A new approach to estimation of strong-motion attenuation relations with multiple variance components is proposed. In the terminology of Abrahamson and Youngs (1992), the attenuation relationship considered is a "mixed" model, where the regression coefficients are treated as the "fixed effects" and the components of deviations are treated as the "random effects." Following Dempster et al. (1981), an MLR procedure is adopted, which performs the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of mixed models where the fixed effects are treated as random (R) effects with infinite variance. Both the fixed and random effects are estimated in a unified framework via an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. A modification of the MLR procedure is performed to accommodate nonlinear attenuation models. Compared with other methods, our proposal requires no additional regression or searching procedures and hence is neat and simple. Explicit formulae are provided for the variance estimates of the estimated model parameters. Two types of the strong-motion prediction are discussed: the unconditional prediction without accounting for the site-specific deviation, and the conditional prediction that further incorporates that deviation. A simulation study shows that the proposed procedure yields estimates with smallest biases and least computation time, compared with the EM procedure in Brillinger and Preisler (1985) and with the two-stage method in Joyner and Boore (1993). The new method is applied to a dataset of Taiwan's ground motions for illustration. This application reveals that the site-to-site variability in this dataset is remarkable; hence, the ergodic assumption ignoring "the spatial variability of ground motions" (Anderson and Brune, 1999) may not be suitable for probabilistic seismic hazard analyses in Taiwan. Also, in this application the conditional prediction is shown to be much more accurate than the unconditional prediction.

Manuscript received 23 July 2001.


Oxamyl coated on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Elgin) seeds in solutions of 20, 40, 80, and 160 m g / m l had no serious deleterious effects on seedling emergence and growth when planted in sterile soil. Seedling emergence on day 3 was less than that of the uncoated control, but by day 7 emergence was equal to, or greater than, the control. Shoot and root growth from seed coated with oxamyl in 40 and 80 m g / m l solutions was greater than that of the control. In soil infested with soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, shoot weight of soybean plants from seeds coated with oxamyl in 80 m g / m l solution was 11 and 9% greater at weeks 3 and 7, respectively, than from uncoated seeds. Numbers of juveniles (J3 and J4) and adults o fH. glycines observed on the roots of plants f rom oxamyl-coated seeds were 83, 42, and 49% less at weeks 3, 5, and 7, respectively, than numbers on the roots of the untreated control. Numbers of J2 extracted from the roots of plants from oxamyl-coated seeds were 75% less at weeks 5 and 7 than those extracted from roots of uncoated seeds. T he numbers of J2 extracted from the soil planted to oxamyl-coated seeds were 51 and 33% less at weeks 5 and 7, respectively, than from soil planted to uncoated seed.


The British Bus industry has undergone considerable transformation since privatization. Five major operators have emerged to dominate the market, a position almost exclusively attained through acquisition. This paper reviews the economies of scale argument commonly cited for this change and gives an overview of the acquisition process. It questions whether this argument gives a complete explanation for this industry development. For 58 individual companies, the level of technical efficiency attributable to firms operating at or near the optimum level of output is examined over 5 years to determine if mergers in practice have resulted in scale economies. Technical efficiency is estimated using data envelopment analysis, under assumptions of constant and variable returns to scale. Efficiency scores are then regressed on a time trend and a merger dummy to test whether acquired firms' efficiency has significantly improved above the average. It was found that over the period, efficiency had improved. This improvement, however, cannot be wholly attributed to the achievement of economies of scale. More specifically, there has been an improvement in the internal efficiency of acquired firms and some scale economies within group companies, the latter of which may have resulted from the eradication of competition.


Four Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccoid-shaped isolates were obtained from the caecum and rectum of horses with oligofructose-induced equine laminitis. Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on these isolates. Initial biochemical profiling assigned two of the isolates to Streptococcus bovis. The other two isolates, however, could not be assigned conclusively on the basis of their biochemical profiles. Gene sequence analysis demonstrated that the four new isolates were related most closely to Streptococcus suis based on the 16S rRNA gene and to Streptococcus orisratti based on the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase gene (sodA). Sequence divergence values from recognized Streptococcus species based on these two genes were >3 and >13%, respectively, for all four isolates. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses demonstrated that the four isolates formed two distinct clonal groups that are suggested to represent two novel species of the genus Streptococcus. The names proposed for these organisms are Streptococcus henryi sp. nov. (type strain 126(T) =ATCC BAA-1484(T) =DSM 19005(T)) and Streptococcus caballi sp. nov. (type strain 151(T) =ATCC BAA-1485(T) =DSM 19004(T)).


Substantial evidence suggests that impairment of the hypothalamus–pituitary system can occur following an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Given that the diurnal cortisol rhythm is primarily controlled by the hypothalamus–pituitary system, this study examined whether changes in diurnal cortisol rhythm occurred after aSAH. Cortisol concentrations were measured in the saliva samples collected from patients after aSAH and other types of cerebral hemorrhage (non-aSAH) in the post-awakening period and at night (21:00 h), and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal cortisol decline were determined. The area under the cortisol curve from immediately after to 45 min after awakening (CARauc) in the aSAH patient group was comparable to that in the non-aSAH or healthy control groups. However, an obvious cortisol peak was not found after the awakening period, and the morning/nighttime cortisol ratio in the aSAH patient group was significantly lower than that in other examined groups due to higher nighttime cortisol concentrations. In aSAH patients, the CARauc and nighttime cortisol concentrations were negatively correlated with the Fisher CT grade. These results indicate that the diurnal cortisol rhythm is not regulated normally after aSAH, and cortisol secretory activity decreases as the volume of subarachnoid bleeding increases. Our findings will be helpful to understand altered hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis function after aSAH.


This thesis addresses four Canadian immigrant English-language prose writers in order to identify commonalities and differences in their literary representations of the immigrant experience over time. While origin and ethnicity factored in the selection of writers so as to ensure diversity, the primary selection criterion was to obtain a significant historical range, from the 1830s to the present. The writers selected are: Susanna Moodie, an immigrant from England in the mid-19th century; John Marlyn, an immigrant from Hungary in the early-20th century; Michael Ondaatje, an immigrant from Sri Lanka via England in the mid-20th century; and Rawi Hage, an immigrant from Lebanon via the US in the late-20th century. I conclude that there are significant similarities among the works of all four writers, generally attributable to their shared experience of being immigrants, and equally significant areas of divergence, generally attributable to the development of Canada, with Moodie and Marlyn on one side of an important watershed in the mid-1950s, and Ondaatje and Hage on the other. All four write extensively of the experience of the immigrant with a fundamental similarity in their depiction of isolation, non-belonging and dislocation. Over time, the representations of isolation have become more complex, mirroring the increasing diversity and complexity of Canadian society. The mid-1950s shift in Canadian immigration policy from preferred British, US, and Northern European immigration to multinational immigration has resulted in increased diversity of both the Canadian immigrant population and Canadian literature. While the environment of the immigrant to Canada changes, one constant has been and is likely to continue to be a sense of dislocation, non-belonging and isolation, of being an uninvited outsider, or survenant. Canadian literature has reflected this reality consistently for almost 200 years and will no doubt continue to do so.


Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic modality for bacterial infections. For optimizing the antibacterial activity of the photosensitizer m-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin, it has been encapsulated in mixed cationic liposomes composed of different ratios of dimyristoyl- sn-glycero-phosphatidylcholine and any of four cationic surfactants derived from l-prolinol. The delivery efficiency of the different liposomes formulations has been evaluated on a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strain (MRSA), and one of the tested formulations shows a biological activity comparable to that of the free chlorin. In order to rationalize the physicochemical parameters of the carriers that control the biological activity, the new liposome formulations have been characterized by measuring (a) the zeta potential, (b) their capability of chlorin entrapping efficiency, i.e. entrapment efficacy, (c) the effect of storage on chlorin entrapment and (d) the localization of chlorin in the bilayer. The correlation of the physicochemical and biological features of formulations has allowed us to rationalize, to some extent, some of the parameters that may control the interactions with the biological environment.


We will use the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans to study the process of meiosis, which is involved in the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs). Its small size, rapid life cycle, transparency and well-annotated genome allows researchers to track the effects of mutations that disrupt gametogenesis. Our preliminary data demonstrated that a genetic screen for mutations that increase the viability of embryos produced by worms lacking SPO-11, a critical factor regulating meiotic chromosomal inheritance, can identify genes required for the accurate transmission of the genome from one generation to the next. To further test this hypothesis, we will continue this screen to identify additional regulators of meiosis. Our results will be relevant to human genetics, since key regulators of gametogenesis are highly conserved in both worms and vertebrates. Thus, we can learn about the causes of human birth defects by examining worm development. Consequently, these mechanisms will be relevant to understanding gametogenesis in humans and may aide in preventing genetic instability. * Supported by the McNair Scholars Program


Background: In rural settings, relationships between place and self are often stronger than for urban residents, so one may expect that rural people would view dying at home as a major feature of the 'good death'. Aim: To explore the concept of the 'good death' articulated by rural patients with life-limiting illnesses, and their family caregivers. Design: Ethnography, utilising open-ended interviews, observations and field-notes. Participants: In total, 12 rural (town and farm) patients with life-limiting illnesses, 18 family caregivers and 6 clinicians, in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales, Australia, participated in this study over the course of the deaths of the patients. Interviews were transcribed and analysed with observational data using an emergent thematic process. Results: A 'safe death' was central to a 'good death' and was described as a death in which one could maintain (1) a connection with one's previous identity; (2) autonomy and control over decisions regarding management of end-of-life care and (3) not being overwhelmed by the physical management of the dying process. For all participants, the preferred place of death was the 'safe place', regardless of its physical location. Conclusion: Safety, in this study, is related to a familiar place for death. A home death is not essential for and does not ensure a 'good death'. We all have a responsibility to ensure all places for dying can deliver the 'safe death'. Future research could explore the inter-relationships between safety and preference for home or home-like places of death.


