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4,510,400 | Our data highlight the possible pathophysiological roles of these inflammatory mediators in leukocyte recruitment and activation during ocular inflammatory responses. The results suggests that GM-CSF, IL-8 and LTB4 are active during corneal pathology and LTB4 or IL-8 may maintain the contact lens induced PMN response in vivo. | 9757601 |
4,510,401 | Pharmacokinetic study of caffeic and rosmarinic acids in rats after oral administration. p-Coumaric and ferulic acid are actively taken up by monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT), whereas gallic acid, caffeic acid (CA), and rosmarinic acid (RA) are absorbed by paracellular diffusion in human intestinal Caco-2 cells, although CA has low affinity for MCT. We previously demonstrated that p-coumaric acid has a much higher absorption efficiency than gallic acid in rats, owing to the MCT-mediated absorption of p-coumaric acid in vivo (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2004, 52, 2527-2532). Here, absorption of orally administered CA and RA in rats has been studied to investigate their intestinal absorption characteristics and pharmacokinetics in vivo and to compare the results with those of p-coumaric and gallic acids obtained under identical conditions. Rats were given 100 micromol/kg body weight of CA and RA, and blood was collected from the portal vein and abdominal artery after administration. CA, RA, and their metabolites were quantified by a coulometric detection method using HPLC-ECD. The serum concentration of intact CA and RA in the portal vein peaked at 10 min after administration, with a C(max) of 11.24 micromol/L for CA and 1.36 micromol/L for RA. The area under the curve (AUC) for intact CA and RA in the portal vein was calculated from the serum concentration-time profile to be 585.0 and 60.4 micromol min L-1, respectively. The absorption efficiency of CA was about 9.7-fold higher than that of RA. Overall, the absorption efficiency of these compounds in vivo increases in the order: gallic acid = RA < | 29676101 |
4,510,402 | CA < p-coumaric acid, which is in good agreement with results obtained in Caco-2 cells in vitro. | 29676101 |
4,510,403 | Modified block space time transmit diversity encoder A A transmit diversity system which can be applied to code division multiple access (CDMA) communication system, provides configuration was reduced simple manufacturing cost transmit diversity system. It is a system and method for transmitting data symbols in A for CDMA communication system including with antenna array of the transmitter and the receiver. The system generates a first and second data field of symbols, produce complex conjugates of the respective symbols by their coding. A first communication burst including the first and second data fields separated by a midamble, the second communication generated using the conjugate value separated by a midamble of the first and second data fields transmitting a signal burst from the transmitter via the first and second antenna respectively. The receiver decodes which receives the first and second communication bursts to recover the first and second data fields. .The | 57183301 |
4,510,404 | A novel mathematical modeling in shift in emotion for gauging the social influential in big data streams with hybrid sarcasm detection Online social network is a platform that plays an essential role in identifying the emotional values of user‐generated content such as blogs, posts, and comments along with their influential factors. Especially on Twitter, network users are growing worldwide day by day and creating a massive amount of data that is not analyzed effectively in a quick way. Identifying the most influential persons on the social network is also a challenging task over the wide range of real‐time applications like recommendation systems. Now, to handle these situations, this article proposes a novel approach for prediction of information diffusion that includes emotion recognition with sarcasm detection based influence spreader identification (PID‐ERSDISI). The proposed method uses the user‐generated posts for emotion recognition in tandem with sarcasm detection both implicitly and explicitly. This approach helps to gauge the leverage that influences spreaders and also enhances the prediction accuracy of information diffusion in a better way. The implementation of the proposed work executed their task one after another in the following way, namely, sarcasm detection, emotional‐level computation, breakpoint computation, breakpoint validation, influential user generation, and information diffusion. After the successful implementation of this proposed PID‐ERSDIS, it produced prominent results against other state‐of‐art methods. | 245803051 |
4,510,405 | Adjunctive Radiation Therapy for Rectal Carcinoma From 1977 through 1985, 113 patients received radiati on therapy in conjunction with definitive surgery for adenocar-cinoma of the rectum. Posttreatment consisted of a minimum follow-up of 4 years. Radiation was given as postoperative (eight patients), short-course preoperative (2,000 cGy/5 fx, 21 patients), or as full-course preoperative treatment (4,500–5,000 cGy, 84 patients). Three patients received chemotherapy as part of the adjuvant treatment. The local control for the total group was 90% (local failures, 11 of 113), and the rate of recurrence at any site (distant or local) was 30% (34 of 113). Local failure was not significantly influenced by pre-treatment clinical findings, tumor grade, or surgical stage. Because of distant failures, overall recurrence was significantly associated with surgical stage—0% (0 of 15) for Astler-Coller A, 23% (7 of 30) for B1, 25% (7 of 28) for B2, and 50% (20 of 40) for B3 or C lesions (p < 0.01). Locally advanced pre-treatment clinical findings were not independent of surgical stage as predictors of outcome. In particular, 14 of the tumors that received full course preoperative radiation were initially either nearly obstructing, circumferential, or deeply fixed. However, by the time of surgery, they were A or B1 lesions (probably down-staged lesions). Only one of 14 (7%) ultimately failed with a local and distant recurrence. There were four cases (3.5%) of small bowel obstruction requiring surgical management. Overall, there were 12 complications (11%) requiring either surgical or major medical management. The complication rate was not associated with radiotherapeutic factors. A strong | 46458551 |
4,510,406 | association was noted between complications and the surgeon. Of 66 patients who had surgery with two colorectal specialists, four (6%) had serious complications. Of the remaining 47 patients who had general surgeons, eight (17%) experienced serious complications. | 46458551 |
4,510,407 | Effect of adiponectin on murine colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. BACKGROUND & AIMS Adiponectin, an adipose tissue-derived hormone, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and has various biological functions, such as increasing insulin sensitivity, reducing hypertension, and suppressing atherosclerosis, liver fibrosis, and tumor growth. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of adiponectin on intestinal inflammation. METHODS We investigated the effect of adiponectin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by using adiponectin-knockout (APN-KO) mice and an adenovirus-mediated adiponectin expression system. We also examined the contribution of adiponectin deficiency to trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. In vitro, we examined the effect of adiponectin on intestinal epithelial cells. RESULTS After administration of 0.5% DSS for 15 days, APN-KO mice developed much more severe colitis compared with wild-type mice. The messenger RNA expression levels of chemokines were significantly higher in the colonic tissues of DSS-treated APN-KO mice compared with wild-type mice, accompanied by increased cellular infiltration, including macrophages. Adenovirus-mediated supplementation of adiponectin significantly attenuated the severity of colitis, but there were no differences in the severity of TNBS-induced colitis between the 2 groups. Adiponectin receptors were expressed in intestinal epithelial cells, and adiponectin inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-8 production in intestinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Adiponectin is protective against DSS-induced murine colitis, probably due to the inhibition of chemokine production in intestinal epithelial cells and the following inflammatory responses, including infiltration of macrophages and release of proinflammatory cytokines. | 24480251 |
4,510,408 | The use of EdPuzzle to learn polynomial factorization in Secondary Education INTRODUCTION. One of the main objectives of Mathematics education is to motivate students since their interest in Mathematics is very low in many cases and, in others, even null. The use of different technologies has grown a lot in the last decades and several authors in the area have demonstrated their effectiveness in the classroom. In addition, the use of different Information and Communication Technologies, which students can use in their own homes, is also growing. METHOD. In this study, the use of the EdPuzzle application is presented, under the paradigm of the Flip Learning methodology in the third year of the Secondary Education Level for learning polynomial factorization in a school in Spain in two different courses, taught by the same teacher. To carry out the experience, the average grades of two exams have been taken, the first one related to polynomials and the basic concepts, used as a pretest since it has the main basic concepts that the student must know before continuing, and another related to the polynomial factorization, used as a posttest, and the scores obtained by the group that used EdPuzzle were comparedwith those that did not use it. RESULTS. Comparison of both groups shows that the scores are significantly higher in the group that used EdPuzzle in the posttest. DISCUSSION. The Cohen’s d effect size obtained was almost medium, and the questionnaire answers were positive, aspects that make EdPuzzle a tool to be considered in the teaching-learning process of | 245599401 |
4,510,409 | Mathematics. | 245599401 |
4,510,410 | Electrothermal nonlinear FET modeling for spectral prediction The origin, mechanisms, and modeling of nonlinearities responsible for spectral spreading are reviewed and discussed. Intermodulation distortion, responsible for spectral spreading, is affected by slow memory effects. Pulsed IV measurements are used to obtain model current equations that have appropriate steady-state quiescent bias dependences related to channel temperature and trap occupancy. Thermal resistance can be measured in silicon devices by using ambient temperature adjustments to measure channel temperature changes due to quiescent self-heating. The presence of trap states in GaN HEMTs makes the assessment of thermal resistance much more difficult; however, the presence of these effects can be determined by comparing two sets of IV curves taken from quiescent bias points of equal power dissipation. Results are presented showing accurate prediction of third-, fifth-, and seventh-order intermodulation projects using an electrothermal model for a power Si MOSFET. | 25666651 |
4,510,411 | Clinical perspectives to improve pregnancy outcome in women undergoing chronic hemodialysis Kidney Disease is associated with the highest rate of adverse maternal-fetal outcomes than any other pre-existing medical condition1. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects up to 6% of women of childbearing age in high-income countries and is estimated to affect 3% of pregnant women. In advanced CKD, pregnancy may precipitate the need for dialysis2. Reproductive health in women with CKD is very complex, influenced by the effects of kidney disease and drug therapy used3. CKD reduces fertility due to many factors, such as the progressive dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the decrease of renal clearance of prolactin, leading to anovulation4, and as CKD worsens, so does fertility5. | 234250751 |
4,510,412 | Transfer Learning from Audio Deep Learning Models for Micro-Doppler Activity Recognition This paper presents a mechanism to transform radio frequency micro-Doppler signatures into a pseudo-audio representation, which results in significant improvements in transfer learning from a deep learning model trained on audio. We also demonstrate that transfer learning from a deep learning model trained on audio is more effective than transfer learning from a model trained on images, which suggests machine learning methods used to analyse audio can be leveraged for micro-Doppler. Finally, we utilise an occlusion method to gain an insight into how the deep learning model interprets the micro-Doppler signatures and the subsequent pseudo-audio representations. | 219689801 |
4,510,413 | Reactive Scheduling of a Distributed Network for the Supply of Perishable Products This paper considers the problem of coordinating the production and distribution activities of a network of independent supply centers. In particular, we focus on the supply of rapidly perishable goods (ready-mixed concrete) that must be delivered to customers in strict time windows. The problem presents three main challenges. First, it includes several interrelated scheduling and routing problems, each affected by nearly prohibitive combinatorial complexity. Second, due to the perishable nature of the supplied products, effective solutions must not only optimize the objective function related to resource utilization and cost minimization, but also tolerate the small and frequent stochastic perturbations (transport delays) of the operating environment. Third, if major perturbations occur, the decision strategy must be able to respond in real time with effective rescheduling interventions restoring the indispensable synchronization of activities in progress, and avoiding extremely undesirable circumstances related to product decay. After providing a detailed mathematical model of the considered problem, this paper proposes a hybrid metaheuristic approach integrating a genetic algorithm with a number of problem-specific constructive heuristics. The effectiveness of the approach is evaluated against other scheduling heuristics on an industrial case study. | 16158751 |
