural biotechnology. The progressive and increasingly broad patent protection granted to such inventions, pose, in fact, serious risks in safeguarding biodiversity and protecting farmers.
In the first part of the paper - after clarifying what is meant by biotechnology, new plant varieties and genetically modified organisms - a few international instruments are taken into consideration. Since the seventies, the need to protect the environment has been an issue of increasing concern for the international community. Among the initiatives designed to benefit the environment, fundamental are those directed at the conservation of biodiversity. In this view, of particular importance is the Convention of Biological Diversity and its Protocols. Particularly interesting are the initiatives aimed at the protection of agricultural biodiversity, enshrined in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), which create a system that seems in conflict with the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
In the second part of the paper the U.S. patent system is compared with the EU patent system, with regard to the patentability of biotechnology, in particularly new plant varieties and genetically modified organisms. In this area, the U.S. patent system offers a wider protection than the European one: the second one provides a farmer's privilege, which allows farmers to conserve part of the self-reproducing patented material, in order to reuse it. The U.S. system also extends, by judicial decision, the patent protection for genetically modified plants, reducing the scope of patent exhaustion doctrine. In this system the interests of big biotechnology companies, strongly prevail over the interests of farmers, more and more depending on the firsts. A possible way to rebalance these relationships, would be the application of the patent misuse doctrine. In the Italian legal system, through the application of the abuse of economic dependence, the creation of such imbalances could be avoided.
The patentability of agricultural biotechnology poses risks to biodiversity conservation and creates a situation where agriculture depends on biotechnology companies. To this end, some authors propose the creation of an open source system.


Abstract Neurodegenerative disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was observed. We aim to clarify the risk of dementia in patients with COPD. The study used claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Subjects were those who received a discharge diagnosis of COPD between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2011. Only the first hospitalization was enrolled, and the index date was the first day of admission. Patients younger than 40 years or those with a history of Alzheimer disease (AD) or Parkinson disease (PD) before the index date were excluded. The patients with COPD were then followed until receiving a diagnosis of AD or PD, death, or the end of the study. Control subjects were selected from hospitalized patients without a history of COPD, AD, or PD and were matched according to age (±3 years), gender, and the year of admission at a 2:1 ratio. The comorbidities were measured from 1 year before the index date based on the ICD-9-CM codes. The study included 8640 patients with COPD and a mean age of 68.76 (±10.74) years. The adjusted hazard ratio of developing dementia (AD or PD) was 1.74 (95% confidence interval = 1.55–1.96) in patients with COPD compared with patients without COPD after adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities. This nationwide cohort study demonstrates that the risk of dementia, including AD and PD, is significantly increased in patients with COPD compared with individuals in the general population.


In the context of an isolated three-dimensional noninteracting fermionic lattice system, we study the effects of a sudden quantum quench between a disorder-free situation and one in which disorder results in a mobility edge and associated Anderson localization. Salient post-quench features hinge upon the overlap between momentum states and post-quench eigenstates and whether these latter states are extended or localized. We find that the post-quench momentum distribution directly reflects these overlaps. For the local density, we show that disorder generically prevents the equilibration of quantum expectation values to a steady state and that the persistent fluctuations have a nonmonotonic dependence on the strength of disorder. We identify two distinct types of fluctuations, namely, temporal fluctuations describing the time-dependent fluctuations of the local density around its time average and sample-to-sample fluctuations characterizing the variations of these time averages from one realization of disorder to another. We demonstrate that both of these fluctuations vanish for extremely extended as well as extremely localized states, peaking at some intermediate value.


Abstract The creep and shrinkage properties of polymer-coated lightweight concretes were examined. Five-hundred-dose lightweight concretes were produced by coating pumice aggregates with three different polymers (Sonomeric1: SNMC, KB Pur 214: KBP, and Polipol3455: PLP). The 3-, 7-, and 28-day compressive strength values of the obtained lightweight concrete samples were determined, and the 840-h and 12-month creep and shrinkage deformations were measured. It was found that the ductility of the SNMC- and KBP-coated concrete samples increased, while their shrinkage deformation results decreased when compared with the control samples. In contrast, the ductility of PLP concrete samples decreased and the shrinkage deformation became higher. In conclusion, the use of SNMC- and KBP-coated pumice aggregates had a positive effect on the creep and shrinkage properties of the concrete. Furthermore, it was observed that the compressive strength values of the lightweight concretes made of the coated samples were higher than those of the control sample.


