Background Arrhythmias are severe cardiac diseases and lethal if untreated. To serve as an in vitro drug testing option for anti-arrhythmic agents, cardiomyocytes are being generated in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Unfortunately, these generated cardiomyocytes resemble fetal cardiac tissue rather than adult cardiomyocytes. An automated tool for an unbiased evaluation of cardiomyocytes would highly facilitate the establishment of new differentiation protocols to increase cellular maturity. Results In this work, a novel deep learning-based approach for this task is presented and evaluated. Different convolutional neural networks (CNNs) including 2D and 3D models were trained on fluorescence images of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, which were rated based on their sarcomere content (sarcomerisation) and the orientation of sarcomere filaments (directionality) beforehand by a domain expert. The CNNs were trained to perform classifications on sarcomerisation, directionality ratings, and cell source, including primary adult and differentiated cardiomyocytes. The best accuracies are reached by a 3D model with a classification accuracy of about 90 % for sarcomerisation classification, 63 % for directionality classification, and 80 % for cell source classification. The trained models were additionally evaluated using two explanatory algorithms, IGrad and Grad-CAM. The heatmaps computed by those explainability algorithms show that the important regions in the image occur inside the cell and at the cellular borders for the classifier, and, therefore, validate the calculated regions. Conclusion In summary, we showed that cellular fluorescence images can be analyzed with CNNs and subsequently used to predict different states of sarcomere maturation. Our developed prediction tool AMES (https://github.com/maxhillemanns/AMES) can be used to make trustworthy predictions on the quality of a cardiomyocyte, which ultimately facilitates the optimized generation of cardiomyocytes from iPSCs and improves the quality control in an automated, unbiased manner. The applied workflow of testing different CNN models, adjusting parameters, and using a variety of explanatory algorithms can be easily transferred to further image based quality control, stratification, or analysis setups.


Quantum properties of a monolayer graphene are studied in terms of the Clifford algebras. The simplest of algebras suitable for this purpose appears to be Cl3,0 algebra, the basis vectors of which represent 3D rather than 2D Euclidean space. If electron spin is included, higher dimensional algebras should be used. It is shown that Cl3,1 algebra which describes Minkowski's spacetime is suitable for this purpose. It is shown that in both algebras, Cl3,0 and Cl3,1, the conduction and valence band spinors are rotors of 3D Euclidean space. Properties of electron spin and Berry phase when exchange and spin-orbit interactions are taken into account are illustrated within Clifford algebra formalism.


Purpose of Study: To study reparative osteogenesis and tissue integration characteristics for implanting three-dimensional mesh structures of titanium nickelide into a bone cavitary defect. Material and Methods: The authors modeled cavitary defects of femoral metaphysis experimentally in Wistar rats divided into an experimental group and control one. The study duration was 60 days in total. The methods of radiography, those of light and electron microscopy, X-ray electron probe microanalysis used. Results: Under implantation the defect was filled with cancellous bone the volumetric density of which more than 1,5-fold exceeded control values (р < 0.001). The implant had biocompatibility, osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties, it stopped inflammatory processes. The membrane protective barrier which prevented connective tissue sprouting was formed on the implant surface in the defect periosteal zone. The osteointegrative junction was formed being persisted up to the end of the experiment. Reparative osteogenesis was performed by direct intramembranous and apposition type. Conclusion: The implant of three-dimensional mesh titanium-nickelide structures has marked osteoplastic properties, and it can be successfully used in orthopedic surgery. Corresponding Author: Prof. Yuri M. Iryanov, PhD, ScD; Laboratory of Morphology, Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center, Restorative Traumatology and Orthopedics, Kurgan, the Russian Federation. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that use nonlinear wave-damage interactions have gained significant attention recently due to their improved sensitivity in detecting incipient damage. This study presents the use of FE simulation with the experimental investigation to quantify the effects of guided waves' propagation through multiple delaminations in unidirectional glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. Further, it utilizes the outcomes of nonlinear interactions between guided waves and delaminations to locate the latter. This is achieved through probabilistic Bayesian updating with a structural reliability approach. Guided waves interacting with delaminations induce nonlinear acoustic signatures that can be quantified by the nonlinearity index (NLI). The study found that the NLI changes with the interrogation frequency, as confirmed by numerical and experimental observations. Using the numerical outcomes obtained from the nonlinear responses, a Bayesian model-based approach with subset simulation is proposed and subsequently used to locate multiple delaminations. The results indicate that both the log-likelihood and log-evidence are key factors in determining the localization phenomenon. The proposed method successfully localizes multiple delaminations and evaluates their number, inter-laminar position, width, and type.


Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have great potential to revolutionize lighting technology for the commercial horticulture industry. Unique LED properties of selectable, narrow-spectrum emissions, long life spans, cool photon-emitting surfaces, and rapidly improving energy use efficiency encourage novel lighting architectures and applications with promising profitability potential. In greenhouses, such unique properties can be leveraged for precise control of flowering and product quality for the floriculture industry, for energy-efficient propagation of ornamental and vegetable transplants, and for supplemental lighting of highwire greenhouse vegetable crops for all-year production. In a sole-source lighting mode, LEDs can also be used for transplant production, as well as for production of rapid-turning vegetable and small fruit crops. Evidence is accumulating that nutritional and health attributes of horticultural products may be enhanced by specific wavelength combinations of narrow-spectrum light from LEDs. During periods of seasonally limited solar light, LEDs have potential to enhance daily light integral in greenhouses by providing supplemental photosynthetic radiation, particularly of red and blue light. The cool photon-emitting surfaces of LEDs permit their novel placement relative to crop foliar canopies, including closecanopy overhead lighting as well as within-canopy lighting, which greatly reduces electrical energy requirements while maintaining adequate incident photon fluxes. Because of the small size of individual LEDs and narrow beam angles from LED arrays, light distribution can be highly targeted and waste of light from LEDs minimized compared with other light sources traditionally used for horticulture. Prescriptions of spectral blends (e.g., red:far-red and red:blue ratios) can be developed for LEDs to accomplish specific photomorphogenic goals for seedling development, flowering, and possibly yield and produce quality. LED light quality may also be useful to control pest insects and to avoid physiological disorders otherwise caused by low-intensity or narrow-spectrum lighting. Complex factors such as rapidly improving LED luminous efficacy, favorable mass-manufacturing costs, local costs of electrical energy, and capital investment will interact to determine for which applications and when LEDs become the dominant lighting technology in horticulture.


The review covers the research and development of perpendicular media nanostructure focusing on the recording layer. The recording layer material includes the Co-alloys with hcp structure, the magnetic multilayers, and the alloys with ordered structures that have high magneto-crystalline anisotropies (Ku). The technologies of underlayer or interlayer for aligning the easy magnetization axis of magnetic crystal grain perpendicular to the film plane are briefly reviewed including the high Ku magnetic materials for future recording media. Observations of compositional and magnetization structures in sub-μm scale have played important roles in improving the recording layer. Typical data on these characteristics are explained in relation to the media structure improvements. Considering that high Ku magnetic materials will be employed in future recording media, basic experimental results related in controlling the easy magnetization axis and in keeping the surface flatness of L10ordered magnetic materials are explained. Future possibilities for increasing the areal density beyond 1 Tb/in2 by improving the magnetic material and the nanostructure of recording layer are also discussed.


Combining high-contrast imaging and astrometry in a single space mission would enable efficient detection and characterization of single- and multiple- planetary systems around nearby stars, allowing determination of planetary mass, composition, atmosphere, and system architecture. These science goals can be achieved using a 2m wide-field (>0.1deg2) class telescope equipped with two instruments: a high-performance coronagraph to perform direct imaging, and a wide field camera to achieve sub-microarcsecond astrometric accuracy. However, these measurements are only possible if there are no relative distortion changes between astrometric observations. At sub-microarcsecond accuracy regime, even space optics suffers from dynamic distortions in the optical system and dominates the error budget. We propose to utilize a diffractive pupil, in which an array of dots on the primary mirror generates polychromatic diffraction spikes in the focal plane to calibrate the dynamic distortions of the optical system. According to simulations, this technique would allow to obtain 0.2microarcsecond single-visit precision astrometric accuracy. In this paper we present the laboratory results that demonstrate the diffractive pupil concept on wide-field images. We also discuss simulations and experiments performed at the NASA Ames ACE test bed, demonstrating that the diffractive pupil does not affect the coronagraph performance down to 2x10-7. Finally, we assess the compatibility of a diffractive pupil telescope with a general astrophysics mission, showing that the spikes do not impact wide-field observations.


The lack of autonomy of Western European states, that is, the limitations which they confront in terms of translating their policy preferences into authoritative actions, cannot be considered solely in terms of idiosyncratic domestic political institutions and cultures, or as the result of greater sensibility and vulnerability to interdependence through the flow of goods, capital and technology. The argument develops around the generalisation that during the period of "detente" from 1965 to 1979, the United States, as the world central bank, inflated the world political economy ; thereafter, the questioning of detente accompanied a United States-led policy of world deflation. European politics, in a variety of intricate ways, followed the rythm set by the United States, with a period of state policy activism in the late 1960s to mid-1970s followed by more sceptical attitudes by public officials, supported by conservative or liberal parties, on the limitations of state action. But while it could be argued that the autonomy of OECD European states was strictly limited in economic policy by the integration of national into European and world markets, it is also demonstratable that the most sensitive of these markets - the world financial markets - are most susceptible to state policy, particularly that of the United States. In turn, the influence exerted on government preferences by world financial markets has grown to such an extent that by 1983, Western European governments are all aligning priorities on what are taken to be market criteria. If fact, they are aligning their priorities on the preferences of the great powers in a period of heightened international tension. Thus, the lack of autonomy of Western European states is of political origin: their subordination through lack of continued regional autonomy in defense and finance. Implicitly, this article suggests a move in Western Europe to a confederal armed force and a European Reserve Bank, as the precondition for a revitalised Atlantic alliance.


Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is one of the most common problems of women. Using systematic review and meta‑analysis, this study aimed to determine the effect of vitamin E on ameliorating the intensity of pain of primary dysmenorrhea. Available databases comprising PubMed, Google Scholar, ISI, Science Direct, SID, Iran Medex, and Magiran were searched to find relevant papers. Clinical trials with the aim of the effect of vitamin E on pain reduction of primary dysmenorrhea were selected. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of studies and extracted the necessary data. Three studies were eligible for meta‑analysis. The meta‑analysis of these studies showed that vitamin E (with or without mefenamic acid), could reduce the intensity of pain about 7% (95% CI: 2-30%). Based on these studies, vitamin E can reduce the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Keywords : Complimentary medicine, dysmenorrhea, vitamin E


After several years of relatively robust performance, Canada is lagging its peers in business investment growth, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe institute. In "Equipping Canadian Workers: Business Investment Loses a Step against Competitors Abroad," authors Benjamin Dachis and William B.P. Robson find 2013 growth in new private-sector plant and equipment spending per worker in Canada seems likely to lag investment abroad, with strength in the more natural-resource-oriented provinces offset by weakness in Central Canada and the Maritimes.


On July 5th passed away academician professor Jana Zvarova, one of pioneers and one of most influential Medical informatics scientist and expert in Europe and in the world. Professor Jana Zvarova was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia. After graduating in mathematics in 1965 at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague she has been working with several faculties of Charles University in Prague. She completed external doctoral studies under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Albert Perez, member of IFIP. He brought her attention to the field of Medical informatics and opened the contacts with founders of IMIA. Jana Zvárová founded the Medical informatics section of the Czech Society of biomedical engineering and Medical informatics in the year 1978. The same year, she received Ph.D. scientific degree at Charles University in Prague. She passed the habilitation at Charles University in 1991 and she was nominated by the president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel as Full Professor at Charles University in Prague in 1999. She reached the highest Czech scientific degree, Doctor of Sciences in 1999 at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.


Orchestrating an ecosystem requires coordination to create value, but prior research has tended to emphasize centralized ecosystem control over solutions involving distributed governance. By studying multilateral public-private collaborations to develop scientific knowledge to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, we identify a new model of ecosystem control—indirect and distributed governance using R&D consortia. We report archival and interview data on 46 consortia with overlapping corporate, nonprofit, and governmental membership. We find three models of consortia that allow member organizations to jointly orchestrate an ecosystem without centralized control. We discuss the broader implications of this model for orchestrating ecosystems.


The aim of this work was to synthesis a range of substituted arene hydrates, determine their second-order rate constant for dehydration and generate a Hammett plot for comparison with other published p-values for similar carbocation-forming reactions. The first hydrate presented is the methyl benzoate hydrate (see section 2.1). A number of first order rate constants for the aromatisation (dehydration) reaction were determined in dilute perchloric acid at ionic strength 0.5 maintained with sodium perchlorate. The reaction was followed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and (^1)H NMR spectroscopy. The second order rate constant was determined to be 9.32 X l0(^-2) М(^-1)s(^-1) which corresponds to a half-life of 7 seconds in 1M HCIO(_4). The arene hydrate of biphenyl was also synthesised (see section 2.2). The solubility issues discussed in section 2.2.2 meant the aromatisation reaction could not be followed by (^1)H NMR spectroscopy. The first order rate constants were determined in acetate and phosphate buffers, at ionic strength 0.5, maintainted with sodium Perchlorate, from pH 5 to 7. The second order rate constant was determined to be 2.11 X 10(^2) M(^-1)s(^-1) which corresponds to a half-life of 3.3 X 10(^-4)s in 1M HCIO(_4). As presented in sections 2.3-2.7, the synthetic route to the alkyl substituted hydrates gave two products - the ortho and the ipso hydrates. In the case of the ethyl substituted hydrate only the ortho hydrate was synthesised. For R = tBu, only a small proportion of the products formed was the ipso hydrate due to Its reactivity. The ortho and ipso hydrates of toluene and cumene were both synthesised. These could not be separated and so the aromatisation kinetics were followed in situ and fitted to a double exponential equation. The aromatisation reactions were followed by UV-vis spectrophotometry in acetate and phosphate buffers at 25 С and ionic strength 0.5 M, maintained with sodium perchlorate. The second-order rate constants for aromatisation for the ortho-hydrates were determined to be for R = Me, Et, iPr, tBu and are 514, 538, 642 and 949 M (^-1)s(^-1), respectively. The second-order rate constants for aromatisation for the ipso-hydrates isolated were determined to be for R = Me and iPr are 9.81x10(^3) and 1.47 X 10(^4) (^-1)s(^-1). A number of linear free energy correlations were attempted and the best correlation was found with σ(^+), this is consistent with a reaction involving a planar carbocation with through-bond stabilisation. The p-value was determined to be -6.5. The published p- value for the cis dihydrodiols, where a better correlation with Op was reported, is -8.2(^1). The magnitude of p suggests the hydrates have an earlier transition state to carbocation formation than the diols with less positive charge build-up. The computational results show that the carbocation intermediate formed during the aromatisation reaction of the hydrates is planar whereas the carbocation intermediate generated from the diols is puckered. This corroborates the results from the kinetic analysis and also the magnitude and sign of the p-values from the Hammett correlations. When the carbocation intermediate is puckered, the through-bond stabilisation is hindered and so a poor correlation with σ(^+) is observed. The rate constant for acid-catalysed isomerisation of optically active cis-indene dihydrodiol was determined. This represents the rate constant for formation of the corresponding carbocation intermediate. The second-order rate constant for carbocation formation (k(_H)) was determined by (^1)H NMR spectroscopy in concentrated perchloric acid to be 1.11 X 10(-6) M (^-1)s(^-1). This is comparable with the second-order rate constant for carbocation formation in teri-butanol which is 1.4 X 10(^-6) M(^-1)s(^-1). The rate constant for reaction of the carbocation intermediate with water k(_H20) determined using the azide- trapping technique, is 4.99 X 10(^8) s(^-1). Combining k(_H20) with k(_H) allows the (_p)K(_R) of the indene dihydrodiol carbocation to be calculated. The (_p)K(_R) was determined to be -14.6. This is greater than the (_p)K(_R) of the indanol carbocation. The effect of the adjacent hydroxyl group counteracts the stabilising effect of the benzylic substituent.


The activities of teachers in social networks have a certain place in their personal advancement and professional progress. Studying the organization of Personal Learning Networks (PLN) could support the optimization of teachers' efficacy and productivity. For this purpose, an analysis is performed after a literature review and taking into consideration the opinion of the international educational society including teachers from Primary schools, High schools and universities. The received data shows very different PLN structures consisting of preferred and favorite social networking sites, online authoring tools, search engines, software for communication and collaboration, socially-oriented learning management systems. Most often used and very popular among teachers are the social networks Facebook and Twitter that are studied in detail in the form of friends number, reasons for adding/excluding someone from friends' list, frequency and directions for usage, influence on personal efficacy, impact on teaching practice. All gathered data and performed analysis result in a created model for social teachers' presence optimization.


A total of (100) clinical specimens from Stool were collected under aseptic condition. These specimens were collected from patients attending to Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital in Babylon province from August (2019) and March (2020). Fecal samples were collected from (100) consecutive patients, with community-acquired gastro-enteritis. Quantitative biofilm formation experiments were performed in a microtiter (biofilm assay) using Trypticase Soy Broth supplemented with (1%) glucose. This assay was repeated as triplicate to increase the accuracy of assy. According to mean of value at (63) nm the results were interpreted as none, moderate and strong biofilm former when the mean of OD value were (0.240) respectively. The results revealed that seven isolates of Citrobacter freundii isolates were biofilm former (41.2%), the strong biofilm former were account for 5/7(71.4%) while isolates that express moderate biofilm formation were 1/7(14.3%), and 1/7(14.3%) isolates that express weak biofilm formation. The (17) C. freundii isolates were tested for susceptibility to (14) antibiotics belonging to (8) antibiotic classes using the disk diffusion method according to CLSI recommendations. Most of the (17) bacterial isolates were resistant to β-lactams, especially to Penicillins (35.29%), Cephalosporins (23.52%-70.58%). Resistance to the two quinolones (Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin) tested was (11.7%). Resistance to other antibiotics included Aminoglycosides (5.88%-11.7%), Tetracyclines (17.6%), Chloramphinicol (11.7%), Trimethoprim (23.52%) and Nitrofuran (23.52%). In this study, hemolysin production by all isolates were done, it was found that none of the isolates showed a typical hemolysis pattern on 5% sheep blood agar plates. Bacterial isolateswere screened for siderophores production the results showed 16(94.1%) isolates were able to produce siderophores. Ten isolates were positive for protease production (58.8%). The prevalence of viaB, hlyA, LT, and STp related genes in the bacterial isolates were low in this study. DNA was extracted from all (17) isolates; conventional PCR was carried out using these DNA samples for the amplification of specific viaB primer; after that gel electrophoresis showed that, out of the (17) samples, only 7(41.2%) produced the specific (516) bp DNA fragment when compared with allelic ladder. A PCR survey was performed using primers hlyA to determine whether a (597) bp hlyA gene fragment could be detected in the (17) Citrobacter freundii. After that gel electrophoresis showed that, out of the (17) samples, only 1(5.9%) produced the specific (597bp) DNA fragment when compared with allelic ladder. After that gel electrophoresis to detect TA gene showed that, out of the (17) samples, 8(47.1%) Produced the specific (273bp) DNA fragment when compared with allelic ladder. Moreover, 4(23.5%) isolates produced the specific (166 bp) DNA fragment as recorded heat stable toxin gene among isolates in recent study.


