Forty-five measurements of diameters of 12 human cerebral arteries were performed during 10 craniotomies under moderate changes in mean blood pressure and end tidal CO2. The mean change in blood pressure was 30 +/- 16 mm Hg (standard deviation) and that of end tidal CO2 was 14 +/- 6 mm Hg (standard deviation). These changes were induced with nitroprusside, phenylephrine, and adjustment of ventilator rate. Measurements were made through the operating microscope focused at the highest power, with meticulous attention to constant angle and distance from the artery. The mean diameter change in the large cerebral arteries (carotid, middle cerebral artery, vertebral artery) was less than 4%, but the smaller arteries (anterior cerebral artery, M2 segment of middle cerebral artery) showed diameter changes as large as 29% and 21% to end tidal CO2 and blood pressure changes, respectively. These data suggest that at the time of craniotomy, diameters of the large cerebral vessels do not significantly change during moderate variations in blood pressure and CO2, but that larger changes may occur in smaller vessels. This constancy of diameter suggests that the transcranial Doppler velocities obtained during intraoperative monitoring of craniotomies may closely reflect blood flow through the insonated artery.


Sensor exploitation (SE) is the crucial step in surveillance applications such as airport security and search and rescue operations. It allows localization and identification of movement in urban settings and can significantly boost knowledge gathering, interpretation and action. Data mining techniques offer the promise of precise and accurate knowledge acquisition techniques in high-dimensional data domains (and diminishing the "curse of dimensionality" prevalent in such datasets), coupled by algorithmic design in feature extraction, discriminative ranking, feature fusion and supervised learning (classification). Consequently, data mining techniques and algorithms can be used to refine and process captured data and to detect, recognize, classify, and track objects with predictable high degrees of specificity and sensitivity.
Automatic object detection and tracking algorithms face several obstacles, such as large and incomplete datasets, ill-defined regions of interest (ROIs), variable scalability, lack of compactness, angular regions, partial occlusions, environmental variables, and unknown potential object classes, which work against their ability to achieve accurate real-time results. Methods must produce fast and accurate results by streamlining image processing, data compression and reduction, feature extraction, classification, and tracking algorithms. Data mining techniques can sufficiently address these challenges by implementing efficient and accurate dimensionality reduction with feature extraction to refine incomplete (ill-partitioning) data-space and addressing challenges related to object classification, intra-class variability, and inter-class dependencies.
A series of methods have been developed to combat many of the challenges for the purpose of creating a sensor exploitation and tracking framework for real time image sensor inputs. The framework has been broken down into a series of sub-routines, which work in both series and parallel to accomplish tasks such as image pre-processing, data reduction, segmentation, object detection, tracking, and classification. These methods can be implemented either independently or together to form a synergistic solution to object detection and tracking.
The main contributions to the SE field include novel feature extraction methods for highly discriminative object detection, classification, and tracking. Also, a new supervised classification scheme is presented for detecting objects in urban environments. This scheme incorporates both novel features and non-maximal suppression to reduce false alarms, which can be abundant in cluttered environments such as cities. Lastly, a performance evaluation of Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) implementations of the subtask algorithms is presented, which provides insight into speed-up gains throughout the SE framework to improve design for real time applications.
The overall framework provides a comprehensive SE system, which can be tailored for integration into a layered sensing scheme to provide the war fighter with automated assistance and support. As more sensor technology and integration continues to advance, this SE framework can provide faster and more accurate decision support for both intelligence and civilian applications.


Pulsed magnetic field was first employed in the study on MgB2 superconductors. Superconductivity properties and microstructures of Zn and SiC doped MgB2 were discussed in this paper. The superconductors showed different superconductivities after magnetic sintering. Critical current density and flux pinning force were relevant to the dopants properties in MgB2. Grains in the pulsed magnetic processed MgB2 matrix were smaller than those in the normal processed one. The refinement microstructures have caused the critical current density (Jc) anisotropy in both the Zn and SiC doped MgB2.


This study is a review of 890 cases of eye enucleations performed over a period of 22 years. The major cause for enucleations was trauma, accounting for 39.7% of the eyes enucleated. Chronic inflammatory diseases accounted for 22.1%, glaucoma for 11.5% and tumours for 9.2% in this group. Retinal diseases were responsible for 5.5% of the eyes; vascular occlusion for 5%; and miscellaneous causes for the remaining 7%. Injuries were everyday tools and small flying missiles caused most of the trauma. Previously planned surgical operations accounted for 15% of the enucleations. Forty-eight of these eyes had epithelial or fibrous downgrowths resulting from inflammation, secondary glaucoma, and phthisis bulbi. A more careful selection of cases and better surgical techniques might significantly lower these statistics. Also, vascular occlusion should be given a high level of suspicion in all intractable cases of glaucoma of unexplained etiology. As a general rule, enucleations should not be performed because of the suspected presence of sympathetic ophthalmia.


Video data processing tasks are traditionally performed either through software-based systems when various algorithms must be applied to the data and when time issue is not critical, DSPs -- when certain time constraints are set but when the set of tasks is limited, or ASICs -- when the highest performance is required, the set of tasks is fixed and highly optimized, the data stream doesn't change, and the number of data streams is limited.
For a real-time system which must operate on multiple data streams which also can change in time and on which various data processing algorithms must be applied neither of the mentioned approaches can be used. Timing requirements and power limitation does not allow utilization of sequential CPU. ASIC becomes too big to accomodate multiple processing circuits for each algorithm and associated modes. Only Run-Time Reconfigurable (RTR) FPGA approach allows implementation of such a system.
The thesis presents a real-time stereo vision system with elements of synthesis of interactive 3-D virtual objects designed and implemented on the FPGA-based reconfigurable platform. FPGA chip integrates a hybrid architecture system with multi-mode and mutli-stream processing ability for critical time tasks and with embedded microprocessor(s) for computing complex algorithms for 3-D objects synthesis for which timing requirements are not so strict.
An approach for the formal presentation and processing of the 3-D virtual objects and their transformation is also analyzed and presented in this paper. Architecture synthesis and optimization for a hybrid system are also considered.
The experimental results proved the effectiveness of proposed approach: the FPGA-based system-on-chip provides stereo visualization in different modes (actual image and edge detection image), with synthesized 3-D controls (pressed and released buttons).


This annual volume brings to the public the most accurate, complete, and timely information on the work of the United Nations. Designed to serve international affairs scholars and concerned citizens alike, each volume of Issues offers a comprehensive overview of the many and disparate activities of the entire U.N. system over the course of a year, placing them in the context of ongoing events. Issues/48 looks back at an eventful 1992 and some equally eventful months in 1993. Topics in this volume include Dispute Settlement and Decolonization, Arms Control and Disarmament, Economics and Development, Global Resource Management, Human Rights and Social Issues, Legal Issues, and Finance and Administration.


A new inorganic-organic composite dual-coagulant (PAFC-CPAM) was prepared by polyaluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) and cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and its treatment efficiency for oily wastewater was evaluated by coagulation jar tests. PAFC-CPAM dual-coagulants were characterized by FT-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FTIR spectra illustrated that there were some chemical reactions between PAFC and CPAM in PAFC-CPAM. SEM micrographs testified that PAFC-CPAM formed compact net structure which is different from PAFC and CPAM, resulting to its outstanding coagulation performance other than monomeric coagulant in treating oily wastewater. Coagulation jar tests presented that PAFC-CPAM improved 1.14% and 0.38% of oil removal rate and reduced 0.35NTU and 0.06NTU of residual turbidity than PAFC and CPAM respectively at the optimal dosage of 120mg/L. PAFC-CPAM enhanced 4.56% and 2.12% of oil removal efficiency and decreased 0.27NTU and 0.01NTU of residual turbidity on average in comparison with PAFC and CPAM respectively in the pH range of 4.0-8.0. All of above-mentioned experiment results demonstrated that PAFC-CPAM behaved superior coagulation performance than PAFC and CPAM.


Although peroxisome proliferators are considered non-genotoxic agents, most of them, nevertheless, were found to promote and/or induce, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rodents. The aim of the present study is, first, to investigate whether the peroxisome proliferator perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) possesses inherent liver cancer promoting activity, and second, to study the possible mechanisms involved. To acheive these aims two protocols have been applied, a biphasic protocol (initiation by diethyl-nitrozamine (DEN) 200 mg/kg i.p. followed by treatment with 0.005% or 0.02% perflourooctanoic acid (PFOA) for 14 and 25 weeks) and a triphasic initiation, selection-promotion (IS) protocol (initiation by giving 200 mg/kg DEN i.p. followed by a selection procedure for 2 weeks consisting of giving 0.03% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in diet). In the middle of this treatment a single oral dose of carbon tetrachloride (2.0 ml/kg) was given, followed by giving diet containg 0.015% of PFOA for 25 weeks. After applying both protocols, our results showed slight increase in the catalase activity while acyl CoA oxidase activity was markedly increased. Both experiments indicated that PFOA has a liver cancer promoting activity. Other groups of rats were given either basal diet or diet containing 0.02% PFOA. Five or nine weeks later they were sacrificed and the levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the isolated DNA were estimated. The data showed a slight nonetheless insignificant increase in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. From the present data, it is concluded that PFOA is a true liver cancer promoter that may not require extensive initial DNA damage for its promoting activity.


