The present goal of combustion research is to enhance the burning efficiency resulting in minimal emission which is in fact, paves the way for a sustainable future. Researchers are investigating different parameters and factors associated with combustion to control the combustion process. Image processing is one of the most useful and safe tool for this job as it is nonintrusive and do not interfere with the combustion zone during experiment. Present work focuses on the digital image processing of the premixed and diffusion flame which has been utilized as a tool to characterize burner stabilized premixed and non-premixed Flame. The experiment is performed on a burner stabilized LPG-air flame. For premixed flame, several sets of experiments are done keeping the camera setting and image quality identical which resulted in an almost linearly increasing average RGB value with respect to equivalence ratio. Taking the relation of an experiment as standard, equivalence ratio is calculated for other experiments just by observing the average RGB value(R+G+B/3) of that image. It is found that almost in all cases the error values are lying between −10% to +10% of the actual value calculated from the flow rates of air and fuel. Diffusion flame is examined by passing fuel through the central channel of co-flow burner and air through the outer cylindrical channel. Air is used to stabilize the flame and for giving it a steady shape. Experiment is done keeping air flow constant while the fuel flow is varied and the image is captured. For diffusion flame, as the change in colour of flame is not much differentiable with the change in fuel, analysis is done to find the relation between fuel flow rate and flame area by counting the number of pixels. Finally, a direct relation of fuel amount and the image area is obtained.


Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients are categorized by occlusion or vascular stenosis leading to myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, and necrosis. In clinical cardiovascular, CHD remains as a leading disease that is primarily prevalent among older people and mid-aged groups. CHD has a drastic impact on their life standard, and is known to have debilitating effects on both mental and physical wellbeing. As a Chinese patent medicine, compound Danshen dripping pills (CDDPs) are commonly administered to treat CHD in China. Despite the common intake of CDDPs, there is a lack of evidence-based clinical practice to inform its efficacy and safety through related systematic reviews. Therefore, the present protocol proposes to conduct a meta-analysis aiming to evaluate the effectivity and safeness of using CDDP for treating CHD patients. Methods: Randomized controlled trials that have evaluated the efficacy and safety of CDDP for treating CHD patients will be searched in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases. The search will include all related articles published till January 3, 2022. The extracted data will include information on study design, characteristics of the participants, details on intervention, and outcomes. Cochrane risk of bias tool will be employed to assess the quality of the trials. We will use either a random-effects model or fixed-effects model to pool the data. We will present the results as a risk ratio for dichotomous data and weighted mean difference for continuous data. We will visualize publication bias using funnel plots. Disagreements shall be resolved through discussion. Ethics and dissemination: Not required. OSF registration number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/HJTP8 Abbreviations: CDDP = compound Danshen dropping pill, CHD = coronary heart disease, RCTs = randomized controlled trials.


In line with the government's intention to become high income nation by 2020, SME development has become national priority to achieve Vision 2020. The government aims to bring SME, including micro enterprises into the economic mainstream to become an important engine in Malaysia's economic growth.Therefore, many programs were implemented such as 1Azam program which builds up the capabilities of the poor and creates jobs for them in varied industries including agricultural and agro-based and small-business plus self-employment to create opportunities for low-income households to earn income independently.The government allocates a lot of funds such as Economic Stimulus Package, Economic Planning Unit (EPU) funds and SME development scheme.The government channels the funds through Micro Finance Institutions namely Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, TEKUN Nasional, MARA, PUNB and selected banks that offer microfinancing.This monograph discusses the Intermediary Model in financing micro enterprise sector in Malaysia and analyzing as well as determining the factors affecting repayment performance in microfinance programs in Malaysia.


ABSTRACT Universities are breaking away from the academic apprenticeship-type PhD model towards more individualised and collaborative programmes. Papers published in peer-reviewed academic journals on this topic were compiled to investigate the conversation surrounding PhD reform. Important considerations derived from the literature were that PhD programmes should encourage candidates to rethink their professional identity, acquire an interdependent suite of skills from a range of contexts and set goals in multiple working environments. Continued commitment to programmes that recognise the converging similarities and interdependencies between research and industry was supported, but with a flexible approach in order to maintain the uniqueness of the PhD as a process where academic identity is formed and academic rigour is respected as an important outcome. Best practice might be aimed at offering work placements in multiple environments to keep professional identities current. Areas for further exploration include perceived challenges, benefits and concerns when engaging in collaborative programmes.


Purpose The main issue with the current ultrasonography (US) guidelines is the overestimation of malignant and indeterminate nodules as they do not aid in making decisions to treat patients. To overcome this, new US guidelines for thyroid nodules that have been shown to be better correlated with cytologic results have been proposed. We also suggested specific indications for US-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) using the new US guidelines. Methods Clinical and pathologic data from 925 patients and 1,419 thyroid nodules were retrospectively collected. All subjects underwent US- and US-guided FNA at Department of Surgery, Wonju Christian Hospital, between March 2010 and July 2011. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for both the current guidelines and the new guidelines. Results The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the current guidelines in predicting malignancy were 24.1%, 99.3%, 62.2%, 25.0%, and 99.8%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the new guidelines in predicting malignancy were 66.0%, 96.0%, 86.7%, 47.7%, and 99.4%, respectively. Conclusion The use of the new US guidelines allow for a more accurate and specific diagnosis and a better treatment plan than the current guidelines. Additionally, the use of the new FNA guidelines may help prevent unnecessary FNAs and promote cost-effective follow-up for patients.


We present the first proper-motion (PM) measurements for the dwarf elliptical galaxies NGC 147 and NGC 185, two satellite galaxies of M31, using multiepoch Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging data with time baselines of ∼8 yr. For each galaxy, we take an error-weighted average of measurements from HST Advanced Camera for Surveys/WFC and Wide Field Camera 3/UVIS to determine the PMs. Our final results for the PMs are (μ W, μ N)N147 = (−0.0232, 0.0378) ± (0.0143, 0.0146) mas yr−1 for NGC 147 and (μ W, μ N)N185 = (−0.0242, 0.0058) ± (0.0141, 0.0147) mas yr−1 for NGC 185. The 2D direction of motion for NGC 147 about M31 is found to be aligned with its tidal tails. The 3D positions and velocities of both galaxies are transformed into a common M31-centric coordinate system to study the detailed orbital histories of the combined M31+NGC 147+NGC 185 system via numerical orbit integration. We find that NGC 147 (NGC 185) had its closest passage to M31 0.3–0.5 Gyr (≳1.6 Gyr) within the past 6 Gyr at distances of ∼70 kpc (70–260 kpc). The pericentric times of NGC 147/NGC 185 correlate qualitatively well with the presence/absence of tidal tails seen around the galaxies. Our PMs show that the orbital poles of NGC 147, as well as NGC 185, albeit to a lesser degree, agree within the uncertainties with the normal of the Great Plane of Andromeda (GPoA). These are the first measurements of the 3D angular momentum vector of any satellite identified as original GPoA members. Our results strengthen the hypothesis that the GPoA may be a dynamically coherent entity. We revisit previous claims that NGC 147 and NGC 185 are binary galaxies and conclude that it is very unlikely that the two galaxies were ever gravitationally bound to each other.


The explanation of the momentum premium represents an ongoing challenge, triggering the development of multiple risk-based and behavioral models. The paper explores the momentum strategy following a systematic divide-and-conquer approach composed from a sequence of top-bottom steps: dissecting the momentum performance along bull/bear states and winners/losers deciles; identifying the unscaled momentum decile as a basic common block across conventional, time-series and dual momentum strategies; rolling the combined in- and out-of-sample analysis, and clustering momentum decile time series. The corresponding findings support the Efficient Market Hypothesis and compliment existing models with techniques for identifying and assessing temporal patterns.


Shiga-like toxin (SLT)-producing strains of Escherichia coli are known to cause diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans. The SLTs, particularly those related to type II (SLT-II), are a diverse family of toxins which may have differing in vitro or in vivo properties. To examine the impact of naturally occurring SLT-II sequence variation on the capacity of a given E. coli strain to cause disease, operons encoding four different SLT-II-related toxins, designated SLT-II/O111, SLT-II/OX3a, SLT-II/OX3b, and SLT-II/O48, were cloned in the same orientation in pBluescript. French pressure cell lysates of E. coli DH5 alpha derivatives carrying these plasmids differed markedly in cytotoxicity for Vero cells, with 50% cytotoxic doses ranging from 20 to 328,000/ml. The strains also differed in oral virulence for streptomycin-treated mice, as judged by survival rate and/or median survival time, but virulence did not necessarily correlate with in vitro cytotoxicity. The SLT-II type associated with the lowest oral virulence was SLT-II/O111. Both the overall survival rate and the median survival time of mice challenged with clones producing this toxin were significantly greater than that for mice challenged with a clone producing the closely related SLT-II/OX3a. Experiments with clones carrying chimeric O111/OX3a SLT-II operons indicated that the reduced virulence was associated with an Arg-176-->Gly substitution in the mature A subunit. Clones producing SLT-II/O48 and SLT-II/OX3b had similarly high cytotoxicities for Vero cells, but the latter was more virulent when fed to streptomycin-treated mice, as judged by median survival time. Experiments with clones carrying chimeric O48/OX3b SLT-II operons indicated that the increased virulence was a function of the A subunit of SLT-II/OX3b, which differs from the A subunit of SLT-II/O48 by only two amino acids (Met-4-->Thr and Gly-102-->Asp, respectively). These findings raise the possibility that naturally occurring SLT-II sequence variations may impact directly on the capacity of a given SLT-producing E. coli strain to cause disease.