The objective of this paper is to analyse the factors influencing tourists' choice of a destination and the role of High Speed Rail (HSR) systems in this choice. The methodology proposed consists in analysing two capitals in Europe, i.e. Paris and Madrid where HSR services are important, to investigate the factors influencing holidaymakers in choosing these cities, and the role of HSR in this choice. The main outcome of this paper is to show that several factors influence the choice of a tourist, like the presence of architectural sites, the quality of promotion of the destination itself, the presence of events, and also HSR services. However we found that the HSR system has affected the choice of Paris and Madrid in a different way. Concerning the French case study, HSR is considered a real transport mode alternative among tourists, therefore HSR is chosen to reach Paris as well as for revisiting it. On the other hand, Madrid is chosen by tourists irrespective on the presence of HSR, while HSR is chosen for reaching cities close to Madrid. Data collected from the two surveys have been used for a further quantitative analysis. Models have been specified and calibrated to identify the factors influencing holidaymakers to revisit Paris and Madrid and the role of HSR in this choice has been highlighted.


After gastrojejunostomy, a small space can occur between the jejunum at the anastomosis site, the transverse mesocolon, and retroperitoneum, which may cause an intestinal hernia. This report presents a rare case of intestinal ischemic necrosis caused by retroanastomotic hernia after subtotal gastrectomy. A 56-year-old male was admitted to Kangwon National University Hospital with melena, abdominal pain, and nausea. His only relevant medical history was gastrectomy due to stomach cancer. Endoscopic findings revealed subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth-II reconstruction and a bluish edematous mucosal change with necrotic tissue in afferent and efferent loops including the anastomosis site. Abdominopelvic CT showed strangulation of proximal small bowel loops due to mesenteric torsion and thickening of the wall of the gastric remnant. Emergency laparotomy was performed. Surgical findings revealed the internal hernia through the defect behind the anastomosis site with strangulation of the jejunum between 20 cm below the Treitz ligament and the proximal ileum. Roux-en-Y anastomosis was performed, and he was discharged without complication. Retroanastomotic hernia, also called Petersen's space hernia, is a rare complication after gastric surgery, cannot be easily recognized, and leads to strangulation.


The leukocyte intoxication index (LII) was examined in 292 patients with acute abscesses, pulmonary gangrenes and pneumonias. The more extended and severe the process, the higher were the LII parameters. It was the highest in patients with pulmonary gangrene, the lowest with focal pneumonia. The index is considered to represent the dynamics of the process allowing to timely diagnose the development of the disease and its complications. A simple formula of LII is proposed which makes its application easier.


In this paper we propose a new method to automatically select the rank of linear transforms during supervised learning. Our approach relies on a sparsity-enforcing element-wise soft-thresholding operation applied after the linear transform. This novel approach to supervised rank learning has the important advantage that it is very simple to implement and incurs no extra complexity relative to linear transform learning. Furthermore, we propose a simple Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) implementation suitable for large scale learning, where SGD solvers have established themselves as the default workhorse. We compare our method to various other metric learning techniques in the application of image retrieval. This is one of the remaining few areas where supervised learning of low-rank linear transforms has not been fully exploited. The main reason for this is the lack of adequate datasets that are large enough, and hence we further introduce a new dataset consisting of groups of matching images derived from Cable News Network (CNN) videos using geometric verification and manual selection to find matching frames with adequate variability.


The characterization of a physically diverse set of transiting exoplanets is an important and necessary step toward establishing the physical properties linked to the production of obscuring clouds or hazes. It is those planets with identifiable spectroscopic features that can most effectively enhance our understanding of atmospheric chemistry and metallicity. The newly commissioned LDSS-3C instrument on Magellan provides enhanced sensitivity and suppressed fringing in the red optical, thus advancing the search for the spectroscopic signature of water in exoplanetary atmospheres from the ground. Using data acquired by LDSS-3C and the Spitzer Space Telescope, we search for evidence of water vapor in the transmission spectrum of the Neptune-mass planet HAT-P-26b. Our measured spectrum is best explained by the presence of water vapor, a lack of potassium, and either a high-metallicity, cloud-free atmosphere or a solar-metallicity atmosphere with a cloud deck at ∼10 mbar. The emergence of multi-scale-height spectral features in our data suggests that future observations at higher precision could break this degeneracy and reveal the planet's atmospheric chemical abundances. We also update HAT-P-26b's transit ephemeris, t0 = 2455304.65218(25) BJDTDB, and orbital period, p = 4.2345023(7) days.


