Background To determine (1) whether fetal care paediatric (FCP) and maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) specialists harbour differing attitudes about pregnancy termination for congenital fetal conditions, their perceived responsibilities to pregnant women and fetuses, and the fetus as a patient and (2) whether self-perceived primary responsibilities to fetuses and women and views about the fetus as a patient are associated with attitudes about clinical care. Methods Mail survey of 434 MFM and FCP specialists (response rates 60.9% and 54.2%, respectively). Results MFMs were more likely than FCPs to disagree with these statements (all p values<0.005): (1) 'the presence of a fetal abnormality is not an appropriate reason for a couple to consider pregnancy termination' (MFM : FCP—78.4% vs 63.5%); (2) 'the effects that a child born with disabilities might have on marital and family relationships is not an appropriate reason for a couple to consider pregnancy termination' (MFM : FCP—80.5% vs 70.2%); and (3) 'the cost of healthcare for the future child is not an appropriate reason for a couple to consider pregnancy termination' (MFM : FCP—73.5% vs 55.9%). 65% MFMs versus 47% FCPs disagreed that their professional responsibility is to focus primarily on fetal well-being (p<0.01). Specialists did not differ regarding the fetus as a separate patient. Responses about self-perceived responsibility to focus on fetal well-being were associated with clinical practice attitudes. Conclusions Independent of demographic and sociopolitical characteristics, FCPs and MFMs possess divergent ethical sensitivities regarding pregnancy termination, pregnant women and fetuses, which may influence clinical care.


X‐linked and autosomally inherited bleeding disorders confer a risk of foetal intracranial haemorrhage during delivery. Conventional prenatal diagnosis involving chorionic villus sampling or early amniocentesis is primarily aimed at offering the choice of pregnancy termination. Currently, non‐invasive procedures, involving analysis of free foetal DNA in the maternal circulation, are restricted to gender determination, and are of limited value in women at risk of carrying a foetus with a bleeding disorder. These limitations, together with the rising proportion of women shown to be carrying an affected foetus, who decide to continue the pregnancy, have led to the development of prenatal mutation identification via late amniocentesis after 34 weeks of gestation, with the sole aim of directing delivery management. Although this approach has been documented in some cases of potential foetal anomaly, there are no previous reports of its use in women with heritable bleeding disorders. We report a single‐centre experience of this technique in managing nine such deliveries. Of these, three showed an affected foetus, five showed an unaffected foetus and in one case no result could be obtained. In the three affected cases and the one with the inconclusive result restrictive birth plans were implemented, whereas the five unaffected cases underwent routine obstetric management; with one delivery necessitating interventions which would have been contraindicated if foetal status had not been determined. Late amniocentesis is a safe technique for guiding delivery management in women with bleeding disorders where the mutation is known.


On 2019 April 25, the LIGO Livingston detector observed a compact binary coalescence with signal-to-noise ratio 12.9. The Virgo detector was also taking data that did not contribute to detection due to a low signal-to-noise ratio, but were used for subsequent parameter estimation. The 90% credible intervals for the component masses range from 1.12 to 2.52 $M_{\odot}$ (1.45 to 1.88 $M_{\odot}$ if we restrict the dimensionless component spin magnitudes to be smaller than 0.05). These mass parameters are consistent with the individual binary components being neutron stars. However, both the source-frame chirp mass $1.44^{+0.02}_{-0.02} M_{\odot}$ and the total mass $3.4^{+0.3}_{-0.1}\,M_{\odot}$ of this system are significantly larger than those of any other known binary neutron star system. The possibility that one or both binary components of the system are black holes cannot be ruled out from gravitational-wave data. We discuss possible origins of the system based on its inconsistency with the known Galactic binary neutron star population. Under the assumption that the signal was produced by a binary neutron star coalescence, the local rate of neutron star mergers is updated to $250-2810 \text{Gpc}^{-3}\text{yr}^{-1}$.


Not only organizational strategy but also managerial experience influence the portfolio management of research projects process. Strategy provides the focus that the research projects should have, and acts as the point of reference to which the process should be aligned when the environment changes. Experience serves as a decision tool when the formal methods fail to model the real world due to uncertainty or unavailability of information. Portfolio management of research projects in the public and private settings generates knowledge as well as business opportunities and public welfare. Research projects are performed to find new markets, improve processes or find grounds to incur in new product development. They are also performed to increase scientific and technological knowledge as well as to form new experts who can contribute in future research projects. Furthermore, evidence has shown that organizations, both private and public, agree that generating knowledge is the basic objective of research projects.


This paper presents three different concepts of Ku-band low profile antennas for mobile satcom. First, a low profile fully active phased array aiming to Ku-Band broadcast reception is presented. Two other hybrid phased arrays are presented, one aiming to receive only applications and one for Tx/Rx operations. All the three presented antennas are low profile and suitable for in-vehicle integration.


UK, Ukraine and China are countries in transition. The Chinese' paradoxical culture (Fang 2003) allows them to develop their own interpretation of capitalism under a communist party and the country turns outward to the international stage. Ukraine's diverse population is pulled in two opposite directions - East and West – with tragic results. The United Kingdom is no longer united: the Scottish referendum in 2014 came close to dissolving the union and, following the recent general election, another could force exit from the European Union. Despite very different histories, all three are searching for a new position in the world.

Our students are also in transition. Despite the higher-level debate concerning their home countries' integration in the outside world, students are increasingly, inexorably moving across borders, but not always in both directions. China's youth travel across the world in search of the best higher education, but many fewer international students seek out China's universities. Ukraine's system of higher education is going through a period of transformation at a time of economic austerity. Despite the high demand emanating from Ukrainian students to go abroad during their studies, the inward student mobility of EU nationals to Ukraine remains exceptionally low. Meanwhile, British universities are heavily subsidised by lucrative incoming international students, but famously low numbers of British students study abroad.

Uniquely, this study explores the differences in incentives, motivations, benefits, barriers and challenges to international student mobility in these three contrasting countries. Analysing the phenomenon of student mobility at a national and personal level, we attempt to discover what three countries can learn from one another.


As advanced semiconductor technologies continue to shrink, there is a continued need for interconnect performance and variability to keep pace. Traditional area scaling alone cannot control the increased process variation at advanced nodes. We examine the impact that patterning scheme has on the final interconnect resistance, capacitance and RC variability at sub-36nm pitches. Industry standard patterning schemes are evaluated using the Monte Carlo method. Single exposure (direct print), litho-etch-litho-etch, self-aligned double patterning and self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) are considered. In the context of these patterning schemes, lithographic variation and spacer thickness uniformity (where applicable) are evaluated.


My choreographic research project contains three phases. In phase one, I choreographed a solo work of contemporary dance for the choral piece "There Is No Rose," arranged by Randall Stroope. My primary objective in this phase was to design a new approach to the movement development process by exploring academic sources and translating them into choreography. In phase two, I performed my work with live accompaniment by the Oakland Girls Choir of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in multiple Anglican churches in the U.S. and in England. I adapted the work I'd developed in a large space with recorded music to small spaces with live music. In phase three, I obtained feedback from twelve audience members through personal interviews. This phase contains two main objectives: to examine the audience's perceptions of my choreography, and to analyze the relationship between dance and the Anglican Church. My main research findings occurred during phase three. The interviews revealed ways in which individuals see the same movement differently, identified qualities that distinguish sacred dance from concert dance, and led to a set of guidelines that may facilitate contemporary dance into the tradition of Anglican worship.


We consider the problem of positioning data collecting base stations in a sensor network. We show that in general, the choice of positions has a marked influence on the data rate, or equivalently, the power efficiency, of the network. In our model, which is partly motivated by an experimental environmental monitoring system, the optimum data rate for a fixed layout of base stations can be found by a maximum flow algorithm. Finding the optimum layout of base stations, however, turns out to be an NP-complete problem, even in the special case of homogeneous networks. Our analysis of the optimum layout for the special case of the regular grid shows that all layouts that meet certain constraints are equally good. We also consider two classes of random graphs, chosen to model networks that might be realistically encountered, and empirically evaluate the performance of several base station positioning algorithms on instances of these classes. In comparison to manually choosing positions along the periphery of the network or randomly choosing them within the network, the algorithms tested find positions, which significantly improve the data rate and power efficiency of the network.


Aim: I describe the original contribution my work has made to understanding individual, social and environmental influences on physical activity among young people in Scotland. The work I present is based on six publications from five studies.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Two studies used quantitative methods and include a 5-year longitudinal study and a cross-sectional pupil and school-level study. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Three studies used qualitative methods including focus group discussions, photography and descriptive writing. All studies involved adolescents (10-15 years) attending schools in Scotland.
Key Findings: My longitudinal evidence showed significant gender and developmental effects through early-mid adolescence, particularly at the primary-secondary school transition. While boys reported higher levels of physical activity than girls at all ages, baseline physical activity was a significant predictor of later activity levels for both genders. The importance of social influences was evident across my research. Survey data showed boys to report
higher peer support, parental support and independent play than girls. Among both genders, peer, paternal and maternal support decreased with age, whereas independent play increased. Time spent with friends was particularly important and was further highlighted in qualitative findings. Being with friends was a benefit of active travel to school, walking, and general physical activity.
Other factors influencing physical activity included proximity and access to local facilities, and the school environment. Most notable was the importance of cost and value for money. In general, pupils were satisfied with school facilities, but felt time for physical education (PE) could be increased. Among adolescent girls, survey data showed the best predictor of physical activity to be hours allocated to PE in fourth year of secondary school. Provision of PE and extra-curricular clubs are likely to be of greater importance to girls' participation than schools facilities. Longitudinal data showed girls reporting lower levels of perceived competence, self-esteem and physical self-worth than boys at each age. Furthermore, girls' physical perceptions decreased markedly over time, whereas among boys, only perceived competence decreased, while global esteem increased. Influences on physical activity participation were shown to be context specific, e.g. pupils reported not having bicycle storage as a barrier to cycling to school. Walking was a popular activity among girls, although areas in which walking took place, and reasons for walking could differ between geographical locations.
Conclusions: In line with the socio-ecological model, my findings demonstrate the complex interaction of individual, social and environmental factors on physical activity participation among young people. They highlight the need for all sectors to work together in developing the most suitable interventions, considering the activity, its context and the population being targeted.


