Background Malnutrition is both a feature and major cause of morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF). Therefore, nutritional management is an essential element of patient care. In 2016, an international guideline for nutritional management in patients with CF was published. In light of these recommendations, the aim of this study was to investigate the dietary intake of children with CF at the University Hospital of Bordeaux. Methods We conducted a retrospective study at the Paediatric CF Centre of the University Hospital of Bordeaux. Patients aged 2–18 years with CF who completed a 3-day food diary at home between January 2015 and December 2020 were included. Results A total of 130 patients, with a median age of 11.8 [interquartile range (IQR): 8.3; 13.4] years, were included. The median Z-score for BMI was −0.35 (IQR: −0.9; 0.2) and 20% of the patients had a Z-score for BMI < −1. Recommended total energy intakes were achieved in 53% of the patients, particularly those with nutritional support. Recommended protein intake was met in 28% of the cases, while fat and carbohydrate intakes were met in 54%. Vitamin and micronutrient levels were normal in 80% of the patients, with the exception of vitamin K, which was within the therapeutic range in only 42% of the cases. Conclusion Recommended nutritional targets are difficult to achieve in patients with CF, and providing nutritional support during follow-up remains a challenge.


The unusual magnetic properties of the 1Σ+ BH molecule calculated earlier from perturbed (coupled) Hartree—Fock theory have been confirmed, and rendered more nearly gauge invariant. Predictions of the spin—rotation constant for hydrogen are CH=−14.9 kc/sec with B as origin, and CH=−18.2 kc/sec with H as origin, as compared with the earlier values of −8.5 and −25.3 kc/sec, respectively. Also, the shielding at H is σH=24.46 ppm with B as origin and σH=25.44 ppm with H as origin, as compared with our previous values of 22.55 and 27.62 ppm, respectively. In addition, we present an interpretation of the molecular paramagnetism, the antishielding at B, and the large spin—rotation constant of B, in terms of orbital current densities. It is found that these extreme properties calculated for BH result from a paramagnetic current due to excitations of the lone‐pair electrons on the boron atom to an unoccupied pπ orbital on this atom.


discomfited by the results of modern genetics than biologists of the generation which followed them. Rousseau, in particular, was quite clear on this matter. He wrote: "I conceive that there are two kinds of inequality among the human species: one, which I call natural or physical, because it is established by nature and consists in a difference of age, health, bodily strength, and the qualities of the mind or soul; and another, which may be called moral or political inequality, because it depends on a kind of convention and is established or at least authorized by the consent of men." But so long as the view that human beings were equipped equally at birth was contradicted by no substantial scientific evidence, society had not on its conscience the possibility that environmental handicaps were commonly added to constitutional ones. This source of comfort has been taken from us, and no statesman to-day, at least no Western statesman, is likely to dedicate a nation to the proposition that men are created equal. Moreover, the fact of human' inequality has been settled beyond reasonable doubt at a time when we face squarely the practical implications of the doctrine of human rights. While large numbers of the population were still illiterate the principle of social justice was in the nature of a blueprint for the shape of things to come. In consequence of the progressive development of social and political institutions in the West it has become necessary to implement the good intentions of our predecessors by equating ability and opportunity. It will not be easy. And this immense undertaking is further complicated by the fact that the world's work is very unequal in its demands and satisfactions; taking from each according to his ability may be quite incompatible with giving to each according to his need. It is at least something that the nature of the problem is now clear: a society irrevocably opposed to selective breeding must contrive to get the world's work done by individuals possessed of equal rights and unequal gifts.


Today fuels sulfur compounds pollute the environment seriously. Many governments have passed laws to decreasesulfur content of different fuels, as low as possible. A large amount of fuels sulfur that produced from gas condensate released into the atmosphere. In this study a new improved adsorbent are used for prevention of environmental pollution. A new high capacity optimized desulfurization adsorbent (impregnated Ag on X-zeolite synthesized) was selected to remove sulfur compounds. Also water and aromatic compounds effects on adsorbent efficiency were studied. Sulfur compounds were eliminated from the sour gas condensate and its total sulfur content reduced from 0.26% to less than 0.14%. Regeneration of the adsorbent is investigated in different temperatures, gas flow rate and operation time. Its capacity was recovered to more than 96%, after regeneration. This high capacity adsorbent even after regeneration for several times had the best desulfurization performance without any change in structure, amongst processes with actual feed.


Currently, a monitoring system is needed to improve security and productivity in various sectors, for example in public services such as education centers, offices, banking, stations, roads, and the industrial sector. With a monitoring system, public service activities can be well monitored. Apart from public services, a home surveillance system can be implemented, making it easier for household members to monitor home security. The monitoring system camera will record the object, the human object detection process is carried out with the Histogram of Oriented Gradient, after the object is detected, the facial recognition process of the object is carried out whether it is a member of the house or not by using Learning Vector Quantization. If the object is not a member of the house, the system will send a notification in the form of a photo of the object's face to the user's email. For object detection with the Histogram of Oriented Gradient, an average accuracy of 90% is obtained and Learning Vector Quantization for facial recognition is 85%.


During this last quarter, evaluations were complete on the motor materials after 500-hr exposures to refrigerants CFC-123, HFC-134a and HCFC-22 at 90{degrees}C. Materials were also evaluated after exposure to nitrogen at 127{degrees}C to determine effect of the thermal exposure. Other exposures were started during this quarter with refrigerants HCFC-124, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-32 and HFC-152a. One 500 hr exposure is set up per week and one is analyzed the same week. This will enable Trane to complete the 500 hour exposures by the end of the year.


The present work ...a continuation of the earlier [is] a study of one literary genre, the drama ...both in its passive and active relations with the life of the time and with the theatre, the medium without the aid of which the possibilities of the drama as an art form remain only half realized, like a musical score which is never performed. from the author's preface


As part of our ongoing chemical investigation of biologically active metabolites from marine fungi, three new compounds, p-hydroxyphenopyrrozin (1) and diketopiperazines (3, 4), have been isolated from the marine-derived fungus Chromocleista sp. In addition, the fungus gave the known compound phenopyrrozin (2), four known diketopiperazines (6-9), N-acetyltryptamine (10), and agathic acid (11). Another new diketopiperazine (5) was separated and identified as a decomposition product of 3 and 4. The structures of the new metabolites were determined on the basis of mass spectroscopy, NMR experiments, and derivatization methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography studies.


Numerical and experimental studies on the impact response of frame end part with energy absorption unit in automobiles are performed to predict structural behavior and energy absorption characteristics of the structural part under crash loadings. The collapse characteristics of the part under the crash loading are estimated and compared with the experimental results available. Four different models are initially analyzed using MSC/DYNA [1] for numerical estimation.
Based on the numerical results, two models among them are selected to be compared with the experimental results.


Anatomic repair is widely accepted as the primary surgical treatment for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). T2‐mapping is a powerful tool for quantitative assessment of biochemical changes in cartilage matrix.


A small quantity of the title compound, C8H20N2 2+·2Br−, was formed as a by-product in a reaction between a diamine and an alkyl bromide. The asymmetric unit contains half of a centrosymmetric dication and a bromide anion. In the crystal, weak intermolecular C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds consolidate the crystal packing.