4,510,414 | Does "subthreshold" posttraumatic stress disorder have any clinical relevance? The present report examined the extent to which subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (without lifetime PTSD) and full PTSD are associated with impairment or distress, controlling for comorbidity (i.e., major depression and panic disorder) in a sample of treatment-seeking psychiatric patients. Patients were administered diagnostic interviews and assessed for psychosocial impairment and whether or not they desired treatment for their PTSD symptoms. No significant differences were found between patients with full PTSD (N = 156) and those with subthreshold PTSD (N = 56) in degree of impairment (i.e., social and work functioning, as well as number of suicide attempts). In contrast, those with full PTSD had significantly more psychiatric hospitalizations and worse global functioning and were more likely to want treatment for their PTSD symptoms compared to those with subthreshold PTSD, albeit the majority of patients with subthreshold PTSD wanted treatment for their PTSD symptoms. These findings, like past research, suggest that subthreshold PTSD is associated with levels of social and work morbidity comparable to full PTSD. However, the report also underscores the difficulties in identifying a set of clinical criteria that clearly delineates between full PTSD and subthreshold PTSD. | 23928601 |
4,510,415 | Teaching Traditional Ghanaian Dance Forms in Higher Education in the Diaspora Abstract This article focuses on five ideas—the five C’s—which are the need to create a comfortable environment that will provide a support base for students to build confidence in their movement capabilities, encourage them to get involved in teaching and learning through the creation of community, and providing feedback in the form of comments and compliments to the entire class. It then concludes with a few suggestions for teachers who are engaged with the pedagogy of Ghanaian dance forms at the tertiary level. | 247453901 |
4,510,416 | A Levenberg–Marquardt Backpropagation Neural Network for the Numerical Treatment of Squeezing Flow With Heat Transfer Model In this paper, the computational strength in terms of soft computing neural networks backpropagated with the efficacy of Levenberg-Marquard training (NN-BLMT) is presented to study the squeezing flow with the heat transfer model (SF-HTM). The governing system of PDEs is reduced to an equivalent system of nonlinear ODEs using similarity transformations. NN-BLMT dataset for all problem scenarios progresses through the standard Adam numerical method by the influence of Prandtl number, Eckert number, and thermal slip. The processing of NN-BLMT training, testing, and validation, is employed for various scenarios and cases to find and compare approximation solutions with reference results. For the fluidic system SF-HTM, convergence analysis based on mean square errors, histogram presentations, and statistical regression plots is considered for the proposed computing infrastructure’s performance in terms of NN-BLMT. Matching of the results for the fluid flow system SF-HTM based on proposed and reference results in terms of convergence up-to 10−07 to 10−03 proves the worth of proposed NN-BLMT. | 230513601 |
4,510,417 | Wide diameter implants: indications, considerations and preliminary results over a two-year period. Wide diameter implants may be a useful alternative to conventional implant rehabilitation. Despite the fact that most major implant manufacturers are supplying wide diameter implants, very few articles actually address the indications, benefits and results of the use of wide diameter implants. Benefits and indications include increased implant surface area, "back-up" implant for when the initial implant lacks stability, immediate replacement of non-integrated or fractured implants, immediate placement of an implant after tooth extraction, anatomical considerations, increased prosthetic stability and biomechanical factors. Over a two year period, 268 wide diameter implants were placed in 196 patients. Preliminary results are presented in this paper and indicate an overall success rate, up to two years after placement, of approximately 96 per cent. All failures occurred before stage two surgery, due to non-integration of the implant. | 10984751 |
4,510,418 | Effect of Particle Size on Oxidation Reaction Kinetics Parameter of Cu2O Powders The 0.4mol•L-1CuSO4 liquor and 5mol•L-1NaOH liquor were prepared by CuSO4·5H2O and NaOH as raw materials. The Cu2O powders were prepared by dextrose reducer and PVP dispersant. The Cu2O oxidation reaction DTA-TG-DTG curves were obtained by SDT 2960 simultaneous DSC-TGA analysis apparatus. The mensuration condition were that rise temperature velocity 15°C·min-1 and deoxidize gas air. The Cu2O oxidation reaction kinetics was calculated by DTA-TG-DTG curves data. The results indicate that the cuprous oxide powders shape were spherical, their particle’ sizes were 100,200,1000nm. Their apparent activation energy were 164.38, 175.54, 282.65 KJ·mol-1, the apparent activation energy increase with Cu2O particle’ size. Their frequency factors were 1.22×1013, 1.40×1013, 2.88×1020, the frequency factors increase with particle’ size Cu2O. Their reaction progressions were 1.02, 1.00, 0.96, the reaction progression increase with Cu2O particle’ size decreased. | 97404101 |
4,510,419 | Assessment of demographic pattern and causative factors in visually disabled persons residing in Gadag district, Karnataka The study was done to know demographic patterns, causative factors in visually disabled persons residing in Gadag, Karnataka. It is a retrospective study. Both male and female visually disabled people who attended low vision clinic for disability certificate were included even if they had multiple disability. Visual disability < 30% and age < 5 years were excluded. Their demographic data and clinical data is collected and analysed. Total 323 persons were included. 214 (66%) were male, 109(34%) were female persons. Mean age was 37.52 years. Age < 15 years were 38(12%), 15-45 years were 184 (57%) and > 45 years were 101 (31%). 77(24%) belong to the general category, 198(61%) belong to other backward castes, and 48 (15%) belong to sc/st. Among the persons > 15 years, 43 (15%) graduated and 65(23%) were illiterates. Majority (45%) are unemployed. Among the ones who are employed mainly work as music teachers and agricultural coolies.258 (80%) belong to BPL. 255(79%) did not have any comorbidities. 157(49%) had complete blindness. 52% were blind and 48% were belong to low vision category. Refractive errors and retinal pathology were together constituting 54% of the cases. Congenital and hereditary cases constituted 75% of the cases. Visual acuity was alone affected in 36(11%) cases visual fields alone in 15(5%) cases, and both were affected in 271(84%) cases.Visually disabled persons in our study showed male preponderance. Few were employed as music artists and teachers and majority were illiterates.refractive errors | 250186051 |
4,510,420 | and retinal pathology were major reasons. | 250186051 |
4,510,421 | Sweeping simplices: a fast iso-surface extraction algorithm for unstructured grids Presents an algorithm that accelerates the extraction of iso-surfaces from unstructured grids by avoiding the traversal of the entire set of cells in the volume. The algorithm consists of a sweep algorithm and a data decomposition scheme. The sweep algorithm incrementally locates intersected elements, and the data decomposition scheme restricts the algorithm's worst-case performance. For data sets consisting of hundreds of thousands of elements, our algorithm can reduce the cell traversal time by more than 90% over the naive iso-surface extraction algorithm, thus facilitating interactive probing of scalar fields for large-scale problems on unstructured three-dimensional grids. | 14923051 |
4,510,422 | Nutritional aspects of phytoene and phytofluene, carotenoid precursors to lycopene. Epidemiological studies suggest an inverse relationship between tomato consumption and serum and tissue lycopene (LYC) levels with risk of some chronic diseases, including several cancers and cardiovascular disease. LYC, the red carotenoid found in tomatoes, is often considered to be the primary bioactive carotenoid in tomatoes that mediates health benefits, but other colorless precursor carotenoids, phytoene (PE) and phytofluene (PF), are also present in substantial quantities. PE and PF are readily absorbed from tomato foods and tomato extracts by humans. Animal models of carotenoid absorption suggest preferential accumulation of PE and PF in some tissues. The reasonably high concentrations of PE and PF detected in serum and tissues relative to the concentrations in foods suggest that absorption or metabolism of these compounds may be different from that of LYC. Experimental studies, both in vitro and in vivo, suggest that PE and PF exhibit bioactivity but little is known about their impact in humans. Methods for producing isotopically labeled PE, PF, and LYC tracers from tomato plant cell culture offer a unique tool for further understanding the differential bioavailability and metabolism of these 3 prominent tomato carotenoids and how they may affect health. | 37508801 |
4,510,423 | Development assistance for global tobacco control Background By 2030, the tobacco epidemic will be responsible for over eight million deaths worldwide per year, with 80% of those deaths occurring in low-resource countries. Despite the magnitude of the problem, little is known about the funding for global tobacco control. Methods To estimate the amount of tobacco control funding, we created an integrated database based on information provided by tobacco control donors. We focus on resources available to low-income and middle-income countries provided as Development Assistance to Control Tobacco (DACT). Results Global DACT grew from US$1.2 million in 2000 to US$44.2 million in 2009, primarily due to contributions from private philanthropies. Average annual 2000–2009 funding amounted to about US$0.003 per adult (US$0.0003 per adult in 2000 and US$0.011 per adult in 2009). DACT has been supplemented by domestic public funding that reached US$0.009 per adult in 2008. 28% of emerging and developing countries received zero DACT and 15% of those countries reported no funding at all. Out of US$21.8 billion disbursed in 2007 for health-related development assistance, DACT represented only US$0.02 billion, or 0.09%. Conclusions Since the funding for both infectious and non-communicable diseases in low-resourced countries is inadequate, the solution for global tobacco control is not to shift resources from other public health priorities, but rather to generate additional tobacco control funding. Several mechanisms to achieve this goal are proposed. | 293551 |
4,510,424 | Acid rock drainage; sulphide ores; tailings disposal; environmental INTRODUCTION Stricter environmental controls concerning the dumping of water have imposed important limitations on the changes permitted in the natural currents both in surface and underground water. Compliance with the standards fo A common practice in mines and metallurgical plants around the world is to deposit tailings in decantation ponds. The chemical and microbiological transformations which occur in tJ~ese ponds can severely affect the quality of the water. Furthermore, if these plants use SO 2 as a flotation conditioner, the effluents become contaminated with sulphite ions. The present work was based on the study of a pond for pyritic tailings from the flotation of a complex polymetallic sulphide concentrate from the southwest of Spain. The chemical characterization of the pond waters was carried out by controlling pH, redox potential, conductivity and metals in solution. From a microbiological point of view, the study focused on screening those microorganisms directly related with oxidation and reduction processes: iron and sulphur oxidizing bacteria and sulphate reducing bacteria. The chemical oxidation of the sulphite ion and its influence on effluent quality was also studied. This ion produces reducing conditions in the system, which influence the chemical characteristics of the waters: pH, metals in solution, etc. In the absence of sulphite ions, different oxidative processes take over and microbial growth is greater. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd K e y w o r d s Acid rock drainage; sulphide ores; tailings disposal; environmental | 73640451 |
4,510,425 | K2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphor: recommendation for improving LO and D-CCT of the 7700K RPW-LEDs In this paper, we propose a new recommendation for improving lumen output (LO) and CCT deviation (D-CCT) of the 7700 K RPW-LEDs by K2SiF6:Mn4+ red phosphor. Based on Light Tool and Mat Lab simulation software, we can see that the D-CCT and LO can be improved significantly, but the CQS and CRI have a slight decrease with increasing the concentration of the red phosphor. Besides, the analytical and simulation results agree well with each other. | 208071751 |
