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N-Acetyllactosamine is a common saccharide motif found in various biologically active glycans. This motif usually works as a backbone for additional modifications and thus significantly influences glycan conformational behavior and biological activity. In this work, we have investigated the type-2 N-acetyllactosamine scaffold using the complete series of its monodeoxyfluorinated analogs. These glycomimetics have been studied by molecular mechanics, quantum mechanics, X-ray crystallography, and various NMR techniques, which have provided a comprehensive and complete insight into the role of individual hydroxyl groups in the conformational behavior and lipophilicity of N-acetyllactosamine.

In recent years, Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices have been applied in various industries to design, simulate and verify complex systems. The verification and validation (V&V) of such systems engineering models are crucial to develop high‐quality systems. However, this is a challenging problem due to the complexity of the models and semantic differences in how different tools interpret the models, which can undermine the validity of the obtained results if they go undiscovered. To address these issues, we propose (i) a subset of the SysML language for which the practical semantic integrity of tools can be achieved and (ii) a cloud‐based V&V framework for this subset, lifting verification to an industrial scale. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach on an industrial‐scale model from the aerospace domain and summarize the lessons learned during transitioning formal verification tools to an industrial context.

The construction industry is one of the main economic sectors that contribute significantly to social and economic development. However, the lack of skilled labour is one of the factors affecting the success of projects in the construction industry. Skilled labours are the potential for enhancing overall delivery of construction projects to achieve sustainability. Building and construction industry in Makkah has continued to respond to shortages of skilled labours. Hence, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the importance of factors influencing the shortage of skilled labours from the perceptions of construction practitioners. In order to achieve the aims and objectives of this study, the quantitative descriptive method was adopted for this research study, and data for this study was collected through a stratified random sample of construction practitioners in Makkah. Data were first analysed by way of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by Relative Importance Index (RII) for ranking comparison among the construction practitioners. The results of RII indicates that the significant factors influencing the shortage of skilled labours in Makkah include delay in salary payment, low wages structure, lack of motivation system, health and safety issues on construction sites, lack of job security, bad relations between skilled labours and management team, poor living conditions, Slow recruitment of skilled labours, restricted government regulations, and exposure of climate conditions. The findings revealed that the factors rated are required for organisational performances which are essential in achieving sustainable building and construction in Makkah.

Saudi Arabia recently established public–private partnerships (PPPs) in order to increase the private sector’s involvement in financing and providing affordable housing. However, the successful implementation of the PPP for affordable housing in Makkah necessitates careful consideration of possible barriers. As a result, the purpose of this study is to assess the critical success factor of the PPP and to introduce a housing affordable model for the low-income community. The survey method was used in the study to determine the critical success factors of PPP for affordable housing provision, with participants from both the private and public sectors. Using a five-point Likert scale, respondents were asked to rate the degree of influence of prospective critical success factors of PPP. The data gathered was analyzed using statistical tools. The study’s findings describe the critical success factors of public–private partnerships for affordable housing and establish the critical success factors of the PPP model for affordable housing in Makkah. As a result, determining the critical success factors and suggesting a way forward for the government to effectively provide affordable housing for low-income groups, as has been successful in other parts of countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and India, among others.