We present analytical results for the distribution of shortest cycle lengths (DSCL) in random networks. The approach is based on the relation between the DSCL and the distribution of shortest path lengths (DSPL). We apply this approach to configuration model networks, for which analytical results for the DSPL were obtained before. We first calculate the fraction of nodes in the network which reside on at least one cycle. Conditioning on being on a cycle, we provide the DSCL over ensembles of configuration model networks with degree distributions which follow a Poisson distribution (Erdős-Rényi network), degenerate distribution (random regular graph), and a power-law distribution (scale-free network). The mean and variance of the DSCL are calculated. The analytical results are found to be in very good agreement with the results of computer simulations.


Abstract: At the dawn of the 21st century it is widely recognised that transnational terrorism can pose a major challenge to the security of nation-state. To manage this challenge, multi-agency collective efforts, beyond those at the domestic level, are needed. Though since 2001 there has been an invigoration of national security efforts, any multinational security efforts will be successful only if there is a shared understanding of the domestic and multilateral institutional architectures, both existing and needed, to combat terrorism and respond to man-made or natural catastrophic events The academic communities on both sides of the Atlantic have taken notice of the need for academic research and instruction in a Homeland Security (HS) based curriculum, but have responded differently to how this might best be achieved. US universities have largely developed entire HS academic programmes, but this has not been replicated in the European Union. Building upon a paper delivered at the 2010 ISA annual convention, this paper will examine the data that has been generated for a research project funded by the EU/US Atlantis Programme. This project analyses HS education provision in the US and EU, and will compare curricular coverage of comparative and international issues in homeland security.


![Graphic][1]

Background : Retrospective analyses have demonstrated significantly improved survival for AYA ALL patients (pts) aged 16-21 years (yrs) when treated on pediatric versus adult U.S. NCI Cooperative group regimens where 2-yr event-free survivals (EFS) have been only 35-40%. The purpose of C10403, a large prospective US intergroup trial, was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness [with EFS as a primary endpoint), of treating AYA ALL pts (ages 16-39 yrs) using the standard arm of the successful Children's Oncology Group regimen (COG AALL0232) .

Methods : Newly diagnosed AYA patients with B-precursor (B-ALL) or T-precursor (T-ALL) ALL were eligible to enroll on C10403. Burkitt type and Ph+ ALL were excluded. The regimen was identical to the Capizzi methotrexate arm of COG AALL0232 (Larsen E. JCO 2011; 29 suppl:3) and consisted of four intensive courses: remission induction, remission consolidation, interim maintenance, delayed intensification, and prolonged maintenance therapy. Pts with M2 marrow response (>5% but < 25% lymphoblasts) after remission induction received an extended remission induction course of therapy. Events were defined as induction failure (M3 [³25% blasts] day 29 of induction or M2 day 43 of extended induction), death, relapse, or second malignancy. Key correlative science studies in a subset of the total accrued population included assessment of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) using quantitative real-time PCR of clonal IgH or TCR gene rearrangements as well as Low Density Microarray (LDA) assays designed to detect a previously validated gene expression profile (Harvey, R; ASH 2013, abstract 826) which can prospectively identify ALL pts with Ph-like ( BCR-ABL1 -like) ALL.

Results : 318 pts were enrolled on C10403 from 11/2007 to 8/2012; 22 withdrew prior to therapy. Of 296 evaluable pts, the median age at diagnosis was 24 yrs (range: 17 to 39): 25% were 17-20 yrs, 53% were 21-29 yrs, and 22% were 30-39 yrs. The majority had B-ALL (76%) and were male ( 61%). Approximately 25% were non-Caucasian and 15% were Hispanic or Latino. 32% of pts were obese (BMI³30). There were 5 (2%) treatment-related deaths during protocol therapy: liver failure (n=2, both during induction), infection (1 in induction, 1 in consolidation), and ventricular arrhythmia (1 in induction). Overall, treatment toxicities were similar to those reported in the standard arm of COG AALL0232, with an increased thrombosis and early hyperbilirubinemia for C10403 pts, as reported previously (Advani A, ASH 2013, abstract 303). To date, 70 deaths have been reported and 87 pts remain on protocol therapy. With a median follow-up of 28 months for surviving pts, 105 events have been observed. The median EFS overall is 59.4 months (95% CI: 38.4 to NR) and the 2-yr EFS rate overall is 66% (95% CI: 60 – 72%) [Fig 1a] with similar 2-yr EFS rates for B and T- ALL pts (65%, and 68%). The 2-yr OS rate is 78% (95% CI: 72 – 83%)[Fig 1b], which is similar for B (78%, 95% CI: 72 – 84%) and T-ALL, (80%, 95% CI: 70 – 91%). These results allow rejection of the null hypothesis of this Phase II trial that the true median EFS is, at most, 32 months. In multivariable analysis of presenting clinical features, age > 20 years and initial WBC count ³ 30k/microliter were significantly associated with worse EFS and OS. Presence of MRD at day 28 following initiation of induction therapy and presence of a Ph-like gene expression signature were significantly associated with both worse EFS and OS. Notably, absence of detectable MRD noted in 22/58 [38%] evaluable pts at day 28 of induction was associated with 100% EFS (p=0.0006). The Ph-like like signature was detected in 28% of pts tested on C10403 and the 2 yr EFS for these patients was only 52%, compared to 81% for those without Ph-like disease (p = 0.04).

Conclusions : This large prospective US adult intergroup trial (C10403) for pts 16-39 years old employing an intensive pediatric regimen demonstrates a significant improvement (compared to historical controls) in AYA EFS and OS and validates this approach for treatment of AYA with ALL by adult hematologists. The improved clinical outcomes and the predictive value of the correlative studies in this trial lay the foundation for the design of future trials, where incorporation of novel agents to eradicate MRD, and/or use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to target the frequently detected Ph-like ALL in AYA pts may further improve survival for young adults with ALL.

![Figure 1a][2]

Figure 1a

![Figure 1b][2]

Figure 1b

Disclosures Stock: Sigma-Tau: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Advani: Sigma Tau: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Liedtke: Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Larson: Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding.

 [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif
 [2]: pending:yes


We have investigated the frequency of methylation of several tumour suppressor genes in uveal melanoma. As the loss of one copy of chromosome 3 (monosomy 3), which is found in about half of these tumours, is tightly associated with metastatic disease, a special emphasis was laid on genes located on this chromosome, including the fragile histidine triad (FHIT), von Hippel–Lindau (VHL), β-catenin (CTNNB1), activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and retinoic acid receptor-β2 (RARB) genes. In addition, the methylation patterns of the CpG-rich regions 5′ of the E-cadherin (CDH1), p16/cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 A (CDKN2A) and retinoblastoma (RB1) genes were analysed by bisulphite genomic sequencing or methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Furthermore, the SNRPN and D15S63 loci, which are located in the imprinted region of chromosome 15, were included in the study. Aberrant methylation was detected in nine of 40 tumours analysed: The imprinted SNRPN and D15S63 loci were hypermethylated in three tumours, all of which retained both copies of chromosome 3. Methylated RARB alleles were detected in three tumours, whereas in three other tumours CDKN2A was found to be methylated. As we did not find RARB and CDKN2A preferentially methylated in tumours with monosomy 3, which is a significant predictor of metastatic disease, we suggest that these genes may play a causative role in the formation of uveal melanoma but not in the development of metastases.


Atherosclerotic disease of the intracranial arteries is responsible for at least 10% of ischaemic strokes worldwide. Symptomatic disease has been extensively studied in the past few years, using diagnostic methods including multi‐slice computed tomography and high resolution magnetic resonance imaging. A literature search was performed using PubMed and OvidSP between 1984 and May 2013. Variations of the terms 'intracranial atherosclerosis' plus 'ischemic stroke', 'plaque', 'morphology', 'imaging' were used and a combination of them. The reference lists of identified articles were also consulted for additional references. Amongst symptomatic patients the prevalence of intracranial atherosclerotic disease is around 10%, depending on race ethnicity, and the diagnosis requires the presence of ≥50% stenosis in the territory of the symptomatic vessel in a patient with stroke or transient ischaemic attack. The prognosis of intracranial atherosclerotic disease related stroke is poor. Although risk factor control can lead to a better outcome of intracranial atherosclerotic disease related strokes, the significance of asymptomatic disease is still a matter of debate.


