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Aims Open hernia repair is a common elective and emergency surgical procedure. The majority of hernia repairs are performed without complications. Current dogma dictates 2 pre-operative group and save tests must be obtained prior to hernia repair. Post-operative haemorrhage is rare and there is equipoise as to whether all patients must be group and saved pre-operatively. Methods Retrospective review of electronic patient records between April 2018 to March 2019 in a large district general hospital. Cross referencing of operative, blood transfusion and blood science records was performed. Results 410 open hernia repairs including inguinal, femoral and all other abdominal wall hernias were performed. The hernia repairs were elective and emergency procedures with patients ASA 1 - 5. A total of 820 pre-operative group and save test were obtained with a total cost of £7,978.60. The post-operative blood transfusion rate was 1.46%. Conclusions A large number of open hernia repairs were performed over a 12-month period with a very low post-operative blood transfusion rate. This small single centre study indicates that many pre-operative group and save tests may be unnecessary as the majority of hernia repairs were performed without post-operative blood transfusion. Abolishing unnecessary group and save tests could reduce clinical and financial burden without compromising patient safety. The study also suggests that a selective group and save policy be instituted for certain patient characteristics such as emergency repair, ASA ≥3 or abdominal wall reconstruction for incisional hernia. A selective group and save policy will be implemented and re-audit in 6 months.

Aims Open hernia repairs are common elective and emergency surgical procedures; the majority are performed without complication. A primary audit indicated pre-operative group and save could be disregarded without compromising safety. A selective group and save policy was introduced, and safety of this approach examined with a 2nd cycle audit. Methods Retrospective review of electronic patient records between October 2019 to September 2020. Cross referencing of operative and blood transfusion records performed compared to the primary audit cycle of April 2018 to March 2019. Results A total of 225 open hernia repairs including inguinal, femoral and all other abdominal wall hernias were performed during the 2nd cycle compared to 410 in the 1st cycle. Patients were ASA 1-5 including emergencies. The post-operative blood transfusion rate was reduced from 1.46% to 0% following implementation of the selective policy. The number of pre-operative group and saves obtained reduced to 117; saving £6,840.19. Conclusions This single centre full cycle audit indicates pre-operative group and save tests are unnecessary in open hernia repair. A selective group and save policy introduced for certain patient characteristics such as emergency repair, ASA ≥3 or abdominal wall reconstruction reduced the post-operative blood transfusion rate to 0%. Discontinuing mandatory pre-operative group and save is a safe approach synchronously reducing clinical and financial burden. COVID-19 has stretched already limited resources, resulting in reduced surgical services and diminished case numbers during the 2nd cycle. Therefore, rational resource utilisation with a selective group and save policy maintains patient safety during the pandemic.

Introduction COVID19 has stressed and stretched healthcare resources to the limit, thus the rational deployment of any resource should be necessary and of patient benefit. This retrospective audit aims to ascertain if a policy of two valid group and save tests prior to transurethral prostate surgery is necessary and if this resource can be redistributed safely during the ongoing pandemic. Methods A retrospective review of electronic patient records for patients that underwent transurethral prostate surgery from June 2017 to June 2018. During a single admission for surgery it was identified how many pre-operative group and save tests, and if a post-operative blood transfusion patients underwent. Results 146 patients underwent transurethral prostate surgery between June 2017 to June 2018. 97 patients had two valid group and save tests prior to surgery. 49 patients did not have 2 valid group and save tests. 21 patients had expired tests, 20 had only one valid sample, and 8 had no group and save test at all. No patient underwent a blood transfusion during their admission for transurethral prostate surgery. Conclusion This single centre study illustrates pre-operative group and save tests before transurethral prostate surgery are unnecessary as no patient required an associated blood transfusion during admission; and can safely be omitted. The clinical time and resource could be redirected elsewhere for greater patient benefit. £2855.00 of efficiency savings could be made foregoing unneeded group and save tests. A policy omitting pre-operative group and save before transurethral prostate surgery will be implemented under COVID19 pandemic conditions and re-audited in 6 months.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease-2 (SARS-C0V-2), has affected many lives globally. In Singapore, majority of the infected individuals are foreign workers residing in dormitories. A retrospective review conducted over two weeks (April 13 to April 26, 2020) of migrant workers admitted to a public hospital in Singapore revealed that a significant number of them developed hypokalemia. The purpose of this study was to examine any association that might exist between COVID-19 and hypokalemia. Fifty patients in this study had hypokalemia, translating to a prevalence of 28.4% (95% CI: 21.9-35.7). Gastrointestinal (GI) loss was a significant cause of hypokalemia with a prevalence of GI symptoms in the study group (diarrhea, vomiting, poor oral intake) of 5.7% (95% CI: 2.8-10.2). Clinicians should consider screening for hypokalemia in COVID-19 patients and initiate potassium replacement to mitigate any potential arrhythmias.

