Abstract:This study examines the חרם (ḥērem) texts in Deuteronomy and Joshua, focusing on their function in Israelite collective identity construction and their relation to texts concerning the גר (gēr). Studies have argued that these texts operate metaphorically in order to differentiate the Israelite group (e.g., Crouch). This examination of the חרם texts concentrates on redaction and intertextuality within the Deuteronomic tradition, the relationship with texts concerning the גר (stranger), and insider–outsider distinctions. The חרם texts in (Dtr and post-Dtr) Deuteronomy and Joshua reshape Israelite identity around obedience to torah, communicating that Yhwh has given the land to the people grouping that embodies the Deuteronomic vision. Interrelated with these texts is an ethic of incorporating the גר as kindred, which intensifies in the Dtr and post-Dtr redactions in which חרם occurs. Outsiders play a prominent role in this drama, for (1) via the outsider these books redefine Israelite identity around torah, and (2) the inclusion of Canaanites (e.g., Rahab in Joshua 2 and 6) and the enfolding of the גר as kindred forge Israelite identity. The חרם texts function (among other things) to "hold" Israel to the Deuteronomic ethic of enfolding the stranger as kindred.


Biodiesel from plants can compete economically with petroleum diesel fuels as a future prospective fuel. The bio-oil was extracted from the plant of Aloe barbadensis by soxhlet extractor using hexane as an organic solvent, and then further, the oil was analyzed for moisture content, pH, specific gravity, density, viscosity, saponification value, refractive index, peroxide value, acid number, free fatty acid, and iodine value. The results showed that four major fatty acids, like nonadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecadienoic acid and octadecenoic acid were present in the bio-oil of Aloe barbadensis and characterized by GC-MS, which showed that the bio-oil could be used for producing high quality of biodiesel. In furture studies, converted crude biooil into biodiesel using hetergenous catalyst will be anlaysed for their engine characteristic studies.


Objective To investigate the protective effect of dihydrolycorine on myocardial ischemia injury induced by isoproterenol sc in rats.Methods The myocardial ischemia injury model was developed by 20 mg/kg of isoproterenol sc in rats.The activities of serum lactate dehdrogenase(LDH) and creatine kinase(CK),the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),Glutathione Peroxidase(GSH-Px) and levels of malondialdehyde(MDA) content of myocardium and myocardial mitochondria as well as the activity of ATPase of myocardial mitochondria were all measured. Results In the model group,the activities of CK and LDH in serum were increased,the content of MDA in heart and mitochondria increased whereas the enzyme activities of SOD and GSH-Px of myocardium and myocardial mitochondria decreased.The activity of myocardial mitochondria ATPase was also decreased significantly(P0.05 or P0.01 vs normal group).In rats treated with 10,20 and 40 mg/kg dihydrolycorine,LDH and CK release and MDA content were decreased,while the enzyme activities of SOD,GSH-Px and ATPase were increased in a dose-dependent manner(P0.05 or P0.01 vs model group).Conclusion The results show that dihydrolycorine decreases the release of CK and LDH in serum and the levels of MDA in myocardium and mitochondria,improves the activities of total SOD,GSH-Px in myocardium and mitochondria as well as the activities of the mitochondria ATPase,which suggests that dihydrolycorine could protect myocardium from ischemia induced by isoproterenol in rat.


The production of cocoa butter equivalent through enzymatic interesterification of tea seed oil with stearic acid and palmitic acid in a solvent free system catalyzed by Lipozyme TL IM was analyzed.The ester exchange degree and degree of acyl migration were proposed to evaluate the effects on the reaction process.Results: The reaction conditions are reaction time 14 h,enzyme dose 20%,substrate mole ratio(fatty acid / tea seed oil) 6/1,reaction temperature 60 ℃,water activity 0.43 and stearic acid / palmitic acid mole ratio 2/1.At the conditions the total content of β-POP,β-POSt and β-StOSt in the product is 27.24%,and the conformity degree with natural cocoa butter is 37.3%.The melting range of the product is 21~24 ℃,and this is due to the higher content of oleic acid distributed in the product.


Pumps or compressors represent technical components which compensate the pressure loss occurring because of line-bound medium feed. The consumption of electric energy associated with the drive of the engines as well as the costs resulting from it give independently of the type of the medium cause to reduce pressure losses. The energy transferred to the medium during the pressure increase will hardly be subject to views of balance in cases, where no use of energy is intended (chilled water supply, compressed air supply) or their proportion compared to the transferred energy is margina (natural gas transport ). Somewhat differently the problem presents itself with heat supply systems -in particular such with an expanded supply network -, since the supplied pump work is changed directly into materially bound energy. From thermodynamic view this is a surely trivial problem.


In accordance with the Institutional Reform Program of the State Council approved by the First Session of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC) and the Notice of the State Council on the Establishment of Organs of the State Council (Guofa [1998]: 5), the State Planning Commission is renamed as the State Development Planning Commission, which is one of the constituent organ of the State Council. The Commission is a macro-economic control department responsible for developing strategy and plans for national economic and social development, balancing the economic aggregates and adjusting the economic structures.


The UPSUS program (Special Efforts) is one of the efforts to support soybean self-sufficiency. Special Efforts (UPSUS) are the main program of the Ministry of Agriculture to improve the welfare of farmers. Through a special effort program (UPSUS), Pajale is expected to be able to be a learning material for farmers in increasing their farming production and productivity to increase the income and welfare of the farmer's family. This study aims to analyze the income of soybean farmers who are not involved and who are involved in the Special Efforts (UPSUS) Pajale program. The population of the study was 150 farmers who were involved in the UPSUS Pajale Program using the purposive sampling method. The analysis used in this study was income analysis by calculating the income, costs, and receipt of soybean farmers involved and not involved in the Special Efforts (UPSUS) Pajale program. The results of the study concluded that farmers who participated in Pajale's Special Efforts Program (UPSUS) had higher incomes than those who did not participate in the Pajale Special Efforts Program (UPSUS) in the three research sites.


Abstract We applaud Mather and colleagues' model, which emphasizes the neurobiological pathways by which affective arousal tunes attention and memory. This commentary offers a friendly discussion of several potential limitations of the theory. We suggest the model is strong when predicting task-driven demands but is limited when predicting the impact of individual biases, interpretations, and experiential feelings.


The interactions of lanthanide ions with sphingomyelin bilayers have been studied by using 2D NOESY spectroscopy and FT-Raman spectroscopy methods. The results indicate that lanthanide ions, as well as divalent calcium, combine mainly to the phosphate group in the polar headgroup and do not change the conformation of O-C-C-N+ backbone in the choline group of sphingomyelin bilayers. The polar headgroup is still extending parallel to the bilayer surface and O-C-C-N+ group is still in its gauche conformer.


Installing the semi-circle rigid plastic pipe on the charge in the side of the kept rock at hole bottom can restrict,isolate,absorb,reflect and retain the detonation wave.The experiment result shows that 46.95% of energy was absorbed,stress peak value deduced 45.31%,the pressure deduced 46.00%,and the reflective energy was 10.00%~13.00% of the gross energy,which caused the reflective stress field in the direction of the free surface or the plastic pipe,and increased the explosive destiny and energy.Therefore the crash of the rock in the free surface is enhanced,and isolated the kept rock from the blasting damage.


Price of an input equals the sum of the money values of the input's characteristics to the purchaser; money value of each of an input's characteristics equals the input's yield of the characteristic multiplied by the money value of one unit of the characteristic. Demand for an input is affected by the input's characteristics. The themes are derived from a neoclassical firm model, in which the arguments of the firm's production function are quantities of input characteristics used, and from duals of linear programming blending problems. These themes are used to evaluate corn grades.


Storage symptoms are mainly attributable to detrusor overactivity that is associated in up to 40 to 60% with voiding disorders. Antimuscarinics remain the most widely used medical treatment for detrusor overactivity. In a recent paper Abrams and co-workers have suggested that tolterodine did not adversely affect urinary function in men with OAB and BOO and there was no evidence of clinically meaningful changes. Among men who desire treatment antimuscarinics are not given to men with low detrusor contractility. There are speculative concerns that the inhibitory effect of antimuscarinics on detrusor contraction could further reduce the detrusor contractility and determine a significant increase of acute urinary retention. In this study we prospectively evaluated the urodynamic safety of solifenacin treatment in men with detrusor overactivity plus low detrusor contractility.


The performance of ultrathin silver electrodes is compared to conventional indium tin oxide when used in transparent white organic light-emitting diodes. These electrodes provide a valid alternative.


An immortalized F2 population in rice derived from F1 hybrid between Zhenshan 97B and Minghui 63,was used to QTL mapping on effective panicle number per plant by using QTLNetwork-2.0.A total of eight QTLs were detected on 6 chromosomes.Both general heterosis and environmental interaction heterosis of effective panicle number per plant in two different environments for F1,F2 and F3 generations were predicted based on QTL effects.It was revealed that QTLs with epistatic effects were prominent contributors to the heterosis for effective panicle number per plant,suggesting that the method of heterosis prediction based on QTL mapping was a powerful tool for screening superior hybrids by means of molecular marker assisted selection.


Objective
To compare the efficacy of fenestration decompression and jaw cyst curettage on cyst of jaw and their influence on prognosis.

Methods
A total of 106 patients with cyst of jaw treated in hospital from February 2016 to January 2017 were selected, and they were divided into control group and observation group by random number table, with 53 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given jaw cyst curettage, while the patients in the observation group were treated with fenestration decompression. The surgical conditions, cyst cavity diameter before and after surgery, postoperative pain degree, reduction degree of cyst cavity volume, osteoproliferation thickness, cyst healing time, incidence of complications and recurrence in the two groups were observed.

Results
The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, visual analogue scale (VAS), incidence of complications, recurrence rate, cyst healing time in observation group were less than those in control group (P 0.05); after surgery, the cyst diameter of observation group was smaller than that of control group (P<0.05); the reduction degree of cyst cavity volume, osteoproliferation thickness in observation group were larger than those in control group (P<0.05).

