The invention discloses a multiplexing device and a multiplexing method. The multiplexing device comprises an adaptive input identification module, a service building module, a service management module and a multiframe building module, wherein the adaptive input identification module is used for adaptively identifying and caching the types of input code streams; the service building module is used for extracting multiplexing subframes in input multiframes from the cached input code streams according to the types of the input code streams, or building input audio-video data information into the multiplexing subframes; the service management module is used for performing service management distribution on the multiplexing subframes according to service management configuration information, distributing the multiplexing subframes to corresponding multiframes and storing the multiplexing subframes into a specified cache; and the multiframe building module is used for acquiring the multiplexing subframes from the specified cache, building the multiframes according to multiplexing configuration information, and converting the generated multiframes into multiplexing code streams to perform outputting. The multiplexing device and the multiplexing method can realize that different types of the input code streams use the same device to perform multiplexing treatment, save the station building and maintenance costs, improve the easy-to-use performance of front-end equipment, and reduce error codes and fault risks caused by the combined use of a plurality of multiplexers.


A wide range of variability in root anatomy is found in certain roots or teeth. In particular, certain roots seem to have a propensity for an 'S-shape' configuration. Recent reports indicate that of 1163 roots from 14 different types of teeth (700 total) examined, 17.5% exhibited secondary curvatures that were classified as being S-shaped, with 12.3% of maxillary teeth and 23.3% of mandibular teeth exhibiting this anatomical characteristic1. A wide variety of teeth can exhibit S-shaped root anatomies (Fig 1), with one of the most prominent and challenging anatomies being found in maxillary second premolars (Fig 2). The mesial-distal narrowness of these teeth both coronally and apically, along with the propensity for external root invaginations, make enlarging, shaping and debrideThe technical management of roots with S-shaped root canals to achieve both proper shaping and thorough cleaning is difficult and demanding. Little has been written that specifically addresses the clinical challenges encountered in these anatomically irregular roots. The purpose of this article is to detail techniques that can be used to efficiently and safely complete the entire root canal procedure on teeth with S-shaped roots and to amplify this accomplishment using a case report and treatment outcome.


Purpose: The lung nodules localization in CT scan images is the most difficult task due to the complexity of the arbitrariness of shape, size, and texture of lung nodules. This is a challenge to be faced when coming to developing different solutions to improve detection systems. the deep learning approach showed promising results by using convolutional neural network (CNN), especially for image recognition and it's one of the most used algorithm in computer vision. Approach: we use (CNN) building blocks based on YOLOv5 (you only look once) to learn the features representations for nodule detection labels, in this paper, we introduce a method for detecting lung cancer localization. Chest X-rays and low-dose computed tomography are also possible screening methods, When it comes to recognizing nodules in radiography, computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system based on (CNN) have demonstrated their worth. One-stage detector YOLOv5 trained on 280 annotated CT SCAN from a public dataset LIDC-IDRI based on segmented pulmonary nodules. Results: we analyze the predictions performance of the lung nodule locations, and demarcates the relevant CT scan regions. In lung nodule localization the accuracy is measured as mean average precision (mAP). the mAP takes into account how well the bounding boxes are fitting the labels as well as how accurate the predicted classes for those bounding boxes, the accuracy we got 92.27%. Conclusion: this study was to identify the nodule that were developing in the lungs of the participants. It was difficult to find information on lung nodules in medical literature.


The present invention provides a compound of certain hydroxylamine derivatives of diacyl, containing such compounds pharmaceutical compositions and kits, and methods of using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions. In particular, the present invention provides the use of such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions for treating, preventing or delaying the occurrence of the disease or condition and / or development. In some embodiments, the disease or condition is selected from cardiovascular disease, ischemia, reperfusion injury, cancerous disease, pulmonary hypertension and treatment of nitric acid with a case where the response.