• In elderly COVID-19 inpatients, admission NEWS2 scores did not predict mortality. • Of components of NEW2 score, only systolic blood pressure predicted mortality. • A high variability in NEW2 score predicted mortality. • NEWS2 score does not consider the degree of supplemental oxygen patients require. • A more sensitive early warning score for COVID-19 is needed.

Background: Cleaning is a major control component for outbreaks of infection. However, for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there is limited specific guidance regarding the proper disinfection methods that should be used. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature on cleaning, disinfection or decontamination methods in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2. Results: A total of 27 studies were included, reporting a variety of methods with which the effectiveness of interventions were assessed. Virus was inoculated onto different types of material including masks, nasopharyngeal swabs, serum, laboratory plates and simulated saliva, tears or nasal fluid and then interventions were applied in an attempt to eliminate the virus including chemical, ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, and heat and humidity. At body temperature (37°C) there is evidence that the virus will not be detectable after 2 days but this can be reduced to non-detection at 30 min at 56°C, 15 min at 65°C and 2 min at 98°C. Different experimental methods testing UV light have shown that it can inactivate the virus. Light of 254–365 nm has been used, including simulated sunlight. Many chemical agents including bleach, hand sanitiser, hand wash, soap, ethanol, isopropanol, guandinium thiocynate/t-octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, formaldehyde, povidone-iodine, 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.1% benzalkonium chloride, acidic electrolysed water, Clyraguard copper iodine complex and hydrogen peroxide vapour have been shown to disinfect SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: Heating, UV light irradiation and chemicals can be used to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 but there is insufficient evidence to support one measure over others in clinical practice.

Background The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic and the published literature describing the virus has grown exponentially. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify the symptoms, comorbidities present, radiological features and outcomes for adults testing positive for COVID-19 admitted to hospital. The results across multiple studies were numerically pooled to yield total estimated. Results A total of 45 studies were included in this review with 14 358 adult participants (average age 51 years, male 51%). The pooled findings suggest that the most common symptom among patients was fever (81.2%) followed by cough (62.9%), fatigue (38.0%) and anorexia/loss of appetite (33.7%). The comorbidities that were most prevalent among patients with the virus were hypertension (19.1%), cardiovascular disease (17.9%), endocrine disorder (9.3%) and diabetes (9.2%). Abnormal chest X-ray findings were present in 27.7% of patients and ground-glass opacity was demonstrated on chest computerized tomography in 63.0% of patients. The most frequent adverse outcomes were acute respiratory distress syndrome (27.4%), acute cardiac injury (16.2%) and acute kidney injury (12.6%). Death occurred in 8.2% of patients and 16.3% required intensive care admission and 11.7% had mechanical ventilation. Bacterial or secondary infections affected 8.5% of patients and 6.9% developed shock. Conclusions COVID-19 most commonly presents with fever, cough, fatigue and anorexia and among patients with existing hypertension and cardiovascular disease. It is important as serious adverse outcomes can develop such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cardiac injury, acute kidney injury and death.

The importance of data in the digital economy has encouraged the mass collection, exchange, and processing of data. Despite the benefits of a data centric economy, the increasing volume of data available on consumers exposes them to numerous vulnerabilities. Although various literatures have studied the isolated effects of content sharing (through social media), new dissemination (through the news media), and data breach on data privacy awareness, no study have been done to examine their interrelated effects on data protection regulation awareness. Therefore, this study aims to identify the interrelated effects of content sharing (through social media), news dissemination (through the news media), and data breach on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) awareness. The findings of this research can be used to guide authorities in the promotion of data protection regulation awareness in an effective and efficient manner. These effects were subsequently modelled using Path Analysis under the data mining process. This study revealed that news dissemination had the greatest effect on GDPR awareness. This is followed by content sharing and data breach frequency accordingly. Additionally, it was identified that news dissemination had also an indirect effect on GDPR awareness through content sharing.