s A1 Contribution of Septic Tile Drainage to Phosphorus and Nitrogen Loadings in a Eutrophic Freshwater System Joanne M. Berry, Dr. Christopher E. Spiese, Louis Streacker, and Bryan Boulanger Ohio Northern University The western Lake Erie basin has experienced signifi cant eutrophication over the past half century as a result of anthropogenic nutrient inputs. The nutrient inputs, specifi cally phosphorus and nitrogen, play a key role in freshwater eutrophication. Increases in the concentration of these two nutrients in a freshwater system can lead to algal blooms and subsequent hypoxia. Both nutrients are primarily derived from nonpoint sources (i.e. agricultural runoff , wastewater, and groundwater); however the relative contribution of each source must be understood to better plan management and mitigation strategies. To help isolate the contribution of residential septic wastewater to nitrogen and phosphorus loadings, caff eine was analyzed. Caff eine is a stable and readily quantifi able emerging contaminant, and has been identifi ed as a specifi c marker for humans' wastewater input. In this study, six tile drainage sites along Riley Creek in Putnam County, OH were sampled over the course of eight weeks and analyzed for total phosphorus, nitrite, ammonia, and nitrate concentrations. Riley Creek is a heavily impacted tributary of the eutrophic Blanchard River. The relationship of each nutrient to caff eine, and consequently septic wastewater, was quantifi ed to ascertain whether septic system effl uent is a signifi cant contributor to either nutrient loading. Our results suggest that there is a weak correlation between caff eine and total phosphorus during base fl ow conditions, but not between caff eine and nitrogen in any form. Although this correlation between caff eine and phosphorus may be due to direct inputs from wastewater, it is also possible that it is due to shallow groundwater carrying agricultural phosphorus into tile drainage and the relationship between phosphorus and caff eine is coincidental. No signifi cant correlation was found between caff eine and phosphorus during high discharge periods. Future research goals are to understand the caff eine-phosphorus correlation, quantify the relative loadings from septic systems versus groundwater, and to investigate the potential impacts of caff eine in freshwater systems. A2 Matrix Assisted Ionization Vacuum-Mass Spectrometry: Characterization of Synthetic Materials including Polymers, Additives, and Inorganic Catalysts Tarick El-Baba,1 Corinne Lutomski,1 Lanka Wickramasinghe,1 Claudio Verani,1 Barbara Larsen,2 and Sarah Trimpin1, * 1 Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University 2 DuPont Corporate Center for Analytical Sciences, Wilmington, DE 19808 Matrix assisted ionization vacuum (MAIV) is a novel ionization method used in mass spectrometry (MS) which utilizes no laser, extraction voltages, or extensive heat to produce abundant multiply charged ions directly from the solid state. MAIV can operate from intermediate pressure or atmospheric pressure using commercially available mass spectrometer sources with minor or no instrument modifi cations. Critical to the success of ionizing small and large nonvolatile compounds is the proper matrix and exposure to the vacuum, by default available with any mass spectrometer. Here, a range of synthetic materials including polymers, their additives and inorganic catalysts are analyzed using the MAIV method with the matrix 3-nitrobenzonitrile (3-NBN) on vacuum MALDI and overridden ESI sources of a SYNAPT G2 and an LTQ Velos. By coupling MAIV with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) separation and tandem MS (MS/MS), rapid and simple characterization is demonstrated. For example, by exposing a few threads of automotive upholstery spotted with matrix 3-NBN and subsequently exposed to the vacuum of the mass spectrometer, nylon oligomers were detected. Further examples include characterization of additives at high sensitivities (low femtomole) and additive blends using an IMS-MSe-type approach. Characterization of synthetic inorganic catalysts is demonstrated using MAIV on a commercially available vacuum MALDI source without any physical source modifi cations where the same source in traditional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-time-of-fl ight (TOF)-MS operation failed to provide analytical useful results. A3 Characterization of Fragile Ganglioside Lipids by Matrix Assisted Ionization Vacuum using Ion Mobility Spectrometry, Mass Spectrometry and Tandem Fragmentation Corinne Lutomski, Tarick El-Baba, Sarah Trimpin Wayne State University Matrix assisted ionization vacuum (MAIV), a novel ionization method, produces abundant multiply charged ions directly from the solid state without the use of voltage, laser, or additional heat. The matrix compound, 3-nitrobenzonitrile (3-NBN), is effi cient in ionizing biological materials in both the positive and negative mode, however few studies have been performed in negative ion mode using MAIV as of yet. Through the formation of abundant negatively charged ions, ganglioside lipids are ionized by this soft MAIV method without undesired fragmentation or metal cation adduction, which limit the use of the traditional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) method. For example, trisialogangliosides (GT1) and tetrasialogangliosides (GQ1) form triply and quadruply charged quasimolecular ions, respectively, without the loss of fragile sialic acids. Characterization of isomeric composition is achieved by MAIV-MS6 and MAIVion mobility spectrometry (IMS)-MS3 using commercially available ESI and MALDI sources of the Thermo LTQ Velos and Waters SYNAPT G2 mass spectrometers. We also discuss the eff ects of pH, solvents, and matrix choice. A4 New Approach for Isolating Endohedral Metallofullerenes Containing Scandium Oxide Clusters Muska Fahim,* Khristina A. Rottinger, and Steven Stevenson Indiana Purdue University at Fort Wayne, IPFW The world record holder for most atoms entrapped inside a fullerene cage belongs to a class of compounds called the metal oxide fullerenes. Examples of these metallic oxide, endohedral metallofullerenes include Sc4O2@C80 (6 atoms inside a C80 cage) and Sc4O3@C80 (7 atoms inside a C80 cage). These metal oxide clusterfullerenes are synthesized in an electric-arc plasma reactor along with many other diff erent types of compounds, such as empty-cage fullerenes (e.g., C60, C70, C84, C96) and other metallofullerenes, e.g., scandium carbide and scandium nitride clusterfullerenes. Because the abundance of the scandium oxide metallofullerenes in this complex mixture is typically < 0.1% in a typical raw extract, we must develop new separation approaches to enrich their presence to at least 10% prior to HPLC fraction collection. In this presentation, we demonstrate our new enrichment technique with Lewis acids to selectively complex and precipitate Sc4O2@C80 and Sc4O3@C80. By manipulating reactivity diff erences of their carbon cages, we can successfully purify these compounds. A5 Enhancing Biomolecular Class Separation In Complex Sample Analysis Using Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry (IM-MS) Ryan M. Reyes, Nichole M. Lareau, Jody C. May, John A. McLean Vanderbilt University Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is an emerging technique for addressing sample complexity in the fi eld of bioanalytical chemistry, where separate biomolecular classes can be studied in their native biological context. With the advent of commercially available travelling wave ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) instrumentation it is necessary to investigate the optimal instrumental parameters necessary for the study of complex biological samples. Based on a mechanistic understanding of TWIMS, wave amplitude and velocity settings are known to aff ect measurement precision and resolving power diff erentially for diff erent biomolecular classes of compounds. This study investigates an experimental protocol for determining optimal instrumental conditions for a particular biochemical class by analyzing a set of carbohydrate and quaternary ammonium salt standards, to obtain collisional cross section (CCS) values. CCS data allows for the simultaneous acquisition of identifi cation and structural information of the molecular content of analytes, and comparison to literature values reveal the accuracy of the instrumental settings. This method was validated for application to complex biological samples through the analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line samples, which contain a diverse representation of diff erent biochemical classes. Conclusions drawn in this study can be expanded on with further investigation into improving TWIMS resolution and accuracy by studying other factors known to enhance experimental precision and accuracy (e.g. IM drift gas pressure and composition), as well as the exploration of optimal conditions for other biologically relevant molecular classes such as peptides and lipids. A6 First Principles Study of CO2 Reduction on Cu/M Bimetallic Surfaces Alyssa Sherry, Anne Co, Aravind Asthagiri The Ohio State University Decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continues to be a major scientifi c challenge. According to the EPA, human-related CO2 emissions composed roughly 84% of all US greenhouse gas emissions in 2011. Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to alkanes and alcohols is a promising approach to creating easily stored and transported synthetic liquid fuels from renewable energy sources. To date, potential electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction are industrially unfeasible due to a combination of large overpotentials, poor selectivity, and inadequate stability. Elucidation of the role of the surface on the kinetics of the elementary steps for CO2 reduction will be critical in designing better catalysts. I will report on an ongoing study to explore the activity and selectivity of copper-based bimetallic surfaces. De


Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of healthy Streptoccus Pneumoniae pharyngeal carriers in a representative sample of zhongshan.Methods:The sample was divided into age groups:2~4,6~8,9~12 and 25~39 years old.Oropharyngeal swabs were collected with a cotton tipped swab in an Amies transport medium and cultured on Thayer Martin plates at 35 degress C in 8% CO 2 by 《native clinical laboratory technology rule》.All isolate of S.pneumoniae were testedfor antimicrobial susceptibility to penicillin,cefotaxime,erythromycin,tetracycline,chloramphenicol,clindamycin,ofloxacin,Rfiatmpin,vancomycin and trimethoprim sulfamiethoxazole.Results:Of the 267 persons studied,71(26 6%) S.pneumoniae carriers were detected.Resistance rates were as follows:Penicillin,26 8%(22 6% intermediate;4 2% resistant);erythromycin,63 4%;tetracycline,50 7%;chloramphenicol,36 6%;clindamycin,50 7%;cefotxime,7 0%;Rifampin,2 8;ofloxacin,1 4%;vancomycin,0 and trinethoprim sulfamiethoxazole 64 8%;Conclusion:The prevalence of healthy carriers of S.pneumoniae in the population was 26 6%,being higher in the children age group.There are no statisticall significant differences among the different children age groups nor between sexes.There data show that carriage of antibiotic resistant pneumococcal is high in zhongshan city.All strains were susceptible to Vancomycin.


Methods: 10 healthy participants were recruited to undergo both MRI and ultrasound of the lateral airway. Surrounding anatomical landmarks were examined to establish the presence or absence of the PMR. These results will be compared to MRI to determine parameters on ultrasound which correlate to an absent PMR. Progress to date: 8 of the 10 participants have undergone both MRI and ultrasound, of which half were women, mean age 53 years, mean BMI 28 and mean AHI 3. In all 8 participants so far parameters for assessment of the PMR were identified and de-scribed, including presence of anatomical landmarks, localisation and width of the PMR space, and presence of a hyperechoic structure within the space. Comparison of these parameters with MRI to determine predictors of PMR presence or absence is currently underway. Intended outcome and impact: Validation of ultrasound in the assessment for presence or absence of a tendinous PMR will enable further study of this structure as a predictive marker for MAS ef-ficacy in OSA. This could assist clinicians in identifying suitable patients for MAS therapy. met the criteria for probable shift work disorder (pSWD). Results: Non-standard workers with pSWD did not seek help for sleep problems at higher rates than workers without SWD (p = .979). General practitioners were the most reported healthcare professional sought out for sleep problems of individuals with pSWD. Self-management was common in workers with pSWD, with a high self-reported prevalence of alcohol use (31.7%) as a sleep management strategy, and caffeine con-sumption (76.9%) as a sleepiness management strategy. The majority of individuals with pSWD reported the mentality of 'accept it and keep going' as a sleepiness management strategy, highlighting a potential barrier to help-seeking behaviour in workers with pSWD. Discussion: These findings provide novel insight into the help-seeking behaviours of individuals with pSWD. There is a need for further research to understand why individuals at risk for shift work disorder are not actively seeking help, and to develop health promotion and intervention strategies to improve engagement with healthcare professionals. The signal and outcomes of a in and collected using a Results: Fifty-five patients (4m-18yrs) were included. Successful home-PSG, on the first Conclusions: In the largest study to-date, we observe that greater daytime light predicts better outcomes across a range of mood-, sleep- and circadian-related measures. Our findings are consistent with the known effects of light on the circadian system, whereby greater daytime light enhances the strength of the rhythm allowing for greater distinction between sleep and wake states. These findings drivers aware of does thirty-four simulated/naturalistic driving studies for We ex-tracted the relevant data. Correlational data were examined using meta-analysis, while predictive data were assessed via narrative review. Results: Results showed that drivers were of sleepiness, and this was associated with both driving impairment and physiological drowsiness. Overall, subjective sleepiness was more strongly correlated (a) with ocular and EEG-based outcomes (rweighted = .70 and .73, respectively, p<.001), rather than lane position and speed outcomes (rweighted = .46 and .49, respectively, p<.001); (b) under simulated driving conditions compared to naturalistic drives;


Provided is a position information updating method suitable for irregular-flying navigation through points out of airways. The position information updating method comprises the steps of acquiring the horizontal deviation and the height deviation of the course and the current position of an all-purpose aircraft relative to the arrival position predicted by a flight plan according to flight plan data and flight path data, judging whether the current horizontal deviation and the height deviation of the all-purpose aircraft can both meet threshold values, judging whether the all-purpose aircraft flies in the planned course, carrying out coarse processing in a preset range, judging whether the all-purpose aircraft flies to be close to the planned course, and carrying out fine processing in the preset range. The position information updating method can use different processing methods to update predicted through point position information in real time according to different flight plans and improve the accuracy of updating the through point position information when the aircraft irregularly flies and yaws out of flight paths.