Inclusion complexation between cyclodextrins (CDs) and various guests has been extensively investigated in supramolecular chemistry. Besides CDs, there are several important macrocyclic host families, such as crown ethers and cucurbiturils. Until now, the contribution of these other families to macromolecular self-assembly has been small compared to CDs. This chapter will focus on CDs as hosts for interaction with guest monomers to form hydrogels. CD interactions with other monomers were made possible depending on proper molecular recognition. Macroscopic molecular recognition can be categorized by three types of interactions: main chain (polyrotaxane), side chain, and sequential complexes. Utilizing CD as host molecule, polymers such as polyethers, cationic polymers, polyamines, polyesters, π-conjugated polymers, polyolefins, polyamides, polyurethanes, and inorganic polymers could interact to form inclusion complexes. This chapter will attempt to discuss these studies. Depending on the functional groups attached to the polymeric component, supramolecular formation can be altered based on the stimuli response. Introducing polymer side chains or groups that respond selectively towards external stimuli could affect the hydrogel formation. This chapter also discusses the stimuli response of such systems.


Description: The management of quality and sustainability in higher education institutions ensures that proper standards are maintained. Such enforced standardization allows for the highest caliber of training opportunities for various fields and disciplines. Readers: This book is ideally designed for researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and professionals actively involved in the field of higher education.


With the installation of many new multi-channel phasor measurement units (PMUs), utilities and power grid operators are collecting an unprecedented amount of high-sampling rate bus frequency, bus voltage phasor, and line current phasor data with accurate time stamps. The data owners are interested in efficient algorithms to process and extract as much information as possible from such data for real-time and off-line analysis. Traditional data analysis typically analyze one channel of PMU data at a time, and then combine the results from the individual analysis to arrive at some conclusions. In this paper, a spatial-temporal framework for efficient processing of blocks of PMU data is proposed. A key property of these PMU data matrices is that they are low rank. Using this property, various data management issues such as data compression, missing data recovery, data substitution detection, and disturbance triggering and location can be processing using singular-value based algorithms and convex programming. These functions are illustrated using some historical data from the Central New York power system.


Free trade is an important factor in economic development and the creation of new jobs. Transatlantic relations and trade have a global impact, and their significance has increased after the establishment of the European Community. The EU and the United States have been undergone different development models and phases which have in turn determined the nature of their cooperation. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of key features of the new Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and its potential impact on members, as well as on the third countries. The expected effects are not equal or evenly distributed and will depend upon the type of goods exchanged, regulation divergence and the overall scope of the agreement. The conclusion is that the elimination of tariff barriers will not have the same significant effects as elimination or reduction of non-tariff barriers on trade and investments.


The advances made on genetic influence on response and side effects of psychiatric pharmacotherapy improved the concept of personalized psychiatry. The current evidence suggests that testing can be useful in patients who did not respond or tolerate at least one previous pharmacotherapy. Approximately 90% of all drugs are metabolized by only few different cytochrome enzymes. Pharmacogenetic research has provided important evidence of CYP functional polymorphisms in psychiatric treatment, with numerous studies associating their presence with the variability observed in response to treatment. The study of candidate genes involved in the pharmacokinetics of antidepressants has provided sufficiently strong scientific evidence for clinical applications. These genes encode the cytochrome P450 enzymes and are responsible for the metabolism of antidepressants. Pharmacogenetic testing is thus becoming a useful and increasingly useful tool for antidepressant pharmacotherapy. The efficacy of antidepressant action has been associated with several polymorphisms, located on the gene encoding proteins considered to be involved in the various mechanisms of action of antidepressant treatments.


Smallholder coffee production in Africa has declined over the last 10 years due to a combination of unfavourable producer prices, inefficient marketing and the high cost of inputs resulting from economic structural adjustment policies and lack of credit facilities. Although there is currently a surplus of coffee on the world market and prices may remain low for some time as a result, the 'fair trade' sector is expanding, offering a marketing opportunity for smallholders. This article examines some of the problems currently facing the smallholder sector in Africa and suggests that adapting the principles of integrated crop management (ICM) to the needs of coffee smallholders can contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the sector.


