To the Editor. —I read with interest the discussion of the relation between parafoveal telangiectasis and diabetic retinopathy by Chew et al in the January 1986 issue of theArchives. 1 I would like to add personal observations regarding the differential of telangiectasia and discuss the association between primary telangiectasia and diabetes mellitus. Of 16 patients with primary parafoveal telangiectasis seen at the Retina Service of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, between June 1977 and February 1978, two patients had mild diabetes mellitus. The following findings characterized our patients with primary telangiectasis: small foveal avascular zone, and localized, temporally located, spider-patterned or club-shaped dilated capillaries with overlying retinal pigment epithelial changes. However, telangiectasia in diabetes mellitus is characterized by diffuse microaneurysmal dilatation adjacent to an enlarged foveal avascular zone. The finding of primary telangiectasis in five diabetic patients is most probably coincidental (population bias) because localized telangiectasia is


A review is given of the results of first principles calculations used to investigate the structures and electronic properties of screw and edge dislocations in GaN. The atoms at the core of the full core screw dislocation possess heavily strained bonds leading to deep gap states. Removing the first shell of Ga and N atoms gives a screw dislocation with a small open core consisting of {1010} type surfaces. Therefore open-core screw dislocations induce only shallow gap states. In the same way we found the core of the threading edge dislocation to be reconstructed without any deep states. The interaction of oxygen with the cores of open-core screw and edge dislocations is considered and it is found that the impurity has a strong tendency to be bound by Ga vacancies leading to three types of defect trapped in the strain field. We suggest that the most stable defect leads to a poisoning of growth centres on the walls of nanopipes.


Abstract. The coastal region of central Chile (36° S) is one of the most productive coastal systems, characterized by a marked seasonality in the upwelling regime, that brings subsurface waters rich in nutrient and poor in oxygen (ESSW) into the euphotic zone. This oceanographic condition depends basically on the equatorward wind strength and is modified on different time scales, with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon as the main source of interannual variability in the Pacific Ocean. Here we present an effort to integrate physical and biogeochemical variability associated with in situ information and experiments at coastal stations off central Chile (36° S) in order to improve the knowledge on the pelagic-benthic coupling in this upwelling system during the warm ENSO phase or El Nino. Carbon fluxes exported from the water column to the sediments and the ammonium exchange across the sediment-water interface are discussed together with oceanographic and benthic conditions. All measurements and estimations were carried out from May 1997 until April 2001 at two stations, one located inside Concepcion Bay (~28 m depth), and the other on the continental shelf at ~36° S (~88 m depth). The results show that the pelagic and benthic systems are strongly coupled off central Chile (36° S). Oceanographic variability associated with upwelling events (seasonal scale) and an El Nino event (interannual scale) was observed. The carbon fluxes exported to the sediments, the benthic conditions (i.e., quantity and quality of the sediment organic matter), and the ammonium exchange across the sediment-water interface, responded to the seasonal regime of upwelling during non El Nino years as well as to the ENSO related oceanographic variability.


Delivering timely status information of a random process has become increasingly important for time-sensitive applications, e.g., vehicle tracking and environment monitoring. We consider an IoT sensing network, where a cache-enabled wireless edge node receives on-demand requests from multiple users to send status updates on physical quantities, each measured by an energy harvesting sensor. To serve users' requests, the edge node uses the current information state (i.e., the number of requests, battery level, and AoI for each sensor) to decide whether to command a sensor to send a status update or to retrieve the most recently received sensor's measurements from the cache. We aim at finding the best actions of the edge node to minimize the average AoI of the served measurements at the users, i.e., average on-demand AoI. We model this as a Markov decision process problem and derive a relative value iteration algorithm to find an optimal policy. Simulation results illustrate the threshold-based structure of an optimal policy and show that the proposed on-demand updating policy outperforms the greedy (myopic) policy and also, by accounting for the per-sensor request frequencies and intensities, the pure average AoI minimization policy that keeps the edge node updated regardless of requests.


Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) exposure during pregnancy is linked to serious adverse child outcomes, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP) supports women with problematic AOD use, who are pregnant or have young children, and are not effectively engaging with services. PCAP has been shown to reduce alcohol exposed pregnancies, promote AOD abstinence, increase employment and family planning and improve child outcomes. This manuscript reports the first pilot evaluation of the PCAP program delivered in Australia. A pre-post-intervention repeated measures design was used. Eleven women receiving PCAP from a not-for-profit organisation were invited to take part in the study, with eight providing complete pre-post data. Home visitation case management was provided by trained and experienced case-managers. Clients were assisted to engage with existing services effectively to meet their own goals via a combination of relational theory, motivational interviewing and harm reduction concepts. The PCAP Modified Addiction Severity Index 5th Edition was adapted for use in Australia and was used to measure domains of addiction severity related problems as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included client satisfaction and program fidelity. There were significant changes in composite addiction severity scores from baseline to one year. 80% of participants had periods of abstinence of longer than four months. All clients had better connection to services, no subsequent AOD exposed pregnancies, and were highly satisfied with the program. Four had children returned to their care. Implementation was similar to the original PCAP program with major differences including case-managers relying on training manuals only without undertaking in-person training; being more experienced; providing more direct AOD counselling; and having less supervision. The findings will inform future program delivery and methodology for a larger longitudinal study assessing outcomes at program exit.


Existing indicators of entrepreneurial activity (such as the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, Entrepreneurship Barometer, FORA.s Entrepreneurship Index, OECD and Economic Commission.s sets of indicators, among others) and several variables that have been considered good proxies for entrepreneurship during the last decades seem to be unsuitable to capture the complex relationship among economic, social, and demographic factors driving entrepreneurial activity.In order to suggest a consistent methodology for measuring entrepreneurship, we review some of the most well-known theoretical dimensions of entrepreneurship and a selection of associated indicators is proposed. Indicators and measures are grouped under theoretical categories and a set of entrepreneurship indicators is constructed using multivariate statistical analysis (Consensus PCA based on NIPALS, with an extension of Probability PCA for dealing with missing values) for a panel of developed and developing countries.


RecBCD enzyme is a heterotrimeric helicase/nuclease that initiates homologous recombination at double-stranded DNA breaks. The enzyme is driven by two motor subunits, RecB and RecD, translocating on opposite single-strands of the DNA duplex. Here we provide evidence that, although both motor subunits can support the translocation activity for the enzyme, the activity of the RecB subunit is necessary for proper function of the enzyme both in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrate that the RecBCDK177Q enzyme, in which RecD helicase is disabled by mutation of the ATPase active site, complements recBCD deletion in vivo and displays all of the enzymatic activities that are characteristic of the wild-type enzyme in vitro. These include helicase and nuclease activities and the abilities to recognize the recombination hotspot χ and to coordinate the loading of RecA protein onto the ssDNA it produces. In contrast, the RecBK29QCD enzyme, carrying a mutation in the ATPase site of RecB helicase, fails to complement recBCD deletion in vivo. We further show that even though RecBK29QCD enzyme displays helicase and nuclease activities, its inability to translocate along the 3′-terminated strand results in the failure to recognize χ and to load RecA protein. Our findings argue that translocation by the RecB motor is required to deliver RecC subunit to χ, whereas the RecD subunit has a dispensable motor activity but an indispensable regulatory function.


The purpose of the paper was to analyze the main aspects and trends in the EU an Romania's egg market based on the Eurostat and National Institute of Statistics data. The dynamics of laying hens, egg production, consumption, price and trade have been the main indicators analyzed in this study pointing out the problems in the Romanian egg market and the differences compared to the EU market mainly regarding egg price. The EU egg market is facing with a relatively stable egg production, 90 % intra-EU export, 20 % extra-EU imports, a slight decline of the egg price, but large variations from a country to another. The egg sector is subsidized in almost all the EU countries, except Romania. This helps the breeders from the subsidized countries to have a smaller production cost and a high economic efficiency selling at a higher price. The EU egg trade balance is a positive one, the EU being one of the most important egg producer and exporter in the world. In Romania, the laying hen number and egg production declined because of high price for farm inputs, the movement from the cage system to the barn and free range systems. to reduce production cost. Egg price has increased, but it is not at the average EU level, being influenced by seasonality of production and offer/demand ratio. Egg price declines in the warm season when production is higher, and increases in the fall-winter season when production is lower but the demand is higher. The inflow of imports determine Romanian producers to reduce the selling price. Romania's egg trade balance is still a positive one, but the imports have an increasing trend. This situation imposes a new strategy at the EU level to assure a loyal competition among all the producers, and to export more eggs to the extra-EU countries and assure a better consumer protection. In Romania, the Government must allot subsidies to support the egg sector, and the breeders must pay attention to egg quality, production cost and intensify export.


SUMMARY: Autolytic glucanase and protease activity was detected in cell walls of some pythium species prepared by ultrasonic treatment. The glucanase activity was correlated with mycelial development. Maximal glucose release was detected in growing cultures during the linear growth period of the fungus. Assays of glucanase activity in cell walls prepared from mycelium harvested at different times showed that the enzymic activity increased with the age of mycelium from which the cell walls were prepared. The relationship between autolytic enzymes and mycelial development is discussed.