One hundred and forty-seven psychology postgraduates from 60 UK universities completed an online survey. The survey aimed to examine the experiences of psychology postgraduates around teaching and to provide an initial benchmark against which future developments in their support could be measured. This report explores respondents' experiences of teaching, training and support they receive as well as how they balance the roles of teaching and research. Findings indicate that while generally the experiences of postgraduates in teaching are good, concerns are evident in relation to marking, preparation, time and dealing with difficult students. Problems with time were found often to be associated with marking and preparation. Remuneration for time spent on teaching was also an issue. Findings suggest that postgraduates could benefit from clearer and more realistic guidance. Significant differences were found between teaching tasks undertaken by respondents at pre and post 1992 institutions and postgraduates at post 1992 institutions more often exceed assigned teaching hours.


We present a system of help to the conception, creation and visualization in 3D of operation rooms in hospitals using the virtual reality. According to the type of surgery exercised, we define a better adapted solution to choose and to position surgical lights. This system can generate automatically an operating room in 3D while seizing the geometric measurements directly via a graphic interface. With a complete database, we can integrate the different elements present in the room (operating tables, surgical lights, equipment, etc.). Finally, it is possible to visualize the result via a virtual reality interface or to generate video animation via rendering.


Soil degradation and low crop productivity negatively affect the food security of smallholder farmers in West Africa. Various agricultural techniques have been developed as components of food security interventions, but their effectiveness in addressing food insecurity in part depends upon farmers' abilities to adopt these techniques. In this paper we present the results of a social network analysis that tracked the flow of information on fertilizer microdosing from our Project Research team (PRs) to Demonstration Farmers (DFs), and from DFs to other Village Farmers (VF) in the village of Koumagou B in northwest Benin. Our findings indicate that both adoption and project awareness of microdosing were low following two years of field trails. Overall, the DFs failed to spread information or promote learning over the trial period, with only 3 of 20 DFs diffusing knowledge to a significant degree (i.e., out-degree >5). After 2 years of trials, the efforts of PRs and DFs were insufficient to mobilize the network to adopt the microdosing technique.


A high-speed W -band integrated photonic transmitter is demonstrated. The presented integrated photonic transmitter is essentially developed with a near-ballistic uni-traveling-carrier photodiode integrated with a broadband front end through the flip-chip assembling technique. Technically, compared to our previous design, a W-band bandpass filter is exploited to significantly increase the transmitter IF modulation bandwidth. The demonstrated integrated photonic transmitter has a flat broad IF modulation response, as well as a broad optical-to-electrical (O-E) bandwidth. Specifically, the variation of the normalized IF modulation response, ranging from dc to around 13 GHz, is within 3 dB, and the normalized 3-dB O-E bandwidth is about 24 GHz. On the other hand, an up to 20-Gb/s high data-rate wireless transmission realized with the presented transmitter is demonstrated. The integrated photonic transmitter is expected to find applications in high-speed radio-over-fiber communications.


Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and angiogenesis effects that are useful for relieving inflammation, recovery, and protection of lung tissues in COVID-19 patients. Secretome, a secretory product of MSCs, has several advantages over MSCs. We conducted a study to investigate secretomes' effectiveness and safety profile as a treatment for severe COVID-19.  Methods: A double-blind, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted between February 2021 and July 2021 in three top COVID-19 referral hospitals in the Greater Jakarta area, Indonesia. Eligible subjects (n=40) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). The primary outcome of this study was the changes in inflammatory markers and the ratio of inflammatory to anti-inflammatory markers. The secondary outcomes of this study included clinical outcome, laboratory outcome, radiological outcome, RT-PCR result conversion, and safety profile of MSC secretome. Results: Our analysis showed that on the 14th day after placebo administration, IL-6 level in the control group was significantly increased [4.110 (2.403–12.820) at baseline to 13.320 (2.958–33.285) on the 14th day after intervention, p=0.017]. The IL-6/IL-10 ratio in the control group was significantly increased (p=0.036) on the 14th day after placebo administration. We also found that most of the subjects who received placebo had high levels of IL-6 and ferritin (p=0.043) on the seventh day after the intervention. However, we found no significant differences in inflammatory marker levels on the seventh day and 14th day after intervention between both groups. There was no adverse event reported. There were no significant differences in the laboratory outcome, radiology outcome, RT-PCR result conversion, and safety profiles between both groups. Conclusions: MSC secretome can control inflammation in patients with severe COVID-19 and has a good safety profile. MSC secretome is a promising treatment modality for severe COVID-19.


DNA can form structures other than the Watson-Crick double helix. The potential contributions to gene regulation from one such structure have been investigated by assembling a promoter capable of adopting cruciform base-pairing. Transcription from this promoter by RNA polymerase in vitro was repressed as the cruciform was extruded by increasing negative DNA supercoiling. Transcription in vivo was induced as supercoiling was relaxed by growth in conditions that inhibit DNA gyrase. A DNA conformational change is therefore capable of regulating the initiation of transcription.


Background: Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is considered a congenital condition characterized by arterial-venous connections in the absence of intermediate capillaries with circulatory and functional changes, inclusive on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics. Case: A previously healthy young man with abrupt onset of intense headache followed by incoercible vomiting and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. On admission, he was in Glasgow scale IV with respiratory gasping, signs of decerebration and anisocoric mydriasis, and right paresis. Computed tomography showed left intraparenchymal hematoma and intraventricular blood. The abnormal vessels and blood clots were removed by neurosurgery. In early postoperative phase a large cerebrospinal fluid leak developed, and was aspirated and further controlled. The patient had respiratory complications, including pulmonary infection by Pseudomonas. Conclusions: After longstanding hospitalization, he was referred to other medical institution and home care.


International studies show that literacy skills have deteriorated among Swedish students. Empirical evidence states that before being able to learn to read it is important to have phonological awareness. From this perspective, an intervention study was launched to examine whether pupils´ phonological awareness could be enhanced through the work of a special model during a limited time. The aim of the study is to investigate whether six pupils in preschool develop phonological awareness based on Bornholmsmodellen during a limited period of time. The control group was made up of the remaining pupils in the preschool class. Before and after the intervention, the pupil's phonological awareness was charted in order to draw conclusions about the results. Based on the results the conclusion is that intervention with Bornholmsmodellen for seven weeks, four times a week, 15-20 minutes each time, shows better phonological results, than regular education performed in the preschool class. Pupils in the intervention group increased not only their results individually, but also raised the result compared to the control group.


Single-cell transcriptome profiling has transformed our understanding of cellular heterogeneity. However, single-cell data with poor quality can impede proper identification of distinct cell populations and subsequent biological interpretations. In this study, we present a customized computational approach to control the quality and reduce contaminations in single-cell transcriptome profiling of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). We leverage domain knowledge and statistical methods to effectively eliminate various sources of contaminants for identification of RGC types and subtypes. We show that our end-to-end computational pipeline improves the accuracy and reliability of single-cell transcriptome profiling of RGCs and enhances the biological interpretations. To show the effectiveness of our pipeline, we use 5,994 RGCs captured from retinas of mouse using Fluidigm technology as a benchmark dataset and compare with widely used quality control tools. Further, we introduce seven candidate F-RGC subtype markers that we identified after applying our introduced pipeline on the benchmark dataset. Our customized quality control pipeline could enable retinal single RGC probing with more granularity, leading to new insights into RGC-related visual diseases and development of therapeutic approaches.


We have conducted a study analyzing motion capture data of bodily expressions of human emotions towards the goal of building a social expressive robot that interacts with and supports hospitalized children. Although modeling emotional expression (and recognition) in (by) robots in terms of discrete categories presents advantages such as ease and clarity of interpretation, our results show that this approach also poses a number of problems. The main issues relate to the loss of subtle expressions and feelings, individual features, context, and social interaction elements that are present in real life.


The case study research investigated two aspects of online learning in a further education college. It was based on two key research questions:

1. Do the teachers in the college believe that development of online learning improves the teaching and learning process?

2. What are the main barriers that the teachers in the college believe are inhibiting the development of online learning?

Through the literature review, beneficial and detrimental effects of online learning development, and barriers to successful development were identified. Through a questionnaire, the views of teachers in the further education college on these effects and barriers were sought. Teachers were also interviewed to independently identify barriers to the development of online learning. From the college data and the evidence from the literature, conclusions were drawn.

The principal conclusion is that most of the college teachers believe that online learning development can improve the teaching and learning process if the identified barriers are successfully removed. In view of the current under-use of online learning in the college, which reflects the national under-use of online learning in the secondary and further education sectors, this is a very important conclusion. It shows that teachers in the college are not using online learning because of any concerns about its detrimental effects on teaching and learning but because there are barriers preventing them using online learning.