In September 2000 the Archaeological Field Unit (AFU) of Cambridgeshire County Council conducted an archaeological investigation on land adjacent to Crowland Road, Eye Green, Eye, Peterborough (TF 2295 0332), in advance of housing development. The aim of the intervention was to record and assess the nature and character of any archaeological remains encountered prior to ground works.

Within some 250sqm of undisturbed soil, evidence emerged for a roundhouse and associated ditch with terminus marking a possible entrance fence facing NNE. Inside the house there were pits of uncertain function. Most features produced pottery dating to the Middle Iron Age.

Evidence also survived of a boundary ditch which ran parallel to Crowland Road and may have represented the limit of the built-up area in post-medieval times.

Sequences of levelling and disturbance associated with quarrying in modern times were observed in the southern portion of the site.

The traditional location of a Saxon inhumation cemetery in close proximity to the proposed development area was not confirmed.


CdS is a well-known and efficient photocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production. However, CdS is prone to photocorrosion in the photocatalytic reaction, in which CdS itself is oxidized by the photogenerated holes. Most of the work reported, to date, has focused only on the structure of CdS. However, less attention was paid to the kinetic changes of CdS during the photocatalytic reaction, which, in our opinion, is a crucial step for its practical utilization. In this report, we have developed a facile in situ Raman analysis, aiming to clarify the microstructural changes of CdS during the photocatalytic reaction process. In this study, photocatalytic hydrogen production over CdS in an Ar or air atmosphere was studied using various techniques in addition to in situ Raman spectroscopy. With Raman spectroscopy, a significant increase in the surface lattice strain of CdS was only observed when it was exposed to air, while the electron–phonon interactions remained the same regardless of the atmosphere. A direct correlation between the interfacial crystal lattice and photocorrosion of the CdS photocatalyst during photocatalytic hydrogen production was found based on our in situ Raman investigation. Finding the photocorrosion of the CdS photocatalyst at its very early stage using our in situ Raman technique is expected to provide meaningful guidance for the design of active and stable chalcogenide photocatalysts, which, however, cannot be achieved using traditional characterization techniques.


An 8.6-mm-wavelength, dual-polarization Doppler radar was operated by the Wave Propagation Laboratory during the Cooperative Convective Precipitation Experiment. The complex cross correlation between the two received polarization channels (left- and right-handed circular) provided information about the degree of common alignment and the scattering properties of the observed hydrometeors. The data show four distinct layers in a lightly precipitating stratiform cloud. These are (1) a subcloud layer consisting of raindrops and some non-Rayleigh-scattering graupel particles, (2) a narrow "depolarization band" containing highly non-Rayleigh particles that are ice and ice-water mixtures, (3) a main cloud region consisting of small ice particles, and (4) a cloud top region consisting of substantially larger particles than were found in the main cloud.


This article describes enhancements to the physical layer design of single-carrier (1/spl times/) cdma2000/sup /spl reg// wireless networks introduced by Revision C of the IS-2000 standard (commonly referred to as 1/spl times/EV-DV). These improvements are mainly for the support of high-speed wireless packet data service on the forward (base station to mobile station) link. A new shared channel, the forward packet data channel, F-PDCH, is introduced to significantly increase spectral efficiency. This is accomplished through smart, channel-dependent scheduling of base station, BS, resources by taking advantage of the delay-tolerant nature of data traffic. This shared channel utilizes fast link adaptation through adaptive modulation and coding supported by the feedback of channel quality information. A form of hybrid ARQ type II technique commonly referred to as asynchronous adaptive incremental redundancy compensates for frame error events due to imperfect link adaptation. The impact of the new channel on voice capacity of the system is designed to be minimal because the F-PDCH utilizes resources that are not consumed by real-time users.


Recent work on adversarial attack has shown that Projected Gradient Descent (PGD) Adversary is a universal first-order adversary, and the classifier adversarially trained by PGD is robust against a wide range of first-order attacks. It is worth noting that the original objective of an attack/defense model relies on a data distribution p(x), typically in the form of risk maximization/minimization, e.g., max/min Ep(x) L(x) with p(x) some unknown data distribution and L(·) a loss function. However, since PGD generates attack samples independently for each data sample based on L(·), the procedure does not necessarily lead to good generalization in terms of risk optimization. In this paper, we achieve the goal by proposing distributionally adversarial attack (DAA), a framework to solve an optimal adversarial-data distribution, a perturbed distribution that satisfies the L∞ constraint but deviates from the original data distribution to increase the generalization risk maximally. Algorithmically, DAA performs optimization on the space of potential data distributions, which introduces direct dependency between all data points when generating adversarial samples. DAA is evaluated by attacking state-of-the-art defense models, including the adversarially-trained models provided by MIT MadryLab. Notably, DAA ranks the first place on MadryLab's white-box leaderboards, reducing the accuracy of their secret MNIST model to 88.56% (with l∞ perturbations of ε = 0.3) and the accuracy of their secret CIFAR model to 44.71% (with l∞ perturbations of ε = 8.0). Code for the experiments is released on https://github.com/tianzheng4/Distributionally-Adversarial-Attack.


Mixed plumes of chlorinated organics and oxidized metals are a common contaminant at many sites. The oxidized metals can be mediated by the establishment of moderately reducing conditions. The chlorinated organics have been demonstrated to be degradable by specific dechlorinating microrganisms in anaerobic environment such as Dehalococcoides sp. Enhanced biological dechlorination requires the presence of an effective electron donor to provide molecular hydrogen (H2) to completely degrade chlorinated ethenes. Distribution of the electron donor results in the biologically mediated establishment of highly reducing conditions in the treatment zone. This process also results in the reduction and precipitation of the oxidized metals via sulphate-reducing conditions. Peroxychem LLC has developed an innovative electron donor, ELS® Microemulsion Reagent (ELS) for in situ treatment of chlorinated organics and metals. This substrate has been successfully applied at numerous sites to address a variety of contaminants. ELS® is an organic electron donor composed of an easily fermentable organic substrate based on lecithin, and designed to enhance in situ anaerobic bioremediation aquifers contaminated by organochlorine compounds and heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium Cr[VI]. The product is easy to mix, dilute and inject into the subsurface. Once in the groundwater, indigenous microorganisms utilize ELS to rapidly generate highly reducing conditions, favoring biotic dechlorination reactions and the reduction of oxidized metals such as Cr[VI]. This innovative technology was successfully applied to a former manufacturing site in the center of Italy, where groundwater was historically contaminated with Tetrachloroethylene (PCE > 5.5 milligrams per Liter; mg/L), Trichloroethylene (TCE > 2 mg/L), 1,2-Dichloroethene (1,2-DCE > 1 mg/L) and, to a lesser extent, Vinyl Chloride (VC) and 1,2-Dichloropropane (DP). A pump-and-treat system (P&T) installed in the source was active as a source containment measure and to speed up the overall groundwater remediation. However, there was concern that the pumping could affect the ELS treatment effectiveness because of the increased groundwater flow velocity and the potential for removal of the injected bioremediation substrate. To mitigate this potential some wells were switched off the flow rates of others was adjusted to ensure compatibility with the planned product injection. In particular, an upstream low-flow-rate pump and treat system was maintained over the ELS® treatment period, primarily to delay the fast-downstream diffusion of the amendments in the aquifer, thus enhancing the source treatment. Following the calibration of the P&T system, approximately 4,900 kg of ELS® concentration was injected under high pressure at 51 locations into the source area. In about 12 months from injection of ELS® Microemulsion into the groundwater in the main source area, concentrations of PCE, TCE and the recognized catabolites, such as DCE and VC, rapidly reduced, compared to the pre-treatment concentrations, until they reached the statutory national limits (CSC D.lgs 152/06) in the main monitoring piezometers of the area, also highlighting the establishment of clear and enhanced biotic reducing conditions. No rebound effects have been observed in the next three years of monitoring.


BACKGROUND
Two important factors in the use of implant-retained overdentures are cleansability and patients' satisfaction. Limited research has been published concerning the cleansability of these overdentures On the other hand, studies have compared patients' satisfaction with conventional dentures and various designs of implant overdentures. However, no studies have compared overdentures retained by Hader bars (Sterngold, Attleboro, Mass.) and direct ERA attachments (Sterngold) in terms of both cleansability and patients' satisfaction.

PURPOSE
The authors' aim was to determine the cleansability of and patients' acceptance of overdentures retained by direct ERA attachments and overdentures supported by a Hader bar with distal ERA attachments and a Hader clip.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two groups of 10 subjects each were evaluated: Group A, consisting of patients with overdentures retained by direct ERA attachments, and Group B, consisting of patients with overdentures retained by Hader bars. The authors evaluated the subjects between 18 and 24 months after the delivery of the overdentures by means of a questionnaire and a clinical examination to score each patient on gingival, plaque and calculus indexes.

RESULTS
Group A exhibited better results than Group B on calculus, plaque and gingival indexes, but the difference was not statistically significant. The authors found no significant difference between the two experimental groups in satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS
When evaluated in terms of subjects' satisfaction and calculus, plaque and gingival index scores, implant-retained overdentures supported by direct ERA attachments were similar to those supported by a Hader bar.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
The two types of overdentures studied are equally satisfactory and easy to clean. Other factors such as biomechanics, patients' preference and previous experience may be more critical when selecting the retention design for an overdenture supported by four implants.


Nowadays electric vehicles are widely promoting to improve transport efficiency.one of the disadvantages of the electric vehicles are its short driving range.so we have to recharge it in the midway in case of longer journeys. Concurrent and frequent demands for battery recharge will results in the queuing at the charging station and a battery recharge also takes several minutes. Thus the resulting waiting time at the charging station will increase the entire travelling time. Many approaches are used to provide optimal charging strategies for electric vehicles at the charging station. This paper provides a comparative study of different strategies used for the congestion avoidance and optimal charging of electric vehicles at the charging stations.by considering these aspects entire journey time of electric vehicles can be reduced or optimized to an extent.


