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[Evaluation of a telemedicine pilot project]. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Rapid progress in computer and information technologies has led to an increased interest in the use of telemedicine during the past few years. Thus it should be clarified, whether teledermatology can achieve comparable results to conventional specialist examination and advice. PATIENTS/METHODS We initiated a pilot study, comparing teledermatology with conventional examination in a dermatology outpatient setting. 60 patients were included. RESULTS Out of 60 teledermatological examinations, remote clinicians were in agreement with face-to-face clinicians in 90%. Teledermatology was unable to make a useful diagnosis in 6 patients, however further diagnostic procedures were ordered, enabling teledermatologists to achieve correct diagnoses. Regarding need for further diagnostic tests, there was no difference between teledermatology and conventional examination. CONCLUSIONS Teledermatology appears suitable to transfer a dermatologist's expertise over large distances.
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Supportive care for children and young people during cancer treatment. Children, young people and their families come into contact with a large number of health and social care professionals within hospital, education and community settings following a cancer diagnosis. The multiprofessional team best supports these families through an open and communicative approach to care. The side effects of cancer treatment include fever, infection, gastrointestinal upset, altered body image and psychological impact on children, young people and their families. Debate continues as to how children, young people, their siblings and parents cope with childhood cancer and its treatment due to its impact on family quality of life. It is considered that the short- and long-term wellbeing of children, young people and their families during treatment is best supported by continuing routine daily activities, such as attending nursery, school or college.
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Integrating Linguistic Theory and Neural Language Models Transformer-based language models have recently achieved remarkable results in many natural language tasks. However, performance on leaderboards is generally achieved by leveraging massive amounts of training data, and rarely by encoding explicit linguistic knowledge into neural models. This has led many to question the relevance of linguistics for modern natural language processing. In this dissertation, I present several case studies to illustrate how theoretical linguistics and neural language models are still relevant to each other. First, language models are useful to linguists by providing an objective tool to measure semantic distance, which is difficult to do using traditional methods. On the other hand, linguistic theory contributes to language modelling research by providing frameworks and sources of data to probe our language models for specific aspects of language understanding. This thesis contributes three studies that explore different aspects of the syntax-semantics interface in language models. In the first part of my thesis, I apply language models to the problem of word class flexibility. Using mBERT as a source of semantic distance measurements, I present evidence in favour of analyzing word class flexibility as a directional process. In the second part of my thesis, I propose a method to measure surprisal at intermediate layers of language models. My experiments show that sentences containing morphosyntactic anomalies trigger surprisals earlier in language models than semantic and commonsense anomalies. Finally, in the third part of my thesis, I adapt several psycholinguistic studies to show that language models contain knowledge of argument structure constructions. In
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summary, my thesis develops new connections between natural language processing, linguistic theory, and psycholinguistics to provide fresh perspectives for the interpretation of language models.
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Impact of Stoichiometry on the Structure of van der Waals Layered GeTe/Sb2 Te3 Superlattices Used in Interfacial Phase-Change Memory (iPCM) Devices. Van der Waals layered GeTe/Sb2 Te3 superlattices (SLs) have demonstrated outstanding performances for use in resistive memories in so-called interfacial phase-change memory (iPCM) devices. GeTe/Sb2 Te3 SLs are made by periodically stacking ultrathin GeTe and Sb2 Te3 crystalline layers. The mechanism of the resistance change in iPCM devices is still highly debated. Recent experimental studies on SLs grown by molecular beam epitaxy or pulsed laser deposition indicate that the local structure does not correspond to any of the previously proposed structural models. Here, a new insight is given into the complex structure of prototypical GeTe/Sb2 Te3 SLs deposited by magnetron sputtering, which is the used industrial technique for SL growth in iPCM devices. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the structural quality of the SL depends critically on its stoichiometry. Moreover, high-angle annular dark-field-scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis of the local atomic order in a perfectly stoichiometric SL reveals the absence of GeTe layers, and that Ge atoms intermix with Sb atoms in, for instance, Ge2 Sb2 Te5 blocks. This result shows that an alternative structural model is required to explain the origin of the electrical contrast and the nature of the resistive switching mechanism observed in iPCM devices.
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Dealing with Complexity in Information Systems Modeling: Development and Empirical Validation of a Method for Representing Large Data Models One of the most serious practical and theoretical limitations of the entity-relationship (E-R) model is its inability to cope with complexity. Once E-R models exceed a certain threshold of size, they become difficult to understand, document and maintain. This paper describes the development and empirical validation of a method for representing large E-R models called leveled data modeling (LDM). A combination of research methods were used to validate the method. Action research was first used to test and refine the method in a real-world setting. Eight action research studies were conducted in eight different organizations. Once the method had become stable, two laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate its effectiveness compared to the standard E-R model and methods previously proposed in the literature. Finally, a field experiment was conducted using experienced practitioners to evaluate the likelihood of the method being accepted in practice. The resulting method defines a general approach for managing complexity which could be applied to any information systems modeling technique. The research findings thus have general implications for developing more effective IS design techniques. Another contribution of the paper is that it illustrates a systematic, multimethod approach to empirically validating an IS design method.
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CNT and Graphene Filled Shape Memory Foams by Solid State Foaming Epoxy-based shape memory (SM) foams have been produced by solid state foaming. According to this foaming technology, precursors are made by cold compaction of thermosetting powders. Subsequently, precursors foam by heating in an oven. In this study, the SM epoxy powder was mixed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene so as to produce SM composite foams. Two different filling contents were used (0.5 and 1 wt%). In order to study the effect of nano-fillers on SM properties of the epoxy foams, foam compressibility was measured at a temperature higher than the transition temperature of the SM epoxy foam (i.e. the glass transition temperature). Moreover, recovery load was measured after a 50% of memorized strain. Results show the positive effect of the fillers in functional and structural terms.
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A study on a new criterion for minimum-energy perfect control in the state-space framework In this article, an advanced study concerning the energy cost of the perfect control algorithm is provided. An application of different nonunique matrix inverses into perfect control law has resulted in remarkable influence on both control and state signals. Following the newly obtained issues, covering the minimum-energy behavior, a new related criterion is proposed here. Based on deterministic norm we can, in a simple way, estimate the crucial energy performance. Simulation examples made in MATLAB/Simulink environment show the high potential of a new approach considered in the article.
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MEASURING RELATIVE CUE WEIGHTING: A Reply to Morrison Morrison (this issue) criticized the analytical and statistical methods that Escudero and Boersma (2004) used for assessing the participants' cue weightings in their listening experiments. He proposed that logistic regression constitutes a better method for measuring perceptual cue weighting than Escudero and Boersma's “edge difference ratio.” The present paper starts by summarizing and illustrating Escudero and Boersma's experiment and analysis method and then addresses five of Morrison's objections—namely the alleged ceiling effect, the alleged superiority of logistic regression, the problem of discarding data, the (dis)confirmation of two-category assimilation, and Escudero and Boersma's grouping of the data. We will argue that although logistic regression is a very good method for measuring cue weighting, there was nothing wrong with Escudero and Boersma's methodology in these five respects.
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Optimized Coded Prefetching Scheme in Hierarchical Cache-Enabled Networks Caching popular content at small base stations (SBSs) of a wireless edge network is a good choice to reduce user request latency and backhaul load. However, an effective coded caching scheme to solve the challenges in hierarchical cacheenabled networks (HCENs), including the limited SBS cache capacity, rich content amount, especially the deployment of coded prefetching, has not yet been fully studied. In this paper, we propose a caching scheme based on coded prefetching and coded transmission in HCENs. In particular, considering the impact of preference of users, the SBSs cache capacity, and the number of contents of coded linear combination, we design a cache probability matrix, where contents is stored at each SBS by linear combination with caching probability. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm including prefetching and transmission is analyzed, the expression of the system average delay is derived, and an optimization problem of minimizing the average delay is established to obtain the optimal cache probability matrix. Finally, the simulation results verify the effectiveness of our coded prefetching caching scheme, which can achieve lower average delay than other caching schemes with uncoded prefetching and coded transmission in HCENs.
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Doing good by stealth: comments on ‘Salvaging the concept of nudge’ In ‘Salvaging the Concept of Nudge’ Yashar Saghai performs an important clarificatory task which certainly advances our philosophical and ethical understanding of nudges in public policy, and in healthcare ethics in particular.1 In this brief commentary I identify some issues which could usefully be taken forward in subsequent discussions. A central difficulty with ethical discussions of nudging is that insufficient care is taken to distinguish two morally important features of nudges. The first, which Saghai very properly concentrates upon, is the mechanism of nudging. Nudges rely on psychological properties of human decision-makers as the way in which their intended effects are brought about. Much of the ethical concern with nudges focuses on just this. Whatever the motive of the nudger, or the objective of the nudge, or the ex ante or ex post ratification of the nudge by the nudge, operating through influence, impulse or non-rational features of the nudgee's decision-making is wrong. The nature of this wrongness can be spelled out in different ways, and which one of these we choose has important implications for the precise ethical argument …
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Application of the inhomogeneous Kibble-Zurek mechanism to quench dynamics in the transition from a Mott insulator to a superfluid in a finite system We apply the theory of the inhomogeneous Kibble-Zurek mechanism to understand the quench dynamics in the transition from a Mott insulator to a superfluid in a cold Bose gas confined in both a two-dimensional optical lattice and a harmonic trap. The local quench time and the resulting Kibble-Zurek diabatic-adiabatic boundary take a nontrivial positional dependence due to the Mott-lobe structure of the ground-state phase diagram of the Bose-Hubbard model. We demonstrate the quench dynamics through the time-dependent Gutzwiller simulations, revealing inhomogeneous properties of the growth of the superfluid order parameter. The inhomogeneous Kibble-Zurek theory is applicable to the shallow harmonic trap.