Conclusions
Fenestration decompression in treatment of cyst of jaw is effective and safe, which can reduce the patients' pain, decrease the incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence, and promote the healing of cysts.

Key words:
Cyst of jaw; Fenestration decompression; Jaw cyst curettage; Complications; Recurrence


ABSTRACT It is widely acknowledged that official surveillance and control over Chinese citizens have been intensifying since President Xi Jinping came to power in late 2012. What is alarming is the authorities' vigorous promotion of a variety of channels for ordinary people watching and informing on each other in daily life. In recent years, the regime has systematically institutionalised mass reporting. The Chinese authorities intend to cultivate an atmosphere of fear in society and fuel distrust among citizens which may turn citizens into an apparatus facilitating authoritarian control and turn society into a suppressing Panopticon. This article examines this mass reporting institution in combatting illegal activities, including in official "counter-terrorism" and "anti-mafia" campaigns and on university campuses. Drawing upon case studies and publicly available reports, this article focuses on how mass reporting operates, to what extent it meets (or fails) official goals and, more importantly, in what ways this institution interacts with other official surveillance mechanisms. Despite this effort, it is argued that the destruction of communal trust may, in the long run, erode the public's trust in the regime and weaken the authoritarian rule.


Fear of insanity is a fundamental source of terror in Gothic literature. In the Gothic moral universe, madness is a fitting punishment for the guilty; but it is also the prior cause of evil as only a distorted mind can plan and put into effect the act of destruction. The benevolist conviction that m an is basically good, and that evil is a perversion of G od's Reason, contends here with the fear that it may be outside the individual's power to choose good over evil, and reason over madness. Yet what is the secret agent that manipulates human mind and will, that turns a m an insane in order to make him evil? In Shakespeare's two tragedies it is the Supernatural. This term embraces the areas above or beyond the material realm and is the usual designation for the hierarchic planes, fantastic creatures and demonic forces which exist in cosmic and parallel dimensions and which rule and direct the character's existence.1 Therefore the Ghost in Hamlet and the Witches in Macbeth are inevitably bound with another Gothic quality madness. Belief in the supernatural is a feature of all societies and although its meaning and significance may differ from one community to another there appears to be a certain consensus in the view that creatures and forces of the Supernatural have specific abilities to transcend both time and space, cross the divide between life and death, move between the invisible and the visible and travel freely within both the spiritual and the material. Most importantly, however, the Supernatural is a superior force, which can intervene in human affairs. The Ghost in Hamlet fulfills all the demands of popular superstition. In the first place it comes in strange and creepy circumstances, at the dead o f night: "Tis now struck twelve" (1.1.7). It appears dead in the garments


The concentration of neurotransmitters in rat brain was determined by HPLC-ECD (electrochemical detection) method and the effects of methanol extracts of some crude drugs, such as Polygala Radix, Myristicae Semen, Zizyphi Semen, Acori graminei Rhizoma, Visci Herba, Liriopsis Tuber, Myrrha on the concentration of neurotransmitters in the ethanol-treated rat brain were investigated. By the administration of ethanol, dopamine (DA), 3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) and serotonin (5-HT) levels in frontal cortex and 5-HT level in hippocampus were significantly increased compared with the neurotransmitter levels in the brain of saline-treated rats. The -aminobutyric acid (GABA) level in frontal cortex was decreased by the same treatment. There was a tendency that the DA level in frontal cortex and striatum of ethanol-treated rats were increased by the administration of crude drug extracts. Especially, Myrrha and Visci Herba significantly increased the DA level of frontal cortex in ethanol-treated rats, while they significantly decreased the 5-HT level in the same region of the brain. GABA level in striatum of ethanol-treated rats was significantly decreased by Myristicae Semen, Visci Herba and Myrrha. These results suggest that the tested crude drug extracts have selective interaction with neurotransmitters in specified region of central nervous system.


Introduction: Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (Progeria) is an ultra-rare premature aging syndrome that affects children worldwide and causes death at an average age of 14.6 years due to an accelerated form of athersclerosis leading to heart attacks and strokes. Areas Covered: Like many rare disease research and patient advocacy organizations, The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) was formed by an affected child's parents, who saw the complete lack of attention to the disease and refused to accept that there was nothing they could do for their child. Fast forward 15 years, and that lack of attention has been transformed into worldwide recognition of Progeria, a first-ever treatment that improves vascular stiffness and estimated patient survival, and Progeria seated in the forefront of scientific efforts to discover additional treatments and a cure. Much of this extraordinary progress is due to PRF's comprehensive programs and services, all of which are steadfastly mission-focused. Expert Opinion: It is our hope that the description of the PRF programs and services that follows, along with an account of how they are helping PRF accomplish its mission to save children with Progeria, will assist and inspire others to take similar action for the many rare disease populations that need immediate attention.


Soil samples (0~10, 10~20 and 20~40 cm)were collected from a greenhouse having been planted with cucumber for 1, 2, and 5 years in Shenyang suburb to explore the effects of different planting years and organic manure fertilization on Zn accumulation in soil, and to identify the source of the Zn. The results showed that under the condition of no organic manure fertilization, the Zn content in the soils with different planting years in greenhouse did not surpass the Chinese Environmental Quality Standard for Soils (GB 15618—1995)(SEPAC, 1995)(Zn≤100 mg·kg-1), being the highest (47.17 mg·kg-1)in the soil planted for 5 years. The soil Zn content had a decreasing trend with soil depth, and had significant positive correlations with planting year (P0.01)and soil organic matter content (P0.01). After organic ma- nure fertilization(10, 20, 40, and 60 t·hm-2), the Zn content of soils with different planting years was higher than the contrast, except the soil planted for 1 year and applied with 10 t·hm-2 of organic manure, and increased with increasing fertilization rate, suggesting that the Zn accu- mulation in greenhouse soil was mainly attributed to organic manure.


Three basic forces dominated sixteenth-century religious life. Two polarized groups, Protestant and Catholic reformers, were shaped by theological debates, over the nature of the church, salvation, prayer, and other issues. These debates articulated critical, group-defining oppositions. Bystanders to the Catholic-Protestant competition were a third force. Their reactions to reformers were violent, opportunistic, hesitant, ambiguous, or serendipitous, much the way social historians have described common people in the Reformation for the last fifty years. But in an ecology of three forces, hesitations and compromises were natural, not just among ordinary people, but also, if more subtly, among reformers and theologians. In this volume, Christopher Ocker offers a constructive and nuanced alternative to the received understanding of the Reformation. Combining the methods of intellectual, cultural, and social history, his book demonstrates how the Reformation became a hybrid movement produced by a binary of Catholic and Protestant self-definitions, by bystanders to religious debate, and by the hesitations and compromises made by all three groups during the religious controversy.


Parts of the bridges in Sweden and other countries have shown to have a too low resistance with respect to deterioration. This leads to costly repair interventions that disturbs the traffic and results in high Life Cycle Costs (LCC) for the bridges. This is the case for the bridge deck slabs with connecting elements, such as edge beams, railings, expansion joints, sealing and pavement. The aim of this master thesis is to investigate the problems in bridge deck slabs, suggest possible solutions to these problems and in particular, find the potentials of Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced (UHPFRC) Concrete for these problems. Bridge deck slabs and their connecting elements deteriorate faster than the other parts of the bridge due to traffic loads and use of de-icing salts during winter. The various mechanisms of the deterioration that take place in bridge deck slabs are corrosion of reinforcement, cracking, spalling, delamination and potholes. A state-of-the-art description has been presented including suggestions to possible solutions to these problems, such as cathodic protection and galvanizing of the steel reinforcement, use of corrosion inhibitors, use of fiber reinforced concrete and polymers, and bridges with integral abutments. This investigation primarily focuses on the mechanical behaviour, durability and rheological properties and application of UHPFRC to develop more robust bridge deck slabs. UHPFRC shows better performance at post-cracking due to the strain hardening behaviour with distributed micro-cracks, enhancing the service life of bridge deck slabs. An inventory of two bridges in Sweden has been used as case studies to investigate and illustrate the possibility to use UHPFRC in their construction and rehabilitation. UHPFRC is an almost impermeable and highly ductile material; however, being relatively expensive, it has been only suggested to be used as overlay, for bridge deck slab and edge beams for rehabilitation as well as new construction. It has also been suggested that UHPFRC should be used in joints for connecting precast elements, giving a continuous bridge deck with narrower (smaller/ thinner) and stronger joints.


To evaluate a new formulation of manganese porphyrin as a potential gadolinium (Gd)‐free extracellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent for dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI of tumors.


The essay is in harmony with all who postulate the desirability of deflating the role of power values and institutions, and of emphasizing values and practices other than power. Landheer's strategy of moving from what I would call world public order to world civic order is to "de tour" via regional organization: "more government—before effective global organization can be reached" (p. 21). The theory is that the present international system of law and government cannot transform itself into a world society; it is self-perpetuating "as long as we continue to use the outmoded international tools of the nineteenth century." (P. 72.) For instance, " the modern superstate feels no need to embark upon either conquest or expansion, but it fears that another emerging superstate will not share this feeling." (P. 72.) The program is to "ignore power" as far as possible while cultivating the diversified pluralistic components of world society (p. 87). Obviously power is implicitly defined as a zero-sum game in which if x gets more, y gets less; the definitions are not set up to allow "power wi th" as well as "power over," or to provide intellectual tools by which the complexities of the "decision" or of other "policy" processes can be explained or managed. A more differentiated map, especially of authority and control, is required. The objectives are sound; the conceptual instruments are unnecessarily blunt.