The application of transition metals to the synthesis complex organic products has become an extremely important facet of chemistry in the last few decades. Such metal complexes exhibit remarkable activity in the construction of new carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bonds in both catalytic and asymmetric fashion. The advance in organometallic chemistry has allowed chemists to access new structural scaffolds while also minimizing the use of stoichiometric reagents. The document herein details the application of iridium(I) and ruthenium(II) complexes to the synthesis of complex organic products. Iridium(I) compounds display good activity in the chemoselective isomerization of di(allyl) ethers and carbonates to access allyl vinyl compounds which are classic substrates for Claisen rearrangements. Ruthenium(II) catalysis can provide α,β-substituted-γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes and amides from allyl vinyl species such as allyl vinyl ethers, carbonatres, silyl enol ethers and allyl acetates. Our methodology was utilized in the construction of the active core of a potential cancer therapeutic, actinoranone.


With the surge of increasingly complex and fast-track construction projects, disputes are inevitable. Skills in dispute resolution should be part of the tool kit of any practitioner in a managerial position. The perceived shortcomings of litigation and arbitration, with their concomitant rise in costs, delays, and adversarial relationships, have encouraged the rapid growth of alternative dispute-resolution processes, namely, conciliation, mediation, adjudication, and other hybrid processes that have been widely used and well received by the Hong Kong construction industry. For example, mediation is now an integral part of most conditions of contracts published by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region. However, the last decade evidenced the incorporation of increasingly complex dispute-resolution clauses in construction contracts, typically involving several alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques and arbitration arranged in sequential tiers. These dispute-resolution procedures render the supposedly more economic and speedy ADR process ineffective. In this study, a hierarchical model is developed to organize attributes of ADR processes. This presentation fits with the use of analytical hierarchy process methodology by a panel of experts to prioritize ADR process attributes. The top-ranked attributes identified as critical include, among others, preservation of relationships, enforceability, neutrality, and consensus. The experts also suggested means to establish these attributes. By focusing on these critical attributes, the dispute-resolution process can be kept simple and effective.


A hydrothermal method of synthesizing hydroxyapatite by heating a precipitate, formed by mixing Ca(NO3)2∙4H2O and (NH4)2HPO4 with distilled water, in a hydrothermal reactor at 200 °C for 24-72 hrs is described. A treatment time of 24 hrs produced single phase (as shown by XRD) hydroxyapatite powder, however for longer treatment times XRD patterns were indicative of the presence of a secondary phase, monetite (CaHPO4). SEM examination of the treated powders displayed particles of rod-like morphology with dimensions 100-500 nm in length and 10-60 nm in diameter. Preliminary results on the use of the particles for the infiltration of dentine tubules are presented.


While the cosmic baryon asymmetry has been measured at high accuracy to be 6.1 × 10−10, a corresponding lepton asymmetry could be as large as 10−2 if it hides in the neutrino sector. It has been known for some time that such an asymmetry could be generated from a small initial asymmetry given the existence of a sterile neutrino with a mass less than the mass of the active neutrino. While the magnitude of the final lepton asymmetry is deterministic, its sign has been conjectured to be chaotic in nature. This has been proven in the single momentum approximation, also known as the quantum rate equations, but has up to now not been established using the full momentum dependent quantum kinetic equations. Here we investigate this problem by solving the quantum kinetic equations for a system of 1 active and 1 sterile neutrino on an adaptive grid. We show that by increasing the resolution, oscillations in the lepton asymmetry can be eliminated so the sign of the final lepton asymmetry is in fact deterministic. This paper also serves as a launch paper for the adaptive solver LASAGNA which is available at http://users-phys.au.dk/steen.


Effective and inclusive end-of-life planning can improve care of the dying patient; reduce patient anxiety about death, and aid bereavement for surviving relatives. Clarity in end-of-life care may also reduce the distress felt by clinical staff through reducing unwanted or futile medical interventions that are a known source of moral distress particularly for nursing staff. Ensuring that patient wishes are heard, documented and effectively managed within healthcare organisations, therefore, has potential to deliver great benefits for patients, health care staff, and the overall organisational climate. In Queensland, the Advance Health Directive (AHD) is a legally binding document that enables people to document their end-of-life care wishes in the event that they lack capacity to make their wishes known. Typically, AHD's include patient instructions to health carers with respect to initiating/withholding resuscitation, artificial feeding and hydration, the administration of antibiotics, and the use of life sustaining measures such as ventilation at end-of-life. Directions documented in an AHD take precedence over the opinion of any other substitute decision maker, including an appointed guardian, a nominated EPOA, or Statutory Health Attorney. The AHD is, therefore, potentially a powerful legal document that can support patient autonomy at end-of- life, and reduce futile interventions. While the AHD is a significant legal document in the management of end-of-life care little is known about its actual prevalence, contents or management in the acute care hospital setting. This paper will present data from a study in which a retrospective chart audit of over 2500 charts in a Queensland tertiary referral hospital to determine the (previously unknown) prevalence and management of AHD's. In this paper, we examine potential reasons for the very low prevalence (0.5%) and high numbers of invalid documents found. We further explore why the AHD appears under-utilised as a means of supporting patient autonomy at end-of-life. Potential areas of organisational reform concerning the promotion, management and more effective use of EOL advance planning will also be addressed.


Cities expand, upwards and outwards, and their physical structure can last a very long time, not just tens but hundreds of years. Nevertheless, they are rarely designed for expansion. Their layout does not allow for extension or for the retrofitting of infrastructure and can constrain, and often prevent, the growth and change of activities within them - cities are not 'robust' in their design. In other words, change is not planned for but involves costly reconstruction. The Robust City argues that a robust, expandable and sustainable urban form can be deduced from planning goals. Development should not just follow public transport corridors but should not be allowed beyond walking distance from them. This would create 'green enclaves' that would permit not only recreational access but also the retrofitting of infrastructure and the efficient circulation of motor vehicles. The same principles could also be applied within neighbourhoods and to facilitate the rational handling of urban intensification


This paper is part of a series that provides the details behind the Bureau of Economic Analysis's (BEA) satellite account on research and development (R&D) activity. In the current work, the focus is on industry-specific depreciation rates for business R&D capital. This paper begins by discussing the literature on R&D depreciation rates. It then describes how the rates in the 2007 satellite account were chosen from the related findings.


OBJECTIVE: To list and describe eye injuries caused by consumer fireworks around New Year 2008/'09. DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHODS: All members of the Netherlands Society of Ophthalmology (NOG) were called upon by the board to register all the firework-related eye injuries they treated between 27 December 2008 and 4 January 2009. As well as several details about the patient, type of firework, nature of the accident, type and severity of injury, and treatment were registered. RESULTS: In total, 95% of ophthalmologists on duty at the turn of the year sent in registration forms. They treated and registered a total of 268 patients with 315 eye injuries caused by fireworks. 56 % of patients were bystanders. Most victims were male. 59% (n = 158) of patients were minors (3-17 years); the majority were 10-15-year-old boys. One third of the eyes (n = 99) sustained permanent damage. In 47 eyes the extent of the damage was such that it led to irreversible loss of vision, and in 24 eyes to complete loss of vision. 15 of these 24 eyes were surgically removed. 'Bangers' caused most injuries, but rockets caused the most serious injuries. CONCLUSION: On medical grounds the NOG believes that the current policy of tolerance regarding fireworks makes the risk of eye injuries to which the Dutch population is exposed, too high. As long as consumer fireworks are allowed, the NOG advises that protective polycarbonate glasses be worn while lighting and watching of fire-works. Language: nl


Spineti, J, Freitas de Salles, B, Rhea, MR, Lavigne, D, Matta, T, Miranda, F, Fernandes, L, and Simão, R. Influence of exercise order on maximum strength and muscle volume in nonlinear periodized resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 2962–2969, 2010—The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of exercise order on strength and muscle volume (MV) after 12 weeks of nonlinear periodized resistance training. The participants were randomly assigned into 3 groups. One group began performing large muscle group exercises and progressed to small muscle group exercises (LG-SM), whereas another group started with small muscle group exercises and advanced to large muscle group exercises (SM-LG). The exercise order for LG-SM was bench press (BP), machine lat pull-down (LPD), triceps extension (TE), and biceps curl (BC). The order for the SM-LG was BC, TE, LPD, and BP. The third group did not exercise and served as a control group (CG). Training frequency was 2 sessions per week with at least 72 hours of rest between sessions. Muscle volume was assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of training by ultrasound techniques. One repetition maximum strength for all exercises was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of training. Effect size data demonstrated that differences in strength and MV were exhibited based on exercise order. Both training groups demonstrated greater strength improvements than the CG, but only BP strength increased to a greater magnitude in the LG-SM group as compared with the SM-LG. In all other strength measures (LPD, TE, and BC), the SM-LG group showed significantly greater strength increases. Triceps MV increased in the SM-LG group; however, biceps MV did not differ significantly between the training groups. In conclusion, if an exercise is important for the training goals of a program, then it should be placed at the beginning of the training session, regardless of whether or not it is a large muscle group exercise or a small muscle group exercise.


Festinger and his colleagues at MIT clearly showed the influence of the layout of the environment on contacts between people (Festinger et al, 1950). Since their study, a considerable body of research has been conducted that has allowed a number of conclusions to be drawn. Canter (1970) claims that one of the most significant effects of design on behaviour is that of facilitating or discouraging interaction among people. Through planning decisions it is possible to influence patterns of activities, to create better or worse conditions for outdoor events, and to create lively or lifeless environments (Geh], 1987). Geh] remarks that those activities, such as walking, standing, sitting, seeing, hearing, talking, playing or other community activities, which make outdoor residential environments particularly attractive and meaningful to be in communal outdoor spaces are also the most sensitive to the quality of the physical environment.