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Prediction of groundwater contamination with multivariate regression and probabilistic capture zones. Probabilistic capture zones are combined with a regression model and used as buffer zones around wells for Tobit regression analysis to predict contaminant concentration of groundwater in an agricultural region. A backward transport equation, which is a mathematical model based on the physical processes of solute transport, is used to delineate probabilistic capture zones. The probabilistic capture zone defines the area where contaminant discharge can have a direct influence, with pertinent probability, on the quality of groundwater pumped from a well. Tobit regression analysis is used to find the relationship between independent regression variables and a dependent variable, which is contaminant concentration in this study. The capture zone and the regression are combined into a model, and its applicability for prediction of nitrate concentration is tested in a small agricultural basin in Chuncheon, Korea, which is occupied mainly by vegetation fields, orchards, and small barns. Three cases of Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3 are compared in which buffer zones are circles, capture zones with probability over 0.1, and capture zones divided into sections with different probabilities, respectively. The resulting regression model describes nitrate concentration in terms of selected independent variables. When the concentrations are calculated with the model, the best fit with the observed concentrations was in Model 3. This result supports the applicability of the method proposed in this study to prediction of contaminant concentration of groundwater.
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Design Of An Autopilot For Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles DESIGN OF AN AUTOPILOT FOR SMALL UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES Reed Siefert Christiansen Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Master of Science This thesis presents the design of an autopilot capable of flying small unmanned aerial vehicles with wingspans less then 21 inches. The autopilot is extremely small and lightweight allowing it to fit in aircraft of this size. The autopilot features an advanced, highly autonomous flight control system with auto-launch and auto-landing algorithms. These features allow the autopilot to be operated by a wide spectrum of skilled and unskilled users. Innovative control techniques implemented in software, coupled with light weight, robust, and inexpensive hardware components were used in the design of
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Graph Matching Applied For Textured Pattern Recognition This paper addresses the detection of noisy structures in the context of infrared microscopy using labeled undirected graph matching. The selection of robust features as labels is determinant in this case of study, where hard conditions are dealt with: few relevant topological information, a potentially huge number of outliers and low contrasted images resulting in noisy graphs. Firstly, the image texture is reliably caught through a scale, rotation and intensity invariant histogram of oriented gradients. Secondly, in structures presenting numerous symmetries, the graph shape is locally registered while discriminated using weight from a super-increasing series. Coupled to the flexibility of the graph tensor product-based similarity metric, the matching framework achieves satisfying results.
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Broadband, miniaturized stacked-patch antenna based on magneto-dielectric substrates for L-band operation The low profile and wide bandwidth of microstrip stacked-patch antennas makes them an attractive choice for many RF applications, especially in the UHF and L bands. There are competing factors that impact the design of these antennas. For instance, miniaturization can be achieved through the use of substrates with a high permittivity but their use tends to come at the expense of increased coupling between the patches and the ground plane, and consequently a reduced bandwidth. High permittivity dielectric materials can also be heavy (e.g., ceramics) and are therefore not suitable for many applications where light weight antenna structures are required. Additionally, a reduction in the physical size of the antenna tends to be accompanied by a reduction in gain.
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WKB-like method for the adiabatic limit of a pendulum type equation We consider the ordinary differential equation of the second order x/spl uml/+/spl psi/(/spl epsi/t) sin(x-/spl phi/(/spl epsi/t))=0 with the coefficients /spl psi/ and /spl phi/ depending slowly on time. By using a Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB)-like method we construct two asymptotic series for a general solution of the equation in the limit /spl epsi//spl rarr/0 (adiabatic limit). One of them is true when the variable t is far from the zeroes of the coefficient /spl psi/ and the other one is valid in the neighborhoods of these these zeroes.
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Infectious Disease Information Collection System at the Scene of Disaster Relief Based on a Personal Digital Assistant Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to build a database to collect infectious disease information at the scene of a disaster through the use of 128 epidemiological questionnaires and 47 types of options, with rapid acquisition of information regarding infectious disease and rapid questionnaire customization at the scene of disaster relief by use of a personal digital assistant (PDA). Methods SQL Server 2005 (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA) was used to create the option database for the infectious disease investigation, to develop a client application for the PDA, and to deploy the application on the server side. The users accessed the server for data collection and questionnaire customization with the PDA. Results A database with a set of comprehensive options was created and an application system was developed for the Android operating system (Google Inc, Mountain View, CA). On this basis, an infectious disease information collection system was built for use at the scene of disaster relief. The creation of an infectious disease information collection system and rapid questionnaire customization through the use of a PDA was achieved. Conclusions This system integrated computer technology and mobile communication technology to develop an infectious disease information collection system and to allow for rapid questionnaire customization at the scene of disaster relief. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:668–673)
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Expression and Clinical Significance of POLR1D in Colorectal Cancer Purpose: RNA polymerase I subunit D (POLR1D) is involved in the synthesis of ribosomal RNA precursors and small RNAs, but its mechanism in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains ambiguous. Thus, this research aimed to investigate POLR1D’s expression and significance in human CRC patients and evaluate its association with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: Matched fresh-frozen cancerous and non-cancerous tissues were collected from 100 patients diagnosed with CRC. Immunohistochemical, Western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses were adopted to validate the correlation between POLR1D expression and clinicopathological parameters in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues (ANTs). Results: POLR1D expression in CRC tissues was significantly higher than in the ANTs. χ2 test and Spearman’s correlative analysis showed that a high POLR1D expression is significantly associated with clinical stage, Dukes stage, tumor differentiation, depth of invasion, and metastasis (p < 0.05). It is not correlated with gender, age, and tumor location and size (p > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curves show that the overall survival (OS) time for the low expression group is remarkably longer than for the high expression group (p < 0.0015). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicate that a high POLR1D expression is an independent prognostic factor for poor OS (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The findings of this study strongly indicate that POLR1D plays a pivotal role in the occurrence and progression of CRC. It might be an independent adverse prognostic factor for CRC patients and could serve as a potential therapeutic target for clinical
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diagnosis in CRC and anticancer drug development.
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[Association of the Scientific Societies of Hungarian Medical Doctors (MORTESZ) was founded 80 years ago]. After the First World War the professional medical societies in Hungary, which have already organized themselves nationwide, started to operate independently from each other. In that time came the idea to create another association above the others to gather them together while retaining their independent functioning. The Association of the Scientific Societies of Hungarian Medical Doctors (MORTESZ), established in 1931, became the nationwide forum for many medical associations. It also organized the first Hungarian Medical Grand-Week which became the annual meeting of the medical society. In the first year the cooperation only consisted of a common topic of two or three associations presented in the "Grand-Week". From year 1935, reports were appointed annually that each professional association could comment on. The proceedings of the "Grand-Week" were published yearly as appendices of the Hungarian Medical Journal. After the Second World War the activities of the independent associations were shut down by the authorities. The scientific and professional associations could continue their work as sections inside of the Doctors and Health Workers' Union. In 1966 the situation was solved thanks to the initiative of the Trade Union, the Department of Medicine and the Medical Section of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences which resulted in the foundation of the Association of the Hungarian Medical Societies (MOTESZ) which continues to gather together the collective work of many scientific associations and carries out tasks of general interest since then, similarly to the now 80-years-old MORTESZ.
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27603720
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Gain-scheduling synthesis with dynamic D-scalings This paper provides a complete LMI solution to the gain-scheduling controller synthesis problem with frequency-dependent D-scalings. This extension of Packard's seminal work for constant D-scalings paves the way for a considerable reduction of conservatism. Apart from the technical result, we sketch potential application areas and point out directions for generalizations.
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Gain Score in Item Response Theory as an Effect Size Measure Because of the requirement of reporting effect sizes and in the interest of measurement of change within the item response theory framework, their combination becomes a new issue. In the present study, repeated measures are decomposed as an initial ability and one or more modifiabilities (gain score) using a multidimensional Rasch model. The modifiability can be directly interpreted in terms of logit scale. The standardized mean modifiability is recommended for meta-analysis when test equating is not possible across studies. A simulation study was conducted to assess parameter recovery. It appeared that the point estimates were accurate whereas the error variances were underestimated. The bootstrap method was used and found appropriate for estimating the error variances. Implications and applications are illustrated through an empirical example.
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Studies on the metabolism of troglitazone to reactive intermediates in vitro and in vivo. Evidence for novel biotransformation pathways involving quinone methide formation and thiazolidinedione ring scission. Therapy with the oral antidiabetic agent troglitazone (Rezulin) has been associated with cases of severe hepatotoxicity and drug-induced liver failure, which led to the recent withdrawal of the product from the U.S. market. While the mechanism of this toxicity remains unknown, it is possible that chemically reactive metabolites of the drug play a causative role. In an effort to address this possibility, this study was undertaken to determine whether troglitazone undergoes metabolism in human liver microsomal preparations to electrophilic intermediates. Following incubation of troglitazone with human liver microsomes and with cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 isoforms in the presence of glutathione (GSH), a total of five GSH conjugates (M1-M5) were detected and identified tentatively by LC-MS/MS analysis. In two cases (M1 and M5), the structures of the adducts were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and/or by comparison with an authentic standard prepared by synthesis. The formation of GSH conjugates M1-M5 revealed the operation of two distinct metabolic activation pathways for troglitazone, one of which involves oxidation of the substituted chromane ring system to a reactive o-quinone methide derivative, while the second involves a novel oxidative cleavage of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) ring, potentially generating highly electrophilic alpha-ketoisocyanate and sulfenic acid intermediates. When troglitazone was administered orally to a rat, samples of bile were found to contain GSH conjugates which reflected the operation of these same metabolic pathways in vivo. The finding that metabolism
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of the TZD ring of troglitazone was catalyzed selectively by P450 3A enzymes is significant in light of the recent report that troglitazone is an inducer of this isoform in human hepatocytes. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of the potential for troglitazone to covalently modify hepatic proteins and to cause oxidative stress through redox cycling processes, either of which may play a role in drug-induced liver injury.
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Modeling the Accumulation of Degradable Polymer Drug Carriers in the Brain The blood–brain barrier (BBB) limits the access of drugs to the brain. Intensive research is being conducted on the development of nanoparticulate drug carriers that mediate transfer across the BBB. A question that has been neglected so far is the potential accumulation of the carrier in the brain upon long‐term exposure. Here, we address this question by implementing a kinetic model to relate drug loading, required concentration of drug in the brain, and drug clearance to the degradation half‐life of the carrier. As a test case with clinical relevance we chose poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic‐acid (PLGA) as a carrier material and a chemotherapeutic for which the required parameters could be recovered from the literature. For methotrexate with a drug load of 8.5 %, a required concentration of free drug of 1 μm, a release from PLGA of 6 hours, a drug clearance from the brain of 3 hours and a half‐life of polymer degradation of 28 days, a steady‐state accumulation of 1.3 g polymer would be reached in the brain (1.5 L) after seven months. While this number is surprisingly small, further physiological research is warranted to assess to which degree this will be in a tolerable range.