Purpose This paper is concerned with the historical record of one business in the UK, which has long laid claim to the moral high ground in the conduct of its affairs – the amalgam of consumer co-operative business organisations, which eventually merged to become the Co-operative Group at the beginning of the 21st century. This paper aims to offer an assessment of the record of the British consumer co-operative movement’s efforts to abide by and promote its values and principles during the first 137 years of its existence (1863 to 1990). Design/methodology/approach The paper is developed using largely qualitative research methods and a variety of sources. These include archival resources and business-historical materials such as committee minutes and correspondence. These materials have been complemented by several semi-structured recorded interviews with senior members of the Co-operative Group. Findings The authors develop several conclusions. First, where ethical choices were possible and no serious commercial interests were impaired, the co-operative movement could and usually did do its best to adhere to its principles. Second, in several instances, commercial interests did frequently trump ideals. Finally, the organisational structure of the movement made it very difficult to ensure that co-operative principles and values were adhered to. Originality/value This paper presents a unique case-study that examines the inherent tension between commerce and ethics in the co-operative movement.

Our hospital’s reference range for phosphate is 0.85–1.45 mmol/L. Oral replacement is generally adequate for mild and moderate hypophosphataemia >0.3 mmol/L).[1,2][1] Intravenous (IV) phosphate replacement carries many potential side effects and is therefore given for severe hypophosphataemia (<

// Nicholas Wong 1, 2, 3 , Yan Gu 1, 2, 3 , Anil Kapoor 2, 4 , Xiaozeng Lin 1, 2, 3 , Diane Ojo 1, 2, 3 , Fengxiang Wei 1, 2, 3, 5 , Judy Yan 1, 2, 3 , Jason de Melo 1, 2, 3 , Pierre Major 6 , Geoffrey Wood 7 , Tariq Aziz 8 , Jean-Claude Cutz 8 , Michael Bonert 8 , Arthur J. Patterson 1, 2, 3 , Damu Tang 1, 2, 3 1 Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 2 Father Sean O’Sullivan Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 3 The Hamilton Center for Kidney Research, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 4 Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 5 The Genetics Laboratory, Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, P.R. China 6 Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada 7 Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada 8 Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Correspondence to: Damu Tang, email: damut@mcmaster.ca Keywords: FAM84B, prostate cancer, prostate cancer stem cells, metastasis, castration resistant prostate cancer Received: May 27, 2016 Accepted: January 23, 2017 Published: February 07, 2017 ABSTRACT Although the FAM84B gene lies within chromosome 8q24, a locus frequently altered in prostate cancer (PC), its alteration during prostate tumorigenesis has not been well studied. We report here FAM84B upregulation in DU145 cell-derived prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSLCs) and DU145 cell-produced lung metastases compared to subcutaneous xenograft tumors. FAM84B protein was detected in bone metastases and primary PCs. Nanostring examination of 7 pairs of tumor adjacent normal and PC tissues revealed elevations in FAM84B mRNA levels in all carcinomas. Furthermore, through analysis of FAM84B expression using large datasets within the Gene Expression Omnibus and Oncomine TM database, we demonstrate significant increases in FAM84B mRNA in 343 primary PCs versus 181 normal tissues, and elevations in the FAM84B gene copy number (GCN) in 171 primary PCs versus 61 normal tissues. While FAM84B was not detected at higher levels via immunohistochemistry in high grade (Gleason score/GS 8-10) tumors compared to GS6-7 PCs, analyses of FAM84B mRNA and GCN using datasets within the cBioPortal database demonstrated FAM84B upregulation in 12% (67/549) of primary PCs and 18% (73/412) of metastatic castration resistant PCs (mCRPCs), and GCN increases in 4.8% (26/546) of primary PCs and 26% (121/467) of mCRPCs, revealing an association of the aforementioned changes with CRPC development. Of note, an increase in FAM84B expression was observed in xenograft CRPCs produced by LNCaP cells. Furthermore, FAM84B upregulation and GCN increases correlate with decreases in disease free survival and overall survival. Collectively, we demonstrate a novel association of FAM84B with PC tumorigenesis and CRPC progression.