We attempt to address two key questions in this paper: 1) In terms of state-wide scaling up of rural services (in Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh) in the area of primary education, what will it cost financially and in terms of human resources to scale-up these services in all the rural areas of these two states? And 2) what policy, institutional and governance reforms may be necessary so as to ensure proper service delivery? As is well known, merely setting up more schools, for instance, is not going to be enough; higher public investments in these areas needs to be accompanied by systemic reforms that will help overhaul the present service delivery system, including issues of control and oversight, for example. Nirupam Bajpai is Senior Development Advisor and Director of the South Asia Program at CGSD. He is also a member of the UN Millennium Project. Ravindra H. Dholakia is Professor of Economics at the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad in India. Jeffrey D. Sachs is Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan. During the week of November 14, 2005, Nirupam Bajpai submitted this paper to His Excellency, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, President of India and the Honorable Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India. Nirupam Bajpai also presented and discussed this paper with Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Digvijaya Singh, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Babulal Gaur, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Vijay Singh, Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh and R Ramani, Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and several other senior civil servants in Delhi, Bhopal and Lucknow.


The rapid and violent dynamics of vapor bubbles in confined geometries offer
many potential uses in microfluidic devices without moving mechanical parts.
The performance of these devices depend strongly on the bubble dynamics. A
fundamental understanding of these entities is therefore of paramount importance
but still lacking. Theoretical investigation is difficult due to the highly
transient bubble shape, its confinement and the presence of phase change. Numerical
simulation offers a promising avenue for their study.
In this thesis a numerical method is implemented for studying vapor bubbles
in confined geometries. The method is based on a finite difference discretization
of the governing equation of the liquid phase. The vapor bubble is modeled as a
region of uniform temperature and pressure which serve as boundary conditions
for the liquid. The motion of the vapor/liquid interface is captured implicitly
by means of the Level Set method.
The numerical method is validated by means of several tests. It is shown to
be first order accurate in time and second order accurate in space. It is further
used to simulate the growth and collapse of a vapor bubble in two types of confinement.
One being a narrow tube, the other a set of parallel glass discs. The
initial liquid temperature field is an important quantity for the resulting dynamics.
This dependency is investigated. A qualitative comparison to experimental
data is made. For the disc confinement the bubble shape develops a concave
edge during collapse. This feature is corroborated by means of geometical optics
calculations and comparison with experimental data.


Significant progress has been made in self-supervised image denoising (SSID) in the recent few years. However, most methods focus on dealing with spatially independent noise, and they have little practicality on real-world sRGB images with spatially correlated noise. Although pixel-shuffle downsampling has been suggested for breaking the noise correlation, it breaks the original information of images, which limits the denoising performance. In this paper, we propose a novel perspective to solve this problem, i.e., seeking for spatially adaptive supervision for real-world sRGB image denoising. Specifically, we take into account the respective characteristics of flat and textured regions in noisy images, and construct supervisions for them separately. For flat areas, the supervision can be safely derived from non-adjacent pixels, which are much far from the current pixel for excluding the influence of the noise-correlated ones. And we extend the blind-spot network to a blind-neighborhood network (BNN) for providing supervision on flat areas. For textured regions, the supervision has to be closely related to the content of adjacent pixels. And we present a locally aware network (LAN) to meet the requirement, while LAN itself is selectively supervised with the output of BNN. Combining these two supervisions, a denoising network (e.g., U-Net) can be well-trained. Extensive experiments show that our method performs favorably against state-of-the-art SSID methods on real-world sRGB photographs. The code is available at https://github.com/nagejacob/SpatiallyAdaptiveSSID.


The disodium salt of a synthetic form of a naturally-occurring dipeptide consisting of L-glutamic acid and L-tryptophan with potential antiangiogenic and potential immunomodulating activities. Oglufanide inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which may inhibit angiogenesis. This agent has also been reported to stimulate the immune response to hepatitic C virus and intracellular bacterial infections.


This dissertation investigates card-image public access catalogues (CIPACs) – online library catalogues based on databases of digitized catalogue cards and more or less sophisticated mechanisms for browsing or searching. Solutions of this kind have been implemented by a number of libraries in various countries since the mid-1990s, mainly as inexpensive alternatives to a full retrospective conversion of their old catalogues. The general aim of the study is to build up an informed view of this area, by looking at the present spreading of CIPACs, their characteristics and navigational features, the problems and issues interconnected with their creation and implementation, and the awareness, behaviour and opinions of CIPAC users. In order to achieve these goals, several approaches were used. First, a comprehensive survey of existing CIPACs and their characteristics was undertaken; this also included the implementation and updating of an international CIPAC web-page. Second, the main issues in CIPAC creation and implementation were identified and discussed, based both on the relevant project literature and the answers of 23 libraries to a short unstructured questionnaire. Third, a webbased qualitative survey of 320 users of eleven CIPACs in four countries was conducted. The study shows that the CIPAC approach has to offer much to libraries that cannot afford to convert their large old catalogues as fast as they might wish. However, the absence of sophisticated search options, the problems that users often have with the interfaces offered for navigation, and the features of a past and mostly outdated generation of reference tools that these computerized card catalogues inherently carry suggest that they are at best acceptable as short or medium-term, but not as permanent alternatives to "real" OPACs.


The push of the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards encourages teachers to assist students with overcoming personal obstacles in the classroom. In the middle grades, young adult literature can be an outlet for students by allowing them to connect with characters similar to themselves and their life experiences. Within the middle level classroom, literature circles can address SEL needs and state standards while allowing students to work closely with their peers sharing in a discussion format in response to the same young adult novel. This research analyzed two groups of students and their oral and written responses to the young adult novel, The Outsiders. Students were given the opportunity to choose the book they wanted to read and to select the peers they wanted to make up their group. This study explored how the group dynamic can impact the manner in which students respond within the group setting. The study also examined the ways in which students ' ideas varied from the oral group discussion to a personal journal response. Students participated in literature circles for three weeks; their group discussions were recorded using an open coding system based on complexity level and text connections. Personal journal responses were completed and analyzed in comparison to discussion responses. The findings showed that students who worked with peers of their choice were more willing to open up and divulge personal information and connections to text. The research also showed that students' oral and written responses varied based on their group dynamic.


BACKGROUND
In patients with type 2 diabetes, the presence of microalbuminuria, reflecting a widespread vascular damage, can be a marker of nephropathy, retinophaty and cardiovascular diseases.

AIM
To study the relationship between microalbuminuria and the frequency, severity and outcome of retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
One hundred patients with type 2 diabetes were subjected to a clinical examination, serial monitoring of blood pressure and quarterly measurement of microalbuminuria by RIA. Annually, a fundoscopy, a color photography of the posterior pole and retinal angiofluorescence were performed. Retinopathy was classified as basal (mild to moderate), preproliferative and proliferative. Sixty-four normoalbuminuric patients (urinary albumin of less than 30 mg/24 h) were included in group 1 and 36 patients with a urinary albumin over 30 mg/24 h in group 2. Fifty seven patients with normal blood pressure were randomly treated with enalapril or placebo and those with hypertension received enalapril or acebutolol to normalize blood pressure.

RESULTS
Sixty one percent of group 1 patients and 41% of group 2 patients has retinopathy (p < 0.05). The retinal lesions were proliferative in 41% of group 2 patients and in 8% of group 1 patient (p < 0.05). Retinopathy was present in 67% of hypertensive patients of group 2 and in 41% of hypertensive patients of group 1. An unfavorable evolution of retinopathy was observed in 22% of group 2 patients and in 5% of group 1 patient (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
In type 2 diabetic patients, the presence of microalbuminuria is a prediction of a higher frequency, severity and dismal evolution of diabetic retinopathy (Rev Méd Chile 2000; 128: 1085-92).


Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with an estimate incidence of about 2 million new cases per year. Among all lung cancers, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most frequent (nearly 85%) with a 5-year survival of about 25% when all stages are considered.NSCLCs are frequently mutated in KRAS or STK11/LKB1 and co-mutation is often reported. Considering the key role of STK11/LKB1 in controlling cell metabolism, we hypothesized that NSCLC harboring mutations in this gene could be vulnerable to metabolic stresses. Different studies in the last years have highlighted how is possible to interfere with cancer metabolism using metformin and caloric restriction.Our work aimed at investigating the role of metabolic stress in determining response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy in LKB1 mutated NSCLC model.
 Methods: For isolation of cell lines with the genetic backgrounds, nodules from lungs of KRASG12D/LKB1wt and KRASG12D/LKB1mut transgenic mice were used. Stabilized cell lines were then inoculated intramuscularly in immunocompetent mice and treated with chemotherapy alone (cisplatin) or in combination with metformin and caloric restriction. Caloric restriction consisted of 36 hours of fasting every week for three weeks. Metformin was administered daily for the entire experiment while cisplatin was given once a week for three weeks.
 Results: We started our in vivo experiments comparing the response of the tumors characterized by the mutation in KRASG12D or the co-mutation KRASG12D/LKB1mut. The results indicate that the addition of metformin and caloric restriction improve the activity of cisplatin in both tumors but a stronger effect was detected in tumors presenting the deletion of LKB1. In fact, only in the latter group, the effect of the combination lasted beyond the end of the treatment slowing down the tumor growth. The different combinations were well tolerated. Molecular analysis on tumor samples run in parallel are in progress.
 Conclusion: Our in vivo preliminary studies confirm our hypothesis that the addition of the caloric restriction and metformin is able to improve the antitumor activity of the cisplatin without increasing the treatment toxicity in tumors characterized by the co-mutations of KRASG12D/LKB1mut. Further investigations are ongoing on the role of metabolic stress in addition to the immunotherapy (using anti PD-1 antibody as immunocheckpoint inhibitor).
 Citation Format: Gloriana Ndembe, Mirko Marabese, Ilenia Intini, Alessandra Fabbri, Massimo Moro, Mario Occhipinti, Elisa Sottotetti, Giuseppe Lo Russo, Monica Ganzinelli, Massimo Broggini. The effect of metabolic alterations on chemo-immunotherapy response in non-small-cell lung cancer model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2380.


in group A and B, respectively. Sensibility, specificity, PPV and NPV predictive value for endometrial preand malignant lesions were 94%, 97%, 96%, 95% and 86%, 100%, 100%, 97% for group A and B, respectively. Patients reported significant less pain by using the Lollo-cath (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sonohysterography with endometrial sampling performed by using the Lollo-cath proved to be more tolerable but less accurate than the 14Fr. The Lollo-cath should be considered the second best catheter for a sono-bioptic triage in post-menopause. Inadequate samples should undergo hysteroscopy.


Introduction This article reviews the evolution of cartilage regeneration therapeutic approaches from two-step cell-based autologous chondrocyte implantation procedures to current one-step cell-free scaffold-assisted cartilage repair approaches for chondral cartilage repair. In particular, our research is focused on clinical data about commercially available cell-free implants used in regenerative medicine approaches for the treatment of chondral cartilage defects. Discussion Chondral cartilage lesions do not heal spontaneously and may progress to severe osteoarthritis. For cartilage repair, a variety of surgical techniques have been established over the years. Further research led to the development of current new one-step cell-free scaffold-assisted cartilage repair approaches based on the experience with scaffold materials in previous two-step autologous chondrocyte implantation procedures. Commercially available scaffold-based products for one-step chondral cartilage repair have been recently tested in first case series and showed promising clinical outcome in the short-term follow-up; however, medium- and long-term comparative studies are necessary to evaluate the regenerative potential of this new one-step cartilage repair procedure and to demonstrate its superiority over or adequacy to traditional approaches. Conclusion This critical review summarises the development from two-step cell-based autologous chondrocyte implantation procedures to new onestep cell-free cartilage repair and discusses the first clinical outcome of commercially available cell-free implants. This new approach, based on the principle of cell ingrowths and guidance towards tissue repair, showed promising first clinical results and is considered as an effective and safe treatment option for chondral cartilage repair.


Abstract:This essay takes as its starting point the problem posed by the increasing number of literary archives of the papers of postcolonial writers that have been acquired by American and European academic institutions. After registering the ethical problems posed by this trend, I argue that the existence of such archives represents an opportunity for postcolonial studies to interrogate its own archival politics in relation to constructions of literary value. Using the Amos Tutuola Collection (located at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin) as a case study, I demonstrate that while this archive's form makes certain claims for its value, a study of the author's letters, manuscripts, and documents contained therein suggests that alternative values are latent within the Collection. I discuss how these values differ from those typically sought by postcolonial critics and conclude by considering how a hypothetical digitized Tutuola collection might allow for the realization of new values. Inquiry into forms of value—and not simply the identification of existing literary ones—is, I suggest, an important aspect of the continued relevance of writers' collections to postcolonial studies.


Abstract Background Bedaquiline improves treatment outcomes in patients with rifampin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis but prolongs the QT interval and carries a black-box warning from the US Food and Drug Administration. The World Health Organization recommends that all patients with RR tuberculosis receive a regimen containing bedaquiline, yet a phase 3 clinical trial demonstrating its cardiac safety has not been published. Methods We conducted an observational cohort study of patients with RR tuberculosis from 3 provinces in South Africa who received regimens containing bedaquiline. We performed rigorous cardiac monitoring, which included obtaining electrocardiograms in triplicate at 4 time points during bedaquiline therapy. Participants were followed up until the end of therapy or 24 months. Outcomes included final tuberculosis treatment outcome and QT interval prolongation (QT prolongation), defined as any QT interval corrected by the Fridericia method (QTcF) >500 ms or an absolute change from baseline (ΔQTcF) >60 ms. Results We enrolled 195 eligible participants, of whom 40% had extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Most participants (97%) received concurrent clofazimine. Of the participants, 74% were cured or successfully completed treatment, and outcomes did not differ by human immunodeficiency virus status. QTcF continued to increase throughout bedaquiline therapy, with a mean increase (standard deviation) of 23.7 (22.7) ms from baseline to month 6. Four participants experienced a QTcF >500 ms and 19 experienced a ΔQTcF >60 ms. Older age was independently associated with QT prolongation. QT prolongation was neither more common nor more severe in participants receiving concurrent lopinavir-ritonavir. Conclusions Severe QT prolongation was uncommon and did not require permanent discontinuation of either bedaquiline or clofazimine. Close monitoring of the QT interval may be advisable in older patients.


A new style of layered tuff deposit in the SW of Oldoinyo Lengai's active crater consists of bedded spherical lapilli 8–12 mm in diameter with hollow cores and vesicular rims. Lapilli of this type have not previously been reported from extrusive carbonatites and similar deposits are apparently unreported amongst siliceous pyroclastics. Some lapilli are solid and are either vesicular throughout or contain vitreous crystal cores. A mechanism for the eruption and a sequential model for the formation of hollow lapilli are suggested.


Background and Aims: Reduced inhalational anaesthetic requirement in end-stage liver disease during living donor orthotopic liver transplantation (LD-OLT) is due to increased endogenous opioids. This study evaluated the changes in bi-spectral index (BIS) monitored end-tidal desflurane (ETDes) requirements during 'dissection', 'anhepatic', and 'neohepatic' phases of LD-OLT. Methods: This prospective, cohort study included 40 adults undergoing LD-OLT under general anaesthesia (GA). All patients received BIS-guided desflurane GA. ETDesrequirements in three phases of LD-OLT (primary objective); relationship between inhalational anaesthetic requirements and severity of liver disease; and effect of changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and body temperature on ETDesconcentration for all three phases were also evaluated. Results: ETDesduring the 'dissection' phase (2.92 ± 0.65%) was > 'anhepatic' (2.68 ± 0.85%, P= 0.049) and 'neohepatic' phases (2.58 ± 0.71%, P= 0.005). Patients with model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score < 20 returned significantly greater ETDesthan those with MELD score ≥20 during the 'dissection' (MELD <20: 3.11 ± 0.49%; MELD ≥20: 2.58 ± 0.77%, P= 0.01) and 'anhepatic'(MELD <20: 2.96 ± 0.76%; MELD ≥20: 2.17 ± 0.79%, P= 0.003) phases. A positive correlation was observed between ETDes(r = 0.584, P= 0.001) and temperature in the 'dissection' phase only. Conclusion: In patients undergoing LD-OLT, BIS monitoring guidance of depth of desflurane GA suggests lower desflurane requirements during 'anhepatic' and the 'neohepatic' phase of surgery. Also, the desflurane requirement is greater in patients with lesser severity of liver disease.


Fatigue damage becomes an emerging problem in lots of concrete structures which will subject to cyclic loadings during their working life. This paper presents a study on interfacial shear fatigue performance of a high-strength concrete structure strengthened by carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) plate, which has been established as an effective method for rehabilitation and strengthening of concrete structures. Based on the static test, a new experimental investigation of the shear fatigue performance along the concrete-plate interface under the low cycle fatigue load in the condition of R=0.1 is presented. The main variable is the concrete strength. Compared with the static ultimate strength, fatigue strength decreases. Therefore, a safety factor of the fatigue strength at the interface of CFRP and concrete should be applied in design.


In the present work Mg-Li-X alloys with different alloying are investigated and the studies are focus on the stability of microstructures and properties of β base Mg-13Li-X alloys. The alloying elements concerned are aluminum, zinc, zirconium, rare earth. The microstructure and corresponding mechanical properties are examined with the aid of DSC analyses, X-ray diffraction and OM observation. The results showed that the hardening effect and the stability of the alloys varied with different addition of aluminum, zinc, zirconium, rare earth elements. The mechanical properties of the alloys greatly depend on the additional elements.


Spanning 12 million hectares, Wyoming rangelands produce food and provide other vital ecosystem services. However, the decision-making process of the ranchers who steward these lands is complex and poorly understood. In cooperation with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA)—a predominant agricultural organization in the state—we asked WSGA producer members about their goals, ranching operation characteristics, and management practices via a mail survey. A total of 307 ranchers (50%) responded to the survey. Livestock production and forage production were the top management goals, with ecosystem characteristics that support these goals (e.g., soil health, water quality) tied for second. Survey respondents' ranches had a median size of 4220 hectares, but ranged up to 185,000 hectares; 71% of operations included public land and 60% included private leased land. The majority of reporting operations grazed cow-calf pairs (91%), with a median of 260 pairs per ranch. Most survey respondents managed grazing by moving 1 - 5 herds of livestock (84%) among two or more pastures (92%) after three months of grazing or less (87%). Most operations (74%) included other resource use activities, with extractive recreation (e.g., hunting; 55%), conventional energy development (23%), and other agricultural production (20%) most common. Survey respondents primarily got information about grazing management from other ranchers (97%), although they preferred to receive information through print publications (69%). Wyoming ranching operations are diverse, which may represent a challenge for policy makers designing programs and incentives to increase production of food and ecosystem services. However, efforts that focus on livestock and forage production and supporting ecosystem functions are likely to find synergies with ongoing management goals and strategies. A multi-pronged outreach and education approach using several different media sources may be most effective as new policies and management practices become available.