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13717820
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Identification of food spoilage in the smart home based on neural and fuzzy processing of odour sensor responses Adopting the use of real-time odour monitoring in the smart home has the potential to alert the occupant of unsafe or unsanitary conditions. In this paper, we measured (with a commercial metal-oxide sensor-based electronic nose) the odours of five household foods that had been left out at room temperature for a week to spoil. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network was trained to recognize the age of the samples (a quantity related to the degree of spoilage). For four of these foods, median correlation coefficients (between target values and MLP outputs) of R > 0.97 were observed. Fuzzy C-means clustering (FCM) was applied to the evolving odour patterns of spoiling milk, which had been sampled more frequently (4h intervals for 7 days). The FCM results showed that both the freshest and oldest milk samples had a high degree of membership in “fresh” and “spoiled” clusters, respectively. In the future, as advancements in electronic nose development remove the present barriers to acceptance, signal processing methods like those explored in this paper can be incorporated into odour monitoring systems used in the smart home.
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The relationship between ocular toxoplasmosis and levels of specific toxoplasma antibodies The relationship between ocular toxoplasmosis and levels of toxoplasma specific antibodies was examined in 195 patients. Using clinical information collected by questionnaires, patients were divided into: 97 with ocular toxoplasmosis (group 1) and 98 with ocular lesions not due to toxoplasma (group 2). The geometric mean of dye test titres (±S.D. natural log titre) in group 1 was 53·2 (±0·95) compared with 24·6 (±1·11) in group 2 (P<0·001). Young females tended to have more active lesions compared with young males (P<0·05). There was an age-dependent difference in dye test titres between the groups (P<0·001). Group 1 showed a decline in titre with age compared with an increase in group 2. Ocular toxoplasmosis was diagnosed most frequently among 21–30 year olds. More group 1 patients had dye test titres [ges ]65 iu/ml than group 2 (P<0·05). Dye test titres [ges ]65 iu/ml support a diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis whereas lower titres suggest other causes for eye lesions.
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Antithymocyte Globulin and Cyclosporin A are Synergistic in an Experimental Transplantation Tolerance Model in the Rat The aim of the present investigation was to study the possible synergistic effect between cyclosporin A (CsA) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG), using the potent immunostimulator, Linomide®. DA rats were transplanted with a PVG/c heart to the neck vessels, and the recipients were treated for 10 days with oral CsA (10 mg/kg), oral Linomide® (160 mg/kg) and/or ATG, which was given as a single dose of either 0.02 ml, 0.1 ml or 0.2 ml prior to transplantation. Rats given a combination of ATG and Linomide® or CsA and Linomide® were used as controls. Synergism between CsA and ATG was tested using the two immunosuppressive drugs given in combination in order to override the challenge of Linomide®. CsA or ATG treatment alone resulted in rats with long‐term surviving grafts. Addition of Linomide® to CsA‐treated recipients was followed by early graft rejection. Similarily, Linomide® triggered rejection in rats given a low dose of ATG and in recipients given a high dose of ATG if Linomide® treatment was prolonged to 21 days. The combination of ATG, CsA and 21 days of Linomide® resulted in a significantly prolonged graft survival compared with either ATG + Linomide® or CsA + Linomide®. These findings demonstrate the synergistic capacity of ATG and CsA in combined immunosuppressive therapy.
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Intestinal blood loss during cow milk feeding in older infants: quantitative measurements. OBJECTIVE To determine the response, in terms of fecal hemoglobin excretion and clinical symptoms, of normal 9 1/2-month-old infants to being fed cow milk. DESIGN Longitudinal (before-after) trial in which each infant was fed formula for 1 month (baseline) followed by 3 months during which cow milk was fed. SETTING Healthy infants living in Iowa City, Iowa, a town with a population of about 60,000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hemoglobin concentration in spot stools, 96-hour quantitative fecal hemoglobin excretion, stool characteristics, feeding-related behaviors, and iron nutritional status. RESULTS Fecal hemoglobin concentration during formula feeding (baseline) was higher than previously observed in younger infants. Nine of 31 infants responded to cow milk feeding with increased fecal hemoglobin concentration. Fecal hemoglobin concentration (mean +/- SD) of the 9 responders rose from 1,395 +/- 856 microg/g of dry stool (baseline) to 2,711 +/- 1,732 microg/g of dry stool (P=.01). The response rate (29%) was similar to that in younger infants, but the intensity of the response was much less. Quantitative hemoglobin excretion was in general agreement with estimates based on spot stool hemoglobin concentrations. Cow milk feeding was not associated with recognizable changes in stool characteristics, nor were there clinical signs related to fecal blood loss. Iron status was similar, except that after 3 months of cow milk feeding responders showed lower (P= .047) ferritin concentrations than nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS Cow milk-induced blood loss is present in 9 1/2-month-old infants but is of such low intensity that its clinical
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significance seems questionable. Nevertheless, infants without cow milk-induced blood loss were in better iron nutritional status than infants who showed blood loss.
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A 4.9mW 270MHz CMOS frequency synthesizer/FSK modulator A 270 MHz frequency synthesizer/FSK modulator for low-rate WPAN is implemented. It consumes only 4.9 mW, adopting a current re-use technique, self-DC biasing scheme, and appropriate divider architecture. The 3/sup rd/-order feedback type DSM and the high performance charge pump are designed for wide loop bandwidth, which enables the design of a low power and low noise frequency synthesizer. The implemented prototype offers 500 kHz-loop bandwidth and -104dBc/Hz in-band noise. It also plays a role as an FSK modulator which shows only 1.1 dB degradation at 10/sup -3/ symbol BER compared with the ideal FSK-modulator.
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18301660
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Sequence analysis of a cryptic plasmid from Flavobacterium sp. KP1, a psychrophilic bacterium. A cryptic plasmid found at high copy number was isolated from Flavobacterium sp. KP1, a psychrophilic Gram-negative bacterium, cloned, and sequenced. The sequence will appear in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under the accession number AB007196. The pFL1 plasmid is 2311 nucleotides in length with 32.7% GC content, and shows a distinctive nucleotide sequence without homology to other plasmids of similar length. The plasmid contains two open reading frames of significant length, ORFI and ORFII. ORFI encodes a protein similar to the replication proteins found in Gram-negative bacterial plasmids, Bacteroides fragilis plasmid pBI143 and Zymomonas mobilis plasmid pZM2. The putative translation product of ORFII shows homologies with plasmid recombination proteins found mainly in Gram-positive bacterial plasmids such as Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pT181.
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13554610
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Reduction of Wall Jet Trailing Edge Noise by Mean Flow Modification The effect of mean flow modification on the trailing edge noise of a wall jet has been studied experimentally. Mean velocity profile at the nozzle exit was modified from the usual''top-hat" shape to F and L shaped profiles. The L shaped modification caused noise reduction around and above the peak frequency of the top-hat spectrum when compared on an equal thrust per exit area basis. Modification to a F shaped profile resulted in a shift of the spectrum to lower frequencies and a lower overall noise reduction. These modifications alter the development of the large-scale disturbances in the upper shear layer and trailing edge wake of the wall jet geometry.
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110078160
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Addressing bone loss in the cancer survivor. Osteoporosis, the most common late effect of cancer treatment in the US, occurs with greater frequency among cancer survivors than the general population. Survivors of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and childhood leukemia are at particularly high risk for changes in bone mineral density (BMD) / osteoporosis that can lead to fractures.[1] In breast and prostate cancer patients, bone effects are often the result of endocrine therapy–induced alterations in bone microarchitecture. They also can be caused by other types of cancer therapy, vitamin D deficiency, and other physiological changes that may or may not be related to cancer or its treatment. In childhood leukemia patients, bone effects can be caused by a variety of factors, including corticosteroid therapy, radiation therapy to the brain, and the disease itself.
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Adoption of Modern Agricultural Technologies by Lowland Amerindians in Bolivia : The Role of Households , Villages , Ethnicity , and Markets A survey of 102 Mojeño and 62 Yuracaré Amerindian households of the department of Beni in the Bolivian rain forest was done to measure the effects of household and village attributes, ethnicity, and markets on the adoption of chemical herbicides and pesticides for farming. We hypothesized that: i) village attributes would matter more among households with weak links to the market, ii) that the determinants of adoption among Amerindian households integrated to the market would resemble the determinants of adoption among smallholders who already form part of well-established markets, and iii) that ethnic membership would not matter because, as a null hypothesis, we assume all cultures are equally adept at processing information about technological innovations. The results of a probit model with Huber robust standard errors confirmed only the first hypothesis. Village variables overhadowed household variables among households with weak links to the market. Conventional determinants of adoption such as education, wealth, and income did not drive adoption among Amerindians well integrated to the market, as they do among smallholders. Lastly, membership in the Mojeño ethnic group seems to deter adoption owing, perhaps, to their participation in messianic movements.
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14818960
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Vital Matters and Generative Materiality: Between Bennett and Irigaray This paper puts Jane Bennett’s vital materialism into dialogue with Luce Irigaray’s ontology of sexuate difference. Together these thinkers challenge the image of dead or intrinsically inanimate matter that is bound up with both the instrumentalization of the earth and the disavowal of sexual difference and the maternal. In its place they seek to affirm a vital, generative materiality: an ‘active matter’ whose differential becomings no longer oppose activity to passivity, subject to object, or one body, self or entity to its (excluded but constitutive) ‘other’. For both thinkers, displacing the hylomorphic conceptual structures that have tended to dominate western metaphysical thought is inseparable from critiquing the model of the individual subject as bounded, autonomous and self-identical. Such individualism is countered by the relational ontologies figured in Bennett’s ‘distributed agencies’ and Irigaray’s ‘placental economy’, and by a shared attentiveness to the capacities of the human body to bear others within. Nonetheless, this paper argues that each thinker renders this ‘other within’ in very different ways. On the one hand, Bennett’s approach complements and expands Irigaray’s notion of the elemental by affording a greater attentiveness to (human dependencies on) inorganic and non-sexuate matters. On the other, Irigaray’s conception of generative relationality and the ontological priority of the in-between allows us to think such material entanglements in ways that more fully displace the twinned logics of individualism and instrumentalization. Her project thereby affirms the relational and irreducible differences on which the ‘vitality’ of a vital materiality depends.