Purpose This paper aims to show how historical approaches can better inform understanding of hospitality and tourism research. Recent work in business and management has posited the value of historical research and narrative frameworks to explicate business phenomena – here the authors propose an approach to hospitality and tourism studies could be similarly beneficial. Design/methodology/approach Three principal historical approaches are proposed: systematic study of historical archives, oral histories and biography and prosopography. The paper further proposes that such work should be aligned to Andrews and Burke’s framework of the 5Cs: context, change over time, causality, complexity and contingency to help situate research appropriately and effectively. Findings This paper suggests that historical methods can prove particularly useful in hospitality and tourism research by testing, extending and creating theory that is empirically informed and socially situated. The analysis put forward shows that undertaking historical work set against the framework of the 5Cs of historical research offers the potential for wider and deeper understandings of hospitality and tourism research by revealing temporal and historical dynamics in the field that may hitherto be unseen or insufficiently explored. Originality/value Much of the existing work on the benefits of historical approaches in business and management has focussed on the why or the what. This paper focuses on the how, articulating how historical approaches offer significant potential to aid the understanding of hospitality and tourism research.

Summary Clinical challenges exist in the management of hospitalized patients returning to the UK with potential Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, particularly with its clinical overlap with influenza, as demonstrated in this case-series and cost-analysis review of returning Hajj pilgrims. These patients were hospitalized with acute febrile respiratory illness, initially managed as potential MERS-CoV infections, but were eventually diagnosed with influenza. Additional costs were small, yet enhanced infection prevention measures created significant burdens on isolation rooms and staff time. Planning for predictable events such as Hajj is important for resource management. Here, in-house MERS-CoV diagnostic testing would have facilitated earlier diagnosis and discharge.

Evidence supports the upregulation of MUC1 in prostate cancer (PC). However, this has not been thoroughly investigated. We report here an association of MUC1 upregulation with PC metastasis and the development of castration resistant PC (CRPC). MUC1 expression was specifically increased in DU145 cell-derived PC stem-like cells (PCSLCs) in comparison to their non-PCSLCs counterparts. While immunohistochemistry staining of 34 primary PCs revealed variability in MUC1 expression, Nanostring technology demonstrated elevated MUC1 mRNA levels in 4 of 7 PCs compared to their normal matched tissues. By analyzing MUC1 mRNA levels and gene copy number (GCN) using the OncomineTM database, elevations in MUC1 mRNA in 82 metastases versus 280 primary PCs and in MUC1 GCN in 37 metastases over 181 primary tumors were demonstrated. Analysis of genomic datasets within cBioPortal revealed increases in MUC1 GCN in 2% (6/333) of primary PCs, 6% (9/150) of metastatic PCs, and 33% (27/82) of CRPCs; in comparison, the respective increase in androgen receptor (AR) GCN was 1%, 63%, and 56%, revealing a specific increase in MUC1 GCN for CRPC. Furthermore, a 25-gene MUC1 network was amplified in 52% of CRPCs compared to 69% of CRPCs displaying increases in an AR co-regulator group. While genomic alterations in the MUC1 network largely overlap with those in the AR group, 18 CRPCs (66.7% being neuroendocrine PC) showed genomic alterations only in the MUC1 network. Moreover, genomic alterations in the MUC1 network correlated with PC relapse. Collectively, our observations suggest a combination therapy involving MUC1-based immunotherapy and androgen deprivation.

Prostate cancer metastasis is the main cause of disease-related mortality. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying prostate cancer metastasis is critical for effective therapeutic intervention. In this study, we performed gene-expression profiling of prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSC) derived from DU145 human prostate cancer cells to identify factors involved in metastatic progression. Our studies revealed contactin 1 (CNTN1), a neural cell adhesion protein, to be a prostate cancer–promoting factor. CNTN1 knockdown reduced PCSC-mediated tumor initiation, whereas CNTN1 overexpression enhanced prostate cancer cell invasion in vitro and promoted xenograft tumor formation and lung metastasis in vivo. In addition, CNTN1 overexpression in DU145 cells and corresponding xenograft tumors resulted in elevated AKT activation and reduced E-cadherin (CDH1) expression. CNTN1 expression was not readily detected in normal prostate glands, but was clearly evident on prostate cancer cells in primary tumors and lymph node and bone metastases. Tumors from 637 patients expressing CNTN1 were associated with prostate cancer progression and worse biochemical recurrence-free survival following radical prostatectomy (P < 0.05). Collectively, our findings demonstrate that CNTN1 promotes prostate cancer progression and metastasis, prompting further investigation into the mechanisms that enable neural proteins to become aberrantly expressed in non-neural malignancies. Cancer Res; 76(6); 1603–14. ©2016 AACR.