The isothermal annealing behavior of some amorphous ferromagnetic alloy ribbons has been determined. The quantities measured were the macroscopic stress at constant strain, the strain at fracture in bending, and the anisotropy, defined as the energy required to reach magnetic saturation. The annealing temperatures were in the range 150 to 300°C, which is too low to cause measurable crystallization in the alloys studied. The changes in stress, fracture strain, and anisotropy with time were qualitatively similar, suggesting that the same atomic rearrangements are responsible for all three.


Direct Metal Laser Deposition (DMLD) processes such as LENS are gaining ground in commercial manufacturing processes of functional end-products. This is attributed to this process being popularized as a sustainable technology with the potential to substitute the energy intensive, wasteful and environmentally unfriendly traditional techniques. However, during processing a significant fraction of the injected powders do not end up as part of the final component. The properties of these powders change due to heating resulting in coalescence and possible chemical reactions with the surrounding environment. A potential way to overcome this is by adopting an effective powder recycling procedure by which material use efficiency can be improved. Even so, these changes may have detrimental impact on the mechanical properties of the end-product. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of powder recycling on mechanical properties as a consequence of a change in powder characteristics. The potential for improving the LENS process by powder recycling process has been evaluated by comparatively studying the feedstock characteristics, i.e. morphology, particle size distribution and microstructure of powders in as received state and after laser exposure during repeated deposition cycles. Microstructures, micro-hardness and Density of the built samples were measured after the first deposition-normalization-reuse cycle. The results revealed a correlation between the powder characteristics and the properties of the corresponding built sample used for that specific deposition.


Abstract In this review essay I examine how recent books about print culture and knowledge production in Latin America and the Caribbean have addressed the relationship between printing and power, and in doing so have contributed to global discussions about the hierarchies of knowledge production. The study of print culture in a broader social framework shows how printed materials matter beyond the realm of culture. I explore how these new works have understood printing as political and have unravelled its contentious politics; how they have grappled with the global circulation and mobility of printers, prints, and paper; and how they have examined the relation between printing, reading, and writing and the production of urban space.


with the capacity to resist the conventions of corporatized mass culture. Indeed, the wall paintings of street artists do not always translate into political subversion or anticapitalist protest, nor do young women necessarily ''speak truth to power'' by lipsynching to dance music with their Barbie dolls. Her book is at its strongest when illustrating how the logic of post-feminism in contemporary culture creates its own set of constraining parameters for girls ''gone wild'' on YouTube in terms of body image, racial identity, and other elements of hegemonic femininity. I also appreciate her recognition of the socially constructed nature of authenticity, emphasizing its role as an organizing principle for rendering symbolic meaning and social value under advanced capitalism, rather than some attainable goal or way of being in the world. At the same time, Banet-Weiser's highly theoretical approach imposes its own set of constraints on her otherwise clever analysis. As a communication scholar she does a predictably obsessive job of mining the mass media landscape for evidence of celebrity brands (and branded celebrities) that represent some of the last decade's most wellknown cultural icons: Shepard Fairey's Obama ''Hope'' poster; Dove soap commercials; online videos downloaded by millions; Tila Tequila's MySpace profile; Elizabeth Gilbert's bestseller Eat, Pray, Love; Rick Warren and Deepak Chopra; Jamie Oliver and Al Gore. Yet for a book with so much namedropping, Authentic is surprisingly devoid of people who can speak for themselves, confusing the self-brand with the actual person behind the manufactured image. While Banksy and Fairey are fascinating (if overexposed) artists, I would love to learn more about how ordinary graffiti taggers make sense of the gentrified urban landscape; what motivates young women to perform for strangers online; how average consumers use social media to create self-referential communities of political awareness; how religious people chose among competing spiritual beliefs and collective practices; how we all search for authenticity in our everyday lives. Maybe then I could finally figure out what the deal is with those hipster beekeepers. The Marrying Kind?: Debating Same-Sex Marriage within the Lesbian and Gay Movement, edited by Mary Bernstein and Verta Taylor. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, 2013. 416pp. $25.00 paper. ISBN: 9780816681723.


A prototype of an expert system for the identification of beta-galactosidase positive Enterobacteriaceae has been developed, for use with the API 20 EC kit. The system is implemented in Prolog on an IBM PC AT with 640 K of central memory and 20 megabytes of secondary memory. Its objectives are to highlight errors that can occur when the kit is in use. It can indicate the presence of new groups or species and give advice or suggest additional tests for the differentiation of the new species from those included in the kit.


Analyzing incomplete data for inferring the structure of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) is a challenging task in bioinformatic. Bayesian network can be successfully used in this field. k-nearest neighbor, singular value decomposition (SVD)-based and multiple imputation by chained equations are three fundamental imputation methods to deal with missing values. Path consistency (PC) algorithm based on conditional mutual information (PCA–CMI) is a famous algorithm for inferring GRNs. This algorithm needs the data set to be complete. However, the problem is that PCA–CMI is not a stable algorithm and when applied on permuted gene orders, different networks are obtained. We propose an order independent algorithm, PCA–CMI–OI, for inferring GRNs. After imputation of missing data, the performances of PCA–CMI and PCA–CMI–OI are compared. Results show that networks constructed from data imputed by the SVD-based method and PCA–CMI–OI algorithm outperform other imputation methods and PCA–CMI. An undirected or partially directed network is resulted by PC-based algorithms. Mutual information test (MIT) score, which can deal with discrete data, is one of the famous methods for directing the edges of resulted networks. We also propose a new score, ConMIT, which is appropriate for analyzing continuous data. Results shows that the precision of directing the edges of skeleton is improved by applying the ConMIT score.


Results of using the standard processing algorithms (spatial filtering, linear and non-linear transformation, histograms, etc.) to enhance the quality of thermograms in infrared NDT are discussed. More sophisticated algorithms have been developed to suppress the emissivity noise and non-uniform heating-cooling effects. In addition, some new approaches to thermal tomography are presented.


Everything is just a click away with the Internet. Due to numerous of software applications availability, conversion of physical media information to analog form has become much easier. Thus, to manage the rights of digital content by the intellectual owner or seller, Digital Rights Management (DRM) Systems were introduced. DRM authenticates the user, distributes the content and then control the access of user to ensure protection from violation of copyrights. DRM Systems are mainly used by Entertainment Industry to prevent piracy of music or movies, Software firms etc.


Human immunoglobulin class-specific antisera are frequently used in the clinical laboratory, and the presence of contaminating antibodies in such antisera can produce unexpected results. In addition to the possible contaminating reactivities mentioned by Register and Keren (1) we wish to draw attention to another unwanted reaction-that with immunoglobulin light chains. Serum of a child with a selective IgA deficiency was analyzed for IgA by a sensitive "sandwich"-type enzymoimmunoassay in which monospecific anti-IgA (Dakopatts, Glostrup, Denmark) was used. The value for IgA was 0.15 mgfL. By means of nephelometry (BNA; Behringwerke, Marburg, F.R.G.), however, we measured a concentration of 0.25 g/L for IgA. Because of this discrepancy we further analyzed the anti-IgA that had been used in nephelometry, together with anti-IgM and anti-IgG. Purified Kand A-chains and sera of patients with monoclonal gammopathies were subjected to high-resolution electrophoresis in agarose, and the proteins were transferred onto nitrocellulose by capillary blotting. The nitrocellulose strips were successively incubated with 1:500 diluted class-specific antiserum, peroxidase-labeled second antibody, and substrate (2). The paraproteins had been typed previously by immunofixation with monospecific antibodies (Dakopatta). Figure 1 shows our results for the batches of anti-IgA, anti-IgM, and anti-IgG that were in use for nephelometry. Anti-IgA reacted with IgGK, IgMK, and free K, but not with IgGA, IgMA, or free A. Anti-IgM reacted with IgGA, IgAA, and free A. The very weak reaction with free K was not seen on strips with IgGK or IgAK. Anti-IgG did In a recent evaluation we detected antibodies against Kand (or) A-chains in seven of 24 lots of class-specific antisera obtained from different manufacturers. Mostly these were minor reactivities that did not seriously affect the results obtained in immunofixation or in nephelometry. Twenty years ago, Reimer et al. (3) described the presence of anti-light-chain antibodies in class-specific antisera. Our results show that it is not merely ANTI1GM


Emerging cockpit architectures that use cursor control devices and keyboards for input and control of independent and shared cockpit displays raise important challenges for supporting effective task performance. A key challenge is the amount and variety of information located on these shared displays causing interaction conflicts between the pilots. The Single Display Groupware collaborative interaction model and previous research in cockpit systems is used as a framework for investigating interaction conflicts in collaborative cockpit systems and for developing conflict mitigation strategies. Informed by operational sequence modeling and an action/information requirements analysis, gaze tracking and associated interface modifications were identified as potential design changes that would not only help address the interaction conflict problem, but also to support individual and collaborative work in other ways. Initial development of interface concepts taking advantage of gaze tracking outputs are presented and plans for experimental evaluation of those concepts described.