Abstract We examined patient characteristics as remission predictors in interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for depression (n=95). Four characteristic domains (sociodemographic, clinical/diagnostic, interpersonal, cognitive) were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Remission was defined two ways: (a) posttreatment BDI-II beyond population-based cut-scores for reliable and clinically significant change, and (b) posttreatment BDI-II≤10. Across both definitions, patients most likely to remit had lower mean item ratings (<3.75 and<3.25, respectively) on the fearful attachment dimension of the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (χ 2 =7.172, p<.01 and χ 2 =7.792, p<.01, respectively). For the second definition only, more fearfully attached patients who were≤25 years of age at index depression onset were more likely to remit (χ 2 =7.617, p<.01) than those>25. The findings contribute to the scant literature on patient factors related to remission following IPT.


Previous studies have shown that collagen gel overlay induced selective proteolysis of focal adhesion complex proteins in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In this study, we examined whether morphological and biochemical changes were present in cells cultured on collagen gel. We found that focal adhesion complex proteins, including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), talin, paxillin, and p130cas, but not vinculin, were decreased within 1 h when MDCK cells were cultured on collagen gel. Collagen gel-induced selective decrease of focal adhesion proteins was observed in all lines of cells examined, including epithelial, fibroblastic, and cancer cells. Matrigel also induced selective down-regulation of focal adhesion proteins. However, cells cultured on collagen gel- or matrigel-coated dishes did not show any changes of focal adhesion proteins. These data suggest that the physical nature of the gel, i.e. the rigidity, is involved in the expression of focal adhesion proteins. The collagen gel-induced down-regulation of focal adhesion complex proteins was caused by reduction of protein synthesis and activation of proteases such as calpain. Overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) or FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) did not prevent collagen gel-induced down-regulation of the focal adhesion complex protein, whereas an anti-α2β1 integrin-neutralizing antibody completely blocked it. Taken together, our results indicate that the rigidity of collagen gel controls the expression of focal adhesion complex proteins, which is mediated by α2β1 integrin but not DDR1.


Early sex work initiation among female sex workers (FSWs) increases their vulnerabilities to high-risk sexual practices and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We examined the association of early sex work with condomless sex indicators, HIV, and other STIs, including human papillomavirus, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, and gonorrhea, among FSWs in Iran. We recruited 1347 FSWs from 13 cities in 2015, with 1296 participants (94.2%) reporting information about their age of sex work initiation. Early sex work was defined as the initiation of selling sex before 18 years of age. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported using multivariable logistic regression. Overall, 10.1% of FSWs reported early sex work initiation. FSWs who initiated sex work earlier were more likely to report last-month inconsistent condom use (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.82, 6.02) and condomless sex with last client (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.56). There was no statistically significant association between early sex work and HIV (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 0.43, 4.53) and any other STIs (aOR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.69, 1.48), except for chlamydia (aOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.08, 4.04). These findings suggest that FSWs with early sexual debut would benefit from differentiated interventions including screening for STIs and enhanced counseling for condom use.


INTRODUCTION Environmental law is not neatly divided between the federal government and the states. The federal government continues to involve itself in highly localized issues with little clear connection to interstate environmental issues or a manifest need for federal uniformity. At the same time, states and local governments, especially recently, are not content to confine their attention to issues of local concern but are developing policies on environmental issues of national and even international importance. Nor do environmental issues "stay" in the control of any particular level of government but rather tend to pass back and forth, much like the proverbial football, between different levels of government. The current system of environmental federalism is therefore a dynamic one of overlapping federal and state jurisdiction. However, it is threatened by federal legislation and Supreme Court rulings. A wave of preemptive legislation has emerged from Congress in recent years. Numerous bills pending in Congress, for example, would preempt state actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) that contribute to climate change. Similarly, following a long line of cases in which the Supreme Court has preempted a variety of state actions designed to protect the public, the Court recently (2004) preempted state auto-pollution regulations, despite, at best, ambiguous statutory language. Legal academics are similarly hostile to the dynamism of environmental federalism because it runs contrary to the prevailing view that an optimal level of government exists from which to set environmental policy.


Alzheimer's disease is an incurable chronic neurodegenerative disease that results in severe memory loss and cognitive function. It is the third most common cause of death and the most common cause of dementia in the developed world. To date, a number of possible causes have been identified, however the primary cause is still unknown. Diagnosis generally does not occur until the later stages, resulting in insufficient treatment to reverse any damage. Metabolomic analysis is a relatively new technique that aims to identify all metabolites present in a biological sample, which could potentially serve as biomarkers. Biomarkers can be used as a diagnostic tool and, more importantly, allow identification of the pathways involved in the pathological process. In current Alzheimer's disease research, the identification of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers is a topic of considerable interest. Attaining CSF is a highly invasive process and for this reason is in limited supply, therefore it is important that as much information is attained from initial analysis.

In this study an MS/MS method for metabolites, which have so far been identified in CSF, was developed for the Bruker SCION triple quadrupole GC-MS, with the aim of profiling unknown samples from initial analysis. A total of 90 features (81 compounds) were constructed into this method, consisting of their retention times and optimal precursor-product ion pairs. A combination of these properties should be unique to each compound, providing confidence in identification. Constructing this MS/MS method was completed by conducting a series of analyses. Full scan analysis established retention times, and identified the most abundant ions for each compound. These ions were analysed using a SIM/scan analysis, which identified possible precursor ions. Following this, a product ion scan analysis was achieved to identify the product ions generated from dissociation of the precursor ions. Finally, the precursor-product ion pairs were established and analysed using a multiple reaction monitoring scan analysis. This MS/MS method was generated from reference standards, and therefore the data generated from unknown samples can be confirmed with relatively high confidence. This should allow identification of the metabolites which are involved in the disease process, ultimately resulting in the development of a treatment to reverse or slow this chronic degeneration.


We study a multi-user up-link scenario where an attacker tries to impersonate the legitimate transmitters. We present a new framework for deriving a posteriori attack proba- bilities from the channel observations at the access point, which enables fast intrusion detection and authentication at the physical layer and can be exploited to reduce the security overhead by offloading higher-layer authentication schemes. This is highly relevant for delay-sensitive applications that are targeted in 5G where the security overhead may limit the real-time performance. We take a factor-graph approach that can easily be extended to take into account other features, channel models, and radio access schemes. While related works only consider single-link scenarios, the multi-user approach in this paper allows us to exploit the cross-channel correlation of the large-scale fading parameters that is due to the propagation environment for improving the detection performance. As numerical results show, especially for slowly changing channels with high correlation our approach provides significant performance gains.


Covers Accounting, Finance, Legal, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Risk & WHS. SEE separate Subject Guides for Project Management, Human Resources, & Dip of Commerce.


OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to examine the measurement properties of the Test of Visual-Perceptual Skills-Revised (TVPS-R).

METHODS
A group of 356 typically developing children 5-11 years of age completed the TVPS-R along with three criterion measures.

RESULTS
Several of the TVPS-R items had item-total subscale correlation coefficients were lower than the 0.20 correlation criteria. Cronbach's alpha coefficients varied between 0.74 and 0.84 for the seven subscales. The perceptual quotient (PQ) reliability coefficient for the age levels ranged between 0.79 and 0.91. The PQ total group reliability coefficient was 0.96. Results from the principal component analysis indicated that the majority of the TVPS-R items loaded on a dominant first factor. Confirmatory factor analytic models were assessed using four different goodness-of-fit indices. Two of the fit indices supported the unidimensional assumption (RMR and CFI ), while two of the fit indices did not support the TVPS-R one-factor model (chi-square and RMSEA). A unitary motor-free visual-perceptual factor was not found.

CONCLUSION
The TVPS-R PQ should not be used as an overall performance summary score. Of the seven TVPS-R subscales, five can be used with confidence (visual discrimination, visual-spatial relationships, visual-sequential memory, visual figure ground, and visual-closure) whereas the visual memory and visual form constancy [corrected] subscales are not recommended.


Abstract. Asrial E, Marzuki M, Hamid, Khasanah RI. 2021. Sustainability analysis of tomato jellyfish (Crambione mastigophora) fisheries resources management in Saleh Bay Waters, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 512-520. The tomato jellyfish (Crambione mastigophora) or gullung (local term), is endemic in Saleh Bay, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia and has been utilized as an additional livelihood by fishermen for last two decades. Its commonly caught by 2-4 fishermen/boat using scoop net, wooden fishing vessels, and lamps as attractors and collectors of jellyfish. This study aims to determine the sustainability of jellyfish fisheries management. A survey-dependent method with sampling, observation, dialogue, and documentation techniques was applied for data compilation. The rapid appraisal for jellyfish fisheries - six dimensions (Rapjellyfish-6D), based on Rapfish technique, is utilized for analysis of the sustainability status of jellyfish fisheries management. This paper describes the sustainability analysis results for two of the six dimensions of jellyfish fisheries management, namely the technological dimension (13 attributes) as an input factor and the economic dimension as an output factor (14 attributes). At present, around 8-30 baskets/boat/day of jellyfish mouth-arms are being sold to the buyers in Saleh Bay. This catch's profit is divided between the fishermen (3 parts) and the boat owner (2 parts). The analytical results show the revenue per cost ratio (R/C Ratio) as 4.75 which means that every 1.00 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) the cost of catching jellyfish will generate IDR 4.75. The breakeven point (BEP)Price is IDR 13,158 and BEPProduction is 3.13 and 8.33 baskets/trip for the assumed price of IDR 80,000 and IDR 30,000. The technological (36.13%) sustainability status and economic (49.64%) dimension is Less Sustainable. The leverage analysis results indicate that the group of sensitive attributes in the technological and economic dimensions, respectively, consists of 5 attributes and 3 attributes. All sensitive attributes have an impact on the low value of management sustainability. The sustainability of jellyfish fisheries management in Saleh Bay has been supported by a choice of environmentally friendly fishing methods. Besides, the mouth-arm price is formed from an oligopsony market system that is not profitable for fishermen. It is suggested to the village government to build an integrated and environmentally friendly scyphozoan facility to neutralize the liquid waste generated from scyphozoan processing.