Foucault sometimes admitted and sometimes denied that he was a philosopher. 'The masked philosopher' asks what a philosopher is and ponders whether Foucault really was a philosopher. Is philosophy an academic, perhaps technical and specialist, subject? Did Foucault's work contribute to the modern (Kantian) philosophical project? Foucault's interest in philosophy comes from his interest in how contemporary philosophy fits into the general scheme of history. Philosophy should be focused not on perennial questions, but on the question of what is distinctive about our current situation. To Foucault, the difficulty is in understanding how a single, unified being can be the transcendental source of all possible knowledge at the same time as being the object of knowledge.


U.S. R&D BUDGETCongress last week sent a mostly upbeat message to researchers that it is ready to give basic science a fresh infusion of cash for the 1999 fiscal year, which officially began on 1 October. It put the finishing touches on a trio of spending bills that would give the National Science Foundation a 7% increase, science spending at the Department of Energy a 10% boost, and basic research at the Department of Defense a 6% rise. But budget bills for other agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, are still stuck in election-year wrangling as Congress rushes to adjourn this weekend.


This paper describes a 512 Mb DDR SDRAM in 110 nm technology based on a highly cost efficient 8F/sup 2/ trench capacitor cell with a double gate vertical pass transistor. The product also features a bitline voltage generator using a distributed output transistor with a power supply IR-drop correction scheme. A read/write selective column activation circuit is employed to optimize high frequency operation.


We seek to quantify and evaluate the supply (yield) response of wheat and cotton in Pakistan using cointegration analysis and annual data for 1960-96. The results reveal that wheat supply is significantly influenced by the prices of wheat, cotton and fertilizer, the percentage area under high yielding wheat varieties, and the rabi season (winter) water availability. The cotton supply is found to be significantly influenced by the real cotton price, the real fertilizer price, and the irrigated area. The wheat supply was found to be inelastic both in the short- and long-run. However, cotton supply was elastic in the long-run.


Comparing the architecture of interaction networks in space or time is essential for understanding the assembly, trajectory, functioning and persistence of species communities. Graph embedding methods, which position networks into a vector space where nearby networks have similar architectures, could be ideal tools for this purposes. Here, we evaluated the ability of seven graph embedding methods to disentangle architectural similarities of interactions networks for supervised and unsupervised posterior analytic tasks. The evaluation was carried out over a large number of simulated trophic networks representing variations around six ecological properties and size. We did not find an overall best method and instead showed that the performance of the methods depended on the targeted ecological properties and thus on the research questions. We also highlighted the importance of normalising the embedding for network sizes for meaningful posterior unsupervised analyses. We concluded by orientating potential users to the most suited methods given the question, the targeted network ecological property, and outlined links between those ecological properties and three ecological processes: robustness to extinction, community persistence and ecosystem functioning. We hope this study will stimulate the appropriation of graph embedding methods by ecologists.


Background Spain accounts for the highest antibiotic use in Europe. Different studies have reported between 30 and 50% of antibiotic treatments are inappropriate in hospital. Purpose To assess the impact of pharmaceutical interventions in controlling the duration of antimicrobial treatment and to evaluate their impact on optimising the treatment. Material and methods Prospective observational study conducted over 6 months in a tertiary level hospital. Patients with 10 days or longer, ongoing antibiotics courses were reviewed, followed by a recommendation to the physician to review the need for continued treatment. Pharmacy interventions were classified: 1. Duration of treatment compliant with the patient's clinical condition and trust guidelines; 2. Duration of treatment not supported by the antibiotic policy, but maintained due to the patient's clinical condition; and 3. Duration not appropriate, hence discontinuation of antibiotic therapy as a result of pharmacy intervention. Results 132 patients on ongoing antibiotic treatment ≥10 days were identified, 35.7% of whom were female, mean age 63 ± 16.3. In 76 cases (57%), the total duration fell into the first category, whereas in 36 and 20 cases, the duration fell into categories 2 and 3, respectively. A reduction in the number of patients on long-term antibiotics was observed since the commencement of the study: 30 patients in March 2014, 21 (April), 20 (May), 21 (June), 19 (August), and 21 (September). According to their pharmacological class, β-lactams, particularly imipenem (11%) and ceftriaxone (11%) were the group of antibiotics with the highest number of interventions, followed by quinolones, mainly levofloxacin. The most involved prescriber specialty was internal medicine (22%). Conclusion Only 15% of pharmacist interventions on antibiotic duration resulted in discontinuation of the ongoing regimen. Nevertheless, there was a positive trend towards a reduction in the overall length of antimicrobial treatment over the study period. References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.