In the process of realizing safety critical systems, guaranteeing functional safety is always mandatory. However, multiple factors are challenging functional safety: (i) the complexity of new electrical and electronic architecture leading to different malfunctioning behavior. This malfunctioning behavior can lead to unwanted hazards and then to unreasonable risk, (ii) the availability of various functional safety standards and (iii) high expenses. If functional safety standards are used in the design of a safety critical system, it is important to evaluate the risk accurately. The risk is related to the probability of failure. In this paper, a comparison between two functional safety standards ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 is presented. These standards are used in the automotive field and in the industrial automation field, respectively. Additionally, a limitation in using IEC 61508 to verify ISO 26262 is emphasized. Focus is the safety lifecycle and the failure rate evaluation methods, which are applied by the two standards. The comparison made in this paper represents the opinion of the authors based on their experience and is not intended to be absolute.


To advance efficient and equitable use of the U.S. National Airspace System during weather disruptions, air traffic management is modeled as a network flow optimization program that explicitly incorporates airline preference information. Market mechanisms are proposed to perform distributed computation of efficient solutions based on novel cost metrics that accurately reflect the cost of delays to the airlines. Two distinct types of network flow models are presented to demonstrate the tradeoff between computational complexity and control input flexibility. The discrete path flow model describes a simplified approach by fixing flow velocity and limiting rerouting options, thereby satisfying the primary assumptions of general equilibrium theory to ensure efficiency of the market outcome. The continuous link flow model allows additional control inputs to better align with current methods used in dealing with adverse weather conditions; namely, ground-delay programs, miles-in-trail restrictions, and flight reroutes. The market-mechanism outcome for both models is shown to be preferred by all airlines over a solution determined without incorporating preference information. Simulation results are presented for feasible problem sizes of both flow models and demonstrate the gains that can be achieved by implementing market mechanisms for air traffic management.


The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether intermittent exposure to a constant dose of doxorubicin selects for multidrug resistance (MDR) in RPMI 8226 human myeloma cells and, if so, to determine the molecular mechanism. In an attempt to approximate clinical doxorubicin treatment in vitro, cells were exposed to a fixed dose of doxorubicin for 4 d alternating with growth in drug‐free medium for 17 d. An MDR subline emerged, termed 8226/DOXint5, which was 3–4‐fold resistant to doxorubicin, etoposide and m‐AMSA, and 1.6‐fold resistant to vincristine. Sensitivity to docetaxel, melphalan and cisplatin was normal. Verapamil normalized vincristine sensitivity but had little effect on resistance to the other agents. Cellular uptake and retention of daunorubicin and vincristine were reduced by approximately 10%. The 8226/DOXint5 cells showed diminished DNA topoisomerase IIα expression and increased expression of the multidrug resistance protein MRP. Expression of MDR1/P‐glycoprotein was not detected. Immunostaining showed 70% of the cells to over‐express the lung‐resistance protein LRP. This new MDR myeloma cell line may prove to be a useful model for the development of strategies to overcome low‐level, multifactorial MDR, which might be a common phenomenon in clinical myeloma treated with doxorubicin.


MAPGIS is a great GIS software,with data editing,data processing and other functions.In this paper,using MAPGIS software established the database for energy.The article also introduced key steps of production process of 1:1500000 map of Inner Mongolia,and establish energy information database,for further regional energy database improvement and optimal use of the region's energy basis.


The difference between the structures of jets produced in heavy-ion and hadronic collisions can best be exhibited in the correlations between particles within those jets. We study the dihadron correlations in jets in the framework of parton recombination. Two types of triggers, {pi}{sup +} and proton, are considered. It is shown that the recombination of thermal and shower partons makes the most important contribution to the spectra of the associated particles at intermediate p{sub T}. In pp collisions the only significant contribution arises from shower-shower recombination, which is negligible in heavy-ion collisions. Moments of the associated-particle distributions are calculated to provide a simple summary of the jet structures for easy comparison with experiments.


In response to antigenic stimulation, the splenic lymphocytes from Toxoplasma‐infected mice produce a factor which is called by the authors the Toxoplasma growth inhibitory factor (Toxo‐GIF) and which inhibits the multiplication of Toxoplasma within nonimmune macrophages in vitro. In this study, partial characterization of murine Toxo‐GIF was examined using Sephadex G‐100 gel‐filtration, isoelectric focusing, zonal electrophoresis and heat and enzymatic treatment.


Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are pivotal mediators of rheumatoid synovitis expansive growth and invasiveness which respond insufficiently to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a lectin with well-conserved carbohydrate-recognition domains. Gal-9 has been reported to have both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties based on its ability to modulate RA FLS. Gal-9 levels are elevated in serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and high levels of Gal-9 have been identified in both the synovial fluid and in the inflamed synovial tissue of patients with RA.To investigate the role of Gal-9 as a biomarker for disease severity in treatment naïve patients with early RA and to study aspects of Gal-9 effects on inflammatory RA FLS.Soluble plasma Gal-9 was measured in patients with newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve RA (n = 98) and in Healthy (HC) (n = 48) (Table 1). Over a 2-year period patients were randomized to either MTX alone or MTX and anti-TNF antibody treatments. Serial measurements of disease activity (DAS28CRP) were collected to evaluate the disease course. In another cohort of patients with established RA, plasma and synovial fluid samples were also examined for Gal-9 (n = 18) (Table 1). Synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) from established RA patients were used to harvest RA FLS (n=7). Osteoarthritis FLS were used as disease controls and obtained from patients with knee OA undergoing joint replacement surgery (n = 5). Monocultures of synovial fluid derived FLS (SF-FLS) (n= 6) and autologous co-cultures of SF-FLS and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were established (n=7) and subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry, MTT assay, and ELISA. In vitro, cultures were treated with a neutralizing anti-Gal-9 antibody.Table 1.Patient characteristicsEarly RA (n=98)Established RA (n=18)HC (n=48)Time after treatment initiation (months)032484 (12-288)Disease activityDAS28CRP (0-10)5.7 (5.1-6.4)2.1 (1.8-3.2)2.0 (1.8-2.7)5.0 (3.2-5.5)-Gal-9 levels (pg/ml)Plasma3315 (2683-4421)3217 (2706-4250)2904 (2639-3411)2190 (1652-2852)Synovial fluid21246 (13832-34727)Patient characteristics. Data are expressed as median with IQR range unless otherwise indicated.Patients with early and established RA had increased plasma levels of Gal-9 compared with HCs (P < 0.05) (Table 1) and levels of Gal-9 correlated positively with swollen joint counts at baseline (rho = 0.344, P < 0.05). The levels remained unaffected by treatment with MTX alone or by a combination of MTX and anti-TNF antibodies. Gal-9 levels were markedly elevated in the synovial fluid of chronic RA patients compared with the corresponding plasma samples (P < 0.05) (Table 1). In vitro, a neutralizing Gal-9 antibody mediated a 40% decrease in MCP-1 secretion (P < 0.05) and a 30% decrease in IL-6 secretion (P < 0.05) in RA FLS monocultures. In OA FLS, addition of anti-Gal-9 antibodies comparably decreased the production of both MCP-1 (P < 0.05) and IL-6 (P < 0.05). The changes in cytokine production were not attributable to reduction in the fraction of inflammatory FLS (CD34-PDPN+THY1+), decreased viability or proliferation. We further investigated if the effect of neutralizing Gal-9 persisted in co-cultures between FLS and autologous PBMC. Also in this setting, neutralization of Gal-9 mediated a 40% reduction in both MCP-1 and IL-6 (P < 0.05, P < 0.05).Pretreatment plasma Gal-9 levels in patients with newly diagnosed RA were increased and correlated with baseline clinical disease activity but remained elevated during goal directed synovitis suppressive therapy. In addition, in vitro neutralization of Gal-9 decreased MCP-1 and IL-6 production in a subset of FLS linked to RA pathology. Collectively these findings indicate that Gal-9 overexpression is a co-player in the causation of acute and persistent RA synovitis by enhancing pro-inflammatory FLS pathways.We thank Karin Skovgård Sørensen (Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University) for technical assistance concerning the ELISA data and the FACS Core Facility (Aarhus University, Denmark) for technical assistant regarding Flow cytometry. We thank medical doctors and nurses at the Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital for helping to collect the patient samples. We kindly acknowledge the generous grants from Aarhus University Research Foundation and the Danish Rheumatism Association.None declared.


It is difficult to characterize subtle stratigraphic details accurately by surface seismic data with poor vertical resolution.A new method to restore high frequencies within the seismic bandwidth by utilizing velocity logging data has been proposed in this paper.On the assumption that seismic waves attenuate linearly in formations,a theoretical model is derived firstly to link surface seismic data and velocity logging data,and then the absorption system response is evaluated based on system identification technology,which can be used to compensate the attenuated high frequencies within the surface seismic bandwidth.The results of high frequency restoration for the forward modelling data and the actual surface seismic data show that the new method can enhance the vertical resolution of the surface seismic data significantly,which will advance the dominant frequency by 10Hz and 20Hz,widen the frequency band about 10Hz,while the principal features of the original surface seismic data still hold.


A modeling of high-resolution absorption spectra of carbon monoxide (CO) and other interfering gases at 2.35 um was conducted. Several CO absorption lines have been determined as the best for the use in laser based spectral analysis of CO under conditions of high humidity and high concentrations of CO2 in complex gas mixtures. Measurements of resonance absorption in these lines allow one to obtain maximum sensitivity and selectivity of CO analysis in the near-infrared spectral region.


The energy resolution per bandwidth $E_R$ is a figure of merit that combines the field resolution, bandwidth or duration of the measurement, and size of the sensed region. Several different dc magnetometer technologies approach $E_R = \hbar$, while to date none has surpassed this level. This suggests a technology-spanning quantum limit, a suggestion that is strengthened by model-based calculations for nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond, for superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensors, and for some optically-pumped alkali-vapor magnetometers, all of which predict a quantum limit close to $E_R = \hbar$. Here we review what is known about energy resolution limits, with the aim to understand when and how $E_R$ is limited by quantum effects. We include a survey of reported sensitivity versus size of the sensed region for more than twenty magnetometer technologies, review the known model-based quantum limits, and critically assess possible sources for a technology-spanning limit, including zero-point fluctuations, magnetic self-interaction, and quantum speed limits. Finally, we describe sensing approaches that appear to be unconstrained by any of the known limits, and thus are candidates to surpass $E_R = \hbar$.