ABSTRACT The theoretical framework of complexity is beginning to attract wider attention in research on the armed forces, and consequently the views of those who face complexity on the ground should be explored in more detail. Failure to do so risks complexity remaining only a top-level theory lacking adequate connection to practice. This article seeks to address this issue through analyzing the views of Finnish military officers. Data for the research were gathered using a deliberation and data collection method called a security café. A total of 74 people, most of them holding the rank of captain in the army or air force or lieutenant senior grade in the navy, attended the security café. The data used in this research were elicited from 47 idea rating sheets, evaluated during the security café, and include both quantitative and qualitative data. The article analyzes those data to address the following questions in relation to the theoretical framework of the article: What kind of perceptions of the complexity of the security environment do officers hold? What kind of practices do officers consider fit the presumed complexity of the security environment?


We agree with the points raised by Hyder. It is important to design programs that effectively communicate injury prevention messages to people with lower incomes, limited literacy, or limited access to media. We think that community participation in program design and evaluation is a key to accomplishing this. Any intervention, domestic or abroad, in low- or high-income communities, should begin with formative evaluation to determine literacy needs, community resources, and credible and accessible sources of information. Involving members of the population one is trying to reach is critical. Proven strategies should be modified or adapted for different settings or countries and evaluated in those settings. In our study, the goal was to increase child rear seating in conjunction with proper restraint use by reinforcing educational messages with incentives for positive behavior. We made special attempts to reach lower-income segments of the population through collaboration with existing community organizations, including those that primarily serve low-income residents. The community task force formulated much of the intervention design. Focus groups and interviews with members of the target population were used to test for appropriateness of materials and distribution channels. The greater improvement at observation sites in higher-income areas was unexpected, given the level of community participation and our formative research. We are unable to assess whether the difference in impact is because our message did not reach as many of the families we observed in lower-income areas or because the families we observed in higher-income areas were more likely to change their behavior. However, even if the direct impact of an intervention is greater in higher-income areas, programs that take a participatory approach to design and implementation can have indirect or unanticipated benefits in addition to changing the intended behavior. Organizing the community to address a specific issue allows people and organizations to collaborate in new ways. Building these relationships can strengthen the communityA¢??s capacity for addressing other issues. Through surveys and informal observations, we learned that members of our community task force began to extend their relationships beyond the project and were collaborating on other injury prevention, health promotion, and community-building projects. We think that a participatory approach can be effective regardless of the country in which the intervention takes place, the target audience, or the injury topic being addressed.


It is recognised that patients with chronic disease are unable to remembercorrectly information provided by health care profesionals. The teach-back method is acknowledgedas a technique to improve patients' understanding. Yet it is not used in nursing practice in Vietnam.

Objectives

This study sought to examine knowledge background of heart failure among cardiac nurses, introduce a education about heart failure self-management and the teach-back method to assist teaching patients on self-care. The study also wanted to explore if a short education could benefit nurses' knowledge so they would be qualified to deliver education to patients.

Methods

A pre/post-test design was employed. Cardiac nurses from 3 hospitals (Vietnam National Heart Institute, E Hospital, Huu Nghi Hospital) were invited to attend a six-hour educational session which covered both the teach-back method and heart failure self-management. Role-play with scenarios were used to reinforce educational contents. The Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale was used to assess nurses' knowledge of heart failure at baseline and after the educational session.

Results

20 nurses from3 selected hospitals participated. Average age was 34.5±7.9 years and years of nursing experience was 11.6±8.3. Heart failure knowledge score at the baseline was 12.7±1.2 and post education was 13.8±1.0. There was deficiency of nurses knowledge regarding fluid restriction among heart failure people, causes of worsening heart failure. Heart failure knowledge improved significantly following the workshop (p < 0.001). All nurses achieved an overall adequate knowledge score (≥11 of the maximum 15) at the end. 100% of nurses agreed that the teach-back method was effective and could be used to educate patients about heart failure self-management.

Conclusions

The results of this study have shown the effectiveness of the piloteducaiton in increasing nurses' knowledge of heart failure. The teach-back method is accepted for Vietnamese nurses to use in routine cardiac practice.


Transportation of horticultural products from Africa to Europe entails numerous challenges. This study of a large European importer of perishable goods in The Netherlands presents complexities of the physical flows of the goods along with information flows related to the goods. Throughout the journey of horticultural products public and private stakeholders in different countries contribute to the production and exchange of data, information, and heavy load. Based on data from a longitudinal research project focusing on global supply-chains the paper aims at providing a mapping of the numerous actors which contribute to the journey of the goods as well as the production of information travelling with the goods. The objective of the mapping is to illustrate the complexity of the infrastructure including the potentially overlapping and competing digital infrastructures of private and public actors. The mapping serves as a tool for highlighting aspects which challenge the forming of governance structures for information infrastructures in international trade where transparency of processes are crucial for a successful outcome of the transactions. The study suggests that at present international transporting of horticultural products from the grower to the consumer is dependent of a patch worked digital infrastructure.


This study is an attempt to document the hydraulic characteristics of the Orashi channel and to analyze its similarity or otherwise to other channels. Results show that the Orashi River has a general increase in width, depth and discharge downstream while velocity decreased downstream and that the exponents for the hydraulic geometry of the Orashi are; 1.08, 0.52, and -0.56 respectively for exponents b, f and m. These results are quite different from theoretically derived estimates. The relationship between the channel processes operating in the Orashi catchment and its morphology differs rather markedly from earlier studies and generalizations. While it attains some measure of channel equilibrium between morphology and hydrology, the Orashi channel is not well adjusted to the 'normal' flow of the hydrologic regimen. This may be explained by the presence of the Oguta Lake which acts as a local base level and the flow of the Orashi into the alluvial plains of the River Niger which affects considerably the morphologic and hydrologic character of the Orashi. Also, bed-load analysis of Orashi channel sediments indicated that 79% of material transported by the river is finer than the 300 micron and this highly cohesive nature of the Orashi channel perimeter sediments contributes significantly in influencing the (F) ratio of the Orashi channel. KeyWords : Orashi, Drainage basins, watershed morphology, morphometric analysis, Nigeria


The paper reviews the available literature on the microbiology of traditional Ethiopian foods and beverages. The topic on milk and dairy products deals with the livestock resource of the country with respect to the microbiological quality of raw and processed milk, processing and microbial status of various fermented milks ('Ergo', 'Itutu'), traditional cottage cheese ('Ayib') and microbiological safety of milk and dairy products. Under traditional fermented foods, the microbiology of 'Enjerra' fermentation, 'Kotcho' fermentation and the fermentation of various condiments are discussed. Microbiological safety issues and spoilage of these products are also addressed. Discussion on the microbiology of traditional fermented beverages deals with popular products such as 'Tella', 'Borde' and 'Shamita'. Here, the nutritional and other chemical properties of the products are also presented. Some ready-to-eat foods are discussed with respect to their level of microbial contamination, spoilage and their importance in food-borne diseases. These include different traditional sauces, street foods and weaning foods. Finally, microbial load and safety considerations were addressed with respect to other food products such as beef, fish, vegetables, fruits and fruit juices. In conclusion, the review discusses the nature of food preparation in Ethiopia, food loss due to poor traditional household processing, the extent and limitations of scientific work done so far and suggests some recommendations to curb the problem.
Key words/phrases: Traditional food, beverages, fermentation, spoilage, safety
SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol.25(1) 2002: 97-140


We use the term ubiquitous supercomputing to refer to systems that integrate low- and mid-range computing systems, advanced networks, and remote high-end computers with the goal of enhancing the computational power accessible from local environments. Such systems promise to enable new applications in areas as diverse as smart instruments and collaborative environments. However, they also demand tools for transporting code between computers and for establishing flexible, dynamic communication structures. In this article, we propose that these requirements be satisfied by introducing Java classes that implement the global pointer and remote service request mechanisms defined by a communication library called Nexus. Java supports transportable code; Nexus provides communication support and represents the core communication framework for Globus, a project building infrastructure for ubiquitous supercomputing. We explain how this NexusJava library is implemented and illustrate its use with examples.


Shakespeare for Today Five of the great dramatist's plays most frequently studied in high schools arc here assembled under a plan of editing that brings out the essential values of these works, whether they be read for enjoyment, studied for comprehension, or given on the stage. The text has been, as the editors say, "arranged rather than abridged." Great pains have evidently been taken to sacrifice nothing of importance to understanding or continuity. A bit of discreet touching up of antiquated pronouns and other forms has been done, along with some needful punctuation. Notes arc informal and clarifying. The plays included arc: A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and The Merchant of Venice. The volume furnishes an attractive and auspicious setting for a svmpathetic meeting between the Avon poet and young Americans of Today. SHAKESPEARE FOR TODAV. By Leroy Phillips and Mnry M. Crawford.Yonkers on Hudson: World Book Company.