There is a great interest paid to the web services paradigm nowadays. One of the most important problems related to the web service paradigm is the automatic composition of web services. Several frameworks have been proposed to achieve this novel goal. The most recent and richest framework (model) is the Colombo model. However, even for experienced developers, working with Colombo formalisms is low-level, very complex and timeconsuming. We propose to use UML (Unified Modeling Language) to model services and service composition in Colombo. By using UML, the web service developer will deal with the high level graphical models of UML avoiding the difficulties of working with the low-level and complex details of Colombo. To be able to use Colombo automatic composition algorithm, we propose to represent Colombo by a set of related XML document types that can be a base for a Colombo language. Moreover, we propose the transformation rules between UML and Colombo proposed XML documents. Next Colombo automatic composition algorithm can be applied to build a composite service that satisfies a given user request. A prototypical implementation of the proposed approach is developed using Visual Paradigm for UML.


Polymers are the preferred materials for dielectrics in high-energy-density capacitors. The electrification of transport and growing demand for advanced electronics require polymer dielectrics capable of operating efficiently at high temperatures. In this review, we critically analyze the most recent development in the dielectric polymers for high-temperature capacitive energy storage applications. While general design considerations are discussed, emphasis is placed on the elucidation of the structural dependence of the high-field dielectric and electrical properties and the capacitive performance, including discharged energy density, charge-discharge efficiency and cyclability, of dielectric polymers at high temperatures. Advantages and limitations of current approaches to high-temperature dielectric polymers are summarized. Challenges along with future research opportunities are highlighted at the end of this article.


One of the most important variables involved in river-channel formation is the channel-formingdischarge, which is well known as Dominant Discharge. Since discharge-sediment relation withinriver morphology process is quite dynamic and rather difficult to predict, it will be helpful to havea kind of representative discharge from analytical point of view.This paper discusses on how exponent (n) of sediment predictor affect dominant discharge deriva-tion. Two sediment predictors were used on this paper namely Engelund Hansen (EH) and Meyer-Peter-Muller (MPM). The result shows that, after deriving equations, the dominant discharge (Q d)could be explained as a maximum distribution value of piQ n/3 representing combination parameterof both probability and sediment predictor. Dominant discharge was then calculated based onthose two predictors and compared with average discharge, frequent discharge as well as bankfulldischarge. The result presents that analytical approach using EH predictor provides closer valueto the bankfull discharge.


The function of the coupling in the connection device is to connect the two axises and transfer the movement. Due to the particular structure of the laminated coupling, the main function of the coupling is to compensate the misalignment generated in the operation process of the axises. In this paper, a new type of laminated structure coupling - four-hole Joint Bearing laminated coupling is proposed. By using this coupling the shaft misalignment compensation ability between the two axises is improved from 1.0 ° ~ 1.5 ° to 4 ° ~ 6 °. Classical mechanics method and ANSYS finite element analysis are employed to analyse 3 different sizes of joint couplings, respectively. From the analysis the position of the maximum stress and the shaft misalignment compensation ability of each kind of coupling which provide the theory basis for the design of the new type of the coupling can be obtained.


Objective: To determine the outcome of TEP without mesh fixation in terms of post-operative pain, seroma formation & mesh displacement with recurrence. Study Design: Prospective randomized study. Settings: Surgical unit 4 DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: November 2015 to May 2017. Methodology: A total of 100 patients with age ranging from 19 to 65 years and fulfilling the criteria were included in the study. All operations were performed by the same surgeon with the patient under general anesthesia. Follow-up of patients for post-operative pain by a visual analog score (VAS) 1 to 10, sensation of foreign body and recurrence of hernia was done at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 65 years with mean age 42 years. All the patients were male (100%). 52 (52%) patients had right sided hernia, 35 (35%) had left sided while 13 (13%) of them had bilateral hernias. Among the left sided 1 (2.85%) was recurrent. 73 (73%) patients had indirect hernia, 24 (24%) had direct hernia while 3 (3%) patients had pantaloons hernia. The VAS for pain was between 2 and 5 on 1st postoperative day. On 1st visit, 1 (1%) patient had purulent port site discharge, he was readmitted and was managed accordingly. There were no complaints by the patients in terms of chronic pain, mesh displacement and recurrence at 2nd, 3rd and 4th follow up visits except 1 (1%) patient with displacement of mesh forming a meshoma and recurrence. Conclusion: Fixation of the mesh to the abdominal wall has been controversial and although many surgeons consider it necessary to fix the mesh, but it may be considered to be associated with various postoperative complications for no additional benefit in lowering recurrence rates. In non-recurrent inguinal hernia, non-fixation of the mesh is safe and reliable as proved by the study. In our study, we did not take into account the BMI of patient, the size of hernia, the type and the size of mesh. Therefore, further studies with larger sample sizes taking into account the other variables are necessary for subgroup analyses.


We study the problem of learning from multiple views using kernel methods in a supervised setting. We approach this problem from a multi-task learning point of view and illustrate how to capture the interesting multimodal structure of the data using multi-task kernels. Our analysis shows that the multi-task perspective oers the exibility to design more ecient multiple-source learning algorithms, and hence the ability to exploit multiple descriptions of the data. In particular, we formulate the multimodal learning framework using vector-valued reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces, and we derive specic multi-task kernels that can operate over multiple modalities. Finally, we analyze the vector-valued regularized least squares algorithm in this context, and demonstrate its potential in a series of experiments with a real-world multimodal data set.


Using virtual teams have become more common as this creates an opportunity to work together placed at different locations in the world. The collaborations therefore also come across cultural diversities within the team. Though, this kind of team constellation brings challenges with it as well. The team members do not have the same opportunity to meet in real life and therefore virtual meetings become an important part in the everyday work. The purpose of the research is to clarify how cultural differences can affect virtual team communication during meetings. Therefore the aim of this research is to define challenges and success factors for virtual team meetings. A qualitative research design was chosen as the method for the research and includes a case study performed at an automotive industry company placed in Gothenburg which consist of two main national cultures, Sweden and China. A self-completion questionnaire, observation and semi-structured interviews were carried out with participants from different virtual teams at the case company. The empirical findings show that there are many challenges within a team consisting of two very different national cultures. Therefore the conclusion drawn from the research, shows that it is important to understand and accept the cultural differences. If an understanding for the other culture can be created, it will improve the collaboration between the team members. This will in turn improve the communication and also the meetings. However, the case company's identified technical issues have to be solved first so the colleagues can communicate properly in order to manage the other challenges. A recommendation for the case company is to make sure that the Swedish and Chinese colleagues will have an opportunity to meet early in the project in order for them to create a relationship between each other. The relationship will create a better communication and by that more effective meetings.


With fully directional communications, nodes must track the positions of their neighbors so that communication with these neighbors is feasible when needed. Tracking process introduces an overhead, which increases with the number of discovered neighbors. The overhead can be reduced if nodes maintain only a subset of their neighbors; however, this may increase the length of paths between node pairs in the network. In this work, we study the tradeoffs between node degree and path stretch. We first design a topology control algorithm to optimize this tradeoff. Assuming that nodes communicate with their directional neighbors using circular directional transmissions, we model the original graph as a unit disk graph (UDG). Given a UDG G, our algorithm finds a sparse subgraph G' with a maximum degree of 6, and connecting each node pair u,v by a path of length hopsG (u, v) = O(hopsG(u, v) + log Delta), where Delta is the maximum degree in G, hopsG' (u, v) denotes length of the shortest path between u, v in G. We show that this result is near-optimal. Based on the insights gained from this design, we next construct a simpler, more practical scheme that integrates fully-directional neighbor discovery and maintenance with topology control strategy. We simulate both algorithms and compare their performances.


Beaches provide sediment stores and have an important role in the development of the coastline in response to climate change. Quantification of beach thickness and volume is required to assess coastal sediment transport budgets. Therefore, portable, rapid, non-invasive techniques are required to evaluate thickness where environmental sensitivities exclude invasive methods. Site methods and data are described for a toolbox of electrical, electromagnetic, seismic and mechanical based techniques that were evaluated at a coastal site at Easington, Yorkshire. Geophysical and geotechnical properties are shown to be dependent upon moisture content, porosity and lithology of the beach and the morphology of the beach–platform interface. Thickness interpretation, using an inexpensive geographic information system to integrate data, allowed these controls and relationships to be understood. Guidelines for efficient site practices, based upon this case history including procedures and techniques, are presented using a systematic approach. Field results indicated that a mixed sand and gravel beach is highly variable and cannot be represented in models as a homogeneous layer of variable thickness overlying a bedrock half-space.


The implementation of neural processors in hardware is a very challenging task. However, previous advances in programmable architectures facilitate this task by providing the fundamental hardware blocks for building neural structures. Using the TOTEM neural processor as a case study, this paper reports on the main advantages of implementing neural hardware on programmable logic devices such as FPGAs.


The global and domestic challenges that confront the Malaysia industrial sector nowadays, had made Malaysia learnt that the past industrial approaches based on heavy dependence of large-scale injection of foreign capital to boost labor productivity are no longer viable. The Malaysia's industrial plan on heavy reliance to foreign direct investments (FDIs) for the industrial and technological development faced major threat. Prior to 1986 and the three decades onward, the three Malaysia Industrial Master Plans (IMP1, IMP2 and IMP3) policies were adjusted to focus on total productivity growth, which requires strong synergy among all factors of technology and innovation system. This study highlighted on the specific focus of each of the three Malaysia's Industrial Master Plans (IMPs) and to relate these focus on the technology and innovation used to increase productivity at the time. The essence of the new growth strategy was a shift from assembly-intensive manufacturing technology to an integrated and innovative value-added, industry-wide approach encompassing both manufacturing and related services. The purpose of this study is to establish the importance of technology and innovation in Malaysia Industry and relate to the vital need of STI Policy to align back with Malaysia's Industrial Master Plan, to drive export competitiveness for realization of the nation's industrial development agenda. In conclusion, the two vital policies, which are the Industrial Master Plan Polices and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy need to move forward together, aligned and support each other, in order to ensure effective and strategic development of Malaysia industry.