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Trends in the Surgical Incidence of Cystic Echinococcosis in Uzbekistan from 2011 to 2018. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis with a cosmopolitan distribution caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato tapeworms. Although Uzbekistan and other countries in Central Asia are considered endemic, estimates of disease burden are lacking. We present data regarding surgically managed cases of CE obtained from Uzbekistan's national disease surveillance registry. These data are from medical centers in Uzbekistan authorized to treat the disease and reported to the Uzbek Center for Sanitation and Epidemiology from the period 2011 to 2018. Information included data regarding the patient age class (children 14 years or younger), but no data regarding the cyst location. Incidence rates were calculated using data from the national population registry, and the Cuzick nonparametric test for trends was used to test for differences in the incidence over time at the country level and regional levels. A total of 7,309 CE cases were reported. Of these, 857 (11.73%) involved pediatric patients. The mean incidence rates were 4.4 per 100,000 population in 2011 and 2.3 per 100,000 population in 2018 (P = 0.016). One region (Republic of Karalpakistan) showed a nonstatistically significant increase (P = 0.824). All other regions except three showed a statistically significant decrease. We present the decrease in the incidence of surgically treated CE in Uzbekistan from 2011 to 2018. However, the presence of cases involving children suggest ongoing parasite transmission. The absence of clinical information (starting with cyst stage and localization) needs to be addressed to improve the national surveillance
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system. Field studies are also needed to further explore the epidemiology of CE in the country.
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Accuracy and Internal Fit of 3D printed Occlusal Splint, according to the printing position Understanding the importance of 3D printing strategies is a key to obtain predictable, optimized and consistent dental appliances using digital technologies. This study aims to present the influence of printing orientation on the intraoral fit of full arch coverage splints. Splints were designed for two patients using the CAD software and printed in a SLA 3D printer with different orientations (0, 30, and 90 degrees), and the internal fit was checked on patients’ mouth. Differences between the fit of the splints were verified, with the worst results for 90º oriented splints, although more detailed studies are recommended by the authors. DESCRIPTORS | Three-Dimensional Printing; Accuracy; Dimensional Measurement; Occlusal Splint; Print Orientation.
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139559760
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Nonlinear optical properties of Ca5(BO3)3F crystal. A high quality Ca(5)(BO(3))(3)F (CBF) crystal, grown by flux method, was investigated for its non linear optical properties. This material is non hygroscopic and possesses a moderate birefringence suitable for UV light generation. On the basis of its refractive index dispersion curves, it is inferred that CBF has great potential applications as non linear optical material, notably for UV light generation at 355 and 266 nm. In order to characterize its non linear optical properties, CBF samples were first cut and oriented in phase matching conditions for second harmonic generation of 1064 nm. Experimental results demonstrate that CBF has the moderate NLO coefficients. The optical conversion efficiency from 1064 nm to 532 nm was investigated for the first time: up to 54% were achieved. Non linear d(eff) coefficients were also estimated as well as the external angular acceptance bandwidth of SHG at 1064 nm.
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37640960
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Perceived Message Sensation Value (PMSV) and the Dimensions and Validation of a PMSV Scale Sensation seeking has been linked to drug abuse and risky behaviors, and is positively associated with preferences for messages high in sensation value (i.e., perceived to be highly novel, arousing, dramatic, or intense). This suggests the utility of valid and reliable measures of perceived message sensation value (PMSV) in research on information processing, persuasion, and reducing risk-related behaviors. Dimensions and construct validity of a 17-item PMSV scale were examined via 2 studies: 1 of 368 high school students' reactions to televised antimarijuana public service announcements (PSAs) and one of 444 college students' responses to televised anticocaine PSAs. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated 3-dimensional solutions for the PMSV scale were nearly identical for high sensation seeking (HSS) and low sensation seeking (LSS) respondents in Study 1 and HSS respondents in Study 2. Total scale alphas were. 87 for Study 1 and. 93 for Study 2. The PMSV scale and its dimensions (Emotional Arousal, Dramatic Impact, Novelty) were positively correlated with affective response measures in both studies for HSS and LSS. Study 1 also examined cognitive, narrative, and sensory PSA processing, which were found to be positively associated with total PMSV and the Arousal and Dramatic Impact dimensions of PSMV for both HSS and LSS.
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8329210
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Roughness Of Films And Surfaces Studied By Optical Lateral Waves A lateral wave appears at an interface between two media when a bounded beam is incident in the denser medium at the critical angle. The evanescent penetration into the less dense medium offers a method of exploring the interface region and has been used to study weak absorption. In this paper, results relating to the effects of surface roughness and deposited film inhomogeneities are discussed.
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Analysis of Deep Space Navigation Feasibility Based on Inter-Satellite Link Antenna of Satellite Navigation System There is no effectual navigation method to deep space aerocraft until now. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a candidate. Its feasibility was analyzed according to the deep space geometry coverage characteristics. The antenna elevation was optimally designed to maximum the signal coverage performance in deep space. Simulation Results show that the best antenna elevation is 50-90 degrees. At the height of geosynchronous orbit, the average PDOP is 8.63, and at the height of lunar orbit, the positioning accuracy can only be achieved by km level.
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110234860
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Life-threatening Double-J stent migration with helicoidal appearance: Length matters Background: The Double-J stent is one of the most commonly used devices in urologic practice. Due to its widespread use, numerous common complications have been reported, such as irritative symptoms, infection, and encrustation. More rare complications have also been described, such as up or downward migration and displacement outside the urinary tract. We present a rare case of downward migration of a Double-J stent in a 21-year-old Caucasian female. Case Presentation: A 21-year-old female with a solitary kidney presented to the emergency department with acute renal failure, left flank pain, and fever. She had undergone left Double-J stenting 1 week earlier in her homeland for left renal colic and anuria. A kidney–ureter–bladder X-ray revealed a 10-mm lumbar ureteral stone and the proximal coil of the Double-J stent making multiple loops along the ureter, resulting in a helical appearance. She underwent surgery to remove the previous stent and to place a new one. She was discharged 2 days later and her renal function had returned to normal values at her 1-week follow-up. Conclusions: Double-J Stent placement is a common procedure in the management of urinary tract diseases but is not devoid of life-threatening complications. Regular follow-up of stents and on-time evaluation of clinical complaints are mandatory for an aggressive treatment of complications.
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Indigenous Young Adult Literature Over the last decade Indigenous Young Adult (YA) literature has risen in popularity and demand in library programming and collections. Many works draw on the rich historical and cultural significance of narratives, oral history and storytelling in Indigenous communities. Their rise in prominence presents new opportunities for libraries to work with Indigenous authors and groups to share the importance of Indigenous histories and works in and through library spaces, collections and programming. However, in the context of popular culture including Indigenous YA literature, it is important to consider the identity and representation of Indigenous people, cultures and histories. The following annotated bibliography has been developed to guide libraries on the appropriate professional and cultural competencies to compliment this rising body of work and foster respect and recognition of Indigenous communities and works.
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Gas jets as ultrasonic waveguides. The study of the propagation of ultrasound within a gas jet is extended to obtain waveguide effects, where the jet collimates the ultrasonic beam from a transducer within the flow. Two methods have been investigated to achieve this--cooling the gas within the air jet, and using a different gas whose acoustic velocity is lower than air. Cooling an air jet to a temperature less than that of the surrounding air produced a noticeable waveguide effect. In addition, studies have been carried out using other selected gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) with a lower acoustic velocity than air, and helium (He) with a higher value. The former gas enhanced confinement of the ultrasonic beam, whereas the latter caused divergence. An ideal solution was found to be a CO2/air mixture, which produced a well-collimated sound field along the axis, while limiting the excess attenuation of pure CO2 gas jets. The effectiveness of the waveguide using mixed gas jets in producing images in air-coupled testing of solids is demonstrated.
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The cortisol awakening response is blunted in patients with active Cushing's disease. INTRODUCTION Cortisol awakening response (CAR) is a rapid increase of cortisol levels within 30-45 min after awakening. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates CAR compared with cortisol circadian rhythm in active and in remission Cushing's disease (CD). MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated healthy controls (HC, n=19), obese (OB, n=10), in remission (n=08), and active CD patients (n=10). Salivary free cortisol (SF) was determined at 0800, 1100, 1700, 2000, and 2300 h on the first day. CAR was obtained the next morning immediately upon awakening and at 15, 30, 45, and 60-min post-wake up. RESULTS We observed differences in SF levels throughout the day in HC, OB, and in remission CD (ANOVA P=0.0001) but not in active CD (P=0.2). We demonstrated SF increment after awakening in HC, OB, and in remission CD (ANOVA P=0.007), with no effect of time on SF in active CD. The relative increment of SF obtained at the peak after awakening (CARi%) in the active CD (67±57%) was lower than in HC (154±107%), OB (240±188%), and in remission CD (186±184%) patients (P=0.009). There was a negative correlation between the SF at awakening and the CARi% in HC (r=-0.8), OB (r=-0.78), and in remission CD (r=-0.74) but not in active CD (r=-0.35; P=0.31). CONCLUSION This study originally described a blunted CAR in active CD in contrast to its presence in HC, OB, and in remission CD. This subtle dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis may represent a distinct and additional physiopathological phenomenon superimposing the dysregulated
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cortisol circadian rhythm in this disease.