Even though the proportion of individuals who are not equipped to participate in online surveys is constantly decreasing, many surveys face an under-representation of individuals who do not feel IT literate enough to participate. Using experimental data from a probability-based online panel, we study which recruitment survey mode strategy performs best in recruiting less IT-literate persons for an online panel. The sampled individuals received postal invitations to conduct the recruitment survey in a self-completion mode. We experimentally vary four recruitment survey mode strategies: one online mode strategy, two sequential mixed-mode strategies, and one concurrent mode strategy. We find the recruitment survey mode strategies to have a major effect on the sample composition of the recruitment survey, but the differences between the strategies vanish once respondents are asked to proceed with the panel online.


The disadvantage of liners materials is the difficulty of biofilm control. It was compared an experimental dentifrice contained Ricinus communis, with commercials dentifrices as antibiofilm activity against microorganisms on denture liner. Six hundred specimens were distributed in 5 groups (n=18/ microorganism): water; experimental dentifrice; specific dentifrice for denture and two conventional dentifrices against C. albicans; C. glabrata; S. mutans; S. aureus; E. coli. Each group had a negative (n=5; without contamination) and positive control (n=15/ microorganism; without cleaning). The antibiofilm activity was evaluated by the method of biofilm formation in triplicate. The specimens were contaminated in a standard way and incubated. After that, manual brushing was performed (60 s), washed with PBS, immersed in liquid culture medium for resuspension and sowing in solid medium. The results (mean of triplicates) were expressed in CFU/mL. The data was submitted to Shapiro-Wilk, ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0.05). The specific dentifrice (1.27±1.20) was the most effective against S. mutans, followed by conventional (Trihydral, 3.13±0.88; Colgate, 2.16±2.02) and experimental (3.81±1.37) dentifrices, which were similar to each other (p=0.008). All of them were different from water (4.79±1.42). The specific (0.21±0.21) and experimental (0.36±0.25) dentifrices were similar against S. aureus, with a higher mean of CFU when compared to conventional (Colgate, 0.06±0.13), which was more efficient (p=0.000). For C. albicans, C. glabrata and E. coli, all dentifrices were similar to water (p=0.186). It was concluded, that the experimental dentifrice was effective against S. aureus and had not efficacy against Candida spp.; S. mutans; E. coli, as occurred with the commercials dentifrices.


The rice defense mechanism was studied against Bipolaris oryzae , the rice brown spot fungus, in two Thai rice varieties, Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) and Jao Hom Nin (JHN) (showing highest and lowest susceptibility to B. oryzae , respectively). The expression was evaluated of eight genes through real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The gene involved in the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway ( OsPAL ) and the pathogenesis related genes ( OsPR1b and OsPBZ1 ) were upregulated in both varieties with no significant differences. Despite higher expression of the genes involved in the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway ( OsLOX and OsAOS2 ) in JHN, the expression of JiOsPR10 was not significantly different in both varieties. The genes involved in the ethylene (ET) signaling pathway ( OsACS1 and OsEIN2 ) were expressed more highly and far more rapidly in KDML 105 than JHN. Overall, our results demonstrated that the investigated genes related to SA, JA and ET defense pathways may not play a major role in rice resistance against B. oryzae . Furthermore, the high level of transcript accumulation of genes related to the ET signaling pathway may interfere with the ability of rice to resist B. oryzae . The study provided information for a better understanding of rice defense mechanisms against B. oryzae .


In this research the microbial biodegradation of aclonifen was investigated using liquid and soil experiments with identified cultures and mixed consortia. Isolated fungi and bacteria consortia showed the highest degradation at 93% of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) parameter over five days. Bacteria mix and fungi mix performed 90% and 91% degradation in five days, as COD, while 71% and 91% were active ingredients. For Total Organic Carbon (TOC) experimental results, bacteria mix, fungi mix, and bacteria and fungi mix, showed 86%, 88% and 88% respectively. Soil studies with mixed cultures of bacteria and fungi performed the most efficient degradation, at 97% after five weeks. The degradation of aclonifen by 2 ml mixed cultures showed about 63% of degradation in five weeks and 5 ml of mixed cultures showed about 90% in six weeks.


Invadopodia and podosomes, collectively referred to as invadosomes, are F-actin-rich basal protrusions of cells that provide sites of attachment to and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Invadosomes promote the invasion of cells, ranging from metastatic cancer cells to immune cells, into tissue. Here, we show that neuronal growth cones form protrusions that share molecular, structural and functional characteristics of invadosomes. Growth cones from all neuron types and species examined, including a variety of human neurons, form invadosomes both in vitro and in vivo. Growth cone invadosomes contain dynamic F-actin and several actin regulatory proteins, as well as Tks5 and matrix metalloproteinases, which locally degrade the matrix. When viewed using three-dimensional super-resolution microscopy, F-actin foci often extended together with microtubules within orthogonal protrusions emanating from the growth cone central domain. Finally, inhibiting the function of Tks5 both reduced matrix degradation in vitro and disrupted motoneuron axons from exiting the spinal cord and extending into the periphery. Taken together, our results suggest that growth cones use invadosomes to target protease activity during axon guidance through tissues. Highlighted article: Growth cones from multiple neuronal types form F-actin-rich protrusions called invadosomes, which are necessary for axonal growth as motor neurons exit the spinal cord.


Condensation of the formyl group of Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4CHO) with N-methylglycine and C60 produces Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4-CHNMeCH2C60) (1), where one cyclopentadienyl ring of the tetrairon cluster is linked to a fulleropyrrolidinyl moiety. A similar reaction with the bisformyl cluster Cp2Fe4(CO)4(C5H4CHO)2 affords Cp2Fe4(CO)4(C5H4-CHNMeCH2C60)2 (2). Compounds 1 and 2 have been characterized by mass, IR, UV-Vis, and NMR spectroscopy. The electrochemistry of 1 and 2 was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry.


Research was aimed to develop the cane-scale queuing system at PG Pandjie, Situbondo, and to find good solution to fix the waiting line problem.  Based on this research the queuing model that used in cane scale is (M/M/1):( FIFO/∞/∞) with arrival rate (λ) 84 truck/hour, service rate (µ) 39 truck/hour, and average waiting time in the system is 7 hours and 3 minutes. To improve this system performance, there are 3 alternative, first alternative is to decrease the service time.  Therefore, the service rate will increase to 45 trucks per hour. This alternative will decrease average waiting time in the system to 5 hours 45 minutes. Second alternative is to add a service facility. This alternative will decrease average waiting time to 47 minutes. Third alternative is combining the first alternative and second alternative. Average waiting time in the system decreases until 11 minutes if this alternative is implemented. Based on utility factor and probability, costumer must wait.  The best alternative to solve the waiting line problem in cane scale station is third alternative.  This is due to this alternative has utility factor that equal than 1 and the probability for costumer to wait is smaller than the other alternative. Keywords: cane-scale station queuing system, modelling, utility factor


Introduction: Almost half of the disease burden in low-and middle income countries is now from Non communicable diseases. Globally stroke is the leading cause of death. It's a disease which predominantly occurs in the adult and the elderly in 2001 it was estimated that cerebral vascular diseases, stroke included, accounted for 5.5 million deaths worldwide. Two thirds of these deaths occurred in the developing countries and 40 % of the subjects were aged lessthan 70 years. Many patients who suffer stroke are disabled and need help in daily activities which is often provided by family members, or the health system. Established risk factors for stroke are; hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, micro-vascular rupture, male gender, age and co morbidities such as sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS infection and cerebral malaria. Objective: To describe the social determinants of stroke among stroke patients attending medical outpatient clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital. Subjects: Patients with recorded diagnosis of stroke/cerebral vascular accident and health care workers working at clinic. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital medical outpatient clinic. Methodology: The design of the study was descriptive cross sectional. Consecutive sampling was used to select respondents. Data was collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire, and Key Informant Interviews guide (KII guide). Data analysis: The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive data was summarised into means, frequencies and percentages and was presented in the form of tables, bar charts and pie charts. Study application: This study is expected to be used by the ministry of health, to develop public health policies using the social determinants of health approach, in partnership with other sectors, which will lead to equitable management of stroke in the country. Results A total of 66 stroke patients were recruited, 44 (66.7%) were female and 33 (33.3%) were male. The mean age at experiencing first stroke was 53.7 and ranged 22-85 years. Majority of the respondents were of low household income bracket, 12 (18.2%) were past smokers, 4 (6.1%) were passive smokers, 2 (3%) were taking the recommended portions of fruits and vegetables. Overall 60 (90.9%) had co morbidities and of these, 52 (78.8%) had hypertension, 6 (9.1%) had diabetes mellitus, 45 (66.6%) had less than secondary level of education, 12 (18.2%) were employed,17 (25.8%) unemployed and not able to work. 37 (56.1%) did not know how long they were going to be on take medication. 25 (37.9%) were not taking their medication daily. Drug availability and affordability were some of the main reasons cited for not taking medication daily. The main challenges the respondents were facing was not being able to work as before 24 (46.2%), walking and financial difficulties at 19 (28.8%) each. 5 (7.6%) were taking herbal or traditional remedy for their stroke. 21 (31.8%) had family member suffering stroke. 62 (93.9%) paid cash for the services rendered at the facility and only 35 (54.7%) had their CT scan done within the WHO recommended 24 hours. Only 34 (51.5%) of the respondents received all the services.
Conclusion Overall majority of patients were female, the respondents had low education background low monthly household income and experienced stroke at younger age. The risk factors observed were; hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, inappropriate diet and physical inactivity. The health system was ill prepared for management of stroke as evidenced by out of pocket payments, lack of a stroke register and stroke team in management of stroke patients, inadequate qualified staff. Risk factors were also not uniformly communicated to the respondents. Recommendations A national strategy for stroke should be developed, spearheaded by the ministry of health and all stakeholders, to include national stroke register, national stroke team, stroke unit in major hospitals, policies for prevention of modifiable risk factors. The management of Kenyatta National Hospital should have a stroke unit and ensure there is continuous patient education