A monoclonal antibody which blocks infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was found previously to react with the cell surface molecule CD9, implicating CD9 in the process of virus entry. We report here that inhibition by anti-CD9 antibody does not operate at the level of virus entry but at a subsequent stage in the virus life-cycle. Moreover, inhibition of infection is independent of the passage history of the virus or the virus subtype. Inhibition of FIV infection by anti-CD9 antibody does not operate in 3201 cells, which do not express this surface antigen. However, ectopic expression of CD9 on 3201 cells enhances infection with FIV, suggesting that the role of CD9 may be direct rather than via cellular signalling pathways. These results suggest a novel control point in the lentivirus life-cycle which might be susceptible to modulation by natural antagonists.


Females in many taxa experience postmating activation of their immune system, independently of any genital trauma or pathogenic attack arising from male‐female genital contact. This response has always been interpreted as a product of natural selection as it either prepares the female immune system for antigens arising from an implanted embryo (in the case of placental mammals), or is a "pre‐emptive strike" against infection or injury acquired during mating. While the first hypothesis has empirical support, the second is not entirely satisfactory. Recently, studies that have experimentally dissected the postmating responses of Drosophila melanogaster females point to a different explanation: male reproductive peptides/proteins that have evolved in response to postmating male‐male competition are directly responsible for activating particular elements of the female immune system. Thus, in a broad sense, males may be said to be immunogenic to females. Here, we discuss a possible direct role of sexual selection/sexual conflict in immune system evolution, in contrast to indirect trade‐offs with other life‐history traits, presenting the available evidence from a range of taxa and proposing ways in which the competing hypotheses could be tested. The major implication of this review is that immune system evolution is not only a product of natural selection but also that sexual selection and potentially sexual conflict enforces a direct selective pressure. This is a significant shift, and will compel researchers studying immune system evolution and ecological immunity to look beyond the forces generated by parasites and pathogens to those generated by the male ejaculate.


A steady improvement in material quality and process technology has made electronic silicon carbide devices commercially available. Both rectifying and switched devices can today be purchased from several vendors. This successful SiC development over the last 25 years can also be utilized for other types of devices, such as light emitting and photovoltaic devices, however, there are still critical problems related to material properties and reliability that need to be addressed. This contribution will focus on surface passivation of SiC devices. This issue is of utmost importance for further development of SiC MOSFETs, which so far has been limited by reliability and low charge carrier surface mobilities. Also bipolar devices, such as BJTs, LEDs, or PV devices will benefit from more efficient and reliable surface passivation techniques in order to maintain long charge carrier lifetimes. Silicon carbide material enables the devices to operate at higher electric fields, higher temperatures and in more radiation dense applications than silicon devices. To be able to utilize the full potential of the SiC material, it is therefore necessary to develop passivation layers that can sustain these more demanding operation conditions. In this presentation it will also be shown that passivation layers of Al2O3 deposited by atomic layer deposition have shown superior radiation hardness properties compared to traditional SiO2-based passivation layers.