The photoproduction of hydrogen from water and sunlight represents an attractive means of artificial energy conversion for a world still largely dependent on fossil fuels. A practical technology for producing sun-derived hydrogen remains an unachieved goal, however, and is dependent on developing a better understanding of the key reaction, the oxidation of water to dioxygen. The molecular complexity of this process is such that sophisticated transition metal complexes, which can access low-energy reaction pathways, are considered essential as catalysts. Complexes based on Mn, Co, Ir, and Ru have been described recently; a variety of ligands and nuclearities that comprise many complex topologies have been developed, but very few of them have been studied from a mechanistic perspective. One step in particular needs to be understood and better characterized for the transition-metal-catalyzed oxidation of water to dioxygen, namely, the circumstances under which the formation of O-O bonds can occur. Although there is a large body of work related to the formation of C-C bonds promoted by metal complexes, the analogous literature for O-O bond formation is practically nonexistent and just beginning to emerge. In this Account, we describe the sparse literature existing on this topic, focusing on the Ru-aqua complexes. These complexes are capable of reaching high oxidation states as a result of the sequential and simultaneous loss of protons and electrons. A solvent water molecule may or may not participate in the formation of the O-O bond; accordingly, the two main pathways are named (i) solvent water nucleophilic attack (WNA) and (ii) interaction of two M-O units (I2M). Most of the complexes described belong to the WNA class, including a variety of mononuclear and polynuclear complexes containing one or several Ru-O units. A common feature of these complexes is the generation of formal oxidation states as high as Ru(V) and Ru(VI), which render the oxygen atom of the Ru-O group highly electrophilic. On the other hand, only one symmetric dinuclear complex that undergoes an intramolecular O-O bond formation step has been described for the I2M class; it has a formal oxidation state of Ru(IV). A special section is devoted to Ru-OH(2) complexes that contain redox active ligands, such as the chelating quinone. These ligands are capable of undergoing reversible redox processes and thus generate a complex but fascinating electron-transfer process between the metal and the ligand. Despite the intrinsic experimental difficulties in determining reaction mechanisms, progress with these Ru complexes is now beginning to be reported. An understanding of recent successes, as well as pitfalls, is essential in the search for a practical water oxidation catalyst.


Parapsychology will only be accepted as part of mainstream science if physics can be extended to accommodate at least some so-called psychic phenomena. This paper disagrees with the argument of Reber and Alcock that these phenomena can be excluded a priori because they are incompatible with physics. On the other hand, it agrees with their claim that the phenomena cannot be explained in terms of current physics (eg. relativity theory and quantum theory). Rather one needs an extension of physics which amalgamates these theories, this being an aim of mainstream physics anyway, with the new theory also linking to consciousness if this is regarded as a fundamental rather than incidental feature of the universe. One possible extension involves the idea that perceptual space and physical space are amalgamated as part of a 5-dimensional reality structure, the extra dimension being associated with mental (rather than physical) time. Such a model may be required to accommodate even normal mind and incorporating further dimensions might then allow some paranormal phenomena. This could also relate to the extra dimensions invoked in some models of particle physics.


Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of the most challenging problems in modern oncology. Creation of drugs inhibiting specifically intracellular signal tracks which being activated in its turn lead to oncogenes hyperexpression and inactivating other genes responsible for suppression of oncogenes, leading eventually to a cell's constant proliferation. This method is a new approach for cancer treatment. Nowadays homogeneous antibodies are widely used against superficial lymphocyte antigens. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 antibody fixed on the surface of malignant cells of most B-small cell lymphomas. In the department of systematic tumors at the institute of oncology of Medical Academy of Sciences a patient with large diffuse B-cell lymphomas had received Rituximab treatment. After the treatment, laboratory data and clinical investigation of the patient showed no signs of the disease. The patient was under observation at the institute of oncology of Medical Academy of Sciences over one year and found clinically, and according to its laboratory data, in a stable remission state.


A novel technique is developed to identify equatorial waves in analyses and forecasts. In a real-time operational context, it is not possible to apply a frequency filter based on a wide centered time window due to the lack of future data. Therefore, equatorial wave identification is performed based primarily on spatial projection onto wave mode horizontal structures. Spatial projection alone cannot distinguish eastward- from westward-moving waves, so a broadband frequency filter is also applied. The novelty in the real-time technique is to off-center the time window needed for frequency filtering, using forecasts to extend the window beyond the current analysis. The quality of this equatorial wave diagnosis is evaluated. First, the "edge effect" arising because the analysis is near the end of the filter time window is assessed. Second, the impact of using forecasts to extend the window beyond the current date is quantified. Both impacts are shown to be small referenced to wave diagnosis based on a centered time window of reanalysis data. The technique is used to evaluate the skill of the Met Office forecast system in 2015–18. Global forecasts exhibit substantial skill (correlation > 0.6) in equatorial waves, to at least day 4 for Kelvin waves and day 6 for westward mixed Rossby–gravity (WMRG), and meridional mode number n = 1 and n = 2 Rossby waves. A local wave phase diagram is introduced that is useful to visualize and validate wave forecasts. It shows that in the model Kelvin waves systematically propagate too fast, and there is a 25% underestimate of amplitude in Kelvin and WMRG waves over the central Pacific.


Amphibian species diversity was investigated within the lowland mixed-dipterocarp forest of the proposed extension of the Bukit Teraja Protection Forest (BTPF), Brunei Darussalam in north-west Borneo. A combination of both visual encounter and acoustic sampling techniques were conducted opportunistically as well as in six selected stream transects, each containing five 5x10m plots. A total of 39 species of frogs from seven families (Bufonidae, Ceratobatrachidae, Dicroglossidae, Megophryidae, Microhylidae, Ranidae, and Rhacophoridae) were identified from the BTPF. Most notably, four new records for Brunei were discovered: Hylarana nicobariensis, Kaloula baleata, Limnonectes malesianus, and Microhyla perparva. This brings the total number of amphibian species in Brunei Darussalam to 84. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that out of 13 measured environmental variables maximum stream depth and % soil/sand of ground cover were significantly correlated with anuran assemblage composition. Species overlap between the proposed extension of the Bukit Teraja Protection Forest and the Ulu Temburong National Park (UTNP) determined by the coefficient of biogeographic resemblance (CBR) showed low species complementarity between these two regions. This emphasizes the need to upgrade the proposed extension of the BTPF to a protection forest to ensure the conservation of regional amphibian biodiversity.


Service level in the call center is calculated based on the number of calls answered during the certain time intervals compared to the total number of calls received. The measurement of service level on the call center operator starts when the caller presses the menu to talk to the  operator on interactive voice response (IVR) menu, and is expressed as a percentage. The higher expected percentage of service level will be higher the needs of operator in the services.  Regulation in Indonesia determines service level for the call center of Basic Telephony Services is in the amount of more than or equal to 90% in 30 seconds. The author uses a business approach to the operational of the call center to analyze existing statutory data. Through the comparative method between operator occupancy and the costs required for the operation of call center using supply and demand curve, the optimum service level value at the call center of Basic Telephony Services can be known, which is 85% in 25 seconds. This means that 85% of incoming calls must be answered by the operator with a maximum waiting time of 25 seconds.


Burleigh et al. report a STING-independent DNA sensing pathway in human cells that relies on DNA-PK. Sensing DNA sans STING Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) plays a central role in sensing intracellular DNA in mammalian cells. By studying the ability of adenoviral oncoprotein E1A to repress DNA sensing in human cells, Burleigh et al. have found a STING-independent intracellular DNA sensing pathway that relies on DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). They report that DNA-PK–dependent DNA sensing pathway is not activated by cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP), a cyclic dinucleotide synthesized that is sensed by STING. Furthermore, DNA-PK–dependent DNA sensing is intact in STING-deficient cells. In-depth molecular characterization of this pathway is needed to understand how DNA-PK and STING-dependent DNA sensing pathways function in tandem to sense and respond to intracellular DNA. Detection of intracellular DNA by the cGAS-STING pathway activates a type I interferon-mediated innate immune response that protects from virus infection. Whether there are additional DNA sensing pathways, and how such pathways might function, remains controversial. We show here that humans—but not laboratory mice—have a second, potent, STING-independent DNA sensing pathway (SIDSP). We identify human DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) as the sensor of this pathway and demonstrate that DNA-PK activity drives a robust and broad antiviral response. We show that the E1A oncoprotein of human adenovirus 5 and the ICP0 protein of herpes simplex virus 1 block this response. We found heat shock protein HSPA8/HSC70 as a target for inducible phosphorylation in the DNA-PK antiviral pathway. Last, we demonstrate that DNA damage and detection of foreign DNA trigger distinct modalities of DNA-PK activity. These findings reveal the existence, sensor, a specific downstream target, and viral antagonists of a SIDSP in human cells.


Typical model curricula in engineering disciplines assume that training in communication will occur early in the student's academic career in the course taken to meet the general liberal arts requirements of the university. This paper argues that this assumption defines communication as a preliminary skill to be learned as a prelude to technical study. An alternative view perceives increasing sophistication in the technical disciplines as requiring a simultaneous increase in sophistication in communication. The Program in Scientific and Technical Communication at the University of Washington is designed according to the latter view. The courses address the needs of engineers as these needs emerge and change across the academic and professional life of the engineer.