4,510,426 | Phase homogeneity of Si3N4-based ceramic materials produced by spark plasma sintering Ceramics obtained by spark plasma sintering of powder compositions of Si3N4 was studied by the method of layer-by-layer X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of carbon diffusion in the surface layers of the sintered ceramics from the graphite mold was observed. The homogeneity of the ceramic phase composition along the depth of the sample was shown. Therefore, a uniform distribution of the temperature field inside the sintered sample was concluded. Keywords: silicon nitride, ceramics, spark plasma sintering, X-ray diffraction. | 252394001 |
4,510,427 | Performance Evaluation of RTLS Based on Active RFID Power Measurement for Dense Moving Objects Tracking a large quantity of moving target tags simultaneously is essential for the localization and guidance of people in welfare facilities like hospitals and sanatoriums for the aged. The locating system using active RFID technology consists of a number of fixed RFID readers and tags carried by the target objects, or senior people. We compare the performances of several determination algorithms which use the power measurement of received signals emitted by the moving active RFID tags. This letter presents a study on the effect of collision in tracking large quantities of objects based on active RFID real time location system (RTLS). Traditional trilateration, fingerprinting, and well-known LANDMARC algorithm are evaluated and compared with varying number of moving tags through the SystemC-based computer simulation. From the simulation, we show the tradeoff relationship between the number of moving tags and estimation accuracy. | 43011101 |
4,510,428 | Pulmonary artery pulsatility indexes in differentiating chronic pulmonary thromboembolism from pulmonary arterial hypertension ABSTRACT Background: The differentiation between chronic pulmonary thromboembolic hypertension (CTEPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a clinical challenge. Recently, it has been suggested that pulmonary artery pulsatility indexes, determined either invasively or noninvasively, could enable the discrimination between CTEPH and PAH. Aim of the study: To evaluate the usefulness of both echocardiographically- and invasively-derived pulmonary artery pulsatility indexes in the etiologic differentiation of patients with CTEPH and PAH. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results of echocardiographic and invasive hemodynamic examinations in 97 patients with either CTEPH (n = 48) or PAH (n = 49). Using echocardiography, pulmonary artery systolic (PASP), diastolic (PADP) and mean (PAMP) pressures were estimated from velocities of tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary regurgitation, respectively. Invasive data were obtained in 39 patients with CTEPH and 44 patients with PAH using a fluid-filled system that included a balloon-tipped flow catheter. Pulse pressure (PP) was calculated as a difference between PASP and PADP. To obtain pulmonary artery pulsatility indexes, we normalized PP by PASP (PP/PASP), by PAMP (PP/PAMP) and by PADP (PP/PADP). Results: Pulsatility indexes assessed by echocardiography did not differ between CTEPH and PAH patients. Invasively-derived pulsatility indexes were significantly higher in subjects with CTEPH (0.59 ± 0.09 vs. 0.52 ± 0.10 for PP/PASP; 0.95 ± 0.23 vs. 0.77 ± 0.19 for PP/PAMP; 1.52 ± 0.53 vs. 1.14 ± 0.37 for PP/PADP; all p < 0.01). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves analysis were 0.68 (95% CI 0.55–0.79), 0.7 (95% | 73086651 |
4,510,429 | CI 0.58–0.81), and 0.68 (95% CI 0.55–0.79) for invasively-derived PP/PASP, PP/PAMP and PP/PADP, respectively. Conclusions: Invasively-derived PP and pulmonary artery pulsatility indexes are higher in CTEPH compared to PAH. However, due to the important overlap, no optimal threshold values of these parameters can be given to allow satisfactory discrimination between the two diseases. Therefore, these indexes do not permit clear etiologic differentiation of CTEPH and PAH in clinical practice. | 73086651 |
4,510,430 | Tritium and uranium inventory measurements with the JET AGHS precision calorimeter The principle of temperature stabilization by inertial feedback control was further developed to provide a stable base for a thermoelectric calorimeter. Noise and long-term drift of the base temperature have been reduced to /spl plusmn/3/spl times/10/sup -10/ Ks/sup -1/. With this temperature stability, samples with large heat capacities, such as Amersham MKIV uranium getter beds for tritium transport and storage (total heat capacity of calorimeter chamber, uranium bed secondary containment and getter bed itself is 1370 JK/sup -1/), can be measured with a reproducibility of /spl plusmn/2 /spl mu/W. During a 14-day campaign, all Amersham getter beds presently held by JET were measured. The bed with the highest tritium content (22,40Ci) was repeatedly measured in 2-day intervals, and the results were found to follow the trend of the tritium decay well within the error band of /spl plusmn/0.4%, (/spl plusmn/0.3% due to tritium decay heat uncertainty, and /spl plusmn/0.1% due to calorimeter calibration accuracy). Tritium-free getter beds showed a power output of 7.5/spl plusmn/2 /spl mu/W, due to the decay heat of the total sum of all isotopes contained in their depleted uranium inventory of 320 g. This compares reasonably well with subsequent measurements on a 4 kg depleted uranium test sample of certified composition, procured from British Nuclear Fuels Limited. | 97724611 |
4,510,431 | The atopic dog as a model of peanut and tree nut food allergy. BACKGROUND Animal models are needed that mimic human IgE-mediated peanut and tree nut allergy. Atopic dogs have been previously used in a model of food allergy to cow's milk, beef, wheat, and soy, with the demonstration of specific IgE production and positive oral challenges similar to those seen in human subjects. OBJECTIVE We sought to sensitize dogs to peanut, walnut, and Brazil nut and to assess whether sensitization is accompanied by clinical reactions and whether there is cross-reactivity among the different preparations. METHODS Eleven dogs were sensitized subcutaneously by using an established protocol with 1 microg each of peanut, English walnut, or Brazil nut protein extracts in alum first at birth and then after modified live virus vaccinations at 3, 7, and 11 weeks of age. The dogs were sensitized to other allergens, including soy and either wheat or barley. Intradermal skin tests, IgE immunoblotting to nut proteins, and oral challenges were performed with ground nut preparations. RESULTS At 6 months of age, the dogs' intradermal skin test responses were positive to the nut extracts. IgE immunoblotting to peanut, walnut, and Brazil nut showed strong recognition of proteins in the aqueous preparations. Each of the 4 peanut- and the 3 Brazil nut-sensitized dogs and 3 of the 4 walnut-sensitized dogs reacted on oral challenge with the corresponding primary immunogen at age 2 years. None of the peanut-sensitized dogs reacted clinically with walnut or Brazil nut challenges. One of the walnut-sensitized dogs had delayed | 19737461 |
4,510,432 | (overnight) vomiting to Brazil nut. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of measurements of the mean amount of allergen eliciting a skin test response in dogs, the hierarchy of reactivity by skin testing is similar to the clinical experience in human subjects (peanut > tree nuts > wheat > soy > barley). Cross-reactivity, which was not apparent between soy and peanut or tree nuts or between peanut and tree nuts, was slight between walnut and Brazil nut. The results give further support to the dog as a model of human food allergy. | 19737461 |
4,510,433 | Understanding safety and production risks in rail engineering planning and protection Much of the published human factors work on risk is to do with safety and within this is concerned with prediction and analysis of human error and with human reliability assessment. Less has been published on human factors contributions to understanding and managing project, business, engineering and other forms of risk and still less jointly assessing risk to do with broad issues of ‘safety’ and broad issues of ‘production’ or ‘performance’. This paper contains a general commentary on human factors and assessment of risk of various kinds, in the context of the aims of ergonomics and concerns about being too risk averse. The paper then describes a specific project, in rail engineering, where the notion of a human factors case has been employed to analyse engineering functions and related human factors issues. A human factors issues register for potential system disturbances has been developed, prior to a human factors risk assessment, which jointly covers safety and production (engineering delivery) concerns. The paper concludes with a commentary on the potential relevance of a resilience engineering perspective to understanding rail engineering systems risk. Design, planning and management of complex systems will increasingly have to address the issue of making trade-offs between safety and production, and ergonomics should be central to this. The paper addresses the relevant issues and does so in an under-published domain – rail systems engineering work. | 3555611 |
4,510,434 | Covalent grafting of ethylene glycol and glycerol into brucite. Layered brucite was synthesized at room temperature and, after characterization, was reacted in a closed flask with either ethylene glycol or glycerol. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns have shown that new compounds with interlayer expansions were obtained. New bands attributed to grafting of ethylene glycol and glycerol into the interlayer surface of brucite were detected by FTIR. XPS spectroscopy and thermal analyses (TG/DSC) have shown that nearly all of the hydroxide groups of the layers were replaced by either ethylene glycol or glycerol through Mg-O-C bonds. | 26670061 |
4,510,435 | TAP 2 Gene Msp-I Polymorphism Might Be Associated with Calcium Oxalate Stone Disease Introduction: Inflammation might be one of the causes of stone disease. The function of the transporter associated with antigen-processing protein (TAP) is related to immune response and inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between stone disease and 5 polymorphic sites of the TAP gene (TAP1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2, 2–3). Materials and Methods: We compared the frequencies of 5 polymorphisms in the TAP gene between 208 patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stone and 210 healthy controls. The polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis. Results: Significant differences in the frequency of the polymorphism at the TAP2-2 site were detected between normal individuals and calcium stone disease patients (p < 0.0001). The distribution of the genotype AA homozygote was higher in stone patients (33.3%) than in the control group (16.3%). The odds ratio for the A allele compared with the G allele was 2.097 (95% CI 1.571–2.802). Conclusions: We conclude that the TAP2-2 MspI polymorphism might be associated with calcium stone disease. | 13441161 |
4,510,436 | Design of a metal vapor laser power supply The power supply used for pumping metal vapor lasers is analyzed. The results of mathematical analysis of the processes that occur in the power supply circuit are presented. The effect of the capacitance ratio on the storage capacitor charging process is described. The operating mode which provides more time for the thyratron recovery is discussed. | 3133561 |
4,510,437 | Book Review: Scarce Resources in Health Care LES ERGOTHERAPEUTES. Problemes des Professions' Paramedicales. Michele Dubochet & Jean-Pierre Fragniere. French language edition: Price SFR 27. Published by: Editions Delta S.A. 2 Rue du Chateau, 1800 Vevey. (1979). This is a book which will appeal to a very narrow band of readers in this country dealing as it does with the socio-medicopolitical situation of the paramedical professions in general and Occupational Therapists in particular in the 'Suisse romande"-the French speaking sector of Switzerland. | 208742861 |
4,510,438 | Fault-tolerant probabilistic sensor fusion for Multi-Agent Systems In this work we focus on the problem of probabilistic sensor fusion in Multi-Robot Multi-Sensor Systems (MRMS), taking into account that some sensors might fail or produce erroneous information. We study fusion methods that can successfully cope with situations of agreement, partial agreement, and disagreement between sensors. We define a set of specifications for fusion methods appropriate for MRMS environments. In light of these specifications, we review two popular algorithms for probabilistic sensor fusion, Linear Opinion Pool (LOP) and Logarithmic Opinion Pool (LGP). To overcome difficulties of applying them to a MRMS setting, a new method is introduced, p-norm Opinion Pool (POP). Comparing to LOP and LGP, POP is more compatible with the specifications and more flexible, successfully handling situations of agreement and disagreement between sensors. Through simulation and real-world experiments, we check performance of the POP and compare it with LOP and LGP. We also implement a real-world experiment through which the performance of POP is examined. | 15390511 |
4,510,439 | Ecology of vector mosquitoes in Sri Lanka--suggestions for future mosquito control in rice ecosystems. Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health threat in Asia. To explore effective mosquito control strategies in rice ecosystems from the ecological point of view, we carried out ecological analyses of vector mosquitoes in Sri Lanka. During the 18-month study period, 14 Anopheles, 11 Culex, 5 Aedes, 2 Mansonia, and 1 Armigeres species were collected, most of which are disease vectors for malaria, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, or dengue in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in Asia. The density and occurrence of Anopheles and Culex species were the highest in seepage pools and paddy fields, where the majority of niche overlaps between larval mosquito and aquatic insect species were observed. All 7 aquatic insect species, which are larval mosquito predators, overlapped their niche with both Anopheles and Culex larvae. This suggests that conserving these aquatic insect species could be effective in controlling mosquito vectors in the study site. Correlations between several climatic factors and mosquito density were also analyzed, and weather conditions, including higher temperature, lower relative humidity, and higher wind velocity, were found to affect mosquito oviposition, propagation, and survival. These findings deepen our understanding of mosquito ecology and will strengthen future mosquito control strategies in rice ecosystems in Asia. | 28237011 |