Problem statement: Video-based face recognition must be able to overco me the imaging interference such as pose and illumination. Approach: A model is designed to study for face recognition based on video sequence and also test i mage. In training stage, single frontal image is taken as a input to the recognition system. A new v irtual image is generated using bit plane feature fusion to effectively reduce the sensitivity to ill umination variances. A Self-PCA is performed to get each set of Eigen faces and to get projected image. In recognition stage, automatic face detection scheme is first applied to the video sequences. Fra mes are extracted from the video and virtual frame is created. Each bit plane of test face is extracted a nd then the feature fusion face is constructed, followed by the projection and reconstruction using each set of the corresponding Eigen faces. Results: This algorithm is compared with conventional PCA algorithm. The minimum error of reconstruction is calculated. If error is less than a threshold value, then it recognizes the face fro m the database. Conclusion: Bit plane slicing mechanism is applied in video bas ed face recognition. Experimental results shows that its far more superi or than conventional method under various pose and illumination condition.


An overview is presented of low-dimensional electronic crystals that undergo a phase transition towards a low-temperature charge-density-wave (CDW) state. The emphasis is on inorganic compounds that develop an one-dimensional (1D) CDW. Low-dimensional features of crystal structures are discussed in relation to 1D electronic properties. X-ray diffraction is discussed as a tool to obtain quantitative information about the normal state and its structural fluctuations, and about the CDW, both in equilibrium and in its non-linear conducting state.


Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a severe chronic pain condition. Patients with CRPS experience allodynia, hyperalgesia, autonomic dysfunction, movement difficulties and dystrophic changes. However other characteristics that may be unique to the pain in CRPS require further study. This study evaluated pain parameters in ninety five subjects composed of three groups: healthy pain free controls, patients with radiculopathy and CRPS patients. Healthy subjects were tested in all four extremities, whereas radiculopathy and CRPS patients were tested only on the most affected extremity. All subjects were tested for the following pain parameters: thermal allodynia, mechanical static and dynamic allodynia, windup, and a hyperalgesic mechanical stimulus. All subjects were also evaluated for autonomic dysfunction, movement disorder and dystrophic skin changes. Statistically significant differences were found between both pain groups and the healthy control subjects as well as between the two pain groups. The finding that statistically differentiated CRPS from radiculopathy and normal controls was pain spread following an algesic mechanical and cold stimulus as well as after sensations to these stimuli. The study demonstrated a simple bedside test that discriminated between CRPS, radiculopathy and healthy control subjects.


Background Heightened fear and anxiety related to pain may result in emotional and behavioral avoidance responses causing disability, distress, and depression. Fear and anxiety associated with pain can potentially change the course of the pain experience. It is plausible that fear and anxiety related to pain affect the duration and frequency of pain experienced by the patient. Aim The study aimed to examine the applicability of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (FPQ-III) in identifying who are likely to report longer duration and greater frequency of pain experience. Methods To test this hypothesis, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 579 individuals from a community-based sample living with chronic pain. The factor structure and validity of FPQ-III in the community-based sample were also tested. Results The findings suggest higher fear of severe pain but lower fear of medical pain, associated with longer duration and more frequent pain experience. The analysis also confirmed the three-factor structure of FPQ-III, demonstrating good internal consistency for fear of severe pain (0.71) and fear of medical pain (0.73) and acceptable range for fear of minor pain (0.65). Conclusion These findings suggest that the FPQ-III can be potentially applied to identify individuals at risk for prolonged continuous pain and as a screening tool to measure fear and anxiety related to pain.


Objectives Little is known about chromogranin A (CgA) during follow-up of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. We hypothesized that serial CgA monitoring might be useful for the assessment of tumor progression, and we performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Methods A bibliographical search was performed in PubMed using "chromogranin A" and "neuroendocrine tumors" and "follow-up" and "biomarker" to identify all pertinent articles published in the last 10 years. Results Eight studies were included in current meta-analysis. Chromogranin A as a follow-up marker shows sensitivity between 46% and 100% and specificity between 68% and 90%. The meta-analysis results showed an overall accuracy of 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 81–86.6), a cumulative sensitivity of 74.6% (95% CI, 61.9–85.4), and a cumulative specificity of 84.7% (95% CI, 81.3–87.7). These data indicate that circulating CgA has a better overall accuracy in the follow-up setting; it can be used to rule the diagnosis of recurrence/progression in, rather than to rule it out. Conclusions Chromogranin A is more reliable when used to monitor disease progression and response to treatment and for the early detection of recurrence after treatment rather than in the diagnostic setting. It is more sensible to use this marker in those cases where the initial values were impaired.


Abstract The emergence of metamaterials (MMs) has led to groundbreaking photo-physical phenomena, which arise from their novel structure-dependent properties. Consisting of "meta-atom" building blocks, MMs can be organized into subwavelength metal/dielectric structures using bottom-up or top-down nanofabrication techniques. Optical metal metasurfaces are a class of MMs with macroscopic lateral dimensions but composed of one to few subwavelength layers of precisely oriented metal-based elements over a large surface area. In this review, we focus on gold metasurfaces, highlighting their fabrication methods, morphological characterization, as well as linear and nonlinear optical properties. We then review our recent work on fabricating and characterizing self-assembled gold metasurface. An interesting characteristics of the gold metasurfaces is their wide range of linear refractive indices, varying from n0 ~ 0.5 in the visible to n0 ~ 4 in the short wavelength infrared spectral region. Third-order nonlinearities are characterized by the Z-scan technique at wavelengths on- and off-plasmonic resonance of the gold metasurface. Experimental results on the relationship between the third-order nonlinearity of the self-assembled gold metasurface as a function of the linear response are presented for the first time. We conclude by discussing the potential applications and future outlook of self-assembled plasmonic metasurfaces.


MCM-41 functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTMS) and 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane (CPTMS) was synthesized, which had been used to improve the physicochemical properties of mesoporous silica to controlled ibuprofen delivery. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Characterized results demonstrated that organic groups were successfully grafted onto the samples, and the mesoporous structure of the synthesized material was maintained. The results of ibuprofen release exhibited that the introduction of CPTMS greatly retarded the ibuprofen release rate, and an accumulative release achieved approximately 13.2 wt% over PClMCM-41 after 32 h. However, the introduction of APTMS greatly promoted the ibuprofen release rate, and the release of ibuprofen could increase to 26.6 wt% over PNH2MCM-41 at 32 h. Those results suggested that ibuprofen release rate could be well modulated by changing the grafted organic group.


In distributed statistical learning, $N$ samples are split across $m$ machines and a learner wishes to use minimal communication to learn as well as if the examples were on a single machine. This model has received substantial interest in machine learning due to its scalability and potential for parallel speedup. However, in high-dimensional settings, where the number examples is smaller than the number of features ("dimension"), the speedup afforded by distributed learning may be overshadowed by the cost of communicating a single example. This paper investigates the following question: When is it possible to learn a $d$-dimensional model in the distributed setting with total communication sublinear in $d$?
Starting with a negative result, we show that for learning $\ell_1$-bounded or sparse linear models, no algorithm can obtain optimal error until communication is linear in dimension. Our main result is that that by slightly relaxing the standard boundedness assumptions for linear models, we can obtain distributed algorithms that enjoy optimal error with communication logarithmic in dimension. This result is based on a family of algorithms that combine mirror descent with randomized sparsification/quantization of iterates, and extends to the general stochastic convex optimization model.


The cerebral metabolic rate for glucose, as measured with positron emission tomography and fluorine-18-labeled 2-deoxy-D-glucose, was significantly higher in four healthy young subjects with trisomy 21 syndrome (Down's syndrome) than the mean rate in healthy young controls. The rate of cerebral glucose utilization in the frontal lobe of a 51-year-old subject with Down's syndrome was significantly lower than the rate in the young subjects with this syndrome, but approximated the rate in middle-aged controls. Thus glucose utilization by the brain appears to be excessive in young adults with Down's syndrome but may decline with age in some brain regions.


Chronic constrictive pericarditis is a frequent cause of diastolic dysfunction, and results in impaired ventricular filling. Unlike in normal subjects, ventricular filling in constrictive pericarditis occurs almost entirely in the initial one third of diastole, and cardiac output is dependent predominantly on heart rate. Tachycardia impairs ventricular filling in normal subjects, but its effects in patients with constrictive pericarditis have not been studied. The effect of increasing heart rate alone with atrial pacing on the central and peripheral hemodynamics of patients with untreated chronic constrictive pericarditis before and after pericardiectomy was evaluated. Increased heart rate with atrial pacing increased cardiac output, whereas stroke volume remained unchanged up to heart rates of 140 beats/min. Further increases in heart rate resulted in reductions of cardiac output and stroke volume. There were no significant changes in ventricular filling pressures. Infusion of 300 ml of saline solution at peak pacing rates did not improve cardiac output. After successful surgical pericardiectomy, the hemodynamic effects of atrial pacing returned to normal. It is concluded that moderate tachycardia improves the hemodynamic profile of patients with constrictive pericarditis.