Abstract:This paper examines cosmopolitanism in Teju Cole's Every Day is for the Thief (2007) and Open City (2011). The protagonists of both texts maintain cosmopolitan identities largely by embracing an international literary culture in which elite cosmopolitan fiction relays the experiences of marginalized cosmopolitan subjects such as migrant workers and refugees. The texts, however, suggest the parochialism of the protagonists' cosmopolitan sensibilities by introducing characters who possess creative resilience and language skills that the protagonists lack. Cole's texts thus foreground the limits of a literary cosmopolitanism that privileges Anglophone fiction published in New York and London and gesture toward alternative literary cosmopolitanisms notable for their linguistic and geographical diversity, if not their glamour. Although Farouq and the "yahoo boys" aspire to membership in an elite cosmopolitan culture, their lives are non-spectacular and relatively immobile. Cole's texts value a cosmopolitan literariness that neither hails from the intellectual cosmopolitan elite nor takes the dispossessed cosmopolitan migrant for its subject.


type="main"> This article argues that the trends normally linked with the second demographic transition (SDT) may be reversed as the gender revolution enters its second half by including men more centrally in the family. We develop a theoretical argument about the emerging consequences of this stage of the gender revolution and review research results that bear on it. The argument compares the determinants and consequences of recent family trends in industrialized societies provided by two narratives: the SDT and the gender revolution in the public and private spheres. Our argument examines differences in theoretical foundations and positive vs. negative implications for the future. We focus primarily on the growing evidence for turnarounds in the relationships between measures of women's human capital and union formation, fertility, and union dissolution, and consider evidence that men's home involvement increases union formation and fertility and decreases union instability. Although the family trends underlying the SDT and the gender revolution narratives are ongoing and a convincing view of the phenomenon has not yet emerged, the wide range of recent research results documenting changing, even reversing relationships suggests that the gender approach is increasingly the more fruitful one.


Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, modulates the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins, fibronectin and laminin and the adhesion of Moser colon cancer cells to these glycoproteins. Since adhesion can be altered through expression of cell‐surface receptors, binding affinities of adhesion molecules for receptors, or both, we investigated the effect of TGF‐β1, on the binding properties of fibronectin and laminin to their cell‐surface receptors by saturation binding and Scatchard analyses using radiolabeled fibronectin and laminin. Fibronectin bound to its cell‐surface receptor with high affinity (Kd = 1.25 × 10−9 M), Moser cells had approximately 7.1 × 104 fibronectin‐binding sites per cell. TGF‐β1 treatment rapidly up‐modulated the number of cell‐surface fibronectin‐binding sites by 1.9‐fold. The binding affinity of fibronectin for the receptor, however, was not altered. Laminin was found to bind to a higher‐affinity and a lower‐affinity receptor. Moser cells expressed approximately 1.1 × 103 higher‐affinity laminin‐binding sites and approximately 3.1 × 10 lower‐affinity‐binding sites per cell. TGF‐β1 rapidly increased the expression of the higher‐affinity sites 3‐fold and the lower‐affinity sites 5‐fold. The binding affinity of both the higher‐affinity and lower‐affinity laminin receptors increased 3‐fold after 2 and 6 hr of TGF‐β1 treatment respectively. Concurrent with receptor modulation, TGF‐β1 induced the secretion of fibronectin and laminin from Moser cells. Northern hybridization analyses showed a concurrent stimulation of the expression of the mRNAs for ligands (fibronectin and laminin) and the mRNAs for the integrin species of the fibronectin and laminin receptors (α5 and α6 subunits). Thus the production of fibronectin and laminin and the expression of their receptors were tightly co‐regulated by TGF‐β1.


The development of controllable semiconductor switches and Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technologies is rapidly expanding the fields of applications of HVDC and FACTS in power systems. Recent developments in converter technology are focused on Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC). This article deals with loss modeling and its implementation in EMT-type software for three different types of MMC models. The 401-Level HVDC-MMC based on the INELFE project is used as a test case. The implementation is integrated into the EMTP software, so that no additional tools or software is needed.


We tackle the problem of online reward maximisation over a large finite set of actions described by their contexts. We focus on the case when the number of actions is too big to sample all of them even once. However we assume that we have access to the similarities between actions' contexts and that the expected reward is an arbitrary linear function of the contexts' images in the related reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS). We propose KernelUCB, a kernelised UCB algorithm, and give a cumulative regret bound through a frequentist analysis. For contextual bandits, the related algorithm GP-UCB turns out to be a special case of our algorithm, and our finite-time analysis improves the regret bound of GP-UCB for the agnostic case, both in the terms of the kernel-dependent quantity and the RKHS norm of the reward function. Moreover, for the linear kernel, our regret bound matches the lower bound for contextual linear bandits.


Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is an essential vitamin existing in the daily diet, and menaquinone-7 (MK- 7) is an important form of it. In a recent work, we engineered the synthesis modules of MK-7 in Bacillus subtilis, and the strain BS20 could produce 360 mg/l MK-7 in shake flasks, while the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, which provides the precursor isopentenyl diphosphate for MK-7 synthesis, was not engineered. In this study, we overexpressed five genes of the MEP pathway in BS20 and finally obtained a strain (BS20DFHG) with MK-7 titer of 415 mg/l in shake flasks. Next, we optimized the fermentation process parameters (initial pH, temperature and aeration) in an 8-unit parallel bioreactor system consisting of 300-ml glass vessels. Based on this, we scaled up the MK-7 production by the strain BS20DFHG in a 50-l bioreactor, and the highest MK-7 titer reached 242 mg/l. Here, we show that the engineered strain BS20DFHG may be used for the industrial production of MK-7 in the future.


HOW TO USE THIS BOOK AND OVERVIEW: The Boat Metaphor Why Research? ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH CONCEPTS: Anatomy: Understanding the Research Process Questions Hypotheses Theory Designs Sampling Measurement Descriptive Statistics Inferential Statistics Tests of Significance Putting It All Together: Matching Question-Design-Analysis The Function of Research PATHOLOGY and VACCINATIONS: Mistakes with the Investigator Mistakes with the Treatment Mistakes with the Subjects Mistakes in Measurement Mistakes in Conducting Studies over Time Mistakes in Math THE EXAMINATION: FINDING MISTAKES IN STUDIES: Evaluating Research: Is It Believable? Where to Find It in a Report CLINICIANS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS: Just for Clinicians Just for Graduate Students The Future: A Final Word...or Two...or Three Appendix A: Resources Appendix B: List of Potential Biases in Research


The production of chargino-neutralino pairs and their subsequent leptonic decays is one of the most promising supersymmetry (SUSY) signatures at the Tevatron pp̄ collider. We present here the most recent results on the search for the three-lepton and missing-transverse-energy SUSY signature using data collected with the CDF II detector. The results are interpreted within the minimal supergravity (mSugra) scenario.


The author provides a semi-technical review of the principles of stereographic photography usable without special equipment and discusses the current methods of viewing stereo photographs as computer images. Included is a discussion of recently developed commercial software called Wireframe Express that allows two or more photographic images of an object, taken at different but arbitrary positions, to be joined into a composite 3D model for stereographic viewing from any angle. Among other things, this recent technology allows the virtual reality simulation of historic buildings and rooms to be constructed from currently existing photographs. Illustrations of the points are made with images provided on the CD-ROM.


I examine how the legislature and the president sequentially enable and constrain agencies in a tug-of-war over the exercise of bureaucratic discretion, partly in response to past political interventions. I provide evidence from a duration analysis of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement of hazard waste law for the acceleration and deceleration of policy implementation in response to sequential interventions by multiple, competing principals. I document the use of agenda-setting and solution-forcing statutes by Congress and case clearance mechanisms by the president. Sequenced political control means that agencies face shifting political expectations, caused in part by how the agency responds to past control attempts. While previous empirical research has portrayed a largely static world in which Congress and the president have influence, this study reveals a dynamic portrayal in which there is move and countermove from these principals.


The process for choosing the best architectural elements to build systems has become increasingly complex. It becomes more critical if it is necessary to consider many combinations of components in the context of an architectural configuration. This paper proposes an approach for the dynamic selection of architectural configurations based on quality of system criteria of the system, which can be used during a dynamic adaptation, the MoSAC. This module uses the MAUT theory (Multi-Attribute Utility Theory) for decision making from a finite set of possibilities, which involve multiple criteria to be analyzed. We also present a case study that is an application in the context of Iterative Digital TV to evaluate the time spent on the module to return a valid configuration to be used in a middleware with self-adaptive features, the middleware FRAME.


A novel compact wideband antenna, which adopts a multi-state switchable matching circuit, is proposed in this paper. The design of the switchable matching is systematically studied and a two-step iterative procedure is used to obtain optimized values for both the bandwidth division between the various stages and the matching circuit components in each stage. Without loss of generality, a meander line monopole, with dimensions of 80 10 10 , is used as the radiator in the proposed wideband antenna design. To validate the proposed new design, a four-state matching circuit controlled by four PIN diodes is fabricated and measured. The reflection coefficient of the prototype antenna is found to be better than , and the peak gain is higher than across the 470-770 MHz bandwidth for the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) application.


Understanding spatial development of a turbulent mixing layer is essential for many engineering applications. However, the flow development is difficult to replicate in physical or numerical experiments. For this reason, the most attractive method for the mixing layer analysis is the direct numerical simulation (DNS), with the most control over the simulation inputs and free from modeling assumptions. However, the DNS cost often prevents conducting the sensitivity analysis of the simulation results to variations in the numerical procedure and thus, separating numerical and physical effects. In the current paper, effects of the computational domain dimensions on statistics collected from DNS of a spatially developing incompressible turbulent mixing layer are analyzed with the focus on determining the domain dimensions suitable for studying the flow asymptotic state. In the simulations, the mixing layer develops between two co-flowing laminar boundary layers formed on two sides of a sharp-ended splitter plate of a finite thickness with characteristics close to those of the un-tripped boundary layers in the experiments by J. H. Bell, R. D. Mehta, AIAA Journal, 28 (12), 2034 (1990). The simulations were conducted using the spectral-element code Nek5000.


