West Khandesh region of Maharashtra was targeted areas for ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by tribes in the management of liver diseases and simultaneously documentation was made on information. Field of area is densely occupied by various tribes communities like Pawara, Kokani, Bhils, Mavach, Vasave etc. Ethnobotanical survey was carried out after interviewed numbers of different age group traditional healers. It is cleared that, they have huge knowledge of medicinal plants, number of plants, method of preparations and their vernacular names as well as local names, for management of liver diseases. Tribals are strongly believed and have a strong faith on the treatment of medicinal plants by traditional healers. Traditional healers have been diagnosing and treating their patient in number of ways like skin color of patient, voice and tongue condition, herbal medicines are given in different forms to patient. Thirty numbers of plants belong to Rubiaceae, Mimosaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Acanthaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Convolvulaceae families are used by traditional healers in the management of liver disorders.


Evidence of China's food loss and waste (FLW) and its increasing impacts on food security and environmental sustainability is urgently needed to guide policy intervention and avoid unnecessary damage to human health and the environment. This paper estimates the scale of China's FLW in 2019 and assesses the environmental impacts of major food types along the entire food supply chain (FSC) by using a food balance and material flow analysis (MFA) based on existing empirical research. The results show a total FLW of 422.56 Mt which is around 22.37% of total food production (1889.12 Mt). There are also serious environmental impacts on the land footprint (LF), water footprint (WF), and the carbon footprint (CF) estimation (4152.36 × 109 gm2, 613.84 × 106 t CO2e and 506.07 × 109 m3 on average, respectively), most of which are found in foods of animal products, cereals, vegetables and fruit at the stages of consumption, agricultural production, postharvest handling and storage. In addition, the root causes of FLW generation at different levels—micro, meso and macro—were also analyzed. These results will provide significant guidance to researchers and decision-makers on primary data collection and reduction-policy development for China's FLW.


Purpose - The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk-return of China's corporate annuity portfolio. In addition, it aims to enhance the quality of corporate annuity principals to strengthen corporate annuity control and risk-return evaluation by setting performance benchmarks to evaluate the investment portfolio mechanism of the investment manager.
Design/Methodology/Approach - This study combines modern portfolio theory, financial regulation theory, and risk management theory to analyze the risk-return of corporate annuity portfolios of Qiming Venture Partners. The three analysis methods, VaR, Mean-Variance, and Sharp, were used to establish a risk-return analysis mechanism for the portfolio of corporate annuities and securities.
Findings - The results of the study show that the risk-return prediction evaluation model is useful for the preinvestment and post-investment risk-return evaluation of annuity portfolios, and for companies to evaluate the effectiveness of investment manager portfolios.
Research Implications - Corporate annuities need to be cautious in launching new products. They should prioritize the allocation of equity assets with more mature portfolios, and relax country-specific allocation limits. The number of investment portfolios should be increased, the types of asset allocation portfolios should be enriched, and the risk regulation system should be actively applied.


This article examines the story of the unnamed woman in Matt 26:6–13 through the lens of womanist theology and Black liberation theology. By encountering the text through the experiences of Black women, womanist theology dismantles patriarchy, unmutes the woman's voice, liberates her, and redefines an epistemology that is healing, restorative, and transformative. Readers are invited to explore how her sass and womanish behavior were critical in her ministry of anointing and preparing Jesus for his impending burial. Jesus endorses and acts as a co-liberator in the woman's freedom, declaring that her story would forever be remembered and retold.


ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to investigate how energy storage systems should be used to improve the load factor of a residential power grid, thus equalizing the hourly power consumption of these grids, which will help to mitigate power supply difficulties during load peaks. There are two methods represented in this paper. First, the schedule optimization method using continuous quadratic programming to solve each point in time for optimal objects according to forecast load. Second, the "peak-clipping" method proposed in this paper is much simpler, as it does not require load predictions and simply corrects the predicted cutoff lines based on the errors of each run. As a result, the schedule optimization method could theoretically improve this load factor up by to 65.7%, but it was only increased by 50.4% actually in real-time. The peak-clipping method could theoretically improve load factor up to 64.5%, and the simulation indicates that load factor improved by 56.7%. It is shown that the peak-clipping scheme is relatively simple and highly effective, which makes it straightforward to implement in various control devices or system platforms.


Detailed sedimentary and tectonic analysis of a reservoir requires the comparison and analysis of numerous data sets of differing source and scale. Core analysis, when available, is of prime importance in defining the sedimentary structures, facies and understanding of depositional environments within the reservoir. Borehole images are vital for defining the orientation of bedding, structures and fractures. Through two case studies, this paper describes a technique for much improved accuracy in the correlation and orientation of core features using wellbore images. This data can include full circumference core images, core sedimentological analysis, standard core photos, high resolution borehole images, petrophysical formation evaluations and well test data. With this complete analysis, a detailed stratigaphic model of the reservoir is easily produced to improve the understanding of the relationships between porosity, permeability and hydrocarbon saturation, to sedimentary and diagenetic features. The first case study is a carbonate reservoir in which porosity results from both primary and diagenetic processes. The main productive layers are strongly heterogeneous and alternate between porous networks, with better oil saturation and tight ones containing calcite nodules. The porosity is ascribed to the top of each shallowing-up sedimentary cycle of a sequence in which vadose, solution leaching has occurred.more » The permeability barriers correspond to stylolites or cementation at the base of the individual cycles. The second case study, from the Brent reservoir in the North Sea is a cross-bedded sandstone reservoir with structurally developed fracturing. For the geometry of the sand-bodies, reliable and detailed sedimentary dips are obtained from both sets of data. The classical description of sedimentary features in core is complemented by their orientation from the borehole images, and leads to a better definition of geometry and potential extent of the sandbodies.« less


In the test of underwater vehicle, obtaining all kinds of effective information of underwater vehicle in time and accurately is of great significance to the evaluation of test results. This paper presents a design of underwater physical field signal acquisition system, analyzes the requirements of the system, gives the overall framework, and introduces the implementation details of the system from the aspects of software structure and configuration files.


BACKGROUND
Waiting time for a kidney transplant is calculated from the date the patient is placed on the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) waitlist to the date the patient undergoes transplant. Time from transplant evaluation to listing represents unaccounted waiting time, potentially resulting in longer dialysis exposure for some patients with prolonged evaluation times. There are established disparities demonstrating that groups of patients take longer to be placed on the waitlist and thus have less access to kidney transplant.

STUDY DESIGN
Quality improvement report.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
905 patients from a university-based hospital were evaluated for kidney transplant candidacy, and analysis was performed from July 1, 2004, to January 31, 2010.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN
A 1-day centralized work-up was implemented on July 1, 2007, whereby the transplant center coordinated the necessary tests needed to fulfill minimal listing criteria.

OUTCOME
Time from evaluation to UNOS listing was compared between the 2 cohorts. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were created to assess the relative hazards of waitlist placement comparing 1-day versus conventional work-up and were adjusted for age, sex, race, and education.

RESULTS
Of 905 patients analyzed, 378 underwent conventional evaluation and 527 underwent a 1-day center-coordinated evaluation. Median time to listing in the 1-day center-coordinated evaluation compared with conventional was significantly less (46 vs 226 days, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis controlling for age, sex, and education level, the 1-day in-center group was 3 times more likely to place patients on the wait list (adjusted HR, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.64-3.59). Listing time was significantly decreased across race, sex, education, and ethnicity.

LIMITATIONS
Single center, retrospective. Variables that may influence transplant practitioners, such as comorbid conditions or functional status, were not assessed.

CONCLUSIONS
A 1-day center-coordinated pretransplant work-up model significantly decreased time to listing for kidney transplant.


Inhibitors of rat and human Alphaand Mu-class glutathione S-transferases that effectively inhibit the glutathione (GSH) conjugation of bromosulphophthalein in the rat liver cytosolic fraction, isolated rat hepatocytes and in the rat liver in vivo have been developed. The GSH analogue (R)-5Carboxy-2-y-(S)-glutamylamino-N hexylpentamide [Adang, Brussee, van der Gen and Mulder J Biol Chem 1991; 266: 830-836] was used as the lead compound. To obtain more potent inhibitors, it was modified by replacement of the N-hexyl moiety by N-2-heptyl and by esterification of the 5-carboxy group with ethyl and dodecyl groups. In isolated hepatocytes, the branched N-2-heptyl derivatives were stronger inhibitors of GSH conjugation of bromosulphophthalein than the N-hexyl derivatives. The ethyl ester compounds were more efficient than the corresponding unesterified derivatives. The dodecyl ester of the N-2-heptyl analogue was the most effective inhibitor in isolated hepatocytes, but was relatively toxic in vivo. However, the corresponding ethyl ester was a potent in vivo inhibitor: GSH conjugation of bromosulphophthalein (as assessed by biliary excretion of the conjugate) was decreased by 70% after administration of a dose of 200 pmol kg-1. The isoenzyme specificity of the inhibitors towards purified rat and human glutathione S-transferases was also examined. The unesterified compounds were more potent than the esterified analogues, and inhibited Alphaand Muclass isoenzymes of both rat and human glutathione S-transferase (K1 range 1-40 ~M). Other GSH-dependent enzymes, ie GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase and y -glutamyltranspeptidase, were not inhibited. Thus (R)-5-ethyloxycarbonyl-2-y-(S)-gluamylaminoN-2-heptylpentamide, the in vivo inhibitor of GSH conjugation, may be useful in helping to assess the role of the Alpha and Mu classes of glutathione Stransferases in cellular biochemistry, physiology and pathology.