This paper studies the essential dynamical structure that arises in two different classes of learning of the sensory-based navigation, namely 3kill·ba3ed learning and model-ba3ed learning. In 3kill·ba3ed learning a robot learns navigational skills for a fixed navigational task such as homing, while in modelba3ed learning a robot learns a model of the environment, then conducts planning on the model to reach an arbitrary goal. We formulated that the former is achieved by learning the state-action map, and the latter does by learning the forward model of the environment, using recurrent neural learning scheme. The analysis of the dynamical structure from the coupling of the internal neural dynamics and the environment showed that generation of the global attractor is crucial for both learning cases. Experiments were conducted using a mobile robot with a laser range sensor, which verified our assertions in a simple obstacle environment.


Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are potent mitogens that regulate proliferation of prostate cancer cells via autocrine and paracrine loops and promote tumor metastasis. They exert their action through binding to the corresponding cell surface receptors that initiate an intracellular phosphorylation cascade, leading to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which recruit transcription factors. We have studied the effects of EGF, IGF-I, and the protein kinase A (PKA) activator forskolin on the activation of p42/ extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 2, which is a key kinase in mediation of growth factor-induced mitogenesis in prostate cancer cells. The activity of p42/ERK2 was determined by immune complex kinase assays and by immunoblotting using a phospho p44/p42 MAPK-specific antibody. EGF, IGF-I, and forskolin-induced PKA activity stimulate intracellular signaling pathways converging at the level of p42/ERK2. In the androgen-insensitive DU145 cell line, there is a constitutive basal p42/ ERK2 activity that is not present in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells. Constitutive p42/ERK2 activity is abrogated by blockade of the EGF receptor. Hence, it is obviously caused by an autocrine loop involving this receptor. The effects of EGF on p42/ERK2 are potentiated by forskolin in both cell lines. The blockade of PKA by the specific inhibitor H89 attenuates this synergism. This finding is in contrast to those obtained in several other systems studied thus far, in which PKA activators inhibited MAPKs. p42/ERK2 in DU145 cells is highly responsive to IGF-I stimulation, whereas no effect of IGF-I on p42/ERK2 can be measured in LNCaP cells. Moreover, our results demonstrate that selective blockade of the EGF receptor in prostate cancer cells does not only inhibit the action of EGF, but also IGF-I-induced activation of the MAPK pathway and the interaction with the PKA pathway. In conclusion, these findings offer new possibilities for a therapeutical intervention in prostate cancer by targeting signaling pathways of growth factors and PKA.


Populations of adult Sitona lepidus were sampled from five irrigated and five non-irrigated dairy pastures in the Waikato from November 1998 to April 1999. Under irrigated conditions, the presence of a second peak of adults with significantly more tenerals present provides evidence of a second generation over the summer months. The importance of the role of moisture in the development of S. lepidus was further demonstrated by the differences in the development of eggs in the calyces of sexually mature females. Egg development was significantly greater in females in irrigated pastures. Onset of rain after a dry period resulted in rapid egg development in females in non-irrigated pastures. These findings explain why the summer dry La Nina weather conditions in the Waikato led to farmer observations of a reduced impact of S. lepidus on clovers in Waikato pastures in 1998 and 1999.


The authors present a case of primitive malignant melanoma of the penis. At the same time they make a review of the world bibliography on this illness, in which they find only 50 cases published. They make a series of comments on the peculiar evolution of the case presented, in comparison to those described. They feel that the most important factor of the case presented is its rarity and the diagnostic difficulties involved.


String theory contains sources like orientifold planes that support higher derivative interactions. These interactions make static flux compactifications possible which are forbidden in supergravity. They can also lead to violations of the strong energy condition which is needed for an accelerating universe. We examine how large a violation is possible in the context of the heterotic string compactified to four dimensions. We find that de Sitter solutions are still not possible but that classically forbidden anti-de Sitter solutions are possible.


Insect sampling techniques can result in different estimates of species richness, diversity, and evenness. Hemipteroid insects were collected within a freshwater marsh over the course of three months, in Van Meter State Park, Saline County, Missouri. Techniques utilized were three vacuums, the D-Vac, G-Vac, E-Vac, and sweep netting in order to determine the most efficient sampling method. All three sampling months were significantly different from each other (P =.001). There was a significant difference among the sampling methods (P =.003). The D-Vac collected the largest number of specimens (1015), followed by the G-Vac (670), the E-Vac (280), and the sweep net (31). The D-Vac and G-Vac produced nearly the same number of unique species(D-Vac=15, G-Vac=14), nearly identical total number of species (D-Vac =30, GVac=28), and had similar diversity values (D-Vac=1.63, G-Vac=1.45), suggesting that these techniques are similar in effectiveness. The E-Vac collected the fewest number of unique and total species out of the vacuum techniques (3 unique species, 14 total species). The sweep net collected the least number of unique and total species out of all the sampling techniques (0 unique species, 7 total species) suggesting it is was not an effective sampling technique for marsh dwelling hemipteroid insects. All three vacuum techniques have different advantages and either a D-Vac or G-Vac should be used to sample wetland Hemiptera. COMPARISON OF FOUR TECHNIQUES FOR SAMPLING WETLAND HEMIPTERA (HETEROPTERA, AUCHENORRHYNCHA) by Brandon B. Page A Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Biology University of Central Missouri


Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a disease with a mortality rate of up to 40% even with treatment. Despite the ability of certain antibiotics to control initial infection, relapse occurs in treated patients. The inability of antibiotics to clear this bacterial infection is in part due to persistence, an evasion mechanism against antibiotics and the effect of host defenses. Evaluation of antibiotic efficacy against B. pseudomallei revealed that up to 48% of in vitro grown populations can survive in a persister state. Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems have been previously implicated in modulating bacterial persistence. We generated three isogenic TA mutants and found that loss of each toxin gene did not alter antibiotic persistence or macrophage survival. In response to macrophage‐induced persistence, all three toxin mutants demonstrated increased intracellular susceptibility to levofloxacin which in part was due to the inability of the mutants to induce persistence after nitric oxide or nutrient starvation. In an inhalational model of murine melioidosis, both ΔBPSS0395 and ΔBPSS1584 strains were attenuated, and treatment with levofloxacin led to significant reduction in lung colonisation and reduced splenic colonisation by ΔBPSS0395. Based on our findings, these toxins deserve additional evaluation as putative therapeutic targets.


Introduction This study analysed the HIV/AIDS epidemic trends in the state of Sao Paulo, in adults, during the period of 2000 to 2015. Methods Trends study performed by polynomial regression model, with AIDS and HIV positive cases notification comparing by age group and exposure categories. The dependent variable were the annual number of cases, in each of the studied categories, and the independent variable was the time, (calendar years), concerning the study period. The goodness of fit via r2 and p<0.05 were used to determine which models and data were most appropriate. Results It was analysed 142,015 AIDS cases and 70 761 cases of HIV. The AIDS cases trends declined in the entire period, with speed=243 cases/year (p=0.001), but the HIV+ cases trends increased with speed=325 cases/year (p=0.003). From 2000 to 2007 AIDS decreased 30 cases/year (p=0.024) in the man who have sex with man (MSM) category, and only the 30–39 years group falled 26 cases/year (p=0.003). From 2007 to 2012 there was a growth of MSM with speed=116 cases/year (p<0.001) and the 20–24 years group showed the fastest growth=38 cases/year (p=0.001). From 2012 to 2015, the MSM decreased 118 cases/year (p=0.043) and the 30–39 years group showed a greater fall rate=43 cases/year (p=0.039). Among the HIV infection cases in the period 2000 to 2003, the trend was increasing among MSM with speed=201 cases/year (p<0.001) with the group 30–39 years growing faster=79 cases/year (p=0.006). Between 2003 and 2007 MSM increased 25 cases/year (p=0.048) and the age group 40–49 presented the highest velocity=8 cases/year (p=0.006). Between 2007 and 2015 the trend was increasing among MSM with speed=337 cases/year (p=0.001) and the main age group was 20–24 with speed=106 cases/year, (p=0.045). Conclusion There was a decreasing trend of AIDS cases and growth in HIV+, with expressive speed among young MSM. This analysis points to the need for discussions of unprotected sexual practices, combined prevention and other actions aimed to controlling the epidemic in greater vulnerability groups.


Ingmar Bergman holds a prominent place in the lineup of directors who have used cinema to investigate the meaning of life in a godless world. The so-called "Trilogy of God's Silence" is often identified as the place where Bergman struggled most profoundly with core themes from the Christian faith. In Winter Light, he explores the topic of doubt, devastatingly, through a minister's religious and existential crisis. This article, however, proposes that Martin Luther's theology may provide resources for reappraising Bergman's canonical film.


'Kungliga samfundet for utgivande av handskrifter rorande Skandinaviens historia' [Royal society for the publication of manuscripts on Scandinavian history], a society dedicated to the editing and printing of historical source documents, was founded in Stockholm in 1815. Earlier research has focused upon the editorial praxis of the society's publication, Handlingar rorande Skandinaviens historia. Here I focus more upon the monumental and museological aspects of the society's work. Viewed as types of national monument, source editions from the romantic era can tell us something about how history was produced and popularised during this period. The source documents printed in Handlingar served as educational tools intended to help the reader better understand history, specifically in this case the history of Sweden. But such editions also functioned – like a museum or a monument – as triggers for emotions, memory, and historicity, and like those other institutions, romantic-period source editions played a significant role in the construction and negotiation of national memory and heritage.