Since its discovery, in the 1940's, radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) has become an important ranging sensor in many areas of technology and science. Most of the military and many civilian applications are unimaginable today without radar. With technology development, radar application areas have become larger and more available. One of these applications is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), where an airborne radar is used to create high resolution images of the imaged scene. Although known since the 1950's, the SAR methods have been continuously developed and improved and new algorithms enabling real-time applications have emerged lately. Together with making the hardware components smaller and lighter, SAR has become an interesting sensor to be mounted on smaller unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's). One important thing needed in the SAR algorithms is the estimate of the platform's motion, like position and velocity. Since this estimate is always corrupted with errors, particularly if lower grade navigation system, common in UAV applications, is used, the SAR images will be distorted. One of the most frequently appearing distortions caused by the unknown platform's motion is the image defocus. The process of correcting the image focus is called auto-focusing in SAR terminology. Traditionally, this problem was solved by methods that discard the platform's motion information, mostly due to the off-line processing approach, i.e. the images were created after the flight. Since the image (de)focus and the motion of the platform are related to each other, it is possible to utilise the information from the SAR images as a sensor and improve the estimate of the platform's motion. The auto-focusing problem can be cast as a sensor fusion problem. Sensor fusion is the process of fusing information from different sensors, in order to obtain best possible estimate of the states. Here, the information from sensors measuring platform's motion, mainly accelerometers, will be fused together with the information from the SAR images to estimate the motion of the flying platform. Two different methods based on this approach are tested on the simulated SAR data and the results are evaluated. One method is based on an optimisation based formulation of the sensor fusion problem, leading to batch processing, while the other method is based on the sequential processing of the radar data, leading to a filtering approach. The obtained results are promising for both methods and the obtained performance is comparable with the performance of a high precision navigation aid, such as Global Positioning System (GPS).


The size and complexity of large power systems, such as the European one, often make them unmanageable for the purposes of Transmission Expansion Planning (TEP). Therefore, network reduction methods are necessary to condense their key features into a workable model, which should approximate the behavior of the nodal system as accurately as possible. We define critical branches as the transmission lines that are particularly relevant for TEP purposes because of, for instance, frequent congestions or a special nature such as the cases of HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current) transmission lines or PSTs (Phase-Shifting Transformers). It would be desirable to preserve these critical branches while simplifying the remaining grid. We propose a heuristic algorithm that creates an initial partition that is later refined by clustering nodes based on a composite distance measure. The proposed technique has been applied to a real case study based on the French and Spanish systems.


Agent based Modelling is now a standard form of modelling in the field of social simulations. One of the outstanding issues in this field is known as the Replication Problem. Simply stated this is the inability of researchers to independently replicate the results of Agent Based Models published by other researchers. This thesis outlines a two-part proposed solution to this problem that uses formal methods to precisely specify Agent Based Models and employs multiple updating strategies to demonstrate that any simulation results are independent of updating strategy.
A novel synchronous updating algorithm is presented that allows synchronous updating to be extended from Cellular Automata based simulations to Agent Based Simulations. Asymptotic analysis of the novel synchronous algorithm shows that it is O(n log n) in time and O(n) in space. It is demonstrated that the new algorithm does not suffer from the deficiencies of existing asynchronous algorithms and that it also allows collision detection to be incorporated into agent behaviours. The applicability of this approach is demonstrated by specifying and then reproducing the results of Sugarscape, a well known and complex Agent Based Social Simulation. The first formal specification of Sugarscape is presented and used to identify the ambiguities that have made replication of the original results so difficult. A framework is developed that implements the new algorithm alongside existing asynchronous algorithms and is used to implement Sugarscape and compare the different updating approaches. This is the first synchronous implementation of Sugarscape and the only synchronous implementation of any Agent Based Model of comparable complexity. It is also the first comparison of synchronous and asynchronous updating applied to the same Agent Based Model.


We determined the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of methanol extracts from fifteen selected jujube genotypes endogenous to the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Total phenolic content of the fruits was analyzed by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, while the total antioxidant activity was analyzed using the -carotene bleaching, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2- diphenil-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) assays. The highest total phenolic content was observed in MHS 6 and MHS 7 genotypes (42 and 40 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g-1 dry weight (DW)), while the lowest content was found in MHS 5 and MHS 14 (28 and 25 mg GAE g-1 DW). MHS 13 was among the genotypes with the highest antioxidant capacity in all three methods tested (1237 imol g-1 in FRAP, 83% in -carotene bleaching method and 99% in DPPH). The present study demonstrates the potential value of jujube genotypes for pharmaceuticals and nutrition.


This paper attempts to identify barriers of social entrepreneurship intention by the moderating role of education amongst research universities in Malaysia. Entrepreneurship is regarded as the major factor for economic development while social entrepreneurship is considered as the alternative method of solving social problems. Entrepreneurship is not new for Malaysia as is evident from various policies and programs initiated by the government. However, social entrepreneurship is a relatively new phenomenon in Malaysian context that requires much attention. To promote entrepreneurship we need to know the barriers influencing on entrepreneurship to overcome the barriers and promote new policies and measures to create new ventures. The study used Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework to investigate the barriers of social entrepreneurship intention. Data was collected through questionnaire and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted by using AMOS 18. The multilevel sampling design was used with purposive sampling scheme in Malaysian research universities. The findings of this study show that overall students consider the lack of competency, lack of self-confidence and lack of resources were the barriers that affect social entrepreneurial intentions. Results also show that the social entrepreneurial education moderated the relationship between the perceived barriers and social entrepreneurial intentions of the students. This implies that teaching of social entrepreneurial can help to reduce perceived barriers. Also, the present study premises future directions that a cross country analysis between developing countries and between developed and developing countries can be done to figure out barriers of social entrepreneurship intention amongst students.


Doxorubicin chemotherapy was performed in 52 patients with thyroid malignancies. Data from 47 patients could be evaluated. 16 remissions and partial remissions were seen, 15 cases had a progressive course, and in 16 patients there was no change of tumour size during the period of treatment. Results of treatment were worse in locally invasive tumour growth and reduced general state of health as well as in anaplastic carcinomas. Results were best in follicular and C-cell carcinomas. The mean survival time of patients responding to treatment was longer than in non-responders. The main indication for treatment is alleviation of tumour symptoms (bone pain, threatening fractures, pressure due to tumour); further indications are anaplastic carcinomas because of their bad prognosis and C-cell carcinomas because of their comparatively satisfactory response.


Abstract. As a part of the IGAC (International Global Atmospheric Chemistry) Mega-cities program, aerosol physical and optical properties were continuously measured from March 2007 to March 2008 at an urban site (37.57° N, 126.94° E) in Seoul, Korea. Spectral optical properties of long-range transported Asian dust and pollution aerosols have been investigated based on the year long measurement data. Optically measured black carbon/thermally measured elemental carbon (BC/EC) ratio showed clear monthly variation with high values in summer and low values in winter mainly due to the enhancement of light attenuation by the internal mixing of EC. Novel approach has been suggested to retrieve the spectral light absorption coefficient (babs) from Aethalometer raw data by using BC/EC ratio. Mass absorption efficiency, σabs (=babs/EC) at 550 nm was determined to be 9.0±1.3, 8.9±1.5, 9.5±2.0, and 10.3±1.7 m2 g−1 in spring, summer, fall, and winter, respectively with an annual mean of 9.4±1.8 m2 g−1. Threshold values to classify severe haze events were suggested in this study. Increasing trend of aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA) with wavelength was observed during Asian dust events while little spectral dependence of SSA was observed during long-range transport pollution (LTP) events. Satellite aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and Hysplit air mass backward trajectory analyses as well as chemical analysis were performed to characterize the dependence of spectral optical properties on aerosol type. Results from this study can provide useful information for studies on regional air quality and aerosol's effects on climate change.


In multiview multilabel learning, each object is represented by several heterogeneous feature representations and is also annotated with a set of discrete nonexclusive labels. Previous studies typically focus on capturing the shared latent patterns among multiple views, while not sufficiently considering the diverse characteristics of individual views, which can cause performance degradation. In this article, we propose a novel approach [individuality- and commonality-based multiview multilabel learning (ICM2L)] to explicitly explore the individuality and commonality information of multilabel multiple view data in a unified model. Specifically, a common subspace is learned across different views to capture the shared patterns. Then, multiple individual classifiers are exploited to explore the characteristics of individual views. Next, an ensemble strategy is adopted to make a prediction. Finally, we develop an alternative solution to jointly optimize our model, which can enhance the robustness of the proposed model toward rare labels and reinforce the reciprocal effects of individuality and commonality among heterogeneous views, and thus further improve the performance. Experiments on various real-word datasets validate the effectiveness of ICM2L against the state-of-the-art solutions, and ICM2L can leverage the individuality and commonality information to achieve an improved performance as well as to enhance the robustness toward rare labels.