Summary Despite a surge in the preclinical development of immunotherapies, current models are unable to predict putative toxicity, particularly the “on-target, off-tumor” effects of these therapeutics. To address this gap, we used a humanized mouse model of hematopoiesis to examine the toxicity profile of CAR-Ts targeting brain tumor-antigens also expressed in the hematopoietic system. In assessing the safety of cell-based therapies, we aim to develop and integrate a preclinical evaluation protocol as a necessary step in the clinical development pathway. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Vora et al. (2020)., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • Protocol for assessing the toxicity of CAR-T therapy in brain tumors • Establishing a humanized mouse model of hematopoiesis • Testing “on-target, off-tumor” effects on normal HSPCs, Despite a surge in the preclinical development of immunotherapies, current models are unable to predict putative toxicity, particularly the “on-target, off-tumor” effects of these therapeutics. To address this gap, we used a humanized mouse model of hematopoiesis to examine the toxicity profile of CAR-Ts targeting brain tumor-antigens that are also expressed in the hematopoietic system. In assessing the safety of cell-based therapies, we aim to develop and integrate a preclinical evaluation protocol as a necessary step in the clinical development pathway.

The Market Makers provides an illuminating perspective on the distribution of consumer durables in inter-war Britain. In this study, Scott provides fresh insights on the functioning of the value ch...

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the standard care for patients with advanced prostate cancer (PC) since the 1940s. Although ADT shows clear benefits for many patients, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) inevitably occurs. In fact, with the two recent FDA-approved second-generation anti-androgens abiraterone and enzalutamide, resistance develops rapidly in patients with CRPC, despite their initial effectiveness. The lack of effective therapeutic solutions towards CRPC largely reflects our limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for CRPC development. While persistent androgen receptor (AR) signaling under castration levels of serum testosterone (

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is rare and life-threatening medical emergency. Parvovirus infection is rarely associated with HLH. We report a case of parvovirus-related HLH in a patient with alpha thalassaemia (HbH disease). The patient responded well to a course of dexamethasone without the need of etoposide. Based on our literature search, this is the first case of parvovirus related HLH in a patient with HbH disease in the medical literature.

Introduction This study aimed to assess training of Senior House Officer-grade equivalent doctors in postgraduate surgical training or service (SHO-DIPST) in surgical specialties across the United Kingdom (UK), against nationally agreed Joint Committee on Surgical Training Quality Indicators (JCST QIs). Specific recommendations are made, with a view to improving quality of training, workforce retention and recruitment to Higher Surgical Training. Method Prospective, observational, multicentre study conducted by the Association of Surgeons in Training, using the UK National Research Collaborative model. Any centres in the UK providing acute surgical services were eligible. SHO-DIPST with a permanent contract, on out-of-hours ‘on-call rota' were included across four, one-week data capture periods (September to October 2016, February to March 2017). Adherence to five quality indicators was reported using descriptive statistics. P-values were calculated using Student's t-test for continuous data, with a 5% level of significance. Results 2569 SHO-DIPST were included from all ten surgical specialties in 141 NHS trusts across all 16 Local Education and Training Boards in the UK. 960 SHO-DIPST were in registered ‘training' posts (37.3%). The median number of SHO-DIPST per rota was 7.0 (IQR 5.0–9.0). Adherence to the five included JCST QIs ranged from 6.0 to 53.1%. Only four SHO-DIPST posts across the study population met all five JCST QIs (0.3%). The total number of training sessions was higher for those in registered training posts (p Conclusions Only four early years postgraduate surgical training posts in the UK meet nationally approved minimum quality standards. Specific recommendations are made to improve training in this cohort and to bolster recruitment and retention into Higher Surgical Training.