Teachers identified a lack of time to develop online learning as the main barrier to its adoption. Teachers also believe that staff development, focusing on the use of online learning to teach their own subjects, is critical. Poor access to online learning hardware was also identified as a significant barrier by the teachers, who agree that learning would improve if learning opportunities, including online, and resources were gathered together in curriculum-focused centres, supported by an adequate number of technicians. An inexperienced learner will, the teachers believe, need support as online learning requires students to acquire learning skills instead of passively learning in classrooms. In particular, students will need to acquire new skills to be able to locate, select, assess and convert information from online sources into relevant knowledge and understanding. Teachers will need to support students in this process. They will also need to be gatekeepers of the quality and relevance of online information accessed by students. Actions to remove the barriers are proposed. Further research on whether online learning improves student achievement is suggested.


This paper proposes a new fuzzy approach for automatic segmentation of normal and pathological brain MRI volumetric data sets. MRI is generally useful for brain tumor deduction because it provide more detailed information about its type, position, size. Brain tumor segmentation is the separation of different tumor tissues from normal brain tissue. In automatic brain segmentation MRI is a sophisticated tool for medical imaging. Fuzzy is used to segment all the tissues at the same time, and FCM algorithm is used to speed up tumor performances under and noisy and provide better accuracy and fast response. The result obtain from different segmentation by using fuzzy algorithm and comparing normal and pathological brain by automatic segmentation method.


As turbomachinery and mechanical equipment health deteriorate, performance decreases, throughput is reduced, and unplanned shutdowns are possible. When operators have visibility to the performance of these high stakes assets, they can make process adjustments and reduce process disruptions. Real-time integration of machinery information in the DeltaVTM system delivers actionable information to operations staff and protects the condition of critical machinery assets.


Staphylococcus intermedius is known primarily for its role as a commensal and pathogen in dogs and a variety of other animals. It has also been reported as a cause of human infection in a limited number of cases. Here, we report a case of S. intermedius wound infection in a 47-year-old woman with postradiation skin changes. Transmission oc- curred most likely through direct skin contact with her pet dog. This case highlights the possibility of pet-transmitted infections in predisposed patients and should raise awareness of possibly drug-resistant pathogens in animal reservoirs.


This paper 1 is divided along two major discussion points. In the first part of this paper, an overview is presented on the abuse of legal products such as alcohol, tobacco and over the counter drugs. It discusses the prevalence of drug or substance abuse in the country. It then assesses some of the impacts of this abuse on the society as a whole. It concludes this section of the paper by looking at, and assessing, some of the mechanisms that have been introduced in this country to minimize the impact of this kind of abuse. The second part of the paper discusses the prevalence of illegal drugs. In the case of both sections, that on substance abuse as well as the use of illegal drugs, the paper attempts to disaggregate the available statistics according to the ethnic groups in the society. In disaggregating the limited statistics, though, what is evident is that more persons of East Indian descent are prone to substance abuse, while the use of illegal drugs is more prevalent among the African-descended population. The paper offers some partial explanations for the variations in use with respect to substance abuse and illegal drugs by the various segments of the society. The paper also briefly examines the mechanisms that have been introduced by the state to minimize illegal drug use and concludes with an assessment of the various mechanisms.


Dooley et al. (2003) have argued that today's international financial system has structural similarities with the earlier Bretton Woods (1946 – 71) arrangements and is stable. This paper argues that the comparison is misplaced and ignores fundamental microeconomic differences, and that today's system is also vulnerable to a crash. Eichengreen (2004) and Goldstein and Lardy (2005) have also argued that the system is unsustainable. However, their focus is the sustainability of financing to cover the U.S. trade deficit, whereas the current paper focuses on inadequacies on the system's demand side. The paper concludes with suggestions for a global system of managed exchange rates that should replace the current system – hopefully, before it crashes.


Lawyers can be exposed to cases involving traumatic elements of crimes. Such exposure may result in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have adverse effects on the lawyers' capacities to work. A scoping review was conducted to summarize original investigations of work-related PTSD among lawyers in terms of (a) trauma exposure conceptualization and operationalization, (b) symptom severity, (c) prevalence, and (d) risk factors. The scoping review also aimed to highlight potential directions for future studies and clinical implications. Literature searches were conducted in PsycINFO, Embase, Pubmed, MEDLINE, PILOTS, and Google Scholar. Of 341 initial publications, 9 were included. A majority conceptualized the impact of work-related trauma exposure as secondary traumatic stress and operationalized work-related trauma exposure as the number of cases or clients involving traumatic material. Levels of PTSD symptoms reported by lawyers were positively related to levels of work-related trauma exposure.


Classification of the main types of insect in‐flight kinematics is proposed here, based on comparative data of wing movement during flapping flight. By comparing the described kinematic patterns with the results of studies of the vortex‐wake structures of flying insects, these patterns can be explained as adaptations for overcoming the negative effects of mutual deceleration of fore‐ and hind wing starting vortex bubbles, which take place in insects with the most primitive type of wing kinematics. The aerodynamic efficiency of the flying system can be decreased if natural selection favors behavioral patterns that involve suboptimal wing kinematics.


The development of ossification centres in the squamous portion of the human occipital bone is described on the basis of anomalies observed in a large series of skulls. The interparietal part develops from three pairs of centres in membrane--one pair for the lateral plates, one pair for the central piece, and the third pair representing the pre-interparietals. The supraoccipital part develops from five centres in cartilage--two centres for each lateral segment and a single centre for the central segment. The supraoccipital part extends from the posterior margin of the posterior condylar fossae to about 2 cm above the external occipital protuberance and about 0.4 cm above the superior nuchal line near the lambdoid suture.


Network-based anomaly intrusion detection systems using artificial neural networks are investigated. From knowledge of only normal traffic data, a mathematical model describing normal traffic is constructed and a test is conducted based on the deviations from the mathematical model. A self-organizing map (SOM) structure is used for constructing the mathematical model describing normal traffic and anomaly detection. The SOM structure preserves topological mappings between representations. A feature which is desired when classifying normal or intrusive behavior for network data, our hypothesis is that normal traffic representing normal behavior would be clustered around one or more cluster centers and any irregular traffic representing abnormal, and possibly suspicious, behavior would be clustered outside of the normal clustering or inside with high quantization error. The SOM is trained with normal traffic data and by considering the best matching unit or clustering region and the quantization error, the type of traffic is determined.


Strains of a new species of rapidly growing, nonphotochromogenic mycobacteria, Mycobacterium brumae, have been isolated from water, soil, and human sputum samples in Barcelona, Spain. The inclusion of this organism in the genus Mycobacterium is based on its acid-alcohol fastness, its DNA G+C content, its mycolate pattern, and its mycolate pyrolysis esters. A study of 11 strains showed that they form a homogeneous group with an internal phenotypic similarity value of 94.9 ± 3.79%. The results of a comparison with 39 other mycobacterial species and subspecies are also presented. DNA relatedness studies showed that the M. brumae strains studied form a single DNA hybridization group which is less than 30% related to 15 other species of the genus Mycobacterium. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis showed that only α-mycolates are present. Unlike Mycobacterium fallax and Mycobacterium triviale α-mycolates, M. brumae α-mycolates release only 22-carbon atom esters after pyrolysis. Strain CR-270 is the type strain; a culture of this strain has been deposited in the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes de I'Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, as strain CIP 103465.


Universal Lax pairs (the root type and the minimal type) are presented for CalogeroMoser models based on simply laced root systems, including E8. They exist with and without spectral parameters and they work for all of the four choices of potentials: the rational, trigonometric, hyperbolic and elliptic. For the elliptic potential, the discrete symmetries of the simply laced models, originating from the automorphism of the extended Dynkin diagrams, are combined with the periodicity of the potential to derive a class of CalogeroMoser models known as the 'twisted non-simply laced models'. For untwisted non-simply laced models, two kinds of root type Lax pairs (based on long roots and short roots) are derived which contain independent coupling constants for the long and short roots. The BCn model contains three independent couplings, for the long, middle and short roots. The G2 model based on long roots exhibits a new feature which deserves further study.


In the past 20 years, cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (CAPs) have become a new promising way for many biomedical applications, such as disinfection, cancer treatment, root canal treatment, wound healing, and other medical applications. Among these applications, investigations of plasma for skin wound healing has gained huge success both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and also the mechanism behind it has been studied by many groups. In this chapter, we summarize the state-of-the-art progress in wound healing by CAPs. The plasma devices developed for wound healing, the interactions between plasmas and microorganisms/cells/tissues, the in vitro and in vivo treatments, the clinical trials, and biosafety issues are all included.


The involvement of phospholipids into the function of the hormonoreactive system realizing the catecholamine action on the skeletal muscle metabolism was studied at different stages of chicken ontogenetic development. The phospholipase "D" treatment of the chicken muscle homogenate removed the epinephrine activating effect on phosphorylase. Phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol not only completely restore the epinephrine responsiveness of this system but also slightly intensify it. The cAMP and Ca2+ effects on muscle phosphorylase are also removed after the phospholipase "D" treatment. But they are not restored by phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol. It is shown that these membrane phospholipids do not accelerate the origination of catecholamine reactivity of the above-mentioned hormonecompetent system in the process of embryonic development.


ABS TRACT Liposarcoma is a common soft tissue malignant tumor, although it is rare in the head and neck region. In particular, there have been only a few cases of liposarcoma arising in the retropharyngeal space. Those tumors cause special diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. In this case, a well-differentiated liposarcoma of the retropharyngeal space in a 51-year-old woman is re ported. The tumor continued to grow slowly over a period of four years. We were unable to make a proper diagnosis of this tumor prior to surgery although the radiographic findings resembled the tumors containing fatty component. In the present case, total excision of the tumor with free mar gins was performed. Although surgical excision with a wide margin is appropriate, it was difficult to resect the tumor completely. Herein, recommendations for earlier and correct diagnosis and treatment of this neoplasm are discussed with a review of the literature.


DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/72-05 Publication date: March 31 st 2020 1. Introduction Growth monitoring is one of the services offered in Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) Clinics in health facilities encompassing routine check-ups by health workers to examine whether a child is growing as expected. Other services provided in these clinics are not limited to; vitamin A supplementation, immunization, health education and counselling, minor ailment treatment, screening for nutritional and medical conditions for management and defaulter tracing and follow-ups (Debuo et al. 2017). Measuring the weight and length of children monthly reflects their growth pattern which is compared against WHO's growth standards to ascertain whether a child is growing consistently, showing a growth concern or trending towards a growth problem that need to be addressed. A study conducted in Southern Ethiopia found out that 53 % of the caregivers had poor knowledge on growth monitoring (Daniel et al. 2017). Majority of them said they did not know what a growth chart entailed nor did they know how to interpret growth curves (Daniel et al. 2017). A study conducted in Ghana revealed that more than 40% of the caregivers lacked good knowledge on routine growth monitoring. This study found out that more than 30% of the caregivers did not understand the meaning of routine growth monitoring and only 18.7% of them were able to interpret the normal, static, upward and decline growth curves (Debuo et al. 2017). A study in Zambia established that majority (92%) of the caregivers of children aged between 0-59 months had knowledge on the importance of growth monitoring (Banda, 2012). Caregivers of children aged between 12-23 months in Zambia and Ethiopia were reported to have poor knowledge on feeding practices (Bilal et al. 2014, Banda, 2012). Daniel et al. (2014), Elana et al. (2009) and Roberfroid et al. (2005) found out that more than half of the caregivers were unable to understand and interpret the growth charts. Low comprehension on growth charts implies that healthcare providers do not educate caregivers using the growth chart (Gyampoh, 2012).


Strong deterioration in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a major concern in a sub-group of long-term oesophageal cancer survivors. This study aimed to identify potential clustering of patients and tumour variables that predicts such deterioration. Patient and tumour variables were collected in a prospective cohort of patients who underwent surgery for oesophageal cancer in Sweden 2001–2005. Latent cluster analysis identified statistically significant clustering of these variables. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, BMI, tumour stage and marital status was used to determine odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between patient profiles and HRQOL at 3 and 5 years from surgery. Among 155 included patients at 3 years, three patient profiles were identified: 1) 'reference profile' (males, younger age, employed, upper secondary education, co-habitating, urban dwellers, adenocarcinoma and advanced tumour stage) (n = 47;30%), 2) 'adenocarcinoma profile' (middle age, unemployed/retired, males, low education, co-habitating, adenocarcinoma, advanced tumour stage, tumour in lower oesophagus/cardia, and co-morbidities (n = 79;51%), and 3) 'squamous-cell carcinoma profile' (unemployed/retired, middle-age, males, low BMI, urban dwellers, squamous-cell carcinoma, tumour in upper/middle oesophagus (n = 29;19%). These profiles did not differ regarding most HRQOL measures. Exceptions were the squamous-cell carcinoma profile, reporting more constipation (OR = 5.69; 95%CI: 1.34–24.28) and trouble swallowing saliva (OR = 4.87; 95%CI: 1.04–22.78) and the adenocarcinoma profile reporting more dyspnoea (OR = 2.60; 95%CI: 1.00–6.77) and constipation (OR = 3.31; 95%CI: 1.00–10.97) compared to the reference profile. Three distinct patient profiles were identified but these could not explain the substantial deterioration in HRQOL observed in the sub-sample of survivors.


'The Study of Race* S. L. WASHBURN University of California, Berkele)' HE address of T race, Executive Board has asked me to give my agreed to on do the subject not and, reluctantly and diffidently, I have so. I am a specialist on this subject. I have never done research on race, but I have taught it for a number of years. Discussion of the races of man seems to generate endless emotion and con fusion. I am under no illusion that this paper can do much to dispel the con fusion; it may add to the emotion. The latest information available supports the traditional findings of anthropologists and other social scientists-that there is no scientific basis of any kind for racial discrimination. I think that the way this conclusion has been reached needs to be restated. The continua tionof antiquated biological notions in anthropology and the oversimplification of facts weakens the anthropological position. We must realize that great changes have taken place in the study of race over the last 20 years and it is up to us to bring our profession into the forefront of the newer understandings, so that our statements will be authoritative and useful. This paper will be concerned with three topics-the modern concept of race, the interpretation of racial differences, and the social significances of race. And, again, I have no illusion that these things can be treated briefly; I shall merely say a few things which are on my mind and which you may amplify by turning to the literature, and especially to Dobzhansky's book, Mankind Evolving. This book states the relations between culture and genetics in a way which is useful to social scientists. In my opinion it is a great book which puts the interrelations of biology and culture in proper perspective and avoids the oversimplifications which come from overemphasis on either one alone. The races of man are the result of human evolution, of the evolution of our species. The races are open parts of the species, and the species is a closed system. If we look, then, upon long-term human evolution, our first problem must be the species and the things which have caused the evolution of all mankind, not the races, which are the results of local forces and which are minor in terms of the evolution of the whole species. (A contrary view has recently been expressed by Coon in The Origin of Races. I think that great antiquity of human races is supported neither by the record nor by evolution ary theory.) The evolution of races is due, according to modern genetics, to mutation, selection, migration, and genetic drift. It is easy to shift from this statement of genetic theory to complications of hemoglobin, blood groups or other technical information. But the point I want to stress is that the primary implication • Delivered as the Presidential address at the Annual Meeting of the American Anthropo logical Association, November 16, 1962, in Chicago.


Objective: To analyze the prevalence of pressure injury in bedridden patients, hospitalized in a public hospital.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Teresina, state of Piaui. The sample consisted of 27 bedridden patients, with pressure injuries.
Results: The injury prevalence was 31,4%. From the 27 patients studied, 59.3% were elderly, 77.8% were male, 48.1% had circulatory system diseases, 22.2% had respiratory system diseases and 59.3% of the pressure injuries were located in the sacral region.
Conclusion: The prevalence of pressure injury was high among bedridden patients, which shows the need of preventive measures, such as protocol implantation, use of scale of risk assessment, appropriate supporting surface, repositioning in bed, adequacy of dressings and instructions for patient discharge.
Keywords: Pressure ulcer. Prevalence. Nursing.


Experiencing and the significance of menstruation could possibly be a decisive factor in your physiology or pathologic physiology, in accordance with blood flow disturbance or endometriosis. Menstruation is a systemic, characteristic experience. Evolution, family, culture, community, media, health service and even the economy have an influence on the "period system". Damage and use, sense and the nonsensical of regular bleeding stand to the test. The cycle comes under increasing "pressure" and is no longer in "rhythm". Counter regulation, through regulation of the period seems to prevent the personal, community and health-wise restrictions. The price for this is unknown. Clearly, there is no longer a path between a natural, relaxed acceptance of and an artificial abolition of blood flow. The question of direction is posed in the menarche. This question remains unanswered even in our time.


From the first day the American Embassy was invaded and its diplomatic staff was seized as hostages by Iran, the United States of America has pursued every legal channel in order to resolve this crisis by peaceful means. Its efforts started with the immediate dispatch of Mr. Ramsey Clark on a mission to negotiate with the government of Iran and were continued in the United Nations through the Secretary General, the Security Council, the U.N. Commission of Inquiry and the World Court. Though one can say that all disputes may theoretically be capable of settlement according to rules of law, it should also be said, as a matter of fact, that international law often has only limited relevance to disputes arising among States. This is so because international legal rules operate within a system which has no general scheme of sanctions and no central organ for the enforcement of international legal rights. States have traditionally utilized coercitive measures short of war in attempting to prevail in disputes with other States. Does this authorize a State to intervene by the use of force for the protection of its nationals abroad ? Even though, from the standpoint of morality, the abortive U.S. rescue operation in Iran may have had sound justifications, any legal justifications that could be put up had to give way before the principle of territorial sovereignty.


Unlike traveltime inversion, waveform inversion provides relatively higher-resolution inverted models. This feature, however, comes at the cost of introducing complex nonlinearity to the inversion operator complicating the convergence process. We use unwrapped-phase-based objective functions to reduce such nonlinearity in a domain in which the high-frequency component is given by the traveltime inversion. Such information is packaged in a frequency-dependent attribute (or traveltime) that can be easily manipulated at different frequencies. It unwraps the phase of the wavefield yielding far less nonlinearity in the objective function than those experienced with the conventional misfit objective function, and yet it still holds most of the critical waveform information in its frequency dependency. However, it suffers from nonlinearity introduced by the model (or reflectivity), as events interact with each other (something like cross talk). This stems from the sinusoidal nature of the band-limited reflectivity model. Unwrapping the phase for such a model can mitigate this nonlinearity as well. Specifically, a simple modification to the inverted domain (or model), can reduce the effect of the model-induced nonlinearity and, thus, make the inversion more convergent. Simple examples are used to highlight such features.