Abstract The <1 μm fraction of a trans-vacant 1M illite (RM30) was studied by conventional and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, combined with thermogravimetric (TG, DTG) methods to investigate the structural transformation of illite at different temperatures and degrees of dehydroxylation (DT). The oriented specimens preheated at 300 and 680 °C correspond to the non-dehydroxylated (DT = 0) and completely dehydroxylated (DT = 100%) 1 M illite structures. Deviation of the basal reflection positions from rationality, expressed by the coefficient of variation of d(00l) values, progressively increase from 0.05 at DT = 4%, to 0.14 at DT = 51%, and then decrease to 0.06 at DT = 95%. Similarly, for each 00l reflection the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) shows a bell-like evolution with increasing preheating temperature. Both of these features are characteristic for mixed-layered structures. The experimental profiles of 00l reflections from the oriented partially dehydroxylated specimens perfectly matched the profiles from XRD pattern simulations calculated in terms of a mixed-layered structure in which the non-dehydroxylated (ND) and completely dehydroxylated (CD) illite layers are interstratified with a strong tendency to segregation. The content of the CD layers in the modeled mixed-layered structures of the preheated specimens show a significant linear correlation with the corresponding DT values (R2 = 0.99). In random powder XRD patterns collected with synchrotron radiation, the preheated specimens show a distinctive trend in the unit-cell parameters. However, the accuracy in determination of the unit-cell parameters at first decreases up to DT = 61% and then increases with a further increase in DT. The evolution of FWHM values of individual hkl reflections is also similar to that observed for each 00l peak from oriented sample preparations. The unexpected evolution of the unit-cell parameters during progressive dehydroxylation is explained by the interstratification of ND and CD layers in illite. The formation of the mixed-layered structures during Al-rich 1M illite dehydroxylation is in agreement with the prediction from the kinetic model of partially dehydroxylated dioctahedral 2:1 clay structures where dehydroxylation of each portion of the initial OH groups corresponds to a zero-order reaction that is independent of the structural and chemical composition. The reaction is homogeneous and during partial dehydroxylation of the illite structure, ND layers transform into the CD layers without formation of an intermediate phase. A layer-by-layer dehydroxylation mechanism is suggested for thermally induced illite structural transformation.


Urban violence in the form of ethnic and religious crises and even open warfare has been on the increase in many African cities in the recent years. Observation from literature shows that the role of intangible location attributes as mobilising agents are among the most important questions of this century as conflicts linked to ethnicity and religion have led to significant destruction of life and residential properties. Due to the number of crises in Jos metropolis over the last two decades, there has been a process of residential segregation along religious lines, dividing the city into predominantly Christian and Muslim areas. This thesis, therefore, attempts to examine the impact of intangible location attributes on the values of residential properties in Jos metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected by interviews, self-administered surveys through questionnaire and direct observation. The stratified random sampling technique was employed in order to generate the data needed for the research. 1000 respondents and 10 consultancy firms were selected among the occupiers of residential properties and estate firms respectively, which form the sample size for the research. However, out of 1000 and 120 questionnaires administered to the respondents and estate firms respectively, only 876 and 110 were retrieved back. Simple percentage distribution tables, charts, graphs, thematic analysis, photographs and narrations among others were used to analyse the data for the research. The findings of the research revealed that intangible location attributes are the main indicators that influence the values of residential properties in the study area. It has also been established through the findings of this research that the intangible attributes of location have great implication on the values of residential properties in the study area. The results of the analysis show that there is relationship between intangible location attributes and provision, availability and maintenance of neighbourhood facilities in the study area. The research has contributed immensely to the existing body of knowledge on residential property value indicators by introducing intangible location attributes as additional and new phenomena that influence the values of residential properties in the study area. The research has thrown up challenges, especially in linking the importance of intangible location attributes in determining residential property value with construction and real estate management, valuation, and project development appraisal. There is an utmost need on the part of the estate surveyors and valuers and real estate appraisers to take into account intangible location attributes when carrying out valuation or feasibility and viability appraisals respectively in the study area. There is also a need on the part of the investors and property developers to take into consideration intangible attributes of location whenever they want to embark on real estate investment to avoid wasting of capital.


A new processing route for porous b-Si3N4 –ceramics suitable as substrates for Si3N4 functionally graded materials, FGM`s with an environmental barrier coating, EBC, is described. Such materials could be useful for operation at temperatures up to 1650°C in combustion engines, where oxidation and corrosion under hydrothermal conditions cause severe damage of known dense Si3N4-ceramics. The new process is based on microwave sintering of a-Si3N4–Yb-silicate green parts to obtain up to 60% open porous b-Si3N4 pre-forms equilibrated at high temperature with respect to the RE-silicate content, followed by Si-melt infiltration. A sufficient wetting by molten silicon is achieved by coating the inner surface of the porous pre-form with amorphous carbon prior to infiltration. The influence of different green processing parameters and different heating methods - microwave heating and conventional heating – on the porosity of the pre-form is reported. Infiltration is performed by microwave heating of the carbon coated pre-forms, whereas for nitridation both heating processes are combined.