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Factors affecting dystocia in Brahman-cross heifers in subtropical southeastern United States. This study was conducted to determine relative relationships among factors affecting dystocia in Brahman-cross heifers. Body and pelvic measurements were obtained in mid-June (when heifers were approximately 17 mo old), 45 d after a 60-d breeding season. Heifers studied were 207 Red Brangus, 209 Simbrah, and 250 Braford bred to Black Angus bulls; calving began on December 1. Heifers grazed stockpiled bahia and hemarthria grass or ryegrass supplemented with 0.9 kg of 32% protein cottonseed meal and 1.8 kg of mill-run black strap molasses daily during calving. Calvings were scored (1 = no difficulty to 4 = major difficulty). A random sample of birth weights were obtained on 131 and 210 calves in 1992 and 1993. Data were analyzed within year by SAS procedures. Breed differences in dam size and pelvic measurements were highly significant. Residual correlations between body weight and pelvic area were .20 and .35 (both P < .01) for 1991 and 1992. Dystocia incidence was 6.9% in 1992 and 10.5% in 1993, with higher incidence in males than in females (1992, 10.6 vs 3.1%, P = .08; 1993, 15.6 vs 4.2%, P < .01, male vs female, respectively). Male birth weight exceeded (P < .01) that of females (26.7 vs 24.3 kg, 1992; 28.1 vs 26.1 kg, 1993). Correlations among dam size and calf birth weight were not significant. Birth weight was significantly correlated with dystocia score (.19 and .49, 1992 and 1993). Path analyses of influences on dystocia found birth weight,
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dam heart girth, and body weight significant in 1992, but only birth weight significant in 1993. Regression of calving score on birth weight was curvilinear and significant in both years, with the birth weight inflection point at 22 kg. We conclude that dam body size data obtained following the breeding season were of minor value in determining dystocia, but birth weight was consistently important.
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Neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring of pediatric cerebrovascular surgery. The surgical and endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular disorders (CVDs) in children, such as cerebral arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, and moyamoya disease, have become commonplace and routine in many centers. As in the adult population, these procedures carry the risk of intraoperative cerebral ischemia. Therefore, similar strategies used to reduce the risk of cerebral ischemia in adults should be used in children. Unfortunately, there are no published studies on the intraoperative use of available techniques to identify, prevent, or potentially reverse cerebral ischemia. The goal of this article is to review the neurophysiologic techniques that may be useful and applicable in the surgical and endovascular treatment of pediatric CVDs, to describe the rationale and physiologic basis of their utility, to describe our experience in managing these cases, to present some of our results, and finally, to show the clinical utility of these techniques in the intraoperative management of CVDs.
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An Agent-Based Route Choice Model Travel demand emerges from individual decisions. These decisions, depending on individual objectives, preferences, experiences and spatial knowledge about travel, are both heterogeneous and evolutionary. Research emerging from fields such as road pricing and ATIS requires travel demand models that are able to consider travelers with distinct attributes (value of time (VOT), willingness to pay, travel budgets, etc.) and behavioral preferences (e.g. willingness to switch routes with potential savings) in a differentiated market (by tolls and the level of service). Traditional trip-based models have difficulty in dealing with the aforementioned heterogeneity and issues such as equity. Moreover, the role of spatial information, which has significant influence on decision-making and travel behavior, has not been fully addressed in existing models. To bridge the gap, this paper proposes to explicitly model the formation and spread- ing of spatial knowledge among travelers. An Agent-based Route Choice (ARC) model was developed to track choices of each decision-maker on a road network over time and map individual choices into macroscopic flow pattern. ARC has been applied on both SiouxFalls network and Chicago sketch network. Comparison between ARC and existing models (UE and SUE) on both networks shows ARC is valid and computationally tractable. To be brief, this paper specifically focuses on the route choice behavior, while the proposed model can be extended to other modules of travel demand under an integrated framework.
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7423110
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Satellite delivery of next generation broadband access to the UK In response to the Digital Britain Interim Report published in the UK in 2009, which mandated that every home must have access to broadband at 2Mbps, Avanti is developing HERCULES — a two satellite multi-spot beam Ka-band system covering the UK and Ireland. HERCULES is designed to provide Universal Service Commitment (USC) services in the UK to two million homes (10% of the population) and Next Generation Access (NGA) services to over 500,000 homes. Delivering Digital Britain requires an approach that uses a mix of available communications technologies. Broadband satellites will always be a part of the solution as they can provide ubiquitous coverage across the whole UK land mass and can connect users in rural areas far more economically than other networks. Access to broadband services is not confined to the UK. Countries all around the world struggle with the same issues and satellite will play a key role in broadband delivery. Today there are approximately 1.25million subscribers in North America and additional Ka-band satellite capacity is planned to come on line with Viasat's Viasat 1 and Hughes' Jupiter multi spot beam satellites. Australia and France are planning to procure dedicated Ka-band satellites to provide domestic broadband services. Meeting the UN's Millennium Development Goals, particularly in regard to ICT Capacity Building, will depend on the widespread availability of broadband connectivity in rural areas of developing regions. Satellite will be a key delivery mechanism to developing economies in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America.
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Reaction Limited Aggregation with Anisotropic Island-Edge Exchange in Surfactant-mediated Epitaxy We simulate the two-dimensional pattern formation in surfactant-mediated epitaxy using a kinetic model, in which the nucleation and growth of the stable islands are controlled by the exchange process between surfactant atoms and deposited atoms. Our model assumes the following. (1) The exchange barrier preventing an adatom from attaching to an existing island edge depends on the numbers of the adatom's nearest and next-nearest neighbours belonging to the island. (2) The exchange processes at the two different types of step are associated with different energy barriers. The simulations generate a series of surface morphologies ranging from fractal structures to compact triangular shapes, very similar to those observed in recent experiments.
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Rationale and design of a European epidemiological post-authorization safety study (PASS) program: rivaroxaban use in routine clinical practice ABSTRACT Background Rivaroxaban is a highly selective factor Xa inhibitor approved for use in Europe for multiple indications. Study design and methods The European rivaroxaban epidemiological post-authorization safety study (PASS) program consists of seven complementary observational studies. For four of the studies, data are obtained from health-care databases in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden. These database studies describe patterns of rivaroxaban use and patient characteristics over time, and investigate safety and effectiveness outcomes in new users of rivaroxaban using a cohort analysis and nested case–control analysis. To put these results in context, safety outcomes are also analyzed in new users of standard of care. In addition, a modified prescription event monitoring study conducted in the early post-launch phase in primary care, and two specialist cohort event monitoring studies that investigated rivaroxaban use in the secondary care hospital setting, systematically collected drug utilization and safety data via questionnaires completed by health-care professionals in the UK. Discussion The European rivaroxaban epidemiological PASS is a comprehensive program of complementary studies generating evidence from patients treated in routine clinical practice that will expand our understanding of the risk–benefit profile of rivaroxaban.
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A PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM FOR MIXED VARIABLE NONLINEAR PROBLEMS Many engineering design problems involve a combination of both continuous and discrete variables. However, the number of studies scarcely exceeds a few on mixed-variable problems. In this research Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed to solve mixed- variable nonlinear problems. PSO is an efficient method of dealing with nonlinear and non-convex optimization problems. In this paper, it will be shown that PSO is one of the best optimization algorithms for solving mixed-variable nonlinear problems. Some changes are performed in the convergence criterion of PSO to reduce computational costs. Two different types of PSO methods are employed in order to find the one which is more suitable for using in this approach. Then, several practical mechanical design problems are solved by this method. Numerical results show noticeable improvements in the results in different aspects.
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17213610
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Information Acquisition in the Era of Fair Disclosure: An Application of Asymmetric Awareness Abstract As the cost of financial information dissemination continues to decline, investors, firms, and regulators are gradually adopting the principle of fair disclosure, which requires no preferential public disclosure. We use a simple model to examine the impact of this change on information acquisition with two alternative assumptions: (1) Investors have symmetric awareness about the underlying uncertainties, or (2) this awareness is asymmetric among them. Under the first assumption, the change reduces information asymmetry among investors and induces acquisition of high-quality information. Under the second assumption, however, the reduction of information asymmetry may be limited, and information acquisition is either reduced or less efficient. Specifically, investors with high awareness may either acquire high-quality information at a higher cost or not acquire it; investors with low awareness only acquire low-quality information. The loss in overall information quality is greater when awareness asymmetry is moderate than when it is high or low; this causes information asymmetry between the insiders and outside investors as a whole. These results offer explanations for intriguing empirical findings regarding the effect of a recent accounting regulation (Regulation Fair Disclosure).
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Relevance and Paraconsistency - A New Approach, Part II: The Formal Systems In part I of this paper we introduced what we called «relevance structures». In the present part we describe the logic RMI which corresponds to these structures, proving it to be sound and strongly complete relative to them. The language of RMI is similar to that of the systems of Anderson and Belnap, but unlike them it is purely intensional. We show that the expressive power of RMI is nevertheless very strong and sufficient for all our needs. We investigate the main fragments of RMI, as well as its most important extensions
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191960
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959 |
[Trace element supply of newborn calves. Effect of the mother and of the genetic makeup, sex and degree of maturity of the newborn]. Stillborn calves of a large dairy cattle herd were used for investigations of trace element (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) content of the liver and heart muscle. Trace element content varied markedly in the liver and in the heart muscle too but in the heart muscle with a smaller degree. Calves from heifers had a greater trace element content in the liver and heart muscle than those from cows. Premature calves had small amounts of Mn and Cu in their livers and small but term calves had less Fe and Zn in their livers. Single calves from cows had a greater amount of trace elements in the liver and heart muscle than twin calves.
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38888060
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960 |
Modulation of acetylcholine release in rabbit airways in vitro. We investigated the effects of substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on acetylcholine (ACh) released from nerve endings by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in rabbit airways in vitro. ACh release was directly measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) segments, dissected from the midtrachea down to the left mainstem bronchus, were obtained from New Zealand White rabbits and mounted in organ baths containing modified Krebs-Henseleit solution, physostigmine, and choline. EFS at 20 Hz was delivered for 15 min to define baseline ACh release (pmol per gram of tissue per minute). There were no significant regional differences in ACh release during these baseline studies. A second stimulation was then performed in the absence (control) and presence of one or more of the following substances: SP (10(-7) M), a nonpeptide antagonist of the NK1 receptor (10(-7) M CP-96,345; Pfizer), and VIP (10(-7) M). Results for ACh release are expressed as a percentage of the first stimulation (means +/- SE). SP significantly increased ACh release in all ASM segments. This effect was abolished by CP-96,345. VIP alone did not affect ACh release. However, it significantly decreased SP-induced ACh release in all ASM segments. We conclude that SP significantly increases ACh release, thus facilitating cholinergic neurotransmission; its effect is abolished by CP-96,345. VIP decreases SP-induced ACh release, indicating a modulatory effect on cholinergic neurotransmission.