Introduction: Prosocial behaviors expand participation in society; therefore, these behaviors provide objective conditions for increasing social friendship and reducing the social exclusion. Thus, promoting these behaviors leads to increasing social capital in the community. The purpose of this study was to see the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy to improve prosocial behavior of high school female students in city of Yazd. Methods: The semi experimental design with pre-test/post-test with control group was used. Then 26 subjects were randomly assigned to two equal-sized experimental and control groups. The data was collected through Prosocial Tendencies Measure Revised 2002. The experimental group participated in eight sessions of cognitive behavioral group therapy for improving prosocial behavior. Data was analyzed by analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that there was significant difference between mean scores of experimental and control groups at post-test. It is concluded that cognitive behavioral group therapy can increase the prosocial behaviors among high school female students. Conclusions: The cognitive behavioral group therapy, raises the prosocial behaviors significantly, therefore it can be considered to desirable model for improving these behaviors. Please cite this article as follows: Behzadmanesh S,Javadian S and Zarei Mahmodabadi H. Survey the effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy to improve prosocial behavior of high school female sudents in city of Yazd. Quarterly journal of social work. 2016; 5 (3); 31-40 D ow nl oa de d fr om s oc ia lw or km ag .ir a t 2 0: 02 + 04 30 o n T ue sd ay J ul y 21 st 2 02 0


This paper presents Power Line Communication (PLC) technology as an efficient means of knowledge sharing among corporate organizations in the power industry. The study considered power system organisational relationship in the conceptual view of knowledge management (KM). National grid system is underutilised in the view of organisational applications in communication system. A designed process could be initiated to address the gap of underutilisation of PLC technology. The integration of PLC technology in Nigeria could unified disjointed knowledge and promote professional efficacies in power system. The study heighted possible challenges and strength of incorporating Power Line Communication (PLC) into the existing power grid in Nigeria.


. Natural dynamics in the boreal forest is influenced by disturbances. Fire recurrence affects community development and landscape diversity. Forest development was studied in the northeastern boreal forest of Quebec. The objective was to describe succession following fire and to assess the factors related to the changes in forest composition and structure. The study area is located in northeastern Quebec, 50 km north of Baie-Comeau. We used the forest inventory data gathered by the Ministere des Ressources naturelles du Quebec (MRNQ). In circular plots of 400 m2, the diameter at breast height (DBH) of all stems of tree species greater than 10 cm was recorded and in 40 m2 subplots, stems smaller than 10 cm were measured. A total of 380 plots were sampled in an area of 6000 km2. The fire history reconstruction was done based on historical maps, old aerial photographs and field sampling. A time-since-fire class, a deposit type, slope, slope aspect and altitude were attributed to each plot. Each plot was also described according to species richness and size structure characteristics. Traces of recent disturbance were also recorded in each plot. Changes in forest composition were described using ordination analyses (NMDS and CCA) and correlated with the explanatory variables. Two successional pathways were observed in the area and characterized by the early dominance of intolerant hardwood species or Picea mariana. With time elapsed since the last fire, composition converged towards either Picea mariana, Abies balsamea or a mixture of both species and the size structure of the coniferous dominated stands got more irregular. The environmental conditions varied between stands and explained part of the variability in composition. Their effect tended to decrease with increasing time elapsed since fire, as canopy composition was getting more similar. Gaps may be important to control forest dynamics in old successional communities.


Aiming at the fact of lower efficiency and higher time cost for feature matching in aircraft surface texture mapping process, a novel mismatch removal method based on Gaussian mixture model is proposed to increase correct corresponding feature matching point pairs. The detection and initial point sets for corresponding pairs are carried out, and a vector field is interpolated between the two matching of ORB feature points. The Gaussian mixture model(GMM) is introduced and a prior is taken to force the smoothness of the field, which is based on the Tikhonov regularization in vector-valued reproducing kernel Hilbert space(RKHS). In order to obtain the optimal estimation, the MAP solution of a Bayesian model with latent variables, which could be performed by Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm, is utilized to determine the correct correspondence. The experimental results show that the algorithm could remove mismatches effectively and the classification for feature points is excellent. The calculation time is greatly reduced, which enhanced real-time performance of aircraft surface texture mapping process.


: Light-chain amyloidosis is a relatively rare multisystem disorder. The disease often is normally difficult to diagnose due to its broad range of characters without specific symptoms. A 62-year-old male patient presented with heart failure after experiencing a long period of unexplained and untreated gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical examination and laboratory findings indicated a systemic process with cardiac involvement. Echocardiography revealed concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with enhanced echogenicity and preserved ejection fraction. Rectum biopsy confirmed amyloid deposition. The side effect of delayed diagnosis on prognosis and the appropriate diagnostic strategy has been discussed.


This paper applies, through a case study on Malawi, a simple methodology indicating the first-round (i.e., price) effects of macroeconomic policies on real earnings of the poor. As the economic program in Malawi has not involved substantial exchange rate action or cuts in subsidies, the real incomes of the poor have been most clearly affected by the pricing policies of the agricultural parastatal and the overall anti-inflationary measures incorporated in the program; developments in minimum wages have also been important. The study suggests that, on balance, these various factors have led to an increase in real incomes of the poor over the program period.


After May 1998, Indonesia began the transition from centralization to the era of autonomy. During 32 years, Soeharto's New Order regime (1966-1998) demonstrated authoritarian regime in many sectors, like politics, economics, social, especially in education. The political freedom of the Reform era has opened up an opportunity for the revival of social movements in Indonesia. Reform has enabled more open political structure, including a friendlier political atmosphere for the teacher movement. The purpose of this research is to explain how teacher movement in Indonesia made transformation from authoritarian which close movement to liberal with open movement. In New Order regime with authoritarian performance, Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia (Teacher Union in Indonesia) is as the single actor. The paper discussed three main aspects: (1) the explanation of the emerging of teacher movements in the process of democratic citizenship (2) the dynamics of teacher movement in developing teacher capacity in era of decentralization of Indonesia (3) the relations of teacher movement between the civil societies in era of decentralization. The teacher movement influences Indonesia's democratization process. Teacher movement has contributed substantially in increasing participation and democracy in Indonesia, building the legal and institutional infrastructure for democracy, and providing voice and educational advocacy in supporting the reform.


A disease-causing mutation changes the ligand response profile of the ACVR1 receptor, turning an antagonistic response to a ligand into an activating response. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare, but deadly, genetic condition that causes growth of bony structures in place of normally soft tissues, such as muscle and ligaments. The causal mutation occurs in the gene encoding the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor ACVR1. BMP2 is the natural ligand that activates ACVR1, and activin blocks binding of BMP2 to ACVR1, thereby functioning as an antagonist of this receptor. Hatsell et al. suggest that, instead of activating the receptor, the mutated receptor acquires the ability to respond to activin. When expressed in cultured cells, the mutated ACVR1 responded to activin and BMP, its natural ligand. Expression of the mutated gene in adult mice (to avoid its perinatal lethal effects), the animals developed heterotopic ossification, as occurs in FOP, and this pathological ossification required stimulation by the endogenous ligand activin. Small sponges soaked with activin ossified after they were implanted into the animals. Animals expressing the mutated receptor that were treated with a monoclonal antibody to activin A did not show heterotopic ossification. This mutation-induced change in ligand specificity may explain why the ossification in FOP patients is triggered by injury or trauma to tissues—situations that induce high concentrations of activin. S. J. Hatsell, V. Idone, D. M. A. Wolken, L. Huang, H. J. Kim, L. Wang, X. Wen, K. C. Nannuru, J. Jimenez, L. Xie, N. Das, G. Makhoul, R. Chernomorsky, D. D'Ambrosio, R. A. Corpina, C. J. Schoenherr, K. Feeley, P. B. Yu, G. D. Yancopoulos, A. J. Murphy, A. N. Economides, ACVR1R206H receptor mutation causes fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva by imparting responsiveness to activin A. Sci. Transl. Med. 7, 303ra137 (2015). [Abstract]


A cross-over study was done with 19 male and 23 female volunteers living in a monastery and a convent, respectively. The effect of a fat gish (mackerel) diet on the blood serum lipid composition was studied. As the normal diet of these volunteers was of the lacto-ovo-vegetarian type, a control diet in which the fish was replaced by full-fat cheese was used. Subjects consuming the fish diet had a daily uptake of polyunsaturated acids of the omega3 family of about 8 g; comparable amounts of linoleic acid were ingested with both diets. Both diets were consumed for a period of 3 weeks. Serum cholesterol was slightly but significantly (7.5%) lower and serum triglycerides considerably lower (35%) on the fish diet, whereas high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased slightly. Lipoprotein analysis showed a strong very low density lipoprotein decrease by the fish diet while, in the men, both low and high density lipoproteins increased. The fatty acid composition of serum lipids showed considerable differences; C20:5omega3 increased in all fractions and C22:6omega3 was found in the triglycerides and the phospholipids, but not in the sterol esters. These increases occurred chiefly at the expense of C18:1omega9 and, in particular, C18:2omega6, which indicates a replacement of omega6 by omega3 acids. Long-chain monoenoic acids which are abundant in the mackerel were not detected in any serum lipid fraction.


Enrichment of volatile organic compounds(VOC) and semi-volatility organic compounds(SVOC) in surface microlayer(SM) of three drinking water sources were studied. The enrichment factor(EFs) were 0.67 to 13.37 and 0.16 to 136, respectively. The results showed some VOC and most SVOC could enrich in SM. Some EFs of SVOC was quite high. Suspension and temperature could affect EFs of SVOC, slim wind and water movement do not destroy enrichment of organic in SM.