Background Elderly patients have a long list of differentials for causes of acute confusion and altered consciousness levels, including infectious agents. In addition, elderly, retired patients often have more time to travel for tourism, particularly to exotic, warmer locations. Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Italy are popular holiday destinations for British and other tourists, especially during the winter months. However, these warm climates allow insect vectors to proliferate, increasing the risk of exposure to endemic vectorborne viral infections whilst on vacation. Such infections may not be routinely considered by geriatric medical teams. Case presentation An 87-year old gentleman presented with a three-day history of worsening confusion, lethargy, ataxia, and fevers following a trip to Spain, where he may have sustained a sandfly bite. By the time of admission, he had a reduced GCS, was hallucinating, and was incontinent of urine and faeces, though blood pressure and heart rate were normal. He also appeared hyperaesthetic, and found even capillary blood sugar testing extremely painful. He had no history of cognitive defect or other neurological conditions. He had been previously independently active, with frequent trips to Spain where he maintained a holiday home. He probably sustained a sandfly bite during this most recent trip, whilst cleaning out a shed. Acute and convalescent sera demonstrated IgG antibodies to Toscana virus at extremely high titres of ≥1:10,000 by immunofluorescence assay, though no Toscana virus RNA was detectable in these sera by the time of presentation. Conclusions Toscana virus should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patients presenting with meningo-encephalitis who have recently returned from a Mediterranean country. Testing for Toscana virus infection is performed by serological testing on acute/convalescent paired sera, and/or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay on blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) if presenting within 5 days of illness onset. Making a diagnosis of Toscana virus meningitis/encephalitis (where no other pathogen is detected) has additional clinical utility in reducing or preventing unnecessary use of antibiotics, as well as reassuring the patient and family that generally, this illness is generally self-limiting and full recovery within a few weeks is expected, as in the case reported here.

This study reviews the educational theories and existing literature for the integration of robots to support teaching in classrooms by assessing integration methods and the effectiveness of educational robotics on student learning. Most of the research on this subject are only focused on children from kindergarten to middle schools and analyzed the end results from questionnaires and grades. Without analysis on the human-robot interaction itself, the effectiveness of robots in classrooms is questionable especially in the higher education context. Future research should leverage more refined data analysis techniques such as learning analytics to directly focus on interaction and conversation dynamics.

Some biological phenomena offer clues to solving real-life, complex problems. Researchers have been studying techniques such as neural networks and genetic algorithms for computational intelligence and their applications to such complex problems. The problem of security management is one of the major concerns in the development of eBusiness services and networks. Recent incidents have shown that the perpetrators of cybercrimes are using increasingly sophisticated methods. Hence, it is necessary to investigate non-traditional mechanisms, such as biological techniques, to manage the security of evolving eBusiness networks and services. Towards this end, this paper investigates the use of an Artificial Immune System (AIS). The AIS emulates the mechanism of human immune systems that save human bodies from complex natural biological attacks. The paper discusses the use of AIS on one aspect of security management, viz. the detection of credit card fraud. The solution is illustrated with a case study on the management of frauds in credit card transactions, although this technique may be used in a range of security management applications in eBusiness.

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art created an Interactive Light Studio for pre-kindergarten students at The American Sign Language and English Lower School (P.S. 347) in New York City. Specific goals included designing a space for science exploration and creating ways for both deaf and hearing students to explore light and sound. Deaf and hearing impaired students, in particular, benefit from the design of a sound-to-light installation that uses microphones to provide visual feedback. Another installation includes a network of circuits, which imitate the interaction of fireflies when placed in various configurations by the children. The Interactive Light Studio promotes science to young children and engages a diverse student population in science and engineering. The project offers undergraduate engineering students an opportunity to improve their technical and professional skills and develop a broader appreciation of the role of engineers in bettering society.Copyright © 2011 by ASME

If bored in the shelter, there were buckets of water to watch. There were. Ripples that forecast fears, limbs to bandage. Or fantasies. That might be of use. Some tore the husbands’, fathers’ or brothers’ shirts. Strips of torn incongruence calling for belief. It was odd. To think of gravity underground, where names were wall-etched with candle smoke. As if ones never got out. Which exit. Whose breaths were communal.

Opinion statement Low testosterone levels are frequently observed among men with treated and untreated HIV infection. However, the interpretations of biochemical measurements of testicular function are challenging and need to be considered in the context of the clinical presentation and scenario. The distinction between primary and secondary hypogonadism and determination of the underlying clinical pathophysiology are not always straightforward. Early recognition of clinical hypogonadism and appropriate treatment may improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals. A principal aim of testosterone replacement is to maintain serum testosterone concentrations in the normal physiological range and should be considered in clinically symptomatic patients.

We have recently reported that CYB5D2 plays a role in suppression of cervical cancer tumorigenesis, “CYB5D2 displays tumor suppression activities towards cervical cancer” [1]. We provide the accompany data here describing the effects of CYB5D2 overexpression and addition of recombinant CYB5D2 on HeLa cell cycle distribution. Furthermore, we will present the conditions used to specifically determine CYB5D2 expression in primary cervical and cervical cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the patient cohort involved in assessing the CYB5D2 protein levels in primary cervical and cervical cancer tissues.