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Four-wave mixing assisted self-stable 4x10 GHz actively mode-locked Erbium fiber ring laser. We proposed and developed a self-stable multiwavelength (4 cbannels) 10-GHz actively mode-locked Erbium-doped fiber ring laser with 0.8 nm wavelength spacing. A 1-km highly nonlinear fiber is incorporated in the laser cavity to eliminate the strong gain competitions in the homogeneously broadened EDF by multiple parametric four-wave mixing processes. The fiber nonlinearity is also helpful to provide phase locking and stabilize the output pulse. Stable laser pulses at 1556.55, 1557.36, 1558.17, and 1558.98 nm are successfully obtained simultaneously with supermode noise suppression ratio greater than 50 dB. The corresponding time-bandwidth products of four channels are 0.39 ~ 0.41.
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Effects of increasing quantities of oat bran in hypercholesterolemic people. The effects of increasing quantities of oat bran on plasma lipids were examined in 40 hypercholesterolemic men and women. Using a four-by-four Latin-square design, subjects added 30, 60, and 90 g oat bran/d or no oat bran to their usual diet for 1-mo experimental periods. Self-selected background diets remained unchanged and weight did not change significantly. No differences in plasma total or low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol were found. Supplementation of the usual diet with less than or equal to 90 g oat bran does not appear to significantly lower cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects continuing to follow a diet relatively high in saturated fatty acids.
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EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN THE TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS This article is a theoretical-scientific research of the different conceptual approaches to emotional intelligence and communication skills in the teaching-learning process, carried out mainly in the online environment. Thus, we shall list and describe the key elements of emotional intelligence, highlighting, among others, communication skills. This paper axiomatically acknowledges the importance of emotional intelligence in the process of didactic communication, where many communication barriers can easily occur, and in this sense emotional intelligence plays a fairly important role in achieving communication goals and obtaining feedback appropriate to communicative intent.
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Aberrant TGF‐β signaling reduces T regulatory cells in ICAM‐1‐deficient mice, increasing the inflammatory response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Foxp3+ T regulatory cells are required to prevent autoimmune disease, but also prevent clearance of some chronic infections. While natural T regulatory cells are produced in the thymus, TGF‐β1 signaling combined with T‐cell receptor signaling induces the expression of Foxp3 in CD4+ T cells in the periphery. We found that ICAM‐1−/− mice have fewer T regulatory cells in the periphery than WT controls, due to a role for ICAM‐1 in induction of Foxp3 expression in response to TGF‐β1. Further investigation revealed a functional deficiency in the TGF‐β1‐induced translocation of phosphorylated Smad3 from the cytoplasmic compartment to the nucleus in ICAM‐1‐deficient mice. This impairment in the TGF‐β1 signaling pathway is most likely responsible for the decrease in T regulatory cell induction in the absence of ICAM‐1. We hypothesized that in the presence of an inflammatory response, reduced production of inducible T regulatory cells would be evident in ICAM‐1−/− mice. Indeed, following Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, ICAM‐1−/− mice had a pronounced reduction in T regulatory cells in the lungs compared with control mice. Consequently, the effector T‐cell response and inflammation were greater in the lungs of ICAM‐1−/− mice, resulting in morbidity due to overwhelming pathology.
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7537810
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The Self in Legal Procedure: Oath-Taking as Individualism in Norwegian Medieval Law : This article examines an institution in Norwegian medieval law wherein a defendant in a case could swear an individual oath in order to unilaterally dismiss the charges against them. By analyzing three law books dating to the late twelfth, the mid-thirteenth, and the late-thirteenth centuries respectively, I show that this individual oath, called the einseiðr , started to be used as a proof in very small property disputes. From the mid-thirteenth century onwards, its use was considerably expanded to include cases where it was necessary to prove the defendant ’ s intention or their knowledge of the circumstances of a case. I argue that this development can be explained by influence from the theological distinction between intentional and unintentional sin, as well as from theories of oath-taking in canon law, and the Roman calumny oath.
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238099860
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Development and characterization of a sparse ellipsoidal 256 element array for volumetric ultrasound imaging Sparse 2D matrix arrays represent an alternative to fully populated arrays for a more efficient use of available electronic channels. While individually driving the elements of fully populated matrix arrays requires electronics with thousands of elements, the requirements to the multichannel electronics can be dramatically reduced with sparse arrays. In our work, we developed and characterized a sparse 2D array with a spiral element pattern. The array consists of 256 elements in a 513 µm pitched matrix. An elliptical geometry was chosen in view of a later use in volumetric transperineal imaging. The array was processed on a conductive backing. An average centre frequency of 4,2 MHz (1,4 MHz −6 dB bandwidth) was measured. A wire phantom was used for assessment of the imaging performance. When excited with a single plane wave (0°), the FWHM ranged between 750 µm and 1100 µm (in x- and y- direction respectively).
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244044010
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A Class of modified BFGS Methods with Function Value Information for unconstrained Optimization Based on some new interpolation conditions, a quadratic interpolation model is constructed to approximate the objective function, and then a class of modified BFGS methods with function value information is presented. The new methods satisfy some new weak secant equations and there is a parameter γ in the update formulae which ranges from zero to one. The global and local superlinear convergence properties of the new modified BFGS methods are proved. Numerical results for standard test problems from CUTE are reported, which indicate that all the methods in the proposed class perform well. Ensuring the sufficient positive definiteness of the updating matrices, an adaptive BFGS quasi-Newton method by dynamically choosing the parameter γ is proposed, which may be competitive with other BFGS modifications.
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207112260
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An Asymptotically Exact, Pointwise, a Posteriori Error Estimator for Linear, Elliptic, One Dimensional Problems with Possible Singularities in the Solution When the nite element solution of a variational problem possesses certain super convergence properties, it is possible very inexpensively to obtain a correction term providing an additional order of approximation of the solution. The correction can be used for error estimation locally or globally in whatever norm is preferred, or if no error estimation is wanted it can be used for postprocessing of the solution to improve the quality. In this paper such a correction term is found, and its convergence properties proved in the special case of one dimensional, linear, elliptic problems. Special attention is given to the eeects of the appearance of singularities and zeros of derivatives in the exact solution. 1. Introduction When constructing error estimators for nite element problems two issues are competing: Price (including computing time) and performance. If price is no issue and the user is willing to wait for the answer, it is normally possible to obtain very high performance simply by comparing the solution on the selected mesh to a solution on a ner mesh. In the p version of the nite element method something like this can be done at reasonable cost because of the hierachical structure of the method (see for example 14]). Still it is advantageous to utilize existing (a posteriori) information in the problem at hand after the nite element solution, or at least information which is cheap to get to, to get information
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about the error committed with as little eeort as
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970 |
A parametric study of ultrasonic beam profiles for a linear phased array transducer. A numerical simulation model is presented to investigate the influences of design parameters of linear phased array transducers on beam focusing and steering performance. The characteristic of ultrasonic beam profiles has been simulated on the basis of the Huygen's superposition principle. For the simulation, a linear phased array is considered as the composition of finite number of elements separated by equidistance. Individual elements are considered as two-dimensional point sources. The waves generated from piezoelectric elements are considered as simplified transient ultrasonic waves that are constructed with the cosine function enveloped with a Hanning window. The characteristic of ultrasonic wave propagation into a medium from the phased array transducer is described. The effects of the number, the interelement spacing, steering angle, the focal length, and frequency bandwidth of the piezoelectric elements on beam directivity and ultrasonic pressure field in a linear phased array transducer are systematically discussed.
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31948960
|
971 |
Taking a chance on love: Risk behaviour of Sydney street youth Abstract Two samples of street youth from the inner city area of Sydney, ranging in age from 13 to 20, with a mean of 17, were surveyed via a lengthy questionnaire. The first survey in 1989/90 (n= 92: 66 males, 26 females) revealed high levels of physical and sexual abuse; violence and negative relationships as major factors in leaving home; safe sexual practice not common (other than for those prostituting); polydrug use widespread and heavier for females; some needle sharing by injecting drug users (IDU). Second survey, 1990/91 (n= 100: 70 males, 30 females), confirmed previous picture, but found changes in immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviours: needle sharing reduced; for those prostituting an increase in safe sexual practices with clients; reduction in regular safe sexual practices with non‐paying partners. IDU was significantly linked to prostitution as was needle sharing. Some changes are in an encouraging direction, but more preventive work is needed focusing on safe behaviours with non‐paying partners and how to initiate and negotiate these. More qualitative or ethnographic research could better inform such efforts and, indigenous strategies deserve recognition.
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13398910
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972 |
A study of the attitudes and perceived barriers to undertaking clinical governance activities of dietitians in a Welsh National Health Service trust. BACKGROUND Previous studies of National Health Service (NHS) employees have identified barriers to undertaking clinical governance activities. Little of this research has investigated dietitians; however, where dietitians were included, generally positive attitudes towards research and evidence-based practice were reported alongside the identified barriers. METHODS A quantitative, whole population census was undertaken via a questionnaire distributed to 54 dietitians employed by Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust. RESULTS Dietitians reported positive attitudes towards clinical governance; however, barriers to undertaking clinical governance activities were identified. The main barriers included lack of time, inadequate funding, the view that direct patient care should always be prioritised over clinical governance activities and inadequate research and critical evaluation skills. CONCLUSIONS Findings were similar to those reported in previous studies of NHS staff. Where comparison was possible, all of the barriers identified were reported at lower levels than in previous studies. As the study was purely quantitative in nature, no understanding was gained regarding the nature of identified barriers or what factors influenced the dietitians' attitudes and perceptions. For further in-depth analysis of these factors, a qualitative study is recommended. As the study comprised a whole population census, the findings cannot be generalized to the dietetic profession as a whole, or to other staff groups within or outside of the study Trust.
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23382460
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973 |
Supporting newly qualified nurses to develop their leadership skills. Leadership is not expected solely of managers. At any stage of their career, nurses are expected to be able to demonstrate leadership in their day-to-day role. However, newly qualified nurses, who often experience a challenging transition from nursing student to registered nurse, may lack the confidence to demonstrate leadership. Nurse managers can support junior nurses to develop their leadership skills, notably through training, mentoring, reflection and action learning. By guiding newly qualified nurses in the use of different leadership approaches, experienced nurses can contribute to enhancing the quality of patient care. This article discusses how nurse managers can support newly qualified nurses to develop their leadership skills.