The purpose of this study was to assess intestinal function after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). In two groups of intestinal lymph fistula rats (experimental), the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was isolated and occluded for 10 min. In the remaining two groups (controls), the SMA was isolated but not occluded. Twenty-four or forty-eight hours after I/R, a lipid test meal containing radioactive triolein was infused at 3 ml/h for 8 h. Radioactive lipid in lymph, lumen, intestinal wall, portal and systemic blood, epididymal fat pads, and liver was determined. Lymph radioactive lipid output was markedly depressed in the 24-h experimental rats compared with the other three groups, and this deficiency was restored 48 h after I/R. This reduction in lipid output in lymph appeared to be the result of an increased portal transport of the infused radioactive lipid rather than a deficiency of digestion or absorption of infused triolein. We have further validated the markedly increased portal transport of radioactive lipid after I/R by using Triton WR-1339, which blocks peripheral metabolism of hepatic very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). When Triton WR-1339 was introduced in 24 experimental and control animals, the experimental rats accumulated significantly more radioactive lipid (12-14% of infused lipid) than the control animals (2-3% of infused lipid), indicating a marked increase in portal transport of radioactive lipid, which was taken up by the liver and then resecreted into circulation as VLDL. Thus intestinal lipid absorption is sensitive to the deleterious effects of ischemia followed by reperfusion, and therefore it may be used as a functional assessment of the small intestine after I/R-induced injuries.


In this paper, we propose a priority based scheduling algorithm for Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) using fuzzy logic. The fuzzy system has three inputs: data rate, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and queue size. The fuzzy system was verified using MATLAB fuzzy toolbox and the performance of the algorithm was evaluated using OPNET simulator. The results were compared to an existing fuzzy scheduler. The measuring metrics which form the basis for the performance evaluation were end-to-end delay, throughput and packet delivery ratio. The proposed scheduler performed better than the existing scheduler; an average improvement of 37% for end-to-end delay, 56% for throughput and 57% for the packet delivery ratio. However, this comes at the cost of additional computational complexity. The existing fuzzy scheduler injects an additional packet processing time of 46ns whilst the proposed scheduler injects 165ns.


In the domain of computer vision, registration is the process of calculating the transformation between a known object, called a marker, and a camera which is viewing it. Registration is the foundation for a number of applications across a range of disciplines such as augmented reality, medical imaging and robotic navigation. In the set of two dimensional planar markers, there are two classes: (1) fiducial, which are designed to be easily recognisable by computers but have little to no semantic meaning to people, and (2) natural features, which have meaning to people, but can still be registered by a computer. As computers become more powerful, natural feature markers are increasingly the more popular choice; however there are still a number of inherent problems with this class of markers. This thesis examines the most common shortcomings of natural feature markers, and proposes and evaluates solutions to these weaknesses. The work starts with a review of the existing planar registration approaches, both fiducial and natural features, with a focus on the strengths and weaknesses of each. From this review, the theory behind planar registration is discussed, from the different coordinate systems and transformations, to the computation of the registration transformation. With a foundation of planar registration, natural feature registration is decomposed into its main stages, and each stage is described in detail. This leads into a discussion of the complete natural feature registration pipeline, highlighting common issues encountered at each step, and discussing the possible solutions for each issue. A new implementation of natural feature registration called the Opticalflow Perspective Invariant Registration Augmentation (OPIRA) is proposed, which provides vast improvements in robustness to perspective, rotation and changes in scale to popular registration algorithms such as SIFT, SURF, and the Ferns classifier. OPIRA is shown to improve perspective invariance on average by 15% for SIFT, 25% for SURF and 20% for the Ferns Classifier, as well as provide complete rotation invariance for the rotation dependent implementations of these algorithms. From the investigation into problems and potential resolutions at each stage during registration, each proposed solution is evaluated empirically against an external ground truth. The results are discussed and a conclusion on the improvements gained by each proposed solution and the feasibility of use in a real natural feature registration application is drawn. Finally, some applications which use the research contained within this thesis are described, as well as some future directions for the research.


Pleomorphic ductal carcinoma (PDC) is a very rare subtype of invasive ductal carcinoma of no‐special type (NST), characterized by the presence of highly atypical/bizarre (>6‐fold variation in nuclear size) and multinucleated (giant) neoplastic cells comprising >50% of the tumor cell population (Figure 1A). PDC is typically triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), associated with an aggressive clinical course and a poor outcome.2–4 So far, no single study explored novel predictive biomarkers for the precision medicine purposes in the patients with PDC. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue samples of the six PDC patients (four primary and two metastatic cases) were sequenced for 592‐genes using NextSeq platform (Illumina, La Jolla, CA, USA). Tumor mutational load (TML) was calculated using only somatic nonsynonymous missense mutations; high TML was considered when it was ≥17 mutations/Mb. Microsatellite instability (MSI) status was explored by the direct analysis of known MSI loci in the target regions of the sequenced genes. Cases were considered microsatellite instable (MSI‐H) if they exhibited ≥46 altered microsatellite loci (the threshold was established by comparing to the PCR‐based MSI FA result from ~2100 cases). Copy number variations (CNVs) were determined by comparing the depth of sequencing of genomic loci with a diploid control. Calculated gains ≥6 copies were considered amplified. ArcherDx FusionPlex Assay was used to detect gene fusions (52 gene targets). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of PD‐L1 (SP142 antibody, Ventana) in tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC). PD‐L1 positivity in TC was defined as 2+ intensity in ≥5% of tumor cells. PD‐L1 status


The term "diamondoid" describes cage hydrocarbon molecules that are superimposable on the diamond lattice. Diamondoids that are formally built by face-fusing of adamantane units, namely diamantane, triamantane, tetramantane, etc., have fascinated chemists since the beginning of the last century. The functionalization of these perfectly defined (C,H)-molecules is described here. Thus, diamondoid halides and diamondoid alcohols are first rank precursors for amino and phosphine-substituted diamondoids that have proved to be highly useful in therapeutic applications and metal catalysis, respectively. The extent of functionalization and polyfunctionalization achieved for adamantane and diamantane, and the synthesis and applications of the resulting organohybrids are illustrated, revealing their high potential in fields such as organocatalysis, polymers, molecular electronics and mechanics.


A beef cattle-pasturing system involving four rotationally grazed summer pastures with winter-feeding on one pasture was studied on sloping upland watersheds in Ohio to determine its effect on chemical quality of water. The concentrations of chemicals in runoff from the pastures, which were summer-grazed only, increased relative to that of incoming precipitation but not enough to significantly impair water quality. No measurable sediment was lost from the pastures used only for summer grazing, allowing no chemical movement via that pathway. Much soil and plant-cover disturbance on the pasture used for winter-feeding, however, resulted in increased runoff, some surface erosion, and more chemical movement as compared with the pastures grazed only in summer. Considerably more chemicals moved in subsurface than in surface flow from the summer pastures while amounts of chemicals transported from the winter-feeding pasture were equally as great in surface runoff and subsurface flow. Watershed surface management was a key factor in determining the flow route of water in excess of that used for evapotranspiration and, hence, the pathways and amounts of chemical transport from the pastures.


Mammary gland density depends on relative proportion of fatty to glandular tissue which has racial variation and some variables are known to affect the mammary gland density. This study aims to determine mammary gland density pattern in selected population of women in Sothern Nigeria using the American College of Radiology Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR-BI-RADS) lexicon and to promote the use of ultrasound as a breast cancer screening imaging modality. This is a community based Cross-sectional prospective study across the Southern part of Nigeria in 658 women using Consecutive sampling technique. Mammary gland sonographic scans were performed using Sonoace X1 Machine with 10 MHZ transducer. 658 women were recruited. Participants were between 13 and 83 years (mean age 39 years and median = 38 years). Modal age group was 33-43 years (29.8%).77.5% of the women were in the pre-menopausal age group. Majority of the women were either obese or overweight (58.3%). Forty-one (6.2%) women had a positive family history of breast cancer, of which majority were heterogeneous fibroglandular breast pattern (43.9%) in this high-risk group. 66.6% women breastfed. There is significant relationship between sonographic mammary gland density pattern, age, menopausal status, parity and breast feeding. (P < 0.001). Ultrasonography is capable of accurately determining mammary gland density pattern and its correlation with other variables and risk factor for breast cancer. Keywords: Mammary gland, density pattern, Ultrasound, ACR-BIRADS


Early benthic juveniles (EBJ) of Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus dwell solitarily in vegetated habitats but eventually shift to dwelling gregariously in crevice shelters ('crevices'). This habitat shift may depend on the interplay between the refuge value of the local vegetation (which increases with complexity) and that of available crevices (which increases with the potential they offer for gregariousness). We examined how these factors influenced density enhancement of lobsters with large artificial shelters ('casitas', 1.1 m 2 in refuge area) in a coastal reef lagoon. We deployed 10 casitas at each of five 1 ha sites, 3 located in the mid-lagoon zone (ML) and 2 in the back-reef lagoon zone (BRL). These zones differed in vegetation complexity and abundance of algal-dwelling EBJ (greater in the ML), and abundance of crevices (greater in the BRL). Over 4 yr (22 surveys), abun- dance of large juveniles (>20 mm carapace length, CL) was initially higher in casitas in the BRL but tended to converge over time between lagoon zones, whereas EBJ (≤20 mm CL) were consistently more abundant in casitas in the BRL. Even when controlling for a potentially stronger conspecific chemical attraction exerted by greater aggregations of large juveniles in BRL casitas, significantly more EBJ shifted to casitas in the BRL than in the ML. Thus, lobster density enhancement with casitas was more immediate in the BRL, where the local vegetation ceased to protect lobsters sooner, but increased over time in the more lushly vegetated ML as gradually more lobsters shifted to, and persisted in, casitas.