4,510,440 | A Multivariate Model of Functional Decline in the Elderly: The Differential Influence of Income versus Education Models for assessing predictors of change in elderly functional status used longitudinal data from the 1984 National Long-Term Care Survey (NLTCS) communitydwelling population (baseline) and the 1989 NLTCS community and institutional surveys (follow-up). The NLTCS was linked to six years of Medicare claims data, 1984–1989. Socioeconomic status measures included variables for categorical annual baseline income and education measured as 0–7 years, 8–11 years, and 12 or more years completed. We then employed a disease risk classification scheme, 1 previously tested for use in community-dwelling elderly 2 to assess the hundreds of ICD-9-CM codes found in Medicare administrative data and categorize them for each individual according to population-level disease risk. 3 Functional decline was defined as more limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) at follow-up than baseline, improved as fewer, and nondisabled as no limitations in ADLs or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). For final results, we ran two identical functional decline models with demographic, condition, ADL, and disease risk measures, first representing socioeconomic status by education and then by income. | 8190811 |
4,510,441 | Counteracting heart failure with diabetes drugs: a review into the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties ABSTRACT Introduction Heart failure (HF) is becoming a huge public health burden. New diabetes drugs for type 2 diabetes (T2D), sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), reduce the rate of hospitalization for HF in placebo-controlled trials. Areas covered Pharmacokinetics of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin (in presence of renal impairment and hepatic dysfunction, two comorbidities frequently associated with HF) and pharmacodynamic studies in patients with HF. Main HF outcomes in T2D patients with cardiovascular risk and in patients with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction, with or without T2D, from DAPA-HF, EMPEROR-Reduced and EMPEROR-Preserved original findings and post hoc analyses. Expert opinion No clinically relevant changes are expected concerning SGLT2i pharmacokinetics in patients with HF while pharmacodynamic studies reported improvements in myocardium/vascular parameters, biomarkers, and functional status. All SGLT2is showed a remarkable reduction in hospitalization for HF in patients with T2D and high cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, both dapagliflozin and empagliflozin improved the prognosis of patients with HFrEF, independently of the presence of T2D. Similar results were reported with empagliflozin in patients with HFpEF, to be confirmed with dapagliflozin in an ongoing trial (DELIVER). Thus, SGLT2is offer a new opportunity for the prevention and management of HF in patients with or without T2D. | 251039061 |
4,510,442 | Tests and calibrations of nuclear track detectors (CR39) for operation in high neutron flux This paper demonstrates that that nuclear track detectors made of CR39 plates are suitable for detecting low energy protons and alpha-particles. The authors present evidence for a background line that arises from the interaction of neutrons with ${}^{17}$O inside the CR39 plate. This can be used for self-calibration of the CR39 detector | 219918361 |
4,510,443 | Observer-based Event-triggered Circle Formation Control for Multi-agent Systems with Directed Topologies This paper proposes an observer-based event-triggered algorithm for circle formation control problems of first-order multi-agent systems, where the communication topology is modeled by a spanning tree-based directed graph with limited resources. Depending on the trigger threshold of specific measurement error and compared with the norm of a function with states, we apply an event-triggered mechanism to reduce the updates frequency of the controller via observing continually neighbors' state. Sufficient conditions on desired circle formation are derived following the resulting asynchronous network executions converge to the equilibrium points. Both the analysis and numerical simulations show that Zeno behavior can be ruled out under the designed control laws. | 211686661 |
4,510,444 | Functional weakness: clues to mechanism from the nature of onset Background Functional weakness describes weakness which is inconsistent and incongruent with disease. It is also referred to as motor conversion disorder (DSM-IV), dissociative motor disorder (ICD-10) and ‘psychogenic’ paralysis. Studies of aetiology have focused on risk factors such as childhood adversity and life events; information on the nature and circumstance of symptom onset may shed light on the mechanism of symptom formation. Aim To describe the mode of onset, associated symptoms and circumstances at the onset of functional weakness. Methods Retrospective interviews administered to 107 adults with functional weakness of <2 years' duration. Results The sample was 79% female, mean age 39 years and median duration of weakness 9 months. Three distinct modes of onset were discerned. These were: sudden (n=49, 46%), present on waking (or from general anaesthesia) (n=16, 13%) or gradual (n=42, 39%). In ‘sudden onset’ cases, panic (n=29, 59%), dissociative symptoms (n=19, 39%) and injury to the relevant limb (n=10, 20%) were commonly associated with onset. Other associated symptoms were non-epileptic attacks, migraine, fatigue and sleep paralysis. In six patients the weakness was noticed first by a health professional. In 16% of all patients, no potentially relevant factors could be discerned. Conclusions The onset of functional weakness is commonly sudden. Examining symptoms and circumstances associated closely with the onset suggests hypotheses for the mechanism of onset of weakness in vulnerable individuals. | 30796261 |
4,510,445 | A short term review of Pipkin fractures type I treated surgically Background: head of femur fractures along with a hip dislocation is a rare & most probably has a poor outcome. Materials and Methods: In the taken period of 1 yr, we came across nearly twenty cases of Pipkin fracture type I. Through Medical and radiographs evaluation was done and recorded. The followup was done for these selected patients for a period of 12 months. Merle d’Aubigne-Postel score was the score used and recorded the functional outcome of each patient in the study and analized. Results: the cases selected were Pipkin type 1 fracture with dislocation. The time interval between the incident and the successful reduction in the hospital was about 5.6 hrs avg among all the cases. The outcome of the surgically treated cases 8 of them out of 10 showed excellent results clinically and functionally. No complications like AVN and HO or neuro vascular injury was noted in any cases. In our study surgically treated cases showed better results than treated conservatively Conclusion: Anatomic reduction is must with marginal soft tissue injury. This type I Pipkin fracture better treat surgically than conservative. Keywords: Pipkin fractures. | 221088161 |
4,510,446 | Multimodular Matrix Converters With Sinusoidal Input and Output Waveforms Multilevel voltage-source converter topologies are widely used today in high-power applications such as medium-voltage drives. On the other hand, studies on matrix converters (MCs) have been mainly limited to the low power range. With the intention to combine benefits from both multilevel structure and direct power conversion, this paper investigates the topologies and operating principles of multimodular MCs (MMMCs). Composed of three-phase-to-single-phase MC (3 × 2 MC) modules, two versions of MMMCs are presented and studied. Modulation schemes to synthesize sinusoidal waveforms on both input and output sides of the converters are elaborated. Having features such as modular design, relatively low switching frequency, and capability of using low-voltage power semiconductor devices, the presented MMMCs are intended for possible use in higher power applications where four-quadrant operation and fast dynamic response are expected. Simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the validity of the study. | 5008511 |
4,510,447 | Evaluating Public Health Interventions: 8. Causal Inference for Time-Invariant Interventions We provide an overview of classical and newer methods for the control of confounding of time-invariant interventions to permit causal inference in public health evaluations. We estimated the causal effect of gender on all-cause mortality in a large HIV care and treatment program supported by the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, between 2004 and 2012. We compared results from multivariable modeling, three propensity score methods, inverse-probability weighting, doubly robust methods, and targeted maximum likelihood estimation. Considerable confounding was evident, and, as expected by theory, all methods considered gave the same result, a statistically significant approximately 20% increased mortality rate in men. In general, there is no clear advantage of any of these methods for causal inference over classical multivariable modeling, from the point of view of either bias reduction or efficiency. Rather, given sufficient data to adequately fit the multivariable model to the data, multivariable modeling will yield causal estimates with the greatest statistical efficiency. All methods can adjust only for well-measured confounders-if there are unmeasured or poorly measured confounders, none of these methods will yield causal estimates. | 51702461 |
4,510,448 | Florida's Industrial Training Laboratory for Blind Persons The program of the Industrial Training Laboratory includes an Electronics Training Course—with a curriculum aimed as mastery of a wide variety of work and independent living skills—and a Job Simulation Division. Examples of the specific kinds of training are presented, along with plans for expanding the scope of the program. Of the 50 persons who have completed the course during the last five years, 48 are currently employed in full-time competitive jobs. | 141451861 |
4,510,449 | Analysis of prognostic factors and applicability of Kohne's prognostic groups in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with first-line irinotecan or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to analyze prognostic factors for survival and to assess the applicability of Kohne's classification in patients treated with irinotecan- or oxaliplatin-based first-line chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred forty-two consecutive cases from a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Median patient age was 62 years. Sixty percent were men. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) was 0/1 in 88%. Primary tumor resection (PTR) was performed in 80.6% of patients who initially had stage IV disease. Chemotherapy consisted of fluoropyrimidines or raltitrexed plus irinotecan (50.5%), oxaliplatin (38.5%), or both (11%). Univariate and multivariate analyses for survival were performed using pretreatment patient characteristics. RESULTS Median follow-up was 33.9 months and median overall survival was 15.9 months. Significantly unfavorable prognostic factors were PTR not being performed, disease involvement of >1 organ, liver metastases, undifferentiated histology, EGOG PS>1, increased serum carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 19.9 levels, hypoalbuminemia, leucocytosis, and elevated alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Only ECOG PS, PTR, increased LDH level, no hypoalbuminemia, and number of organs involved retained prognostic value in the multivariate analysis. The incidence and median survival for Kohne's prognostic groups were as follows: good (54.2%; 20 months), intermediate (26.8%; 15.7 months), and poor (19%; 6.8 months). For patients with stage IV disease at presentation, PTR was associated with a significantly longer survival, mainly in patients with an ECOG PS of 0/1. | 32806361 |
4,510,450 | CONCLUSION Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS, PTR, serum albumin, increased LDH levels, and organ involvement were the main prognostic indicators in our series. Kohne's prognostic groups, developed in the era of 5-fluorouracil treatment, also seem to be applicable to patients treated with combination chemotherapy. Primary tumor resection should always be considered, especially in patients with an ECOG PS of 0/1. However, the benefit of PTR and multiple-agent chemotherapy is questionable in patients with an ECOG PS of >1. | 32806361 |