The Tn antigen (GalNAcα1-Thr/Ser) is abundantly expressed in many tumors but rarely found in healthy tissues, which makes it an attractive epitope for antitumor immunotherapy. The use of the Tn antigen in the development of therapeutic antitumor vaccines is hampered by its low immunogenicity, which may be enhanced by deoxyfluorination of the GalNAc moiety. Here, we report the synthesis of protected 3- and 4-fluoro analogues of the threonine-containing Tn antigen. As the stereoselective synthesis of α-linked fluorinated GalNAc is difficult, we prepared a panel of C3 and C4 deoxyfluorinated galactosazide thiodonors and evaluated their stereoselectivity in the glycosylation of carbohydrate acceptors and threonine derivatives. Glycosylation of threonine derivatives with O-benzylated C4 fluoro donors gave only modest but usable α-selectivity of α/β = 2.5–3/1. The use of acyl and silyl protection at the 3- and 6-positions of the C4 fluoro donors did not enhance the selectivity. Installing a 4,6-di-tert-butylsilylene-protecting group in C3 fluoro donors resulted in exclusive α-selectivity and reaffirmed the strong α-directing effect of this protective group in glycosylation with galacto-configured glycosyl donors.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to compare different reduced-order models for models of control of induction brazing process. In the presented application, the problem is to reconstruct temperature at the points of interests (hot spots) from information measured at accessible places. Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes the process of induction brazing. It presents the full field model and evaluates the possibilities for obtaining reduced models for temperature estimation. The primary attention is paid to the model based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). Findings: The paper shows that for the given application, it is possible to find low-order estimator. In the examined linear case, the best estimator was created using POD reduced model together with the linear Kalman filter. Research limitations/implications: The authors are aware of two main limitations of the presented study: material properties are considered linear, which is not a completely realistic assumption. However, if strong coupling and nonlinear material parameters are considered, the model becomes unsolvable. The process and measurement uncertainties are not considered. Originality/value: The paper deals with POD of multi-physics 3 D application of induction brazing. The paper compares 11 different methods for temperature estimator design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the calibration of a laser welding model suitable for solving problems with input data that are either unknown or known only approximately. Design/methodology/approach: The calibration starts from the measured temperature profile of the weld, and the aim is to get a similar profile by the solution of the model. The corresponding procedure is based on replacing the material characteristics that are known only approximately by polynomial or rational functions whose coefficients are determined using a suitable optimization process. The algorithm is supplemented with a simplified model of the keyhole shape. Findings: The big advantage of the proposed approach is the velocity of solution of the problem and low consumption of the sources (hardware and software). In comparison with solving the full model of laser welding, the methodology provides results of a still acceptable accuracy by several orders faster. On the other hand, the results also depend on the strategy of selecting the points at which the temperature is verified and on "manual" setting of the deformation parameters. Research limitations/implications: Application of the methodology is conditioned by several experiments with the used material (without experiment it is impossible to carry out the calibration and set the shape of the keyhole), while the full model allows it. On the other hand, the full model is not able to predict the errors in the case when some input data is unknown or known only approximately and the results have to be also confirmed experimentally. Practical implications: The presented methodology may be used for determining unknown material characteristics and faster modelling of laser welding. Originality/value: This paper proposes a novel methodology for evaluation of quality of laser welds in cases of unknown or partially unknown material parameters and substantial acceleration (by 2-3 orders) of the numerical solution of the model of laser welding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is aimed at providing a rationale for the need to introduce a new type of educational institution in Ukraine today, namely educational centers in the areas with challenging topography. This article identifies specific features of construction, given the difficult geographic topography and architectural environment of the educational institutions, and lists conditions impacting the volume and planning of educational facility construction. It defines how urban planning of school centers influence the areas with difficult topography and establishes their location type. The authors analyzed architectural and construction solutions for school centers in areas with challenging landscape. They have also identified form-shaping types of buildings and established the best slope ratio for each of the types.

JULY 30, 2017, SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12; Ps 119; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52 Sometimes our sacred authors share an 'Alfred Hitchcock' moment with us. Just as [...]

Mo, CoMo and NiMo sulfide catalysts were prepared using MgO, Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, MCM-41 and activated carbon supports. The catalysts were tested in parallel hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of octanoic acid and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of 1-benzothiophene. For all supports, NiMo catalysts were more active in both HDO and HDS than Mo and CoMo catalysts. HDO activity of NiMo catalysts decreased with type of support in the following order TiO2> C > ZrO2> Al2O3> MCM-41 > MgO. The products of HDO were linear C7 and C8 hydrocarbons. Some isomerization and cracking activity was observed only with MCM-41 support. HDS activity of NiMo catalysts decreased in the following order C > ZrO2> TiO2> Al2O3> MgO > MCM-41. HDO/HDS selectivity was influenced by the active phase and the support type and it was the highest over the NiMo/TiO2catalyst.

Control of anomeric stereoselectivity in glycosylation with deoxofluorinated glycosyl donors is critical for assembly of fluorinated oligosaccharides. Here, we report the synthesis of benzylated 3-fluoro and 4-fluoro analogues of phenyl 1-thioglucosazide and galactosazide donors and evaluation of their stereoselectivity in glycosylation of a series of model carbohydrate acceptors using the Tf2O/Ph2SO promoter system. Low-temperature NMR revealed formation of covalent α-triflate and both anomers of oxosulfonium triflates under selected glycosylation conditions. This study demonstrates how the stereoselectivity depends on acceptor reactivity and glycosyl donor configuration. Reactive acceptors favor formation of 1,2-trans-β-glycosides with both d-glucoand d-galactodonors, whereas poorly reactive acceptors favor formation of 1,2-cis-α-glycosides with d-galactodonors but are unselective with d-glucodonors.

JULY 31, 2016, EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Ecc 1:2,2:21-23; Ps 90; Col 3:1-5,9-11; Lk 12:13-21 Unlike catechisms, Scripture frequently offers us a choice. Counter to popular [...]