Abstract. This study examines the spatial distribution of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates across the counties in the conterminous US in the first 604 days of the pandemic. The dataset was acquired from Emory University, Atlanta, United States, which includes socio-economic variables and health outcomes variables (N = 3106). OLS estimates accounted for 31% of the regression plain (adjusted R2 = 0.31) with AIC value of 9263, and Breusch-Pagan test for heteroskedasticity indicated 472.4, and multicollinearity condition number of 74.25. This result necessitated spatial autoregressive models, which were performed on GeoDa 1.18 software. ArcGIS 10.7 was used to map the residuals and selected significant variables. Generally, the Spatial Lag Model (SLM) and Spatial Error Model (SEM) models accounted for substantial percentages of the regression plain. While the efficiency of the models is the order of SLM (AIC: 8264.4: BreucshPagan test: 584.4; Adj. R2 = 0.56) > SEM (AIC: 8282.0; Breucsh-Pagan test: 697.2; Adj. R2 = 0.56). In this case, the least predictive model is SEM. The significant contribution of male, black race, poverty and urban and rural dummies to the regression plain indicated that COVID-19 transmission is more of a function of socio-economic, and rural/urban conditions rather than health outcomes. Although, diabetes and obesity showed a positive relationship with COVID-19 incidence. However, the relationship was relatively low based on the dataset. This study further concludes that the policymakers and health practitioners should consider spatial peculiarities, rural-urban migration and access to resources in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 disease.


This study proposes a three-factor control protocol for universal serial bus (USB) on an elliptic curve cryptosystem (ECC). USB is a universal interface used in an enormous number of devices. It has become the most popular interface standard for computer connections. However, since USB provides high transmission speed and is very convenient to carry, many workplace and commercial establishments have prohibited their employees from using USB devices. This precaution is an important way to prevent confidential data leaks via USB devices, as USB connections lack security management. Therefore the authors use a three-factor control protocol to ensure the security of USB connections. The proposed authentication protocol combines biometric, password and smart card to provide high security on the USB mutual authentication. To provide secure and efficient transmission between the user and the USB server, the proposed protocol adopts ECC to encrypt data. Compared to other encryption methods, the proposed protocol uses much smaller key sizes. As a further benefit, this protocol reduces the smart card computational cost and provides an efficient transmission for USB devices. This new scheme improves the security, efficiency and usability of the authentication process. More studies on USB are needed.


The GonioExp06 field campaign from 19th to 24th of
June 2006 is part of a strategic initiative to improve biogeo-
chemo-physical parameter estimation from optical
remote sensing data. The focus of the research is on the
investigation of the directional fraction of hyperspectral
data, emphasising the value adding effect of directional
information as supplement to the well known spectral
one. Three field goniometric systems (FIGOS, MGS
and AISAgon) of different design, an extensive
accompanying measurement campaign and
simultaneous multidirectional data takes by
Proba/CHRIS (space) and ROSIS (airborne) are
combined to create the data base necessary to
investigate the radiative transfer between the surface
and the sensors and to contribute improving physical
modelling and inversion techniques. The application
focus is the "precision" domain in land use (agriculture,
forestry, nature conservation).


The main objective of this article is to present the results of research on the restructuring of the Polish fishing fleet and its impact on fish market in Poland. The research is based on data the Sea Fisheries Institute in Gdynia, market reports of the Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the available literature and Internet sources. The study included data for the years 2004-2012 and concerned issues such as: changes in fleet capacity, evaluation of the fish industry, analysis of the structure of catches and average selling prices of selected assortments of fish. Based on the results, it was found that the current potential of the Polish fishing fleet is sufficient and there is no need for it to reduce. Changes in fleet capacity had no direct impact on the situation on the Polish market fish, because the supply of fish and fish products come mainly from imports.


The surficial sediment distribution within Long Island Sound has been mapped and described using bottom samples, photography, and sidescan sonar, combined with information from the geologic literature. The distributions of sediment type and total organic carbon (TOC) reveal several broad trends that are largely related to the sea-floor geology, the bathymetry, and the effects of modern tidal- and wind-driven currents. Sediment types are most heterogeneous in bathymetrically complex and shallow nearshore areas; the heterogeneity diminishes and the texture fines with decreasing bottom-current energy. Lag deposits of gravel and gravelly sand dominate the surficial sediment texture in areas where bottom currents are the strongest (such as where tidal flow is constricted) and where glacial till crops out at the sea floor. Sand is the dominant sediment type in areas characterized by active sediment transport and in shallow areas affected by fine-grained winnowing. Silty sand and sandsilt-clay mark transitions within the basin from higher- to lower-energy environments, suggesting a diminished hydraulic ability to sort and transport sediment. Clayey silt and silty clay are the dominant sediment types accumulating in the central and western basins and in other areas characterized by long-term depositional environments. The amount of TOC in the sediments of Long Island Sound varies inversely with sediment grain size. Concentrations average more than 1.9% (dry weight) in clayey silt, but are less than 0.4% in sand. Generally, values for TOC increase both toward the west in the Sound and from the shallow margins to the deeper parts of the basin floor. Our data also suggest that TOC concentrations can vary seasonally.


The use of stress echocardiography (SE) in an elderly population was retrospectively evaluated and compared with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in a similar group. Patients > or = 80 years of age were evaluated by treadmill or pharmacologic SE (group 1; n = 65) to determine its predictive value for cardiac events. A second group had MPS (group 2; n = 68). We identified 11 patients in group 1 and 25 in group 2 who had a cardiac event, with no statistical significance between the positive predictive value of SE and MPS (55% vs 49%) and the negative predictive value of SE and MPS (89% vs 73%). The actuarial event-free survival was better for patients with negative SE than for patients with positive SE or negative or positive MPS. This study suggests that SE is comparable to MPS as a prognosticator of cardiac events in octogenarians. The retrospective design and the small population studied are major limitations. A larger, prospective trial should be launched to analyze this group and compare various stress tests.


The permanent deformation becomes a major problem as axle loading increases where it normally happens on highly stressed roads. Permanent deformation always is a potential major distress where the ruts trap water and cause hydroplaning. Therefore, it is important to make efforts to minimize permanent deformation and at the same time it is necessary to develop a model to predict the potential permanent deformation development when designing an asphalt pavement overlay. Thus, it is necessary to predict the distress prediction models using Superpave mixes other than conventional mixes in order to be efficient in assessing and controlling permanent deformation of asphalt pavements. In relation, there is absence of Mechanistic-Empirical pavement distress prediction models developed to predict the Superpave mixes permanent deformation under Malaysian environmental conditions. In order to take this gap into consideration, this study was conducted to investigate the use of dynamic modulus in the development of permanent deformation distress prediction model. The following procedure was used: The simplified dynamic modulus analysis method established in this research can be good indicators to describe how a master curve's shape varies with asphalt, nominal aggregate size, aging, and confinement level. The authors have developed the simplified master curve model which can predict dynamic modulus beyond the measured data set. This model used inverse sine-hyperbolic function with the addition of four coefficients (α,β,x₀,y₀) which can describe the shape of the master curve. The simplified master curve model was verified by the actual laboratory data and further supported by statistical analysis. The finding of this study is also expected to provide a better understanding of how to evaluate and incorporate new materials into the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide. The VESYS layer rutting model only requires two permanent deformation parameters; aᵢ and μᵢ. Therefore, the VESYS layer rutting model was finally adopted with minor modification to model asphalt pavement overlay permanent deformation. It is relatively simple model to use in the implementation process. The final lab expression for FHV mix was initially selected for the field calibration and validation process are; c is 80.0 for resilient strain, b is 0.91 for rutting accumulation or seasonal trend, μ is 1.61 for calibration and validation, a is 0.09 for calibration and validation. These local calibration factors are the adjustments applied to the coefficients or exponents of the transfer function to eliminate bias between the predicted and measured pavement distresses. The combination of calibration factors can also be used to minimize the standard error of the prediction equation. The standard error of the estimate measured the amount of dispersion of the data points around the line of equality between the observed and predicted values. The recorded experience in this analysis can be used for future model Mechanistic-Empirical calibration and validation in Malaysia or to assess existing pavement conditions provided similar materials and specifications are applied.


Abstract In this article, we present a machine learning-based solution for matching the performance of the gold standard of double-blind human coding when it comes to content analysis in comparative politics. We combine a quantitative text analysis approach with supervised learning and limited human resources in order to classify the front-page articles of a leading Hungarian daily newspaper based on their full text. Our goal was to assign items in our dataset to one of 21 policy topics based on the codebook of the Comparative Agendas Project. The classification of the imbalanced classes of topics was handled by a hybrid binary snowball workflow. This relies on limited human resources as well as supervised learning; it simplifies the multiclass problem to one of binary choice; and it is based on a snowball approach as we augment the training set with machine-classified observations after each successful round and also between corpora. Our results show that our approach provided better precision results (of over 80% for most topic codes) than what is customary for human coders and most computer-assisted coding projects. Nevertheless, this high precision came at the expense of a relatively low, below 60%, share of labeled articles.


This article engages empirically with the futures of biometric identification. It does so by engaging with the current UK political debate regarding the introduction of identity cards, by participating in a trial of biometric technologies and by working with an organisational setting where ID cards would be introduced (an airport). The article suggests that, although social science can not predict the future, it can map out ways to engage with technological uncertainty, the challenges of producing and mobilizing identity and the politics of technology development. The article argues that detailed engagement with these areas is currently neglected and that such neglect leaves problematic spaces in discussions regarding the development of biometric technologies.