In this paper, all-optical modulation of four signal pulses with the interval of 1 ps or 0.67 ps is presented by utilizing GaN-ISBT in a ridge waveguide. The optical pulses are generated by an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) excited by a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. The results confirms the possibility all-optical devices operating at a bit rate of 1 Tb/s or higher.


Presented are the investigations of effect of composition of surfacing consumables on structure and phase composition of deposited metal of surfacing zones (surface, fusion line, HAZ) in restoration of railway wheels from grade 2 steel. Information received at different structural layers (from grain to dislocation) was used for analytical estimations of effect of parameters of forming structures on mechanical properties (σ0.2, K1c) of railway wheels, reconstructed by surfacing, before and after operation. Role of structural factors in change of level of local internal stresses τl.in, i.e. sources of crack formation in subsurface layers of deposited metal, was investigated. It is determined that surfacing consumables of bainite and bainitemartensite classes provide for high indices of mechanical properties and crack resistance of railway wheels after restoration repair and operation. 9 Ref., 1 Table, 5 Figures.


Luis H. Toledo-Pereyra Borgess Research Institute, Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA and Department of Surgery, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA I f Phillip Physick (1768–1809), the noted Philadelphia surgeon, is considered by some the Father of American Surgery, one could rightly name William Stewart Halsted (1852–1922) the Father of American Modern Surgery. Halsted contributed in many ways to the modern development of this discipline through his long-term commitment to the practice of the art and science of surgery. He expanded the horizon of the future specialist, deŽ ned the Ž eld in more speciŽ c terms, and fully organized the training of surgeons. Halsted came from New York, where his family had a prominent social position in the city and on the New York Hospital Board. Andover, Yale, and Columbia were the origins of his high school, college, and medical studies. His internship, oriented mostly toward surgery, took place at Bellevue Hospital, which prepared him well to be staff physician of the New York Hospital in 1878 [1]. In the fall of the same year, he left for Europe with the hope of becoming acquainted with the best surgical schools of the time. In this expedition, he encountered the great surgical masters of their generation. Halsted learned from them the most advanced surgical methods and began to mold his mind in regards to the future of surgical training. Among those whom young Halsted visited and admired were Chiari, Zukerkandl, Billroth, Woel er, and Mickulicz in Vienna; von Kolliker, Stohr, and von Bergmann in Wurzburg; and Weigert, Thiesch, and von Volkmann in other German cities. His European sojurn was permeated by the most important German theories and methods and the most in uential surgeons of the world [2]. In 1880, he returned to the United States and brought with him renewed interest in practicing safe surgery with the best antiseptic methods. While back in New York, he became associated with Roosevelt and Presbyterian Hospitals, among several others. His intentions then did not appear to have an academic or worthwhile tone. He was simply practicing the surgery of the day. Around 1884, Halsted became addicted to cocaine as he experimented with its use as a regional anesthetic. A series of troublesome years resulted. Inasmuch as this Ž nding appeared important, the pathologist


VoIP and WiMAX are promising technologies. Railway freight dispatching needs an efficient dispatching telephone system. VoIP and WiMAX can provide various service and low cost for railway freight dispatching telephone system. This paper has analyzed the requirements for VoIP over WiMAX, proposed VoIP architecture for railway freight dispatching telephone system, deployed a testbed on a 20km railway freight line, and implemented performance analysis of VoIP-based railway freight dispatching telephone system.


Judith Jarvis Thomson's Normativity (2008) is a formidable book in terms of both content and style (all otherwise unattributed page references in what follows are to this book). The structure is modular, as though to encourage the reader who wants to dip in and out. But as you read it becomes clear that dipping in and out would not be a good idea. Questions that occur to you are sometimes addressed immediately, but sometimes the answers can only be inferred from what's said elsewhere. Moreover, sometimes the questions themselves only occur to you after you've reached the end and tried to figure out how the whole story fits together. Nor should this be surprising. Thomson's ambition is nothing less than to explain normative thought and talk in all its diversity and complexity. Her account includes disparate elements that relate to each other in sophisticated ways. My aim in what follows is to prompt her to say more about how some specific elements fit together.


It is with great pleasure that we introduce this special compendium on the contemporary management of urethral stricture. We have attempted to present a current, state-of-the-art examination of many new management techniques employed by today's reconstructive urologists. Manuscripts were authored by both established leaders and rising stars within this growing, vibrant subspecialty.


Abstract Unocal Indonesia is using 3-D prestack depth migration to better image Indonesian prospects in difficult seismic areas. The goal is to delineate the deep fault geometry beneath image-distorting carbonates. Previous 2-D prestack depth migration has resulted in significantly better structural imaging, which is motivating the 3-D work. Lateral velocity variations of 2 to 3 km/s within distances of less than 1 km make conventional time migration methods inadequate to accurately image structures and faulting. Iterative 2-D depth migration has provided better structural imaging in depth due to more accurate interval velocities and structural geometry resolution. 3-D prestack depth migration provides better migration velocity analyses and superior structural imaging, especially in comparison to 2-D lines acquired in directions oblique to major faults. The most important step in depth migration is construction of a 3-D interval velocity model. All available data are used in constructing the model: Dip Moveout (DMO) stacking velocities, poststack time migration, well logs, check-shot surveys, gravity and magnetic data, seismic interpretations, and the 3-D prestack depth migration velocity analyses. The model is developed iteratively from the surface downward. Modeling packages such as GOCAD assist the data integration and 3-D visualization quality control. The 3-D migration algorithm is a Unocal proprietary Kirchhoff migration with ray - trace traveltimes and migration computed on a 3 Gigaflop, 10 CPU Silicon Graphics Power Challenge.


According to the relationship between loess magnetic susceptibility and paleotemperature, this paper has set up a paleotemperature sequence from Proterozoic to Quaternary based on sedimentary susceptibility in Hebei province, in which the apparent temperature is 9℃ in Quaternary, 12℃ in Jurassic, 5℃~7℃ in any other period. Nevertheless, the author consider that the paleotemperature sequence is of low precision, and hence put forward a method for reconstructing a high accuracy paleotemperature sequence from Proterozoic up till now.


The main objective of the project consists in building measurement system for CMOS-MEMS accelerometer chips developed at UPC DEE and performing their evaluation in different conditions (pressure, temperature, frequency). The work will be carried on at the Advanced Hardware Architectures research group of the DEE. The group has extensive experience on analog and mixed-signal design and is developing a series of MEMS accelerometer test structures over CMOS substrates.


ABSTRACT To explore excellent colour display materials, the binary phosphate glass ceramics doped with R (R = Tm3+, Tb3+, Eu3+, Sm3+, and Mn2+) ions were prepared. The X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, absorption, excitation, and emission spectra of the glass ceramics had been studied in detail. It was found that Ca2P2O7 and CaP2O6 had excited in the glass ceramics, which can improve the luminescent characteristics of the materials. The results show that the binary phosphate glass ceramics can display abundant colours, which is very helpful for developing the luminescent materials for colour display.


We experimentally demonstrate a SiN angled-MMI based polarization splitter with nearly wavelength-independent performance over C+L bands, insertion loss ∼ 0.8 dB (1.0 dB), and crosstalk < −18 dB (< −20 dB) for TE (TM) polarization.


Background: Antimalarials including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for more than 50 years. Few cases of hyperpigmentation attributed to HCQ have been reported in the literature from different geographical areas. However, no case reports or local studies from Saudi Arabia estimated the magnitude of HCQ adverse effect. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HCQ-induced hyperpigmentation and to investigate the possible risk factors related to this condition.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. All SLE patients on HCQ treatment, aged 18 years or above who visited Rheumatology and Dermatology Clinics were included. Those with the previous history of hyperpigmentation before starting HCQ treatment, or on chloroquine or quinacrine therapy were excluded. Medical records from September 2005 until June 2016 were reviewed.Results: Out of 199 cases, 98 (49.2%) cases had hyperpigmentation, only 13 (13.3%) cases reported resolution. The main sites affected were the hands 46 (23.1%), followed by face 45 (22.6%), then feet 18 (9.0%), leg and whole body equally 12 (6.0%). There was a significant association between hyperpigmentation and receiving medications, history of ecchymosis, sun exposure, the presence of mucous membrane pigmentations (p<0.0001, p=0.012, p<0.0001, p=0.022 respectively).Conclusions: HCQ-induced pigmentation is considered uncommon adverse effect of HCQ, with a prevalence rate of 49.2% indicated in this study. Furthermore, history of bruising, sun exposure, and the presence of mucous membrane pigmentation are possible predisposing factors.


The research aims to define conceptual metaphor and its types in general, as well as exploring the conceptualization of the metaphorical expressions used in the political speeches of King Abdullah II in English and the translations of the metaphors in Arabic. The study illustrates the techniques and strategies used by the Hashemite Royal Court in translating ST metaphorical expression to the TT. The researcher relies on the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP), proposed by the Group (2007) and the Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA), proposed by Charteris-Black (2004), in identifying the conceptual metaphors that King Abdullah II used in his political speeches. As for categorizing the metaphorical expressions, we rely on the Longman and Oxford Dictionaries to determine the semantic field that the metaphorical expression relates to. The study depends on the method proposed by Al-Zoubi, Al-Ali, and Al-Hasnawi (2007) to examine the conceptual metaphors of the two texts and find out whether there are any differences or similarities by comparing the two metaphors, as well as analyzing whether the metaphors are maintained, changed or deleted.