4,510,451 | Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis associated with HIV infection treated successfully with liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) Sir, We describe here a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suffering from mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), treated successfully with liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome), after having failed with antimonial treatment, and having developed diabetes mellitus with pentamidine, which had to be withdrawn. The patient, a 35-year-old male, was hospitalized in April 1999, complaining of dysphagia for 1 year. He gave a history of an ulcerated lesion on the leg, which healed spontaneously 20 years ago. He started feeling oral pain in 1987, and was diagnosed as having mucosal leishmaniasis of the palate. The patient was treated with various cycles of N-methyl glucamine antimoniate at a dose of 20 mg/kg/ Sb/day, with reported improvement, without full resolution of signs and symptoms. Four months before admission, a test for HIV (ELISA and Western blot), was positive, and he had observed the appearance of an ulcer on the penis 3 months before admission. Upon admission, physical examination revealed granulomatous and ulcerated lesions on the soft palate, and fibroscopy demonstrated the involvement of larynx and epiglottis, with infiltration in ventricular bands, infiltration of arytenoid regions and moderate reduction of respiratory slit calibre. Laboratory tests showed: a CD4 count of 387 cells/mm, a CD8 count of 312 cells/mm, a plasma HIV RNA load of 1.6 10 copies/L), Montenegro reaction of 6 mm (positive) and serological reaction for leishmaniasis by indirect immunofluorescence of 1/640. Histological examination of palate and larynx biopsies revealed a chronic granulomatous inflammatory process with | 6565011 |
4,510,452 | a negative immunohistochemical reaction and negative tests for the presence of mycobacteria and fungi. A biopsy of the penis lesion revealed the presence of amastigote leishmania forms. The patient also had hepatosplenomegaly and a liver biopsy showed cirrhosis with discrete inflammatory activity attributed to hepatitis B virus. A search for leishmania and its antigens by immunohistochemical reaction in liver tissue was negative. Treatment of MCL with a total dose of 2400 mg of pentamidine led to healing of the penis ulcer, but the oral lesions persisted and the patient progressed to diabetes mellitus, leading to discontinuation of the drug. Liposomal amphotericin B was introduced at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day, with healing of oropharyngeal and laryngeal lesions after a total dose of 12 800 mg, with no side effects during the use of this medication. The patient has been followed up for 5 months, with no reactivation of the lesions. In Brazil, MCL is caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, and is characterized by skin ulcers that progress to spontaneous healing, with dissemination to the mucosae possibly occurring months or decades later. Pentavalent antimonials represent the first-choice treatment option, but treatment failure or interruption due to their side effects often occurs. Therapeutic alternatives such as conventional amphotericin B and pentamidine isothionate present considerable toxicity. The number of case reports of MCL and HIV co-infection has progressively increased. MCL may be severe in HIV-infected patients, with possible dissemination and failure of treatment with antimonials and other drugs. Our patient presented with signs and symptoms of dissemination, since a | 6565011 |
4,510,453 | skin lesion appeared after involvement of the mucosae, an unusual behaviour in MCL. It is unlikely that the penis ulcer was the result of reinfection because the patient had left the endemic region of leishmaniasis 17 years before. Also, skin lesions habitually occur on exposed regions such as arms, legs or the face. Liposomal amphotericin B has been used previously with success in a small number of cases of mucosal leishmaniasis not associated with HIV that did not respond to antimonials, with the average dose for lesion healing being 3333 mg (ranging from 2000 mg to 5300 mg). Our patient required a higher cumulative dose, probably because of the HIV coinfection. In conclusion, we have described a case of MCL in a patient infected with HIV, and based on a literature survey, we believe that this case is the first report of the use of this medication for the treatment of MCL and HIV co-infection. Liposomal amphotericin B seems to be promising for the treatment of HIV and MCL co-infection, but studies on larger series are needed to confirm its efficacy. Correspondence Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2000) 46, 323–342 | 6565011 |
4,510,454 | Learning in Hide-and-Seek Existing work on pursuit-evasion problems typically either assumes stationary or heuristic behavior of one side and examines countermeasures of the other, or assumes both sides to be strategic which leads to a game theoretical framework. Results from the former often lack robustness against changes in the adversarial behavior, while those from the second category, typically as equilibrium solution concepts, may be difficult to justify: either due to the implied knowledge of other players' actions/beliefs and knowledge of their knowledge, or due to a lack of efficient dynamics to achieve such equilibria. In this paper, we take a different approach by assuming an intelligent pursuer/evader that is adaptive to the information available to it and is capable of learning over time with performance guarantee. Within this context we investigate two cases. In the first case we assume either the evader or the pursuer is aware of the type of learning algorithm used by the opponent, while in the second case neither side has such information and thus must try to learn. We show that the optimal policies in the first case have a greedy nature. This result is then used to assess the performance of the learning algorithms that both sides employ in the second case, which is shown to be mutually optimal and there is no loss for either side compared to the case when it knows perfectly the adaptive pattern used by the adversary and responses optimally. We further extend our model to study the application of jamming defense. | 6042511 |
4,510,455 | A complete description and applications for a photon On the basis of comparing Maxwell equation for a light wave to Schroedinger equation for a photon, we conclude that the former solution that must be a real function is the real part of the latter solution that must be a complex function. Using the state-vector function that is the general solution of Schroedinger equation for a photon, we solve some true but strange optical problems including the simple demonstration of Malus's Law and the orthogonal decomposition of a natural light. | 123574411 |
4,510,456 | Lossy compression of individual signals based on string matching and one pass codebook design This paper describes an effort to extend the Lempel-Ziv algorithm to a practical universal lossy compression algorithm. It is based on the idea of approximate string matching with a rate-distortion (R-D) criterion, and is addressed within the framework of vector quantization (VQ). A practical one pass algorithm for VQ codebook construction and adaptation for individual signals is developed which assumes no prior knowledge of the source statistics and involves no iteration. We call this technique rate-distortion Lempel-Ziv (RDLZ). As in the case of the Lempel-Ziv algorithm, the encoded bit stream consists of codebook (dictionary) updates as well as indices (pointers) to the codebook. The idea of "trading" bits for distortion in modifying the codebook will be introduced. Experimental results show that, for Gaussian sources as well as real images, RDLZ performs comparably, sometimes favorably, to static codebook VQ trained on the corresponding sources or images. | 12683711 |
4,510,457 | Development Index System Study for Yunnan Province China Many countries have carrying out study for its own development index system. However, because of the countries, provinces and regional differences, development indicator system established in various regions is not operable for other regions. For Yunnan Province, as a border and minority areas, need to establish its own accepted development index system required for comparable, operability, comprehensive, systematic, forward-looking and dynamic. In this paper, Yunnan Province development index system is constructed, and development index system is weighted distribution. | 9920961 |
4,510,458 | Tendencies of Female Crime in the Tiumen Region At the present time there are about 50,000 women being held in the prisons and penal colonies of Russia; they make up more than 5 percent of the total prison population. For every 100,000 women, about 80 have been incarcerated. Studies on the current state of crime show that in the past few years there has been a substantial increase in the number of registered crimes committed by women. The proportion of them increased from 7.2 percent in 2000 to 8.0 percent in 2001. Of special concern is the increase in the percentage of serious and especially serious crimes. Women who are serving time in correctional institutions are characterized by the following. First, the contingent of convicted women is made up of the most dangerous and serious criminals. Second, more than 55 percent have a prior conviction, and 1.3 percent have been convicted two times or more. The majority of the repeat offenders have been brought to justice for committing the same kinds of crimes, which is an indication that there is a kind of criminal spe- | 142615461 |
4,510,459 | The roach (Rutilus rutilus) as a sentinel for assessing endocrine disruption. Alterations in development and reproduction as a consequence of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been demonstrated in many wildlife species. Animals living in, or closely associated with, the aquatic environment are particularly vulnerable to endocrine disruption because thousands of chemicals are actively disposed into rivers, estuaries and seas. Fish have thus been a focus in endocrine disruption studies, and some of the most comprehensive studies on the disruption of sexual development and function are on the roach (Rutilus rutilus). This paper provides a critical analysis of the roach as a sentinel for studies into endocrine disruption. The paper starts by describing what is known on the basic reproductive biology of the roach, information essential for interpreting chemical effect measures on sexual development and function. We then analyze where and how the roach has been applied to improve our understanding of the estrogenic nature of discharges from wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) and describe the phenomenon of feminized male roach in UK rivers. In this paper, the causation of these effects and issues of relative susceptibility and sensitivity of the roach to the effects of estrogenic EDCs are addressed. The paper then describes the ongoing work on the development of genetic and genomic resources for roach and analyses how these are being applied in studies to understand the mechanisms of disruption of sexual development. Finally, the paper addresses the biological significance of sexual disruption and intersex for the individual and discusses the possible implications for wild | 9445061 |
4,510,460 | populations. | 9445061 |
4,510,461 | The Importance of Campaign Promises Campaign promises are a cornerstone of representative democracy. Candidates make promises to signal to voters their intentions in office and voters evaluate candidates based on those promises. This study unpacks the theorized pathway regarding campaign promises: not whether promises are kept, but what purpose promises serve, what they signal, and how they affect voter decision-making. The author explores the pathways and conditions influencing promises and finds that promises tend to have a polarizing effect on voters' opinions of politicians, attracting similarly-positioned voters and strongly repelling voters who disagree with a candidate's position. In addition, voters perceive promise breakers as less honest and less likely to follow through than candidates who more weakly took the same position. With a wealth of data and fascinating case studies, this book is full of important insights into electoral psychology and the study of promises, campaigning, and representation. | 246154361 |
4,510,462 | Simulation of short crack propagation using a hybrid boundary element technique Service life of cyclically loaded components is often determined by the propagation of short fatigue cracks, which is highly influenced by microstructural features such as grain boundaries. A two‐dimensional model to simulate the growth of such stage I‐cracks is presented. The crack is discretised by dislocation discontinuity boundary elements and the direct boundary element method is used to mesh the grain boundaries. A superposition procedure couples these different boundary element methods to employ them in one model. Varying elastic properties of the grains are considered and their influence on short crack propagation is studied. A change in crack tip slide displacement determining short crack propagation is observed. (© 2009 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) | 119821411 |
4,510,463 | Differential Equations: Proceedings of the 1987 Equadiff Conference include general ergodic theory for measure-preserving transformations, ergodic theory of smooth dynamical systems (including KAM theory, geodesic flows, billiards and 1-dimensional mappings) and dynamics in statistical mechanics. The contributors are leading researchers in the field; their authoritative texts reflect the continuing high standards of this ambitious and valuable encyclopaedia. A functional equation is one where the unknown is a function rather than a number. A differential equation is one in which the unknown function is differentiated, an integral equation is one in which the unknown function appears under an integral sign. A Volterra equation is one in which the upper limit of integration is variable. Such equations arise from many problems in mathematical physics. The three Finnish authors give a comprehensive coverage of the theory. A wide variety of examples and applications are described. Sources are well referenced. The material is clearly explained. A particularly effective feature of the book is the format used of presenting an overview first of an area, or of a specific idea, before going into details. This enables the reader to maintain a perspective on what he is reading at all points of the exposition. The book should prove useful to theoreticians and pragmatists in the field. An equal emphasis is placed on relevant applications and on abstract theory. Altogether an eminently scholarly work. | 118556061 |