The third order harmonic generation (third harmonics as well as cubic sum and difference harmonics) due to the cubic interaction of two collimated elastic waves in a homogeneous, isotropic, weakly nonlinear plate is investigated by using a fourth order expansion of strain energy density to formulate the nonlinear boundary problems. Waves with both shear horizontal (SH) and Rayleigh Lamb (RL) nature are considered as primary or tertiary wave fields. The non-zero power flux condition is evaluated using characteristic parity matrices of the cubic nonlinear forcing terms and third order harmonic mode shapes. Results indicate that waves with either SH or RL nature receive power flux from a specific pattern of primary mode interaction. Further analytical evaluation of the synchronism condition enables identification of primary SH and RL modes that are able to generate cumulative third harmonics. The primary SH modes are shown to be holo-internal-resonant with third harmonic SH fields. This simply means that all points on the primary dispersion curves are internally resonant with third harmonics, which is not the case for second harmonics. Such flexibility will be advantageous for laboratory and field measurements.


The study was conducted at 36 Study Centres of the Institute for Educational Development and Extension of the University Education, Winneba, involving a population of coordinators, administrators and students. The researchers investigated challenges facing study centre administrators; the extent to which these challenges affected them and the types of relationships existed between the challenges and administrators" performance. Five research questions and a hypothesis guided the study. A triangulation/concurrent mixed-method design was adopted by the researchers and 421 respondents participated. Questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used to elicit data. Descriptive statistics (percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (correlations) were used to analyse the quantitative data, while thematic approach was used to analyse the qualitative data. Key findings of the study revealed that although the administrators were highly equipped for respective administrative roles, however, they encounted several challenges including ineffective communication, difficulties in getting accommodation, and insufficient supply of materials and office equipment. It was also revealed that administrators" performance was negatively affected by these challenges. There was a strong and statistically significant relationship between the challenges and administrators" performance. The study concluded that unless these challenges such as ineffective communication among stakeholders and delay in supply of materials are dealt with, study centres administrators will be at a low ebb. Based on these conclusions/findings, it was recommended that the issue regarding the inadequate supply of materials and equipment should be addressed by the Institute for Educational Development and Extension taking in consideration the specific needs of each study centre.


Introduction
 Strokes are a preventable cause of neurological morbidity and premature death, particularly in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) living in low-resource countries. If untreated, 50% of children with SCA their first overt ischemic stroke will have a recurrent stroke within two years of the event. In high-income countries, ASH 2020 guidelines recommend indefinite regular blood transfusion therapy for secondary stroke prevention (Blood Adv. 2020). Unfortunately, regular blood transfusion therapy is not a feasible option for children with SCA in sub-Saharan Africa due to the high cost of monthly blood transfusion, limited blood supply, and unsafe transfusion practices. Also, children who receive regular blood transfusions will ultimately require daily iron chelation at a cost that is prohibitive to most families in low-income settings.
 One randomized controlled trial provided evidence that HU therapy may be an effective therapy for secondary prevention of strokes when compared to no therapy (Blood. 2012;119(17):3925-3932). In the SWiTCH trial, the incidence rate of stroke recurrence in the group randomly allocated to receive maximum tolerated dose HU therapy was significantly higher than the group randomly assigned to receive blood transfusion therapy (5.6 and 0 events per 100 person-years, respectively, but considerably lower when compared to children not treated with any treatment, approximately 28 events per 100 person-years (Niger Postgrad Med J. 2013;20(3):181-187).
 Given the practical limitations for regular blood transfusion therapy, we tested the hypothesis that for secondary stroke prevention among children with SCA and acute overt ischemic stroke, fixed moderated dose HU therapy (~20 mg/kg/day) results in 80% relative risk reduction when compared to fixed low-dose HU therapy (10 mg/kg/day) in a randomized controlled trial (SPRINT Trial; NCT02675790).
 Methodology
 In phase III controlled trial, partially blind d controlled trial, we randomly assigned children 1 - 16 years of age with SCA and a new-onset of ischemic stroke (within 1 month) to receive fixed moderate-dose HU therapy at 20 mg/kg/day or fixed-low dose HU therapy at 10 mg/kg/day) with a monthly follow-up for at least 36 months. The primary endpoint was a recurrence of overt stroke or transient ischemic attack. Myelosuppression was assessed with monthly CBCs. Adherence to hydroxyurea was based on an increase in MCV from baseline and monthly pill count return, as a percent of dispensed pills.
 Results
 A total of 101 children with SCA were randomly assigned to fixed low- (~10 mg/kg/day) or moderate- (~20 mg/kg/day) dose hydroxyurea. The mean age was 6.6 years; 55.4% were males, and the median follow up was 1.6 years (IQR 1.0 - 2.3). The DSMB stopped the trial early due to the futility of the primary endpoint. In the fixed low- and moderate-dose groups, the incidence rates of recurrent strokes per 100 person-years were 7.1 and 6.0, respectively, incidence rate ratio of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.20 - 3.34), p=0.999. The incidence rates of mortality per 100 person-years in the fixed low dose and moderate- fixed-dose groups were 2.38 and 3.63, respectively, with an incidence rate ratio of 1.53 (95% CI: 0.18 - 18.30), p=0.98. No participant had hydroxyurea therapy stopped because of myelosuppression. As a measure of adherence, MCV from baseline to endpoint increased 6.2 fl and 13.3 fl in the fixed low- and moderate-dose groups, respectively, p=0.025; returned pills during the trial were 3.3% and 3.5% in the fixed low- and moderate-dose groups, respectively, p= 0.76.
 Conclusion
 For secondary stroke prevention, in a randomized controlled trial in children with SCA and new onset of ischemic strokes, fixed low-dose, when compared to fixed moderate-dose hydroxyurea therapy, demonstrated no difference in the incidence rate of stroke recurrence. Fixed low-dose hydroxyurea for secondary prevention of strokes in Nigeria provided similar stroke recurrence rate, when compared to the SWiTCH Trial (Blood. 2012;119(17):3925-3932) with the maximum tolerated dose of hydroxyurea of 7.0 and 5.7 events per 100 person-years, respectively. For secondary stroke prevention, in low-income settings without access to indefinite regular blood transfusion therapy, fixed low-dose hydroxyurea of at least 10 mg/kg/day with biannual CBC is a new evidence-based strategy to prevent strokes and minimize unnecessary laboratory testing.

 DeBaun: Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

 fixed low and moderate dose hydroxyurea for primary stroke prevention in sickle cell


We consider the anesthesiologist staff planning problem for operating services departments in large multispecialty hospitals. In this problem, the planner makes monthly and daily decisions to minimize total costs. The monthly decisions include deciding how many anesthesiologists should be on regular duty and how many should be on-call for each day of the month and for each specialty. The daily decisions involve determining how many on-call anesthesiologists to actually use in the surgical schedule for the next day. Total costs comprise of explicit and implicit costs. Explicit costs include the costs of calling an anesthesiologist from call, and overtime costs, and are specified by the organization. Implicit costs are the costs of keeping but not calling an anesthesiologist on-call and under-utilizing an anesthesiologist, and these have to be deduced from past decisions. We model the staff planning problem as a two-stage integer stochastic dynamic program, develop structural properties of this model and use them in a sample average approximation algorithm constructed to solve this problem. We also develop a procedure to estimate the implicit costs, which are included in this model. Using data from the operating services department at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, our model shows the potential to reduce overall costs by 13%. We provide managerial insights related to the relative scale of these costs, hiring decisions by specialty, sensitivity to cost parameters, and improvements in prediction of booked time durations.


Böröczky configurations of lines have been recently considered in connection with the problem of the containment between symbolic and ordinary powers of ideals. Here, we describe parameter families of Böröczky configurations of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] lines and investigate rational points of these parameter spaces.


Abstract This study aims to determine the effects of inulin and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) on the probiotic properties of five Lactobacillus spp. isolated from human milk. Lactobacillus spp. were isolated and identified, and the growth characteristics, acid and bile salt tolerance, antagonistic effects, and cholesterol assimilation of Lactobacillus strains were investigated in the presence of inulin and FOS. Lactobacillus casei L1 was able to utilize inulin and FOS as carbon source as well as glucose even other strains were able to use, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. This strain also showed high tolerance to acid and bile salt, even at pH 2.5 and 0.5% bile salt levels, respectively. Inulin and FOS promoted the antimicrobial activity of L. casei L1 against pathogenic bacteria. Cholesterol assimilation was higher than in the other and control probiotic strains in the presence inulin and FOS, which were measured as 14 and 25 mg/dL, respectively. In conclusion, L. casei L1 can use both inulin and FOS to maintain its viability both at digestive conditions and also the relevant prebiotics, and show broad antagonistic activity and cholesterol assimilation.


The study determine the wages models applied by the company in Batam which is expected to provide a wide range of reference models in different strata of wage and cluster companies. It is also expected to help the local government as a factor in determining the minimum wage policy making through recommendations wages models are ideal in Batam. Data was collected using interview techniques to the manufacturing industry in three related units in a company that is human resource, administrative staff and production staff. The results of the study were analyzed qualitatively to explore models that have been applied and the desire of employees. The model has been applied to remuneration in accordance with the general models that already exist, but there are still some wishes of the employees on the compensation of employees in the company they both administrative and production employees. Researchers also analyzed employee satisfaction with the existing system and the results are most of the employees did not feel satisfied with the remuneration system.