JANUARY 31,2016, FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71; 1 Cor 12:31-13:13; Lk 4:21-30 Listening to today's first reading is to know that a [...]

Purpose A novel technique for control of complex physical processes based on the solution of their sufficiently accurate models is presented. The technique works with the model order reduction (MOR), which significantly accelerates the solution at a still acceptable uncertainty. Its advantages are illustrated with an example of induction brazing.Design/methodology/approach The complete mathematical model of the above heat treatment process is presented. Considering all relevant nonlinearities, the numerical model is reduced using the orthogonal decomposition and solved by the finite element method (FEM). It is cheap compared with classical FEM.Findings The proposed technique is applicable in a wide variety of linear and weakly nonlinear problems and exhibits a good degree of robustness and reliability.Research limitations/implications The quality of obtained results strongly depends on the temperature dependencies of material properties and degree of nonlinearities involved. In case of multiphysics problems characterized by low nonlinearities, the results of solved problems differ only negligibly from those solved on the full model, but the computation time is lower by two and more orders. Yet, however, application of the technique in problems with stronger nonlinearities was not fully evaluated.Practical implications The presented model and methodology of its solution may represent a basis for design of complex technologies connected with induction-based heat treatment of metal materials.Originality/value Proposal of a sophisticated methodology for solution of complex multiphysics problems established the MOR technology that significantly accelerates their solution at still acceptable errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alternative way of induction clamping is described, consisting in heating of the sleeve by its rotation in static magnetic field generated by suitably arranged permanent magnets. The most important dimensions of the heating system are optimised with the aim to reach the required increase of the bore of the clamping head at the highest possible efficiency and shortest time of heating.

AUGUST 30, 2015, TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Dt 4:1-2, 6-8; Ps 15; Jas 1:17-18,21b-22,27; Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Today's three readings bring up one of most [...]

MARCH 29, 2015, PASSION (PALM) SUNDAY Roger Vermalen Karban Mk 0:1-10; Is 50:4-7; Ps 22; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15:47 The late Rudolph Bultmann often remarked, 'A Gospel is simply a [...]

FEBRUARY 22,2015, FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT Roger Vermalen Karban Gn 9:8-15; Ps25; 1Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15 I was once part of a faculty committee charged with rewriting the mission statement [...]

JANUARY 25, 2015, THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25;1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 Follow me The book of Jonah is one of the [...]

As far as we can tell, nothing in Scripture was written exclusively for cloistered religious. We assume our sacred authors had ordinary married people and their children in mind when [...]

I'm still haunted by a late 1960s survey of American Catholics. Participants were asked just one question: What's the more important law--love your neighbor, or give up meat on Friday? [...]

The fact that Jesus of Nazareth frequently employed parables while he was teaching tells us a lot about what - he was trying to accomplish during his earthly ministry Teachers [...]

A dynamic spirit In 1971, a significant book for the study of the Christian Scriptures appeared. Trajectories Through Early Christianity, by James McConkey Robinson and Helmut Koester, explored the diverse [...]

I remember the time I changed some the 'biblical' wording of Matthew's Sermon on the Mount and read it to a junior boys' religion class. I then asked them two [...]

A new approach to estimation of unknown material parameters and boundary conditions of physical models was developed. The approach is based on processing measured data by advanced optimization techniques connected with penalization. The data are supposed to be in the form of random variables with normal probability distributions. Several examples were calculated proving the strength of the proposed algorithm.

Predicting the clinical course of Crohn’s disease (CD) is relevant for treatment selection. Currently, such diagnostic tools are lacking. In a previous pilot study, morphometric tissue image analysis showed promise in predicting the clinical phenotype and need for surgery. In this study, we aimed to validate our previous results on a larger cohort. Colonic biopsies from CD patients with colonic or ileocolonic disease and at least five years of post-biopsy clinical follow-up were analyzed. The results were used to predict post-biopsy clinical phenotypes and outcomes. Data analysis was performed using multivariate regression models, discriminant score (DS) computations and Neural Network (NNET). Multivariate analysis of morphometric variables differentiated between B1 and B2 phenotypes (sensitivity 81%, specificity 74%, accuracy on cross-validation 75%; area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 (CI 0.6–0.84; NNET model sensitivity 87%, specificity 67% on the testing population)). Differentiation between B1 and B3 phenotypes was also possible (sensitivity 69%, specificity 76%, accuracy 70.5% on cross-validation; AUC 0.78 (CI 0.68–0.89); NNET model sensitivity 78%, specificity 77% on the testing population)). Differentiating between B2 and B3 phenotypes was not possible using morphometric variables. Multivariate analysis predicted surgery (sensitivity 67%, specificity 72.5%, accuracy 69%; AUC 0.72 (CI 0.61–0.82); NNET model sensitivity 80%, specificity 91% on the testing population)). This study validates previous results and suggests that morphometric image analysis of early biopsies from Crohn’s colitis patients may contribute to the prediction of future outcomes such as clinical phenotype and surgery. Prospective validation on larger cohorts is still needed.