The Aurora-A inhibitor alisertib shows encouraging activities in clinical trials against advanced breast cancer. However, it remains unclear whether and how the inflammatory microenvironment is involved in its efficacy. Here we demonstrated that inhibition of Aurora-A directly reshaped the immune microenvironment through removal of tumor-promoting myeloid cells and enrichment of anti-cancer T lymphocytes, which established a tumor-suppressive microenvironment and significantly contributed to the regression of murine mammary tumors. Mechanistically, alisertib treatment triggered apoptosis in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and macrophages, resulting in their elimination from tumors. Furthermore, alisertib treatment disrupted the immunosuppressive functions of MDSC by inhibiting Stat3-mediated ROS production. These alterations led to significant increases of active CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes, which efficiently inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells. Intriguingly, alisertib combined with PD-L1 blockade showed synergistic efficacy in the treatment of mammary tumors. These results detail the effects of Aurora-A inhibition on the immune microenvironment and provide a novel chemo-immunotherapy strategy for advanced breast cancers.


The invention relates to a LED constant current drive circuit with light dimming function, comprising a LED constant current supply circuit, an analog LED current regulating circuit and a digital LED current regulating circuit. The invention has the improvement that the digital LED current regulating circuit comprises a pulse width measuring circuit for a digital light-dimming signal and a D/A converter converting a pulse width attribute output by the pulse width measuring circuit into an analog voltage value. The invention uses the pulse width measuring circuit and the D/A converter to convert a digital light-dimming PWM signal into an analog signal, and then the analog signal is sent to an analog light-dimming input end to carry out analog light dimming; thus, the digital light dimming of the LED constant current drive circuit has the same light-dimming efficiency with analog light dimming, which solves the problem of low efficiency of digital light dimming. Simultaneously, the invention also has the characteristic of high light-dimming precision by further improvement.


The permeability and the selectivity of CH4, CO2, N2, and O2 were determined in a polymer membrane prepared from 8% weight ratio PAN powder and 92% weight ratio of dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent, commercially known as Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane. Flat sheet membrane with an average thickness of 0.025cm was produced manually using casting knife. Permeability test was conducted with a permeability/permeation unit where the volumetric flow rates of the effluent were measured by a bubble soap flow meter. This polymer exhibits higher permeability of CH4 compare with CO2, N2, and O2. Higher selectivity also achieved for CH4 compare with CO2, N2, and O2 under low pressure and high volumetric flow rates. On the basis of a best fit of the natural logarithm of permeability versus inlet flow rate, PAN membrane should have much higher permeability of CH4 when it is applied with higher inlet flow rate under low feed pressure. For this experiment, the prepared membrane gave the best permeability and selectivity reading at 0.5bar and 0.3 liter per minute of flow rate. Pure gas CO2/CH4 separation properties of this polymer are comparable with those of some other polymers considered for natural gas purification. When exposed to a feed stream with higher pressure, the permeability of CO2, N2, and O2 were high indicates the separation process was not that successful. Successful separation process was achieved at low feed stream pressure and high inlet flow rates.-Author-


For the first time, a novel mixed insulated gate bipolar transistor (MIGBT) is proposed and verified by two-dimensional (2D) mixed device-circuit simulations. The structure of the proposed device is almost identical with that of the conventional IGBT, except for the buffer layer which is formed by employing the n+/n- structure, so that the trade-off relation between the conduction and switching losses is greatly improved and efficiently decoupled. Furthermore, the proposed device exhibits larger forward blocking voltage and positive temperature coefficient of the forward voltage drop, facilitating parallel integration.


In recent years, many applications using paired RGB and Near-infrared (NIR) images have been proposed in camera vision and image signal processors. With the current progress of the CMOS image sensor technology, manufacturing a CMOS image sensor with a unique spectrum filter array is becoming mature. Different spectrum filter pixels integrate into the same chip produced in the industry, which supports the one-shot acquisition of each spectrum image signal. RGB and NIR-integrated CMOS Image Sensor is an example of this paper's discussion called RGB-IR Hybrid sensor. Regarding the RGB-IR filter array, two CFA types have been produced in the industry. The kind of CFA which is the paper discussion that half of the Red/Blue pixels are replaced with the NIR pixels but keep the G pixel the same. However, such CFAs have less color information to generate the RGB image. This paper presents a convenient interpolation use in the RGB-IR class of panchromatic arrays to improve the image quality like false color edge, zipper effect on edge, and noise besides compatibility with Bayer CFA of total RGB pixels sensor solution.


Pseudohypoparathyroidism is characterized by an inability of the body to respond appropriately to parathyroid hormone (PTH), the principal hormone that regulates calcium and phosphorous levels in the body. PTH is made by the parathyroid glands in the neck. There are usually four parathyroid glands, but we probably only need one or two of the glands. PTH is missing, or too low, in patients with hypoparathyroidism. Therefore, the fundamental difference between hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism is that PTH is absent in hypoparathyroidism, but the body will respond to it; and PTH is plentiful in pseudohypoparathyroidism, but the body cannot respond to it!


We develop a model of optimal schooling investments and estimate it using new data on approximately 700 identical twins. We estimate an average return to schooling of 9 percent for identical twins, but estimated returns appear to be slightly higher for less able individuals. Simple cross-section estimates are marginally upward biased. These empirical results imply that more able individuals attain more schooling because they face lower marginal costs of schooling, not because of higher marginal benefits.


Objective:To research the proliferation inhibition and inducing apoptosis of colon cancer sw620 by curcumin and virtual screening the targets.Methods:The colon cancer sw620 was cultivated in vitro by different concentrations of curcumin.The inhibition of colon cancer sw620 was detected by MTT;the morphologic change of cells was observed via inverted microscope;the ultrastructure change of form of cells apoptosis was observed through transmission electron microscope;FCM(flow cytometry)was used to test the apoptosis of cells and virtual screening the targets using Computer Aided Design(CAD).Results:The result of MTT displayed that the growth of colon cancer sw620 can be inhibited by cuecumin.The cellular swelling,ruptured and necrosis can be viewed via inverted microscope.The cells' volume reduce,karyopyknosis and nuclear chromatin agglutination,endoplasmic reticulum expansion and vacuolation increase can be detected through transmission electron microscope and appeared obvious phenomenon of apoptosis.The rate of cells apoptosis increased dramatically tested by FCM and was dependent on time and concentration.19 targets had been tested by means of CAD.Conclusion:Curcumin can effectively inhibit the growth of colon cancer sw620 in vitro by means of inducing apoptosis.


Aims: To estimate the population-level link between alcohol consumption and the gender gap in mortality from hypertension in Russia. Methods: In a comparative perspective, the trends in alcohol consumption per capita and the gender gap in the death rates from hypertension between 1980 and 2015 using the autoregressive-integrated moving average (ARIMA) method were analyzed. Results: The level of alcohol consumption is positively correlated with the gender gap in hypertension death rate: an increase in alcohol drinking by 1 liter leads to an increase in the gender gap by 15.9%. Evaluation of the alcohol-attributable fraction indicated that alcohol is responsible for 88.5% of the difference in mortality from hypertension among men and women. Conclusion: These results suggest that alcohol is an important factor in the gender gap in the mortality from hypertension in Russia. Keyword: Alcohol; Mortality; Hypertension; Gender Gap; Russia Alcohol Consumption and Gender Gap in Hypertension Mortality in Russia


The purpose of this study is to understand the removal characteristics of dissolved organic matter by URC(Ultra Rapidly Coagulation) process and the conventional coagulation process. The components ratio of dissolved organic matter in the raw sample was as follows : The hydrophilic matter was 64.2% and the hydrophobic matter was 35.8%. After URC, these component ratio were changed to 50.7% and 49.3%. And after conventional coagulation process, these were changed to 59.4% and 40.6%. The hydrophilic matter was removed more 9.2% by URC than the conventional coagulation process. And the hydrophilic matter was removed two times by contrast with the hydrophobic matter by URC more than conventional coagulation process. We obtained the result that URC is the more effective treatment process than conventional coagulation process to remove the hydrophilic matter of dissolved organic matter.


Your article appeared in Sydowia published by Verlag Berger, Horn, and is protected by copyright, This author's copy is for personal internal non-commercial use only. It may be shared with colleagues but shall not be self-archived in electronic repositories unless the open access fee is settled. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, selling, licensing cop-ies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. If you need further informa-tion please contact:Verlag Ferdinand Berger & Sohne Ges.m.b.H., Wiener Strase 21–23, A-3580 Horn, Austria. www.verlag-berger.at


Abstract This paper contextualises and interprets a text seldom addressed in Anglophone scholarship: De die natali ('On the birthday'), written by Censorinus to celebrate his patron Caerellius' birthday in 238 c.e. By exploring both gestation (natalis) and time measurement (dies), the work seeks to elucidate and isolate Caerellius' birthday in time; it is the ultimate guide to his dies natalis. Despite a seemingly narrow focus, De die natali is best understood as part of a broad 'spectrum' of encyclopaedic texts, exemplifying the 'totalising' impetus of knowledge ordering in the Roman Empire, while simultaneously exposing the limits of such efforts. An interlocking set of tensions underlie the text, which resonate with other encyclopaedic projects — tensions between unity and plurality, centre and periphery, and the relationship between nature and culture. De die natali is both a product of, and commentary on, the conditions of human knowledge and the Empire's cultural diversity in the early third century.