Transabdominal chorionic villus biopsy is an established method of obtaining material for analysing fetal chromosomes in the first trimester of pregnancy but has not been widely used for karyotyping in the second and third trimesters, when rapid results are required. The technique was evaluated in two groups of patients, comprising 106 at risk of having a fetus with chromosomal anomalies (105) or X linked disease (one) studied between 13 and 22 weeks (median 15 weeks) of gestation (group 1) and 21 with abnormal fetal findings on ultrasonography studied between 13 and 38 weeks (median 27 weeks) (group 2). Chorionic tissue was collected at the first attempt in 109 patients and at the second attempt in a further 17 independent of the position of the placenta. In one case from group 1 sufficient material for analysis could not be obtained. Seven abnormal karyotypes (six in group 1 and one in group 2) were diagnosed. Karyotyping was unsuccessful in two cases in group 1 (at 17 and 18 weeks' gestation) and in two in group 2 (at 29 and 38 weeks' gestation). Follow up of group 1 four weeks after sampling showed no signs of adverse fetal development apart from one unexplained intrauterine fetal death. The findings suggest that chorionic sampling is a safe and valuable additional technique for the late detection of chromosomal defects.


A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 21 February 2000. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

ABSTRACT

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding until around six months of age, followed by the introduction of solids with continued breastfeeding, is considered to be the optimal nutritional start for newborn infants.

Objectives: To determine whether the exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding is affected by giving mothers commercial discharge packs in hospital which contain artificial formula or promotional material for artificial formula. These packs are those which are commonly given to mothers on leaving hospital after giving birth (thus discharge packs).

Search strategy: Comprehensive electronic search of the register of clinical trials maintained and updated by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group and CINAHL and MEDLINE.

Selection criteria: All randomised controlled trials with or without blinding to examine the effects of commercial discharge packs on breastfeeding.

Participants: Consenting postpartum women who initiate breastfeeding while in hospital or immediately upon discharge.

Interventions: Commercial discharge packs which contain free samples of infant formula or promotional material versus non-commercial discharge packs (specifically those from which free samples of infant formula have been removed or have been replaced with, e.g., breast pads) or no pack.

Main outcome measures: The proportion of women breastfeeding at six weeks and 3 months (13 weeks) postpartum.

Other outcomes: Rates of breastfeeding at other fixed time points between 0 and 6 months postpartum.

Data collection and analysis: Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer.

Main results: Nine randomised controlled trials involving a total of 3730 women were analysed. The studies only included women from North America. The meta-analysis showed that when comparing commercial discharge packs with any of the controls (no intervention, non-commercial pack and combinations of these), exclusive breastfeeding was reduced at all time points in the presence of commercial hospital discharge packs.

There was no evidence to support the conjecture that use of hospital discharge packs causes the early termination of non-exclusive breastfeeding. Where the introduction of solid food was measured, giving a commercial pack (with or without formula) reduced the time before solid food was introduced.

Reviewers' conclusions: The giving of commercial hospital discharge packs (with or without formula) appears to reduce the number of women exclusively breastfeeding at all times but has no significant effect upon the earlier termination of non-exclusive breastfeeding.

Citation: Donnelly A, Snowden HM, Renfrew MJ, Woolridge MW. Commercial hospital discharge packs for breastfeeding women (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2000. Oxford: Update Software.

The preceding reports are abstracts of regularly updated, systematic reviews prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full texts of the reviews are available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

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Background and Purpose— The incidence of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) varies between studies, but it is estimated to be between 2 and 5 per million per year. A recent study in the Netherlands with comprehensive ascertainment suggested a much higher incidence. It is uncertain whether these differing estimates reflect the quality of ascertainment or true variation. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of CVT in Adelaide, using a novel clinical and radiological methodology. Methods— We retrospectively identified CVT International Classification of Diseases-coded cases from all Adelaide public hospitals from 2005 to 2011. We also searched all neuroimaging studies (259 101) from these hospitals for text variations containing venous thromb. All potential cases were reviewed, and cases of incident CVT ascertained. Associations and outcomes were determined. Results— Of 169 possible cases, 105 cases of CVT were confirmed (59 cases by both coding and neuroimaging, 40 from neuroimaging alone, and 6 from coding alone). In our population of 953 390 adults, this represented an incidence of 15.7 million per year (95% confidence interval, 12.9–19.0), the highest incidence reported. Of these cases, a possible procoagulant predisposition was identified in 48%. Fifty-five of 105 cases occurred in females. Relative risk of CVT in females of reproductive age was insignificantly higher than in males (1.18 [95% confidence interval, 0.94–1.48]). Conclusions— Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in our study was more common than previously reported, perhaps because of more complete ascertainment. Future CVT incidence studies should include comprehensive capture and review of neuroimaging.


The reasons that people using social media is going beyond personal socializing. Many individuals leverage the social and work affordances of social media to enhance work performance and complete tasks. This study proposed a framework of social media enabled work value based on social psychological theories including social affordance and social presence. We explore how different affordances (social, work, and negative affordances) of social media affect the social value (social presence) and work value perceived by the users. The effects of social affordance, work affordance, and negative affordance were examined. The proposed model was empirically evaluated on a sample of 194 social media users. The results provide support to the themes (1) both social and work values are increased by social and work affordance; (2) negative affordance, however, would not affect the work value; (3) increasing social presence could not enhance the work value. Several suggestions are provided.


Appleby, Jessica J. (Ph.D., French) Politics and Poetics of Epic in the French Renaissance: Ronsard, Du Bellay, and d'Aubigné Thesis directed by Professor Christopher Braider This dissertation examines the epic genre and its mutations from poetic and political perspectives during the sixteenth century. Renaissance poetic treatises acknowledged epic as the highest poetic form and the greatest aspiration of poets. A French imitation of the Aeneid would be the mark of national greatness, a poem to confirm France as the literary, cultural, and political successor to ancient Rome. It would both capture and foster national sentiment for a nation with imperial ambitions. However, any attempts to compose such a work either produce mediocre poetry or are so mutated in form that they can barely be labeled epic. The three texts that form the focal point of this dissertation (Pierre de Ronsard's Franciade, Joachim du Bellay's Antiquitez de Rome, and Agrippa d'Aubigné's Tragiques) provide different angles to approach this problem. The Franciade represents an incomplete attempt at a strict imitation of the Aeneid, written by a court poet under the patronage of the king. As a relatively short sonnet sequence, the Antiquitez may be a surprising inclusion in a discussion on epic, but the text is set apart by its ability to draw on epic themes to lament the lost Roman Empire while providing a warning to France as a nation on the brink of civil war. As a Protestant account of the Wars of Religion, the Tragiques allows consideration of the conflict between national and religious sentiment as d'Aubigné ignores national and generic constraints to compose a text that is itself martial action. This thesis uses David Quint's theories of epic's politicization to explain France's failure to produce its long-awaited epic. I conclude that despite the professed desire for a Virgilian epic, the political and social circumstances of sixteenth-century France render a true epic impossible. Politically, there is no victory and no empire, only the decent into civil war rather than emergence from one. The Reformation divides French society along faction lines, replacing a collective sense of Frenchness with the collectivity of distinct religious groups that transcends political boundaries. In sum, a study of epic's politicization can illuminate Renaissance French conceptions of national identity.


Background and Goals: Despite published clinical guidelines, substantive data underlying the approach to the management of hospitalized ulcerative colitis (UC) patients failing outpatient therapy are lacking. Variability in practice is therefore not uncommon and may impact clinical outcomes. The degree of variability, however, is not well-studied. Our aim was to evaluate variability in management of the hospitalized UC patient to inform future efforts targeting care optimization for this high-risk population. Study: An internet survey was distributed among inflammatory bowel disease providers, which included: (1) nonvignette-based questions assessing provider demographics, experience, and practice setting; (2) diagnostic and therapeutic practice patterns based on a vignette of a hospitalized UC patient. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed. Results: Ninety-one percent of eligible individuals were included. Nearly 97% endorsed confidence in management of hospitalized UC patients. In general, 83% initiate intravenous corticosteroids (IVCS) as initial therapy, whereas 17% initiate infliximab (IFX) (+/−IVCS). At IVCS failure in the vignette, 74% initiated IFX, 15% increased IVCS dose, 7% initiated cyclosporine, and 4% chose colectomy. Of those choosing IFX, 65% chose 5 mg/kg as the initial dose, whereas the remainder chose 10 mg/kg. Twenty-eight percent gave an additional IFX 5 mg/kg and 7% gave an additional 10 mg/kg dose to the patient in the vignette not responding to 5 mg/kg. Conclusions: Even among experienced inflammatory bowel disease providers, there is significant practice pattern variability in the management of hospitalized UC patients. Future efforts should target this variability. Adjunctively, prospective trials are needed to guide appropriate therapeutic algorithms, especially with respect to positioning and optimally dosing IFX in this population.


1/8 GENERAL PRINCIPLES Resistance welding is a thermo-electric process in which heat is generated at the interface of the parts to be joined by passing an electrical current through the parts for a precisely controlled time and under a controlled pressure (also called force). The name "resistance" welding derives from the fact that the resistance of the workpieces and electrodes are used in combination or contrast to generate the heat at their interface.