4,510,464 | A distance sampling survey of the Critically Endangered Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus in Singapore Summary The Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus is one of South-East Asia’s most threatened songbirds due to relentless demand for the regional cage-bird trade. The species was recently uplisted from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Critically Endangered’ only two years after its previous uplisting. Intriguingly, populations in highly urbanised Singapore appear relatively secure. However, the last Singaporean density estimates, derived from traditional census methods, were obtained nearly two decades ago in 2001. A recent population estimate in 2016 was derived from the census work in 2001 coupled with relative abundance indices from population trends. We thus performed systematic field surveys using the distance sampling method, estimating 573 ± 185 individuals nation-wide, with a break-down of 217 ± 81 on the main island of Singapore and 356 ± 104 birds on the satellite of Pulau Ubin. Taken together, the total population estimate reported here comprises 22.9–57.3% of the global wild population, underscoring the importance of Singapore as a stronghold for the species. In spite of its apparently secure status in Singapore, the species remains susceptible to local and foreign trapping pressures. Based on our assessment, we propose a number of local and regional conservation measures to ensure the continued survival of populations in Singapore. | 228836911 |
4,510,465 | Immobilization of enzymes via microcontact printing and thiol-ene click chemistry. This Communication describes a bioconjugation method for the generation of enzyme microarrays on surfaces using photochemical thiol-ene chemistry in combination with microcontact printing. Glucose oxidase and lactase were readily immobilized (i.e., printing time 2 min) on alkene terminated self-assembled monolayers on glass as demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the activity of both immobilized enzymes was confirmed in single enzyme as well as cascade transformations. | 43825461 |
4,510,466 | Temperatures of building applied photovoltaic (BAPV) modules: air gap effects Building applied photovoltaics (BAPV) is a major application sector for photovoltaics (PV). Due to the negative temperature coefficient of power output, the performance of a PV module decreases as the temperature of the module increases. In hot climatic conditions like Arizona, the BAPV module temperature can reach as high as 90-95°C during peak summer. Considering a typical 0.5%/°C power drop for crystalline silicon modules, about 30% performance drop would be expected during peak summer because of the difference between rated temperature (25°C) and operating temperature (~90°C) of the modules. In order to predict the performance of PV modules, it becomes necessary to predict the module temperature. The module temperature is dictated by air gap between module and roof surface, irradiance, ambient temperature, wind speed, and wind direction. Based on the temperature and weather data collected over a year in Arizona, a mathematical thermal model has been developed and presented in this paper to predict module temperature for five different air gaps (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 inches) as well as modules with a thermally insulated (R30) back. The thermally insulated back is expected to serve as the worst case temperature a BAPV module could ever experience. This paper also provides key technical details on: the specially built simulated rooftop structure; mounting configuration of PV modules on the rooftop structure; LabVIEW program developed for data acquisition; and a data processing program for an easy data analysis. | 109005411 |
4,510,467 | The feasibility of using dielectrophoresis for isolation of glioblastoma subpopulations with increased stemness Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are aggressive subpopulations with increased stem‐like properties. CSCs are usually resistant to most standard therapies and are responsible for tumor repropagation. Similar to normal stem cells, isolation of CSCs is challenging due to the lack of reliable markers. Antigen‐based sorting of CSCs usually requires staining with multiple markers, making the experiments complicated, expensive, and sometimes unreliable. Here, we study the feasibility of using dielectrophoresis (DEP) for isolation of glioblastoma cells with increased stemness. We culture a glioblastoma cell line in the form of neurospheres as an in vitro model for glioblastoma stem cells. We demonstrate that spheroid forming cells have higher expression of stem cell marker, nestin. Next, we show that dielectric properties of neurospheres change as a result of changing culture conditions. Our results indicate that spheroid forming cells need higher voltages to experience the same DEP force magnitude compared to normal monolayer cultures of glioblastoma cell line. This study confirms the possibility of using DEP to isolate glioblastoma stem cells. | 164218361 |
4,510,468 | Introduction to speech recognition using neural networks As an introduction to a session dedicated to neural networks in speech processing this paper describes the basic problems faced with in automatic speech recognition ASR Representation of speech clas si cation problems speech unit models training procedures and criteria are discussed Why and how neural networks lead to challenging results | 14158711 |
4,510,469 | Soft drinks consumption and child behaviour problems: the role of food insecurity and sleep patterns Abstract Objective To examine whether the association between soft drinks consumption and child behaviour problems differs by food security status and sleep patterns in young children. Design Cross-sectional observational data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), which collected information on food insecurity, soft drinks consumption, sleep patterns and child behaviour problems. Bivariate and multivariate ordinary least-squares regression analyses predicting child behaviour problems and accounting for socio-economic factors and household characteristics were performed. Setting Twenty urban cities in the USA with a population of 200 000 or more. Subjects Parental interviews of 2829 children who were about 5 years old. Results Soft drinks consumption was associated with aggressive behaviours, withdrawn and attention problems for children aged 5 years. However, the association differed by food security status. The association was mostly statistically insignificant among food-secure children after accounting for socio-economic and demographic characteristics. On the other hand, soft drinks consumption was associated with behaviour problems for food-insecure children even after accounting for these factors. However, after accounting for child sleep patterns, the association between soft drinks consumption and child behaviour problems became statistically insignificant for food-insecure children. Conclusions The negative association between soft drinks consumption and child behaviour problems could be explained by sleep problems for food-insecure children. Since about 21 % of households with children are food insecure, targeted efforts to reduce food insecurity would help improve dietary (reduce soft drinks consumption) and health behaviours (improve sleep) and reduce | 3507661 |
4,510,470 | child behaviour problems. | 3507661 |
4,510,471 | Development of a retrieval system for Al Hadith in Bahasa (case study: Hadith Bukhari) The Hadith is one of the main sources of Islamic law beside the Qur'an and Ijma. We recognised certain false hadith since the first century of Hijra, even earlier. The effort to distinguish between the authentic and false hadith is somehow difficult in addition to the source of genuine document often releases in Arabic. That motivates the author to build a repository and its retrieval system for collection of al Hadith in the Indonesian language. The retrieval of document used Nazief and Andriani stemming algorithms with the programming language PHP to display the search results based on the keywords entered by the user and an XML schema as the basis for repository. Analysis of the test results indicated that our system can generate recall with a perfect score of 1 and a precision of 0.961. This indicates that the retrieval process returns a large number of relevant documents and also covers most or some of the unexpected documents. | 24558311 |
4,510,472 | SURG-16. SUPRATOTAL VERSUS GROSS TOTAL RESECTION OF GLIOBLASTOMA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW Due to the infiltrative nature of glioblastoma(GBM) outside of the contrast enhancing region in the peritumoral zone, there is increasing movement to perform supratotal resections (SpTR) by extending the edge of resection beyond the contrast enhancing portion of the tumor. However, there is currently no consensus on the potential survival benefit of SpTR in GBM as compared to gross total resection (GTR). Therefore, we performed a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines and performed a comprehensive literature search on Pubmed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov, from inception to August 16, 2018, to identify articles comparing overall survival (OS) after SpTR versus GTR. Furthermore, we assessed study quality using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. We identified 8902 unique citations, of which 11 articles and 2 abstracts met study inclusion criteria. 925 patients underwent SpTR out of a total of 2137 patients. 9 of the 13 studies demonstrated improved survival with SpTR compared to GTR (median improvement in OS of 10.5 months), with no significant difference in post-operative complication rate. Conversely, one abstract found worsened outcomes with SpTR compared to GTR (median decrease in OS of 4 months). However, overall study quality was poor, with 12 of the 13 studies of level IV evidence and one study of level IIIb evidence. We were unable to perform a meta-analysis due to significant clinical and methodological heterogeneity amongst the studies (e.g. differences in adjuvant therapy and lack of standardization of definition of supratotal | 209280661 |
4,510,473 | resection). Our systematic review indicates that SpTR may be associated with improved OS compared to GTR for GBM. However, this is limited by poor study quality and significant clinical and methodological heterogeneity amongst the studies. There is need for prospective clinical trials to further establish standardized guidelines for SpTR in GBM. | 209280661 |
4,510,474 | Simulation Study of Dye Solar Cell with TiO2 Nanoparticles/Aggregates Composite for Improved Performance The enhanced light scattering effect of the submicron aggregates can affect the characteristics of Dye Solar Cell (DSC) namely short circuit current $(\pmb{I}_{\pmb{sc}})$, open circuit voltage $(\pmb{V}_{\pmb{oc}})$ and fill factor $(\pmb{FF})$. This paper presents the simulation study of the TiO2 nanoparticles, aggregates and composite TiO2 for dye solar cell. As the input for simulation in ATHENA, the process simulator, modeling structure and parameters were captured from the experimental works. ATLAS, the device simulator, compiled and simulated the performance of DSC. The efficiency of the simulated dye solar cell was found to be comparable to the closest physical dye solar cell by others. TiO2 composite of 20% nanoparticles and 80% aggregates was proven to have the highest efficiency due to maximum scattering by micron-sized aggregates and better connectivity by the presence of nanoparticles in between the voids. It had improvement of 28.539% compared to the simulated DSC utilizing TiO2 nanoparticles. | 53757711 |
4,510,475 | Knowledge Strategies of it Start-Ups Knowledge management is widely recognized as an important managerial practice that has some positive implications on organizational sustainable competitive advantage. A plenty of studies indicated an importance of consideration of the knowledge management at the strategic level (Hansen et al., 1999; Zack, 1999; Donate and Canales, 2012). Most of studies on KM is done in huge firms (Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995; Davenport and Prusak, 1998; Brown and Duguid, 2002). SMEs/entrepreneurial firms, in contrast, strongly lack of attention from KM researches. However, last years, different streams of research raise the question of managing knowledge in entrepreneurial firms. KM researchers consider a question of KM processes in SMEs, which in most cases have entrepreneurial nature. This kind of research provided some proof that knowledge is managed in SMEs, but it is found that SMEs follow more informal ways of managing knowledge (Hutchinson and Quintas, 2008). From the side of entrepreneurship studies there is also interest for investigation of KM in entrepreneurial firms (Blackburn and Kovalainen, 2009). In order to cover this gap I am investigating knowledge strategies of entrepreneurial firms that do their business in IT-industry and that are residents of business incubators. | 167494261 |