PURPOSE
To assess the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in bone stress of the pelvis and the lower extremity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Thirty patients (37 reactions; aged 17-25 years, mean 20.5 years) with MR findings of 37 bone stress reactions were examined using dynamic gadolinium contrast enhancement. The enhancement was evaluated with time-intensity curves. The highest slope and maximum enhancement values were calculated and compared with the different precontrast MR imaging signs of bone stress reactions.

RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the highest slope values between the site of the bone stress reaction and the reference points. In 24 of the 37 reactions the dynamic contrast enhancement was regarded as positive. A fracture line, callus, and muscle edema were the MR imaging signs which had a significant correlation to the dynamic contrast enhancement. Neither periosteal nor marrow changes showed any significant correlation. A new MR grading system for bone stress reactions could be assessed.

CONCLUSION
Increased tissue perfusion could be seen if precontrast MR imaging revealed callus, fracture line or muscle edema surrounding the bone stress reaction.


Manipulated news online is a growing problem which necessitates the use of automated systems to curtail its spread. We argue that while misinformation and disinformation detection have been studied, there has been a lack of investment in the important open challenge of detecting harmful agendas in news articles; identifying harmful agendas is critical to flag news campaigns with the greatest potential for real world harm. Moreover, due to real con-cerns around censorship, harmful agenda detectors must be interpretable to be effective. In this work, we propose this new task and release a dataset, N EWS A GENDAS , of annotated news articles for agenda identification. We show how interpretable systems can be effective on this task and demonstrate that they can perform comparably to black-box models.


Parental investment theory and sexual strategies theory predict that women and men should differ on many of the criteria by which they choose mates. These theories posit a gender selectivity effect, such that women should be more selective than men in their mating choices. The theories also posit an age differential effect, such that women should seek older mates, and men should seek younger mates. These two hypotheses have been supported by self-report surveys, speed-dating studies, analysis of on-line and newspaper personal ads, and laboratory analog studies. However, each of these data sources has limitations. Therefore, a new source of data may provide a valuable additional test of the robustness of these effects. The current study examined two independent sources of data involving blind dates arranged and paid for by newspapers. Consistent with the first hypothesis, we found women to be more selective than men. We also found that matchmakers tended to pair older men with younger women, consistent with the second hypothesis. However, contrary to the second hypothesis, we found no evidence that the age differential between members of a couple influenced their ratings of the date. The implications of these findings are discussed.


In the paper, we investigate two motor proteins moving along the sidesteps: a motor protein moving along a two-dimensional sidestep and another protein moving along a three-dimensional sidestep. The drift coefficients (or stationary average velocities) of these two motor proteins are calculated. We believe that our investigation of the motor proteins moving along the sidesteps in the present paper can benefit the investigation of the transport of the motor proteins to some extent.


Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) is a diagnostic term. It is used synonymously with minimal cerebral dysfunction and minimal brain damage. It implies verification of an organic cause. When a symptom is attributed to MBD, the symptom is assumed to be secondary to a cerebral structural abnormality resulting from trauma, infection, hypoxia, or other central nervous system (CNS) disease.1At least 100 clinical manifestations are listed under MBD, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, visual perception problems, dysarthria, hyperactivity, poor attention span, temper tantrums, aggression, clumsiness, and vague spells. By definition, the children have to be of normal intelligence. The prevalence of the MBD syndrome is allegedly greater than any other chronic disease. It has been estimated that 10% to 20% of the total population is affected. The current problem with the MBD syndrome is that it has become an all-encompassing, wastebasket diagnosis for any child who does not quite conform to


Microwave (MW) irradiation is often used in preparation of nanomaterials. Here, we investigate MW exfoliation patterns of intercalated fluorinated graphite (C2F) depending on the nature of the "guest". The resulting highly exfoliated graphites (multi-layer graphenes) show advantageous characteristics, as compared to the products of convective heating.