This article described the application of the phantom system in the experiment teaching of Endodontics.Through the process of teaching,we realized that the way of simulation in the experiment teaching not only can enhance the enthusiasm of students,but also can consolidate the basis of theoretical knowledge and improve the clinical skills of students.The system has become the necessary equipment and means in experimental teaching of modern stomatology.It is worth further promotion and application in dental teaching.


Newborn are particularly susceptible to certain diseases, much more than older children and adults because their new immune system are not adequately developed to fight the bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause these infections. This study therefore examines the neonatal infection prevention practices among primary health care workers in a semi-urban town in Nigeria. This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between April 22ndand 13th May, 2013. A total sampling of all the primary health care facilities [5 government owned PHC and 36 private PHC] was used to select the participants into the study. All health care workers involved in the care of the newborn and met at the time of the visit to the health facility were recruited into the study. A semi- structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information and a total of 389 Health care workers were interviewed. The mean age of the respondents was 34.72± 6.45 years. Three quarters [75.6%] of the respondents work in Private PHC and 21.8% work in government owned Primary health centre. Only 69.7% of the respondents have correct knowledge of neonatal infection. About 14.4% of the respondents advocated that baby should not suck the colostrum. About 12.2% of the respondents encourage giving the newborn water instead of breast milk immediately after birth. Furthermore, 15.9% still practice the use of breast milk as eye drops for cure of eye infection in the newborn and 71.4% of respondents still clean baby's ear with cotton bud immediately after birth as infection prevention practices in the newborn. Majority of the respondents [91.3%] encourage exclusive breast feeding. The study shows that unhealthy newborn infection prevention practices is still being practiced at the primary health care centers in Nigeria. Therefore, adequate training on care of the newborn should be given to health care workers involved in the delivery and perinatal care of the newborn in order to reduce the adverse effect of these unhealthy birth practices. These in turn would reduce the high neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries.


The response of calcite to flotation with saturated fatty acids and alky 1 sulfonates of various chain lengths is presented. The amount of collector re quired for flotation is shown to decrease systemati cally with increasing carbon content from 8 to 12carbon atoms per molecule. This systematic flotation response is correlated with the solubilities of the calcium-collector salts, which were established with a nephelometer. The 14-carbon coIlectors deviate from this systematic behavior, and no flotation is possible with the 16-carbon homologs. As determined by infrared analysis, the mechanism of cOIlector ad sorption involves a specific chemical reaction be tween the collector and the surface. A reaction of the form


The advancements in emerging interconnects for Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) brings with it promising solutions to integrate single-hop long-range high-bandwidth on-chip links to achieve enhanced network performance. The use of these lie in the design of modern heterogeneous systems with increasing number of processing blocks, which may include application specific unconventional topologies. In this work, we present a reconfigurable simulation framework that enables evaluation of such complex designs and in the process, introduce a new cost-effective metric based on network utilization and illustrate how it can be exploited to achieve energy efficient NoCs by implementing low power design strategies like Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) and power-gating. An experimental setup and evaluation follows for both regular and hybrid topologies under synthetic and application specific traffic. This work will enable quick and detailed evaluation of hybrid topologies. The results achieved clearly establish the cost-effectiveness of the proposed framework.