The work made in this thesis consists of the use of index PCI (Present Condition Index), very used in several countries of Latin America. For the valuation of the state of the pavement of the Route of North Evitamiento the method of the index of condition of pavement was used; this index takes values that oscillate between 0 (for the failed condition of) up to 100 (been excellent). In order to arrive at him a detailed visual inspection in all the surface of the pavement was carried out and its elements of the drainage and the limited existing information coming from the executed road project was compiled, the file of the highway and the traffic that asks for it.
The section in study consists of two tracks which they cause wide of circulation of 6,10 ms in a length of 2400 m.s Su total surface of 14640 ms 2 subdivided in units of analyses or inspection (that also can be called test units) of 37,5 ms of length and 228,75 ms 2 . Of area each one. This magnitude is within the recommendations of the procedure PCI that suggests units between the 232 ± 93 ms 2 .This way the section will be formed by 64 units of test, those that were all identified in the land by means of their limits and a number.
The thesis has been divided in 7 chapters. In first the Problematic Reality treats. That the great problem is the accelerated growth of the vehicle park, Justification. That it is important because therefore will be able to be marked the problem and to be found possible solutions to the improvement and prevention, finally the Objectives. That it was to make the analysis of the state of conservation of the pavement. In the second chapter the theoretical frame has been developed, where it defines the concept of pavement, its classification and the procedure of the method: the sampling of units, the calculation of the PCI, the criteria of inspection, etc. The third chapter has been formulated the hypothesis. That he was the following one. And l been of conservation of the flexible pavement of the Route of North Evitamiento, using the method index of condition of the pavement, is to regulate.
The fourth chapter appears the product of professional application. The fifth chapter has described Material and methods. The sixth chapter appears results, the zone of study is described and it details to the made procedure of inspection as well as the leaves of registry, with the respective calculation of the index of condition of pavement for each unit of analyzed sample.
In the seventh chapter the Discussion appears that deals with the most common faults that they affect to the flexible urban pavements like pockets, longitudinal skin of crocodile and fissures and cross-sectional those that were most representative in all the section.
One concludes that the Route of North Evitamiento has a pavement of regular state, with a weighed PCI equal to 49.


What is the difference between biomarker and pharmacogenomic (PGx) research? How is this research conducted and what value does it have for patient care? These are just some of the questions that institutional review board and independent ethics committee (IRB/IEC) members may ask themselves when encountering PGx or biomarker research in a clinical protocol. This article summarizes findings from an Industry Pharmacogenomics Working Group survey of IRB/IEC members on related topics.


New Interfaces for Musical Expression must speak to the nature of 'instrument', that is, it must always be understood that the interface binds to a complex musical phenomenon. This paper explores the nature of engagement, the point of performance that occurs when a human being engages with a computer based instrument. It asks questions about the nature of the instrument in computer music and offers some conceptual models for the mapping of gesture to sonic outcomes.


We show that for narrow band‐gap semiconductors, the doping concentration deduced from capacitance‐voltage measurements can be substantially underestimated due to surface quantization effect. While our derivation can be applied to all materials, detailed accounts on p‐type Hg0.788Cd0.212Te are given as an example. We found that for a practical doping range, 1×1015 cm−3 to 1×1017 cm−3, the doping level can be underestimated by 53% to 173%, respectively.


The ability to reproduce and assess the content of the text and its argumentation is the most important competence in any profession. Medical students' systematic approach to information analysis based on evidence-based medical principles can be already developed at the beginning of the study process in the theoretical courses. The goal of this research is to analyse the effectiveness of a didactic model that is based on critical thinking principles and includes a wide range of approaches to working with information. Learning by memorization has become dominant for medical students in Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). The goal of the chemistry course is to shift the emphasis from fact memorization to knowledge construction, thus significantly changing students' analytic abilities. The chemistry course not only creates the conditions for understanding content but also improves skills in various methods of acquiring knowledge. When new knowledge is being constructed students learn methods for organizing and structuring information and each student has an opportunity to choose the appropriate amount of information and participation level. Study material is being analyzed sequentially from the simplest to the most complex i.e. by starting with elementary calculations and moving to integrate information from different disciplines. Didactic model based on critical thinking principles underpins "logical steps" and requirements (fact recognition, analysis, and interpretation, recognition of fallacies and concepts, the perfection of reasoning algorithms, interdisciplinary connections) orient students to critically evaluate information while searching for problem solutions. The results obtained in student surveys and final tests prove that the created model, which is based on critical thinking principles, ensures successful mastering of the chemistry course to students with any level of prior knowledge.


The purpose of the study was to establish the strategic responses which have been employed by insurance Agents in Kisumu to cope with the adoption of Banc assurance. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: (i) to establish the strategic responses which have been employed by insurance Agents in Kisumu to cope with the adoption of Banc assurance in Kisumu; and (ii) to identify the challenges faced by the Agents in implementing the strategic responses to Banc assurance. A descriptive survey was undertaken. The population of this study was all insurance agents in Kisumu quoted at the Insurance Regulatory Authority directory as at 30 th June, 2011. This is a total of 42 General Insurance Agencies. A census of all these organizations was conducted and they were interviewed. Primary data was collected from the Chief Executive Officers and senior managers of the insurance agencies with the aid of semi-structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, which includes measures of central tendency, measures of variability and measures of frequency among others. Findings of the study indicate that the strategic responses which have been employed by insurance Agents in Kisumu to cope with the adoption of Banc assurance include the following: Acceptance of the changes occasioned by adoption of Banc assurance and doing nothing about it; transfer; avoid; and reduce. Others are: analysis of the institutions and its clients; mergers, amalgamations and acquisitions; insurance intermediaries; continuous investment in new equipment and system upgrade; continuous capacity building of staff; clients education on dealing with insurance agents; networking and collaboration with other insurance agents; investment in marketing activities; and development of new markets On the basis of the findings of study, the insurance agents need to continuously scan the environment in order to identify and address all challenges posed by changes in the environment. In addition, the agents need to put in place strategic plans and strictly adhere to them.


The development of mechatronic products is complex because it deals with the interaction between different domains. In a literature review, the absence of a method capable of integrating the functional view of a mechatronic product into a single model was observed. This article aims to develop a functional modeling method to aid the conceptual design of mechatronic products. The proposed procedure describes the phases and steps required to create functional models and use cases for the different mechatronics knowledge domains and to combine them into a single functional model. The use of the proposed method is demonstrated through its application in the development of an air compressor. The method is then evaluated by experts and tested in the development of an autonomous vehicle for railway inspection, demonstrating its feasibility and the presentation of functional information in a single diagram. Factors such as effectiveness, usability and repeatability were also verified, and an efficient presentation of the function model was observed, allowing to view the relations between the mechanics, electronics and software domains in a unified diagram. The great benefit of the proposed method lies is in the possibility of also using functional models in the context of mechatronic product design.


Image Retrieval Systems is a useful method for pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. There are three methods used for image retrieval: such as Content based image retrieval, Text based image retrieval system and Semantic based image retrieval. In content based image retrieval system, images are stored by visual content, such as Texture, Shape, Layout and Color. Color, Texture, Shape and Layout are the primitive methods which are used in content based image retrieval system. In this paper presents a methodology which compares the images with the database using different types of parameters and gives the resulted image which is closely matched with the query image. For being this purpose using a five parameters for analysis image such as Entropy, Correlation, Standard Deviation, Contrast and Local Range. Histogram Values are used to extract the color properties of an image. The Combine feature of color and texture of images providing a robust feature for image retrieval. It achieves a experimental results which give the elapsed time for searching the image.


Sliding frictional behavior on the surface of novel nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels), composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and exfoliated clay, was investigated and compared with that of conventional chemically-crosslinked hydrogels (OR gels). Since OR gels are so weak, the sliding test, in general, could not be carried out on their surfaces except when wet. On the contrary, NC gels can withstand sliding friction under high loading and it was found that the frictional forces are sensitive to the environmental surroundings (wet or in-air), the gel composition (water, clay contents), and loading. In air, NC gels exhibit a characteristic force profile with a maximum static frictional force (max-SFF) and subsequent constant dynamic frictional force. In contrast, NC gels exhibit very low frictional forces under wet conditions. The change in frictional force with surroundings was very distinctive for NC gels, particularly for those with low clay contents. Max-SFF fo rNC1 gel decreased more than 100-fold by changing the environment from in-air to wet. The characteristic sliding frictional behaviors are explained on the basis of a unique organic/inorganic network structure of NC gels.