There is wide interest in using the unique properties of microfluidic environments for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Compared to bench top synthesis, microfluidic systems engender the significant advantage of superior control of chemical state functions. The ability to tune reagent concentration, reaction temperature, mixing time, and residence time allows reactions to run more efficiently thus generating products of higher yield and purity. While several microfluidic platforms are actively developed in both academic and industrial laboratories, vast majority are based in rigid materials and have only demonstrated improvements in yield for single reaction steps. Multilayer Soft Lithography has already found much use in the biological field. For example, several complex devices based upon functional modules have been developed for protein crystallography, nucleic acid processing, FACS, enzyme screening tools, and PCR. Because of the many similarities between operations in organic synthesis and biochemistry, there is widespread interest in extending these newfound successes in the realm of biology to the realm of automated chemical synthesis.
This thesis focuses on the application of Multilayer Soft Lithography to the development and adaptation of microfluidic tools for chemical synthesis. The first successful demonstration of multistep organic synthesis in integrated microfluidics was the production of a molecular image probe, 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose. The nanogram level dosage for imaging probes makes them attractive candidates for small scale synthesis of microfluidics. The reduced synthesis time achieved by using a microfluidic device is especially important because of the relatively short half-life of the radioactive fluoride. While PDMS remains the material of choice for devices in biological applications, its incompatibility with many nonpolar organic solvents limits the types of reactions that can be performed with it. Through collaboration with Joseph DeSimone's group at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a suitable substitute for PDMS was found in
perfluoropolyethers (PFPE). A solvent-resistant integrated microfluidic device was developed for solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis using conventional phosphoramidite
chemistry. To confirm that the microfluidic platform in development can indeed become a valuable tool in the field of synthetic biology, a 16 column parallel oligonucleotide
synthesizer was manufactured that is capable of producing 16 distinct sequences up to 40 bases in length to be used in gene assembly. Successful construction of a gene fragment
was completed from a mixture of unpurified and unamplified oligonucleotides synthesized on the device.


Combining ethnography, film criticism, and his extensive knowledge of the Middle East, Steven C. Caton presents an innovative and fascinating examination of the classic film, Lawrence of Arabia. Caton is interested in why this epic film has been so compelling for so many people for more than three decades. In seeking an answer he draws from situations in his own life, biographies of the film's key participants, and analyses of issues relating to class, gender, colonialism, and cultural differences. The result is a many-prismed book that poses important questions of ethnographic representation and the discourse of power. Caton's approach is dialectical, and his readings of the film are situated within different historical periods, from the early 1960s to the present. Among the subjects he highlights are travel and colonialism in fieldwork and filmmaking, orientalism in the representation of the Other, and the film's ambiguous handling of masculinity and homosexuality. Caton looks at his own reactions to the film at various stages in his life and offers a thought-provoking account of the film's reception by today's high school and college students.


As customers are aware of the environmental protection, manufacturers are asked to design and produce their products more environmentally conscious in both design and manufacturing. It has been proved that the green design should incorporate the voices from customers and producers at the same time. Customer needs might be the driving force, while producers are asked to do so from cost, technical ability, and other aspects. It is important to know what kind of green products is acceptable by the marketplace, and it is also essential to understand if manufacturing this type of green products is possible from cost, material, marketability, and other aspects. Therefore, a consensus should be reached between customers and manufacturers since it might be unreasonable to make undesired products with unacceptable costs from customer viewpoints. The philosophy of green design should begin with the above consensus between customers and manufacturers. In this paper, a green quality function deployment (GQFD) is developed based upon the above concepts using the six categories based on the product's life cycle, such as raw material, manufacturing, assembly and disassembly, transportation, consumer usage, and disposal. With more objective techniques used in this GQFD matrix, it is believed that the best alternatives can be come up with the consensus between customers and manufacturers. In addition, when customers demand more and more environmentally conscious design and manufacturing and are willing to pay a much more higher price, and manufacturers have advanced techniques or methods to design and produce environmentally friendly products, producers can be dynamically upgrading this GQFD matrix to determine the customer-oriented green product. Finally, an example is used to demonstrate this green quality function deployment in choosing the best alternative for green product designs.


This article explores innovation in Tswana medicine (bongaka), and examines the effects of language translation in a plural medical world. Since practitioners and patients of bongaka locate medical authority in the language of 'tradition', innovation is often hidden under a gloss of semantic continuity that locates knowledge as ancient and immutable; yet Tswana medicine has changed over time, as all medical systems do. Bongaka embraces a historically fluid nosology, and diagnostic logic that attends to social circumstances and bodily symptoms simultaneously. This enables local medical epistemology to incorporate novel ideas and biological events within a larger framework that reinforces the over-arching unity of the bodily, ecological, and social realms – all of which are in flux. The discussion focuses on Tswana diagnostics and epidemiology in post-Second World War southeastern Bechuanaland, where increasingly pervasive experiences of particular forms of bodily misfortune merged with trends in women's extra and pre-marital sexual activity, male labour migration, intergenerational struggles over (blood, semen, money), and collapsing public health became manifest and understood in terms of evolving disease etiologies. Rather than envisioning medical pluralisation as a process that produces hybrids, the case in question suggests that translation creates productive misunderstandings that facilitate the coexistence of distinct medical categories, while patients become adept at moving across ontologically distinct domains of medical practice.


We study the variation in the back-scattered light from a slab of silicate glass on a change of the glass temperature. Coherent illumination scattered from a ground surface of the glass creates a speckle pattern resulting from the sum of two different scattering events: one originating from the backward scattering from the rough surface, and the second from the forward-scattered light, which is Fresnel reflected from the flat back surface of the slab and rescattered (in the forward direction) by the rough surface. Experimental and theoretical studies show that on heating the glasses, the correlation between the initial and the final speckle patterns oscillates as a function of temperature with a frequency proportional to the thermally induced changes in the optical path in the glass. A measurement of the thermal expansion coefficient α is obtained from the oscillations with 0.01% accuracy, provided that the change in refractive index with temperature is known. The observed slow decrease in the amplitude of the temperature-induced oscillations is in agreement with the theoretical analysis of the effect of uniform thermal expansion of the scattering surface. The surface expansion also results in a damped, slow oscillation of the correlation due to the nonrandom motion of the expanding scatterers, which result in the partial rephasing of the scattered waves when the scatterers move a distance on the order of a wavelength. If the refractive index change with temperature is unknown, the decrease in the amplitude of oscillations can be used to determine α, the thermal expansion coefficient while the oscillations can be used to determine the refractive index change with temperature. The method presented is thus an alternative for measuring the thermal expansion coefficient and the change of index with temperature, and can be applied when dealing with strongly scattering surfaces, where one cannot use the normal fringe method. Different glass thicknesses and sample tilts with respect to the incident laser beam are shown to modify the correlation function.


Cobalt nanowire arrays have been grown onto anodic aluminum oxide templates by using a pulse dc electrodeposition technique. We demonstrate that the crystal structure, grain size, and related magnetic properties can be controlled by applying different pulse frequencies. For a pulse frequency of 25Hz, monocrystalline hexagonal-close-packed Co nanowires are formed with a well defined [101¯0] growth axis along the wire length. At a higher pulse frequency of 1000Hz, face-centered-cubic Co nanowires are deposited with a small grain size and a preferred [111] texture directed along the length of the wire. Possible mechanisms for the observed growth characterization are discussed. An investigation of the corresponding magnetic properties indicates that the fcc Co nanowire arrays have the larger coercivity and squareness values: reasons for this behavior are explored.


This study details the results of a baseline survey carried out in 1996 of the current starches and flours markets, and an assessment of the market potential for cassava starch and flour in Ghana. The market for starch comprises a number of end users who use maize, cassava, and potato starch in the textiles, pharmaceuticals, paper, food, and adhesive industries. The current market size is 4200 tonnes per annum which are mainly imported, and is likely to grow to 6000 tonnes per annum by the year 2000. Most users have very high quality specifications with 60% of the market being for modified starches. There would appear to be potential for the production of cassava starch within Ghana to meet some of these specifications. The market for flour in Ghana is currently dominated by wheat flour. In 1996, approximately 300 000 tonnes of wheat equivalences were imported. Most of this flour was used by the food industry in the preparation of bread and snack foods but some was also used as a glue extender by the plywood industry. Cassava flour has potential to substitute for wheat flour in wood glues. The food sector is an attractive market for cassava flour because it uses large amounts of imported wheat flour. However, to be successful, cassava flour needs to be made to a high standard to meet the stringent quality specifications of the potential users in the food industry.


Sugar syrup and molasses from beet processing containing 620 and 570 mg/mL sucrose, respectively, were assayed as low-cost and available substrates for the enzymatic synthesis of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs). A commercial pectinase (Pectinex Ultra SP-L, from Aspergillus aculeatus) characterized by the presence of a transfructosylating activity was used as a biocatalyst. The FOS production increased when lowering the initial pH value of syrup (7.5) and molasses (8.9) to 5.5. Sugar syrup and molasses were diluted in order to reduce substrate viscosity; interestingly, the percentage of FOS with regards to total sugars remained almost constant, which indicated a high transferase-to-hydrolase ratio for this enzyme. Kinetics of FOS production was analyzed. Using approximately 10 U transfructosylating activity per g sucrose, the FOS concentration reached a maximum of 388 mg/mL after 30 h using syrup and 235 mg/mL in 65 h with molasses. These values corresponded to approximately 56 and 49% (w/w), respectively, of the total amount of carbohydrates in the mixture. The enzyme was also covalently immobilized on an epoxy-activated polymethacrylate-based polymer (Sepabeads EC-EP5). We found that immobilized Pectinex Ultra SP-L can be efficiently applied to the synthesis of FOS using syrup and molasses as substrates.


OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parental history of type 2 diabetes and glycemic control among diabetic urban African Americans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Study participants included 359 African Americans with type 2 diabetes from Baltimore, Maryland, enrolled in Project Sugar 2. Participants underwent an interview-administrated questionnaire that asked about family history, sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and knowledge and perception of adequate glycemic control. Regression analysis was used to determine the association between parental history of diabetes and glycemic control, as measured by A1C. RESULTS—In the comparisons between participants with and without a parental history of diabetes, those with a positive parental history tended to be younger, have higher glucose levels, and have higher blood glucose levels before calling a doctor (all P < 0.05). After adjustments for age, sex, and BMI, there was a significant association (P = 0.02) between A1C and parental history with the mean A1C difference between those with a positive and a negative parental history being 0.58%. However, after adjustment for duration of diabetes, the association was no longer significant (P = 0.11). However, there was a tendency for individuals with two diabetic parents to have higher A1C (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS—From these results, we conclude that among the urban African American participants who were aware of their parental history of diabetes, a positive parental history was associated with worse glycemic control, partly due to longer duration of diabetes. Parental history did not appear to be associated with better knowledge or perception of adequate glycemic control.


A key feature of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II was the staging of World Youth Days (WYD), a practice that has continued under his successor Benedict XVI. Beginning in 1985 these events, held internationally every two to three years, are amongst the largest international gatherings of young people. In 2000, for example, the WYD held in Rome attracted over three million pilgrims. WYD has become a significant social phenomenon, especially in an era where there is a sustained and widespread disaffiliation of young adults from mainstream Churches. Participants at WYD are mainly Catholics although the invitation to take part is extended to all. There has been little empirical work, however, on who attends WYD and their motivations for attending. This paper will report on research conducted on some Australian pilgrims who attended the 2005 WYD in Cologne. This research will use both quantitative and qualitative techniques to try and build up a profile of WYD pilgrims.


Congenital analbuminaemia (CAA) is a very rare condition manifested by the near complete absence of albumin, the major blood protein, because of defects in the albumin (ALB) gene. It is generally regarded as relatively benign in adults, but analbuminaemic individuals may be at risk during the perinatal and childhood period. Twenty-one different molecular lesions in the ALB are now known as cause of the trait. These include one mutation in the start codon, one frameshift/insertion, five frameshift/deletions, seven nonsense mutations and seven mutations affecting splicing. Thus, nonsense mutations, mutations affecting splicing and frameshift/deletions seem to be the most common causes of CAA. These results indicate that the trait is an allelic heterogeneous disorder caused by homozygous or, in a single case, compound heterozygous inheritance of defects. Most mutations are unique, but one, named Kayseri, is responsible for about half of the known cases.

Key Concepts:

CAA is an autosomal recessive disorder.

Apart from the possibility of premature atherosclerotic complications, the phenotype seems to be benign in adults.

Analbuminaemic individuals may be at risk during the perinatal and the childhood period.

CAA is caused by homozygous or, in a single case, compound heterozygous inheritance of abnormal albumin alleles from both parents.

Twenty-one different molecular defects in the ALB are known as cause of the trait.

Nonsense mutations, mutations affecting splicing and frameshift/deletions are the most common causes of CAA.

No evidence has so far been found for the presence in serum of the putative protein products produced as a consequence of the above 21 mutations.

The molecular defects are located in nine different exons and in four different introns.

This distribution seems to suggest that CAA is the result of widely scattered random sequence variations.

The increasing knowledge of the causative defects seems to reveal the presence of regions in the ALB that are prone to mutations.

Keywords:

congenital analbuminaemia;
clinical consequences;
molecular diagnosis;
albumin gene;
mutations;
DNA sequence


[In some recent prominent studies, Josef Pieper has merited only brief attention. He is presented as one who accommodated Roman Catholic theology and philosophy with National Socialism in the early 1930s. Alongside such thinkers as Michael Schmaus and Karl Eschweiler, Pieper's name appears as evidence for the Catholic pursuit of rapprochement with the Nazi State. The writings of Pieper, however, contain considerable evidence to maintain a contrary reading of his involvement with the National Socialists. He may in fact be understood as a man who said no to the spirit of his age.]


Summary The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum by cELISA among cows in Van province in Turkey. As material; 450 cows consisting of Brown Swiss, Simmental, Holstein, native species and crossbreds of these and given birth before at least one time were used. Approximately 7 ml blood sample was drawn from the jugular vein of each animal into the plain tubes. Sera obtained from the blood samples were stored at -20°C and processed using a commercial N. caninum antibody test kit (cELISA; VMRD, Inc.) after two mounts from the last sampling. Inhibitions ≥30% were interpreted as seropositive and inhibitions <30% were interpreted as seronegative. Seroprevalence of antibodies against N. caninum in cows in Van province was 4.88% as a general average. Seropositive sample rate of the central districts was higher than the rate of central villages, 10.66% vs. 3.73%. On the other hand, seropositive sample rate of the animals came to the animal hospital from the central villages was higher than the rate of animals sampled in their places, 8.06% vs. 2.87%. In conclusion, the seroprevalence of N. caninum among cows in Van province in Turkey is lower or higher than those of some other provinces in Turkey and countries or regions in the world. The reason of this may be different cattle breeds, breeding systems and animal traffic among regions or countries. Along with main control measurements to contain N. caninum infection, diagnosing and culling of seropositive animals would give helpful results.


Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a strong desmoplastic reaction where the stromal compartment often accounts for more than half of the tumor volume. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are a central mediator of desmoplasia. There is increasing evidence that desmoplasia is contributing to the poor therapeutic response of PDAC. We show that PSCs promote radioprotection and stimulate proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells (PCC) in direct coculture. Our in vivo studies show PSC-dependent radioprotection in response to a single dose and to fractionated radiation. Abrogating b1-integrin signaling abolishes the PSCmediated radioprotection in PCCs. Furthermore, this effect is independent of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) but dependent on FAK. Taken together, we show for the first time that PSCs promote radioprotection of PCCs in a b1-integrin–dependent manner. Cancer Res; 71(10); 3453–8. 2011 AACR.


Individualization remains the most prominent theoretical explanation for the shifts in European demographic trends since the 1960s, including decreasing marriage and fertility rates and increasing divorce rates. Demographic theorists suggest that a shift from traditional to individualized values, such as autonomy and self-realization, has been driving these trends. However, conceptualizing individualization as a set of values cannot account for why Swedish marriage rates have increased since 1998, despite highly individualized values. This article suggests re-thinking individualization as a form of internally referring attributions in causal and moral reasoning about human behavior, emphasizing agency and internal causes over structure or context. As such, individualization shapes peoples' perceptions and understandings of the world, including their expectations of marriage and close relationships. Data from focus groups support this conceptualization and show how participants individualize risks, while perceiving marriage itself as inconsequential. In line with previous research, individualized reasoning obfuscated assumptions that were less individualized and implicit.


: The cultural fluid of Vibrio cholerae strains of serovar Ogawa, grown under the conditions of submerged cultivation, has been shown to contain a large amount of soluble O-antigen which sharply differs from all other concomitant components in its molecular weight. By enriching the commercial chemical cholera vaccine known as Choleragen Toxoid with purified Ogawa O-antigen a new preparation, consisting mainly of cholera toxoid and Ogawa and Inaba O-antigens and capable of producing pronounced immunity to V. cholerae of both serovars, has been obtained.


The prevalence of diverticulosis and colorectal cancer (CRC) is markedly increased in the last century. Both diseases are highly frequent in Western countries and in aged people. Western diet--low in fiber and rich in dietary fat--has been largely regarded to play a major role in the pathogenesis of both conditions. A causal relationship between diverticulosis and CRC has been suggested in different studies. Epidemiologic series found a more frequent rectosigmoid localization of neoplastic lesions (advanced adenoma and CRC) in patients with diverticulosis as compared with controls, particularly in those with a previous diverticulitis episode or with an extensive disease. However, data are still controversial, with other studies failing to confirm this observation. Such discrepancy could be referred to the highly heterogeneous study design and setting in the different epidemiologic series. Pathologic studies showed that either macroscopic and microscopic chronic inflammation--which is regarded as risk factor for CRC development--is present in the colonic mucosa of some patients with diverticula. Moreover, alterations in the extracellular matrix, also involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, have been depicted in diverticulosis. In addition, an upward shifting of cell proliferation occurs in diverticular mucosa, and in nondiverticular patients with advanced adenomas. Finally, aberrant crypt foci--which are considered potential markers of CRC risk in ulcerative colitis--have been detected in colonic mucosa of patients with diverticulosis. Despite this substantial amount of evidence, however, the available data are not yet strong enough to suggest a more aggressive CRC prevention in diverticular as compared with nondiverticular subjects.


The stratigraphy of fine-grained sediments provides many challenges. Condensed intervals are often difficult to identify and erosional surfaces evident in shallow strata are difficult to link with their time correlative conformities within deeper basin strata. Barite nodules provide important clues about diagenetic environments, paleobiologic productivity, and consequently source rock potential. In particular, barite nodules have been documented from oxic-anoxic boundaries and sulphatereducing environments. Pauses in sedimentation have been linked with stable oxic-anoxic boundaries allowing the creation of barite nodules. In the Marnes Bleues Formation of the Vocontian Basin (SE France), barite nodule horizons within basin sediments have been correlated with shallower condensed intervals and discontinuities (Bréhéret and Brumsack, 2000). The Lower Jurassic Nordegg Member of west-central Alberta contains numerous barite nodule horizons. The nodules range in shape from rosettes, rhombs, lozenges and birdfoot shaped concretions to discs. This study examines the origin of the precursor barium as well as the textural relationships between the barite and the host sediment. The lateral extent of barite horizons as well as their association with paleosol horizons and displacive fibrous calcites (shales with beef) are also examined. Regional cross-sections are used to determine the relationships between barite horizons, known condensed intervals and unconformities. Finally, the utility of barite as a stratigraphic tool is addressed.