Acute lower abdominal and pelvic pain is a frequent complaint of patients in the emergency room. Usually, the condition of these patients is assessed with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US). However, the need to reduce radiation doses of as much as 20 mSv at CT, especially in younger patients and possibly pregnant patients, and the operator dependence of US have led to an increased use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to assess those patients. MR imaging shows high accuracy in these patients and can be used to establish an accurate diagnosis quickly and reliably. A short imaging protocol of about 10 minutes, without the use of an intravenous contrast agent in most cases, allows investigation of these patients. The basic imaging protocol that localizes the diseased anatomic region needs to be complemented by focused anatomic imaging of the diseased area. Although MR imaging might not be the modality of choice for all patients, it may be benefi cial for a subset of patients for whom CT is not warranted (pregnant patients or young patients) and US findings are inconclusive. In pa tients with acute abdominal and pelvic pain, the range of diseases and disorders that can be diagnosed with MR imaging is extremely broad. Therefore, MR imaging should be considered as an excellent imaging modality for the evaluation of these patients. © RSNA, 2009 • radiographics.rsna.org


Purpose This study aimed to predict the surgical outcomes of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)-related dysphagia (DISH-phagia) and to evaluate the importance of prevertebral soft tissue thickness (PVST). Materials and Methods In total, 21 surgeries (anterior osteophytectomy or anterior cervical decompression and fixation) were included in this study for DISH-phagia from 2003 to 2019. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) preoperatively, at 1 month postoperatively, and last follow up (mean 29.5 months). PVST was measured using lateral plain radiographs. Paired t-test and Spearman's correlation test was used to identify relationships between various PVST indices and DOSS. Results Comparisons were made from 17 patients out of 21, in which the record had all of three measurements. The narrowest PVST preoperatively was 2.55±0.90 mm, with a DOSS score of 4.47±1.61, and that at 1 month after surgery was 5.02±2.33 mm, with a DOSS score of 6.12±1.32. At last follow up, PVST and DOSS values were 3.78±0.92 mm and 5.82±1.34, and three patients experienced symptom relapse. Significant relationships were found between PVST and DOSS at all time points: before surgery (R=0.702, p<0.001), 1 month after surgery (R=0.539, p=0.012), and last follow up (R=0.566, p=0.020). Conclusion Surgical removal of anterior osteophytes is an effective treatment option for DISH-phagia, and PVST is a useful parameter in DISH-phagia. The goal of DISH surgery should be to remove DISH as much as possible to ensure sufficient PVST postoperatively.


The author discusses some of the problems related to the software crisis. The world needs far more software than we can produce. Clearly, the current market demands and the increasing rate of technology change create an unrelenting pressure. We face a related crisis in our workplace cultures. Many software jobs have such high stress and punishing hours that they crush morale, deplete personal lives, and compromise health. The author considers some solutions to the problems of today's software workplace.


Astronomical Light Optical Hybrid Analysis (firstname.lastname@example.com µm) is a new instrumental concept designed for high angular resolution astronomical imaging in the L Band. The originality of our experimental device is to include a frequency conversion process in each arm of the interferometer that frequency shifts the mid infrared signal to the near infrared domain. This method relaxes the stringent limitations due to the thermal noise background radiated by the instrument itself. The aim of this paper is to estimate the current sensitivity limit of the instrument and validate the ability to provide calibrated contrasts with a quasi monochromatic signal. We demonstrate the possibility to measure fringe contrasts greater than 94.5% with a signal-to-noise ratio close to 7. The flux level at the input of each arm of the interferometer is then equal to 100 fW. This would correspond to a zero magnitude star in the L Band for a 1 m 2 telescope surface and a 3 nm converted spectral bandwidth.


The electronic structures of solid solutions CuGa1−xInxTe2 are systematically investigated using the full-potential all-electron linearized augmented plane wave method. The calculated lattice parameters almost linearly increase with the increase of the In composition, which are in good agreement with the available experimental results. The calculated band structures with the modified Becke—Johnson potential show that all solid solutions are direct gap conductors. The band gap decreases linearly with In composition increasing. Based on the electronic structure calculated, we investigate the thermoelectric properties by the semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory. The results suggest that when Ga is replaced by In, the bipolar effect of Seebeck coefficient S becomes very obvious. The Seebeck coefficient even changes its sign from positive to negative for p-type doping at low carrier concentrations. The optimal p-type doping concentrations have been estimated based on the predicted maximum values of the power factor divided by the scattering time.