In this work, a comparative numerical analysis between the performance of a conventional specialized orchard tractor and those of three different hybrid electric tractor configurations is presented. The aim was to compare several powertrain configurations in the same working scenarios derived from field measurements. Peak power capabilities and endurance were numerically tested with specific load scenarios involving both transportation mission profiles and field activities with external implements powered through the power take off of the tractor. The proposed hybrid architectures were configured with the same battery-based energy storage system to perform the comparison with the same energy storage capabilities. Two parallel, two series and one electro-hydraulic hybrid configuration were modeled and tested through simulations. The parallel ones excelled in peak power performance, whereas the series configurations had the highest fuel savings. The electro-hydraulic configuration was proposed as an alternative able to allow for a downsized engine but also for the introduction of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) functionality, which is always an interesting feature for such working machines.


This paper seeks to highlight the need to understand the various interactions that occur between components of a conveyor system as a means of helping establish practical guidelines by which problems that occur within a conveyor system can be solved.


The tongue is one of the most frequent sites for cancer, represents almost 26% of all oral cancers and 0.7 % of all carcinomas. Surgical closure or reconstruction following resective surgery can be divided into these general categories: Primary closure, Skin Grafts, Pedicled flaps and Microvascular free flaps. The post surgical morbidity results in speech deficits. Speech disorders in glossectomised patients can fall into categories of impaired articulation, reduction in intelligibility of speech, altered oral and nasal resonance and impaired voice quality. The treatment plan varies according to the size and location of the lesion. Prosthodontic management of articulation disorders form a crucial part of post- surgical intervention program. With total glossectomy, the prosthetic approach is initiated with a mandibular prosthesis where as, in partially glossectomised patients, a maxillary prosthesis is constructed with an augmented portion added to the palatal base. Sometimes the palatal-augmentation prosthesis is used as a training device.


This research aims to explain group communication used by tourist conscious groups in shaping the image of semare tourist village, kraton subdistrict.Semare village is a village that is known to be loud, rundown to anarchist but has various potentials in the field of marine, fisheries to tourism.Seeing this some coastal residents and teenagers around who have a high concern for the environment form a tourist conscious group.The purpose of the formation of this tourist conscious group to form the image of semare village into a tourist village.In an effort to change the image, tourist conscious groups approach by creating discussion forums and providing examples of activities to persuasion the surrounding community.As for examples of activities carried out with clean beaches, garbage collection to the provision of garbage can facilities. This research was conducted using qualitative descriptive research methods. The results of the study showed that the activities carried out had the impact of persuasion of the community.Starting from the discussion forum to all village cleaning activities. Since the formation of semare sea café now Semare Village is better known as a tourist village by the surrounding community.And provide changes to various sectors of the economy and human resources that exist.


This paper criticize some misunderstanding of ecologist on marxian labor theory of value. The Labor theory of value has come under criticism for disregarding nature"s contribution in production. It will be noted that their critique on marxian value theory is based on confusion between value and use-value. This paper explores the ecological significance of marxian labor theory of value by reinterpreting use-value and value form theory.


The abundant English reading materials are quite helpful for English majors to improve their reading competence.It offers a basement to set up the student-oriented,interactive,inquiry learning education mode.This paper presents the structure of the online English reading course and the principle for the course designing.It also discusses the teaching and learning strategies of the new course.


The embryonal carcinoma P19 model has allowed the elucidation of a role for several transcription factors in cell differentiation. Here, the regulation of the RNA polymerase II machinery has been explored through its association with multifunctional complexes involved in transcription. An interaction proteomics analysis of TFIIS-purified RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) holoenzymes during cardiomyogenesis is described. Modifications of protein complexes that may be associated with transcriptionally active and activator responsive RNAPII holoenzymes were detected in a serum and DMSO dependent manner. Subunits of the PAF1 and Mediator complexes were correlated with holoenzymes from non-differentiated and terminally differentiated P19 cultures respectively. Moreover, high levels of nucleolin were identified in all forms of holoenzymes by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and suggest that nucleolin could bind to RNAPII and TFIIS. Several proteins that were identified in the RNAPII holoenzymes are known to have functions in mRNA processing and may bind to nucleolin. A novel function for nucleolin is proposed as a possible pivotal platform between transcription, mRNA processing and export.


BACKGROUND
Drying efficiency and quality maintenance are the major concerns of both manufactures and consumers. Heat pump drying (HPD) is suitable for heat sensitive foodstuffs due to its ability to independently control the drying operation parameters. However, lower drying rate and energy efficiency in the later period of HPD are the bottlenecks that restrain its application. A novel approach using hydrocolloids as pretreatment coatings prior to drying was designed to solve these problems. The effects of sodium alginate (SA) coating, drying temperatures and air velocities on the drying characteristics and quality attributes of scallop adductors were evaluated.

RESULTS
Drying took place in the falling rate period. Drying time decreased with increasing temperature, air velocity and SA coating. The Two Term model and the Wang and Singh model gained the best fit for thin-layer drying of scallop adductors and SA film, respectively. Effective moisture diffusivity increased with temperature, velocity and SA coating and were in the range 7.352-14.620 × 10-11 , 9.890-17.100 × 10-11 and 2.348-4.604 × 10-10  m2  s-1 for uncoated scallop adductors, SA coated scallop adductors and SA films, respectively. The activation energies for SA films, coated and uncoated scallop adductors were 17.07, 20.78 and 26.17 kJ mol-1 , respectively. Dried scallop adductors with SA coating pretreatment exhibited a significant lower value of shrinkage rate and hardness, and higher value of toughness than uncoated ones at 30 °C and 2.0 m s-1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
Hydrocolloid coating is a promising pretreatment in improving HPD efficiency and enhancing quality attributes of dried scallop adductors. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.


Designated verifier signature is a cryptographic primitive which allows a signer to convince a designated verifier of the validity of a statement but in the meanwhile prevents the verifier from transferring this conviction to any third party. In this work we present the first identity-based designated verifier signature scheme that supports non-delegatability, and prove its security in the random oracle model, based on computational Diffie-Hellman assumption. Our scheme is perfectly non-transferable, and its non-delegatability follows the original definition proposed by Lipmaa et al. [21].


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to measure the effectiveness of the integration of Europe by benchmarking economic progress made by the participating nations.Design/methodology/approach – Using data envelopment analysis, this paper compares the relative performance of 26 European Union (EU) nations against one another with seven economic variables as the benchmark parameters from 1999 to 2006.Findings – The paper finds that not all the participating nations were equally efficient at the beginning of the economic integration in 1999. Economic integration does help in achieving convergence in economic performance of 26 EU nations, because 18 of the 26 nations were efficient in 2002. However, this paper finds that after 2002, there is a lack of convergence in the performance of 26 EU nations and some nations have performed more efficiently in contrast to other nations.Originality/value – The paper identifies the member nations that are lagging behind and make recommendations as to how they can improve...


The probability distribution of parity-specific closed birth intervals in a heterogeneous population of women is obtained from Biswas' (1980) concept of gradually decreasing fecundabilities. The distribution of parity-specific last closed birth intervals and its moments of various orders are derived for a heterogeneous female population. Simulations are used to compare with models for a homogeneous female population with constant fecundability. The consideration of heterogeneity allows a better fit for empirical closed birth intervals.


SUBTITLE: 1996 HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR THE CONTAINER LEASING INDUSTRY, WITH SOFT UTILISATION FIGURES AND PRESSURE ON PER DIEM RATES: THE RECENT INITIATIVES TO REDEFINE BOX REPAIR CRITERIA AND CIM (CONTAINER INTERCHANGE MANAGEMENT) PROCEDURES HAVE, HOWEVER, ALLOWED THE SECTOR TO REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE.


The precursor of Ca2Co2O5 was prepared by coprecipitation method. The bulk Ca2Co2O5 samples were prepared by conventional sintering and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), respectively. The relative density of bulk Ca2Co2O5 ceramic, which was prepared by conventional sintering is about 75%; while the samples prepared by SPS has a density of 98%. The thermoelectric properties were enhanced by SPS, compared with samples prepared with conventional sintering. The maximum powerfactor of the conventional sintering and SPS samples are 2.70×10-4W∙m-1∙K-2 and 3.85×10-4 W∙m-1∙K-2, respectively.


A rare example of an ideal rhombic dodecahedron (rdo), MOP-1, has been successfully synthesized from six dinuclear paddlewheel units and eight flexible triangular carboxylate ligands, which shows highly efficient adsorption of dyes in an aqueous solution.


The mean polarimetric behavior of the sea surface, on a time-averaged measurement, can be described by its averaged Mueller matrix. A method for the calculation of this matrix has already been proposed: it consists of an extension of the small perturbations technique to the vectorial case, from a two-scale sea surface model. In this article a backscattering model is shown, which is representative of a single instantaneous measurement instead of a time-average of measurements. For this purpose, the polarimetric response is characterized by the sea surface "polarization fork," described by the five Euler parameters. A minimal polarimetric descriptor is defined, the Euler vector, characterizing a "frozen" sea state, and whose components are the averaged values of the Euler parameters. The main interest of such a polarimetric signature of the sea surface is that the component of this new descriptor can be linked with the observation parameters (incidence of the illumination, azimuthal direction of the observa...


This article is a brief introduction to the total solar eclipse Wed 14 November 2012 in north Queensland that will be seen in a narrow strip of land just 140 km wide in the vicinity of Cairns.


In this work a 10W GaN based class-F amplifier at 1GHz is presented. The presented amplifier uses load modulation principle to achieve high efficiency over 11dB output dynamic range. The output matching network is an L matching network with a tunable inductor and a tunable capacitor. The tunable inductor is based on a λ over 4 impedance inverter and a switchable capacitor bank. The tunable inductor presents a short circuit for the second harmonic and an open circuit to the third harmonic; additionally together with the tunable capacitor they present the optimum working impedance for the transistor. The designed amplifier has a power added efficiency of 82% at an output power of 40 dBm and through using adaptive matching it can achieve a PAE of 60% at an output power of 29dBm, in contrast to a PAE of only 22% in the case of using a fixed matching network.