Recovery percentage of C. maydis, the causal agent of maize late wilt disease, was determined under greenhouse conditions in 2010 in three plant parts; i.e. second internode of stalk above the ground level (SIS), ear shank internode (EI) and tassel internode (TI), of ten maize hybrids with and without symptoms. The two maize hybrids, SC155 (susceptible) and SC124 (tolerant) were selected from the previous experiment to assess recovery percentage and seven anatomical parameters in 2011. These parameters were; vascular bundles number (VBN) / 0.49 mm2 of area of stalk section, metaxylum cells number (MCN), protoxylum cells number (PCN), metaxylum cells diameter (MCD), protoxylum cells diameter (PCD), maximum of scleronchyma cell layers number (MASCLN) and minimum of scleronchyma cell layers number (MISCLN). These parameters were measured at the same time in cross sections of symptomatic (SI), asymptomatic (AI) and non infected (NI) plants by the agent. Recovery percentage in plants with symptomatic infection differed among hybrids depending on the degree of tolerance. The recovery percentage ranged from 10 to 85 % in SIS, from 10 to 85 % in EI, and from 10 to 69 % in TI. In apparently healthy plants, recovery percentage ranged from 10 to 70 % in SIS, from 0 to 50 % in EI and from 0 to 20 % in TI. However, in 2011 experiment, the recovery percentage of the susceptible hybrid was significantly higher than those of the tolerant ones in all three plant parts with or without symptoms. Concerning the measurements of anatomical parameters, the susceptible maize hybrid had number of vascular bundles / 0.49 mm2 of section area significantly higher than those of the tolerant ones only in plant sections with symptomatic and asymptomatic infection. Also tolerant plants with SI, AI, and NI showed significantly higher levels in maximum number of scleronchyma cell layers than the susceptible ones indicating that disease tolerance was associated with specific structure. In summary, C. maydis not only had the ability to invade both the tolerant and susceptible maize plants but also moves from above ground internode to ear shank internode and tassel internode and may reach to the kernels through the cob and completing its disease cycle.


A Ka band hybrid integrated electronically tuned oscillator by using finline, Gunn device and beam lead varactor diode was presented. And its designing method was also introduced. The VCO equivalent circuit model presented can be conveniently optimized to get wide electronically tuned bandwidth and simple structure. The measured performances of the optimized VCO are 1.2GHz (electronically tuned bandwidth) and 20.65±0.52 dBm (output power) at 34.93GHz (frequency).


A characteristic feature of organic farming and related sustainable agricultural systems (hereafter just called "organic farming" in the interest of simplicity) is the integration of livestock husbandry with feed production. This facilitates recycling of livestock manure and the use of rotations involving legume forages. However, it also raises a potentially serious objection: If every farmer practiced it, the country might have more livestock than we need or want. The question "what if everybody did it?" is legitimate, provided it is phrased accurately and fairly. One version might be: "What if all farmers attempted to use manure to replace their current use of fertilizer?" Organic farming apparently fails this test. However, this question is based on three implicit assumptions that distort the nature of organic farming. First, it assumes the same cropping plan as is typical of conventional practice, e.g., from one-half to all the cropland in feed grains. Second, it assumes that manure needs to replace conventional fertilizer at the same rate. Third, it assumes that livestock manure is the only material that the organic farmer will wish to use as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer. All these assumptions are false, for reasons I discuss later. Instead of focusing entirely on fertilizer requirements, I offer another test that reflects the relationship between livestock, efficiency, and conservation in organic farming: "What if livestock were always raised in a manner that conserves resources by using them efficiently, and that makes livestock and crop production mutually supportive?" This version of the question has important implications for where livestock are produced. The trend has been towards largescale confinement, rather than a farm-based system. This trend is not consistent with the second test of agricultural practices, for two reasons. First, because it is difficult to use manure from large-scale confinement lots efficiently, this system violates the requirement that livestock production support crop production. Second, confined livestock cannot use crop residues and grasslands, which violates the requirement that crop production efficiently support the livestock.