The aim of this study is to introduce a new methodology for isolation of ectopic rhythms of ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) holter data via appropriate statistical analyses imposing reasonable computational burden. First, the events of the ECG signal are detected and delineated using a robust wavelet-based algorithm. Then, using Binary Neyman-Pearson Radius test, an appropriate classifier is designed to categorize ventricular complexes into "Normal + Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)" and "Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)" beats. Afterwards, an innovative measure is defined based on wavelet transform of the delineated P-wave namely as P-Wave Strength Factor (PSF) used for the evaluation of the P-wave power. Finally, ventricular contractions pursuing weak P-waves are categorized as PAC complexes; however, those ensuing strong P-waves are specified as normal complexes. The discriminant quality of the PSF-based feature space was evaluated by a modified learning vector quantization (MLVQ) classifier trained with the original QRS complexes and corresponding Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) dyadic scale. Also, performance of the proposed Neyman-Pearson Classifier (NPC) is compared with the MLVQ and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers using a common feature space. The processing speed of the proposed algorithm is more than 176,000 samples/sec showing desirable heart arrhythmia classification performance. The performance of the proposed two-lead NPC algorithm is compared with MLVQ and SVM classifiers and the obtained results indicate the validity of the proposed method. To justify the newly defined feature space (σi1, σi2, PSFi), a NPC with the proposed feature space and a MLVQ classification algorithm trained with the original complex and its corresponding DWT as well as RR interval are considered and their performances were compared with each other. An accuracy difference about 0.15% indicates acceptable discriminant quality of the properly selected feature elements. The proposed algorithm was applied to holter data of the DAY general hospital (more than 1,500,000 beats) and the average values of Se = 99.73% and P+ = 99.58% were achieved for sensitivity and positive predictivity, respectively.


In higher education institutions various VLSs have been formally adopted to support online teaching and learning. However, there has been little research on patterns of VLS use among educators. The purpose of the research was to provide a descriptive analysis of VLS feature usage, and associated challenges at two South African higher education institutions. A case study research strategy was adopted, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection and analysis. Survey findings revealed four clusters of VLS feature usage, namely, communication, management, content and pedagogic. Analysis showed that the 'content cluster' was used more than the other clusters. The average usage of the 'pedagogic cluster' for Durban University of Technology (DUT) was significantly greater than that of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), which tentatively indicates that staff development seems to be an important aspect of VLS usage. There was no significant difference in the usage of the 'communication' and 'management' clusters between the two institutions, DUT and UKZN. The study contributes to the body of system utilisation research by confirming an uneven pattern of VLS feature usage among educators, whilst providing fresh insights into the challenges associated with the usage of two different VLSs in two different universities.


AIM
To explore GP attitudes and perceptions of barriers to providing mental healthcare.

METHODS
The MaGPie study included a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 78 GPs in the lower part of North Island, New Zealand. GPs completed a questionnaire about aspects of their provision of mental healthcare including consultation fees, perceived barriers to providing mental healthcare, and factors likely to increase detection of mental illness in general practice patients.

RESULTS
Seventy (90%) GPs completed the questionnaire. GPs reported that consultations with patients with mental health problems took longer and could lead to increased waiting times for other patients. Many GPs subsidised mental health consultations either by not charging for longer consultations or writing-off fees. GPs thought that funded longer consultation times and more training in interviewing techniques would increase recognition of mental health problems in general practice.

CONCLUSION
Structural aspects of general practice at the time of this survey presented a barrier to the provision of primary mental healthcare. The subsequent establishment of primary health organisations provides potential for improving primary mental healthcare through specific contracts for mental healthcare allowing variation in consultation length and the addition of mental health professionals to the general practice team.


Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda is a devastating pest of over 350 plant species especially the cereal crops such as, maize, sorghum and rice. The pest is currently posing threats to food security in Africa. FAW could be potential animal feed that can supplement chicken feed. However, there is little information on its nutritional profile as poultry feed. The aim of the study was to compare the nutrient content of FAW larvae to other chicken feeds. Proximate analysis was performed on air-dried samples of fall armyworm larvae in order to determine the crude fibre, crude protein, ash, ether extract and carbohydrate contents. Experimental data was compared to secondary data of other chicken feeds to determine the quality of fall armyworm as poultry feed. The results indicated that FAW had crude protein content of (36.9 63.54)%, crude fibre (9.1 9.6)%, fat (17.8 22.9)%, ash (5.6 7.4)% and carbohydrates (1.65 3.3)%. From the findings, FAW larvae have nutrients in sufficient quantities to be considered as an alternative source of protein for chicken diets. Therefore, the study recommends use of FAW for chicken feeding.


Possible mechanisms for intermolecular exchange between coordinated and solvent water in the complexes Y(TTA)(3)(OH(2))(2) and Y(TTA)(3)(TBP)(OH(2)) and intermolecular exchange between free and coordinated HTTA in Y(TTA)(3)(OH(2))(HTTA) and Y(TTA)(3)(TBP)(HTTA) have been investigated using ab initio quantum chemical methods. The calculations comprise both structures and energies of isomers, intermediates and transition states. Based on these data and experimental NMR data (Part 2) we have suggested intimate reaction mechanisms for water exchange, intramolecular exchange between structure isomers and intermolecular exchange between free HTTA and coordinated TTA. A large number of isomers are possible for the complexes investigated, but only some of them have been investigated, in all of them the most stable geometry is a more or less distorted square anti-prism or bicapped trigonal prism; the energy differences between the various isomers are in general small, less than 10 kJ mol(-1). 9-coordinated intermediates play an important role in all reactions. Y(TTA)(3)(OH(2))(3) has three non-equivalent water ligands that can participate in ligand exchange reactions. The fastest of these exchanging sites has a QM activation energy of 18.1 kJ mol(-1), in good agreement with the experimental activation enthalpy of 19.6 kJ mol(-1). The mechanism for the intramolecular exchange between structure isomers in Y(TTA)(3)(OH(2))(2) involves the opening of a TTA-ring as the rate determining step as suggested by the good agreement between the QM activation energy and the experimental activation enthalpy 47.8 and 58.3 J mol(-1), respectively. The mechanism for the intermolecular exchange between free and coordinated HTTA in Y(TTA)(3)(HTTA) and Y(TTA)(3)(TBP)(HTTA) involves the opening of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in coordinated HTTA followed by proton transfer to coordinated TTA. This mechanism is supported by the good agreement between experimental activation enthalpies (within parenthesis) and calculated activation energies 68.7 (71.8) and 35.3 (38.8) kJ mol(-1). The main reason for the difference between the two systems is the much lower energy required to open the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the latter. The accuracy of the QM methods and chemical models used is discussed.


Abstract Short-term increasing returns to production factors are usually found in empirical studies. We argue they can be due to omitted variables, particularly the intensity of factor utilization. Thanks to original French firm-level data (1992–2008), we show how increasing returns to scale disappear when working time, capacity utilization rate, and, particularly, capital operating time are introduced in the production function.


We propose a Word-Topic Mixture(WTM) model to improve word representation and topic model simultaneously. Firstly, it introduces the initial external word embeddings into the Topical Word Embeddings(TWE) model based on Latent Dirichlet Allocation(LDA) model to learn word embeddings and topic vectors. Then the results learned from TWE are integrated in the LDA by defining the probability distribution of topic vectors-word embeddings according to the idea of latent feature model with LDA (LFLDA), meanwhile minimizing the KL divergence of the new topic-word distribution function and the original one. The experimental results prove that the WTM model performs better on word representation and topic detection compared with some state-of-the-art models.


: Virtual reality (VR) applications support design processes across multiple domains by providing shared environments in which the designers refine solutions. Given the different needs specific to these domains, the number of VR applications is increasing. Therefore, we propose to support their development by providing a new VR framework based on scenarios. Our VR framework uses scenarios to structure design activities dedicated to collaborative design in VR. The scenarios incorporate a new generic and theoretical collaborative design model that describes the designers' activities based on external representations. The concept of a common object of design is introduced to enable collaborations in VR and the synchronization of the scenarios between the designers. Consequently, the VR Framework enables the configuration of scenarios to create customized and versatile VR collaborative applications that meet the requirements of each stakeholder and domain.


This doctoral document has its roots in my experience of working as a trainer in counselling programmes in Greece while at the same time exploring mindfulness theory and practice in my personal and professional life. Drawing on these two parallels, I launched an investigation on the experience of mindfulness in therapists and trainees. Mindfulness-based interventions have attracted a lot of scientific interest. Yet, little is yet known about how mindfulness is actually experienced by therapists and its meaning for those who practice it (Bruce et al 2010; Davis & Hayes, 2011). The doctoral research sought to explore this "meaning" through two distinct but interlinked projects. Project 1 involves the interpretative-phenomenological inquiry into the experience of mindfulness in seasoned therapist practitioners in the UK. Five practitioners, three clinical psychologists and two psychotherapists were interviewed on their experience of mindfulness practice and its impact on their personal and professional lives. Themes that emerged included facilitating a different way of relating to oneself, wholeness and the importance of the body, spiritual needs, interconnectedness and belonging; they also included difficulties with practice such as experiences of mental health problems and the therapists' own expectations of practice. There was also a theme around the potential benefits of incorporating mindfulness in therapy training. The findings of Project 1 suggested that mindfulness facilitates mostly personal growth which affects the professional role of the participants regardless of the therapeutic models they use. Based on these findings, Project 2 investigated how mindfulness was experienced by counselling trainees in Greece where the approach remains largely unknown. Project 2 involved 10 trainees who were near completion of their training in integrative counselling and who attended a Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). There was a mindful inquiry into their experience by facilitating focus groups interviews (2 groups of 5 members each). The experience of the counselling journey, the intra and inter personal challenges encountered and the impact of an MBSR programme during their training were discussed. In particular, the findings indicate that what the trainees found most useful was the facilitation of a different relationship to themselves which echoes the "mindfulness attitudes" proposed by Kabat-Zinn (2004) and which cultivated a greater sense of "wholeness". Particular attention is given to the experience of both therapists (Project 1) and trainees (Project 2) that mindfulness can facilitate a greater integration of the personal and professional selves, which is theorized to be vital for sound clinical practice (Mace 2008) and echoes J.Kabat-Zinn's (2011) invitation "to have there be no separation between one's practice and one's life" (p.295). In parallel to Projects 1 and 2 a heuristic inquiry into my own experience of mindfulness is presented, using mindful meditation and drawing as means of exploring the tacit dimension. The results of this exploration vis-a-vis the findings of the two projects are discussed. Finally, drawing on all investigations (Projects 1, 2 and heuristic inquiry) a discussion regarding how mindfulness could be incorporated in integrative counseling training in order to facilitate a more holistic approach to developing a professional identity is presented. At the same time, risk factors and areas needing further exploration and clarification regarding this integration are explored.