Sarcoidosis occurring in patients with AIDS is rare. This infrequent association has been attributed to the impairment of the immune system that may interfere with the granuloma formation in HIV infected patients. However, the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has brought about a substantial and sustained increase in CD4+ T lymphocyte cells, and has consequently led to the development of the so called "immune restoration disease". The case of an HIV infected man who developed sarcoidosis after the initiation of HAART is described. Skin nodule images and histological specimens are reported. The association between sarcoidosis and HIV infection is also reviewed.


In the thesis 'E-Hub, Charging Station of the Future' a scalable and futureproof
charging system is designed that is able to charge multiple cars from
a central system and can be implemented in different contexts. During the
design process, the conducted analyses and tests have led to several design
consequences and proposals for the E-Hub. Several concrete solutions are
provided, as well as multiple advises or proposals that provide a solution
direction for the E-Hub.
A general analysis is provided on the most relevant topics regarding
the charging infrastructure and mobility. Several stakeholders should be closely
monitored and kept informed, such as distribution network operators and
energy providers. Driving patterns will change due to the growing car sharing
services and cost awareness of driving an electric vehicle will increase among
users. Furthermore, several important standards and future technologies are
analyzed that are relevant for the E-Hub. Connecting charging stations to
smart grids and a future transition to inductive (wireless) charging prove to be
relevant innovations in the future. Taking the changes on user-level as well as
technological level into account will result in several design consequences,
such as increased communication and interaction between users and charging
infrastructure and the optional energy buffer that could reduce peak loads on
the grid by using renewable energy.
A system architecture is created that defines the main subsystems
of the E-Hub, which include the central console, the connection points, the
user interface and an optional energy buffer. Furthermore, the Open Smart
Charging Protocol and Open Charge Point Protocol are required to enable the
E-Hub to communicate between different parties and enable smart charging.
Together with the literature studies, several user tests have gained insights in the
solution directions for the E-Hub. Based on these analyses, a set of solutions is
created that can be combined to create a viable and operable system.
By presenting three different combinations of solutions, concepts
are generated and visualized. The concepts are evaluated by looking at the
concept decision criteria based on the key drivers of the E-Hub. Subsequently,
the three concepts are combined to create a final concept that combines the
most ideal solutions. Several important decisions made, include the decision to
make the implementation of photo-voltaic panels as well as an energy buffer location dependent. Furthermore, an intelligent pricing system will ensure that
users provide accurate data to the E-Hub on their planned return time and the
required battery level.
In the concept development phase, it is chosen to create a more
specific solution for a smart parking system, which aims to make parking
allocation of both electric and non-electric vehicles more efficient and removes
the amount of connection points as a constraint for the availability of charging
bays. An important design consequence is the need for a vehicle identification
system, which can be accomplished by using SENSIT IR sensors. In order to
make the system future-proof, a set of requirements is provided that defines the
most important design choices that are necessary for a transition to inductive
charging. Furthermore, based on additional research, it is chosen to use a
three-phase power supply for all charging points. A proposal is presented for
a user-friendly mobile application, as well as a set of instructions that can be
implemented in connection points in a user-friendly way. At last, the physical
design is presented that highlights the adaptability, visibility and availability of
the system and gives a visual representation of all the design consequences
that are necessary to create a viable and efficient charging solution.


A good communication within the family is the basis for the primary prevention of discomfort and deviance. With the aim of prevention of the frequent acts of violence within the family, the present article responds to the request of behavioural guidelines in schools, families, communities, and other pedagogical settings. Thus, the delicate issue of self-esteem in adolescents, the dysfunctional parental behaviour and the symptoms of discomfort of the teenagers are discussed. Besides the behavioural strategies for parents, the hot topic of alcohol abuse, which is cause of a significant number of car accidents, is briefly mentioned.


Background: Inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) plays a role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, cell invasion and migration, but the mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. Objective: To explore how ING4 affects human malignant melanoma A375 cells. Methods: Recombinant lentiviral vectors (A375/pLenO-GTP-ING4) were constructed and transfected into A375 cells (experimental group). The impact of ING4 on the proliferation and apoptosis of A375 cells was investigated in in vitro and in vivo experiments in mice using the MTT assay and flow cytometry. Results: In the experimental group, optical density was lower and apoptotic cells were more frequent from days 2-5 (p = 0.000 and p < 0.01); there were smaller xenografts and more apoptotic cells in mice (all p < 0.05); moreover, increased levels of Fas, cleaved caspase-8 and caspase-3, and decreased levels of FasL and procyclic acidic repetitive protein were observed in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: ING4 might suppress proliferation and enhance apoptosis in human malignant melanoma cells by activating Fas-induced apoptosis in a caspase-8-dependent pathway.


Aim: A relationship between air pollution and increased intima-media thickness (IMT) has been recently reported, but its etiology is not yet well understood. We aimed to determine whether exposure to exhaust particles, which are important air pollutants, is associated with increased serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels and whether elevated Hcy levels are associated with increased IMT. Materials and Methods: Serum Hcy levels were measured by fluorometric high performance liquid chromatography in 65 male highway toll collectors (HTCs) and 43 healthy male volunteers. IMT was measured with Doppler sonography by an experienced radiologist. Results: Serum Hcy levels (14.5 ± 4.9 mmol/L, P < 0.005) and IMT (0.757 ± 0.18 mm, P < 0.001) were higher in the HTC group than in controls (12.0 ± 2.8 mmol/L and 0.612 ± 0.11 mm, respectively). A positive correlation was found between Hcy level and IMT both in the HTC group (r = 0.36; P < 0.005) and in the control group (r = 0.36; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Exposure to exhaust particles may cause an increase in oxidative stress because of an increase in serum Hcy levels, which consequently may lead to an increase in IMT. Nevertheless, further studies on the subject are needed before drawing a firm conclusion.


Two experiments examined the effects of answering a question about a specific component of life satisfaction on respondents' assessment of their overall satisfaction with life. The results suggest that the use of primed information in forming subsequent judgments is determined by Grice's conversational norms. In general, answering the specific question increases the accessibility of information relevant to that question. However, the effect that this has on the general judgment depends on the way in which the two questions are presented. When the two questions are merely placed in sequence without a conversational context, the answer to the subsequent general question is based in part on the primed specific information. As a result, the answer to the general question becomes similar to that for the specific question (i.e. assimilation). However, this does not occur when the two questions are placed in a communication context. Conversational rules dictate that communicators should be informative and should avoid redundancy in their answers. Therefore, when a specific and a general question are perceived as belonging to the same conversational context, the information on which the answer to the specific question was based is disregarded when answering the general one. This attenuates the assimilation effect. The conditions under which these different processes occur are identified and experimentally manipulated, and the implications of these findings for models of information use in judgment are discussed.


OBJECTIVES The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the analgesic effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for abdominal surgery. METHODS Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang, and the Cochrane Library, were conducted to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to March 2018. RCTs investigating the impact of adding DEX to local anesthetics for TAP blocks were included in this analysis. Pain scores (at rest and movement), opioid consumption, the duration of the TAP block and the common adverse effects were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty published trials including 1212 patients met the inclusion criteria. The addition of DEX significantly reduced pain scores 8 hours postoperatively at rest (WMD, -0.78; 95% CI, -1.27 to -0.30; P=0.001), 4 hours postoperatively on movement (WMD, -1.13; 95% CI, -1.65 to -0.60; P<0.001), and opioid consumption (WMD, -13.71; 95% CI, -17.83 to -9.60; P<0.001) when compared with control group. Furthermore, perineural DEX significantly prolonged the duration of the TAP block (WMD, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.85 to 3.82; P<0.001). It did not affect the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, somnolence, or pruritus. CONCLUSIONS DEX is a potential anesthetic adjuvant that can facilitate better postoperative analgesia, reduce postoperative analgesic requirements, and prolong the local anesthetic effect when administered in TAP blocks.


The main objective this article is to evaluate the elements/concepts/arts belonging to  Anatolia as a deconstruction problem in re-thinking the basic design education and in the  development of the basic design teaching methodology. Within this scope; Basic Design  Course handled in a wide frame has been re-fictionalized with the theme of "Basic Design  Anatolia" in different years during the period. Karadeniz Technical University (KTU)  Department of Architecture Studio of Basic Design shows existence with the period themes  and fictions renewing and changing itself every year in the light of the search continuing in  the areas of philosophy, art and science. The fictions discussing the phenomenon of Basic  Design with different intellectual and meaning dimensions and with changing example and  expression ways have aimed to form a representation language using the authentic values  of Anatolian art by taking a position with cultural target within the frame of "Basic Design  Anatolia" upper theme in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 Fall terms. In conclusion, hhis article  using the Anatolian art as a tool and the deconstruction as a method brought the quartet of  Repetition/Symmetry/Harmony/Contrast into question and showed that the students may  produce the examples which may yield more unique results by means of binary oppositions  given.


Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT) are imaging methods that have been gaining more popularity due to their ease of use and non-ivasiveness. EIT and DOT can potentially be used as alternatives to traditional imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, to reduce the damaging effects of radiation on tissue. The process of imaging using either EIT or DOT involves measuring the ability for tissue to impede electrical flow or absorb light, respectively. For EIT, the inner distribution of resistivity, which corresponds to different resistivity properties of different tissues, is estimated from the voltage potentials measured on the boundary of the object being imaged. In DOT, the optical properties of the tissue, mainly scattering and absorption, are estimated by measuring the light on the boundary of the tissue illuminated by a near-infrared source at the tissue's surface. In this dissertation, we investigate a direct method for solving the EIT inverse problem using mollifier regularization, which is then modified and extended to solve the inverse problem in DOT. First, the mollifier method is formulated and then its efficacy is verified by developing an appropriate algorithm. For EIT and DOT, a comprehenii sive numerical and computational comparison, using several types of regularization techniques ranging from analytical to iterative to statistical method, is performed. Based on the comparative results using the aforementioned regularization methods, a novel hybrid method combining the deterministic (mollifier and iterative) and statistical (iterative and statistical) is proposed. The efficacy of the proposed method is then further investigated via simulations and using experimental data for damage detection in concrete.