We report on an artificially intelligent nanoarray based on molecularly modified gold nanoparticles and a random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes for noninvasive diagnosis and classification of a number of diseases from exhaled breath. The performance of this artificially intelligent nanoarray was clinically assessed on breath samples collected from 1404 subjects having one of 17 different disease conditions included in the study or having no evidence of any disease (healthy controls). Blind experiments showed that 86% accuracy could be achieved with the artificially intelligent nanoarray, allowing both detection and discrimination between the different disease conditions examined. Analysis of the artificially intelligent nanoarray also showed that each disease has its own unique breathprint, and that the presence of one disease would not screen out others. Cluster analysis showed a reasonable classification power of diseases from the same categories. The effect of confounding clinical and environmental factors on the performance of the nanoarray did not significantly alter the obtained results. The diagnosis and classification power of the nanoarray was also validated by an independent analytical technique, i.e., gas chromatography linked with mass spectrometry. This analysis found that 13 exhaled chemical species, called volatile organic compounds, are associated with certain diseases, and the composition of this assembly of volatile organic compounds differs from one disease to another. Overall, these findings could contribute to one of the most important criteria for successful health intervention in the modern era, viz. easy-to-use, inexpensive (affordable), and miniaturized tools that could also be used for personalized screening, diagnosis, and follow-up of a number of diseases, which can clearly be extended by further development.

The article reports on the plan of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to launch Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) audits after more than two years of the public health emergency, delays and suspensions of regulations and enforcement activities. It outlines different types of RAC reviews and RAC limitations that may work in favor of health care providers and facilities. Strategies that health care organizations could implement to tackle increase in RAC audits are recommended.

NOVEMBER 11, 2013, THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Mal 3:19-20a; Ps 98; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19 Focus on the present Christians always find it difficult to [...]

OCTOBER 27, 2013, THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Sir 35:12-14, 16-18; Ps 34; 2 Tm 4:6-8,16-18; Lk 18:9-14 After having taught Scripture for almost 50 years, I'm [...]

September 29, 2013, TWENTY-S1XTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Am 8:4-7; Ps 113:1 Tm 2:1-8; Lk 16:1-13 Fundamental option Today's three readings bring up some essential questions of [...]

Most of us dread hearing the central words of today's Hebrews pericope: 'Do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the [...]

Immediately after Paul's oftquoted 1 Corinthians 13 pericope on the importance of integrating love into every gift of the Spirit, he encourages his community, 'Strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, [...]

JULY 28, 2013: SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Gn 18:20-32; Ps 138; Col 2:12-14; LK 11:1-13 Our Genesis author continues along the same road we traveled last [...]

JULY 11, 2013, SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Gn 18: 1-10a, Ps 15; C01 1: 24-28; Lk 10: 38-42 Our sacred authors frequently present their readers with [...]

JUNE 23, 2013, TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Roger Vermalen Karban Zec 12:10-11, 13:1; Ps 63; Gal 3:26-29; Lk 9:18-24 One of the easiest ways to learn the uniqueness of [...]

Since the Council of Nicaea's definition of the Trinity in 325--three persons in one God--isn't spelled out as such in Scripture, it's challenging to give a biblical homily on this [...]

APRIL 72, 2013, FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Roger Vermalen Karban Acts 1421-27: Ps 145: Rv 21:1-5a: in 13:31a-33, 34-35 I believe each human being has a vision of a new [...]

APRIL 21, 2013, FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Roger Vermalen Karban Acts 13:14, 43-52; Ps 100; Rv 7:9,14b-17; In 10:27-30 Practically none of our Scripture writers take pen to papyrus unless [...]

MARCH 24, 2013: PASSION/PAIN SUNDAY Roger Vermalen Karban Lk 1928-40; Is 50:4-7; Ps 22; Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:14-23:56 Each Gospel's passion narrative is unique. Though they might sound the same [...]

Rudolph Bultmann once described our sacred writers as people who had glimpses of the 'other side,' but wrote for people 'on this side.' Though they admire the well-known scholar's insights, [...]

JANUARY 20, 2013, SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR Roger Vermalen Karban Is 62:1-5; Ps 96; 1 for 12:4-11; in 2:1-11 We have no idea which miracle the historical Jesus first [...]