Abstract : The main focus of current activities was on synthesis of new branched and peptide-containing molecules and further development of sophisticated freely standing membranes with micropatterned structure. We synthesized several new amphiplilic hyperbranched molecules and silver-binding peptide for further incorporation into membrane film. Freely-standing arrays of carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles were fabricated as well and their properties tested with micromechanical studies and Raman spectroscopy. Specifically we studied: flexible nanomembranes with encapsulated silver nanowires and semiconducting quantum dots display outstanding micromechanical, fluorescence, and conducting properties; quantum dot nanomembranes suspended over optical cavities show exceptional backlight-enhanced fluorescence intensity; multifunctional hyperbranched molecules control monodisperse silver nanoparticle monolayer growth at the air-water interface. Silver-reducing peptides were encapsulated into ultrathin polymer film and formation of silver nanoparticles was demonstrated.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) exercise on body functions (gait, balance, lower extremity power, and instrumental activities daily living) and fall efficacy of elderly women. This study applied PNF exercise in a fall prevention program in addition to fall prevention seminars to an experimental group of 18 subjects and applied only fall prevention seminars to a control group of 20 subjects. The PNF exercise consisted of three sessions per week for 12 weeks and fall prevention seminars were composed of three times educations(0th, 6th, and 12th week). As a result of statistical analyses, following conclusions were obtained. A 12-week PNF exercise significantly improved gait, balance, lower extremity, instrumental activities daily living functions and enhanced fall efficacy of elderly women. In conclusion, the PNF exercise in a fall prevention program was found to be effective to improve body functions(gait, balance, lower extremity power and instrumental activities daily living) and fall efficacy of elderly women.


The purpose of this study is to find out the influence of religious values orientation on the academic achievement of senior secondary school students in Rivers State, Nigeria. The population of the study consists of 42,624 SSII (senir secondary 2) students. Self-concept is conceptualized as religious values orientation. The Ex-post factor research design is used. Stratified and systematic random sampling technique is deployed to obtain a sample of eight hundred (800) SSII students in twenty three (23) secondary schools. Data are collected using Students opinion questionnaire and academic performance of students in Mathematics and English language (SPME). A trial test of the instrument gives a reliability estimate between .63 and .94. Seven hypotheses are tested at .05 alpha levels using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's Least Significant Difference t-test where appropriate. The results obtained shows that religious values orientation is necessary to improve the religious skills of students to engender religious values orientation, increase the religious resilience of students in the school, elevate their moral values and motivate students to perform better and these should be the core counselling activity of the school


The present invention relates to the application of an aromatic acid or acid derivative borin in organic electronic devices, in particular electroluminescent devices.


The purpose of this paper is to discuss how collective and distributed skills are considered in a professional competence management system by associating sociological and ergonomic work approaches. Collective work in companies is currently paradoxical: on the one hand, its value is increased through various forms of cooperation, and on the other hand, it is restricted in its makeup and sustainability by new kinds of employment. However, the results of our study, carried out in a large industrial and retailing company in a high-risk sector, highlight that a "single" and individual professional competence management system is a partial system. Work contexts should take into account technical specialties, changes in populations, changes in technology, etc. An efficient skills management system therefore ought to combine both individual and collective approaches in order to anticipate organizations that promote the development of collective and/or distributed skills, and training situations that promote their construction and transmission.


Recently,more and more experimental evidences showed that DC not only have powerful function of immuno-activation,but also can play important role in the immunosuppression state of infectious diseases,making the worse of infection or the spreading of pathogen in the body.The review will summarize the research progress of immunosuppression in some infectious diseases.