In this paper, we present piezoelectric co-doped (Mg,Hf)xAl1-xN thin films, where the dopant concentration x is in the range of 0-0.13. The (Mg,Hf)xAl1-xN thin films were prepared on Si (100) substrates with a dual magnetron with AC power applied between two ring targets. The compositions of the targets were pure Al and Al-Mg-Hf metals. The composition of the films was controlled by adjusting a DC bias power between the two ring targets. The crystal structures and piezoelectric coefficients d33 of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and with a piezometer. XRD measurement showed that the increases of concentration x did not affect the c-axis orientation of AlN and induced a decrease of lattice constant ratio c/a. The d33 of the (Mg,Hf)xAl1-xN thin films increases as the concentration x increases. The d33 of the (Mg,Hf)xAl1-xN and our previously reported (Mg,Zr)xAl1-xN have the same linear relationship in respect to the change of the c/a. Furthermore, the film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) using these films were fabricated and characterized as a function of the concentration x. The electromechanical coupling coefficients k2 of fabricated FBARs increased in proportion to the concentration x. These improved k2 are the direct consequence of the increased piezoelectric constant e33 in conjunction with the decreased elastic constant C33. These behaviors of the (Mg,Hf)xAl1-xN are consistent with those of ScxAl1-xN, indicating that the Mg-Hf co-doping and Sc doping have the same effect as improving of the piezoelectric properties and k2 of AlN.


This paper examines the approaches to information technology (IT) education at three universities in Afghanistan. If the world truly is flat, the approaches to IT education at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan, American University in Kabul, and Kabul University would be similar to what you might find in the United States and other developed nations. Connectivity would allow rapid access to a shared repository of information. Students could access that shared repository and become sufficiently informed to contribute in the fields of information technology. While cultural differences would exist, the underlying universal truths embodied in IT education would remain the same and likewise be shared. The best in the world would compete and prosper in information technology. Unfortunately, this utopian view does not exist in developing nations posing the question of what are effective pedagogical approaches to IT education in developing nations. This paper provides an Afghan perspective.


A method and apparatus for applying iontophoretic treatment to a living body is provided by which a unidirectional treatment current is periodically interrupted by a relatively short pulse of current in the opposite direction in order to prevent the formation of undesirable vesicles and bulla in the skin being treated. The apparatus and method are arranged to impose the treatment current gradually at the beginning of each treatment.


Objective: To study the effect of impulsion treating lupus nephritis(LN) with cytoxan(CTX).Method:All the patients were divided into three groups randomly.6~8g cytoxan were intravenous injection with 0.2g one time for another day in group A.Less than 150mg/kg cytoxan were intravenously guttae with 8~12mg/kg once for two weeks in group B.After 6 months to 1 year with 0.8~1.0g/time once for four weeks in group C and then change the therapy accordingly.Result:There's high cure rate of impulsion treating lupus nephritis with cytoxan.And there's no difference of side reaction between four weeks and once for another day.The recurrence rate in impulsion treating group are lower than that of comparing group.Conclusion:To prevent the recurrence of LN and protect the renal function with CTX once for four weeks no less than 2 years.And the best period in treating LN is in 3~6 months with CTX.


Product reviews are important information sources for consumers as they make their purchasing decisions. However, some unethical firms hire fake reviewers to generate biased positive reviews to promote their product and to damage the product reputations of their competitors. From the point of view of online product review platform providers, it is essential to keep the platform neutral and unbiased by detecting fake reviews and preventing fake reviewers from spreading biased reviews. In the current study, we attempt to use temporal and sentiment analyses as cues to separate fake reviews from authentic product reviews. Real case data of fake reviews in Taiwan was used for this temporal and sentiment analysis. Based on the analysis results, we find that fake reviewers usually generated and replied to fake reviewers during normal work hours. In contrast, ordinary users only generated and replied to a small proportion of normal product reviews during work hours. They generated and replied to normal product reviews the most during off-work hours and weekends. Additionally, the current study also revealed that more than half of fake reviewers replied others' responses to their own fake reviews no later than within one day. The research results revealed that temporal and sentiment analyses have the potential to serve as cues to detect fake reviews and fake reviewers.


Southwest Educational Development Laboratory By Ed Tobia In a class I teach for prospective administrators, a student shared the story of one school where the principal announced that this year they were "doing" professional learning communities (PLCs). The principal gave everyone a book to read about effective instruction, told teachers when they were to meet, and let them self-organize to implement the book's ideas. This example is not unusual. For some schools, the term "professional learning community" means getting groups of teachers together to talk about instruction, with little guidance about what they actually do or how to move from talking together to implementing changes in practice. Guidance does exist but is too often seen as a way to get a group started through reading a book or hosting a workshop; professional learning resulting in application is minimal (Hord, 2004). In Moving NSDC's Staff Development Standards into Practice: Innovation Configurations, Roy and Hord (2003) provide an in-depth guide for designing and delivering quality professional learning opportunities. The authors discuss an underlying premise of the NSDC standards: "the day-to-day professional conversations focused on instructional issues . . ." form the basis for powerful professional development. Additionally, the terms "collaboration" and "collaborative" can be found in the description of almost every standard. While this book provides many clues on what collaborative professional conversations about teaching and learning look like in practice, what teachers actually do when they come together to design lessons or talk about student progress varies greatly. Some teacher teams discuss books, some research ways to teach particular concepts, and The Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle: Implementing a Standards-Based Approach to Professional Development


Previous research studies have proposed a variety of refactoring support techniques for duplicate code. They identify duplicate code as refactoring candidates and suggest how to refactor them by analyzing the latest source code. However, they often identify duplicate code that are not suited for refactoring. In this paper, we propose a new technique to identify duplicate code that should be refactored. The proposed method considers the past modification record of duplicate code by analyzing the software repository of the target system. We have conducted a small experiment on an open source system and confirmed that most of the identified duplicate code were appropriate for refactoring.


This paper presents an application of adaptive control to a commonly used thermal process. The studied process is hot water production for domestic use. Modelling leads to a nonlinear third order model with variable dynamics. The results obtained with a two input two outputs fuzzy controller are presented. To improve performance, an adaptive fuzzy controller, based on fuzzy estimation of water flow, is designed.<<ETX>>


A new withanolide as a topoisomerase II inhibitor, withangulatin A was isolated from the whole herb of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae). The structure of withangulatin A was established as (20S, 22R)-15α-acetoxy-5β,6β-epoxy-4β,14α-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,16,24-trienolide on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence


AURICLE IN VIEW of the development of the auricle, it is easily understood that one may find a great variability in the external configuration, particularly of the complicated relief of the auricle. These variations, however, are generally minute and may frequently be considered as physiological rather than pathological variations. Anomalies in the Position of the Auricle. —With the head in an erect position, the external opening of the external auditory meatus is situated at the level of the upper margin of the ala nasi (Langer). Some old authors, and recently Desfosses, have concluded from the representation in works of art such as statues and paintings that in the ancient Egyptians the auricle had a particularly high location on the head. This assumption, however, has already been refuted by Langer. Examination of the heads of mummies shows that the auricle in ancient Egyptians had exactly the same location as it has


Biological Theories of Aging Aging rate is the result of genomic and stochastic factors interactions. If organic capacity to face the insults of stochastic factors is insufficient, cell imbalance should income leading to increase susceptibility to accumulate damage, which is patent on cell, tissue and organic aging phenomenon. To understand this phenomenon it's necessary to recognize the specific biologic mechanisms that underlie these imbalances, and that lead to the progressive age-related deterioration in function, causing an increase in susceptibility to disease, and thereby enhancing the risk of death. Related interest on this problem encourages the development of several biologic theories of aging, some of them supported on genetic factors, and the others focused on the stochastic mechanisms. Some of the most popular biological theories of aging will be reviewed in this paper.


Development of information technology has a positive impact on improving the economy, one of which is transactions via the internet where a person can make a sale and purchase agreement without having to meet face to face considering the very long distance between the two parties. The role of the Notary is demanded to be able to participate in the development of technology and information, because in an electronic transaction it is very possible for the intervention of a Notary as a trusted third party in conventional transactions. Draft Cyber Notary wants to provide a legal frame, namely that the act of facing the parties or facing before the Notary, which later the Notary will no longer have to meet physically (face to face) in a certain place. Legality of Notary-Based Deeds Cyber notary as an Act Authentic based on Law Number 2 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 30 of 2004 concerning the Position of Notary and positive law in Indonesia does not have perfect proof like an Authentic Deed, because the Notary Deed uses cyber notary it does not fulfill the Authenticity requirements of a Deed as stated in the provisions of Article 1868 of the Civil Code. In addition, Law Number 2 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number: 30 of 2004 concerning the Position of Notary Public and Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions also do not explicitly accommodate the implementation Cyber Notary to an Authentic Deed, so that the Deed made by a Notary uses Cyber Notary does not have the same evidential force as the Authentic Act. Notary Act by using cyber notary not recognized as electronic evidence. This is because there is a prohibition in the provisions of Article 5 paragraph (4) of Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions.


PURPOSE
To evaluate the use of image based metrics in the study of renal vascular development in offspring from low protein fed pregnant rats.

METHODS
Using a custom, self made micro CT imaging system, we imaged two groups of rat kidneys. The control group consisted of eight one year old Wistar rat offspring exposed to normal maternal rat diet during pregnancy. The second group, of the same breed and age, were eight offspring of a low protein maternal diet during pregnancy. Both groups were euthanized and a warm barium sulfate gelatin suspension was pressure infused into the arterial circulation, creating radio opacity for identification of the arterial vasculature. Approximately one hour after administration, the kidneys were harvested, placed in formalin, then stored at 4°C. Each kidney was imaged using our micro CT machine set from 47 to 55 kVp and 40 to 60 Watts.