Objective: Cousin Marriages provide a good opportunity to latent and recessive genes to express themselves and cause various disabilities, such as intellectual disability. Hence, a voiding them may prevent such disabilities. The purpose of this research was to study the prevalence of cousin marriages among the parents of intellectually disabled and normal children and to identify its association with intellectual disability. Material s & Methods: A correlational retrospective study was conducted. 467 couples with normal children were selected by cluster sampling from primary, secondary and high schools in Ardebil. Moreover, 433 couples with exceptional children were identified. Among t he latter's children, 238 intellectually disabled were randomly selected. Chi - square was used to determine the frequency of cousin marriages through descriptive statistics and to establish the association between cousin marriages and the birth of normal an d intellectually disabled children. Results: According to the descriptive data 107 of 238 (96.44%) parents of intellectually disabled children and 88 of 467 (84.18%) parents of normal children were cousins. Data analysis with chi - square showed a significan t association between cousin marriages and the birth of intellectually disabled children (χ2=54.31, p<0.01, df=1). Conclusion: Cousin Marriage plays an important role in the incidence of intellectual disability through recessive genes. Therefore, couples n eed to be aware of the consequences of cousin marriage and should receive genetic counseling.


Ladle lining bricks have been prepared from grog and fireclays. However the numbers of pouring of molten steel into the ladle are about 20 times an average in steel plant. ?n the ladle the problem of corrosion by slag action is serious. It seems the life of bricks have an effect on chemical component, porosity, permeability and bloatingness etc. At first an attempts of the present study are to obtain a low porosity of super duty ladle brick(SK32─34). In proportioning condition Bikum sericite be changed amount of adding and other materials be fixed constant. After firing to Cone 14 the specimens were examined to study following physical properties; porosity, resistance to spalling, slag action and compressive strength etc.


In this paper, we explore when the lattice of invariant subspaces of a structural matrix algebra can be complemented. We give several equivalent conditions for this lattice to be a Boolean algebra.


In this research, the genetic diversity of some oriental and water pipe's tobacco genotypes was investigated under normal (without Orobanche) and Orobanche stress conditions during 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 at Urmia Tobacco Research Centre with randomized complete block design with three replications. Combined analysis of variance revealed extent genetic variability among the genotypes for most of the studied traits. This suggests that there is high genetic variability among tobacco genotypes for resistance to Orobanche which can be effectively used in biotic resistance breeding programs. A high genotypic coefficient of variation was seen for studied traits especially for FWL and DLYP in normal and Orobanche stress conditions. The highest broad-sense heritability was estimated for FD, NL and PH in both normal and Orobanche stress conditions. The results of the genetic advance calculation showed that the highest genetic advance was related to LAI, APFW, PH and FWL traits. Based on the results of genetic correlation coefficients of traits, positive and significant genetic correlations were observed between DLYP with all studied traits in both normal and Orobanche stress conditions. Cluster analysis classified all tobacco genotypes into four clusters under normal and stress conditions. In Orobanche stress condition, ratings the clusters in view of traits average showed that the second and fourth clusters contain genotypes that are resistant and sensitive to Orobanche stress, respectively. Therefore, by selecting suitable parents from these groups and crossing them, it will be possible to produce segregated populations in Orobanche resistance breeding programs and to make desirable changes in tobacco yield. Results of cluster analysis were confirmed by results of canonical discriminant function results. The principal component analysis identified two components in each condition which explained more than 75 and 73 percent of the total variation in normal and stress conditions, respectively. Genotypes classified in the second cluster can be potentially used in the Orobanche infested areas.


Harmonic analysis has been made of ten representative instruments with two variables: (1): a sampling of pitch throughout the normal register of the instrument, and (2), for each tone, a loud and a soft rendition. The results give a graphic picture of the characteristics of each instrument and its range of variability dependent on pitch and intensity.


The aim of this work was to compare the efficacy of different cow side tests for diagnosis of ketosis including Precision Xtra ketone method and PortaBHB milk ketone tests in HolsteinFriesian dairy cows. The colorimetric estimation of serum BHBA at a cut-off point ≥1.200 mmol /L was used as a gold standard method. For that purpose, 200 HolsteinFriesian dairy cows up to 6 weeks postpartum were tested. The prevalence of ketosis was 11% by using colorimetric method. The apparent prevalence of ketosis was 12.5% by using of Precision Xtra ketone test at a cut-off point of blood BHBA ≥1.200 mmol /L with 90.9% sensitivity, 97.2% specificity, 80 % positive predictive value (PPV) and 98.9% negative predictive value (NPV). A significant correlation (r = 0.871; P <0.01) was recorded between serum BHBA measured by colorimetric method and whole blood BHBA measured by Precision Xtra ketone test. The apparent prevalence of ketosis was 20.5% and 6.5% by using PortaBHB milk ketone test at a cutoff point 100-200 μmol of milk BHBA /L with 86.4% and 45.5% sensitivity, 87.6% and 98.3% specificity, 46.3% and 76.9% PPV and 98.1% and 93.6% NPV, respectively. It was concluded that Precision Xtra ketone test and PortaBHB milk ketone test are simple and rapid tools for diagnosis of ketosis compared with the standard colorimetric method. However, Precision Xtra ketone test is more accurate and sensitive than PortaBHB milk ketone test.


(57) ABSTRACT Provided are a process for producing an optical fiber pre form by depositing glass Soot on the periphery of a glass rod and then Sintering the glass Soot to form a new transparent glass layer and also a process for producing an optical fiber preform by repeating the above procedures, wherein bubble is prevented from occurring in glass layerS and interfaces between them. The process includes the Steps of forming a glass Soot layer by depositing glass Soot on the periphery of a glass rod formed by undergoing a Sintering heat treatment; and carrying out Subsequently another heat treatment for the glass Soot to carry out Sintering thereof and transform the glass Soot layer into a glass layer, wherein, provided that the glass Soot is treated at a sintering temperature T( C.) and that the glass rod is formed at a sintering temperature T( C.), the temperature T is set to Satisfy the following expres


Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Canadian men with current statistics estimating that one in eight men will develop this disease during his lifetime and for one in 28, it will be fatal (Canadian Cancer Society, 2014). Using social constructivism as its theoretical underpinning, the purpose of the present study was to develop a theoretical framework illustrating how Francophone men from Northeastern Ontario constructed their prostate cancer experiences. More specifically, this study sought to highlight the impact of this disease and the uncertainty it generates on Francophone patients' resilience and overall quality of life by uncovering the strategies they utilized to construct and reconstruct their lives upon receipt of their initial diagnosis, to their selected treatment and subsequently, to their current post-treatment realities. The central question that guided this inquiry was: What are the strategies that Northeastern Ontario Francophone men utilize when faced with a diagnosis and subsequent treatment(s) for prostate cancer? This study was guided by a qualitative social constructivist grounded theory design. To collect data, 22 face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with men from eight different communities throughout Northeastern Ontario. All interviews were digitally audio-recorded using two separate digital audio recorders and were transcribed verbatim in the language of the interview. Data were analyzed using the key principles of grounded theory, mainly, constant comparison, data saturation, as well as initial, focused, and theoretical coding. Results from this study highlighted the influence of language and culture on the illness experiences of Francophone prostate cancer patients from Northeastern Ontario. In addition, linguistic preferences and geographic locations were shown to be key considerations that weighed heavily within participants' treatment decision-making processes. The role of the wife and the role of the primary family physician were also identified as important supports within the context of men's overall assessment of their cancer experience and the impact of the disease on men's post-treatment quality of life. Using a variety of formal and informal strategies, participants were able to mitigate some of the negative consequences of the disease and demonstrate resiliency in the face of a challenging and uncertain disease. iii Overview of Thesis Chapters This thesis follows a monograph style. The introduction presents the research proposal, the theoretical approach, the conceptual framework, the research question and the hypotheses that guided this study. Chapter 1 presents a critical review of the research literature regarding the development of prostate cancer; the physical, sexual and psychological impact of prostate cancer and the impact of this disease on a person's quality of life. It also provides a summary of the current literature on resilience as well as an overview of the geographical and cultural contexts affecting Francophone prostate cancer patients from Northeastern Ontario. Chapter 2 outlines the theoretical framework and conceptual model guiding this study. Chapter 3 explains the research methodology used. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 report on the findings of the study while Chapter 6 discusses their theoretical implications. The final chapter of this thesis draws conclusions and discusses the relevance of this study, its limitations, and provides recommendations for future research.


As an important door open to foreign world,Xinjiang is also an important reserve for strategic resources.What economic development strategy is to be taken for Xinjiang to promote the coordinative progress of industrial structure is a critical issue.The paper focuses on the requirements for all-level government in Xinjiang by the execution of resource advantage converting strategy during the market reform process and the countermeasures and advices for amelioration and reform.


Our call set out to enlarge the evidence base and methods for improving and evaluating grasslands in a changing environment as a sustainable ecosystem for all life [...]


Lead zirconate titanate(PZT)thick film is fabricated upon silicon substrate by using the screen printing technology.The experiment result is analyzed.UCPBG(uniplanar compact photonic bandgap)structure is designed and simulated.The electromagnetic parameters of the structure are tested to certify the correctness of the algorithm.The structure and technology design of a PZT thick film and UCPBG based miniature radio frequency antenna is brought out.


The quantitative theory of free radical mechanisms in emulsion polymerizations is reexamined. It is suggested that existing descriptions are not entirely consistent with physically realizable situations. The proposed modifications result in a closer resemblance to homogeneous systems. Explicit expressions for the distribution of radicals are also given. The importance of interphase transfer is emphasized.