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249201360
|
974 |
Trajectory Optimization On Manifolds with Applications to SO(3) and R3XS2 Manifolds are used in almost all robotics applications even if they are not explicitly modeled. We propose a differential geometric approach for optimizing trajectories on a Riemannian manifold with obstacles. The optimization problem depends on a metric and collision function specific to a manifold. We then propose our Safe Corridor on Manifolds (SCM) method of computationally optimizing trajectories for robotics applications via a constrained optimization problem. Our method does not need equality constraints, which eliminates the need to project back to a feasible manifold during optimization. We then demonstrate how this algorithm works on an example problem on SO(3) and a perception-aware planning example for visualinertially guided robots navigating in 3 dimensions. Formulating field of view constraints naturally results in modeling with the manifold R × S which cannot be modeled as a Lie group.
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46954410
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975 |
Implementing Imagination-Based Pedagogies in a Web-Based Computer Supported Collaborative Language Learning Writing Activity: Orchestration Issues Computer-Supported Collaborative Language Learning (CSCLL) has been proved to offer many advantages to language learners. However, teachers argue that the use of complicated pedagogies such as imagination-based techniques in combination with innovative technologies lead to a “complex ecosystem” in which many issues of management appear. This paper examines how students' motivation and engagement are influenced when implementing imagination-based pedagogies in a web-based Computer-Supported Collaborative Language Learning writing activity with shared orchestration load.
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59602310
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976 |
SEM-EDS probing of morphological and physiological changes produced by a porphyrin photosensitizer in Psammobatis extenta electrocytes. Morphological and physiological changes produced by the intracellular localization of an alkyl long-chain tetraphenylporphyrin photosensitizer in Psammobatis extenta electrocytes were studied by means of SEM-EDS. Immediately after photosensitizer penetration, electrocytes swell and their convex faces lose all invaginations. This effect is due to chloride and sodium ion flux into electrocytes, in accordance with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.
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2890210
|
977 |
Unilateral parotid gland enlargement in a patient with primary Sjögren syndrome A 47-year-old woman came to our clinic for sudden pain and enlargement of her left parotid gland (figure 1A). A diagnosis of primary Sjogren syndrome was made 20 years ago associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, dry mouth and intermittent episodes of bilateral parotid gland swelling. She had been treated continuously with hydroxychloroquine. A treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory …
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195260760
|
978 |
Cesium attenuation correction of the liver dome revealing hepatic lesion missed with computed tomography attenuation correction because of the respiratory motion artifact. Abstract Computed tomography (CT) attenuation-corrected FDG images are known to have particular artifacts, especially the respiratory artifact. The respiratory artifact may decrease the diagnostic value of the study around the diaphragm. Malpositioning of lesions, mismatches in location or size of organs, and constitution of an artifactual curvilinear cold area in the liver dome (the so-called “banana artifact”) or spleen have been reported. We report the case of a small liver metastasis in the hepatic dome, which was absolutely not seen on CT attenuation-corrected FDG images, but was clearly demonstrated on cesium transmission attenuation-corrected images. This case emphasizes the risk of the false-negative diagnosis of a liver metastasis in relation to a respiratory artifact and illustrates the usefulness of completing, if technically possible, the positron emission tomography (PET)/CT examination with a short conventional transmission acquisition centered on the diaphragm.
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12931560
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979 |
Infrared identification of the σ-complex of Cl-C6H6 in the reaction of chlorine atom and benzene in solid para-hydrogen. The reaction of a chlorine atom with benzene (C6H6) is important in organic chemistry, especially in site-selective chlorination reactions, but its product has been a subject of debate for five decades. Previous experimental and theoretical studies provide no concrete conclusion on whether the product is a π- or σ-form of the Cl-C6H6 complex. We took advantage of the diminished cage effect of para-hydrogen (p-H2) to produce Cl in situ to react with C6H6 (or C6D6) upon photolysis of a Cl2/C6H6 (or C6D6)/p-H2 matrix at 3.2 K. The infrared spectrum, showing intense lines at 1430.5, 833.6, 719.8, 617.0, and 577.4 cm(−1), and several weaker ones for Cl-C6H6, and the deuterium shifts of observed new lines unambiguously indicate that the product is a 6-chlorocyclohexadienyl radical, i.e., the σ-complex of Cl-C6H6. Observation of the σ-complex rather than the π-complex indicates that the σ-complex is more stable in solid p-H2 at 3.2 K. The spectral information is crucial for further investigations of the Cl + C6H6 reaction either in the gaseous or solution phase.
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10393360
|
980 |
CLUSTERING OF LEARNERS BASED ON KNOWLEDGE MAPS This study aimed to cluster learners based on the structures of the knowledge maps they created. Learners drew their own knowledge maps to reflect their learning activities. Our system collected individual knowledge maps from many learners and clustered them to generate an integrated version of the knowledge maps of each cluster. We applied the graph analysis method to extract important keywords from the knowledge map. The results of the analysis showed that the utilization of the knowledge map helped to improve lectures and grasp the learners’ level of understanding. We conducted surveys asking course managers to evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated knowledge maps of learners included in the cluster and received both positive and negative responses.
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213384960
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981 |
Stability Analysis and Molecular Description of Some Promising Sorghum Lines Tolerant to Salt Stress. Background and Objective: Salt stress is considering the biggest environmental obstacle to crop productivity, especially sorghum. So, it was necessary to develop new sorghum lines tolerant to salt stress and high yielding to participate in bridging the large gap in the Egyptian bread industry and also as an important feed for animals. This is the biggest goalie this investigation. Materials and Methods: Some promising sorghum genotypes were evaluated under the control experiment and two salinity stress locations to test their stability and its salinity stress tolerance during two years. Some agro-morphological and physiological traits were the most important parameters tested under all conditions besides, 11 SCoT primers for comparing among the seven sorghum genotypes and Identification of molecular genetic markers responsible for salt stress tolerance. Results: The final results revealed that the five promising sorghum lines were recorded highly rank of salinity stress tolerance in all studied traits and a higher level of genetic stability during the two years. Conclusion: Results of agro-physiological traits, salinity tolerance indices and SCoT primers succeed in determining salt stress tolerance mechanisms in sorghum and which an important taxonomic tool is for plant breeder that helps him in sorting the tolerant genotypes from the sensitive ones.
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244809210
|
982 |
Generation of bright visible photon pairs using a periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate crystal. We demonstrate a 711-nm-wavelength efficient photon-pair source under the condition of non-collinear type-0 quasi-phase-matching configuration in a periodically poled MgO-doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPSLT) crystal pumped by a 355.7-nm laser. Such degenerate visible photon-pairs in the wavelength region of 710 nm are practically useful for increasing the data collection rate in silicon-based single photon detectors. We confirm that the visible photon pairs in the PPSLT crystal form a bright, high-purity source of correlated photons. Our results show a coincidence counting rate per input pump power of 98,500 Hz/mW, conversion efficiency of 1.66 × 10-9, and second-order coherence function g(2)(0) of 0.087 ± 0.002/mW.
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39360060
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983 |
Early Modern Women’s Writing and the Rhetoric of Modesty by Patricia Pender (review) which offers much more of many aspects of the lives of medieval children, numerous illustrations, a full bibliography, and detailed notes. That should not be considered mere carping, but rather an affirmation that Fleas, Flies, and Friars piques the appetite but does not really satisfy it, as Orme’s other works are more likely to do. Rosemary Greentree Discipline of English The University of Adelaide
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144299260
|
984 |
Causes and Consequences of Incomplete HIV RNA Suppression in Clinical Trials Abstract The current goal of antiretroviral treatment is suppression of HIV RNA below 50 copies/mL. However, there is evidence for residual low-level plasma viraemia below 50 copies/mL for people with HIV RNA suppression on antiretroviral treatment. It is not clear whether more profound suppression of HIV RNA would lead to a lower risk of virological failure on antiretroviral treatment or emergent drug resistance. There is high variability in the currently used HIV RNA PCR assays for samples with HIV RNA levels close to the detection lower limit of 40–50 copies/mL. For patients who have HIV RNA levels just above 50 copies/mL (often called “single blips”), a repeat sample should be taken to investigate the possibility of technical error. In a systematic review of 48-week effi cacy from randomized clinical trials (N = 8,083), patients were signifi cantly more likely to show HIV RNA levels between 50–400 copies/mL while taking fi rst-line boosted PI-based HAART (7.3%) compared with fi rst-line NNRTI-based HAART (4.5%) (p < 0.01). However in a systematic review of emergent drug resistance at failure in the same trials, there was also a signifi cantly lower risk of emerging drug resistance after virological failure of boosted PI-based HAART (p < 0.01). Therefore, HIV RNA blips between 50–400 copies/mL may have different consequences for different classes of antiretrovirals. The most widely used method to analyse HIV RNA in clinical trials — time to loss of virological response (TLOVR) — uses two consecutive HIV RNA measurements
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1328860
|
985 |
to define both virological success and failure. However, other methods may improve precision and increase statistical power.
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1328860
|
986 |
Modeling and analysis of grid connected fuel cells (FCs) as a distributed energy resources Major technical issues related to increased reliance on distributed generation systems (DGS). In distribution systems including lack of: appropriate dynamic models reliable control approaches, efficient dispatch methods, and control strategies to facilitate the connection of distributed generation resources to distribution networks. Among available types of DGS, fuel cells show particular promise as they can operate on multiple fuels with low emissions, high efficiency, and high reliability. This paper presents a simplified dynamic model for SOFC. Moreover, constant-power and constant-current control strategies are modeled and analyzed through dynamic simulation of FC-grid interconnection. Dynamic limits of FC variables are considered presented model and unique electrical properties of PCs are discussed.