RESULTS
Clearly the renal vasculature development differed greatly between the two groups. In particular, the protein deficient group developed segmental renal arteries with larger diameters. There was also a minimal difference in the percentage of arteries to tissue volume for the two groups. After examining the 3D reconstructions, we set gray level threshold values for vasculature and for tissue. We then determined the corresponding volumes and volume ratio using LabView. Utilizing the projection images, we also measured the diameter of three vessels near the hilum of the kidney, segmental arteries. On average, the control group and protein deficient artery diameters were 375.71±49.10 516.33±52.58 μm, respectively. A comparison of histograms of the vessel diameters demonstrated a minimally overlapping classification of the two groups of animals.

CONCLUSION
Using our custom made Micro CT scanner images, we were able to quantify the physiological effect of a maternal protein deficient diet on the developmental morphology of the offspring kidney vasculature. Support: NIH Grant 2R01EB002873.


We numerically study the long-term evolution of the accretion disc around the neutron star in a coplanar Be/X-ray binary with a short period and a moderate eccentricity. From three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations, we find that the disc evolves through three distinct phases, each characterized by different mass-accretion patterns. In the first 'developing phase', the disc is formed and develops towards a nearly Keplerian disc. It has a relatively large, double-peaked mass accretion rate with the higher peak caused by the direct accretion at periastron, which is followed by the lower peak that is caused by the accretion induced by a one-armed spiral wave. In the second 'transition phase', the disc is approximately Keplerian and grows with time. The mass-accretion rate increases as the disc grows. In the second phase, there is a transition in the mass-accretion rate from a double-peaked to a single-peaked pattern. In the final quasi-steady state, the mass-accretion rate is on average balanced with the mass-transfer rate from the Be disc and exhibits a regular orbital modulation. In the quasi-steady state, the mass accretion rate has a single peak that is caused by the wave-induced accretion as in a later stage of the transition phase. The orbital modulation of X-ray maxima could provide not only circumstantial evidence for the persistent disc but also an observational diagnosis of the disc evolutionary state.


Clutch size and the number of young, 8 d old, were determined for 23 individually ringed females of the Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus in a study plot in the subalpine birch forest (550 m a.s.l.) at Ammarndis (660N), Swedish Lapland. Predation caused loss of nests and eggs for 17 of the females. Eleven of them laid a replacement clutch. Two of the latter laid a second replacement clutch after a second exposure of predation. Size of first clutches was 6.4 eggs compared with 5.2 eggs of replacement clutches. The average production of young was 1.3 in first clutches compared with 2.6 with both first and replacement clutches included. The study shows that the Willow Warbler is normally ready to replace lost clutches also at this high latitude and altitude, at least before hatching, delaying breeding up to two weeks. However, it is also shown, by argument, that the length of the breeding season does not allow two successful broods to be raised before the time of adult moult in late July and the decline of invertebrate food in August.


Reinforced-concrete infilled frames are composite structures whose behavior under horizontal loads is difficult to predict. The evaluation of the infill effect is very difficult because stiffness and strength are conditioned by complex phenomena of interaction occurring at the frame-infill interface. These phenomena depend on numerous variables like mechanical properties of infill (masonry and mortar characteristics) and of frame members, details of frame members, frame-infill stiffness ratio and even vertical load transferred from the frame to the infill. In order to solve this problem we tested the applicability of neural networks, trained on the compiled experimental database, for prediction of the seismic behavior of infilled frames. An experimental database includes data from laboratory tests carried out on one story, one bay r/c frames infilled with unreinforced masonry. The inputs of the neural networks are geometrical and material properties of the frame, infill and loading. Output variables are deformation capacity in terms of drift, shear strength and mode of failure of infilled frames. The obtained results could be used for quantitative prediction of infilled frame behavior expressed in terms of shear strength and deformation capacity which is of vital importance for performance based design of the new buildings and evaluation of the existing ones.


A hybrid approach concerning the calibration and evaluation of a loop antenna suitable for dipole and quadrupole identification is presented. The main aspects concerning the mutual influence of the loops are considered and emphasized, in particular, when the complete measurement setup is utilized. Analytical and numerical methods are applied. The methods were validated by the available experimental and theoretical results, at the 60 kHz-180 kHz frequency range.


Adhesion inhibiting surgical obstacle. The surgical obstacle facing the wound containing enteric polymer polymer coating and comprises at least one flexible substrate, the at least one flexible substrate having at least one outer surface, the polymeric coating is applied to at least one flexible substrate to substantially cover at least one outer surface of the substrate. Methods of treating methods and gastric or duodenal perforation inhibiting adhesion formation in patients undergoing surgery are also described herein.


Based on the project profiles of the tunnel in Nanjing orbit traffic line 1 South Yan'an road to DenNing road,the article mainly process to blasting design to three arch sections on the top layer of artificial flowers which have 5 factory office and upper and lower cross-section of tunnel.The paper gives a reasonable measure of the earthquake prevention and construction program according to the provisions of blasting safety regulations,providing guidance to the future construction of similar projects.


Kyuchukova, R. (2020). Antibiotic residues and human health hazard – review. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26 (3), 664–668 Use of antimicrobials to food animals for treatment, prophylaxis and as growth promoter's results in deposition of their residues in animal products. Consumption of these residues through animal products may cause development of antimicrobial drug resistance, hypersensitivity reaction, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, bone marrow depression, and disruption of normal intestinal flora. Withdrawal periods and rules pertaining to antimicrobial residues should be strictly followed to make the animal products safe for human consumption. The present review aimed to show human health hazard after consuming food of animal origin with antibiotic residues.


This study applies econometric tools to examine the economies of scale of the water and sewage utilities corporation (utilities) in the urban sector in Israel, and to find whether reducing the number of utilities will maximize efficiency in the urban water sector. Using an econometric analysis of an elasticity Translog cost function, which allows the estimation of returns to scale, the authors examined the optimal size for water and sewage utilities in Israel, based on panel data of 51 utilities. According to the study9s results, there is a distinct advantage of economies of scale in Israel9s water utilities, and the current distribution of the urban water sector in Israel is characterized by inefficiency and high cost. The results indicate that reducing the number of utilities will achieve an increase in water quantities by utility, and the costs of water production will decline due to economies of scale.


The invention discloses an automatic pollutant discharging and dust removing device, relating to the technical field of dust removing devices. For the automatic pollutant discharging and dust removing device, a dust storage area is arranged at the tail end of the interior of a dust collector, a dust outlet is formed behind the dust storage area, the surface of the dust outlet is covered by a closing cover, a dust inlet pump pipe is mounted at one end of a sucking pump, a dust outlet pump pipe is mounted on the other end of the sucking pump, the sucking pump is connected with the dust outlet through the dust inlet pump pipe, one end of the dust outlet pump pipe is connected with the sucking pump, the other end of the dust outlet pump pipe extends into a garbage can, the closing cover is detachable, one end of the dust inlet pump pipe fixedly sleeves the dust outlet, and the other end of the dust inlet pump pipe is connected with the sucking pump. The automatic pollutant discharging and dust removing device has the beneficial effects that an automatic pollutant discharging device is additionally arranged on the dust storage area of the dust storage device, therefore, the manual pollutant discharging is not needed, thus the personal hygiene of an operator is guaranteed, and the problem that the dust is inhaled into the body so that the health is influenced is prevented; in addition, the use is convenient, the full-automatic operation is adopted, and moreover, the automatic pollutant discharging and dust removing device has the advantages that the structure is simple, the arrangement is reasonable, etc.


In modern conditions, the development of tourism is undergoing dramatic changes under the influence of a number of exogenous and endogenous factors. For tourists, those tourist areas are becoming more and more attractive, where full-fledged conditions for recreation in a unique natural environment have been created, considering the provision of comfortable stay. Thus, one of the directions of spatial organization of tourism is formation of tourist clusters. In this scientific work, the authors consider the issues of creating tourist clusters in ecotourism centers of Kazakhstan on the example of the Zerenda resort center.
The method of cartographic taxonomy was used as the main research tool, within which taxa were identified that could form the basis of a tourist cluster in a certain geographical environment. Territorial units were included in each taxon, covering territories of the area where tourist resources are located.
As a result of the study, sections of the resort area were identified, which can be covered by a tourist cluster. It is assumed that each section of the cluster has its own specific characteristics and can act as a dominant and serve as a point of attraction for tourists.
In general, given that the clustering process is a rather lengthy and complex process, the authors assume that the creation of tourist ecotourism clusters can not only increase the attractiveness of ecocenters, but also lead to the emergence of new types of recreation, including in the field of green tourism.


The three species, L. virgaurea (Lv) and L. sagitta (Ls) and L. przewalskii (Lp) , of Ligularia are poisonous weeds in eastern of Qing Zang plateau of China and Lv and Ls are encroaching upon the pasture seriously. This study focused on the regenerative strategies of these plants species from flower production to seed germination to identify possible weak points that might contribute to their control. Flowering rate was low in the three species and contacted with interspecies competition. In intense competition, flowering rate was lower and in low competition, it was relatively high. Light could promote germination. Lv had a wide range of germination temperatures (5~27 ℃). The optimum germination temperatures of Ls and Lp were 18/27 ℃ and 25/32 ℃ respectively, but Ls was slight light dependent. Lv and Ls produced a large mean number of flowers ( 1 065 and 1 491 per individual, respectively),but relatively few of these formed fruits and seeds( 13.2 and 12.4% , respectively).In decreasing importance, flowers were lost to predation( macroparasite, 6%~55%) and might lack of pollinator. In the subalpine grassland, these species adopted the strategy producing a large number of flowers to compensate for the loss. Lv and Ls reproduced asexually by underground rhizomes to recruit new individual into populations. In future, the poisonous weeds could be controlled by natural enemy (insect) and more reasonable grassland utilization prevent it from degeneration continuously.