The United States is an outlier among democratic countries when it comes to the institutions charged with running our elections. Most other democratic countries have an independent election authority that enjoys some insulation from partisan politics in running elections. In the United States, by contrast, partisan election administration is the near-universal norm at the state level. In most states, the chief election authority — usually the Secretary of State — is elected to office as a nominee of his or her party, while in almost all the remaining states the chief election official is appointed by partisan officials. There is one conspicuous exception to the partisan character of election administration at the state level: Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board ("GAB"). Established by the Wisconsin state legislature in 2007, the GAB has responsibility for election administration, as well as enforcement of campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying laws. Its members are former judges chosen in manner that is designed to ensure that they will not favor either major party. This makes the GAB unique among state election management bodies in the U.S. Is there any hope for nonpartisan election administration in an era of intense political polarization? This article considers this question by examining and assessing the performance of Wisconsin's GAB. It concludes that the GAB has been successful in administering elections evenhandedly during its first five years of existence and, accordingly, that it serves as a worthy model for other states considering alternatives to partisan election administration at the state level. Part II discusses the origins and history of the GAB, putting it in the context of other electoral institutions in the U.S., as well as electoral institutions in other democratic countries. Part III discusses the most important election administration issues that have come before the Wisconsin GAB since its creation, including fierce partisan debates over voter registration and voter identification, errant reporting of election results in a very close state supreme court race, and contentious recall elections of the Governor and prominent state legislators. Part IV concludes by evaluating the GAB's performance during these trying times and considering whether the Wisconsin model can and should be exported to other states.


We present the fabrication of a pixels structure by a well-defined pattern replication of a micrometer template driven by a surface free-energy lithographic technique, realized by molecular aggregation in dewetting conditions and by confining the liquid solution with geometric boundaries. The organization in the solid-state of the selected thiophene-based molecular materials allows to realize a bicoloured, green and red-emitting pixels structure, by exploiting the molecular structural arrangement, induced during a dewetting process, and the great conformational flexibility of DTT7Me.


AIM
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by visceral hypersensitivity and altered bowel motility. There is increasing evidence suggesting the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of IBS, which addresses the possibility that formerly established rat model of colitis could be used as an IBS model after the inflammation subsided.

METHODS
Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 4% acetic acid in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The extent of inflammation was assessed by histological examination and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay. After subsidence of colitis, the rats were subjected to rectal distension and restraint stress, then the abdominal withdrawal reflex and the number of stress-induced fecal output were measured, respectively.

RESULTS
At 2 days post-induction of colitis, the colon showed characteristic inflammatory changes in histology and 8-fold increase in MPO activity. At 7 days post-induction of colitis, the histological features and MPO activity returned to normal. The rats at 7 days post-induction of colitis showed hypersensitive response to rectal distension without an accompanying change in rectal compliance, and defecated more stools than control animals when under stress.

CONCLUSION
These results concur largely with the characteristic features of IBS, visceral hypersensitivity and altered defecation pattern in the absence of detectable disease, suggesting that this animal model is a methodologically convenient and useful model for studying a subset of IBS.


Active Learning (AL) has been proposed as a technique to reduce the amount of annotated data needed in the context of supervised classification. While various simulation studies for a number of NLP tasks have shown that AL works well on goldstandard data, there is some doubt whether the approach can be successful when applied to noisy, real-world data sets. This paper presents a thorough evaluation of the impact of annotation noise on AL and shows that systematic noise resulting from biased coder decisions can seriously harm the AL process. We present a method to filter out inconsistent annotations during AL and show that this makes AL far more robust when applied to noisy data.


ABSTRACT Numerous initiatives are carried out across the world to support science teaching in early childhood education. However, professional development research shows that in order for teaching interventions to bring about successful changes in practice, it is key that teacher's beliefs, confidence and knowledge change. As a complement to studies showing how teachers change, this article examines why teachers adopt a pedagogical idea for teaching science in preschool. Drawing on Clarke and Hollingsworth's model for teacher professional growth, the article analyses interviews with teachers that have implemented and developed a pedagogical idea for teaching science in preschool. The results indicate that teachers adopt the pedagogical idea because it helps them to discern and build on science content in everyday practice, which they prefer to their previous way of teaching science through occasional experiments. Further the results show that teachers balance several external influences on what is good preschool pedagogy. The particular pedagogical idea eases that balancing act since it aligns with, and helps teachers to make meaning of, many of these influences.