Mussels were collected at high and low shore locations from two Mytilus edulis/Mytilus galloprovincialis populations, Croyde Bay and Whitsand Bay, in S.W. England. Genotype-dependent length-at-age values were determined. At high and low shore locations at both sites, M. edulis-like mussels had significantly smaller length-at-age values than M. galloprovincialis-like and putative F1 hybrid individuals. The putative F1 hybrids exhibited length-at-age values between those of the parental types, but much closer to those of M. galloprovincialis-like rather than M. edulis-like individuals. Genotype frequencies as a function of age were determined and relative viability coefficients estimated from comparisons of genotype frequencies of young versus old mussels. At high and low shore locations at both sites, the relative viability coefficient of M. galloprovincialis-like individuals was greater than that of M. edulis-like mussels. Putative F1 hybrids at both sites had relative viability coefficients intermediate between those of the parental types. These data indicate that the length-dependent variation in allozyme frequencies that characterizes sympatric populations can be attributed to a small but significant genotype-dependent difference in length-at-age values, but mostly to large and highly significant differences in viability.


Sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia spp. is one of the most important rice diseases worldwide including India. Thirty isolates of Rhizoctonia were isolated from infected rice plants. Genetic diversity of the pathogen was determined by using 11 simple sequence repeats (SSR) molecular markers. The isolates were identified with specific primers at species level. Twenty nine isolates were identified as Rhizoctonia solani while one isolate was found to be as Rhizoctonia oryzae. Native biocontrol agents were isolated from rice rhizospheric soils. Twenty seven isolates of Trichoderma and seventeen isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens were isolated and screened in vitro against R. solani and R. oryzae causing sheath blight of rice through dual culture technique, effect of volatile and non volatile compounds. Among all tested isolates under in vitro conditions Trichoderma T19 showed the maximum inhibition for R. solani and R. oryzae (65.80 and 74.44 % respectively). Volatile metabolites from Trichoderma T19 also caused maximum inhibition of R. solani (56.91 %) and R. oryzae (91.23%). In case of non-volatile compounds inhibition of the pathogens increased with the increase of culture filtrate concentration from 10 to 50 per cent and T19 with 50 per cent concentration showed the highest percentage of inhibition against R. solani (95.80 %) and R. oryzae (90.74%). P. fluorescens (Pf14) reduced the mycelial growth of R. solani by 60.49 per cent (inhibition zone 9.67 mm) and of R. oryzae by 74.94 per cent with 12.78 mm inhibition zone. Volatile compounds from P. fluorescens (Pf14) showed inhibition of mycelial growth of R. solani and R. oryzae (76.79 and 66.79 % respectively), while in case of non volatile the inhibition by Pf14 using 50 per cent concentration of culture filtrate against R. solani and R. oryzae was 82.47 and 93.46 per cent respectively. Biochemical tests for estimation of cell wall degrading enzymes showed the ability of T19 and Pf14 to produce high level of chitinase (22.1 and 17.5 unit/ml respectively) and β-1,3-glucanase (1.92 and 1.76 unit/ml respectively). Pf14 also presented high activity of siderophore production (20.5 mm halo zone). Fingerprinting of the most effective seven isolates of Trichoderma and of P. fluorescens using SSR marker showed variation between the isolates at molecular level. Efficacy of talc based bioformulations of Trichoderma T19 and P. fluorescens Pf14 applied individually as well as in combination under greenhouse and field conditions was seen against sheath blight of rice. Trichoderma T19 when applied as seed + soil + foliar spray showed the maximum reduction of disease incidence (67.49 %) and disease severity (82.92 %). It also acted as plant growth promoter and increased the number of tillers/hill (12.20), plant height (72.71 cm) and finally the yield of the crop (71.3 q/ha). Molecular identification of Trichoderma T19 using ITS1 and ITS4 universal primers showed 100 per cent similarity with T. asperellum. Cloning of endochitinase42 gene from T. asperellum T19 (potent strain) and Trichoderma T5 (mild strain) showed no difference in the gene sequence between the two Trichoderma isolates, while the difference in the antagonistic activity may be was due to the difference in the promoter region of the gene. Study of shelf life of bioformulations revealed that antagonists T. asperellum T19 and P. fluorescens Pf14 can remain potent for 6 months when stored at room temperature, while at low temperature storage (4 o C) these can remain potent up to one year. For mass multiplication sugarcane pressmud and rice leaves supported rapid, maximum growth and sporulation of T. asperellum T19.


Based on the book of Evgheni Vodolazkin, "Laur" which revives the memory of the great Russian writers like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, we have analyzed the specificity of this Russian contemporary master of words in connection to Russian art, in an attempt to encapsulate the features of this culture regarded from two perspectives which complement each other, from our point of view: literature – the art of words and art –the poetry of colours and feelings.


To reconcile this discrepancy and better understand the migration routes and interactions of different groups of AMHs, we developed a new version of the Hominin Dispersal Model (HDM, version 2). The phenomenological reaction diffusion model simulates a realistic human dispersal in a spatio-temporally varying climatic environment. In our configuration, we introduce a group which represents individuals which dispersed into Asia prior to 60 ka and a group which migrated into Eurasia post-60 ka. An ensemble of parameter sensitivity experiments suggests that their interaction caused a characteristic east-west gradient in admixture across Eurasia, which is consistent with latest genetic datasets, which reveal a faint signal of pre-60 ka dispersal waves in Southeast Asians and individuals from Papua New Guinea. Moreover, our simulations provide new insights into possible migration routes of AMHs. Based on this analysis we propose a new hypothesis to explain the increased Neanderthal DNA percentage in present-day Asians relative to Europeans.


Defects4J is a popular dataset against which many Java Automatic Program Repair (APR) tools benchmark their performance. However, recent evidence suggests that some APR tools overfit to Defects4J, producing plausible patches which are incorrect. What we do not currently know is whether there is any commonality in the features of these plausible patches that turn out not to be correct. We compare the features of Defects4J's human written patches in terms of those correctly patched by existing APR tools and those incorrectly patched. We found that 48.4% of Defects4J v1.5 have been automatically patched by existing APR tools; of which only 28.9% have been correctly patched leaving 19.5% incorrectly patched. We found patches of defects that added a method call, added a variable, or wrapped existing code with new code, such as a try/catch block were significantly associated with incorrect patches. Editing only a single line was significantly associated with correct patches. Our results suggest that current tools are weak at generating multi-line patches and synthesising new code especially when wrapping existing code. Our results highlight potential future areas of development for new APR approaches, such as developing a tool that effectively repairs defects that require a try/catch block. Our replication Package is available online11Replication Package available at: https://github.com/IncorrectDefects/ReplicationPackage.


Introduction Plants have evolutionary adaptations to a wide range of lighting conditions, depending on the season, time of day, weather or growing environment (Smith, 1982). The spectral quality of light from UV-light to far-red light (280–800 nm) is perceived by various photoreceptors, leading to morphological and physiological changes (Briggs and Olney, 2001). In the process of photomorphogenesis, the main photoreceptors (phytochromes, cryptochromes, phototropins and UVR8 receptors) allow plants to adapt to changing light environments. Phytochromes absorb red (R) and far-red (FR) light and occur in two different interchangeable forms, the inactive (PR) and active (PFR), depending on the R:FR ratio of the light spectra (Smith, 1982). Lower R:FR ratios under shade conditions lead to shade avoidance syndrome, which is shown by stem elongation, reduced branching and formation of larger and thinner leaves (Casal, 2013; McLaren and Smith, 1978; Park et al., 2016). In contrast, blue light can inhibit elongation growth and lead to the formation of thicker "sun-like" leaves (Cope and Bugbee, 2013; Hogewoning et al., 2010b; Xiaoying, 2012). Summary


The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) introduced a new certification system in 2018 to improve the professional standards of interpreters and translators. The following article outlines the work of NAATI and the certification process.


On the basis of the analytical results of more than 780 rock samples that were colleted evenly during 1:200,000 geochemical exploration covering the Western Junggar region,the average abundances of 36 elements were obtained for the supra-crust(exposed crust).The total sample statistics and iteration pick-out method were used to calculate element contents while,the abundances of ten oxides,SiO2,TiO2,Al2O3,TFe2O3,MgO,MnO,CaO,Na2O,K2O and P2O5,were normalized to 100%.The whole rock geochemistry of the supra-crust of Western Junggar region corresponds to a granodiorite composition.In comparison with the average abundances of elements in the upper crust of Japan Island Arc,the supra-crust of Western Junggar region exhibits the enrichment of TFe2O3,Na2O,TiO2,P2O5 and Cu,Sr and a depletion of CaO,Nb、Pb、Sb、Th and the compatible elements such as Co,Cr,Ni etc.In the view of element ratios,the ratios of K/La,K/Th,Nb/La,Th/La,La/As and La/Sb of the supra-crust of Western Junggar region are identical to those of upper crust of Japan Island Arc,but the K/Na ratio is smaller than that of island arc,and the La/Cr ratio is higher.In general,the supra-crust geochemistry of Western Junggar region is identical to the upper crust of a typical island arc.The arc orogenesis of the Caledonian and Hercynian cycles are important geological factors in determining the geochemical features of supra-crust exposed in Western Junggar region.