This paper makes a deep analysis and explain on the characteristic of Mulanquan sport,integrating it with the development and function in society.Hope to give a reference and a use for the development of a harmonious human society and improvement of international sports exchange with the use of the Mulanquan `s mode.It comes from my longtime real experence of teaching 、training ang compitition.


OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on bone mineral density and bone metabolism indexes in patients with type 2 diabetes.METHODS 172 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into control group and rosiglitazone treated group(86 patients in each group).The patients in rosiglitazone treated group were treated with rosiglitazone(4 mg·d-1) for 3 months.Then bone mineral density,serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin were detected in the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS After treatment for 3 months,decreased levels of hip and lumbar spine BMD,serum bone-specic alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin were found in rosiglitazone treating group.However,there were no significant differences in the level of bone mineral density,serum bone-specic alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin between before and after treatment among the control group.CONCLUSION Rosiglitazone decreases bone mineral density among patients with type 2 diabetes via reducing the levels of serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin,then may leads to osteoporosis.


This paper derives a new formula for the price-earnings growth (PEG) ratio, utilizing the insight from Mario Farina's original equation and Peter Lynch's assertion that for a stock to be fairly-valued, the PEG and earnings growth rate has to be the same. After deriving the new formula, I demonstrate how the new formula connects with the existing formulas and P/E Ratio. The new formula allows for more flexibility on growth rate assumptions for both earnings and price, is more intuitive, is easier to implement, and can be used to make predictions about future price and earnings growth with current price and earnings. The new formula addresses some of the concerns regarding the usefulness of the PEG Ratio.


Since 1999 living-donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is one of the priorities in the work of our Center. More than 45% of kidney transplants performed annually are the LDKTs. Long-term outcomes of the fi rst 357 LDKTs demonstrate good 10-year patient and graft survival: 93,5% and 73,0%, respectively. In this group we identify the risk factors of poor graft survival: age of the recipient less than 18 years, duration of dialysis before transplantation more than 24 months and creatinine level at discharge more than 130 mmol/L. The next step was the introduction of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in clinical practice in 2009. In 2011 we start the AB0-incompatible LDKT (iAB0) program. Effective desensitization procedure and satisfactory results of iAB0 transplants (3-year patient and graft survival: 100% and 87.5%, respectively), as well as the availability of Luminex technology allowed us to start the clinical trials in patients with pre-existing high levels of anti-HLA antibodies. In this article we both analyze our current results, and focus on topical issues requiring further research.


420 Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering & Sciences Publication Retrieval Number: E10890275S419/19©BEIESP ABSTRACT--Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which body produces insufficient insulin or no insulin. As a result blood sugar levels in the body increases and causes severe complications in the long run. Medical decision support systems play a crucial role in identifying the diabetes in the early stages. This helps the doctors to provide better diagnostics to increase patient lifespan. In the literature there are many such decision support systems available. In this paper we are presenting the performance of such systems and this helps the researchers working in this field.


This paper focuses on radio resource allocation in OFDMA networks for maximizing the energy efficiency subject to the data rate requirements of users. We propose the energy-efficient water-filling structure to obtain the closed-form optimal energy-efficient power allocation for a given subcarrier assignment. Moreover, we establish a new sufficient condition for the optimal energy-efficient subcarrier assignment. Based on the theoretical analysis, we develop a joint energy-efficient resource allocation (JERA) algorithm to maximize the energy efficiency. Simulation results show that the JERA algorithm can yield optimal solution with significantly low computational complexity.


This article is based on the following three premises: (a) Change is an important attribute of contemporary society, (b) educational gerontology is especially sensitive to some changes, and (c) as a consequence, change in educational gerontology will occur between now and 2010. Five factors that will affect the nature of educational gerontology in 2010 are (a) the aging of the Baby Boomers, (b) rising educational achievement levels, (c) social trends, (d) economic trends, and (e) electronic advances. These factors will have consequences in at least three important educational gerontology areas: research into aging, instructional content, and instructional media. Each of the above factors and consequences is discussed and conclusions are offered. This research was supported by the Oklahoma Research Center for Continuing Professional and Higher Education, College of Education, University of Oklahoma.


It is significant that during the past half century deaths have been more and more concentrated in the older ages. In 1900 one fourth of all deaths in the United States occurred in patients aged 65 years and over. By 1950 this proportion had increased to more than one half. To some extent this increasing concentration of deaths in patients past mid life reflects the rise in the proportion of older persons in the population. Whereas the total population of the United States doubled during the past fifty years, the number of persons between ages 45 and 64 nearly tripled and the number at ages 65 and over quadrupled. In 1900 the aged accounted for 1 in every 25 of the population. At present this ratio is 1 in every 12. A major factor in bringing about these changes in the age at death has been the control of infectious diseases of childhood and early adult life. These include particularly the diarrheas and enteritis of children, diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough and the other contagious diseases so prone to occur in young patients. Tuberculosis, cardiovascular-renal diseases and heart disease of rheumatic and syphilitic origin are gradually coming under control in the younger age groups. These factors all lead toward the concentration of mortality in later life. It means that in the future the chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular conditions, and malignant neoplasms will become increasingly important as major factors in morbidity and mortality among our patients (1). The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company estimates (2), as of December 1953, that the death rate in the United States was 665.6 persons per 100,000 policy holders. Of this number, the death rate from cardiovascular-renal disease was 335.9, and that from malignant neoplasms 129.2. They further point out that whereas in 1910 malignant neoplasms caused 7 per cent of all deaths and were listed fifth as the principal cause of death in this country, in 1947 malignant neoplasms were causing 13 per cent of deaths and ranked next to heart disease as the principal cause of death (3). In studying the death rates for the various types of malignancy, again this same authority reports (4), and it is generally recognized, that among males under 75 years of age from 1950 to 1951 malignant neoplasms occurred most commonly in the digestive organs, particularly the stomach; the second in frequency were those of the respiratory system, particularly the lung and mediastinum; and the third most commonly occurring malignant neoplasms were found in the intestine and rectum. In females, cancer of the genital organs was the commonest cause of death, followed by cancer of the breast and again in third place, malignant neoplasms of the intestine and rectum.


The Tibetan Plateau is an essential area to study potential feedback effects of soils to climate change due to the rapid rise of air temperature in the past several decades as well as the large amounts of organic carbon (Corg) stored in soils, particularly in permafrost-affected areas. In order to predict the impact of environmental change on ecosystem functioning, it is of great importance to understand how Corg and soil nitrogen (N) stocks are controlled under changing climate conditions in extreme environments. We therefore investigated the main parameters influencing Corg and N at 47 sites along a 1,200 km transect across the high-altitude and low-latitude permafrost region of the central-eastern Tibetan Plateau. Sites with continuous or discontinuous permafrost as well as areas without or heavily degraded permafrost were studied for comparison of soil dynamics under various environmental settings. Due to the high number of samples and the large-scale transect concept, sophisticated statistical analyses showing significant relationships between pedological parameters as well as Corg and N contents were carried out.


The study examined the effects of natural disasters on agricultural practices by farmers in Kogi State. Four (4) research questions 1. Which of the following are the major forms of natural disasters common in Kogi State? 2. What are the causative agents of the common natural disasters in Kogi State? 3. What effects has natural disasters on agricultural practice by farmers and the general environment in Kogi State? 4. What are the measures to be taken to combat natural disasters in Kogi State? based on the four (4) specific objectives 1. Determine the major forms of natural disaster in Kogi State. 2. Determine the causative agents of natural disasters in Kogi State. 3. Examine the major effects of natural disasters on agricultural practice by farmers in Kogi State. 4. Determine the measures to be taken to ameliorate the incidence of natural disasters on agricultural practice by farmers in Kogi State. and one (1) hypothesis: There is no significant difference between the responses of male and female subjects on the effects of natural disaster on agricultural practices by farmers in Kogi State. guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Four hundred and twenty (420) which was made up of 315 males and 105 females were randomly sampled and used for the study from the twenty – one Local Government Areas that make up Kogi State which is the study area. A 41 – item questionnaire designed by the researcher and validated by experts was used for data collection. Personal observation and visitation to sites was also employed in gathering data for the study. The collected data was analyzed using frequency counts, mean, standard deviation and t-test statistics. The study revealed that flooding, wildfire hazard, overgrazing, disease outbreak and wind storms are major forms of natural disaster in Kogi State; Natural disasters arise from geological factors, destruction of natural barriers and climatic factors and natural disaster majorly affect agricultural practice and the environment. Community wide awareness and education programs on natural disasters through effective campaign strategies; priority need to be given to support research that has bearing with disasters; the period for dam evacuation should be shifted and the need for historical studies as a way of helping to inform the development of appropriate methodologies for the assessment of future disaster among others were proffered as useful recommendations for curbing natural disaster in the state.