A variety of thiol compounds inhibited the enzymatic bis-oxygenation of 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid to prostaglandin G1, as examined with a purified preparation of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase (prostaglandin synthase; 8,11,14-eicosatrienoate, hydrogen-donor:oxygen oxidoreductase; EC 220.127.116.11) from bovine vesicular gland. The hydroperoxide cleavage of prostaglandin G1 producing prostaglandin H1 was not affected by these thiol compounds. Several prostaglandin analogues with a thiol group (9,11-dihydroxy-15S- or 15R-mercaptoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid, 1-mercapto-9,11,15-trihydroxyprosta-5,13-diene, and 1-mercapto-9-oxo-11,15-dihydroxyprosta-5,13-diene) were most potent inhibitors, showing almost complete inhibition at concentrations on the order of 1 muM. Other thiol compounds, such as 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, dithiotherreitol, and dihydrolipoic acid, were also inhibitory but were much less effective. The inhibition, as examined with 9,11-dihydroxy-15S-mercaptoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid and 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, was noncompetitive.


In order to counter contemporary threats to the security of contemporary societies radical experimentation into new ways of living is needed. Taking inspiration from the global phenomenon of informal cities and their unique relationship with waste materials and spaces, this thesis proposes alternative ways of approaching community development in Affluent World cities. It envisions a development paradigm that incorporates user control in the design and construction of housing and other community infrastructure, encouraging the scavenging of materials and the re-appropriation of underused land. In line with the successful development practices now being carried out in informal settlements around the world, this bottom-up approach to development has surprising and encouraging implications for the practice of architecture and the quality of the built environment. Far from a dystopian view of society, this thesis presents an approach to building resilience into cities in a manner that does not shy away from the most pressing problems of today.


This experimental research study scrutinized the effectiveness of using augmented reality (AR) applications (apps) as a teaching and learning tool when instructing kindergarten children in the English alphabet in the State of Kuwait. The study compared two groups: (a) experimental, taught using AR apps, and (b) control, taught using traditional face-to-face methods. A total of 42 (i.e., 21 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group) preschoolers enrolled in the public educational system participated in this study in the second semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. The findings of this research are coherent and consistent with the results of other studies conducted over the past 5 years as well as with the postulated hypotheses. The results revealed the following: (1) there were statistically significant differences between the control group (traditional group) and the experimental group (AR group) in their degrees of interaction with the English alphabet lesson in favor of the experimental group; (2) there were statistically significant differences between the control group and the experimental group in their scores on the English alphabet test in favor of the experimental group; and (3) there was a very strong linear relationship/correlation between the children's interaction with the English alphabet lesson and their scores on the English alphabet test in the AR group. The study concludes with relevant proposals and recommendations regarding the implementation of AR technology in education and suggests undertaking further studies on this interesting topic.


A series of novel green-emitting Ba5Si2O6Cl6:Eu 2+ (BSOC:Eu) phosphors were synthesized via the high-temperature solid-state reaction route. The phase identification, elemental distribution, reflectance spectra, luminescence, and thermal stability of the BSOC:Eu phosphor and its applicability in white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) were investigated in detail. The broad excitation spectrum was observed from UV to blue light which generated a broadband emission peaking at 510 nm for the present phosphor with a good quantum efficiency of 44% and thereby it is promising for solid-state lighting applications. Temperature-dependent luminescence measurements of the BSOC:Eu phosphor from 25 C to 250 C were performed to obtain the thermal stability of the present phosphor. Finally, a WLED was fabricated using the green-emitting BSOC:Eu phosphor and commercially available red and blue phosphors pumped with a 400 nm blue chip. The CIE parameters such as color coordinate, color rendering index, color correlated temperature and luminous efficacy of radiation of the fabricated LED were measured. The suitable excitation spectra, efficient and broad emission band and excellent color parameters suggest that the synthesized phosphor could be a potential material for WLED application.


Even though the link between perceived corporate social responsibility fit (PCSR‐fit) and corporate reputation has received much attention from scholars, this tradition has ignored that the underpinnings of this association vary depending on the particular characteristics of each industry under study. To delve into this matter, we investigate in the increasingly relevant context of controversial industries (CIs) how PCSR‐fit could enhance corporate reputation and which are the mediating mechanisms of this association. Our academic contribution is twofold. First, we find that controversial sectors indeed can increase corporate reputation through CSR activities. However, we find that to achieve this goal, the nature of PCSR‐fit should be different than what extant literature indicates, because companies in these settings should directly focus on avoiding or reducing their inherent controversial harm or impact. Second, we evidence that "CSR initiatives' legitimacy" and "situational skepticism" mediate the PCSR‐fit and corporate reputation relationship in CIs. Therefore, we further unravel the underpinnings of this association to advance what we know on the matter and aid practitioners in this particular context.


We derived a method to compute the differential seismogram directly in a layered elastic half-space. This method first computes a differential field caused by the velocity change in the layer and then multiplies it with the original elastic wave field. This product acts like a source, and the seismogram caused by this source term is the differential seismogram. The differential waves are propagated directly to the receiver in frequency/wavenumber domain using the generalized reflection and transmission coefficient method. In comparison with the typical finite-difference approach to compute a complete set of differential seismograms at one station in an N-layered earth model, our method not only saves about N/2 folds of computation time but also leads to a more accurate solution. Thus, it provides an efficient and direct procedure to compute the differential seismogram for a complete waveform fitting in a layered elastic earth model.


The obligation of corporate social responsibility disclosure is growing up from Indonesian ordinance UU No. 40 Year 2007 as required for listed companies for philantrophy and as part of legitimacy act. Based on the requirements, this research conducted to determines empirically the hypothesis of factors that affect disclosure for companies listed in Stock Exchange in 2014 and 2015 using framework GRI G4 as disclosure measurement. The quantitative findings, using regression analysis test and data compliance in model classic assumption test for 22 listed company member of sustainability reporting, showed current ratio, debt to equity, size, institutional ownership and age have significant effects.


Clinical neuroscience faces 2 challenges: (1) an increasing number of persons worldwide with neurodegenerative and neurovascular disorders and the increased expenditures necessary for their care; and (2) patients with rare neurologic diseases who also deserve and demand attention. Demographic changes and the "epidemiologic transition" (from infections to chronic diseases) have converged, causing an unprecedented global burden of disabling neurologic disorders: in 2010, approximately 35 million people were living with dementia; by 2030, this population is expected to reach 70 million and by 2050 is projected to exceed 115 million people, with most living in lower- and middle-income countries.1 Stroke, the principal cause of long-term disability irrespective of age, sex, ethnicity, or country, causes more deaths annually than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined; incidence of stroke is expected to increase over the next decade, primarily in regions already affected by these infectious diseases.


BACKGROUND
Oral anticoagulation therapy requires regular blood testing to ensure therapeutic levels are maintained and excessive bleeding/clotting is avoided. Technology-assisted self-testing and management is seen as one of the key areas in which quality of care can be improved whilst reducing costs. Nevertheless, levels of patient engagement in self-testing and management remain low. To date, little research emphasis has been placed on understanding the patients' perspectives for low engagement. The typical approach adopted by healthcare providers is to provide patient education programmes, with the expectation that individual patients will change their behaviour and adopt new self-care strategies. However, if levels of patient engagement are to be increased, healthcare providers must also develop a better understanding of how their clinical service provision is perceived by patients and make adaptations.

OBJECTIVE
To explore patient views, needs and expectations of an anticoagulation service and the self-testing and management services provided.

METHODS
Interviews were conducted with 17 patients who currently engage in international normalised ratio (INR) self-testing and management. Thematic coding and analysis were carried out on the interview transcripts.

RESULTS
Four high-level themes emerged from interviews: (i) role of clinic, (ii) motivations for self-testing, (iii) managing INR and (iv) trust. The clinic was seen as adding value in terms of specifying testing frequency, dosage profiles and calibrating equipment. Prompt communication from clinic to patient was also valued, although more personalised/real-time communication would help avoid feelings of isolation. Patients felt more in control as self-tester/managers and often took decisions about treatment adjustments themselves. However, some also manipulated their own test results to avoid 'unnecessary' interventions.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
More personalised/real-time communication, pragmatic and collaborative patient-clinician partnerships and recognition of expert patient knowledge and expertise are needed if increased levels of engagement with self-testing and management service provision is to be realised.


The development of big cities and industrialization has been causing environmental degradation problems, damaging natural and energetic resources, besides the bigger production of wastes. So, it is essential the use of renewable alternative fuels, and industrial wastes processing. Biomass can be used in direct combustion, thermo chemical and biological processes. The fume powder is an important waste of tobacco industries. This work makes a characterization of fume powder, originated from Souza Cruz (Uberlândia unit); the objective is to realize the fast pyrolysis in a bubble fluidized bed. Physical analyses of the powder were made to determine the size distribution, and the medium diameter; the solids density and moisture content (dry base). The elementary composition of the material was also determined. The powder fluidization in an acrylic bed (160 cm heights, 10 cm id), was realized to obtain the minimum fluidization velocity.