This essay assesses the impact of plain language campaigns in EU legislation. Different types of legislation as well as legislation with different intended recipients are analysed. The analysis includes calculating a LIX index score and complementing the index data with data from the texts. The data derives from textual parameters associated with plain language. The distinction between the recipient and the actual reader of legislation in the EU will also be discussed as the general public is asserted by the EU to be the reader of legislative acts. It is, however, shown in this essay that the general public is not the reader of legislative acts directed to them.The hypothesis in this essay is that there has been an impact of plain language in legislative acts in the EU over time, as a result of plain language campaigns in the EU. We may also see a difference in the impact of plain language between specific types of legislation and between legislation directed to different intended recipients. A specialist audience may be considered to have a higher competence of the register of law compared to the general public. However, as the results from the analysis are inconclusive we cannot see any coherent impact of plain language in the texts analysed in this essay. The analysis also suggests that using textual features associated with plain language is not an effective tool to use to assess improvement in terms of readability and impact of plain language over time. The different textual parameters do not cohere.In addition to the above, the impact of plain language in relation to translation in the EU is discussed. Plain language could perhaps enable more accurate and efficient translation to multiple languages, which is important in the EU's multilingual environment. Consequently, by making an original language version of legislation less complex, the quality of translations may be improved. The qualitative analysis regarding plain language in translation suggests that a short, non-complex sentence in combination with the use of high frequency words enables a more natural translation in the Swedish language versions. The analysis also suggests some changes seen over time in relation to plain language in the translation process.


The rapid development of information and communication technology has a significant impact in the teaching process. This happens because of the existence of the advantages that this sphere entails in the pedagogical practices and methods. As such, they are briefly brought to us : easy access to information; increasing interest in learning; more ability to embed it into memory and preserved in the knowledge gained as a result of the inclusion of visual memory improvement; interactive teaching as well as easy exchange of knowledge, etc. With the aim of identifying the advantages that the technology incorporates in the teaching process of methodology, this paper aims to highlight the role of technology in the teaching and learning process of English , the achievement of the student in the learning objectives and how the technology of information and communication is intertwined in education. The study's research is about determining what impact technology has in the teaching process, meanwhile the supporting questions raise questions about the advantages of teaching technology as well as the impact on the level of learning of Albanian students. Study hypotheses, which are expected to be proven to be sustainable or not, are: Technology brings quality-enhancing teaching of English; efficient use of ICT enhances student learning. The study methodology is based on the combination of theoretical and empirical analysis, according to the case study.


This paper proposed five new types of facial features for face recognition. Ada-boost is used to detect face firstly. False detected faces are removed by dynamic background modeling and skin color detection. Skewed face is also calibrated to achieve higher accuracy. Based on Active Shape Modeling, the five new types of facial features including gradient histograms of facial components, vertical/horizontal projection of facial edge points, signature of facial components, multiple vertical/horizontal line segments within facial shape, and face template could be extracted. According to the classification capability, features are associated with different weights while during matching. Nearest neighbor classifier is deployed for face recognition by using the averaged of feature points of a person as the center. The size of database is 200 people which are selected from the face databases of MIT and ESSEX. Five images per person were used for training and 491 images were tested. The recognition rate was 98.3% and the processing speed reached 220ms per frame on a general personal computer.


OF THESIS SECURE IMAGE PROCESSING In todays heterogeneous network environment, there is a growing demand for distrusted parties to jointly execute distributed algorithms on private data whose secrecy needed to be safeguarded. Platforms that support such computation on image processing purposes are called secure image processing protocols. In this thesis, we propose a new security model, called quasi information theoretic (QIT) security. Under the proposed model efficient protocols on two basic image processing algorithms – linear filtering and thresholding – are developed. For both problems we consider two situations: 1) only two parties are involved where one holds the data and the other possesses the processing algorithm; 2) an additional non-colluding third party exists. Experiments show that our proposed protocols improved the computational time significantly compared with the classical cryptographical couterparts as well as providing reasonable amount of security as proved in the thesis.


Continuously twisted solid-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) exhibits pure circular birefringence (optical activity), making it ideal for current sensors based on the Faraday effect. By numerical analysis, we identify the PCF geometry for which the circular birefringence (which scales linearly with twist rate) is a maximum. For silica-air PCF, this occurs at a shape parameter (diameter-to-spacing ratio of the hollow channels) of 0.37 and a scale parameter (spacing-to-wavelength) of 1.51. This result is confirmed experimentally by testing a range of different structures. To demonstrate the effectiveness of twisted PCF as a current sensor, a length of fiber is placed on the axis of a 7.6 cm long solenoid, and the Faraday rotation is measured at different values of dc current. The system is then used to chart the wavelength dependence of the Verdet constant.


In game software it is important to separate game play code from rendering code to ease transitions to new technologies or different platforms. The architectural pattern Model-View-Controller (MVC) is commonly used to achieve such separation. We investigate how the MVC architectural pattern is implemented in five game projects from a small development studio. We define a metrics-based quality model to assess software quality goals such as portability and rendering engine independence and perform an architectural analysis. The analysis reveals three different evolutions of the pattern. We also assess the quality and find that 1. The evolutions of the architecture differ in quality and 2. An architectural refactoring to a newer version of the architecture increases the software quality.


In regions where both waves and tidal currents coexist, tidal flow can significantly alter wave parameters and hence affects the estimation of wave energy resources.  This study uses a coupled wave-current numerical model to evaluate the influence of wave-current interactions on wave parameters. To achieve this, the simulation was performed in 3 stages. At first, a large-scale North Atlantic wave model was constructed using the spectral wave model TOMAWAC to generate wave conditions and boundary inputs. This wave model was calibrated and validated at four sites around the UK using field measurements. Secondly, a small-scale numerical model covering Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters, Scotland, UK, was chosen, and tidal flow and current speeds were simulated by the three-dimensional flow model TELEMAC 3D.  As with the wave model, the flow model was also calibrated and validated with site measurements from an ADCP; thus, both models were validated. In the third stage, a coupled TOMAWAC-TELEMAC 3D model was employed for the small-scale region, and the wave parameters generated by the large-scale model were input as boundary conditions. The TOMAWAC-TELEMAC 3D coupled model was validated with field measurements at two locations in Orkney Waters, where waves and currents coexist. Various wave and tidal currents parameters produced from the coupled model are presented in the paper.  To evaluate the wave-current impact on wave parameters, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of these parameters is carried out, and the results are presented and discussed in the paper. The large-scale and small-scale numerical models developed in this study are useful tools for generating wave boundary conditions and wave energy resource assessment, helping researchers and engineers better understand the characteristics of wave-current interactions.


In proper risk aversion theory developed by Kimball(1993), investors are less willing to take one risk in the presence of another independent risk. Based on the theoretical implication, this study using Korea Household Penal Survey(KHPS) investigates the impact of independent income risk on the demand for risky assets. A Tobit model is estimated and the main findings are as follows: Firstly, Korean households decrease the demand for risky assets with higher income risk. They also increase the demand for risky assets as wealth level increases. These findings are consistent with the von Neumann-Morgenstern utility function of standard risk aversion, that is, decreasing absolute risk aversion and decreasing absolute prudence. Secondly, younger households have relatively stronger preference for risky assets than older households. Thirdly, the estimation results show that households with higher portion of risky assets in their portfolio are more sensitive to income risk than those with lower portion. This implies that Korean households may change the demand for risky assets in a nonlinear pattern. Finally, Korean self-employed households hold assets not only directly but through their business. As a result, the impact of income risk on the demand for risky assets is overestimated. Whether the findings of the present paper may be broadly supported by other kinds of survey data is left for the future studies.


Conventional proton beam range verification using positron emission tomography (PET) relies on tissue activation alone and therefore requires particle therapy PET whose installation can represent a large financial burden for many centers. Previously, we showed the feasibility of developing patient implantable markers using high proton cross-section materials (18O, Cu, and 68Zn) for in vivo proton range verification using conventional PET scanners. In this technical note, we characterize those materials to test their usability in more clinically relevant conditions. Two phantoms made of low-density balsa wood (~0.1 g cm−3) and beef (~1.0 g cm−3) were embedded with Cu or 68Zn foils of several volumes (10–50 mm3). The metal foils were positioned at several depths in the dose fall-off region, which had been determined from our previous study. The phantoms were then irradiated with different proton doses (1–5 Gy). After irradiation, the phantoms with the embedded foils were moved to a diagnostic PET scanner and imaged. The acquired data were reconstructed with 20–40 min of scan time using various delay times (30–150 min) to determine the maximum contrast-to-noise ratio. The resultant PET/computed tomography (CT) fusion images of the activated foils were then examined and the foils' PET signal strength/visibility was scored on a 5 point scale by 13 radiologists experienced in nuclear medicine. For both phantoms, the visibility of activated foils increased in proportion to the foil volume, dose, and PET scan time. A linear model was constructed with visibility scores as the response variable and all other factors (marker material, phantom material, dose, and PET scan time) as covariates. Using the linear model, volumes of foils that provided adequate visibility (score 3) were determined for each dose and PET scan time. The foil volumes that were determined will be used as a guideline in developing practical implantable markers.