COSPAS-SARSAT is the search and rescue system for providing a distress alarm and a positron identification using an international satellite system and ground facilities . Aviators , mariners and land users worldwide are equipped with COSPAS-SARSAT distress beacons , which could help save their lives in emergency situations anywhere in the world . As the existing COSPAS-SARSAT system is generally operated by LEO(Low-altitude Earth Orbit) Satellite System, the time from the distress beacon to the rescue is more than I hour with average and the accuracy of the distress location is about 5 Km. In order to overcome this drawback, the development for the next generation SAR(search and rescue) system which uses the MEO(Middle-altitude Earth Orbit) satellites is going on the Galileo project . EU is developing this project for the full operation capability in 20 II , and this project will have SAR payloads and support to the search and rescue service-herein called SAR/Ga lileo. SAR/Galileo will have the performance ofa few meter accuracy, within 10 minutes to rescue from reception of distress messages , and Return Link Service(from the SAR operator to the distress emitting beacon) , thereby facilitating more efficient rescue operations and helping to reduce the rate of false alerts . As the disaster is larger every year , the next generation SAR/Galileo ground system is urgently needed for the lifesaving. So, this research for deve loping the SAR/Galileo ground system including the SAR/Ga lileo beacon and the ground station is very time ly and is important. This paper presents the procedures and the strategies for the participation, the potentia l development field, and the propulsion organization for developing the SAR/Ga lileo ground system in Korea.


The starting ketones (I), (IX) or (XIV), which are known or prepared by various methods, undergo reaction with semicarbazone (II) and subsequent SeO2 (IV) treatment to give the selenadiazoles (VI), (XI), (XII) or (XVII).


An overview of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is given. It is placed in context of other surface analytical techniques. The SIMS technique is divided into static, dynamic, and imaging SIMS. The basic operations, assumptions, and variations are explained with examples from the scientific literature. Problems associated with interpreting the collected data and the ways in which the data is interpreted are given. The recommendations from ASTM and ISO in the use of SIMS and interpretation of the data are referenced.

Keywords:

secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS);
molecular imaging;
depth profiling;
materials characterisation;
elemental analysis;
molecular analysis


(AGEs), increased polyol pathway flux, activation of protein kinase C isoforms, and increased hexosamine pathway flux have been recognized as major factors in the pathogenesis of complications associated with diabetes. Enhanced formation and accumulation of AGEs, which are generally formed through Amadori-type compounds from proteins and reducing sugars, have been implicated as a major pathogenic process leading to diabetic complications, normal aging, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. The harmful effects of AGEs result from structural and functional alterations in plasma and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, in particular from cross-linking of proteins and interaction of AGEs with their receptors and/or binding proteins, which leads to enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species with subsequent activation of nuclear factor-kB and release of proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules. The polyol pathway focuses on the enzyme aldose reductase (AR; alditol/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP ) oxidoreductase, E.C.18.104.22.168), which reduces excess D-glucose to D-sorbitol using reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as a cofactor. The increased accumulation of sorbitol has been linked to cellular damage. AR has also been demonstrated to play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications such as cataract, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Thus AGEs and AR inhibitors can offer a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention of diabetic and other pathogenic complications. In our ongoing project directed toward the discovery of preventive agents against diabetic complications from herbal medicines, the seed of Cornus officinalis was chosen for detailed investigation, since its EtOAc-soluble fraction showed significant in vitro inhibitory effects against both AGE formation (IC50 value of 1.52 mg/ml) and rat lens AR (IC50 value of 3.28 mg/ml). The pericarp of C. officinalis SIEB. et ZUCC. (Corni Fructus, Cornaceae) is a well-known traditional medicine for its tonic, analgesic, and diuretic properties in Korea, Japan, and China. Corni Fructus has been shown to exert antidiabetic, antioxidative, and AGE-mediated renal injuryprotective effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The seeds of C. officinalis also exert antihyperglycemic effect in vivo. Recently, we have found that the seeds of C. officinalis exhibit much stronger inhibitory activity against AGE formation in vitro than its pericaps. In the present study, repeated chromatography of the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the seeds of C. officinalis, which exhibited excellent inhibitory activity in our preliminary study, led to the purification of six galloyl glucoses (1—6) as well as two phenolic acids (7, 8), and their structures were determined by spectroscopic data interpretation. All the isolates were evaluated for their potential to inhibit AGE formation and rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR). Compounds 1—6 were subjected to further bioassay to examine their inhibitory effects AGEs-bovine serum albumin (BSA) cross-linking. 1,2,3,6-Tetra-O-galloyl-b-D-glucose (3) was subjected to an ex vivo experiment. The biological evaluation of the isolates is described in this paper.


In the case of magnetocardiography (MCG), gradiometry is a commonly used method to reduce environmental noise. Here, the balance of the gradiometer is one of the main parameters determining the achievable noise reduction. In earlier work, we reported the use of frequency dependent gradiometer coefficients to effectively balance a gradiometer consisting of signal and reference sensors. In this work, the advantages of adaptive determination of these coefficients during a measurement without perturbing the MCG signal are investigated. MCG measurements were recorded with first and second order high temperature SQUID gradiometers inside and outside magnetic shielding. It will be shown that the heart signal is not distorted by applying our software noise reduction technique. Furthermore, by recalculation of gradiometer coefficients during the MCG measurement, an improved signal-to-noise ratio is achieved. The optimum repetition time for coefficient recalculation is determined.


In this chapter an Orthonormal Basis Functions (OBFs) model structure is proposed in the LPV context with advantageous properties in terms of estimation and realization. A solid system theoretic basis for the description of LPV systems in terms of these model structures is presented together with a general approach to LPV identification. Datadriven model structure selection is also discussed in this setting and the stochastic properties of the employed identification schemes are analyzed. The introduced approaches are demonstrated on an industrially relevant example.


By its Civil Decision n° 5.236 of 19th of November, 2009, the Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice (Inalta Curte de Casaţie si Justiţie) has rejected the second appeal (recurs) of the National…


This article shares the experience of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, a tertiary care teaching hospital, in implementing management by objectives (MBO) as a motivational, appraisal and effective management tool. Keeping up its position as one of the finest medical college teaching hospitals, the management had initiated the MBO concept in October 2003. The policy of the hospital was evolved through a brainstorming session with employees and with the help of extensive feedback from the prime customers, that is, patients and medical students. Extensive awareness programmes were held to drive down the policy to each and every employee. Top-level objectives were fixed to measure the achievement of the policy. The respective departments in consultation with the top management defined individual departmental objectives. Review of the levels of achievement and newer actions to achieve these objectives were done in various meetings held from time to time. Findings after nine months showed that there was a substantial improvement in the overall performance. This shows that performance is better when people had specific objectives than when they are simply asked to do their best. The degree of accomplishment of the objective is also used as an appraisal tool and it is linked to the incentives. Problems faced in the implementation of this policy are also discussed.


From LEC to LOIC: helping farmers take responsibility for pest management in their own cotton plots. The launch of cotton production in West and Central Africa has gone hand-in-hand with the provision of a technological package to farmers, including the insecticides required for crop protection on a calendar basis. To reduce the costs of crop protection, the national research services (IRAD), supported by CIRAD, have proposed a new approach to pest management, by introducing the threshold concept using 'targeted staggered control' (LEC). Although farmers in the cotton-producing areas of Cameroon have widely adopted this approach (nearly 80 000 ha), the conventional calendar-based programme has gradually replaced LEC. During the 2006 cotton season, an innovative approach to pest control, known as the "Sequential plan for individual decision" (SPID = LOIC), was proposed to farmers. This time, insecticide applications were applied only when the number of bollworm larvae observed exceeded a predefined action threshold. The first two campaigns, involving five and then 15 villages, demonstrated the value of this method in terms of treatment efficacy, seed-cotton yield, income and adoption by farmers. In 2008, a method aimed at disseminating the innovation on a larger scale was tested in 46 villages. It relied on the technical staff from SODECOTON who, after being trained by IRAD, provided, supervised and monitored training sessions for planters as monitoring officers and managers. The results, in terms of seed-cotton yield and income were similar to previous years. Users successfully learned the method through training sessions. However, changes to the management of inputs and spray equipment is required if this method is to be disseminated more widely.


The vertical structure of an industry plays very different roles in the context of predatory pricing than it does in the context of exclusive dealing. John Asker (Stern School of Business, NYU) & Shannon Seitz (Analysis Group, Inc.)


Schroeder and McGuirk [1998, hereafter SM] recently presented an analysis of a satellite-based precipitable water (W) dataset and concluded that a widespread drying of the tropical atmosphere occurred between two periods, 1979-87 and 1989-95. SM's conclusion isat odds with other published work on this topic. We note that the trends from other studies of radiosonde data that are consistent with their results are


Abstract : The National Drug Control Strategy has evolved over the past two decades to the point where a viable and feasible course of action has developed. The resulting strategy is focused primarily on demand reduction within the United States, combined with a secondary international effort to reduce the drug supply by concentrating on interdiction within the drug producing source countries. Recent counterdrug operations within the source countries have shown that interdiction efforts can have an impact on drug trafficking operations and that interruptions in the production and distribution systems in the source countries can lead to significant reductions in future coca leaf supply. Coordinated diplomatic and host country military efforts can further improve supply reduction operations in the source countries. Despite these actions, interdiction operations in the transit zones between the source countries and the United States are still required to hold the drug traffickers at risk throughout their production and distribution system. Continued interdiction operations will serve to assist in establishing an atmosphere within the United States that will support the focus of the overall demand reduction strategy. The drug 'war' will be won primarily through demand reduction but 'victory' will require a degree of perseverance significantly greater than that demonstrated to date.