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32165900
|
987 |
The Existence o f Monoclinic Pyroxenes with the Space Group C 2 hP 21 All the X-ray studies of monoclinic pyroxenes, hitherto carried out, show, without exception, that they belong to the same space group C2;z-C2/ c. T. Ito (1950)1' gave, however, an interesting suggestion about the space group of monoclinic pyroxenes. In his study of bronzite and hypersthene, he showed that the structure of the rhombic pyroxenes is to be regarded as a repeated twinning on (100) of a monoclinic pyroxene whose space group is not C, (as in diopside) but is C;~-P21Jc, owing to a slight change in Mg(Fe) positions. On the basis of this finding, he suspected the existence of a kind of monoclinic pyroxenes with the space group C, instead of Cs,. L. Atlas (1952)2' and H. Kuno and H. H. Hess (1953)3' observed some powder lines, in their studies of clinoenstatite and pigeonite, which could not be explained simply in terms of the space group C;,. They attributed these lines as due to impurities. However, this might be indicating not only that these minerals are not of the space group C h, but also that monoclinic pyroxenes with the space group C2~, as suggested by Ito, exist in nature. In order to clarify this point, X-ray examinations were made of single crystals of pigeonite occurring as phenocrysts of augite-pigeonitehypersthene andesite of Hakone Volcano described by Kuno (1936).4' The crystals, round in outline, are about 1 mm in length. In these crystals, pigeonite is always so intimately intergrown with a small amount
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244127900
|
988 |
of augite that it is very difficult to separate them from each other. The compositions of pigeonite and augite are Wo16En45Fs39 and Wo32En37Es31 respectively, as determined by Kuno from their optical properties, using the diagram by Hess (1949).5' The Weissenberg photographs were taken about the a-, b-, and c-axes, and the [1011-, [1011-, and [0111-directions of pigeonite, up to the
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244127900
|
989 |
The impact of product presentation on decision-making and purchasing Purpose This paper aims to investigate how apparel product presentation influences consumer decision-making and whether there are any differences between age groups. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methodology was used including eye-tracking and qualitative in-depth interviews, with a purposive sample of 50 participants between age 20 and 70. Findings A higher number of product presentation features resulted in increased positive visual, cognitive and affective responses as consumers wanted as much visual information as possible to aid decision-making. Images of models attracted the most attention and were the most influential product presentation feature, followed by mannequin images and the zoom function. The 20 s spent much less time viewing and interacting with the product presentation features than middle age groups (30 s-50 s), had minimal fixations on mannequin images and had a much quicker decision-making process than other age groups. Practical implications The research informs retailers which product presentation features are the most effective for their target market to aid consumer decision-making with the aim of reducing returns. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by providing more in-depth insights than previous studies into the impact of online product presentation on consumer decision-making by using qualitative research and eye-tracking. The research also explores more product presentation features than previous research and investigates the presentation of apparel products, which are notoriously the most difficult products for consumers to assess online. The research is unique in its exploration of age differences in relation to product presentation features.
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169213850
|
990 |
Abstract 655: Increased Nadph-Oxidase Activity Is Associated With Reduced Telomere Length in the Human Vascular Wall: The Influence of Oxidative Stress on Biological Aging Background: Accelerated telomere shortening is a hallmark of cellular senescence and has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Oxidative stress has been proposed as a cause of telomere damage. We explored the association between vascular redox state and telomere length in patients with advanced atherosclerosis. Methods: We recruited xx patients undergoing bypass surgery. Saphenous vein (SV) samples were used to measure superoxide (O2-) generation using lucigenin chemiluminescence (+NADPH 100 uM to estimate NADPH-oxidase activity). DNA was extracted from whole-blood and SV samples and used to measure relative telomere length (TL) using qPCR (which determines T/S ratio using albumin as a single-copy gene). DNA was also used to genotype for two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs rs4673 and rs1049255) in the CYBA locus, which encodes for the p22phox membrane subunit of NADPH-oxidase and is associated with activity of the enzyme. Results: Shorter vascular TL was associated with increased NADPH-stimulated O2- generation in SV tissue (A). The additive effect of the rs4673C and rs1049255G alleles was linked to increased vascular NADPH-oxidase activity (B). In addition, the same combination of SNP alleles was linked to reduced T/S ratio in whole blood DNA (C), suggesting a causal association between high oxidative stress and accelerated telomere shortening. Conclusions: We demonstrate for the first time in humans that genetically determined high NADPH-oxidase activity could be causally linked to reduced TL in vascular and blood cells. These novel findings
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87961600
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991 |
highlight the importance of oxidative stress on cellular senescence and provide an important link between aging and cardiovascular disease.
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87961600
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992 |
Colic in a working horse population in Egypt: Prevalence and risk factors REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Colic is an important health problem in managed horse populations. Currently, there is limited information about colic prevalence and risk factors for colic in working horse populations. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, colic in a working horse population in Egypt and to describe management practices in this working horse population. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS Owners of 350 working horses were interviewed. Data about their horses, management and colic episodes in the preceding 12 months were collected. Dental examination was conducted on 342 horses and blood samples (n = 100) were collected for immunodiagnosis of tapeworm (Anoplocephala perfoliata) infection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for a history of colic in the preceding 12 months. RESULTS The 12-month prevalence of colic was 54.6%. Severe and moderate tapeworm infection intensity was identified in 3% and 26% of horses tested, respectively. Horses that had severe dental disease (odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-24.3, P<0.001), that displayed stereotypic behaviour (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.15-3.5, P = 0.013), were fed ground corn during the 'dry season' (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.03-2.6, P = 0.035) or that had received an anthelmintic in the previous 6 months (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.3, P = 0.003) were more likely to have a history of colic in the preceding 12 months. Horses fed on rice bran during the 'green season' (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.9, P
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25934700
|
993 |
= 0.015) and that displayed geophagia/coprophagia (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.73, P = 0.001) were less likely to have a history of colic. CONCLUSIONS Colic is common in this working horse population and this study has identified factors associated with altered likelihood of colic. The study provides important information that may be used to inform future prospective studies investigating colic in working horse populations and to assist development of preventive healthcare strategies. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.
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25934700
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994 |
Primary care providers' prescribing practices of opioid controlled substances. OBJECTIVE Prescription opioid abuse poses a significant public health concern. House Bill 1 (HB1) was enacted in 2012 to address prescription drug abuse in Kentucky. The authors investigated the impact of HB1 on primary care providers' (PCPs) prescribing practices of Schedule II controlled substances. DESIGN Retrospective evaluation of PCPs' prescribing practices in an adult outpatient setting. METHODS A review of the prescribing practices for Schedule II controlled substances written by 149 PCPs. The number of prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances written by 149 PCPs was compared to the top 10 PCP prescribers. Attention was focused on providers who wrote for oxycontin and/or opana and prescriptions with > 90 pills dispensed. RESULTS The top 10 PCP prescribers accounted for 38.4 percent of the Schedule II controlled substances and 47.8 percent of the Schedule II controlled substances with > 90 pills dispensed. Of the 60 PCPs who prescribed opana and/or oxycontin, the average number of prescriptions was 14.7 compared to 51.0 for the top 10 PCP prescribers. The average percentage of Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions compared to the total number of prescriptions was 27.9 percent for the top 10 PCP prescribers and 7.05 percent of all PCPs. The average percentage of office visits with Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions compared to total office visits was 24.8 percent for the top 10 PCP prescribers versus 7.7 percent for all PCPs. CONCLUSIONS Further scrutiny is warranted to more closely analyze provider opioid prescribing habits and ensure that the providers
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2595550
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995 |
at our Institution are prescribing Schedule II controlled substances in compliance with HB1.
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2595550
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996 |
Thermal desorption-gas chromatography for the determination of emission of volatile organic compounds from furnishing materials. In order to determine volatile organic compounds (VOC) released from the building and furnishing materials gas chromatography with air samples enrichment on Tenax TA and thermal desorption was used. The results obtained were compared with the results of air samples enrichment on active carbon with carbon disulfide extraction. To the thermal desorption the home made device, a similar to device developed at Research Triangle Institute (USA), was used. The both methods of the air samples enrichment with thermal desorption or carbon disulfide extraction showed that the emission of the volatile organic compounds from the PVC floor covering is very low within the range from 0.01 to 0.03 mg/m2.h. Thermal desorption technique allows to detect a larger number of compounds in trace levels.
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24615900
|
997 |
[Possibilities of magnetic resonance tomography in pancreatic cancer diagnosis]. There was conducted examination of 27 patients with pancreatic cancer using clinico-laboratory and instrumental methods: ultrasonic investigation, computeric tomography (CT), magnetic-resonance tomography (MRT). MRT was uninformative when pancreatic tumor was up to 3 cm in diameter. In diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma, affection of common biliary duct and vessels and in small focal metastatic hepatic affection the results of MRT showed enhanced precision in comparison with CT. Informativity of MRT and CT in diagnosis of metastases in lymph nodes was equal.
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25563400
|
998 |
Optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography imaging in Bietti crystalline dystrophy ABSTRACT Background: Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder due to genetic defect in the CYP4V2 gene. BCD is a disease characterized by shiny yellow crystalline deposits in the retina with progressive atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris. Our aim is to present ocular imaging findings of a patient with BCD.Materials and Metods: A 38-year-old female patient with BCD was evaluated and the findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were examined.Results: OCT imaging revealed multiple outer retinal tubulations (ORTs) with a few hyperreflective crystalline deposits. OCTA imaging showed that the vessel density of superficial anddeep capillary plexus and choriocapillaris blood flow were significantly decreased. ORTs were composedof multiple microtubules as finger-like protrusions that joined the macrotubules.Conclusion: In BCD, crystallinedeposits, ORTs and retinal vascular morphology can be shown in detail using OCT and OCTA.
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215750800
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999 |
Study of Water and Sediment Quality in the Bay of Dakhla, Morocco: Physico-Chemical Quality and Metallic Contamination The present study contributes to the evaluation of the impact of the various activities developed around the Bay of Dakhla in Morocco through the study of the physico-chemical quality of the waters and sediments of the Bay. For this purpose, a spatial and temporal monitoring of the physicochemical and metallic pollution indicator parameters was conducted between May 2014 and March 2015. The main physicochemical descriptors of water quality were monitored, namely: temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved O2, nutrients (ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates) and chlorophyll (a). A qualification of the waters of the Bay was drawn up based on water quality assessment grids. The quality of the sediments was assessed through the determination of granulometry, the total organic carbon content and the contents of the main metallic trace elements (cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, copper and zinc). The results of the present study show the beginning of nutrient enrichment of the water bodies of the bay, especially the stations located near the urban area, where 1.83 mg l−1 of nitrates, 0.37 mg l−1 of phosphate and 7.42 μg l−1 of chlorophyll (a) were recorded. For the sediment, the maximum concentrations of metallic trace elements were recorded in the station near the harbour basin. These results allowed to establish a quality grid for the waters of the bay, generally qualified as “Good”, except for the sites located near the urban area for which the quality is qualified as “Average”. The sediment quality of
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234518650
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