This paper uses data from the 1997–2007 New Zealand Income Survey to examine the economic performance of immigrants in New Zealand. Specifically, we use a synthetic cohort approach to examine how employment rates, hourly wages, annual income and occupations for immigrants compare to those for the NZ-born. We estimate the time pattern of adaptation in a semi-parametric manner for immigrants from different birth regions and with different qualifications. We also examine the possible impact of immigrants getting different returns to qualifications. The pattern of entry disadvantage followed by subsequent relative improvement is more pronounced for employment rates than for wage rates or occupational rank. It is also more pronounced for immigrants born in Asia. Outcomes for immigrants from the Pacific Islands never catch up with the NZ-born.


Background and Objective : Salmonellosis is the most common type of food poisoning in developed and developing countries that is caused by Salmonella serotype. Hence, we aimed to identify the Salmonella serovars in eggs obtained from Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province and to evaluate antibiotic resistance of the isolated strains. Material and Methods : In this study, 210 eggs were collected from Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad Province. The bacteria were isolated and identified using biochemical tests. After extraction of genomic DNA, Salmonella gender, Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium were investigated by invA, fliC and sefA primers, respectively, using Multiplex PCR method. Results : Of 210, 14 (6.66%) were contaminated with Salmonella . Of these, 12 (5.71%) were Salmonella typhimurium and 2 (0.95%) were related to Salmonella spp. None of the samples were contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis . The highest resistance was related to penicillin (100%) and neomycin (78.57%). Conclusion : Salmonella typhimurium is the predominant serovar causing contamination in the eggs of this Province. Given the wide spread of antibiotic resistance in different serotypes of Salmonella , we recommend avoiding of indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry.


A new radical-induced dehydrogenative heterocyclization of arylamines with α-diazo carbonyls has been established under metal-free oxidative conditions, enabling two-fold C(sp2)-H bond amination to access a wide range of functionalized 1,2,4-triazine derivatives with generally good yields by combining KI/tert-butyl peroxide (TBHP). The present protocol features wide substrate scope, commercial accessibility, and mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic details of this radical process are rendered by conducting systematic theoretical calculations.


The physicochemical and antigenic properties of an allergen purified from Dermatophagoides farinae, Der f I, were compared with Der p I from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. On SDS-PAGE, Der f I migrated as a single polypeptide chain with the same m.w. as Der p I (24,000). Two isoallergenic peaks of Der f I were identified on preparative isoelectric focusing (pI 5.7 to 6.3 and pI 6.6 to 6.95). Fractions from each peak were shown to have an identical amino acid composition (which was similar but not identical to Der p I) and the same N-terminal amino acid sequence. There was a good correlation between quantitative intradermal skin tests to both purified allergens and to D. farinae extract in mite-allergic patients, with positive results when using as little as 10(-5) micrograms/ml of Der f I. The majority of sera with detectable IgE antibody to D. farinae also had IgE antibody to Der f I both among children (29/42 = 69%) and adults (55/63 = 87%). By RAST, there was an excellent correlation between IgE antibody to Der f I and Der p I in sera from 42 mite-allergic children (n = 0.94, p less than 0.001). Polyclonal IgG antibodies from six mice immunized with Der f I showed preferential binding to that allergen, and most monoclonal antibodies (16 of 18) raised against Der f I did not bind Der p I. However, two monoclonal antibodies from this fusion showed cross-reactive binding to both allergens. Immunoabsorption experiments, using D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae extracts coupled to Sepharose, showed that a large proportion of murine antibodies (74% to Der p I and 60 to 93% to Der f I) could not be absorbed by the heterologous extract on the immunosorbent. In contrast, in sera from seven mite-allergic patients, most of the specific IgE and IgG antibody (i.e., greater than or equal to 82%) was removed by either immunosorbent. Thus, Der f I and Der p I represent a homologous pair of major allergens which possess both cross-reacting and species-specific epitopes. The antibody response in mice immunized with either allergen in complete Freund's adjuvant was largely directed against species-specific epitopes, whereas in allergic humans, IgE- and IgG-specific antibodies bound predominately to cross-reacting epitopes.


Objective: To determine the relationship between the demands of the nursing workload and the severity of the patient's condition in adult intensive care units in the city of Cartagena during July 2008. Methodo: This is a longitudinal study with a sample comprised of 42 patients. TISS-28 (Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System) and Apache II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) records were obtained. Arithmetic average, standard deviation and proportions were calculated, as was the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: In this study involving a total of 42 patients, the average age was 58.2 years (IC 95% 52.1-64.4), and 51.3 percent of the patients in the sample were women. Forty-two (42) Apache II evaluations were obtained when the patients were admitted to the ICU, with an average of 28.9, and 66.7 percent if the patients (28) have a poor prognosis. There were 188 TISS-28 scores, with an average of 28.7 (IC 95% 25.7 31.7) per patient. The average TISS upon release from the ICU was 25.7 (95% CI 22.4 to 28.9) per patient. In all, 61.9 per cent of the patients were Class III. The nurse/ Class IV patient ratio was 0.57 less than 1:1. The study found a relationship of 0.55 between Apache II and TISS-28. (0.501-0.75) and a coefficient of determination equal to 0.38 (p<0.05). Conclusions: There is a moderate correlation between TISS-28 and Apache II that shows an overload of nursing work in intensive care units. This has repercussions on the direct care provided to critical patients.


Introduction: Thyroid nodules are a very common clinical finding which can be single ormultinodular and benign or malignant. Ultrasonography (USG) followed by USG guided fineneedle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is usually done in evaluating any thyroid nodule that ispalpable on physical examination. The purpose of this study was to study the role of USG in evaluating thyroid nodules and its correlation with findings of FNAC of thyroid.
Methods: One hundred and twenty five patients with palpable thyroid referred for USG neckwere included in the study. Ultrasonography assessments of thyroid with different parameters were done. The findings were later compared with FNAC thyroid.
Results: On FNAC and histological analysis, thyroid malignancy was observed in 14 out of 125 (11.21%) subjects. Malignant nodules on USG demonstrated hypoechoic pattern (sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 97.2%, and positive predictive value 82.3%), irregular margins (sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 96.3%, and accuracy 77.8%), central vascularity (sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 95.4%, and positive predictive value 73.7%) and taller-than-wider shape (sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 96.3%, and accuracy 77.8%). Sixteen cases with suspicion of malignant thyroid nodules demonstrated these 2 or more USG features. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of thyroid nodules for detecting malignancy increased to 87.5%, 98.2% and 87.5% respectively when two or more of these USG features were present.
Conclusions: Thyroid USG demonstrating hypoechoic pattern, irregular margins, centralvascularity and taller-than-wider shape had potential of being malignant. Thyroid nodules were found to have more malignant potential when two or more of these USG features were present.


The first Mesozoic mammals in North America were discovered in the Morrison Formation during the closing decades of the 19th century, as by-products of dinosaurs quarried by teams led by O.C. Marsh. These tiny fossils served as foundational specimens for our understanding of Mesozoic mammal evolution. There are now nearly 25 mammal-bearing localities known from the Morrison Formation, distributed across the Western Interior from the Black Hills to southern Colorado and west into Utah; the most historically important of these are in Wyoming (e.g., Como Quarry 9). Most Morrison mammals are known by jaws or jaw fragments, and several important Mesozoic groups (e.g., docodonts, dryolestoids, and to a large extent triconodonts and symmetrodonts) were established based on Morrison material, shaping the perception of mammalian diversity on a global scale. Despite heavy sampling of coeval sites elsewhere, the Morrison remains the most systematically diverse (at high taxonomic levels) assemblage of Jurassic mammals in the world. Here, we describe two mammalian specimens and highlight other remains yet to be fully identified from a new microvertebrate locality in the Morrison Formation of eastern Grand County, Utah. The site is positioned low in the Brushy Basin Member and is similar in lithology and stratigraphic level to the famous small vertebrate localities of the Fruita Paleontological Area, located less than 50 km to the northeast. In addition to small archosaurs and squamates, limited excavation to date has yielded at least 20 mammalian specimens representing a minimum of six taxa, several of which are new and quite different from typical Morrison taxa. Preservation is generally excellent and includes partially articulated cranial and postcranial elements of small vertebrates. This new site has great potential to contribute new taxa and more complete morphological data than typical Morrison localities, underscoring the importance of continued field work in the Morrison.


A planning application (1/08/01253/CU) was submitted to Lancaster City Council for the conversion of a barn attached to a cottage at 2 Lancaster Road, Overton, Lancashire (NGR SD 43703 58087). The building lies at the north-eastern end of the medieval village of Overton and is depicted on the Ordnance Survey first edition 1:10,560 mapping of 1848, where it appears to be part of a small farmstead of two parallel rows of buildings. Lancashire County Archaeology Service (LCAS) recommended a buildings investigation of English Heritage Level II/III standard before conversion.
An examination was made of cartographic sources, in order to place the results of the building investigation into an historical context. A written description was made of all principal building elements, both internal and external, as well as any features of historical or architectural significance. A photographic archive was also compiled to produce black and white prints, and colour slides.


This article presents a new algorithm for combinatorial optimization based on the basic Tabu Search scheme named Adaptive Tabu Search (A-TS). The A-TS introduces a new, complex function for evaluation of moves. The new evaluation function incorporates both the aspiration criteria and the longterm memory. A-TS also introduces a new decision making mechanism, providing means for avoiding possible infinite loops. The performance of A-TS was measured by applying it to the Quadratic Assignment Problem. The experimental results are compared to published results from other authors. The data shows that A-TS performs favorably against other established techniques.