This article examines the institutional impact of environmental management systems (EMSs), focusing on ISO 14001. It develops a pluralistic framework for thinking about the dynamic of corporate self-regulation that we term the polyphonic model. It argues that the adoption of ISO 14001 can move the firm into a new equilibrium trajectory, which enmeshes together environmental and economic goals and reflects greater sensitivity to ecological concerns. There is a positive reciprocal cycle between the pro-environmental structural changes induced by ISO 14001 and the employees' attitudes toward the firm and the environment. In order to examine ISO 14001 institutional impact, we conducted a series of interviews with managers and administered questionnaires to employees in 24 Israeli firms with and without certification. The findings indicate that the perceived environmental commitment of certified firms was higher than that of noncertified firms and was higher among employees that perceived the EMS as more highly integrated in the firm. Perceptions of the standard's integration were also found to be positively correlated with personal environmental commitment. The results also indicate that the increase in the firm's environmental commitment was positively associated with employees' organizational citizenship behavior within certified firms. Further indications of the pro-environmental dynamic induced by ISO 14001 were found in the in-depth interviews.


the unprecedented tetrairon dication [{Cp*(dppe)FeC≡C-} 4 -μ-(1,2,4,5-C 6 H 2 )](PF 6 ) 2 ( 1 ) was obtained through a sequence of three reactions from 1,2,4,5-tetraethynylbenzene, Cp*(dppe)FeCl (Cp* = C 5 Me 5 , dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ethane), KOBu t , and ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. The cyclic voltammogram of the target molecule isolated in 77% yield, exhibits four well separated and reversible redox events showing that 1 is thermodynamically stable with respect to disproportionation ( K c > 10 6 ). The tetranuclear dication 1 was characterized by XRD on single crystal, IR and NMR spectroscopies and Mössbauer spectrometry. The experimental data show that 1 behaves as a class II mixed-valence complex with the positive charges preferentially disposed on antipodal positions. This new molecule can be regarded as a potential molecular prototype of quantum-dot cellular automata.


In this paper we study stability and boundedness of the nonlinear dierence equation x(t + 1) = a(t)x(t) + c(t) x(t g(t)) + q(x(t); x(t g(t)) : In particular we study equi-boundedness of solutions and the stability of the zero solution of this equation. Fixed point theorems are used in the analysis. Liapunov's method is normally used to study the stability properties of the zero solution of dieren tial and dierence equations. Certain diculties arise when Liapunov's method is applied to equations with unbounded de- lay or equations containing unbounded terms (11), (20). It has been found that some of these diculties can be eliminated if xed point theory is used instead (3). In the present paper we study certain type of boundedness and stability properties of solutions of linear and nonlinear dierence equations with delay using xed point theory as the main mathematical tool. In particular we study equi-boundedness of solutions and stability of the zero solution of


The study was conducted during the period 2010-2012, in Prush, Tirana, in the central part of Albania, in a fifteen years old vineyard, with a total area of 0.6 ha. The experimental plot was situated in a uniform flat land with a sloping gradient of 3-4%, 145 m elevation, and a planting density of 1100 vines ha -1 . Vines were trained according to Tent system, positioned at 200 cm above the ground. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six drip irrigation rates (0, 330, 495, 660, 825, and 990 m 3 irrigation water ha -1 ) and three replications, with a plot size of 10 vines for each treatment in each replication, was used. Except irrigation, the other cultural practices were the same as normal farmer's practices. Results showed that DIR significantly affected the vegetative and productive characters of table-grapevine cultivar "Italia": yield, single bunch weight, berries weight and size, skin color, total soluble solids and firmness, parameters linked with grape storage and market. Grape yield of control was 3.3-5.9 times lower than irrigated treatments. Although, the use of low drip irrigation rate (330 m 3 irrigation water ha -1 ) significantly increased the grape yield compared to control, but it was insufficient because mean yield of "Italia" table grape cultivar must be over 250 quintals ha -1 to be efficient. The highest grape yield (315.6 quintals ha -1 ) and higher quality characters were observed for the drip irrigation rate of 660 m 3 irrigation water ha -1 , and this rate can be


Several quantum protocols for data security having been proposed and, in general, they have different optical implementations. However, for the implementation of quantum protocols in optical networks, it is highly advantageous if the same optical setup can be used for running different quantum communication protocols. In this direction, here we show an optical scheme that can be used for quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) and quantum secret sharing (QSS). Additionally, it is naturally resistant to the attack based on single-photon detector blinding. At last, we show a proof-of-principle experiment in 1 km optical fiber link that shows the feasibility of the proposed scheme.


Anonymous job application is a policy measure which aims to eliminate discrimination during the job assignment process by concealing personal characteristics of applicants from employers. This paper provides evidence of discrimination and the effectiveness of anonymous job application with respect to the invitation for a job interview on the basis of two experiments in Nijmegen. This evidence is especially founded on an analysis in which the same groups of departments of the public sector of Nijmegen with and without anonymous job application are compared. Anonymous job application always results in non-discriminatory decisions of employers with respect to the invitation of the applicants for a job interview. There is neither in the groups with anonymous job application, nor in the other groups evidence of discrimination with respect to the hiring of the applicants, which takes place after the job interview. According to those results the discriminatory behavior of employers with respect to the invitation for a job interview is only explainable by theoretical models of statistical discrimination and anonymous job application always eliminates discrimination during the whole job assignment process. There is no convincing evidence of negative effects of anonymous job application on the efficiency of the application procedures in the short term. Finally, the evidence of "hidden discrimination", revealed by "over-qualified" immigrant applicants, shows that the effects of anonymous job application are even larger.


Based on the library service system in Chinese university,two subject librarian service models are mainly used.One is the model of the subject librarian uniting the professor in the library.The other is the model of the subject librarian specially servicing the special subject professor.In this paper,first,we analyse the advantages and the disadvantages of both models.Next,based on both models,we propose one new subject service model to do our best to service the law researchers.Finally,the analysis to the new model is also presented to illustrate that the new model is the effective and convenient service model.


The main memory database is based on the cache.The main copy or working version is accessed in it.The database is stored in the main memory.,which avoids the indirect access of cache controller.This kind of database has more throughput and less response time than traditional disk based database.


In the patients of acid related diseases,the use of proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) is popular.One of the most important reasons for PPIs'popularity is neglect of its side effect by physicians.The current publications mainly reviewed the effects of PPIs on drugs metabolism and gut micro-environment in order to give us some clues for PPIs'rational use and to avoid serious harmful effects to patients.


A new algorithm for computing the free distance of turbo codes is applied to the CCSDS and the UMTS standard codes. Results on the free distance behaviour for increasing interleaver length are also presented.


Beads coated with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RCC1 and a kinesin motor protein are sufficient to induce mitotic spindle assembly in Xenopus egg cytoplasm.


Investigation the Effects of Total and Total ABSTRACT Objectives: Experimental studies showed the role of oxidative stress in cell destruction and DNA damage in chronic viral hepatitis, In this study, oxidative stress was measured in various clinical forms of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and the role of oxidative stress was investigated in the development of hepatitis clinic. Materials and Methods: In total, 33 patients with inactive hepatitis B carrier (IHBC), 33 patients with active CHB infection, and 33 healthy adults were included in the study. Serum transaminases [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, total antioxidant capacity, and total oxidative stress (TOS)] were measured and compared in the patient groups. Results: In 99 patients were included in the study (56 men, 43 women). The mean age of patients in CHB was 33.21±10.20, in IHBC 36.73±11.54, and the control group 33±11.71. The mean ALT value was 40.93±28.28 U/L in the patients with CHB and 36.33±28.99 U/L in the patients with IHBC. The TOS value115.46±139.64 μm H 2 O 2 equivalent/L in the CHB and 52.67±40.36-μm H 2 O 2 equivalent/L in IHBC. Conclusion: ALT and TOS levels were significantly higher in the CHB than in the other groups. The increased TOS levels in the CHB may be related to the activity of cell destruction in active cases.


Objective To analyze primary Sjogren′s syndrome(pSS) and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) in female patients,the incidence of thyroid dysfunction and the detection rate of thyroid antibodies(ATA).Methods A retrospective analysis of the thyroid function and ATA was conducted to 100 cases of pSS,98 patients with SLE and 153 healthy controls(HC).Results The thyroid dysfunction rate of the pSS group and SLE group was significantly higher than that of the HC group.The most common symptom of the pSS group was sub-clinical hypothyroidism,and SLE patients had low T3 syndrome.The detection rate of anti-thyroid antibodies(TPOAb and TgAb) of the pSS group was significantly higher than that of the HC group.Compared with HC,only positive rate of TPOAb in SLE patients had statistically significant difference. TgAb detection rate of the pSS group was higher than that of the SLE group.Conclusion The pSS and SLE patients are more vulnerable to thyroid dysfunction,ATA detection rate is higher than the normal.


Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is the procedure of choice for patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis when non surgical treatment options fail. Complications of TKR include infection, deep vein thrombosis and joint loosening. A rare but debilitating complication is patellar tendon rupture, which may be due to inherent weakness of the tendon and/or damage to the tendon during surgery or trauma. We report a case of patellar tendon rupture after TKR in a 75 years old female. On post operative day 22, she had rupture of patellar tendon while trying to get up from a low lying commode Site of rupture was confirmed by MRI and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Patellar tendon repair surgery was done using semitendinosis graft followed by knee immobilization for six weeks. Rehabilitation was continued for twelve weeks. Patient was able to walk with cane and was independent in activities of daily living. Care should be taken before, during and after surgery. Low lying commode chairs and commode can lead to rupture of an already compromised tendon. Clinical examination and radiographs can confirm the diagnosis. Surgical repair is the only option for treatment. Prognosis is usually not good.


We prove f -positivity of O X (1) for arbitrary dimension fibrations over curves f : X → B whose general fibre is a complete intersection. In the special case where the family is a global complete intersection, we prove numerical sufficient and necessary conditions for f -positivity of powers of O X (1) and for the relative canonical sheaf. From these results we also derive a Chow instability condition for the fibres of relative complete intersections in the projective bundle of a µ − unstable bundle.


Researchers have succeeded in electron doping by partial La substitution at the Ca site in CaFeAsH, which results in high Tc of approximately 47 K. This study clearly shows that high Tc superconductivity occurs in 1111-type compounds with metal hydride blocking layers, and it provides insight for designing new superconductors with higher Tc.