4,510,476 | Nanoscale visualization and multiscale mechanical implications of bound rubber interphases in rubber-carbon black nanocomposites† The concept of a “bound rubber” phase extending over nanometre-scale distances from the interface of rubber-particle nanocomposites is generally accepted. However, the thickness and elastic properties of this interphase have not been confirmed by direct experimental observation. Here, we demonstrate the existence of bound rubber in hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR)–carbon black composites, through direct visualization and measurement of elastic properties. Both macro- and nanoscale mechanical analyses show that the bound rubber exhibits an elastic modulus distinct from that of the rubber matrix and of the particles. Direct visualization of this bound rubber viascanning probe microscopy-based approaches requires detailed consideration of potential artifacts in contact-based analysis of viscoelastic nanocomposites. We quantify the magnitude of such contributions, and find that the bound rubber content decreases with increasing temperature, and that its stiffness exceeds that of the rubber matrix by approximately one order of magnitude. Further, the measured thickness and elastic moduli of this bound rubber are consistent with that predicted by our numerical model of a matrix–interphase–particle composite. Together, these experiments and model demonstrate that the elastic properties of nanocomposite interphases of less than 20 nm thickness can be interrogated directly. | 9464661 |
4,510,477 | Vaccination to prevent transmission of Plasmodium yoelii malaria Summary It was possible to block the transmission of infection of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis to Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes by immunizing mice with a vaccine containing formalin‐fixed gametes. Both intramuscular and intravenous routes were effective, immunity was achieved with a single dose and the immunity persisted for 6 months at least. Transmission‐blocking immunity was found to reside in a serum factor, probably antibody, and to be directed against extracellular gametes, acting on them in the gut of the mosquito, while gametocytes in the circulation of the vertebrate host remained unaffected. The gamete vaccine afforded partial protection against the disease, but immunization with asexual parasites alone showed that this protection was due largely to the presence of asexual forms as contaminants and that anti‐gamete immunity is stage specific. | 24212061 |
4,510,478 | Otosyphilis: report on six cases Syphilis is a multisystemic disease that may also affect the inner ear. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency, clinical presentation and outcome of otosyphilis. A retrospective analysis of inpatients seen by a team of ENT specialists and dermatologists at a teaching hospital in Dresden, Germany, during 1986–2000. Six cases of otosyphilis had been diagnosed. None was related to risk factors such as HIV infection or drug abuse. We identified four female and two male patients, age range 25–58 years. Four patients suffered from syphilis stage II, one from syphilis stage and another from congential syphilis. ENT complaints included loss or impairment of hearing, tinnitus and nystagmus. All were treated with penicillin G. Adjuvant therapy included systemic corticosteroids oral pentoxifillin in two patients each. Improvement of ENT symptoms was achieved in all but one patient, who suffered from congential syphilis. This study confirms that otosyphilis is still a complication of syphilis in developed countries. The first line therapy is systemic penicillin G. There is a lack of controlled trials for adjuvant treatments such as corticosteroids and pentoxifillin. Clinical cooperation between dermatologists/venereologists and ENT specialists supports the best outcome. | 9177861 |
4,510,479 | The Mechanism of Ritual Communication on Collective Memory and National Identity Against the background that media technology is highly embedded in social life, rituals glow with new luster by means of media and have multiple effects on audiences. Among them, awakening and reconstructing collective memory as well as building and strengthening national identity are the main roles of the current media ritual communication. Based on the agenda-setting theory and anchor point theory, this paper constructs a mechanism diagram of ritual significance target combined with threshold, clarifies the mechanism of ritual communication through the elaboration of the meaning ring, and explores how ritual communication affects collective memory and national identity. It is found that ritual communication not only awakens and reconstructs collective memory in retrospect, but also consolidates and stores collective memory in repetition. The role of ritual communication on national identity is achieved through the mechanism of “strengthening social ties - creating consensus - consolidating the rationality of social order ”. These two form a joint force, which is finally reflected in the significant social influence of ritual communication through media. | 248950561 |
4,510,480 | 7 Conclusions and Further Research Acknowledgements We like to Thank the Calculi for Distributed Program Construction Club Headed by Lambert Meertens and Doaitse Swierstra and the Formal Models Club at Utrecht University. We Also Want to Acknowledge A simple proof of a completeness result for leads-to in the UNITY logic. 18 In this section we have shown that the notion of sequences is a stronger notion than Unity properties. Unity properties cannot characterize the (extended) sequences of programs completely. As a consequence, the notion of property preserving reenement is a weaker notion than the reduction of execution sequences or reduction of nondeterminism. It is also shown that the ensures property, although it is too strong ((Mis90]), is essentially stronger than 7 ! in characterizing sequences. We have deened a number of semantic models to justify reenement of Unity programs and compared the notions of reenement induced by the diierent models. We have shown that the two notions of sequences are more expressive than Unity properties. Programs that have the same properties may have diierent execution sequences. Consequently, preservation of Unity properties, as used by Sanders ((San90]) and Singh ((Sin91]), diiers from the usual notion of reenement, reducing the set of execution sequences. It is a weaker notion that may introduce new execution sequences. We have also shown that extended sequences are stronger than Unity properties. I.e., it is possible to retain unless and ensures properties from extended sequences. Unity properties have proven to be insuucient to characterize sequences. The real expressive power of properties is not | 15941511 |
4,510,481 | clear. We want to nd a model of execution sequences that is equivalent to properties. It also might be of interest to nd a Unity-like property model that is powerful enough to characterize sequences. As we have seen, IUL S is not compositional, neither is IUE S. It is interesting to know whether IUE CM is the fully abstract model above IUL S. their comments, discussions and carefully reading of preliminary versions, and Wim Hesselink for suggestions and references to the literature. The failure of failures in a paradigm of asynchronous communication. 2 Next, we examine the relation between sequences and Sanders's logic. There is a clear relation between the properties unless S and 7 ! S , and sequences of states corresponding the intuitive idea of the properties. These relations were given in the lemmas 4.7 and 4.8. This gives direct the following theorem. In fact, the counterexample of theorem 6.3 is a counterexample for this theorem also. However, this is not the only cause of trouble. In Mis90], Misra shows that the notion of ensuring is essential when program … | 15941511 |
4,510,482 | A drone carried multichannel Synthetic Aperture Radar for advanced buried object detection The great innovations of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology during the past years stimulated new applications in several areas. While in the past SAR was primarily operated for airborne and spaceborne applications, novel operations for quite low altitude like surveillance of cities, local agricultural applications, or even buried object detection, are of new interest. For such operations the well-known and established SAR system concepts should apply similarly, while the technology has to be transferred to the state of the art and new platforms like UAVs or drones. The paper addresses the special concept for a SAR to detect buried mines. It combines a novel DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luftund Raumfahrt, German Aerospace Center) approach based on multistatic observation with the capability to create nearly arbitrary azimuth sampling trajectories. By providing very high resolution it is possible to even identify man-made objects like landmines in the SAR image by their spatial radar-cross section (RCS) distribution. These capabilities allow advanced detection capabilities and satisfy the ultimate demand for buried object identification, both being great improvement in landmine detection and related activities. Beside this concept the paper addresses the development of a lightweight multimode UHF-UWB (Ultra high frequency - Ultra wide band) radar module for drone based operation. The development was focused on a compact design, easy to maintain, low power consumption and low radar system weight including antennas, data acquisition and a drone independent power supply. Main development steps and laboratory measurement results are presented in | 86632111 |
4,510,483 | order to confirm the radar module performance. | 86632111 |
4,510,484 | An Adaptive Robust Semi-blind Watermarking in Transform Domain Using Canny Edge Detection Technique Digital watermarking is the multimedia leading security protection as it permanently escorts the digital content. Image copyright protection is becoming more anxious as the new 5G technology emerged. Protecting images with a robust scheme without distorting them is the main trade-off in digital watermarking. In this paper, a watermarking scheme based on discrete cosine transform (DCT) and singular value decomposition (SVD) using canny edge detector technique is proposed. A binary encrypted watermark is reshaped into a vector and inserted into the edge detected vector from the diagonal matrix of the SVD of DCT DC and low-frequency coefficients. Watermark insertion is performed by using an edge-tracing mechanism. The scheme is evaluated using the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Normalized Correlation (NC). Attained results are competitive when compared to present works in the field. Results show that the PSNR values vary from 51 dB to 55 dB. | 237377161 |
4,510,485 | Molecular methods in the diagnostic microbiology laboratory: when to start and where to stop? The introduction of molecular diagnostic methods in the microbiologic diagnostic laboratory is subject to a number of practical and financial constraints requiring the elaboration of a sound strategy. Validation of the tests may require the use of an expanded gold standard or the application of novel statistical methods such as latent class analysis. The procedures should be constantly evaluated for false positive an false negative results. The introduction of molecular methods will not only depend on their performance for each individual microorganism, but also on the clinical relevance of the diagnostic question asked, the prevalence of the clinical problem and whether the new methods are added to the procedures in use or will replace them. Therefore no general rules can be proposed, strategies have to be elaborated for each infectious agent or clinical syndrome. Strategies concerning the use of molecular diagnostic techniques for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia trachomatis, meningo-encephalitis syndrome and respiratory infections, are discussed. Their role in typing of microorganisms and the detection of previously unknown infectious agents are mentioned. | 34077761 |
4,510,486 | Obama outlines plan to curb prescription drug and heroin misuse President Barack Obama has announced a new national initiative to curtail the United States’ epidemic of prescription drug and heroin misuse. Obama announced the initiative on 21 October at a community forum in Charleston, West Virginia, the state hardest hit by the epidemic. In recent years the US has seen the number of deaths from overdose more than double, from 6.0 per 100 000 population in 1999 to 13.8 per 100 000 in 2013 or about 44 000 a year. Roughly half these deaths are due to misuse of prescription drugs, including opioid analgesics, sedatives, and stimulants. In West Virginia the overdose death rate is more than twice the national average, at 33.5 per 100 000 population. “More Americans … | 27007161 |
4,510,487 | Thermal de-embedding procedure for cryogenic on-wafer high-frequency noise measurement The main objectives of this work concerns the on-wafer high frequency noise measurements of low noise transistors (GaAs and InP HEMTs) at cryogenic temperature. We propose a new approach to de-embed the measured noise figure or noise power by taking into account the temperature distribution of the whole bench. For measurements at 77K, the gradient of temperature between the DUT and the receiver or the noise source is greater than 200K and the temperature distribution along the probes and cables is non uniform. This temperature distribution has to be accurately known to de-embed the measured noise figure and especially for low noise device like lattice-matched or metamorphic HEMTs. The temperature distribution along the probes and cables is obtained using a 3-D thermal modeling (ANSYS) and has been checked through thermal sensors measurements. The inputs of the thermal simulations are the material composition and associated thermal properties of the probes, connectors and cables. This temperature distribution associated to a RLCG transmission line are afterwards implemented in CAD tool (ADS). In order to check the validity of such model, we have measured the noise power of a 50 Ω resistance for different temperatures (77 K to 295 K). At 77 K, after a de-embedding procedure using the distributed temperature model, we obtain an equivalent noise temperature of the resistance of 77 K ± 10 K. This de-embedding method will be applied to extract the noise parameters of cooled down HEMTs. | 109945311 |