Introduction: Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum is a non‐lipophilic coryneform species and a rare isolate from male patients with genitourinary tract infections. This organism is typically associated with urethritis or prostatitis syndrome, although it can also be isolated from other sites. Case Presentation: We describe a case of urethritis in a 24‐year‐old Croatian male caused by a strain of C. glucuronolyticum showing resistance to ciprofloxacin in an agar dilution susceptibility test procedure. The same drug was used as an empirical treatment before microbiological evaluation was conducted. Upon identification of the organism, the patient was successfully treated with doxycycline, which resulted in complete regression of symptoms and lack of growth of the organism in culture. Conclusion: Although uncommon detection of this organism hinders research efforts, C. glucuronolyticum should always be regarded as a possible cause of urogenital infections in male patients. In addition, antibiotic susceptibility testing should be performed due to possible resistance.


In the absence of an accurate and complete registration system, efforts were made to estimate the levels of vital statistics through sample surveys. The first such effort was made through the Population Growth Estimation (PGE) project conducted from January, 1962 to December 1965. Later on, various demographic surveys were conducted almost at regular intervals and the last effort in the series was Pakistan Reproductive Health and Family Planning Survey (PRHFPS) in the year 2000-01. Although all these efforts were made to ascertain levels and trends of various demographic events, yet the estimates particularly the ones on fertility remained controversial. The first signal of fertility reduction was emanated from the 1975 Pakistan Fertility Survey (PFS) which estimated a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 6.3 children from over 7 children estimated earlier from PGE data. However, all hopes of the onset of fertility transition were shattered by the [Retherford's, et al. (1987)] study entitled "Fertility Trend in Pakistan: The Decline that Wasn't". By using the Own Children Method, they confirmed that the decline in fertility was an artifact of the data. Another study by Shah, Pullum, and Irfan (1986) also termed the fertility decline shown by the PFS data as spurious. The Pakistan Labour Force and Migration Survey, conducted five years later, in 1979-80, estimated a TFR of 6.5 children, thus providing another proof supporting the fact that fertility had not declined to the extent believed.


Prompt elimination of pathogens including bacteria and dead cells prevents the expansion of secondary and prolonged inflammations and tissue damage. Keigairengyoto (KRT) is a traditional Japanese medicine prescribed for dermatoses such as purulent inflammations. Our aim is to clarify the actions of KRT in bacterial clearance and to examine the cell-kinetic profiles of phagocytes. In a mouse cutaneous infection model using living Staphylococcus aureus , KRT drastically reduced the number of bacteria in the infection sites. To evaluate the bacterial clearance, pseudo-infection was induced in mouse ears by intradermal injection of FITC-conjugated dead S. aureus . Biochemical and histological examinations revealed that KRT promoted bacterial clearance at 6 and 24 h post-injection. The numbers and phagocytic activities of neutrophils and macrophages in the ears were evaluated histologically using anti-Ly6G and F4/80 antibodies. KRT reduced bacterial deposition and increased the accumulation of F4/80 + resident macrophages around the lesion site. FACS analysis was performed on single cell suspensions dispersed enzymatically from skin lesions, followed by an investigation of CD11b + Ly6G + (neutrophils) and CD11b + Ly6G – (monocytes/macrophages) cells. KRT increased the mean fluorescent intensity of FITC in CD11b + Ly6G – cells and the number of FITC-positive CD11b + Ly6G + cells, while KRT did not change the numbers of these cells. To investigate the active constituents of KRT, phagocytosis assay using macrophages was performed, resulting in that some flavonoid glucuronides of KRT derivatives augmented phagocytosis. Collectively, KRT promoted bacterial clearance by enhancing the phagocytic capability of neutrophils and macrophages. KRT may exert unique properties in preventive and therapeutic strategies for skin infectious inflammation.


The rural Lower Mississippi Delta of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi has a large economically and socially disadvantaged population at high risk for health problems. Their health status is poorly understood as they are not well represented in national health surveys. A random-digit-dialing telephone survey was conducted in 2000, with 2,236 respondents representing residents of 36 counties along the Mississippi River. Self-reported chronic conditions, health status, and obesity (derived from weight and height) were compared with the nationally representative Continuing Survey of Food Intake of Individuals. High cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension were significantly higher than in the national sample. Obesity was strikingly higher in Delta children (27.9% versus 16.2%) of all ages and in Delta adults (33.9% versus 17.3%). Controlling for age, income, and gender, African Americans were at particular risk for obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. A public health crisis appears to exist in the Delta given the high prevalence health problems.


ABSTRACT Direct detection of bacterial DNA in blood offers a fast alternative to blood culture and is presumably unaffected by the prior use of antibiotics. We evaluated the performance of two real-time PCR assays for the quantitative detection of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and for Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia directly in blood samples, without prior cultivation. Whole-blood samples for PCR were obtained simultaneously with blood cultures from patients admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital. After the extraction of DNA from 200 μl of blood, real-time PCR was performed for the specific detection and quantification of S. aureus and E. faecalis DNA. The sensitivity for bacteremia of the S. aureus PCR was 75% and that of the E. faecalis PCR was 73%, and both tests had high specificity values (93 and 96%, respectively). PCR amplification reactions were positive for S. aureus for 10 (7%) blood samples with negative blood cultures, and 7 (4%) PCR reactions were positive for E. faecalis. The majority of these PCR results were likely (50%) or possibly (42%) related to infection with the specific microorganism, based on clinical data and radiological and microbiological investigations. PCR results were concordant for 95% of paired whole-blood samples, and blood culture results were concordant for 97% of the paired samples. We conclude that the detection of S. aureus and E. faecalis DNA in blood by real-time PCR enables a rapid diagnosis of bacteremia and that a positive DNAemia is related to proven or possible infection with the specific microorganism in the majority of patients with negative blood cultures.


Supervision is an essential element of training in psychotherapy, and the issue of privacy in relation to the supervisory process is an important one. The authors examine the attitude toward privacy implicit in each of the two major models of supervision, the so-called didactic and countertransference models. They consider the ways in which supervision, particularly the countertransference model, and the use of audiovisual devices intrude on the privacy of the therapist and the therapy. Finally, they consider how the institutional and professional structures within which supervision takes place deal with the issue of privacy.


Introduction. In the last few decades, writing has been considered as a situated process inserted in a specific communicative situation. This implies that texts are characterized by them incorporating the different voices of the texts they dialogue with, so they cannot possibly considered as isolated products. Method. In this paper we present an exploratory study whose objective is to know the difficulties and effective strategies which 19 doctoral students use when regulating the writing process of their academic texts. This study analyzes students' knowledge about their own composition process as well as the emotions attached to it, their conceptions about academic writing, the revision strategies which are present in the different drafts produced of each of the texts, and the quality of their final version. Results. The results show that regulation and text quality are related with the writers' ability to associate their difficulties with explicit solutions and strategies. The students' efforts and interest in making their voice visible in the texts as well as their awareness about their own writing process are related with text quality and with some specific changes observed in the drafts, related with voice and modality. Affective variables and, especially, anxiety were always present in the students' reports but no significative correlations were found between this feeling and text quality or the use of specific revision strategies. Discusion and Conclusions. The results obtained allow us to confirm that, in line with recent studies, the students who show less awareness about their writing process feel more anxious during that process. Moreover, very few of these students showed personal and explicit writing objectives, and they incorporated very few new strategies to their revision process.


The results of an experimental investigation carried out to measure combined wave and current loads on horizontally submerged square and rectangular cylinders are reported in this paper. The wave and current induced forces on a section of the cylinders with breadth—depth (aspect) ratios equal to 1, 0.5, and 0.75 are measured in a wave tank. The maximum value of Keulegan—Carpenter (KC) number obtained in waves alone is about 5 and Reynolds (Re) number ranged from 6.397 ×103 to 1.18 ×105. The drag (CD) and inertia (CM) coefficients for each cylinder are evaluated using measured sectional wave forces and particle kinematics calculated from linear wave theory. The values of CD and CM obtained for waves alone have already been reported (Venugopal, V., Varyani, K. S., and Barltrop, N. D. P. Wave force coefficients for horizontally submerged rectangular cylinders. Ocean Engineering, 2006, 33, 11—12, 1669—1704) and the coefficients derived in combined waves and currents are presented here. The results indicate that both drag and inertia coefficients are strongly affected by the presence of the current and show different trends for different cylinders. The values of the vertical component inertia coefficients (CMY) in waves and currents are generally smaller than the inertia coefficients obtained in waves alone, irrespective of the current's magnitude and direction. The results also illustrate the effect of a cylinder's aspect ratio on force coefficients. This study will be useful in the design of offshore structures whose columns and caissons are rectangular sections.


Previous study carried out residual stress characterization for the welds of the high-temperature-section (superheater / reheater) lower headers of the bottom-supported heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG). Modeling the gas-tungsten arc, manual welding process considered only weld-lay for the ASTM A 335-Grade P22 finned-tube angle joint to the cylinder. Present study aims at indirectly assessing findings of previous analysis measuring maximum residual stress on the joint's exservice material. To achieve that a tee similar to the previous was not available: for both experimental and numerical analyses present study considers a P22 circumferential "V"-groove butt joint on HRSG pipeline section, creep-operated for the same period and temperature as the previous case. In the experimental activity X-ray diffraction method (or alternatively, hole-drilling strain gage one) applies as close as possible to the weld, being residual stress maximum at the fusion boundary. Thermal analysis for the previous case also showed it keeps nearly constant during weld cooling, relaxing most during creep: after 200,000 hours of operation, welding-process simulation predicted a maximum residual stress of 70 MPa; tee-joint creep-analysis found out a maximum equivalent stress of 91 MPa. As for the sample withdrawal, dimensions should be sufficient to avoid any interference with measurement area. The experimental procedures should comply with the European standard EN 15305 on the matter (the American standard ASTM E 837 for the alternate method). Comparison of analysis results for the two cases, confirms tendencies previously found out in creep-behavior, though different equivalent stress contributions. Comparison of predicted and observed residual stress values should allow for validation of numerical models used in both welding process and stress analysis.