Infectious complications in the intensive care unit (ICU) are classically identified when an elevated temperature triggers obtaining cultures. Elevated temperature, however, is a nonspecific marker of infection and may occur well into the course of the infection. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether escalating insulin demands may serve as an earlier marker for infection. A retrospective review of a prospective database from a trauma ICU over a 6-month period was done for all patients who developed infection while in the ICU. All patients in the ICU are placed at admission on an intensive insulin protocol with target blood glucose levels between 80 and 110 mg/dL. Data were collected on infection, insulin needs, blood glucose levels, temperature, white blood cell count, and antibiotic use. Twenty-four infections were identified, with 16 pneumonias, four bloodstream infections, and four urinary tract infections. Twelve of the 24 patients had increasing insulin needs in the 3 days preceding their infection diagnosis, with nine of the 12 requiring continued escalation of insulin needs from preinfection Day 3 to 2 to 1 (D3, D2, D1). In five of the 12 patients, the escalation of insulin dose preceded the elevated temperature, and in three of the 12 patients, the escalation preceded elevation of the white blood cell count above 12. For all 24 patients, the average insulin dose increased steadily, from 1.8 U/hr on D3 preinfection to 2.5 U/hr D2 and 3.1 U/hr D1. Infection does seem to be preceded by escalating insulin demands in many patients. A prospective study to evaluate the value of increased insulin demand as a marker for developing infection is warranted.


The integration of renewable energy resources into the electrical distribution systems faces several stability challenges especially in the low inertia conditions. To address these issues, this study introduces a virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control strategy for the intertying power electronic converters in the autonomous AC/DC hybrid microgrids. It is shown that the VSM-based controller improves the system damping following the frequency disturbances and the AC/DC voltage variations. Moreover, a power management regulation topology is implemented in the active intertying converter to achieve an accurate bidirectional power flow under different loading conditions. A small-signal state-space model for the entire hybrid system is developed to assess the overall system performance. Time-domain simulation results under the PSCAD/EMTDC environment are also presented to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques. The introduction of the VSM control for the intertying converters in the hybrid AC/DC microgrids provides a significant improvement in the dynamic performance and increases the robustness against external disturbances.


User search goals can be defined as information on various aspects of query that user want to obtain and it can be considered as the collection of information needs for a query. Different users may have different search goals in their mind when they pass ambiguous query to a search engine. Thus, it is important to infer and analyze user search goals to improve the performance of a search engine and user experience. By clustering the proposed feedback sessions, we infer different user search goals for a query. The feedback session is combination of both clicked and unclicked URLs and this feedback session is mapped to the pseudo documents to better represent the information needs of user. These pseudo-documents are clustered using K-means clustering algorithm which produces better results than K-means clustering algorithm and reduces computation time. Finally, Classified Average Precision (CAP) evaluation criterion is used to evaluate the performance of system. In this way, the system can infer user search goals efficiently and satisfy information needs of user.


Background: Most of the current regimens in the treatment of multiple myeloma include thalidomide. Thalidomide is a modulator of the immune system and according to several studies, its main complication is thromboembolism. The aim of this study is to compare the thromboemboli prophylactic effect of aspirin and low dose warfarin in standard risk multiple myeloma patients that treated with regimens containing thalidomide. Materials and Methods: In this doubleblind clinical trial study, sixty-six patients with multiple myeloma under treatment with thalidomide-containing regimens with standard risk for thromboembolism who were admitted to Khansari hospital, entered the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The incidence of thromboembolism in these patients was evaluated. Results: Five patients in the warfarin group and 2 patients in the aspirin group had thromboemboli. Chi square analyses showed no significant difference between groups (p=0.635). Conclusion: The results showed that both drugs are effective in preventing thromboembolism and can be used as a prophylactic treatment.


Coenzyme A constitutes an essential cofactor whose biosynthesis route is conserved amongst species. De novo CoA is synthesized from pantothenate by the subsequent action of five enzymes; PANK, PPCS, PPCDC, PPAT and DPCK. Although CoA biosynthesis is conserved, significant dissimilarities exist between the eukaryotic and bacterial enzymes, which makes these enzymes potential targets for antimicrobial drugs. Therefore, CoA production is well described at the biochemical level. However, little is known about the physiological implications of disruptions in the de novo CoA synthesis route in higher eukaryotes. Results presented in this thesis implicate a major role for CoA during morphogenesis, cell division, fertility, neuronal integrity, development and DNA integrity. In humans mutations in PANK2 result in the neurodegenerative disease: pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration or PKAN. Here we describe the various aspects of the physiological implications of defects in the de novo CoA biosynthesis route in metazoans with a focus on Drosophila and we discuss which CoA dependent pathways might be responsible for the complex phenotypic characteristics of PKAN.


OBJECTIVE
Clinical benefit of methylene blue (MB) treating NO-induced vasoplegia has been reported in sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in cardiac surgery and anaphylactic shock, but its safety is sometimes questioned, mainly regarding its hemodynamic effects and the possibility of causing endothelium dysfunction. To examine the nitric oxide plasma levels and cardiovascular effects of the infusion of MB in vivo and its effects on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent in vitro vascular relaxation.

METHODS
The study protocol included two experimental groups of female pigs: Group I (Control) - the animals (n=6) did not receive MB; Group II (MB)--the animals received 3 mg/kg of MB intravenous bolus infusion. After fifteen minutes of hemodynamic parameter recording the animals were sacrificed by exsanguination, and in vitro studies were conducted using segments of coronary, hepatic, superior mesenteric and renal arteries, to determine the effect of MB on the arterial endothelium function with regard to NO release. Nitric oxide plasma levels (NOx) were measured in each of the experimental groups.

RESULTS
The results obtained in the present investigation were: 1) intravenous infusion of MB (3.0 mg/kg) caused no hemodynamic changes; 2) absolute and percent plasma NOx values did not differ between the experimental groups; and 3) in vitro study of vascular relaxation showed no significant difference between groups. These results show that MB intravenous infusion seems to be safe. This finding agrees with data from clinical experiments where MB was used to treat vasoplegic syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and anaphylaxis. These results were not unexpected because, as in healthy subjects, hemodynamics is only fine tuned and not fully under NO control; therefore, MB inhibiting guanylyl cyclase is not expected to do anything.

CONCLUSION
Intravenous use of MB, at the investigated dose, did not cause any abnormal hemodynamic responses or impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation.


: One of the most important health challenges is the early and ongoing detection of disease for prevention, as well as personalized treatment management. Development of new sensitive analytical point-of-care tests are, therefore, necessary for direct biomarker detection from biofluids as critical tools to address the healthcare needs of an aging global population. Coagulation disorders associated with stroke, heart attack, or cancer are defined by an increased level of the fibrinopeptide A (FPA) biomarker, among others. This biomarker exists in more than one form: it can be post-translationally modified with a phosphate and also cleaved to form shorter peptides. Current assays are long and have difficulties in discriminating between these derivatives; hence, this is an underutilized biomarker for routine clinical practice. We use nanopore sensing to identify FPA, the phosphorylated FPA, and two derivatives. Each of these peptides is characterized by unique electrical signals for both dwell time and blockade level. We also show that the phosphorylated form of FPA can adopt two different conformations, each of which have different values for each electrical parameter. We were able to use these parameters to discriminate these peptides from a mix, thereby opening the way for the potential development of new point-of-care tests.


Nikolai Leskov is known for his love of language game, puns, rarely used words and word creation — he usually employs all these tactics for constructing a narrator's image. One of his most poorly studied works is of particular interest in this regard. Notes of the Unknown (1884) is a collection of short anecdotes, mainly from the life of the clergy. In this particular series, Leskov, while imitating someone else's speech, also bares the narrator's hypocrisy and turns his clerical rhetoric into an object of parody, the purpose of which is to indicate the need for the transition from state Orthodoxy to "spiritual Christianity" and for the revitalization of a dead word. DOI: 10.31168/2305-6754.2020.9.2.10


Early diagnosis of spinal metastases is essential. The neurological condition at the time of diagnosis determines functional outcome. Optimal treatment planning requires a multidisciplinary approach by the general practitioner, internist/oncologist/haematologist, radiotherapist, radiologist, neurologist and the spinal surgeon. Radiation therapy is the most common treatment for patients with spinal metastases. However, in specific cases, surgery or chemotherapy should be the primary treatment. We present three patients with spinal metastases: a 55-year-old woman with back pain and a history of breast cancer, a 71-year-old woman with instability of the spine requiring surgical stabilisation and a 68-year-old man with spinal localisation of multiple myeloma treated with systemic therapy. Their cases illustrate the early symptoms of spinal metastases, the role of spinal stability in treatment decisions and the role of systemic therapy in patients with spinal metastases or haematological tumours located in the spine. Recognising early symptoms and appropriate multidisciplinary treatment planning are essential in improving the functional outcome in patients with spinal metastases.