Since I too am turning 50 this year, I know something of what it feels like for the National Debate Tournament to reach this venerable age. It's an occasion to celebrate achievement, to wonder how time passed so quickly, and to remind oneself that, after all, 50 is still young and vigorous. At least in the tournament's case I'm sure that is true! My first serious contact with even the idea of the NDT came in the spring of 1966, when Bill Snyder and Mike Denger returned to Northwestern after having won Nationals at West Point. Only one team per school could attend in those days, and I had been on the second team. Mike's and Bill's victorious return meant two things for me. First, under the rules then in existence, the winning team received an automatic invitation to the next year's tournament. Since I regarded it as likely that Mike Denger and I would be on the "top team," I rejoiced at the thought that I could get there without having to go through Districts (the only way that one could qualify). But, second, with Mike's and Bill's return came the news that West Point after 20 years had decided to discontinue hosting and sponsoring the NDT. I might have a free ride, but to where? Quickly the American Forensic Association stepped into the breach and assumed the sponsorship of the tournament, an arrangement that has continued now for 30 years. The 1967 tournament was hosted jointly by Northwestern and the University of Chicago (Chicago provided the facilities and Northwestern the money) and I was fortunate to go. I was very glad that I could skip Districts. Not only was District V the toughest district in those years, but several of the teams who had done well all year did not qualify - a circumstance that was, I believe, the immediate cause of the invention of the at-large system beginning the next year. Mike and I reached the quarterfinals where we lost to the Dartmouth team of Tom Brewer and John Isaacson who went on to win the tournament. Of course, we thought we should have won the round. I recently enjoyed reading about John Isaacson's years as a Rhodes Scholar in David Maraniss's book, First in His Class. The next year the tournament was hosted by Brooklyn College. The free ride for winners was gone. We went through districts and were fortunate enough to clear. The tournament was now up to 44 teams with eight at-large teams added after Districts, so it now took at least a 5-3 record to clear. We did well in the preliminary rounds and I was fortunate enough to win the Top Speaker Award, receiving a watch which I still wear to this day. In the eliminations we had a tough octafinal round against Oregon and then lost in the quarterfinals to Butler, who went on to reach the final round. Once again, of course, we thought we really had won the round. …


Based on the simple mode-matching key-building block of the single double-plane step discontinuity, a general modal admittance formulation is presented for the rigorous CAD of longitudinal multi-channel or -aperture coupled rectangular waveguide structures of arbitrary size and location. The theory involves an arbitrary number of rectangular coupling structures, different size and finite thickness of the coupling elements, as well as immediate higher-order mode interaction of all discontinuities. The efficiency of the design method is demonstrated at two new filter examples: a metal insert Ku-band bandstop filter (12-18 GHz, WR-62) with an E-plane bypass waveguide structure, and a low-cost lowloss Ku-band four-aperture iris coupled bandpass filter. The theory is verified by comparison with measured results.


Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a disorder typified clinically by motor and sensory neuropathy of at least 2 months' duration and pathologically by multifocal inflammatory demyelination. Its usual presentation is with features reflecting the polyneuropathy, namely limb weakness with hyporeflexia or areflexia and sensory symptoms of glove and stocking distribution.


The issues examined in this article focus on the age at which young people [in the Netherlands] leave their parents home the variations of this age and factors which may influence it. Factors considered include marriage patterns household structure educational and employment opportunities degree of urbanization socioeconomic status sex and various cultural and economic characteristics. (summary in ENG) (EXCERPT)


Sustainable approach in developing the coastal developments is very important. A study was conducted to predict the relationship between locational and socio-economic aspects on perceptions of impact of surrounding development, as well as willingness to accept (WTA) future development in Johor, particularly the proposed coastal project within Sungai Lebam catchment area, the location of this study. Ten different villages within 5km radius of the upcoming development were randomly selected with 300 respondents interviewed. The data was analysed using crosstab, bivariate and linear regression analyses of the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study found that most respondents were willing to accept the proposed coastal development. However, WTA varied according to perceived opinions on potential impacts of development and socio-economic background of respondents. Respondents were willing to accept due to their perceived positive future values of the development in improving their economic and occupational status as well as infrastructure in the area. However, the respondents' reluctance to accept the development was based on negative perceived views of coastal development that could negatively affecting their psychological well-being and environmental conditions in general. Higher income individuals were more likely to accept the development, whereas those with lower academic and formal education where more critical about it (p<0.01) (i.e., significant at 99% confident level). The results indicated that locational factors did not affect WTA.