Introduction: Each type of prosthesis for ossiculoplasty has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of the best material has been a matter of various studies. The present study aimed to make a comparison between the hearing outcomes of partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) using titanium versus Polycel prosthesis. Material and Methods: A total of 106 patients undergoing PORP as a second stage ossiculoplasty were analyzed in this study. Following that, they were randomly assigned to two groups of titanium (n=54) and Polycel (n=52) prosthesis. Subsequently, pre-and post-operative audiometric data were assessed based on the aim of the study. Results: In general, the post-operative air-bone gap within 20 dB was given to 63.5% and 55.6% of all ears in the Polycel and titanium groups, respectively, indicating a non-significant difference (P=0.407). Finally, no SNHL was observed in the groups. Conclusion: Overall, the hearing outcomes and the success rate of PORP are comparable between titanium and Polycel prostheses. Therefore, the selection of these prostheses could be based on the surgeons' preferences, availability, and cost.


Abstract Background Limited data exists on the impact of COVID-19 on national changes in cardiac procedure activity, including patient characteristics and clinical outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and Results All major cardiac procedures (n = 374,899) performed between 1st January and 31st May for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 were analysed, stratified by procedure type and time-period (pre-COVID: January-May 2018 and 2019 and January-February 2020 and COVID: March-May 2020). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the odds ratio (OR) of 30-day mortality for procedures performed in the COVID period. Overall, there was a deficit of 45,501 procedures during the COVID period compared to the monthly averages (March-May) in 2018-2019. Cardiac catheterisation and device implantations were the most affected in terms of numbers (n = 19,637 and n = 10,453) whereas surgical procedures such as MVR, other valve replacement/repair, ASD/VSD repair and CABG were the most affected as a relative percentage difference (Δ) to previous years' averages. TAVR was the least affected (Δ-10.6%). No difference in 30-day mortality was observed between pre-COVID and COVID time-periods for all cardiac procedures except cardiac catheterisation (OR 1.25 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.47, p = 0.006) and cardiac device implantation (OR 1.35 95% CI 1.15-1.58, p < 0.001). Conclusion Cardiac procedural activity has significantly declined across England during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a deficit in excess of 45000 procedures, without an increase in risk of mortality for most cardiac procedures performed during the pandemic. Major restructuring of cardiac services is necessary to deal with this deficit, which would inevitably impact long-term morbidity and mortality.


Organized activities for people with severe mental disorders have until recently been the societal task of one human service organization, the medical speciality of psychiatry. With former psychiatric impatients moving out into the local community and with heavier dependence on outpatient polyclinic care, the situation is slowly changing. Day care activities for people with severe mental disorder are organized with an increasing involvement of the social services. The aim of this article is, using data from a national survey carried out in 1991 in Sweden, to describe and categorize how day care units interpret their task. Results show that claims-making activities still adhere largely to a therapeutic paradigm in spite of the outspoken social character of the work of organizing everyday life activities.


In the context of the integration of the students with special needs to the mainstream school we describe in this study the perspective to instruct basic concepts of mechanics to deaf students of Secondary Education using the rhythmic patterns of musical education in the motion elements of the art of dance. More specifically we analyze from the kinesiological viewpoint some basic dance movements using the laws of physics and physical quantities like angular acceleration, center of gravity, etc. and we underline the role of musical rhythm in the understanding and the execution of the above mentioned movements. Reviewing the relevant literature and presenting examples of specific physic concepts we support that the movements taught through dance -and their repetition with the assistance of musical rhythm in integrated dance groups- can improve the control of the posture of deaf children and therefore their psychomotor skills and the comprehension of the relative physic patterns.


This paper explores strategic behavior by agents in a network using an agent-based model. The model exhibits a tension between economic efficiency and the stability of the network in the face of incentives to change its configuration. This tension is to be expected because the conditions of the Coase Theorem are violated: the boundedly rational firms in the model lack the ability to discover efficient network configurations, let alone realize and sustain them through collective action. In computational experiments, as predicted by theory, firms frequently became locked into inefficient outcomes or endless cycles of mutual frustration. However, simple coordinating institutions such as property rights and bilateral bargaining dramatically improved outcomes, even for severely myopic firms. The results echo Hayek's observations about local coordination in the economy at large, which led him to "marvel" at the efficiency of the price system. But here there are no prices; instead firms exploited a source of self-organization, namely the structure of the payoffs. In the model, stable network configurations tend to be efficient (even though the converse is not true), so stability-promoting institutions tend to improve efficiency. While it is easy to construct counterexamples to this pattern, the computational results are robust to a wide range of model parameters, and I argue that the role played by stability in the model has plausible analogs in the real world.


ABSTRACT This article uses Spain's participation at the Cairo Congress of Arab Music (1932) as the basis to raise questions pertaining to the place of Arab music in the racial imagination of Europeans. It argues that Spain's unique response to the challenges arising from the study of Arab music in a context of colonial rivalry reveals still uncharted tensions and fractures running through musicology and Orientalist discourse at the time. My line of inquiry sheds light on the origins and characteristics of the forms of self-reflexivity evident in the musicological work produced by Spain and other European countries. In what ways did the shifting tectonics of North African politics impact or even impair the capacity of European musicological discourse to inscribe Arab music in the global imagination in ways supportive of Europe's identity projects? To what extent was the discourse on Arab music emerging in the context of colonial rivalry suitable for Spain to rewrite the memories of its past of anti-Muslim violence? What could Spain's unique position as both an insider and an outsider relative to notions of Europe reveal about western attitudes towards Arab music in a context of colonial rivalry? The answers to these questions lie not only with the peculiar ways in which Spain addressed its identity crises, but also with the extent to which the Cairo Congress exposed the inadequacy of reigning paradigms in musicology, anthropology and the social sciences, and underscored their inability to keep up with the changing face of North African societies.


Visualizing cholesterol (CL) fluctuation in plasma membranes is a crucially important yet challenging task in cell biology. Here, we proposed a new imaging strategy based on permeability changes of plasma membranes triggered by different CL contents to result in controllable spatial distribution of single fluorescent probes (SF-probes) in subcellular organelles. Three spatial distribution-controllable SF-probes (PMM-Me, PMM-Et, and PMM-Bu) for imaging CL fluctuation in plasma membranes were rationally developed. These SF-probes target plasma membranes and mitochondria at normal CL levels, while they display solely staining in plasma membranes and mitochondria at increased and decreased CL levels, respectively. These polarity-sensitive probes also show distinct emission colors with fluorescence peaks of 575 and 620 nm in plasma membranes and mitochondria, respectively. Thus, the CL fluctuation in plasma membranes can be clearly visualized by means of the spatially distributed and two-color emissive SF-probes.


A three-body unitary transformation method for the study of three-body forces is presented. Starting with a three-body Hamiltonian with two-body forces, unitary transformations are introduced to generate Hamiltonians that have both two- and three-body forces. For cases of physical interest, the two-body forces of the altered Hamiltonians are phase equivalent (for two-body scattering) to the original and the three-body force vanishes when any interparticle distance is large. Specific examples are presented. Applications for studying the possible role of three-body forces in accounting for trinucleon bound state properties are examined. Calculations of the /sup 3/He and /sup 3/H charge form factors and Coulomb energy difference with hyperspherical radial transformations and with conventional N-N potentials are performed. The form factor calculations demonstrate how the proposed method can help obtain improved agreement with experiment by the introduction of appropriate three-body forces. Calculations of the Coulomb energy difference confirm previous estimates concerning charge symmetry breaking in the N-N interaction. (AIP)


Multistatic radar has attracted considerable interest. One of the reasons is that it can provide improved performance against deception jamming. However, the existing anti-jamming methods always need multiple pulse repetition intervals (PRIs), and the slow fluctuating targets will be misjudged as deception targets. In this paper, hierarchical clustering analysis method is first utilized in multistatic radar to discriminate deception targets within one PRI in a defined amplitude ratio feature space, in which deception targets concentrate on one position, while physical targets possess dispersion characteristic. Two approaches are provided to terminate the clustering process by optimizing the number of clusters or designing the minimum cost among clusters. The first one works in most cases without any prior information, but is not in Neyman-Pearson sense. The other one can achieve a constant probability of false alarm, but obtain its optimal performance only when the jamming-to-noise ratios of all generated false targets are approximately equal. According to the final clustering results, deception targets can be discriminated by deciding that the targets in the cluster with more than one target are all false targets. The simulated results are covered to illustrate the feasibility and validness of the proposed approach.


Applied research and development involves seeking just enough information, through studies with just enough methodologic rigor, to improve practice within a short time. Such research can identify practices that improve outcomes and teach us how to implement them.


Combining with the relative resources,the paper indicates the concept of aerobic buildings,introduces the realization methods for the aerobic buildings,analyzes the functions of the aerobic buildings and problems in its implementation by adopting the low-carbon idea and design method of the green buildings,so as to realize the harmonious existence of the buildings and environment.


Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are becoming one of the most important model organisms in behavioural neuroscience. It has been shown repeatedly that different zebrafish strains show large behavioural differences. These divergent behavioural profiles may have a genetic basis, but environmental factors and previous experience are also known to greatly affect the behavioural phenotype of zebrafish. It could be expected that behavioural differences at the larval stage should be less affected by environmental factors and experience. In the present study, we screened larvae of zebrafish of the AB strain and offspring of wild-caught zebrafish for boldness, using an open field test. In order to follow the behavioural development, we studied larvae at the age of 5-, 7-, 12- and 30-days post fertilization (dpf). Behaviour, as well as behavioural development, clearly differed between the larvae of the different strains. Wild larvae showed larger total distance moved than AB larvae, both at light and dark conditions. These differences were already present at 12 dpf but became more pronounced with age. Wild larvae had a greater variance compared to AB larvae for most of the variables. We have previously shown that bold and shy adult zebrafish differ in the brain expression of dopamine and opioid receptors. The results of the current study show that wild larvae display significantly higher brain expression of drd2b than AB larvae at 30 dpf, a difference that could be related to differences in activity. We did not detect any differences in the expression of opioid receptors.