Incentive schemes formed by regulatory or administrative instruments are measures to promote green building (GB) and increase the motivation of developers to meet higher standards. The hidden costs to different stakeholders during the GB transaction are often ignored. Understanding these hidden transaction costs (TCs) helps appraise the costs and benefits of GB and policy effectiveness. The example of a gross floor area (GFA) concession scheme is used systematically to explore and understand the fundamental issues of TCs' typology and chronology in the GB development process. The GFA concession scheme is a popular incentive due to its indirect compensation to developers by allowing additional floor area without expenditure by government to implement GBs. A TCs' framework is used critically to review and evaluate the costs and benefits of the GFA concession scheme. Its particular implementation in both Hong Kong and Singapore is explored. Hong Kong is used as a case study, complemented with in-depth expert interviews on GFA concession in Hong Kong. The key contribution is to establish the parameters for estimating the optimum GFA bonus that could both motivate various stakeholders and minimize the negative impacts on the built environment in future.


Alumina powder is impregnated with cobalt in the concentration range 5% to 20% (w/v) and is characterized by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K by continuous flow method using the Quantasorb sorption system. It was observed that cobalt metal on impregnation does not contribute any extra surface to alumina. Values of BET surface area determined from nitrogen adsorption data follow the sequence Co (20% w/v) - Al2O3 < Co (10% w/v) - Al2O3 < Co (5% w/v) - Al2O3 < Pure Al2O3. Pore size distribution curves demonstrate the mesoporous nature of cobalt impregnated alumina.


This research explores the scope of relationship of the junior secondary science curriculum to real-life. Since teachers in Bangladesh follow textbooks as a de-facto curriculum to teach science, therefore to understand the relevance of the curriculum to the students' lives, this study also explored corresponding textbook content and teachers' perspectives of implementing the curriculum. Findings indicate that a lack of consistency of curriculum emphases between specific objectives and learning outcomes of the curriculum and textbook content for all grades. Poor representation of real-life aspects were identified both in the curriculum and textbooks. Teachers' teaching practices revealed content dominating teaching with poor connections to real-life examples. The study concludes that further revision is required to the published curriculum and textbooks in Bangladesh to accommodate real-life aspects of science in it. Findings will certainly contribute positively and significantly towards it.


Abstract We performed a mark-recapture study to determine rates of change in body mass during maturation of adult free-living Libellula pulchella Drury dragonflies. We captured, weighed, marked, and released 444 individuals (278 females, 166 males) that were 0–5 d old, including 261 that had emerged on the day of initial capture. On subsequent days, we recaptured 87 individuals at least once, and 6 were recaptured more than once. Nearly all new emergents (mean mass = 272 mg) that were recaptured after 1 or 2 d had lost mass (mean change = −29 mg), whereas most individuals recaptured after ≥3 days had gained mass (mean change = 109 mg; mean rate = 18 mg/d). Individuals that were heavier at emergence were much more likely to gain mass and to be recaptured at ages >1 or 2 d, thus suggesting differential survivorship based on size at emergence. Average growth rates of gainers were as high as 57 mg/d over a 5-d period. The sex ratio of newly emerged adults was heavily biased toward females (61%), but males were significantly larger at emergence, were more successful at gaining mass, and the sex ratio of individuals that ultimately gained mass did not differ significantly from 1:1. New emergents had empty guts and minimal fat, and changes in fat and water content explained very little of the average decrease in body mass observed for most new emergents. Overall, our data suggest that L. pulchella dragonflies face severe energy stress during early adult maturation, which strongly affects their demography.


Stock trading is a popular investment approach in real world. However, since lacking enough domain knowledge and experience, it is very difficult for common investors to analyze thousands of stocks manually. Algorithmic investment provides another rational way to formulate human knowledge as a trading agent. However, it still requires well-built knowledge and experience to design effective trading algorithms in such a volatile market. Fortunately, various kinds of historical trading records are easy to obtain in this big-data era, it is invaluable of us to extract the trading knowledge hidden in the data to help people make better decisions. In this paper, we propose a reinforcement learning driven Investor-Imitator framework to formalize the trading knowledge, by imitating an investor's behavior with a set of logic descriptors. In particular, to instantiate specific logic descriptors, we introduce the Rank-Invest model that can keep the diversity of logic descriptors by learning to optimize different evaluation metrics. In the experiment, we first simulate three types of investors, representing different degrees of information disclosure we may meet in real market. By learning towards these investors, we can tell the inherent trading logic of the target investor with the Investor-Imitator empirically, and the extracted interpretable knowledge can help us better understand and construct trading portfolios. Experimental results in this paper sufficiently demonstrate the designed purpose of Investor-Imitator, it makes the Investor-Imitator an applicable and meaningful intelligent trading framework in financial investment research.


Background: Researchers at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/Center for Device and Radiological Health/Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories have been exploring the concept of model-based engineering as a means for improving the quality of medical device software. Insulin pumps were chosen as a research subject because their design provides the desired degree of research complexity and these types of devices present an ongoing regulatory challenge. Methods: Insulin pump hazards and their contributing factors are considered in the context of a highly abstract generic insulin infusion pump (GIIP) model. Hazards were identified by consulting with manufacturers, pump users, and clinicians; by reviewing national and international standards and adverse event reports collected by the FDA; and from workshops sponsored by Diabetes Technology Society. This information has been consolidated in tabular form to facilitate further community analysis and discussion. Results: A generic insulin infusion pump model architecture has been established. A fairly comprehensive hazard analysis document, corresponding to the GIIP model, is presented in this article. Conclusions: We believe that this work represents the genesis of an insulin pump safety reference standard upon which future insulin pump designs can be based to help ensure a basic level of safety. More interaction with the diabetes community is needed to assure the quality of this safety modeling process.


ABSTRACT The book of Job prominently portrays the motif of the pious sufferer and the confrontation between Job's three friends who claim the retribution principle and Job who witnesses the undermined moral order in reality, and indicates finally Yahweh's speech which marginalises issues of justice and judgment which Job vehemently called for. On the one hand, these distinct features to some extent may reflect a critical and belittling idea of Deuteronomic Torah, although it does not deny the entire concept of Torah and traditional laws about divine judgment. On the other hand, while it has been argued that the book of Job reflects the Priestly context in the Pentateuch, in a closer examination the author of Job hardly has the creational order, rituals, and ideology that priestly materials in general imply.


Abstract:Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the focus of the United Nations climate regime has shifted from forging consensus among national governments toward animating implementation activity across multiple levels. Based on a case study of the Global Climate Action Portal—an online database designed to document nonstate actor climate commitments and implementation efforts—we trace, conceptualize, and assess how the roles of data, data infrastructures, and actor constellations have changed as a result of this shift. We argue that in the pre-COP21 negotiation phase, the United Nations Climate Secretariat strategically used the database to orchestrate and leverage nonstate actor commitments to exert pressure on intergovernmental negotiations. By contrast, in the post-COP21 implementation phase, the Secretariat, in collaboration with climate data specialists, is seeking to develop the portal to track and animate implementation activity. Given these developments, we discuss the potential and limitations of data-driven climate governance and set out avenues for future research.


Background: Human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells (hHFMSCs) isolated from hair follicles possess multilineage differentiation potential. OCT4 is a gene critically associated with pluripotency properties. The cell morphology and adhesion of hHFMSCs significantly changed after transduction of OCT4 and two subpopulations emerged, including adherent cells and floating cell. Floating cells cultured in hematopoietic induction medium and stimulated with erythropoetic growth factors could transdifferentiate into mature erythrocytes, whereas adherent cells formed negligible hematopoietic colonies. The aim of this study was to reveal the role of cell morphology and adhesion on erythropoiesis induced by OCT4 in hHFMSCs and to characterize the molecular mechanisms involved.Methods: Floating cell were separated from adherent cell by centrifugation of the upper medium during cell culture. Cell size was observed through flow cytometry and cell adhesion was tested by disassociation and adhesion assays. RNA sequencing was performed to detect genome-wide transcriptomes and identify differentially expressed genes. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were performed to analysis the functions and pathways enriched by differentially expressed genes. The expression of tight junction core members was verified by qPCR and Western blot.Results: The overexpression of OCT4 influenced the morphology and adhesion of hHFMSCs. Transcripts in floating cells and adherent cells are quite different. Data analysis showed that upregulated genes in floating cells were mainly related to the pluripotency, germ layer development (including hematopoiesis lineage development), and downregulated genes were mainly related to cell adhesion, cell junctions and the cytoskeleton. Most molecules of the tight junction (TJ) pathway were downregulated and molecular homeostasis of the TJ was disturbed, as CLDNs were disrupted, and JAMs and TJPs were upregulated. The dynamic expression of cell adhesion-related gene E-cadherin and cytoskeleton-related gene ACTN2 might cause different morphology and adhesion. Finally, a regulatory network centered to OCT4 was constructed, which elucidated the TJ pathway critically bridges pluripotency and hematopoiesis in a TJP1-dependent way.Conclusions: Regulations of cell morphology and adhesion via the TJ pathway conducted by OCT4 might modulate hematopoiesis in hHFMSCs, thus developing potential mechanism of erythropoiesis in vitro.


If actively managed mutual funds suffer from diminishing returns to scale, funds should alter investment behavior as assets under management increase. Although asset growth has little effect on the behavior of the typical fund, we find that large funds and small-cap funds diversify their portfolios in response to growth. Greater diversification, especially for small-cap funds, is associated with better performance. Fund family growth is related to the introduction of new funds that hold different stocks from their existing siblings. Funds with many siblings diversify less rapidly as they grow, suggesting that the fund family may influence a fund's portfolio strategy.