: Under observation there were 24 patients with non-parasitic cysts of the liver. The cysts of the liver are frequently localized along the major or right portal fissures. According to indications, different surgical methods were used (resection of the liver, enucleation of the cysts, partial dissection of the cyst with tamponage of the cyst cavity by the omentum etc.). 22 patients operated upon recovered. Remote results were good.


Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder. The global incidence of neonatal CP is 1-5 per 1000 live births where 45% of children with CP have a comorbid intellectual disability (ID). This affects the quality of life and reduces life expectancy of affected individuals.
Methods and findings: With an aim to study the efficacy and safety of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) transplantation in CP with ID, we administered a 17-year-old boy with BMMNCs along with neurorehabilitation. On follow up after 6 months, clinical improvements were recorded in speech, fine motor skills, ambulation, oromotor skills, social awareness, cognitive skills, memory and attention. Comparative Positron Emission Tomography- Computer Tomography scan of brain before and six months after cell transplantation revealed improved metabolism in the anterior cingulate cortex, left caudate head, thalamus, medial temporal cortex, cerebellum. Intelligent Quotient improved from 21 to 29. Social age according to the Vineland Social Maturity Scale was increased by 1 year. Functional Independence Measure and Gross Motor Functional Measure increased from 22 to 26 and 74.65 to 76 respectively. On Gross Motor Functional Classification System, he improved from IV to III.
Conclusion: These changes suggest that BMMNCs transplantation along with neurorehabilitation was effective for this child suffering from CP with ID.
Keywords
Cerebral palsy; Intellectual disability; Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells; Cell transplantation; Positron emission tomography-computer tomography


This article argues that Ralph Waldo Emerson employs metempsychosis (reincarnation or the transmigration of the soul into successive bodies) as a figurative template for human consciousness. Mapping various traditions from Hinduism, Pythagoreanism, Platonism, and Neoplatonism onto the vastness of the geological and biological records, Emerson translates metaphysics for modernity: he depicts the soul's journey through the chronological sequence of history as a poetic process that culminates in a tenuous form of self-knowledge.


Summary
• The photosynthetic response of trees to rising CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) can be affected by plant source–sink relations, in addition to seasonal changes in environmental conditions. Characterization of biochemical and morphological feedbacks is important for understanding ecosystem responses to elevated atmospheric [CO2].
• The seasonal responses of leaf gas exchange and related biochemical parameters were measured during 3 yrs of exposure on established plantation sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees at a Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) facility in eastern Tennessee, USA.
• Net photosynthetic rates (Agrowth) of upper-canopy leaves were 44% higher in trees grown in elevated [CO2] compared with ambient [CO2] over the 3-yr period. There were no significant CO2 treatment effects on photosynthetic or biochemical capacity (i.e. no change in Amax, Vcmax or Jmax) of L. styraciflua leaves, despite increased area-based leaf sugar (10%) and starch content (27%), and reduced mass-based leaf nitrogen concentration (NM; 10%).
• These results suggest that established L. styraciflua trees in closed-canopy forests might exhibit a long-term positive response to elevated [CO2] without reductions in photosynthetic capacity.


The method of remote auto calibration measurement channels cyber-physical systems in real time using code-controlled measures is described. Additive error components as measurement as well the reference channels is adjusted by switching invert method. It is shown that the resulting measurement error virtually determined by codecontrolled measures error that could it serve as a basis for implementing remote auto calibration and operative check of metrological characteristics of measuring channels cyber-physical systems. The results of the experimental study model code-controlled measures showed good coincidence with the theoretical model.


To investigate dietary protein level effects on digestive mechanisms, weaned piglets were fed for 45 d with diets containing 20%, 17%, or 14% crude protein (CP) supplemented to meet requirements for essential amino acids. This article describes the influence of dietary protein on gastrointestinal hormones and expression of an array of digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in expression of enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, except for maltase in the duodenum. In the jejunum, amylase expression in pigs fed 20% CP was much higher than that in pigs fed other diets (P<0.05) and maltase expression in those fed 17% CP was higher than that in other treatments (P<0.05). Although there were no remarkable differences in expression of aminopeptidase in the small intestine or carboxypeptidase in the pancreas (P>0.05), there was a trend towards higher expression of various proteases in pigs fed 17% CP. The duodenal expression of enteropeptidase in diets with 14% and 17% CP was significantly higher than that with 20% CP (P<0.05), but treatment differences did not existed in jejunum (P>0.05). The expression of GPR93 as a nutrient-responsive G protein-coupled receptor in 14% and 17% CP diets was significantly higher than that in 20% CP diet in the small intestine (P<0.05). The expressions of genes for pancreatic enzymes, lipase and elastase, were significantly higher in pigs fed diets with low CP, while similar trends occurred for carboxypeptidase, chymotrypsin and amylase. Conversely, the gastric expressions of pepsinogen A and progastricsin were lower with the 17% CP diet. Differences between treatments were found in the gastric antral contents of cholecystokinin and somatostatin: both increased in pigs fed 17% CP, accompanied by decreased content of motilin, which was also seen in plasma concentrations. These patterns were not reflected in duodenal contents. In general, 17% dietary CP was beneficial to the digestion of nutrient substance in the gastrointestinal tract.中文概要目 的研究蛋白日粮水平对断奶仔猪消化的影响机制。创新点从营养物质消化及激素变化方面研究低蛋白日粮对仔猪胃肠道消化吸收的影响,探究低蛋白日粮饲养的可行性。方 法18 头28 日龄断奶仔猪经过7 天适应期后平均体重为(9.57±0.64) kg。仔猪随机分为三组,每组6头,分别饲喂20%、17%和14%粗蛋白日粮并自由采食45 天。根据国家研究委员会(NRC)2012年的标准,通过添加赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、半胱氨酸、苏氨酸及色氨酸等理想蛋白模型满足仔猪生长需求。实验结束后,进行颈静脉采血并屠宰取样。结 论结果表明基于蛋白日粮水平对内分泌及消化酶影响,与14%及20%粗蛋白组相比,17%蛋白日粮更有利于胃肠道和胰腺等组织中三种主要营养物质的消化。因此,17%粗蛋白水平更适合断奶仔猪的营养需求,证实了低蛋白日粮对断奶仔猪饲养的可行性。


Two theoretical approaches are applied in order to describe the behavior of the experimental breakdown voltage in C3F8∕C2HF5 mixtures. First, available cross section data of the electron-molecule processes are scaled to simulate the dielectric strength (DS) behavior in both C3F8 and C2HF5 gases at the level of the Boltzmann equation (BE) solution corresponding to a homogeneous electric field model. Then, the DS of C3F8∕C2HF5 mixtures is evaluated and compared to the experimental breakdown voltage measured using different electrode geometries as sphere/plane type via experimental techniques, i.e., power frequency and negative or positive polarity lightning impulse. Due to the limitation of the BE approach to describe the observed experimental data, the Hunter-Christophorou [J. Appl. Phys. 57, 4377 (1985)] model regarding the positive synergism phenomenon is finally applied. Both models allow us to compare relative values of the "chemical" and "physical" DS components in C3F8∕C2HF5 mixtures.


In High Performance Computing (HPC), chiller-less cooling has replaced mechanical chiller supported cooling for a significant part of the HPC system resulting in lower cooling costs. Still, other IT components and IT systems remain that require air or cold water cooling. This work introduces CooLMUC-2, a high-temperature direct-liquid cooled (HT-DLC) HPC system which uses a heat-recovery scheme to drive an adsorption refrigeration process. Using an adsorption chiller is at least two times more efficient than a mechanical chiller for producing needed cold water. To this date this is the only installation of adsorption chillers in a data center combining a Top500 production level HPC system with adsorption refrigeration. This prototype installation is one more step towards a 100% mechanical chiller-free data center. After optimization of the operational parameters of the system, the adsorption chillers of CooLMUC-2 consume just over 6kW of electrical power to not only remove 95kW of heat from the supercomputer, but also to produce more than 50kW of cold water. This paper presents initial measurements characterizing the heat-recovery performance of CooLMUC-2 at different operating conditions.