The Study of Search Engine Optimization on Website as A Marketing Strategy on the Internet. The Internet usages have been growing. The marketing ways for both products and services have changed into the internet media. Cross-country target market and 24-hour services become the main strengths of online marketing. Moreover, the cost of promotion on the internet marketing is more effective than conventional media such as television, radio, and newspapers. It needs some right strategies and methods to get many visitors. The websites used as marketing media must be built with the right rules to become the optimum internet marketing. One of the rules to build internet marketing is optimizing website to be indexed properly in search engines like Google. This research method is on-page and off-page observation of web pages. Consequently, the analyzed web pages have met the marketing rules based on SEO. However, many other aspects still need improvement.


Levels of iron in the various body compartments – collectively known as iron status – are the particular importance to the athlete. The iron function are producing haemoglobine, myoglobine, role in enzyme function, and the oxygen transport from the lung interface with the athmosphere to the muscle capillaries and subsequent delivery to the mitochondria within the muscle cells. The objective of this research is to analyze the availability of iron resources, the iron spur and inhibitors, correlation effects within haemoglobine level and endurance of gymnastics athletes of "PERSANI Jawa Tengah". The research design is an explanatory research with cross sectional design. The total of twenty three (23) athletes are selected as samples. There is no significant correlation between the iron resources with haemoglobine level (p = 0, 708 ) and so between the iron resources with endurance (p = 0, 872 ). There is a significant correlation between the iron comsumption with haemoglobine level (p = 0, 000). But there is no significant correlation between the iron consumption with endurance (p = 0, 591). There is a significant correlation between the iron spur with haemoglobine level (p = 0, 000). But there is no significant correlation between the iron spur with endurace (p = 0, 971). There is a negatif significant correlation between the iron inhibitors with haemoglobine level (p = 0, 033 ; r = -0,446) but no significant correlation between the iron inhibitors with endurance (p = 0, 638). This result suggested that the iron consumption and the iron spur are able to increase the haemoglobine level but no for endurance. But the iron inhibitors is able to decrease the haemoglobine level but no for endurance. The iron spur Key Words : iron resources, iron spur, iron inhibitors, haemoglobine levels, endurance


We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the arguments put forward by Bird et al. against the premise of a long-distance source and trade of bryozoan fossiliferous chert across southern Australia. Given the long-standing enigma of fossiliferous chert artefacts and their apparent offshore source, it is appropriate for there to be some debate when this enigma is challenged. However, it is difficult to understand why Bird et al. ignore the geological evidence that indicates unequivocally that the source of fossiliferous chert cannot be from the Perth Basin (O'Leary et al. 2017), and offer no alternative source. Bird et al. themselves seem to acknowledge, with reference to Glover (1975a), that 'no local sources [of fossiliferous chert] are known, but it most closely resembles chert from the Eucla area'. As noted in O'Leary et al. (2017:37), the idea of a transport pathway of Eocene-age fossiliferous chert along the south coast (from Eucla) was first proposed by Glover and Cockbain (1971). Only after petroleum exploration wells were drilled on the Rottnest Shelf, which contained bands of fossiliferous chert, did Glover (1975a, 1975b) and Quilty (1978) opt for an offshore source. This change in thinking was considered to account for the apparent westward increase in frequency of chert artefacts, absence of a suitable local onshore chert source, and absence of chert artefacts in strata younger than 4.5 ka. The latter was attributed to an elimination of source following post-glacial flooding of the continental shelf. Yet an offshore source in the Perth Basin remains unlikely given that the well data show chert bands in Eocene to Miocene age formations (a similar age to the chert deposits on the Nullarbor) at depths of 50 400m below lowest sea levels at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Critically, chert can only form under pressure from burial. There are extensive supporting datasets including geological (e.g. borehole), geochronological (Glover and Cockbain 1971), geophysical (e.g. shallow seismic) and neotectonic evidence that show the surficial and shallow subsurface sediments of the Rottnest Shelf consist of Pleistocene marine calcarenites. It is a geological impossibility for in situ Eocene chert deposits to exist at or just below the seabed on the Rottnest Shelf where it could be accessed as a resource. The main part of Bird et al.'s argument revolves around the distance-from-material-source concept, namely that raw material distribution declines with increasing distance from source. While this decline may exist for local Plantagenet chert, this trend (effect) and the various processes that are involved in making it (cause) may not hold up when considering material sources over distances of hundreds of kilometres where research and preservation bias are significant factors. Even within the Perth region, Bird et al.'s figure highlights the distribution of sites with fossiliferous chert in a broad arc around the Perth floodplain. This mirrors the distribution of archaeological sites generally, with the vast majority, whether a result of research bias or preservation, associated with the Bassendean sand (Bowdler et al. 1991). The archaeological record is largely based on material remains being created, preserved and found. Thus, an easterly decline in archaeological material may reflect one or more of the following aspects:


Analyzing the language characteristics of historical drama from the perspective of context has been ignored by the academic circles. This paper adopts Wang Xijie's context classification stan-dard and combines with the dialogue of lines of Eastern Zhou Dynasty · Spring and Autumn Period to study the context of the drama from three opposite angles: broad and narrow sense, dynamic and static, diachronic


The povertystricken areas in Loess Plateau have long been in a state of a vicious circle of social poverty,ecological poverty and economic poverty.The benign evolution of an ecoeconomic system not simply depends on the constant perfection of the regional innovative system,but more on the thrust forces from outside.Taking Dingxi Prefecture as an example,this article points out the factors restricting the evolution of regional ecoeconomic system within the system and outside,arguing that the following factors are crucial: arid weather and water shortage; excessive cultivation and forestcutting; population growth; simple economic structure and lagged modernization.Furthermore,state macropolicy for the development of Dingxi's ecological economy,challenges from abroad and domestic,as well as local innovative capabilities are analyzed.Based on above,the key countermeasures of both regional innovation and outside thrust are proposed,including: strategy of migration through education; development of watersaving ecological agriculture; development of characteristic tertiary industries,labor forces strategy; compensation for ecological lost strategy; environmentprotection resources allocation strategy and financial shift payment strategy.


During 1981, excavation of a large sand and gravel pit in Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire, revealed many traces of Neolithic occupation and three Roman pits (fig. 8). In the southwestern part of the site, a sub-rectangular feature, aligned approximately east-west (pl. IIa), was found to contain a large number of iron tools and other objects, including Roman coins and glass which initially caused the material to be reported as Romano-British. Subsequently, however, a few objects were identified as post-Roman, and they are enough to show that the material was buried in the seventh century or possibly a little later. Because the soil in the area is very acid, conditions for the survival of organic material were poor, but a few fragments of human bone were recovered nevertheless, and it is therefore assumed that the feature was a grave with an inhumation. The objects had been deposited in two discrete assemblages, at each end of the grave.


The article describes the system of coordinates used in the design of extended objects. This article describes the problem of mapping of extended objects. This article describes how to convert coordinates. This article describes the features of the method of transformation of coordinates.


A new optical architecture for making instantaneous tomographic measurements of a time-varying, three-dimensional flow field is discussed. The system is capable of providing 36 views of a transparent object in 300 μsec using a 1 Watt Argon laser. The size of the measurement volume is 7 cm × 7 cm × 7 cm. Spatial resolution is estimated to be approximately 1.5 mm and the error in measurement of concentration is better than 3%. The projections are holographic-interferometry phase measurements of density. The set of projections is inverted using Fourier processing techniques to yield the three-dimensional representation of the density field. The results of these measurements are displayed using the SURF graphics package developed at Stanford. This system is used to study a coflowing helium-air jet. Instantaneous 3-D concentration measurements of helium into air in the transitional region of the jet are presented.A new optical architecture for making instantaneous tomographic measurements of a time-varying, three-dimensional flow field is discussed. The system is capable of providing 36 views of a transparent object in 300 μsec using a 1 Watt Argon laser. The size of the measurement volume is 7 cm × 7 cm × 7 cm. Spatial resolution is estimated to be approximately 1.5 mm and the error in measurement of concentration is better than 3%. The projections are holographic-interferometry phase measurements of density. The set of projections is inverted using Fourier processing techniques to yield the three-dimensional representation of the density field. The results of these measurements are displayed using the SURF graphics package developed at Stanford. This system is used to study a coflowing helium-air jet. Instantaneous 3-D concentration measurements of helium into air in the transitional region of the jet are presented.


Magnetic levitation techniques have been used to eliminate friction due to mechanical contact, decrease the maintaining cost and achieve high-precision positioning. Although there are many studies on the single degree-of-freedom magnetic levitation control algorithms, it is difficult to achieve excellent control performance using classical control methods for the multiple-in-multiple-out magnetic levitation system because of the coupling in the dynamic system and the nonlinearity of the electromagnetic force. This article presents a 3 degrees-of-freedom magnetic suspension stage. At first the dynamic model of the stage is derived; then a nonlinear intelligent decoupling controller is developed to stabilize the levitation system. The control architecture consists of three components: (1) fuzzy sliding mode technique for the uncertainty in the system parameter; (2) force distribution for decoupling; (3) extended state observer for compensating the system disturbance. Finally experiments are designed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Experimental results show that compared with the classical proportional–integral–derivative controller, the proposed controller provides excellent transient response performance and the system is robust against the parameter uncertainty and external disturbance.


The reasons of brick wall cracks beside the top floor tie beam of brick and concrete composite construction were analyzed. Some suitable prevention and cure measures were proposed. The correctness of some measures were tested and verified in engineering practice.


With the carbon tax now in effect, directors and officers of ASX-listed companies need to consider the impact the carbon tax may have on the company's share price, and ensure that they continue to meet their disclosure obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 and the ASX Listing Rules.