Background: Dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus are two common flaviviruses that are spread widely by Aedes and Culex mosquitoes. Livestock keeping is vital for cities; however, it can pose the risk of increasing the mosquito population. Our study explored how livestock keeping in and around a large city is associated with the presence of mosquitoes and the risk of them spreading flaviviruses. Methods: An entomological study was conducted in 6 districts with 233 households with livestock, and 280 households without livestock, in Hanoi city. BG-Sentinel traps and CDC light traps were used to collect mosquitoes close to animal farms and human habitats. Adult mosquitoes were counted, identified to species level, and grouped into 385 pools, which were screened for flaviviruses using a pan-flavivirus qPCR protocol and sequencing. Results: A total of 12,861 adult mosquitoes were collected at the 513 households, with 5 different genera collected, of which the Culex genus was the most abundant. Our study found that there was a positive association between livestock keeping and the size of the mosquito population—most predominantly between pig rearing and Culex species (p < 0.001). One pool of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, collected in a peri-urban district, was found to be positive for Japanese encephalitis virus. Conclusions: The risk of flavivirus transmission in urban areas of Hanoi city due to the spread of Culex and Aedes mosquitoes could be facilitated by livestock keeping.


Projected climate warming will potentially have profound effects on the earth's biota, including a large redistribution of tree species. We developed models to evaluate potential shifts for 80 individual tree species in the eastern United States. First, environmental factors associated with current ranges of tree species were assessed using geographic information systems (GIS) in conjunction with regression tree analysis (RTA). The method was then extended to better understand the potential of species to survive and/ or migrate under a changed climate. We collected, summarized, and analyzed data for climate, soils, land use, elevation, and species assemblages for .2100 counties east of the 100th meridian. Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data for .100 000 forested plots in the East provided the tree species range and abundance information for the trees. RTA was used to devise prediction rules from current species-environment relationships, which were then used to replicate the current distribution as well as predict the future potential distri- butions under two scenarios of climate change with twofold increases in the level of at- mospheric CO2. Validation measures prove the utility of the RTA modeling approach for mapping current tree importance values across large areas, leading to increased confidence in the predictions of potential future species distributions. With our analysis of potential effects, we show that roughly 30 species could expand their range and/or weighted importance at least 10%, while an additional 30 species could decrease by at least 10%, following equilibrium after a changed climate. Depending on the global change scenario used, 4-9 species would potentially move out of the United States to the north. Nearly half of the species assessed (36 out of 80) showed the potential for the ecological optima to shift at least 100 km to the north, including seven that could move .250 km. Given these potential future distributions, actual species redistributions will be controlled by migration rates possible through fragmented landscapes.


The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and level of satisfaction of patients who underwent TMJ arthrocentesis under local anesthesia by considering the following parameters: joint pain, mouth opening, mastication, and satisfaction. Fourteen patients (13 women and one man; mean age, 37.6 years with TMJ arthralgia were selected. The patients underwent arthrocentesis under local anesthesia, and pain intensity was measured before, during, and 1 year after treatment using a visual analog pain scale (VAS 0-100 mm). A Likert scale was used to assess patients' opinion regarding the improvement of mouth opening and mastication. After treatment, patients were questioned on levels of satisfaction provided by arthrocentesis in regard to their quality of life. At the end of 1 year, patients showed a marked improvement in their pain clinical picture (p < 0.0001). Mouth opening and mastication, evaluated separately and then correlated (R2 = 0.925, p < 0.0001), also showed a marked improvement. When questioned, all patients reported being satisfied with the treatment outcome.


Background:
 Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) often necessitate intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV) for reasons unique to this patient population. Prolonged intubation and MV have several disadvantages. Conventional extubation criteria focused on respiratory parameters are insufficient to guide extubation in these patients. .

 Objective:
 To identify relevant clinical and neuroanatomical markers of successful extubation in AIS patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

 Methods:
 We retrospectively reviewed our patient database from 2007-2012 to identify consecutive patients admitted with AIS who were intubated during hospitalization. We assessed the effect of age, sex, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, level of consciousness, facial weakness, dysarthria, neglect, infarct location (right-, left-, bi-hemispheric and brainstem), dysphagia, and history of pneumonia on successful extubation by hospital discharge in a logistic regression analysis.

 Results:
 112 subjects were included in the analysis. The median age and NIHSS scores (median ± standard deviation) were 74.5 ± 16.1 years and 19 ± 9.8, respectively; 56 % were women (table). In a multivariate analysis, NIHSS score ≤ 15 (odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-8.9; p <0.007) and absence of dysarthria prior to intubation (odds ratio [OR] 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-7.0; P < .02) were significant predictors of successful extubation. The c-statistic for the model was 0.754 indicating good discrimination.

 Discussion:
 Milder stroke deficit as defined by NIHSS and absence of dysarthria prior to intubation were found to be independent predictors of extubation success. Dysarthria probably constitutes a surrogate of buccopharyngeal musculature integrity and patients' ability to handle oral secretions. Our findings could help inform extubation practices in patients with AIS though they merit prospective validation.


The thesis begins by presenting a set of beliefs about the composer Ernest John Moeran that has come to be recognised as Moeran conventional wisdom. Hitherto, all writing about the composer, scholarly or otherwise, has been predicated on the acceptance of these beliefs as undeniable fact. All aspects of the composer's life and work have been perceived and rationalised within their context, and together they have provided what has until now been acknowledged as the basis of biography. This research project has determined conclusively that most, if not all, of these beliefs are the result of misunderstanding, exaggeration, speculation or fabrication, and may therefore be regarded as misconceptions.
 These misconceptions are herein challenged through the narrating of episodes from Moeran's life-journey, as constructed from the results of forensic and hermeneutic examination of such source material and documentary evidence as it has been possible to locate and examine. Moeran, as both man and composer, is consequently revealed to have been a substantially different character from that portrayed by the conventional wisdom, and while the body of music he composed remains unchanged the perception and reception of it is radically transformed.
 Moeran's development as a composer is traced by the examination of a few representative works, each of which relates specifically to the aspect of his life under consideration. These works have also been selected to illustrate both Moeran's stylistic originality and his formal ingenuity.
 The thesis concludes with a re-assessment of the composer and his achievement. The impact on Moeran scholarship of the findings presented in the body of the thesis is described and areas where further research may extend these findings are suggested.


To determine whether non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is characterized by day-long hypoinsulinemia, we measured 24-h serum profiles for glucose, insulin, and C-peptide by use of a constant-rate blood-withdrawal technique in diabetic and control subjects fed isocaloric meals. When only lean subjects were considered, diabetic subjects (relative body weight 0.99 ± 0.3) and control subjects (relative body weight 0.95 ± 0.03) had similar 24-h integrated serum insulin concentrations (13.4 ± 2.5 vs. 16.1 ± 2.0 μU/ml, P NS) due to the offsetting effects of increased basal levels and decreased postprandial responses in NIDDM. In contrast, both basal and meal-stimulated insulin levels were decreased in obese NIDDM subjects (relative body weight 1.39 ± 0.07) compared with obese control subjects (relative body weight 1.60 ± 0.08), resulting in a 61% reduction in the 24-h integrated insulin value (18.7 ± 1.5 vs. 48.4 ± 13.7 μU/ml). Thus, the capacity to increase 24-h integrated serum insulin as a function of relative body weight was impaired in NIDDM subjects (r = 0.27, P NS) compared with control subjects (r = .70, P < .01). In contrast, 24-h integrated C-peptide was decreased (P < .01) in both lean (0.92 ± 0.13 pM/ml) and obese (1.52 ± 0.19 pM/ml) NIDDM patients compared with the respective control groups (1.50 ± 0.13 and 3.03 ± 0.44 pM/ml). The molar ratio of 24-h integrated C-peptide to insulin was diminished in lean but not obese NIDDM compared with control subjects. A 3-wk period of intensive insulin therapy led to normalization of the mean 24-h integrated insulin (but not integrated serum C-peptide) value in NIDDM compared with a control group that had an identical mean relative body weight. The 24-h urinary C-peptide measured on the same day as the serum profile was correlated (P < .01) with both the 24-h integrated serum insulin (r = .69) and C-peptide (r = .67) concentrations in control subjects but not in NIDDM subjects (r = .20 and .04, respectively, P NS). Additionally, the urinary clearance of C-peptide was increased in NIDDM (38.1 ± 7.8 vs. 20.4 ± 1.7 ml/min in control subjects, P < .05) and varied with treatment status (26.0 ± 4.6 ml/min after insulin therapy). We conclude that in NIDDM, 1) lean but not obese untreated patients can have normal 24-h integrated serum insulin values due to the combination of high fasting and decreased postprandial levels, 2) 24-h integrated C-peptide values are decreased in both lean and obese patients, 3) intensive therapy normalizes 24-h integrated serum insulin but not C-peptide levels, and 4) urinary Cpeptide per se cannot be used as an index of insulin secretion because urinary C-peptide clearance is elevated and varies with treatment status.


Two new modified sandblasted and acid etched (SLA) surface methods had been used on commercially pure Ti (Cp-Ti) surface. Scanning electron microscopy investigation showed that modified SLA surfaces had micro- and nano-structure surface topography. Contact angle test showed that surface hydrophilicity was significantly increased after modified SLA surface modification. Human osteoblast-like MG63 cell attachment test showed that modified SLA surfaces would attach more cells than simple SLA surface. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay indicated that ALP activity was enhanced on two modified SLA surfaces relative to SLA and mechanically polished Cp-Ti surface at early stage. Thus, subsequent chemical modification of SLA surface seems to be a promising method to generate better bioactive surface properties.