https://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2020.56.2.154 C Chonnam Medical Journal, 2020 Chonnam Med J 2020;56:154-155 Corresponding Author: Tae Yang Yu Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Wonkwang University Hospital, 895 muwang-ro, Iksan 54538, Korea Tel: +82-63-859-2670, Fax: +82-63-855-2025, E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Article History: Received November 28, 2019 Revised December 31, 2019 Accepted January 14, 2020 FIG. 1. (A) Multiple café au lait spots and brownish small nodules all over the body. (B) Right breast solid mass with freckling in the axillary area. (C) Multiple small hamartoma lesions in the iris. An Extraordinary Case of Pheochromocytoma with Breast Cancer in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1


The effect of temperature on the strength of strained graphene is studied by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Initially strained graphene is heated with constant temperature increase rate from 0 K up to the mechanical instability and fracture. Strong influence of the temperature increase rate on the critical temperature has been revealed, which is an expected effect in the simulations of fracture triggered by thermal fluctuations. For uniaxial tension along zigzag (armchair) direction the critical strain at room temperature is equal to 0.22 (0.19), while at zero temperature the critical strain is equal to 0.30 (0.23). Hydrostatic tension at zero temperature results in graphene fracture at strain of 0.23, while at room temperature at strain of 0.16.


Purpose: Dose escalation in treatment target while sparing critical organs can be a challenge even with contemporary IMRT and IMPT technologies, especially for large and complex targets. F18‐fluorodeoxyglucose (F18‐FDG) is the most‐used tracer in PET to image the glucose uptake in tissues, and is correlated with an increased rate of glycolysis in many tumor cells. In this study, we explored IMRT and IMPT treatment planning on NSCLC to selectively escalate dose inside CTV with the guidance of functional PET information. Method and Materials: Our PET/CT protocol with attenuation correction using average CT has been shown to improve the registration between CT and PET data, and PET data quantification. After fusion of the PET and Planning CT, a voxelized dose prescription inside CTV was created in proportion to the standardized uptake values (SUV) such that voxels with a specified high SUV were assigned 74Gy and the minimum dose was constrained to 63Gy. IMRT and IMPT plans were then optimized by using the voxelized prescription combined with other clinical constraints (e.g. lung V20 < 40%). Reference plans were also created to uniformly escalate CTV dose. Assessment of correlation between dose distribution in CTV and FDG PET was made with normalized mutual information (NMI). Results: We achieved higher NMI of 0.47 and 0.48 for IMRT and IMPT with FDG‐PET, and lower NMI of 0.42 and 0.41 for IMRT and IMPT with uniform escalations, respectively. Uniform escalation plans yielded a V20 of near 40% or higher. FDG‐PET dose escalation lowered the V20 to 37.1% for IMRT and 30.1% for IMPT. Conclusion: Both IMRT and IMPT plans demonstrated good correlations with the PET information while respecting dose tolerance of critical organs. In addition, with PET, IMPT showed a greater ability in shaping the dose distribution and minimizing dose to critical organs, than IMRT.


Tackling urban road congestion by means of ITS technologies, involves a number of key challenges. One such challenge is related to the accurate detection of traffic incidents in urban networks for more efficient traffic management. It combines K-means Clustering algorithm and Naive bayes techniques in light of the fault diagnosis theory. In the core of the proposed approach lies a more efficient feature extraction technique, based on the dynamic characteristics of data corresponding to those vehicles that are involved in incidents. In the core of the proposed approach lies a more efficient feature extraction technique, based on the dynamic characteristics of data corresponding to those vehicles that are involved in incidents. Our work observe show dynamic aspects of measured data can be exploited for extracting features that result in measurable improvement of the incident detection rate by the application of a Naive


H pylori and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are respectively the leading bacterial and viral[1] human disease aetiologies globally. Around half of the world's population is infected with H. pylori.[2] The incidence rises steadily with age. In the UK, approximately 50% population (over 50 years of age) is infected with H. pylori. In the developing world, this figure may be as high as 90%. Vast majority of the infected population, however, remains asymptomatic. Around 90% patients with duodenal ulcer and 70% with gastric ulcer are infected with these bacteria.