Aluminium is a widely used material, which is found in a number of products e.g. thin aluminium bands that is the base material in many heat exchangers. Rolling processes are used to produce these thin aluminium bands, in order to get the right properties and to get the aluminium easier to roll, heat treatment is needed. This heat treatment of aluminium ingots prior to the rolling is in focus in this work, where computational fluid dynamics and computational heat transfer techniques is used to predict the heating process in a hot air pre-heating furnace. The used approach includes steady state computational fluid dynamics simulations combined with transient computational heat transfer simulations. The simulation results in form of spatial and temporal distributed aluminium ingot temperature was compared with temperature measurement in a thermocouple prepared ingot in the actual pre-heating furnace. Simulation results correspond well with the measurements and there are small differences. Results of the described simulation approach open the possibility to predict spatial and temporal temperature distribution in these kinds of pre-heating processes.


Neural network pruning is an essential approach for reducing the computational complexity of deep models so that they can be well deployed on resource-limited devices. Compared with conventional methods, the recently developed dynamic pruning methods determine redundant filters variant to each input instance which achieves higher acceleration. Most of the existing methods discover effective subnetworks for each instance independently and do not utilize the relationship between different inputs. To maximally excavate redundancy in the given network architecture, this paper proposes a new paradigm that dynamically removes redundant filters by embedding the manifold information of all instances into the space of pruned networks (dubbed as ManiDP). We first investigate the recognition complexity and feature similarity between images in the training set. Then, the manifold relationship between instances and the pruned sub-networks will be aligned in the training procedure. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified on several benchmarks, which shows better performance in terms of both accuracy and computational cost compared to the state-of-the-art methods. For example, our method can reduce 55.3% FLOPs of ResNet-34 with only 0.57% top-1 accuracy degradation on ImageNet. The code will be available at https://github.com/huawei-noah/Pruning/tree/master/ManiDP.


This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis between a recursive and an iterative algorithm when generating permutation. A number of studies discussing the problem and some methods dealing with its solution are analyzed. Recursion and iteration are approaches used in computer programs to implement different algorithms. An iterative approach is the repeated execution of the same source code until a certain end condition is met. On the other hand, a recursive approach uses a recursive function that repeatedly calls itself. This function contains a source code that must be executed repeatedly. Both algorithms presented in this paper can be used to generate permutations of an n element set. The algorithms are modified so that they can be used to solve the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) with a small number of vertices. Several publications that discuss the TSP and some approaches to its solution are also presented. The methodology and the conditions for conducting the experiments are described in details. The obtained results have been analyzed; they show that for the same conditions the iterative algorithm works from of 8 to 16 times faster than the recursive algorithm in all the tested input data. Several approaches to optimize the two algorithms in terms of the number of permutations tested when searching a minimal Hamiltonian cycle are presented.


We present a Mars Atmospheric and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) data-model comparison to better constrain the response of Mars' atmosphere to changes in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) configuration, specifically with how the IMF influences the escape of the atmosphere. Because Mars lacks a dipole magnetic field, the solar wind directly interacts with the upper neutral atmosphere to create 'pick-up' ions. The pick up ions can subsequently escape to space, with a spatial dependence on the IMF configuration. We will present global maps of escaping O+ during different solar cycle phases for multiple IMF conditions using a magnetohydrodynamic and test particle simulation. We will compare these to the relevant MAVEN datasets and examine how the different IMF configurations could influence the escape rate from Mars' atmosphere. Using the models, we will also address the role of the solar cycle and crustal field
orientation.


Interlaboratory inspection of the quality of laboratory investigations in the Saratov region, carried out in 1987-1988, has revealed a 9 to 50 percent share of unsatisfactory results of measurements of urinary protein by the Roberts-Stolnikov method. This fault was not mended despite the measures taken and the errors detected in the activities of clinical diagnostic laboratories. Analysis of the relevant literature has led the authors to a conclusion that the biuret method, the most specific and sensitive of all the universal methods, should be given preference to. The final stage of the investigation is carried out with the use of a KFK-2M photoelectrocolorimeter. A standard curve based on albumin calibration solution was plotted to estimate the results. At present 15 clinical diagnostic laboratories of this region are using the biuret method. Their results have improved, as evidenced by interlaboratory quality control: the share of satisfactory results of urinary protein measurements makes up 83 to 100 percent.


The provisions of this subpart apply to an owner or operator of an existing source who wishes to obtain a compliance extension from a standard issued under section 112(d) of the Act. The provisions of this subpart also apply to a State or local agency acting pursuant to a permit program approved under title V of the Act. The Administrator will carry out the provisions of this subpart for any State that does not have an approved permit program.


BACKGROUND
Acromegaly is a rare chronic endocrine disorder, the active form of which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in acromegaly patients are important in terms of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine whether the visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and plasma atherogenic index (PAI) are early cardiovascular risk markers in patients with active acromegaly.

METHODS
The study included 45 patients newly diagnosed with acromegaly and 45 age-sex matched healthy control subjects. The VAI, LAP, and PAI values were calculated, and carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) was measured in both the patients and control groups.

RESULTS
The PAI, VAI, LAP, and CIMT values were significantly higher in patients with acromegaly compared with the control subjects (p < 0.004, p < 0.027, p <0.012, and p <0.001, respectively). In the patient group, a significant positive correlation was found between the growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels, and between the VAI, LAP and PAI values. A significant positive correlation was determined between CIMT and LAP values in the patient group.

DISCUSSION
CIMT is a noninvasive method used to show early atherosclerosis. However, it is operator dependent. Therefore, VAI, LAP and PAI can be used as noninvasive, simple measurement methods to evaluate early atherosclerosis in patients with acromegaly.


T cells are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis (LA), an inflammatory joint disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). The presence or absence of certain Bb-specific CD4+ T helper cells has been associated with prognosis. Since recent observations suggested the activation of CD8+ T cells during infection with Bb, we searched for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with LA. CD8+ T cell lines were generated from peripheral blood and synovial fluid of five patients with LA. In addition, CD8+ T cells were expanded by Ag-specific stimulation in bulk cultures. A cytotoxicity assay was established using target cells infected with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the borrelial proteins outer surface protein (Osp) A, OspB, or flagellin. We found Bb-specific CTL lines derived from the peripheral blood of three patients with LA with specificity for flagellin, OspA, and OspB. All Bb-specific CTL lines were CD3+, CD8+, and TCRalphabeta, and cytotoxic activity was HLA class I restricted. Moreover, CD8+ T cells expanded by Ag-specific stimulation in vitro demonstrated Bb-specific and HLA class I-restricted lysis toward individual borrelial proteins. Interestingly, Bb-specific lytic activity was only detected in patient samples obtained after the disappearance of arthritis. We report the detection of Bb-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in patients with LA. The induction of specific CD8+ T cells may play an important role in disease control and may have important bearings for the development of effective vaccines against Lyme borreliosis.


Aquaponics, an integrated systemwith both hydroponic plant production and aquaculture fish production, is an expanding alternative agriculture system. Many key questions about the overall feasibility of aquaponic systems remain unanswered. Of particular concern for start-up and established producers alike are consumer perceptions and willingness to pay for aquaponic produce and fish. This study reports results and analysis of a consumer survey about perceptions and preferences for aquaponic-grown products that was conducted in Minnesota during Feb. 2016. Probit and ordered probit models are used to evaluate the probability of different consumer demographic segments having various levels of knowledge and perceptions about aquaponics. About one-third of respondents had previously heard of aquaponics, and upon learning more about the system through the survey, respondents tended to be generally neutral or favorable to aquaponics. Pricemight be an issue formany consumers, butmany tend tobelieve that aquaponics can impact the environment in a positive way. The results represent a first step toward building knowledge about the potential consumer base for aquaponics, which is a critical piece in the system's potential overall profitability. It appears that consumer education and marketing will be key for the expansion of the market.


This paper extends the uniform substitutes model developed by Theil (1980) in a block independent framework to one derived in a blockwise dependent framework. The approach is developed in the case of the demand for different brands of the same good. The uniform substitutes preference structure is nested under weakly separable preferences and the restrictions can be tested statistically with a log likelihood ratio test. Conditional expenditure and price elasticities are derived for uniform substitutes.


The metal sites of selenate reductase from Thauera selenatis have been characterized by Mo, Se, and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Mo site of the oxidized enzyme has 3 to 4 sulfur ligands at 2.33 A from two molybdopterin cofactors, one Mo=O group at 1.68 A and one Mo-O with an intermediate bond length of 1.81 A. The reduced enzyme has a des-oxo active site, again with about four Mo-S ligands (at 2.32 A) and possibly one oxygen ligand at 2.22 A. The enzyme was found to contain Se in a reduced form (probably organic) although the sequence does not indicate the presence of selenocysteine. The Se is coordinated to both a metal (probably Fe) and a lighter scatterer such as carbon.


Although numerous studies have been conducted on ginger extracts and fractions, the data on the pharmacological activity of single constituents of Zingiber officinale are still insufficient. To assess the antidementia properties of the plant, a thin layer chromatography (TLC)-based bioautography acetylcholinesterase inhibitory assay was performed on the Zingiber officinale diethyl ether extract. It led to the recognition of three active inhibitors among volatile constituents of the plant: ar-curcumene (A), α-sesquiphellandrene (B) and a-zingiberene (C). The identification of the components was possible thanks to the application of a TLC–HPLC-MS interface analysis of active zones and the GC-MS qualitative analysis of the tested samples. Based on the obtained results, the influence of several extraction techniques (hydrodistillation—HD, pressurized liquid extraction or accelerated solvent extraction—ASE, shaking maceration–SM, supercritical fluid extraction–SFE, and ultrasound-assisted extraction—UAE) on the recovery of the active metabolites from plant material was assessed to deliver enriched extracts. As a result, HD and SFE, were found to be the most efficient methods to recover the volatile components and the concentrations of A, B, and C reached 0.51 ± 0.025, 0.77 ± 0.045, and 1.67 ± 0.11 percent, respectively. Only HD and SFE were found to recover monoterpene hydrocarbons from the plant matrix. The remaining techniques provided extracts rich in more complex constituents, like sesquiterpenes.