Habitat extent and configuration are critical drivers of faunal abundance, diversity, and ecosystem functioning. Evidence from terrestrial systems often suggests that large contiguous tracts of habitat generally support more species and individuals than several small patches of equal summed area. However, studies from shallow-water marine systems often suggest the opposite trend or that there are more complex interactions. Since tidal wetlands (e.g. salt marshes and mangrove forests) are at the interface between terrestrial and marine ecosystems and provide essential nursery habitat for a variety of estuarine taxa, it is important to elucidate how the size, configuration, and surrounding matrix of these wetlands influence their role in supporting faunal communities. We sampled 12 isolated marsh islands ranging in size from 300 to 55000 m2 within North Carolina, USA, to better understand the influence of marsh size and configuration on overall biodiversity and faunal abundance of estuarine nekton. Field observations indicated that nekton catch rates were directly correlated with marsh area and perimeter; however, species richness did not change with marsh size or configuration. Further analysis indicated that small and medium marsh islands support higher species turnover among islands than large marsh islands. Quantitative simulations using the 'Single-Large-Or-Several-Small' framework and idealized, circular islands showed that intermediate-sized islands support the highest relative abundance of nekton after standardizing for total marsh area. Our findings suggest that focused conservation or restoration efforts for marsh islands ranging in size from 1000 to 10000 m2 may help maintain and enhance estuarine nekton communities.


Tidore Island in North Maluku Province is one of the clove ( Syzygium aromaticum ) producing regions. Clove plant fertility is maintained even though it is not given organic and inorganic fertilizers, it also keeps the fertility of the soil and the environment as a whole. Therefore, this study aims to explore bacteria in the rhizosphere of the clove trees planted in Tidore island as biofertilizer agents of Indol-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, and ammonium production. Bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of clove trees. Screening of the isolates was done according to qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection of the qualitative method were based on medium color changes for each variable while that the quantitative method (i.e. the concentrations of produced IAA, solubilized phosphate, and produced ammonium) were obtained based on spectrophotometry. The results obtained 110 bacterial isolates. Nineteen bacteria were potential as biofertilizer agents, of which isolate R11, R8P, and A1N showed the highest in IAA production (8.71 μgL -1 ), phosphate solubilization (8.37 μgL -1 ), and ammonium production (11.71 μgL -1 ), respectively. The three isolates respectively have similarities to the genus of Enterobacter, Burkholderia , and Stenotrophomonas. Keywords: Biofertilizer, Clove, Rhizobacteria, Rhizosphere.


Purpose: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most diagnosed lung cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to analyze whether fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels could provide prognostic information in Chinese patients with NSCLC, using the Suzhou Lung Cancer Survival study. Patients and methods: A prospective cohort study of adult patients with primary NSCLC was performed. The patients who were hospitalized between January 2016 and April 2018 in two hospitals af fi liated with Soochow University were recruited. Patient information, including lifestyle habits and clinical and laboratory data, were collected through face-to-face interviews and evaluation of medical records. Follow-up was initiated from the date of patient enrollment until May 8, 2018 or until patient death. The long-term survival of patients was assessed every 6 months. Patient vital status was con fi rmed by using hospital records, telephone interview, or local death registration system. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratio and 95% con fi dence interval (CI) for death, with adjustment for cancer stage, medical treatments, smoking, and other potential confounders. Results: A total of 387 patients were included in the analysis, and the numbers (percentages) of patients with stages I, II, III, and IV NSCLC were 53 (13.7%), 41 (10.6%), 64 (16.5%), and 215 (55.6%), respectively. The median duration of follow-up was 19.1 months. Compared with patients in the second tertile of FBG, the HRs for mortality were 2.16 (95% CI: 1.26 – 3.73) and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.03 – 3.42) for those in the lowest one and diabetic group, respectively. Subgroup analysis according to various patient characteristics con fi rmed these associations. Conclusion: Diabetes and low FBG could be important predictors of death in patients with NSCLC. Maintaining appropriate blood glucose levels may improve prognosis in patients with NSCLC.


Prior reinforcement of a neutral stimulus often blocks subsequent conditioning of a new stimulus if a compound of the original and new cues is paired with the same reinforcer. However, if the value of the reinforcer is altered when the compound is presented, the new cue typically acquires conditioning, a result called unblocking. Blocking, unblocking, and related phenomena have been attributed to variations in processing of either the reinforcer, for example, the Rescorla-Wagner (1972) model, or cues, for example, the Pearce-Hall (1980) model. Here, we examined the effects of lesions of the basolateral amygdala on the occurrence of unblocking when the food reinforcer was increased in quantity at the time of introduction of the new cue. The lesions had no effects on unblocking in a simple design (Experiment 1), which did not distinguish between unblocking produced by variations in reward or cue processing. However, in a procedure that distinguished between unblocking due to direct conditioning by the added reinforcer, consistent with the Rescorla-Wagner (1972) model, and that due to increases in conditioning to the original reinforcer, consistent with the Pearce-Hall (1980) and other models of learning, the lesions prevented unblocking of the latter type. These results were discussed in the context of roles of the basolateral amygdala in coding and using reward prediction error information in associative learning.


Natural seepage of methane into the oceans is considerable, and plays a role in the global carbon cycle. Estimating the amount of this greenhouse gas entering the water column is important in order to understand their environmental impact. In addition, leakage from man-made structures such as gas pipelines may have environmental and economical consequences and should be promptly detected. Split beam echo sounders (SBES) detect hydroacoustic plumes due to the significant contrast in acoustic impedance between water and free gas. SBES are also powerful tools for plume characterization, with the ability to provide absolute acoustic measurements, estimate bubble trajectories, and capture the frequency dependent response of bubbles. However, under challenging conditions such as deep water and considerable background noise, it can be difficult to detect the presence of gas seepage from the acoustic imagery alone. The spatial coherence of the wavefield measured across the split beam sectors, quantified by the coherence factor (CF), is a computationally simple, easily available quantity which complements the acoustic imagery and may ease the ability to automatically or visually detect bubbles in the water column. We demonstrate the benefits of CF processing using SBES data from the Hudson Canyon, acquired using the Simrad EK80 SBES. We observe that hydroacoustic plumes appear more clearly defined and are easier to detect in the CF imagery than in the acoustic backscatter images.


(abridged) Context: Solar-like differential rotation is characterized by a rapidly rotating equator and slower poles. However, theoretical models and numerical simulations can result in a slower equator and faster poles when the rotation is slow. Aims: We study the critical rotational influence under which differential rotation flips from solar-like (fast equator, slow poles) to an anti-solar one (slow equator, fast poles). We estimate the non-diffusive ($\Lambda$ effect) and diffusive (turbulent viscosity) contributions to the Reynolds stress. Methods: We present the results of three-dimensional numerical simulations of mildly turbulent convection in spherical wedge geometry. Here we apply a fully compressible setup which would suffer from a prohibitive time step constraint if the real solar luminosity was used. We regulate the convective velocities by varying the amount of heat transported by thermal conduction, turbulent diffusion, and resolved convection. Results: Increasing the efficiency of resolved convection leads to a reduction of the rotational influence on the flow and a sharp transition from solar-like to anti-solar differential rotation for Coriolis numbers around 1.3. We confirm the recent finding of a large-scale flow bistability: contrasted with running the models from an initial condition with unprescribed differential rotation, the initialization of the model with certain kind of rotation profile sustains the solution over a wider parameter range. Conclusions: Our results may have implications for real stars that start their lives as rapid rotators implying solar-like rotation in the early main-sequence evolution. As they slow down, they might be able to retain solar-like rotation for lower Coriolis numbers before switching to anti-solar rotation. This could partially explain the puzzling findings of anti-solar rotation profiles for models in the solar parameter regime.


The high pace emergence in wireless technologies have given rise to an immense demand towards Quality of Service (QoS) aware multimedia data transmission over mobile wireless multimedia sensor network (WMSN). Ensuring reliable communication over WMSN while fulfilling timely and optimal packet delivery over WMSN can be of great significance for emerging IoT ecosystem. With these motivations, in this paper a highly robust and efficient cross layered routing protocol named network condition aware mobile-WMSN routing protocol (NCAM-RP) has been developed. NCAM-RP introduces a proactive neighbour table management, congestion awareness, packet velocity estimation, dynamic link quality estimation (DLQE), and deadline sensitive service differentiation based multimedia traffic prioritization, and multi-constraints based best forwarding node selection mechanisms. These optimization measures have been applied on network layer, MAC layer and the physical layer of the protocol stack that eventually strengthen NCAM-RP to enable QoS-aware multimedia data transmission over WMSNs. The proposed NCAM-RP protocol intends to optimize real time mission critical (even driven) multimedia data (RTMD) transmission while ensuring best feasible resource allocation to the non-real time (NRT) data traffic over WMSNs. NCAM-RP has outperform RPAR based routing scheme in terms of higher data delivery, lower packet drops and deadline miss ratio. It signifies that NCAM-RP can ensure minimal retransmission that eventually can reduce energy consumption, delay and computational overheads. Being the mobility based WMSN protocol, NCAM-RP can play significant role in IoT ecosystem.


Hot spot stress (HSS) approach is more applicable for fatigue evaluation, because it is more closer to the real stress at the welded notch than nominal stress.This paper studies a typical welded joint, fillet welded joint, which is used widely in high-speed car. Hot spot stress concentration factor is calculated under different nominal stress and loading methods. The S-N curves belong to nominal stress and hot spot stress were analysized. The result show that the difference between the S-N curves under different load style can be reduced greatly by hot spot stress. The hot spot stress characteristic variable was put forward, which is used to describe the influence from the welding size of the joint.