We study a simple motion pursuit differential game of many pursuers and many evaders on a nonempty convex subset of . In process of the game, all players must not leave the given set. Control functions of players are subjected to integral constraints. Pursuit is said to be completed if the position of each evader , , coincides with the position of a pursuer , , at some time , that is, . We show that if the total resource of the pursuers is greater than that of the evaders, then pursuit can be completed. Moreover, we construct strategies for the pursuers. According to these strategies, we define a finite number of time intervals and on each interval only one of the pursuers pursues an evader, and other pursuers do not move. We derive inequalities for the resources of these pursuer and evader and, moreover, show that the total resource of the pursuers remains greater than that of the evaders.


Acid alteration in the western Izu Peninsula reflects the process of the past hydrothermal activity in the district. For the purpose of considering the age of acid alteration in the western Izu Peninsula, K-Ar ages of separated alunite were measured. As a result, the ages of 3.3 ± 0.1 Ma from the Funabara deposits and 0.34 ± 0.05 Ma from the Nishina deposits were obtained. It is considered that the Funabara deposits formed in relation to the late extrusion of Kano andesites. The age of the Nishina deposits and surrounding acid alteration is comparable with intrusion at the northern part of Chokuro mountain.    Before 2.0 Ma, hydrothermal attack occurred at Funabara district in Tertiary formation. The extensive acid alteration in Ugusu district formed about 2.0-1.0 Ma. At 1.0-0.3 Ma, subsequent hydrothermal system occurred in Nishina district.


Summary form only given. Theoretical investigations of a new method of ion cumulation and acceleration under 3-dimensional compression of plasma in a "light trap" created in the focal region of a powerful femtosecond laser are represented. The "light trap" is formed by a delay in time of the central part of the focused impulse. Using numerical methods, the cumulation degree and maximum energy of accelerated ions which depend on the values of the powerful femtosecond laser impulse have been studied. The physical mechanisms of increasing ion density and energy in the paraxial range of plasma have been discussed. The proposed method of ion cumulation and acceleration allows creation of a compact bright source of fast neutrons, media for X-ray and gamma-lasers, and also provides the unique possibility of nuclear reaction initiation and isotope production.


This paper applies the Walsh function to simplify the on-off pattern synthesis of a single phase full-bridge PWM inverter with low harmonics. Owing to the digital nature of the Walsh function, the synthesis process becomes straightforward. It is the main feature of the proposed method over a conventional method using Fourier series. Several examples are shown in the paper, which verifies the validity of the proposed synthesis method.


Thromboembolic complications as well as laboratory abnormalities in hemostatic parameters are frequently observed in cancer patients. Tissue factor (TF) has been documented to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of thrombosis and, among other coagulation proteins, in tumor growth and metastatic spread. The principal inhibitor of TF-dependent pathway of blood coagulation is tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). Its presence in cancer tissue was not detected in previous studies. There exists a second inhibitor of tissue factor dependent pathway, TFPI-2, also known as placental protein (PP5) or matrix-associated serine protease inhibitor (MSPI). TFPI-2/ PP5 inhibits the amidolytic and proteolytic activity of TF/VIIa complex. TFPI-2/PP5 is a strong inhibitor of human factor XIa amidolytic activity, human plasma kallikrein, plasmin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. TFPI-2/PP5, synthesized predominantly by the endothelial cells of small blood vessels, is secreted primarily (60–90%) into the extravascular matrix. However, information on the presence TFPI-2 at the tumor burden still remains obscure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of the TFPI-2 in situ in several human neoplasms. The study employed immunohistochemical procedures. TFPI-2 expression was observed in neoplastic cells of laryngeal, breast, gastric, colon, pancreatic, renal, endometrial cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as glial neoplasms. The intensity of staining was inconsistent. Higher intensity of staining for TFPI-2 was detected in more differentiated tumors. Breast, gastric, endometrial and colon cancer cells revealed populations of cells that were either TFPI-2 positive or negative. Antigenic TFPI-2 was also demonstrated in tumor infiltrating macrophages in the case of NSCLC, gastric and renal cancers. In gastric cancer a staining for TFPI-2 in tumor stroma was revealed. TFPI-2 was also observed in normal tissue of the larynx, breast, stomach, colon, pancreas, kidney, lung and endometrium. The data demonstrate that the expression of TFPI-2 diminishes with an increasing degree of malignancy, which may suggest a role for TFPI-2 in the maintenance of tumor stability and inhibition of the growth of neoplasms. P 02 Up-Regulation of Cyclin D1 in Cultured Human Endothelial Cells in Response to Exogenous Tissue Factor A. Pradier1, N.J. James2, C. Ettelaie1 1University of Hull, Hull, 2Leeds University, Leeds, UK


Social and cultural beliefs in different communities of Zambia have continued to perpetrate Gender Based Violence and this has affected victims in many ways. The impact of GBV has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality rates globally after its physical, mental, emotional and social inflictions on the victims. This has placed a cost on the quality of life as lifestyle changes occur. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the socio-cultural factors that are associated with Gender Based Violence in Chipata City. This study adopted an explorative mixed method design. The study sequentially collected quantitative and qualitative data. Responses were gotten from 381 whose sample was deduced from 1,922 female victims, registered from 2014 to 2016 at the GBV One Stop Centre and Chipata City. The study discussions revealed weak community support, poor relationships, alcohol and poverty as being among the major contributing factors to GBV. Major health effects could either be physical implications like a loss of an organ after assault, unwanted pregnancies and STI infections, whose findings were attributed to spouses/partners. Sensitization, in this case, could help curb the incidences of GBV. On conclusion, the study explored the experiences female survivors in Chipata city have had following Gender Based Violence. Socio-cultural and economic factors fueled GBV and victims mention poverty, substance abuse and inactive law enforcement directly enhancing these acts of violence. The key recommendation is massive sensitization about GBV and reinforcing laws to strengthen the curbing of violence.


We describe results on mapping-class groups of oriented 3-manifolds with one regular end. These groups naturally act on the state spaces of classical and quantum gravity.


Craniosynostosis (CS) is a common congenital defect affecting more than 1/2000 infants. Infants with CS have a premature fusion of one or multiple cranial sutures resulting in restricted brain expansion. Single gene mutations account for 15-20% of cases, largely as part of a syndrome, but the majority are nonsyndromic with complex underlying genetics. Two noncoding genomic regions contributing to CS risk were previously identified by GWAS, one near BMP2 and one within BBS9. We hypothesized that the region within BBS9 contains distal regulatory elements controlling the neighboring gene encoding BMPER, a secreted modulator of BMP signaling. To identify regulatory sequences that might underlie disease risk, we surveyed conserved noncoding sequences from both risk loci identified from the GWAS for enhancer activity in transgenic Danio rerio. We identified enhancers from both regions that direct expression to skeletal tissues, consistent with the endogenous gene expression. Importantly, for each locus, we found a skeletal enhancer that also contains a sequence variant associated with CS risk. We examined the activity of each enhancer during craniofacial development and found that the BMPER-associated enhancer is active in the restricted region of cartilage closely associated with frontal bone initiation. We used an enhanced yeast one-hybrid assay to identify transcription factor interactions with several identified enhancers, implicating multiple signaling pathways in their regulation. In a targeted screen focused on risk-associated SNPs, we further identified differential binding to alternate and reference alleles. Additionally, we found that the risk allele of the BMPER enhancer directs significantly broader expression than the reference allele in transgenic zebrafish. Our findings support a specific genetic mechanism to explain the contribution of two risk loci to CS. More broadly, our combined in vivo approach is applicable to many complex genetic diseases to build a link between association studies and specific genetic mechanisms. Author Summary Genome–wide association studies (GWASs) provide a wealth of information implicating regions of the genome in disease risk. The great challenge is linking those regions to specific genetic mechanisms. We used complementary approaches in zebrafish and yeast to evaluate the genetic risk of craniosynostosis (CS), a craniofacial birth defect affecting 1/2000 infants where two or more skull bones are fused prematurely. Using transgenic zebrafish, we identified sequences regulating expression of two genes in the BMP signaling pathway that had been previously implicated by GWAS. These included one from each region containing a sequence variant linked to disease risk. We used an assay in cultured yeast to detect proteins binding to identified DNA sequences that could alter expression of the target genes, including changes in protein binding caused by the sequence variants. Finally, we found that transgenic fish carrying one of the variant sequences showed broader and more sustained activity throughout the skeleton. Taken together, our results support a model where variant sequences lead to increased gene expression and BMP pathway activity, contributing to aberrant skull growth in CS. Importantly, our paradigm is broadly applicable to other complex genetic diseases, potentially illuminating many connections between genome variation and disease risk.


In this paper, we present an hierarchical clock routing scheme, which minimizes the longest source to sink path, and obtains a path balanced clock tree with minimal total wirelength. Our scheme takes into consideration, the hierarchical design of a circuit. Our approach is applicable to large VLSI circuits and MCM's. The algorithm has been implemented and experimental results are encouraging.<<ETX>>


Dynamic and static light scattering experiments on solutions of the flexible highly charged polyelectrolyte sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) have been performed in the semidilute concentration regime. Over a very wide polyelectrolyte concentration range double-exponential correlation functions were found. At the lowest polyelectrolyte concentrations the correlation functions became single exponential. Apparent fast and slow diffusion coefficients were determined for three molar masses at a fixed added salt concentration of 0.01 M. The fast diffusion coefficient is both molar mass and polyelectrolyte concentration dependent at the lowest concentrations and becomes molar mass independent at semidilute concentrations. At even higher polyelectrolyte concentration the apparent fast diffusion coefficient is independent of both the molar mass and polyelectrolyte concentration. In the semidilute regime the fast diffusion coefficient follows the power law Df ∝ c0.72, close to the theoretical prediction of Odijk's sca...