This paper presents a vector tracking (VT) architecture based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) software-defined receiver (SDR). The incoming signal is firstly acquired with the partially matched filter algorithm. Then, the frequency lock loop (FLL) which can tolerate higher dynamics in tracking is exploited to initialize the tracking process of the GNSS SDR. After the incoming signal is stably being locked, the FLL will be replaced by the phase lock loop (PLL) to output the more accurate estimation of the carrier phase error. The measurements, i.e., pseudo-range, carrier phase, Doppler, carrier-to-noise density ratio ( C / N0 ), etc., will subsequently be obtained after the bit and frame synchronization procedures. Furthermore, the weighted non-linear least square (WNLS) method is adopted in this work to compute the navigation solutions on the condition that the number of the space vehicle (SV) is adequate, i.e., more than four SVs for a separate navigation system, global positioning system (GPS), to offer reliable solutions in terms of three-dimension (3-D) positions and clock bias, and 3-D velocities and clock drift. The weighted matrix would be formed with two approaches, and the elevation angle and the C / N0 will be taken into consideration to construct it, respectively. After that, the user velocity estimations and the receiver clock drift with the satellite positions and velocities from the ephemeris in the current channels will be fed back to the carrier numerically controlled oscillator (NCO). Moreover, the code NCO would also be assisted by the formed local frequency replica with the carrier NCO. Therefore, a vector tracking architecture can be finally given in this way. Both delay lock loop (DLL) and PLL are controlled by positioning, velocity, and time (PVT) feedbacks. Field tests demonstrate the performances of the proposed VT-based GNSS SDR for the land vehicle navigation.


We call a random point measure infinitely ramified if for every $n \in \mathbb{N}$, it has the same distribution as the $n$th generation of some branching random walk. On the other hand, branching Levy processes model the evolution of a population in continuous time, such that individuals move in space independently, according to some Levy process, and further beget progenies according to some Poissonian dynamics, possibly on an everywhere dense set of times. Our main result connects these two classes of processes much in the same way as in the case of infinitely divisible distributions and Levy processes: the value at time 1 of a branching Levy process is an infinitely ramified point measure, and conversely, any infinitely ramified point measure can be obtained as the value at time 1 of some branching Levy process.


A new novel cored wire for producing FeCrAl/WC intermetallic coating by arc spraying was developed. The erosion wastage at high temperature of the coating was researched with different impingement angles and temperatures. The results indicated that impingement angle and temperature greatly affected erosion wastage of the coating. At the same time, when impingement angle was 90°, different temperature had a little effect on the erosion wastage. And when temperature was 650°C, different impingement angle had a little effect on the erosion wastage too. As compared with water wall tube material (G20 steel) of power station boiler, the erosion resistance at high temperature of the coating was higher. The erosion resistance rate of the coating was 1.94~2.89 times of that of G20 steel when temperature was 650°C and particle was polygonal silica. The results indicated that erosive condition of high temperature flue gas and fly ash mixture in boiler tube of pulverized coal fired power station could be solved with the FeCrAl/WC coating.


China is undergoing a rapid transformation from a rural, peasant based society into an urban one. This radical change has had a profound effect on the Chinese population due to advancement through job opportunities and new modes of consumption, contributing to a huge spatial shift of population from countryside to city. This effect on China's urban growth has resulted in a rise in the middle classes and in wealth. However this urban growth generates a number of key health issues and inequities, which present challenges for the future. The purpose of this paper is to explore these health issues and challenges that China's urbanization growth poses. The policyimplications will be significant.


AbstractThis study investigated the rejection and adsorption behaviour of two phytoestrogens, genistein and formononetin, by a NF270 nanofiltration (NF) membrane and an ESPA2 reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. Filtration experiments were conducted using a cross-flow membrane system at three different feed solution pH values of 4, 7 and 11. Mass balance calculations indicated that adsorption of both phytoestrogens to the membranes occurred under all pH conditions. The rejection efficiency of the phytoestrogens by the ESPA2 membrane was considerably higher than for the NF270 membrane under all conditions. For the NF270 membrane, at pH 4 and 7, the rejection of phytoestrogens decreased dramatically over the first 4 h of operation and was relatively stable during the later stages of filtration, suggesting that size exclusion, adsorption and convection were the main rejection mechanisms for these compounds. By contrast, at pH 11, there was only a slight reduction in the rejection of these compounds with time and t...


Air-breathing vehicles are characterised by a high level of integration between the propulsion system and the vehicle frame. Since the peculiarity of this type of aircraft is the absence of moving parts, before the air flow arrives at the combustion chamber, it must be slowed down to lower supersonic speeds, in scramjets, or to subsonic speeds, in ramjets, by means of a shock wave structure, called a shock train. The prediction and control of the shock train is important for the evaluation of the engine performance.
This work aims to improve the understanding of the flow mechanisms occurring in the shock train as a consequence of the interaction of shock waves with the boundary layer in long and narrow ducts. A full pressure sensitive paint system was developed. Polymer-based and ruthenium-based compounds were identified as suitable for the investigation of the shock train in the wind tunnel. Before being able to collect experimental data, the design and manufacture of an indraft supersonic wind tunnel able to operate at mach numbers M= 2 and M= 4 was accomplished. The air at ambient conditions is drawn into the tunnel and then discharged into a vacuum tank with a volume of 34 m^3. Preliminary attempts to run the wind tunnel have identified the presence of leakages between the vacuum tank and the wind tunnel that prevented the establishment of the pressure difference required to obtain a supersonic flow in the test section.
In support of the experimental approach, different flow configurations are numerically studied using the RANS equations. The k-w Wilcox model provided the most accurate results for such a complex flow field. Sensitivity studies are carried out since the characteristics of the shock train depend on several variables, including the duct geometry and the back pressure. The numerical findings revealed that the location of the shock train strongly varies with the grid size. Transient simulation is used to reproduce the shock train oscillation due to the pressure fluctuations that occur in the combustion chamber of an air-breathing aircraft. Under a sinusoidal forcing, the shock train executes a motion around its mean position that deviates from a perfect sinusoidal profile depending on the oscillation amplitude, frequency, and whether the pressure is first increased or decreased. With large oscillation amplitudes the shock train is greatly influenced by a pressure increase rather than a pressure drop, but the opposite is observed at small oscillation amplitudes. With varying forcing frequency, the shock displacement around its mean position decreases as the forcing frequency increases.


ABSTRACT Viruses are known to use virally encoded envelope proteins for cell attachment, which is the very first step of virus infection. In the present study, we have obtained substantial evidence demonstrating that hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses the cellular protein apolipoprotein E (apoE) for its attachment to cells. An apoE-specific monoclonal antibody was able to efficiently block HCV attachment to the hepatoma cell line Huh-7.5 as well as primary human hepatocytes. After HCV bound to cells, however, anti-apoE antibody was unable to inhibit virus infection. Conversely, the HCV E2-specific monoclonal antibody CBH5 did not affect HCV attachment but potently inhibited HCV entry. Similarly, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of the key HCV receptor/coreceptor molecules CD81, claudin-1, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr), occludin, and SR-BI did not affect HCV attachment but efficiently suppressed HCV infection, suggesting their important roles in HCV infection at postattachment steps. Strikingly, removal of heparan sulfate from the cell surface by treatment with heparinase blocked HCV attachment. Likewise, substitutions of the positively charged amino acids with neutral or negatively charged residues in the receptor-binding region of apoE resulted in a reduction of apoE-mediating HCV infection. More importantly, mutations of the arginine and lysine to alanine or glutamic acid in the receptor-binding region ablated the heparin-binding activity of apoE, as determined by an in vitro heparin pulldown assay. HCV attachment could also be inhibited by a synthetic peptide derived from the apoE receptor-binding region. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that apoE mediates HCV attachment through specific interactions with cell surface heparan sulfate.


Activation of the gonadotropic and somatotropic axes in puberty is marked by striking amplification of pulsatile neurohormone secretion. In addition, each axis, as a whole, constitutes a regulated network whose feedback relationships are likely to manifest important changes at the time of puberty. Here, we use the regularity statistic, approximate entropy (ApEn), to assess feedback activity within the somatotropic (hypothalamo-pituitary/GH-insulin-like growth factor I) axis indirectly. To this end, we studied pubertal boys and prepubertal girls or boys with sex-steroid hormone deficiency treated short-term with estrogen, testosterone, or a nonaromatizable androgen in a total of 3 paradigms. First, our cross-sectional analysis of 53 boys at various stages of puberty or young adulthood revealed that mean ApEn, taken as a measure of feedback complexity, of 24-h serum GH concentration profiles is maximal in pre- and mid-late puberty, followed by a significant decline in postpubertal adolescence and young adulthood (P = 0.0008 by ANOVA). This indicates that marked disorderliness of the GH release process occurs in mid-late puberty at or near the time of peak growth velocity, with a return to maximal orderliness thereafter at reproductive maturity. Second, oral administration of ethinyl estradiol for 5 weeks to 7 prepubertal girls with Turner's syndrome also augmented ApEn significantly (P = 0.018), thus showing that estrogen per se can induce greater irregularity of GH secretion. Third, in 5 boys with constitutionally delayed puberty, im testosterone administration also significantly increased ApEn of 24-h GH time series (P = 0.0045). In counterpoint, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, a nonaromatizable androgen, failed to produce a significant ApEn increase (P > 0.43). We conclude from these three distinct experimental contexts that aromatization of testosterone to estrogen in boys, or estrogen itself in girls, is likely the proximate sex-steroid stimulus amplifying secretory activity of the GH axis in puberty. In addition, based on inferences derived from mathematical models that mechanistically link increased disorderliness (higher ApEn) to network changes, we suggest that sex-steroid hormones in normal puberty modulate feedback within, and hence network function of, the hypothalamo-pituitary/GH-insulin-like growth factor I axis.