This chapter covers developing a precision method of variable rate application (VRA) for application of cyanazine pre-emergence herbicide which eventuates to save considerable pre-emergence herbicide, reduces its adverse effects on the environment and agricultural products, and increases crop yield. For this purpose a digital management map is generated using the global positioning system (GPS). A field of about 6500 m2 is selected for the grid soil sampling. After that local and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates of the field are determined using total station surveying equipments and four static GPS receivers. Data processing is then accomplished using a personal computer equipped with surveying software. Some soil characteristics such as soil texture and soil organic matter content are also determined by soil sampling and analyzing the soil samples. Five interpolation methods are then used to determine the make-up at other points of the grid. By using Cross Validation method for evaluation of these interpolators and considering manufacture recommendations for cyanazine herbicide application based on soil texture and soil organic matter content, management zones with different herbicide application rates are determined and eventually a digital management map is generated. For implementation of the generated digital management map, a direct injection system is designed and constructed. This system is based on GPS data for positioning of sprayer, comparing the GPS data with digital management map data, measuring of speed, and finally injection of active ingredient inside carrier fluid using solenoid injectors proportionate to any management zone on the digital management map. Using the generated digital management map and equipments of VRA, optimized rate of required herbicide for the selected field is determined. Finally, total required herbicide with VRA is compared with uniform rate application for the entire selected field.


The present work evaluated the prevalence of malnutrition, overweight and obesity of a group of students at the grades 1st to 4th of elementary state schools in Araraquara -SP, from December 2003 to June 2004, representing a sample of 77.41% student's population from the state schools. 4802 students participated in the study. 2391 were boys (49.79%) and 2411 were girls (50.21%) aged from 6 to 17 years old. The anthropometric measures were performed in all schools. The evaluation of malnutrition was accomplished by the method Z score for the anthropometric indexes: Height- for- Age (HA), Weight-for-Age (WA) and Weight-for-Height (WH) and compared to the NCHS standard (CDC, 2000). The evaluation of the overweight and obesity prevalence was accomplished by the cut point method for BMI established by Cole et al.8 for sex and age. The results showed that for both boys and girls a prevalence of sever malnutrition (below - 3 SD) was 0.21% and 0.04% for HA, 0.21% and 0.17% for WA and 0% and 0.77% for WH. For moderate malnutrition (- 3 SD < Z = - 2 SD) the results were 1.63% and 1.62% for HA, 1.92% and 1.78% for WA and 2.37% and 0.77% for WH. For nutritional deficiency (- 2 SD < Z = - 1) was 14.05% and 11.32% for HA, 11.46% and 10.49% for WA and 6.63% and 15.77% for WH. The overweight prevalence for boys was 15.39% and for girls 18.29% while the obesity for boys was 8.41% and for girls 10.20%


In this paper we study the optimal state estimation problems for a class of linear discrete-time Markovian jump systems. We adopt maximum likelihood (ML) approach and stochastic variational calculus method to derive forms of dynamic estimators on the fixed time interval. The necessary condition for the solvability of the optimal state estimation problems are given by the coupled Riccati difference equations with initial conditions.


The salt content in the secondary dross obtained beside the recovered aluminium by the hot processing of the primary melting dross hinders further utilization of this material. Secondary dross samples obtained from the industrial hot processing of the primary dross generated by the melting of aluminium alloy scrap were leached with water at room temperature with different Liquid/Solid (L:S) ratios. Vessel filling (the relative volume occupied by the sludge) in the shaking bottles required further consideration in the interpretation of the results. Samples taken regularly within 15 minutes during vigorous shaking showed that NaCl and KCl can be dissolved almost instantly, and completely irrespective of the parameter settings. However, the fluoride additive (CaF2) has a complex behaviour. The results suggest its relation to some side reactions indicating also the conditions of the hot process producing the examined material. The results suggest that the salt content of the secondary aluminium dross can be lixiviated within a 2 – 4 minutes virtually completely, but the L:S ratio and the a vessel filling have to be coordinated. At the lowest L:S ratio examined of 1.0, a vessel filling of max. 11% should be observed to achieve this fast salt dissolution. The same dissolution rate can be reached with double the vessel filling (i.e. smaller unit) if the L:S is also increased in this ratio.


In this paper, we have examined the magnetohydrodynamic flow of a nanofluid past a radiating sheet. The Navier velocity slip, Newtonian heating and passively controlled wall boundary conditions are considered. The governing equations are reduced into similarity equations with the help of Lie group. A collocation method is used for simulation. The influence of emerging parameters on velocity, temperature, nanoparticle volumetric fraction profiles, as well as on local skin friction factor and local Nusselt number are illustrated in detail. It is found that the friction (heat transfer rate) is lower (higher) for passively controlled boundary conditions as compared to the case of an actively controlled boundary condition. The magnetic field decreases both the skin friction and the rate of heat transfer. The findings are validated with existing results and found an excellent agreement. The model explores new applications in solar collectors with direct solar radiative input using magnetic nanofluids.


A clear connection can be established between properties of nuclear matter and finite-nuclei observables, such as the correlation between the slope of the symmetry energy and dipole polarizability, or between compressibility and the isoscalar monopole giant resonance excitation energy. Establishing a connection between realistic atomic nuclei and an idealized infinite nuclear matter leads to a better understanding of underlying physical mechanisms that govern nuclear dynamics. In this work, we aim to study the dependence of the binding energies and related quantities (e.g. location of drip lines, the total number of bound even-even nuclei) on the symmetry energy $S_2(\rho)$. The properties of finite nuclei are calculated by employing the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (RHB) model, assuming even-even axial and reflection symmetric nuclei. Calculations are performed by employing two families of relativistic energy density functionals (EDFs), based on different effective Lagrangians, constrained to a specific symmetry energy at saturation density $J$ within the interval of $30$--$36$ MeV. Nuclear binding energies and related quantities of bound nuclei are calculated between $8 \leq Z \leq 104$ from the two-proton to the two-neutron drip line. As the neutron drip line is approached, the interactions with stiffer $J$ tend to predict more bound nuclei, resulting in a systematic shift of the two-neutron drip line towards more neutron-rich nuclei. Consequentially, a correlation between the number of bound nuclei $N_{nucl}$ and $S_2(\rho)$ is established for a set of functionals constrained using the similar optimization procedures. The direction of the relationship between the number of bound nuclei and symmetry energy highly depends on the density under consideration.


On 20 April 1532, an English gentleman and courtier, Sir William Pennington, was killed in a sword fight steps away from the royal palace of Westminster. For political reasons, the prosecution of Pennington's homicide likely suppressed the real context of the quarrel, resulting in a fictional alternative version of events on the official record of the court of King's Bench. This article examines closely the narratives contained in the King's Bench plea roll in order to consider larger questions about the nature of legal documents as historical evidence. Understanding how this legal narrative worked involves considering legal forms and expectations — the requirements of legal genres such as indictments — along with the particular exigencies of the political moment. Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */
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With electric power company and customers pay more attention to power quality problem include harmonic and transient voltage, the algorithm and the device of power quality monitor are both need to be improved. The paper presents a novel power quality on-line monitoring system based on DSP+ ARM. The functions of the monitoring system, the design of hardware system and software system, and the key techniques are described. The system can monitor the power quality index include voltage sag, voltage swell, and voltage interruption and so on, and record the curve data which exceed the stand. Then some anti-disturbing methods are summarized, finally a example is given. The novel power quality monitoring system will make power quality monitoring job become more portable, intelligent and networked.


With the rapid development of the real estate industry in China, urban air quality is inevitably affected. By using data of Chinese cities located in the Yangtze River Delta from 2009 to 2018, this paper is aim at examining the casual impact of house prices on air quality. By considering the endogenous problems, in this study, first, the birth rate of the previous six years and the area of state-owned land supply per capita in the previous year are taken as instrumental variables of house price. Second, the two-stage least squares method is used to assess the causal impact of house price on air quality. The findings of this study show that there is no significant relationship between urban house prices and air quality, and these results are obtained without considering the endogenous problem. While, after considering the endogenous problem, urban house prices showed a significant negative effect on overall air quality, especially for low administrative level cities. The increase in house prices has hindered the improvement of air quality mainly through the blind-scale expansion of real estate development investments and the inhibitory effect of innovation.