Hydroelectric generating sets controlled by conventional, mechanical, temporary-droop governors respond rather slowly to changes in system frequency and do not, therefore, realise their full potential as spinning reserves. Because of this, the electrohydraulic governor system described in this paper was developed for on-site evaluation of control strategies on a 32.5 MW set at Sloy power station, and to complement earlier work on a hybrid simulation of the plant. It is arranged so that it can be used as an alternative to the mechanical governor, and changeover from one to the other can be effected in a few minutes. Frequency-response test data are presented. Also shown are the results of a series of system-splitting tests in each of which a substantial area of West Scotland was supplied by the Sloy set when isolated from the Grid system. An electronic double-derivative governor is shown to improve greatly the response of the generator to frequency changes while at the same time preserving operational stability


Abstract Objective: To evaluate the anthropometric and biochemical status of children with nutritional deficiency. Methods: We have conducted a prospective study on 226 children admitted in Pediatric Clinic I, divided into two groups: one group of 49 children with nutritional deficiency (body-mass-index < -2SD) and one control group (177 children). We have followed demographic data, anthropometric indices evaluated as standard deviations (weight, height, middle upper-arm circumference, tricipital skinfold), biochemical proteic status (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 IGF-1, albumin, total proteins). We also followed parameters of general nutritional biochemistry. Results: The mean age for underweight children was 5.8 years, lower than in the control group. The weight of the nutritional-deficient group was significantly lower than in the control group, unlike the height (p <0.001). We have also found significant differences in body-mass-index, middle upper-arm circumference and tricipital skinfold, all of them with low SDs in children with nutritional deficiency. Regarding the biochemical markers, we have found significantly higher values of transaminases (p <0.001) and lower IGF-1 (p = 0.02) and total proteins (p = 0.013) in nutritional-deficient group. Most IGF-1 values were in normal range in both groups, but with a higher percent of low values in nutritional deficient children (37.5% vs 14.2%, p = 0.0046). There were no significant differences in height, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels between the two groups. Conclusions: The anthropometric measurements are the most precise methods in evaluating the nutritional status. Among the studied biochemical markers, IGF-1, total proteins and transaminases are correlated with nutritional deficiencies Keywords nutritional status, anthropometry, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I, child, blood proteins


YPT/rab proteins are ras-like small GTP-binding proteins that serve as key regulators of vesicular transport. The mRNA levels of two YPT/rab genes in pea plants are repressed by light, with the process mediated by phytochrome. Here, we examined the mRNA expression and the location of the two proteins, pra2- and pra3-encoded proteins, using monoclonal antibodies. The pra2 and pra3 mRNA levels were highest in the stems of dark-grown seedlings. The corresponding proteins were found in the cytosol and the membranes of the stems. Most of the pra2 protein was in the growing internodes, especially in the growing region, but the pra3 protein was widespread. These results suggest that the pra2 protein is important for vesicular transport in stems, possibly contributing to stem growth in the dark, and that the pra3 protein is important for general vesicular transport. The amounts of pra2 and pra3 proteins decreased with illumination. The decrease in these proteins may be related to the phytochrome-dependent inhibition of stem growth that occurs in etiolated pea seedlings.


The immune system of fish is very similar to vertebrates, although there are some important dif - ferences. Fish are free-living organisms from the embryonic stage of life in their aquatic environment. They have mechanisms to protect themselves from a wide variety of microorganisms. Consequently, fish rely on their innate immune system for an extended period of time, beginning at the early stages of embryogenesis. The components of the innate immune response are divided into physical, cellular and humoral factors and include humoral and cellular receptor molecules that are soluble in plasma and other body fluids. The lymphoid organs found in fish include the thymus, spleen and kidney. Immunoglobulins are the principal components of the immune response against pathogenic organisms. Immunomodulatory products, including nucleotides, glucans and probiotics, are increasingly used in aquaculture production. The use of these products reduces the need for therapeutic treatments, enhances the effects of vaccines and, in turn, improves the indicators of production. The aim of this review is to provide a review of the immune system in fish, including the ontogeny, mechanisms of unspecific and acquired immunity and the action of some immunomodulators.


An experimental study of droplet breakup in T-shaped microfluidic junctions is presented in which the capillary number and flow rate ratio are varied over a wide range for several different viscosity ratios and several different ratios of the inlet channel widths. The range of conditions corresponds to the region in which both the squeezing pressure that arises when the emerging interface obstructs the channel and the viscous shear stress on the emerging interface strongly influence the process. In this regime, the droplet volume depends on the capillary number, the flow rate ratio, and the ratio of inlet channel widths, which controls the degree of confinement of the droplets. The viscosity ratio influences the droplet volume only when the viscosities are similar. When there is a large viscosity contrast in which the dispersed-phase liquid is at least 50 times smaller than the continuous-phase liquid, the resulting size is independent of the viscosity ratio and no transition to a purely squeezing regime appears. In this case, both the droplet volume and the droplet production frequency obey power-law behavior with the capillary number, consistent with expectations based on mass conservation of the dispersed-phase liquid. Finally, scaling arguments are presented that result in predicted droplet volumes that depend on the capillary number, flow rate ratio, and width ratio in a qualitatively similar way to that observed in experiments.


Objective: Urogenital schistosomiasis has continued to cause severe morbidity among residents of Adim community. The aim of the study was to screen both adults and children residents of this community for urine tumour markers and to stain cytologically for epithelial changes which indicate the risk of them being predispose to bladder cancer. Methods: Terminal urine samples were collected by simple random sampling method from 350 subjects (300 children and 50 adults) in Adim Community for microscopy using standard parasitological methods, urinalysis, ELISA-based Nuclear Matrix Protein 22 (NMP22), and Papanicolaou- and Alcian blue-stained cytological analysis. Results: S. haematobium infection was observed in 18 (5.1%), proteinuria 21 (6.0%) and hematuria 30 (8.6%). Age group 25-31 years had the highest level of NMP22 values (1692.3 ± 46.4) among the adults and children. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). In general male subjects had higher NMP22 values (1214.6+ 487.1) than females (1198.9+ 472.9) (P=0.389). The cytological findings showed abnormal epithelial cells in Papanicolaou stain 2 (0.57%) and hyaluronic acid 1 (0.29%). Cytological findings with Papanicolaou stain revealed metaplasia 1 (0.3%), mild dysplasia 1 (0.3%), inflammation 6 (1.7%), and hyaluronic acid positive cells 1 (0.29%). Conclusion: The study showed S. haematobium prevalence of 5.1% but NMP 22 values were not positive for bladder cancer. The cytological findings revealed metaplasia, mild dysplasia and hyaluronic acid positive epithelial changes which are indicators for bladder cancer. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 8(3):89-96


This paper proposes a new control law for a three-phase rectifier (AC/DC converter) for grid connected applications. The study mainly focuses on the innovative control law based on the flatness properties for a three-phase rectifier. Utilizing the flatness principle, we propose simple solutions to the control and stabilization problems. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is validated through experiments on a prototype 1-kVA testbed with a dSPACE 1104 controller platform. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves an excellent performance such as fast transient response.


Platelets and the Vessel Wall-Fibrin Deposition. G. SCHETTLER (ed.), Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1970. Pp, 188. DM 32. This record of the proceedings of the Symposium quantitative aspects of hormone assay in plasma using antibodies. The instigators of the immunoradiometric assay procedure (labelling antibody as opposed to antigen) again draw attention to the improved specificity (and sensitivity) which could result from this approach, although the economic problems of adequate supplies of specific antisera for labelling, remain. A nice example of the high sensitivity which can be achieved with this technique is illustrated with insulin, where picograrn quantities can be assayed in incubation volumes of only 20 p.I. Comparative studies on the adequacy of various separation techniques for insulin using an anion exchange, detran-charcoal, double antibody or cellulose adsorbent, is presented by Dr. Raptis; this data I found valuable as were the subsequent papers on the problems of assay and cross-reaction of proinsulln, insulin and c-peptide, The papers on growth hormone assays were interesting, in as much as data on the influence and correction for plasma protein interference in the assay, is presented. Drs. P. Franchimont and J. C. Hendrick, reemphasise the dangers of using RCG as reference material for pituitary LH assays because of the partial cross-reaction of RCG. The immunological differences between urinary FSH and pituitary FSH, as demonstrated by the same authors, again draws attention to the dangers of over-simplifying these hormone assays. Subsequent contributions deal with ACTH, glucagon (a hormone not satisfactorily measured at present), labelling of small polypeptide hormones and assay systems for the angiotensins, The last three sections deal with the calcium-phosphate regulating hormones, calcitonin and parathyroid hormone, with a final brief review of solid phase radio-immunoassay of steroids. I found these last three sections the least satisfactory, possible because some of the techniques described by the authors, have been supplanted by more specific techniques. This is particularly true of parathyroid hormone, which has now been measured more successfully in human plasma using labelled antibody, rather than labelled antigens. The shortness of the papers would perhaps not satisfy those seeking detailed technical knowledge, but the crispness of the information which is presented makes this a useful adjunct to larger works. B. T. Rudd R. Robinson


Supervised interns from Pacific University College of Optometry performed standard visual screenings of three separate nursing homes. Residents were evaluated in six major areas: significant history both systemic and ocular, far and near acuity, cover test, refractive status, ophthalmoscopy and tonometry. This information was compared to non-nursing home seniors. A total of 252 subjects were assessed. The incidence of visual impairments was considerably higher for the nursing home population, with nearly 50% of this group more likely to fail the screening. This study suggests that many of the nursing home residents have greater visual potential, but are currently not receiving the care necessary to achieve it. Meeting this potential could significantly reduce their need for supervision and increase their quality of life.