4,510,488 | Volume Control Associated with Better Cardiac Function in Long-Term Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Background This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of long-term blood pressure (BP) reduction, achieved with salt restriction and strict volume control, on frequency and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods 56 patients who had been treated for more than 2 years under our care were enrolled. After echocardiographic (Echo) evaluation, 46 patients were included in the follow-up study. In our unit, we aim to keep patients’ BP below 130/85 mmHg and cardiothoracic index below 0.50. To reach these targets, moderate salt restriction is advised, and if necessary, hypertonic PD solutions are used. Echo was performed at the beginning of the study (after a mean period of 36 months on PD) and at the end of the prospective follow-up period (24 months later). Results At the time of the first Echo, LVH was detected in only 8 (21%) patients. Residual urine volume was significantly decreased compared to data taken when they first started PD (658 ± 795 vs 236 ± 307 mL/day). Mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 107 ± 26.5 g/m2. LVMI was significantly decreased at the end of the follow-up in patients who had LVH at baseline. No LVH developed in patients who had normal LVMI at baseline. Conclusion Our results indicate that control of hypertension is possible when extracellular fluid volume is kept under control using hypertonic PD solutions in case of recruitment in addition to salt restriction in long-term PD patients. | 20572861 |
4,510,489 | Sustained normovolemia is associated with low incidence and regression of LVH. | 20572861 |
4,510,490 | An optimized protocol for multislice computed tomography of the canine brain. Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used in veterinary practice to evaluate dogs with suspected brain disease, however contrast resolution limitations and artifacts may reduce visualization of clinically important anatomic features. The purpose of this study was to develop an optimized CT protocol for evaluating the canine brain. The head of a 5-year-old Springer Spaniel with no neurological signs was imaged immediately following euthanasia using a 4-slice CT scanner and 282 protocols. Each protocol used a fixed tube voltage of 120 kVp and 10 cm display field of view. Other acquisition and reconstruction parameters were varied. For each protocol, four selected images of the brain were reconstructed, anonymized and saved in DICOM format. Three board-certified veterinary radiologists independently reviewed each of the four images for each protocol and recorded a numerical quality score for each image. The protocol yielding the lowest total numerical score was defined as the optimal protocol. There was overall agreement that the optimal protocol was the one with the following parameters: sequential mode, 300 mAs, 1 mm slice thickness, 1 s tube rotation time, medium image reconstruction algorithm and applied beam hardening correction. Sequential imaging provided optimal image resolution. The thin-sliced images provided a small blur due to partial volume artifacts. A high tube current resulted in a relatively low noise level. Use of a medium frequency image reconstruction algorithm provided optimal contrast resolution for brain tissue. Use of a proprietary beam hardening correction filter (Posterior Fossa Optimization) markedly reduced beam-hardening artifact. | 32546421 |
4,510,491 | Effect of Rotational Speed on the Average Flow Field at the Pump/Turbine Interface of an Automotive Torque Converter The internal flow fields of a pump/turbine interface in a torque converter were examined using laser velocimetry. The torque converter was operated at three different turbine/pump rotational speed ratios: 0.065 (near stall), 0.600, and 0.800 (near coupling point) and for each speed ratio three different pump and turbine speeds were used. Most importantly, the dimensional rotational speed had minimal effects on the flow fields — flow characteristics were Reynolds number independent. At the pump exit plane the flow is non-uniform in the blade-to-blade direction at all speed ratios and speeds. Velocities were fairly uniform in the core-to-shell direction. Through flow velocity non-uniformity became more pronounced as the speed ratio increased. The pump exit plane slip factors are near unity. At high speed ratios the flow in the turbine inlet plane flow is non-uniform in the blade-to-blade direction. Also at high speed ratios, velocities are fairly uniform in the core-to-shell direction but high velocities move near the shell at lower speed ratios. The turbine leading edge incidence angles were found to depend strongly on the speed ratio, ranging from positive to negative. | 244062871 |
4,510,492 | Toxicological assessment of selective pesticides towards plant growth promoting activities of phosphate solubilizing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study was designed to assess the effect of selected pesticides (metribuzin, glyphosate, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, hexaconazole, metalaxyl and kitazin) at the recommended and higher rates on plant growth promoting activities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PS1 isolated from mustard (Brassica compestris) rhizosphere. The strain PS1 was specifically chosen owing to its substantial tolerance against pesticides, phosphate solubilization and considerable production of indole acetic acid, siderophores, exo-polysaccharides, HCN and ammonia. Plant growth promoting traits of the strain PS1 decreased consistently as the concentrations of each pesticide was increased from the recommended dose to the higher ones. Generally, the maximum toxicity to plant growth promoting traits was displayed by pesticides at three times the recommended field rate. However, the effect on the plant growth promoting activities of the P. aeruginosa strain PS1 at the recommended dose of each pesticide was less hazardous. This study revealed an additional aspect of the toxicological mechanisms of the pesticides through which they suppress the plant growth. | 31512471 |
4,510,493 | The Prediction Model of Cutting Forces Based on Johnson-Cook’s Flow Stress Model Thin-walled parts with complex configurations are extensively used in aerospace and precise instrument industry. However, because of low stiffness, cutting forces, clamping forces and residual stresses in cutting have been the main factors influenced on machining accuracy of thin-walled parts. Furthermore, biggish deviation exists between practical finished surface and theoretical value as a result of machining deformation caused by cutting force namely “cutter relieving” phenomenon; besides, direct relation exists between determination of clamping force and generation of machining residual stress and cutting force, so it is necessary to build up accurate cutting force prediction model to improve the machining accuracy of thin-walled parts. Therefore, cutting force prediction model based on Johnson-Cook’s flow stress model and Oxley’s shear angle model has been developed, which takes the property of high strain, high strain ratio in area of cut and high cutting temperature into account fully and determines shear angle more accurately on the basis of force balance principle; with different cutting and tool geometric parameters existing, perform simulation and experiment studies on cutting force prediction model, verify the validity of prediction model and obtain the response rules resulted from cutting force prediction model acting on cutting and tool geometric parameters. | 138860771 |
4,510,494 | Simulated Coma during a Dental Treatment Session: A Case Report. The case presented is that of a 27-year-old woman undergoing long-term follow-up for severe psychoses and being treated for dental care on a regular basis in the Dentistry Department of the University Hospital. She presents a psycho-emotional immaturity associated with psychopathic traits (she may follow the nursing staff throughout the day in search of attention and may start crying during dental care without apparent reasons). She has been alternating periods of full inpatient and outpatient care since her late teens. There is also a tendency to switch to self-aggression when frustrated. In 2017, she threw herself down the stairs, frustrated that she did not quickly get the cream she felt she needed for an ankle injury. Her speech is diffluent and the meaning of the answers given to the questions asked during the clinical interrogation are disjointed and sometimes obscure, making the discourse incomprehensible and unreliable. To stabilize his psychic disorders, a daily intake of 50 mg of Levomepromazine (Nozinan ), an intra muscular injection every 2 weeks of 600 mg of Zuclopenthixol (Clopixol ), a dose of 10 mg of Diazepam (Valium ) 3 to 4 times a day in case of agitation or anxiety and at 10 pm, in case of insomnia, a dose of 50 ene ). To counter the anticholinergic effects of these treatments, 50 mg of Anetholtrithione (Sulfarlem S25 ) are prescribed morning, noon and evening. The surgical history is limited to the avulsion of wisdom teeth and a tonsillectomy. The | 246801271 |
4,510,495 | patient is overweight, her Body Mass Index (BMI) is 33.5, with a height of 162 cm for 88 kg. This patient has been followed since the beginning of 2019 in the odontology department of the University and Research Hospital. At each of her appointments, she is accompanied by a nurse from the psychiatry department to reassure her and help the dental surgeon in the negotiations necessary for her care. Her oral hygiene was precarious, despite the encouragement of the psychiatry team to maintain good oral hygiene daily. In this context, there were recurrences of carious lesions and the presence of gingivitis. Exceptionally, this patient came to the consultation to continue a series of treatments begun the previous week, a root canal treatment of tooth 24, but in the absence of a companion from the psychiatrist's department. During the COVID period, the department was understaffed. A few minutes after the infiltration of 1.8ml Alphacaine N in the back of the vestibule opposite tooth 24, the patient was experiencing a sudden loss of consciousness without significant prodrome (palpitations, sweating, visual and/or auditory disturbances). Ongoing care was immediately stopped, the dam and saliva pads were removed from the mouth. The patient did not respond to our verbal simulations but was breathing normally. Thus, while we positioned the patient in a lateral safety position, the emergency department of the CHU was alerted. The clinical examination carried out by the emergency physicians showed a blood pressure of 121/86 mm Hg, a heart rate of 108 beats/mn and a respiratory rate of | 246801271 |
4,510,496 | 16l/min. The patient was apyretic | 246801271 |
4,510,497 | CUTANEOUS INVOLVEMENT OF MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA AND MALIGNANT HISTIOCYTOSIS Mycosis fungoides, lymphosarcoma of a T cell nature with cutaneous involvement, and malignant histiocytosis with primary skin manifestation were presented and their cutaneous lesions were examined with particular emphasis on localization and cytological features of the tumor cells. In addition, six autopsy cases of systemic lymphosarcoma involving the skin and one autopsy case of malignant histiocytosis which showed cutaneous dissemination were reviewed, and a comparative study of the cutaneous lesions of those cases was performed. It was noted that lymphosarcomas tended to infiltrate the lower dermis and underlying subcutaneous tissue, retaining the cell types of tumor cells seen in the primary sites. In malignant histiocytosis, it was suggested that eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration in the tissue might indicate longer survival. | 38991671 |
4,510,498 | Agent-based IDMEF alerting infrastructure for distributed intrusion detection and prevention systems: Design and validation The design and development of distributed and collaborative architectures for network intrusion detection systems is an ongoing yet challenging research field. The decentralizing of the intrusion detection functionalities became a promising approach to keep up with the steadily increase of the network communications' capacity and the attack's signatures data bases. So far, several communication models have been proposed in the literature for distributed intrusion detection systems' components. In this paper we focus on the design and implementation of an agent centric library to support flexible and extensible messages exchanges between intrusion detection system's components. We have functionally validated our solution based on a set of tests run over a real-world prototype we have implemented. | 36739721 |
4,510,499 | Novel Analysis System of Imaging-Plate Plane-Wave X-Ray Topography for Characterizing Lattice Distortion in Silicon This letter reports that a novel analysis system has been developed to determine lattice distortion in silicon single crystals from plane-wave X-ray topographs taken using synchrotron radiation. The system analyzes the topographs recorded on the imaging plate and gives the distortion as local variations in spacing and orientation of the lattice plane. Line analysis and mapping of the distortion in any position on the topograph can be easily performed in the system due to the overall digitization by the imaging plate. | 122078771 |
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