The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of herbicide ethoxysulfuron on the development of commom bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), to evaluate the impact of the herbicide on the crop grain yield and to determine the mechanism of tolerance of common bean to ethoxysulfuron. Field experiments were carried out with several doses of ethoxysulfuron to determine its effect on the grain yield of two varieties of common bean ("IPR Andorinha", "IPR Tangará"). The mechanism of plant tolerance was evaluated through several methods, including the analysis of the ALS enzyme sensitivity to herbicide and the use of P450 inhibitors (the insecticides malathion + chlorpyrifos) and the use of antidote (mefenpyr-diethyl). When the rate of ethoxysulfuron was 83.2 g ha-1, the grain yield loss reached 25% (IPR Tangará) and 35% (IPR Andorinha). The ALS enzyme activity was severely reduced even at low concentrations ethoxysulfuron (1 μM), indicating that the mechanism of tolerance is not the insensitivity of the herbicide target enzyme. The inhibitors of herbicide detoxification increased the sensitivity of the bean plants to ethoxysulfuron, and the antidote (stimulator of herbicide degradation) mitigated the herbicidal effect. These results strongly support the hypothesis that the mechanism of tolerance of common bean plants to ethoxysulfuron is enhanced herbicide detoxification.


The two-dot-plus-bar 'distigme-obelos' symbols in Vaticanus signal added text. Five characteristic features distinguish their obeloi from paragraphoi. Like scribe B's LXX obeloi, all eight distigme-obelos symbols mark the location of added text. A gap at the exact location of a widely recognised, multi-word addition follows every distigme-obelos except one with distinctive downward dipping strokes. The Vaticanus Gospels are so early that they have virtually no high stops, a feature older than even 75. Consequently, they contain none of these additions, but the Vaticanus epistles have high stops throughout and contain their one distigme-obelos-marked addition, 1 Cor 14.34–5. Contemporaneous LXX G has corresponding distigmai.


Efficient Solid waste management is one of the key factors of development of a nation. The purpose of this project is to develop an efficient waste management system based on Internet of Things (IoT). In line with that, the project team has observed traditional waste management system of Sri Lanka and have identified a number of issues with current systems. They are, unhygienic landfills, overflowing waste bins, limited collection, lack of storage in collection vehicles and less awareness of separated waste collection, recycling and reuse. Easy Clean System has been proposed as a solution to cope up with the above issues. Easy Clean provides a platform for domestic users, drivers of collection vehicle and garbage collection authority to interact with solid waste management of the country. This was achieved with the use of various sensors such as load cell sensors, ultrasonic sensors and Global Positioning System (GPS) module to track location and status of bins, GSM/GPRS shield for data transmission and Arduino MEGA 2560 to interface all the above hardware units. The desktop application has been developed to provide centralized management for the collection authority.


A dynamic econometric model relating wholesale meat prices to retail prices and wholesale meat demand is estimated using monthly data on U.S. prices and quantities of beef, pork, and chicken. The hypothesis that meat retailing costs are separable is rejected; that is, the data support joint costs in meat retailing. The hypothesis that there are fixed proportions between wholesale meat inputs and retail meat outputs is accepted.


In 1988, the wage distribution in East Germany was much more compressed than in West Germany or the U.S. Since the collapse of Communism and unification with West Germany, however, the wage structure in eastern Germany has changed considerably. In particular, wage variation has increased, the payoff to education has decreased somewhat, industry differentials have expanded, and the white collar premium has increased. Although average wage growth has been remarkably high in eastern Germany, individual variation in wage growth is similar to typical western levels. The wage structure of former East Germans who work in western Germany resembles the wage structure of native West Germans in some respects, but their experience-earnings profile is flat.


The aim of this work was to assess the diagnostic yield of serum tumoral markers, Ca 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen, in patients with gallbladder cancer. We studied 54 patients of whom 33 had gallbladder cancer and in 21 the tumor was removed previously and were presently free of disease. Twenty one patients with cholelithiasis were used as controls. Ca 19-9 was over 37 U/ml in 22 (65%) patients with cancer, in two patients free of disease and in two controls. The sensitivity and specificity of Ca 19-9 was 0.66 and 0.90 respectively. Carcinoembryonic antigen was over 2.5 ng/ml in 25 patients with cancer (56%) and its sensitivity and specificity was 0.75 and 0.71 respectively. Using a cutoff point of 4 ng/ml, these figures were 0.51 and 0.9 respectively. The better predictive capacity was given by a Ca 19-9 over 37 U/ml or a carcinoembryonic antigen over 4 ng/ml. It is concluded that, although the sensitivity and specificity of these markers was adequate in this work, one must bear in mind that studied patients had advanced tumors.


poison in rabbits; three-quarters of a grain is fixed as the minimum fatal dose. The sulphate of atropia is comparatively inert, up to four and four-and-a-half grains, producing "no symptoms whatever"; beyond this, dilatation of the pupils and other symptoms of the absorption of the drug occur. The minimum fatal dose is fixed at twenty to twenty-one grains. The committee next goes on to ascertain the action of the one on the other when given together. In the first set of experiments, one to two grains of extract of Calabar bean are given, and one to four-and-a-half grains of sulphate of atropia. In the second set of experiments, one grain and a half of the extract of Calabar bean is given to fourteen rabbits in succession. In the first seven, it is given alone ; in the remainder, it is followed by one-half to one grain and a quarter of sulphate of atropia. That the experiments may be more exact, the weights of the rabbits in these two cases are as nearly as possible the same. In the third set of experiments, the extract of Calabar bean is given in doses varying from two-thirds to one grain, followed by the sulphate of atropia, from one-half to three-quarters of a grain. Here the result is somewhat variable, as the quantity of the extract of Calabar bean is above or below the minimum fatal dose for each rabbit; so that I do not propose to consider this set of experiments. The general conclusion of the committee is, that "the sulphate of atropia does antagonise fatal doses of Calabar bean, but within a very limited area", and " that it certainly prolongs life". Now the point to which I wish to call attention is this: the Calabar bean, in these experiments, is given in a dose twice or three times as large as the minimum fatal dose; indeed, in a quantity which proves fatal in a few minutes. But the amount of sulphate of atropia administered to counteract this overwhelming dose of Calabar bean is in no case sufficiently large, when given by itself, to affect the pupil or to produce any symptoms whatever. In almost all the cases, it is only onesixth or one-eighth part of the dose at which the committee states that any symptoms of the administration of atropia begin. Ought we, therefore, to expect that such a dose, so totally inadequate to produce the slightest symptom when given by itself, would have any very marked effect on an animal already under the influence of a quantity of another poison sufficient to destroy it in a few minutes ? Let us take the second set of experiments, which are the best arranged and most conclusive, and what do we find ? Of the first seven rabbits, to which the Calabar bean was given by itself, six died in less than ten minutes each, the seventh in sixteen minutes. But, in the remaining seven, where the same quantity of Calabar bean was followed by one-half grain to one grain and a quarter of sulphate of atropia, life was prolonged in the several cases from 29 minutes to IIO minutes. Thus we find that a quantity of sulphate of atropia, far too small to produce any physiological symptoms when given by itself, yet, given to an animal under the influence of a rapidly fatal dose of Calabar bean, causes it to live from four to ten times as long as it otherwise would. From this, the conclusion would naturally be, that the antagonism between the two drugs was almost marvellously striking; and the apparently obvious lesson that it would suggest would be to increase the quantity of sulphate of atropia given to from three-quarters of a grain to ten grains, fifteen grains, twenty grains, or more; so that it should bear a reasonable physiological proportion to the quanitity of Calabar bean given. This, however, does not seem to have been done; and the question to which, through your assistance, I am endeavouring to get an answer is, Why was it not done ? Because, as the report stands, the almost homoeopathic character of the doses of sulphate of atropia compared to the doses of Calabar bean given seems to explain the results arrived at. Thus the report states that the "so-called antagonism existed within very narrow limits. The danger was not death by too great a dose of sulphate of atropia, the supposed antagonist, but death from the effects of Calabar bean. In this respect, there was also a marked contrast to the action of hydrate of chloral on the physiological effects of strychnia. In the latter instance, the danger evidently would be, in a case of poisoning by strychnia, to give too large a dose of hydrate of chloral; whereas, in the case of poisoning by extract of Calabar bean, it would apparently be very difficult to arrest its effects, because a small dose of the latter produces little effect (at all events, in rabbits), and the effects of Calabar bean are so violent as soon to destroy life". Now the report gives the milnimum fatal dose of hydrate of chloral as exactly the same as the minimum fatal dose of sulphate of atropia; viz., twenty-one grains in each case; and the doses of strychnia and of extract of Calabar bean to be counteracted in the two cases are also of much the same relative strength; that is, compared with the minimum fatal dose of each. But the quantities of hydrate of chloral and of sulphate of atropia used to counteract them respectively are extremely different. About fifteen grains or sixteen grains is the ordinary dose of hydrate of chloral used as an antidote to strychnia, whilst three-quarters of a grain is the ordinary dose of sulphate of atropia used as an antidote to Calabar bean in the experiments of the committee. That is to say, in the first case, doses verging on the minimum fatal dose of the drug are constantly given; in the second, a sufficient dose to produce any physiological symptoms whatever is never once given, although the poisonous effect to be counteracted in the two cases is of the same strength. It is in order to obtain an explanation of this difficulty, which seeins to mar an elaborate, beautiful, and valuable series of experiments, that I have troubled you at this length. I am, etc., W. A. RICHIARDS, MI.D.Lond. WVinchcster, October I2th, I874.