Dyssynchrony is a term that frequently marks a difference in timing between the ventricles of the heart, a condition that is usually related to multiple health problems that ultimately precipitate heart failure. The sustained difference in functionality produces a dramatic increase of the possibilities of an accident, although it does not assure that fatality will occur as a result. The state of dyssynchrony is then a state of constant danger or threat to life to which the body adapts, and that puts the body in a state of constant speculation. The experience of the insertion of performance practices in the urban spaces of Bogotá can be seen as analogous to this heart condition. The ecosystem on which performance is placed – or in which it takes place – is an adverse setting to attempt synchrony. As could be potentially claimed for every major city, Bogotá is a space for the encounter of heterogeneity in relation to cultures, economies and motivations. But in this specific case, the idea of disparity is drawn to suggest radical and unexpected manifestations. Forced displacement, uprooting and armed conflict throw people from rural areas into the urban space, where the presence of the war is mediated and disguised. Violence creates multiple abrupt interruptions in the fluidity of everyday life, repeatedly cut and set into motion at a different place. It is a constant brutal rebirth – trauma followed by the introduction to a new atmosphere – where the body and also the mind struggle to adapt. The migrant who arrives at Bogotá finds a post-apocalyptic time–space; a new setting 'appears' before their eyes after a catastrophic experience, presenting a world with unwanted and unexpected rules that require adaptation. In many of these cases, migrants that arrive in Bogotá are immediately inscribed in the dynamics of informal economies, a countercyclic manifestation in relation to the traditional economic life of the city that persists as a permanent practice. The ease of adaptation and accessibility offered by temporary jobs attracts people to informality as a solution that ultimately becomes permanent. Although recession sets conditions for the proliferation of such practices, an eventual recovery of the economy does not seem to revert the occupation dynamics fulfilled by parallel markets. On the contrary, informal work creates new dynamics in relation to the specific needs of the population at specific times. Among many effects, informal work redefines migrant workers' time–spaces within the new dynamics. Working, eating and domestic and leisure activities are incorporated to the times of informal work. To paraphrase Hito Steyerl, this kind of work does not represent a labour but an occupation, a complete form of life that denies the worker the possibility of experiencing the present as a full realization – that is, the transition to formal time–spaces and economies.1 Abnormality, in every sense, becomes permanent. As inhabitants of the street, informal workers represent a very significant part of the potential audiences of performance practices that artists develop in the public spaces of the city. The urban space becomes the permanent place for an anomaly, and anomaly is then naturalized through repetition. What do these conditions bring into the equation of performance in public spaces? How does the reception of the work take place? How do these layered times of everyday 1 Steyerl's disquisition on the transformation of labour into occupation is undertaken both in an essay published in E-flux Journal (2011). Dyssynchrony Time, spaces and 'manners' of performance practice in Bogotá, Colombia


Objective To approach the side effects of long term inhaled Turbinal in treating infant and young children with asthma.Methods 178 cases infant and young children with asthma were collected from the asthma out-patient and the pediatric in-patient. According to the state of the illness all the patients are divided into two groups,the first group totally 122 cases inhaled turbinal 100μg every day for 6-12 months,and the second group totally 56 cases inhaled turbinal 200μg every day for the same time,which blood glucose and blood pressure are detected regularity before and after inhaling glucocorticoid. 100 health children are selected to be control.Results Compare with those in the control group,the blood glucose and the blood pressure do not step up,the discrepancy has not significance in the treatment group after inhaling ICS.Conclusion Long term inhalation of turbinal has no effect on the blood glucose and the blood pressure in the infant and young children with asthma.


a socio-demographic questionnaire, an adaptation of the Checklist of Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities (WHO, 2007) and the WHOQOL-Bref (Canavarro et al., 2007). Results: The "Community and Health Services" domain obtained the highest satisfaction rates (44.5%) among the eight topics included in the Checklist. This domain had the highest correlation coeficient scores with General QoL (p < 0.01), Psychological QoL (p < 0.05) and Environment QoL (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The satisfaction with "Community and Health Services" lags a positive aspect of the city that can promote active ageing. However, it should be highlighted that additional improvements in this domain could translate into a further increase of Qol.


Reactive oxygen species induce the expression of detoxification and repair genes critical for life in an aerobic environment. Bacterial factors that sense reactive oxygen species use either thiol-disulfide exchange reactions (OxyR, RsrA) or redox labile 2Fe–2S clusters (SoxR). We demonstrate that the reduced form of Bacillus subtilis OhrR binds cooperatively to two adjacent inverted repeat sequences in the ohrA control region and thereby represses transcription. In the presence of organic hydroperoxides, OhrR is inactivated by the reversible oxidation of a single conserved cysteine residue to the corresponding cysteine-sulfenic acid, and perhaps to higher oxidation states.


The authors evaluated the environmental education program of the Golden Lion Tamarin Association in Brazil by comparing results of a 2001 survey with baseline data from 1986. Responses of 666 residents and results from 4 focus groups revealed an increase in public support for the tamarin and its habitat and an increase in general environmental knowledge. The evaluation identified gaps in knowledge about the biology and conservation status of the tamarin and gaps in women's participation in the education program.


Empirical evidence suggests that variations in climate affect the net primary productivity (NPP) across sandy areas over time. However, little is known about the relative impacts of climate change on NPP with global warming of 1.5 and 2.0 °C (GW_1.5 °C_2.0 °C) relative to pre-industrial levels. Here, we used a new set of climate simulations from four Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP 2b) datasets, modified the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford approach (CASA) model and assessed the spatio-temporal variation in NPP in sandy areas of northern China (SAONC). Compared with the reference period (RP, 1986–2005), the NPP variation under four emission scenarios showed clear rising trends and increased most significantly under RCP8.5 with an annual average increase of 2.34 g C/m2. The estimated annual NPP under global warming of 1.5 °C (GW_1.5 °C) increased by 14.17, 10.72, 8.57, and 26.68% in different emission scenarios, and under global warming of 2.0 °C (GW_2.0 °C) it increased by 20.87, 24.01, 29.31, and 39.94%, respectively. In terms of seasonal change, the NPP value under the four emission scenarios changed most significantly in the summer relative to RP, exhibiting a growth of 16.48%. Temperature changes (p > 0.614) had a greater impact on NPP growth than precipitation (p > 0.017), but solar radiation showed a certain negative impact in the middle- and low-latitude regions. NPP showed an increasing trend that changed from the southeast to the central and western regions at GW_1.5 to GW_2.0 °C. NPP was consistent with the spatial change in climate factors and had a promoting role in high latitudes in SAONC, but it was characterized by a certain inhibitory effect at middle and low latitudes in SAONC. The uncertainty of NPP under the four models ranged from 16.29 to 26.52%. Our findings suggest that the impact of GW_1.5 °C is relatively high compared with the current conditions, whereas GW_2.0 °C implies significantly lower projected NPP growth in all areas.


BACKGROUND There is no gold standard for the treatment of benign melanocytic nevi for cosmetic purposes. OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of combined treatment with the short-pulsed erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) and long-pulsed alexandrite laser for acquired melanocytic nevi (AMN) and small congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN). METHODS Fifty-eight AMN and 7 small CMN in 24 Korean patients were treated with Er:YAG laser followed by long-pulsed alexandrite laser at 1-month intervals. RESULTS At 8 weeks after the final treatment, all treated nevi showed complete removal of pigmentation, and the mean overall improvement score assessed by physicians, with a quartile grading scale, was 3.6 ± 0.7. The mean number of treatment sessions required to treat CMN (1.5 ± 0.3) was significantly greater than that for junctional (1.1 ± 0.2) or compound (1.2 ± 0.5) AMN. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (4.6%), erythema (9.2%), hypertrophic scars (1.5%), and mild atrophic scars (10.8%) were observed, but all resolved within 6 months, except for hypertrophic scars and 1 atrophic scar. Recurrence of pigmentation was observed in 1 CMN (1.5%) during 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION Combined treatment with Er:YAG laser and long-pulsed alexandrite laser is effective for the removal of small benign melanocytic nevi with minimal adverse effects and low recurrence rates.


Classical Hodgkin lymphoma uses multiple strategies to evade the immune system. cHL cells promoted regulatory T-cell features in CD4+ T cells and invoked additional strategies, such as purinergic signaling, to suppress immune detection. The cellular microenvironment in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is dominated by a mixed infiltrate of inflammatory cells with typically only about 1% Hodgkin and Reed/Sternberg (HRS) tumor cells. T cells are usually the largest population of cells in the cHL microenvironment, encompassing T helper (Th) cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and cytotoxic T cells. Th cells and Tregs presumably provide essential survival signals for HRS cells. Tregs are also involved in rescuing HRS cells from antitumor immune responses. An understanding of the immune evasion strategies of HRS cells is not only relevant for a characterization of the pathophysiology of cHL but is also clinically relevant, given the current treatment approaches targeting checkpoint inhibitors. Here, we characterized the cHL-specific CD4+ T-cell infiltrate regarding its role in immune evasion. Global gene expression analysis of CD4+ Th cells and Tregs isolated from cHL lymph nodes and reactive tonsils revealed that Treg signatures were enriched in CD4+ Th cells of cHL. Hence, HRS cells may induce Treg differentiation in Th cells, a conclusion supported by in vitro studies with Th cells and cHL cell lines. We also found evidence for immune-suppressive purinergic signaling and a role of the inhibitory receptor-ligand pairs B- and T-cell lymphocyte attenuator–herpesvirus entry mediator and CD200R–CD200 in promoting immune evasion. Taken together, this study highlights the relevance of Treg induction and reveals new immune checkpoint-driven immune evasion strategies in cHL. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(12); 1122–32. ©2017 AACR.


Robert L. Thomas and F. David Farnell, eds., The Jesus Crisis (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1998) 66. For the purposes of this article, the term "harmonization" refers to the process of taking parallel accounts in Scripture and reconciling the apparent discrepancies under the assumption that each account is historically accurate, having been faithfully recorded by each author as moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:19-21). This precludes the accommodation of form, source, redaction, or any other literary-critical theories as valid explanations of the product of any of the authors of Scripture.