The study examined the determinants of financial sector development in Nigeria in an error correction modelling framework, and with OLS for robustness checks, using data from 1980 to 2017. The results show that, banking sector reform, gross capital formation, government expenditure, interest rate spread, output size and trade openness were significant determinants of financial sector development in both the short- and long run. Proxy for economic misery was only significant in the ECM equation, while literacy and human development metric was significant in the long-run equation. Natural resource dependence, proxy by ratio of natural resource rent to GDP, was negatively related to financial sector development in Nigeria, though the coefficient was not significant at conventional levels.  Economic misery, interest rate spread and inflation were observed to undermine financial development in Nigeria. The study recommends the continuation of the process of financial liberalization because of its immerse benefits of promoting competition amongst financial institutions with attendant positive effects of reducing interest rate gap. Domestic output, measured by the real GDP, should be enhanced with appropriate stabilising policy, whether fiscal or monetary policy. Additionally, efforts should be enhanced to limit the effects of macroeconomic instability on financial sector development. Lastly, the study recommends efficient management of natural resources to enjoy a non-declining contribution to the development of an inclusive financial system in Nigeria.


This paper discusses the foreign investment protection regime and policy of Israel, analyzes the central features of its bilateral investment treaties (BITs), and argues that time has come to use these treaties as a tool to attract foreign investment to the country, in particular in the energy sector. It shows that until now, BITs have been concluded mainly with developing and transition-economy countries and as a means to protect Israeli investors in those countries. This policy has been based on the perception that only developing countries with politically unstable regimes and corrupt or non-independent judiciaries need such treaties, while Israel can rely on its good reputation of being a democratic state, based on the rule of law, with a free-market economy and a well-reputed judiciary to attract FDI. The paper argues that not only is this viewpoint incompatible with current trends in International Investment Law where more and more BITs are concluded between developed countries, it must also be revised on the background of what has occurred in Israel over the last few years in the energy sector. The paper describes the long saga of the regulatory changes in relation to the natural gas sector, ever since huge offshore gas fields were discovered, including the Supreme Court's rulings on the changes of the tax regime and on the stabilization clause, and analyses its impact on the investment climate. The paper presents original data on this impact and suggests policy recommendations based on the analysis of the situation.


The relations between the Ottoman Empire and Muslims in South Africa started with the religious mission of scholar Ebubekir Efendi to the Cape of Good Hope in 1862. This mission can be understood as an early example of Pan-Islamism as a political ideology, as it is a precedent of the emissaries that sultan Abdulhamid sent around the world in the service of Pan-Islamism. Besides for its religious and 'civilizing' reasons, the Ottomans also used this connection to strengthen their ties with Britain. Over time Britain started to question Ottoman interest in the Muslims in their colony. The sultan tried, with his title of Caliph, to influence Muslims in South Africa, and besides offering them support he also expected their support and loyalty in return. By establishing consulates, schools and a pro-Ottoman sentiment, the Ottomans succeeded in establishing a base of power within the Cape. When after Ebubekir Efendi's death the Malay Muslims, as the Muslims in South Africa of those days were called, turned to Mecca for religious matters, the Ottomans started to focus more on the Indian Muslims of South Africa. The Indian Muslims needed the support of the Ottomans to the same extent as the Ottomans were in need of their support for their Pan-Islamic ideology. The Ottoman 'grip' on these Muslims was also a strategic move in relation to the Ottoman stance towards Britain.My purpose is to show how the Ottomans perceived the Muslims of the Cape Colony as spiritually under their leadership, in a fashion similar to the "spiritual colonies," then a popular term referring to (their territory in) Africa and Central Asia, even though the Cape was, territorially speaking, not part of the Ottoman dominion, and the Ottomans could not claim any political power over it. And to demonstrate how with this power over the Muslims they were able to 'threaten' European powers with the support of Muslims all over the world.


The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency on coronavirus pandemic outbreak, and in response to this, nations affected by this scourge are enforcing strict measures to combat the virus. To understand the impact of these strict measures adopted by countries of the world, this study investigated the effect of Coronavirus pandemic outbreakon the performance of private businesses in Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The data was sourced from questionnaires administered online to owners of private businesses and financial analysts in Lagos State, Nigeria. The result from the linear regression revealed that Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic harms both the financial and non-financial performance of private businesses in Nigeria. The study concluded that that Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic harms firm performance in Nigeria. The study, therefore, recommended that the government should include privates business in its stimulus packages or palliatives programmes to keep private businesses in operation after the pandemic.


The work examines a total company operation for a specific range of newgeneration,
polypropylene capacitors, which results in recommendations
for future operational improvements and the installation of a new system
of manufacture. The research covers the major facets of a business
operation and their interdependency. These are, principally, corporate strategy, markets, product technology and manufacturing organisation.
A major feature of the work was the successful installation of manufacturing
and control systems based on cellular layout. As the production
methods were predominantly assembly orientated, this represented a
unique application of Group Technology (G.T.), in view of the fact that
such areas had received little attention by academics and industrial
engineers. The writer was fully responsible for all facets of installation
and operation of the new system which involved gaining the
co-operation of operators and staff, planning the physical movement of
machines and other facilities, and the monitoring of working procedures
at the post-installation stage. The overall conclusion was reached that the company had a fundamental
strategic problem and that basic decisions were needed if polypropylene
capacitors were to have a future. The work covered in this thesis
provides a framework to aid this decision making process. The information
presented on markets provides an indication of the scope available to the
business, and the product technology section demonstrates the need for
management of change such that minimum cost and market criteria can be
met in capacitor design. The Group Technology work was also useful in
this connection as the rationalised nature of flow and inputs provided
a datum point for the strategic planning of physical conversion processes.


Hesperides, or the Muses' Garden is a 17th-century manuscript commonplace book known primarily for its Shakespearean connections. The readers of Hesperides generally combine reading and thinking, or reading and writing. Though few, Hesperides is not without its "fit audience." In addition to the few modern scholars who have examined the manuscripts, the actual known readers of Hesperides include Humphrey Moseley the 17th-century publisher, James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps in the Victorian period, and a late-18th-century anonymous reader. The last of this group copies Shakespearean and dramatic extracts into the commonplace book and is identified through internal evidence based on paleography. The intended readers of Hesperides, including the Courtier, would make use of it as a linguistic aid, to learn how to speak and write well from literary models. They take the commonplace book as a reference library.


Intracellular [Na+], [H+], and [ATP] and mechanical performance were measured in the isovolumic perfused rat heart during ischemia. The concentration of intracellular sodium, [Na+]i, was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy under control conditions, and [Na+] was monitored by 23Na NMR spectroscopy at 1‐min intervals under control conditions and during global ischemia. [ATP], [H+], and [Pi] were measured by 31PNMR in a separate group under identical conditions. The control [Na+]i measured by atomic absorption was 30.7 ± 3.3 mM(mean ± SD, n = 6), and [Na+]i measured by NMR was 6.2 ± 0.5 mM(n = 3). Brief ischemia (10 min) was associated with a 54% increase in [Na+]i which reversed completely with reperfusion. Developed pressure also returned to control values upon reperfusion. Prolonged ischemia (30 min) produced continuous further accumulation of sodium (0.53 mM/min, r2 = 0.99). [H+] also increased approximately linearly early in ischemia (0.084 μM/min, r2 = 0.97). The rate of increase in [Na+]i was more than 4000 times greater than the increase in [H+] on a molar basis. Nevertheless, [H+]/[Na+] increased early in ischemia because the proportional change in [H+] was greater than that in [Na+] i. These results indicate that (1) intracellular sodium measured by NMR in the functioning heart is about 20% of total intracellular sodium; (2) intracellular acidosis and accumulation of sodium develop simultaneously during global ischemia; (3) increased intracellular sodium content is not in itself an indicator of irreversible injury; and (4) recovery of mechanical performance is associated with return of [Na+] (measured by NMR) to baseline after brief ischemia. The mechanism of the increase in sodium content detected by NMR is unknown. © 1990 Academic Press, Inc.


Arnica montana has been widely used as a homeopathic remedy for the treatment of several inflammatory conditions in pain management and postoperative settings. This review gives an overview of the therapeutic use of Arnica montana in the above-mentioned fields also focusing on its mechanisms of action learned from animal models and in vitro studies. Arnica montana is more effective than placebo when used for the treatment of several conditions including post-traumatic and postoperative pain, edema, and ecchymosis. However, its dosages and preparations used have produced substantial differences in the clinical outcome. Cumulative evidence suggests that Arnica montana may represent a valid alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, at least when treating some specific conditions.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To test the effects of a brief psychosocial intervention using CD-ROM (BPIC) on psychosocial (fighting spirit, helplessness or hopelessness, anxiety, and depression) and behavioral (self-care behaviors) outcomes in patients with cancer receiving adjuvant therapy.

DESIGN
Quasi-experimental.

SETTING
A comprehensive cancer center in Seoul, South Korea.

SAMPLE
71 patients undergoing adjuvant therapy.

METHODS
The study participants were assigned to either BPIC or a control group. The experimental group underwent a two-week psychosocial intervention via CD-ROM, booklet, and telephone counseling.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES
Fighting spirit, helplessness or hopelessness, anxiety, depression, and self-care behaviors.

FINDINGS
After BPIC, the experimental group showed significantly higher scores than the control group for fighting spirit (p = 0.005) and self-care behaviors (p < 0.001). However, the groups showed no significant differences in helplessness or hopelessness (p = 0.42), anxiety (p = 0.279), and depression (p = 0.068).

CONCLUSIONS
BPIC use improved fighting spirit and self-care behaviors in study participants. The results partially support the effectiveness of BPIC for adaptation among patients with cancer receiving adjuvant therapy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
A brief psychosocial intervention using multimedia can be used effectively in clinical oncology settings to accelerate adaptation among patients with cancer in the adjuvant phase.