The hot water turbine is a prime mover intermediate between a water turbine and steam turbine, and it is felt that the machine has at long last come into its own as a useful means to drive the generator. Research and development conducted by the authors show that driving a turbine directly with hot water is technically feasible and can contribute to economical waste-heat power generation.


—The aim of this research is to analyze the tourism potency and the community readiness of Berancah Village in order to know the feasibility of the village to be developed into a tourism village. The method used for this research is a descriptive qualitative research. The data collected through direct observation towards the tourism objects and all the supporting facilities, and also through several interviews with related stakeholders. To analyze the community readiness, a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and series of questionnaire were given to the villagers. Based on this research, it is concluded that Berancah Village is feasible to be developed into a tourism village with a positive support from the community.


This study seeks to contribute to recent debates concerning computational social science by experimenting with 'co‐occurrence analysis' on a Twitter dataset relating to the subject of the recently introduced General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In so doing, the study implements the method in the context of hashtags associated with the subject, in an attempt to test the method's capacities and limitations to detect liveliness ‐ dynamism and engagement with a given topic ‐ on Twitter. The study highlights the significance of a qualitative assessment of tweets in combination with network mapping. It further suggests that the ability of hashtag analysis to detect liveliness of issues on Twitter is influenced by the type of actors involved, insofar as the ubiquitous use of multiple hashtags in the same tweet as observed in this study poses serious limitations to hashtag analysis. In terms of specific hashtag analyses, the research stresses the importance of a comprehensive exploration of the various entities associated with the hashtag, including other hashtags, users, hyperlinks, and tweet source, as well as how they shift over time, if a true understanding the hashtag's 'life' is to be obtained. In Search for 'Liveliness' SAMEEH SELIM


In order to clearer understanding the insect resource in the nature reserve and provide a foundation data for city greening,species utilization and species protection,the survey was carried on about species diversity of insects in Wugui Mountain of Zhongshan Urban Nature Reserve from July,2007 to May,2011 by way of route and sample plot investigation.The dry preserved specimen was made in time after insect collection,after identified by using the professional illustrated handbook or sending to local insect expert for identification,totally 40 thousand specimen were made.The paper reported the butterfly catalogue of 199 species from 11 families,which belong to Lepidoptera.


Abstract 1057 Introduction: Approximately 15–17% of children with HbSS and 11% of those with HbSβ0thalassemia (HbSβ0thal) develop sickle retinopathy (SR) by 18 years of age. Sickle retinopathy is a spectrum of vascular lesions that insidiously evolve as a result of ischemia from vaso-occlusion of capillary and precapillary arterioles in the peripheral retina. These lesions are usually clinically silent but can progress to spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage or retinal detachment and lead to blindness. Therefore, periodic screening retinal exams are recommended for children and adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Prior reports from Jamaica identified low fetal hemoglobin (HbF) concentration as a potential risk factor for retinopathy in HbSS patients. Hydroxyurea (HU), an increasingly utilized treatment in children with HbSS/HbSB0thal, increases %HbF levels. However, there are no reports describing the effects of HU therapy on the prevalence of retinopathy in children with SCD. In our institution, all children with SCD are referred to ophthalmology for a screening dilated fundoscopic exam (DFE) beginning at 10 years of age and then every 2 years. Objective: Define the prevalence of retinopathy in children with HbSS/HbSβ0thal and analyze the effects of treatment with HU and %HbF levels on the prevalence of retinopathy. Methods: After IRB approval, a retrospective chart review was performed on children with HbSS/HbSβ0thal who received a DFE without fluorescein angiography at St Jude Children9s Research Hospital between 2003 and 2010. Children who received chronic transfusion therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were excluded from analysis. Records of DFEs were reviewed for a diagnosis of non-proliferative or proliferative SR. Laboratory data were collected at multiple time points from patients9 electronic medical records, including: prior to initiation of HU, following two years of therapy with HU, and immediately prior to diagnosis of retinopathy. Time of observation was defined as birth to diagnosis of SR or to date of last DFE. Summary statistics are reported and the HU and non-HU groups are compared with the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Exact test. Results: Of 182 children referred to ophthalmology, 142 (78%; 126 HbSS, 16 HbSβ0thal) received an initial DFE at a median age of 13.1 ± 3.3 years (range: 1.6–18.7 years). The median number of DFEs per patient was 1.7 ± 1.4 (range: 1–12) during the time of observation. Sickle retinopathy was diagnosed in 9.9% (14/142) of children, at an average age of 15 ± 2.5 years. Of the children who received a DFE, 63% (90/142) had initiated HU therapy at an average age of 9.8 ±4.8 years. The average age at initial DFE was not different in patients receiving HU (13.1 ± 3.2 years) and those who did not (13 ± 3.5 years). The total number of DFEs performed in both groups was also similar (1 ± 1.2 in HU-treated group vs. 1 ± 1.6 in untreated group). Retinopathy was diagnosed in 7.8% (7/90) of children who received HU and 13.5% (7/52) of children who did not (p=0.27). The median age at diagnosis of SR was similar for patients treated with HU (15.4 ± 2.5 years, range: 11.3–18.2 years) compared to untreated children (14.6 ± 2.6 years, range: 10.8–17.3 years; p=0.6). Among patients receiving HU, those who developed retinopathy started treatment at a later age, however the difference was not statistically significant (12.2 ± 5 years vs. 9.3 ± 4.5 years; p=0.23). Among the HU treated group, %HbF following 2 years of HU therapy was similar in those who developed SR (16.1 ± 7.7%) and those who did not (20.0 ± 6.8%; p=0.24). Conclusion: Although the average age at diagnosis with retinopathy in these children with HbSS/HbSβ0thal was similar to previously reported untreated pediatric cohorts, the overall prevalence of retinopathy was lower. Treatment with HU did not affect the development of retinopathy nor did %HbF levels in those treated with HU. More studies are necessary to analyze the effects of HU treatment on development of SR. In the meantime, continued adherence to screening guidelines for ophthalmology evaluations are necessary for children with HbSS and HbSβ0thal being treated with hydroxyurea. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Use of hydroxyurea in children with sickle cell anemia.


This article presents an experimental investigation of the microstructure and water distribution of partially saturated natural hard clay. A series of natural hard clay specimens were desaturated using a controlled-suction technique and then examined using nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (NMR) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). NMR allows one to investigate the microstructure and the water distribution of the material, while MIP can provide information about the free space distribution of the material. The results of NMR are consistent with the MIP measurements and show that the pore size of the hard clay has a similar unimodal distribution. The relaxation time distribution curves are closely related to the water content of the specimens. The dehydration mechanism of the hard clay is revealed by both NMR and MIP: the water progressively evaporates from large pores to small pores. The peak of the T2 relaxation time distribution decreases with a decrease in water content, and the peak of the free pore size distribution increases during hydration. The results of NMR and MIP are consistent and reveal the same dehydration mechanisms. The limits of NMR and MIP for partially saturated materials will be discussed in this text.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the cost-utility of eprosartan versus enalapril (primary prevention) and versus nitrendipine (secondary prevention) on the basis of head-to-head evidence from randomized controlled trials.

METHODS
The HEALTH model (Health Economic Assessment of Life with Teveten for Hypertension) is an object-oriented probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation model. It combines a Framingham-based risk calculation with a systolic blood pressure approach to estimate the relative risk reduction of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events based on recent meta-analyses. In secondary prevention, an additional risk reduction is modeled for eprosartan according to the results of the MOSES study ("Morbidity and Mortality after Stroke--Eprosartan Compared to Nitrendipine for Secondary Prevention"). Costs and utilities were derived from published estimates considering European country-specific health-care payer perspectives.

RESULTS
Comparing eprosartan to enalapril in a primary prevention setting the mean costs per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained were highest in Germany (Euro 24,036) followed by Belgium (Euro 17,863), the UK (Euro 16,364), Norway (Euro 13,834), Sweden (Euro 11,691) and Spain (Euro 7918). In a secondary prevention setting (eprosartan vs. nitrendipine) the highest costs per QALY gained have been observed in Germany (Euro 9136) followed by the UK (Euro 6008), Norway (Euro 1695), Sweden (Euro 907), Spain (Euro -2054) and Belgium (Euro -5767).

CONCLUSIONS
Considering a Euro 30,000 willingness-to-pay threshold per QALY gained, eprosartan is cost-effective as compared to enalapril in primary prevention (patients >or=50 years old and a systolic blood pressure >or=160 mm Hg) and cost-effective as compared to nitrendipine in secondary prevention (all investigated patients).


No Abstract. Keywords: international medical graduates, medical education, professional and linguistic assessment board (PLAB), Residency, UK Archives of Ibadan Medicine 2005, Vol. 6(1): 29-31


The article examines the theoretical conception of postanarhism, insufficiently studied phenomenon in Russian philosophy and sociology. Attempt to revise the theory of a stateless society, which is made by theorists of this conception and Saul Newman in particular, not only helps to analyze the latent tendencies of classical anarchism, but also to understand its transformation in today's socio-cultural paradigm.


In all coating applications, air in contact with a dry solid substrate is displaced by a liquid film. At low substrate speed a thin uniform wetting line is formed on the substrates surface, but at high speed the wetting line becomes segmented and unsteady as air becomes entrained between the substrate and the liquid. These air bubbles affect the quality of the coated product and any means to postpone this at higher speeds without changing the specifications of the coating liquid is desirable. In this study, we examine the effect of angling-rotating- the curtain die. This idea derives directly from the principles of the dynamic speed of wetting developed by Blake (1) and exploited by and Cohu and Benkreira (2). In this study we describe the equipment used –a pilot curtain coater and a rotating die and present data with a range of fluids.