In this work. we repoil the results of experimental and con1put:itioiial studies on inhibition and extinction of opposed-flow propane (C&)-air tlaines by DMMP (CxH.,OIP). as well as N? and FM-200 (CIF7H) as reference inhibitors. For the dilute flame conditions used in this work (high Z,,), inhibitor effectiveness was si&rnificantly enhanced compared tu previous results with undiluted fuel. However, unlike the previous wwk. OH fluorescence signals. and thus concentrations. did not decrease as the inhibitant concentration wab increased, even near extinction. The cause for this i.emains to be determinrd. Modeling results for a I-D opposrd flow flainc ofthe smie conditions agree with the present results of strady OH levels, while having iilso predicted the decreasing levels fkr the pi-evious work with undiluted fuel.


Sensors are placed at various locations in a production plant to monitor the state of its components and accordingly operate its control and protection. For the plant state monitoring to be effective, the sensors themselves must be monitored for detecting anomalies in their functioning and for reconstructing the correct values of the signals measured. In this work, the task of sensor monitoring and signal reconstruction is tackled with an ensemble of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) models. The novelty of the work consists in the investigation of local fusion (LF) strategies for the aggregation of the outcomes of the different models of the ensemble. In the reconstruction of a signal, each model of the ensemble is assigned a weight and a bias related to the error committed in the reconstruction of training patterns similar to the one under reconstruction. Iteration of the reconstruction procedure and use of past measurements of the signals are introduced for improved performance. The proposed methodology is applied to a case study concerning the reconstruction of seven signals in the pressurizer of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) nuclear power plant.


The purpose of this study was to investigate energy consumption by rural households in Mukaro location, Nyeri County. Specifically, the study looked at wood fuel consumption and factors affecting wood fuel consumption. The study went further to identify the strategies adopted by households in dealing with reduced wood fuel availability as well as investigating if the strategies adopted had any environmental or socio-economic effects on the households. The research used the questionnaire as the main tool to collect data though other methods like interviews were applied. The study interviewed 138 households sampled using simple random sampling. The data collected was analyzed using inferential statistics. Hypothesis testing was done using chi-square, regression and qualitative analysis. The results of study showed that wood fuel was the major source of energy for rural households in Mukaro location, Nyeri County. Further, household income, distance travelled to access wood fuel as well as the household size determined the amount of wood fuel consumed by a household. The study also discovered that fuel wood was slowly becoming unavailable and as such households had developed various strategies to cope with reduced wood fuel availability. Among the major coping strategies indentified were use of twigs, reduction in consumption and increase in distance travelled to access wood fuel. The study found out that these coping strategies had some environmental and socio-economic effects on the rural households. They included reduced tree cover, more time spent in collecting fuel wood and increase in distance travelled to collect firewood. Though continued use of wood fuel contributed to reduced vegetation in the area, the study discovered that it was not the sole contributor to reduced vegetation; there were other factors like demand for timber and clearing land for farming. From the findings, the study recommends the following: increased recognition of wood fuel consumption as a source of energy by policy makers, expansion and diversification of household income streams to enable households transition to "green energy", subsidies on energy saving jikos and fast growing tree seedlings in order to promote energy efficiency, conservation and agroforestry, concessions and credit availability of solar and biogas equipment to reduce on the high installation costs and encourage their use.


Free-living cells of the fast-growing cowpea Rhizobium NGR234 were able to grow on a variety of carbon substrates at growth rates varying from 2.5 h on glucose or fumarate to 15.6 h on p-hydroxybenzoate. Free-living cells constitutively oxidized glucose, glutamate and aspartate but were inducible for all the other systems investigated. Bacteroids from root nodules of snake bean, however, were only capable of oxidizing C4-dicarboxylic acids and failed to oxidize any other carbon sources. Free-living cells of NGR234 possess inducible fructose and succinate uptake systems. These substrates are accumulated by active processes since accumulation is in hi bi ted by azide, 2,4-dini trop hen01 and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone. Bacteroids failed to take up fructose although they actively accumulated succinate, suggesting that the latter substrate is significant in the development of an effective symbiosis.


This thesis examines experimentally and theoretically the behaviour and ultimate strength of rectangular reinforced concrete members under combined torsion, shear and bending. The experimental investigation consists of the test results of 38 longitudinally and transversely reinforced concrete beams subjected to combined loads, ten beams of which were tested under pure torsion and self-weight. The behaviour of each test beam from application of the first increment of load until failure is presented. The effects of concrete strength, spacing of the stirrups, the amount of longitudinal steel and the breadth of the section on the ultimate torsional capacity are investigated. Based on the skew-bending mechanism, compatibility, and linear stress-strain relationship for the concrete and the steel, simple rational equations are derived for the three principal modes of failure for the following four types of failure observed in the tests: TYPE I Yielding the reinforcement, at failure, before crushing the concrete. TYPE II Yielding of the web steel only, at failure, before crushing the concrete. TYPE III Yielding of the longitudinal steel only, at failure, before crushing the concrete. TYPE IV Crushing of the concrete, at failure, before yielding of any of the reinforcement.


The adoption of commercial off-the-shelf middleware products across the software industry has gathered significant momentum. While COTS middleware products demonstrably solve many problems, their adoption and use are by no means straightforward. Competition among products that apparently offer identical services complicates the COTS middleware selection process, especially when competing products provide different implementations of standards-based technologies, such as CORBA and Java 2 Enterprise Edition. The article discusses the Middleware Technology Evaluation project, which represents a significant attempt to provide rigorously derived, in-depth evaluations of technology for use by middleware product adopters.


Fracture images automatic classification and recognition is an important one of fracture failure intelligent diagnosis, and in which feature extraction is a key issue. In this paper, fractional cosine transform, which is a useful time-frequency analysis method, is used in feature extraction of fracture images, and then the classification of fatigue, dimples, intergranular and cleavage is performed by Hidden markov model (HMM). For metal fracture images classification, experiment shows that fractional cosine transform is better than the cosine transform in fracture images feature description, and the correct recognition rate can be achieved 98.8% based on HMM classification mode


One of the late effects observed in rats injected with large doses of radioactive phosphorus was the development of malignant neoplasms. Of thirteen tumors, ten were osteogenic sarcomas, situated most frequently in the jaw and also occurring in the spine, tibia, femur, or ilium. Four of the neoplasms metastasized to the lungs. There were three squamous-cell carcinomas involving the face and associated with exophthalmos.

The neoplasms occurred in animals which received ( a ) a single LD50 dose of P32 (average latent period of 290 days) and ( b ) repeated doses of 1.5 μc. per gram of P32 (average latent period of 165 days). The incidence of tumor development was about 40 per cent.

Atypical proliferation of bone was usually found in these rats, and the lesions may have served as a precursor to malignant change.


Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are abnormal vascular structures that most often connect a pulmonary artery to a pulmonary vein, bypassing the normal pulmonary capillary bed and resulting in an intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt. As a consequence, patients with PAVM can have hypoxemia and paradoxical embolization complications, including stroke and brain abscess. PAVMs may be single or multiple, unilateral or bilateral, and simple or complex. Most PAVMs are hereditary and occur in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, an autosomal dominant vascular disorder, and screening for PAVM is indicated in this subgroup. PAVMs may also be idiopathic, occur as a result of trauma and infection, or be secondary to hepatopulmonary syndrome and bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting. Diagnostic testing involves identifying an intrapulmonary shunt, with the most sensitive test being transthoracic contrast echocardiography. Chest CT scan is useful in characterizing PAVM in patients with positive intrapulmonary shunting. Transcatheter embolotherapy is the treatment of choice for PAVM. Lifelong follow-up is important because recanalization and collateralization may occur after embolization therapy. Surgical resection is rarely necessary and reserved for patients who are not candidates for embolization. Antibiotic prophylaxis for procedures with a risk of bacteremia (eg, dental procedures) is recommended in all patients with PAVM because of the risk of cerebral abscess.


Allying and expanding the diverse fields of entrepreneurship and sustainable development research is a modern day imperative. The Handbook of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Research cuts through the different approaches and perspectives of the two fields to point the way ahead for research on sustainable entrepreneurship, outlining the motivation, intentions and impact of ecopreneurs in a local, national and global context.This Handbook paints an illuminating picture of the historic and current understanding of the bond between entrepreneurship and sustainable development. The authors explore the basic contradictions between the two fields and outline the transformative role entrepreneurship can play in achieving sustainable development. 45 expert researchers and their research communities from 16 countries across Europe, Africa, Australia and North America provide original and informative contributions on a variety of issues, from women's empowerment to climate change and organic farmers to ecotourism.With current and authorative contributions spanning the globe, this Handbook will inspire researchers, teachers and policy-makers to compose their own understanding and contribution on the fast expanding field of entrepreneurship and sustainable development.