1. Packaging (100) for a contact lens, comprising: a substrate (110); ! a first sheet (150) separably attached to the first side of the substrate (110); and! a second sheet (160) attached to the second side of the substrate (110). ! 2. Packaging (100) of claim 1, wherein the substrate (110) comprises two different materials (120, 130), at least one of which is capable of maintaining a sterile environment within the package (100) of claim 1, after terminal sterilization. ! 3. Packaging (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet (160) is permanently attached to said second side of said substrate (110). ! 4. Packaging (100) of claim 1, wherein said substrate (110) forms a window (180) having first and second opening! wherein said first sheet (150) hermetically seals the first opening of said window (180); but ! said second sheet (160) hermetically seals the second opening of said window (180). ! 5. Packaging (100) of claim 4, further comprising a contact lens (200) disposed in said window (180). ! 6. Packaging (100) of claim 5, wherein said contact lens (200) is compressed in said window (180). ! 7. Packaging (100) of claim 6, further comprising a member (190) shape recovery disposed in said window (180) with said contact lens (200). ! 8. Packaging (100) according to claim 7, wherein said element (190) of reconstructing the shape is selected from a spring disc sponge member or a foam. ! 9. Packaging (100) for a contact lens, comprising: a substrate (110) defining an opening (180); ! wherein said substrate (110) comprises a first material (130) and a second material (120); ! said first material (130) is a barrier material. ! 10. Packing (100) of claim 9, wherein said substrate (110) comprises a lane


In order to improve the range and flow of the fire engine fire cannon,a fire cannon was optimized and improved.The solid model and fluid model of the fire cannon were built in CATIA with both reverse engineering and conventional method and the fluid model was meshed in GAMBIT.The flow field of the fire cannon was got through simulation in FLUENT.Then the guide plate was added to optimize the pipeline and the structural parameters of the nozzle were altered to optimize the nozzle.The comparison of the jet of the fire cannon before and after the optimization showed that the extreme range of the fire cannon was improved by 12% and the maximum flow was also increased.After the optimization,the flow field became well-distributed and the barometric gradient of the pipeline radial section decreased,which effectively reduced the vibration of the fire cannon and improved its working reliability.


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The paper presents the validation of the Perceived Parenting Styles and Parental Inconsistency Scale among Venezuelan university students, an instrument that identifies the characteristic parenting style of each parent, as well as determines the perceived inconsistencies in parenting practices, while comparing the responses regarding the mother and the father. The instrument showed satisfactory reliability with Cronbach's Alphas values of 0,755 and 0,808 for the totality of the scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis identified six factors and adjustment indices that supported the original model proposed by the authors of the Scale. According to the results, the Scale presents an adjustment appropriate for the measurement of the construct in the Venezuelan context.


Spinal immobilization is of utmost importance when caring for major trauma victims. Because of the potential for spinal cord injury, trauma victims must be secured to a rigid backboard. Patients are held in position by placing blocks on either side of their head, straps across their forehead, chest, and legs. The goal of using a hard backboard is to reduce the chances of damaging the victim's neurological functions because of movement of unstable or injured vertebrae. These backboards serve their function of patient immobilization but present another problem for the patient. They have been associated with a skin breakdown condition called decubitus ulcers (bed sores). Bed sores are areas of damaged skin and tissue that develop when sustained pressure causes a restriction of blood circulation to vulnerable parts of the body. Without adequate blood flow, the affected tissue dies. Some patients may be secured to these boards for up to four hours waiting to undergo x-rays. This is more than enough time for ulcers to reach Stage IV which is the deepest and most destructive ulcer. The incidence of pressure ulcers in newly admitted patients has been reported as high as 59% and 50% have been reported at the sacral region [1, 2]. In experimental studies performed on dogs it has been shown that a constant pressure of only 60mmHg for one hour is enough to cause irreversible tissue damage [3]. When the patients are on the backboards it has been shown that there is often a high pressure spike at the sacral prominence where average maximum interface pressure spike of 260mmHg have been noted. When a thin but very heavy gel pad was added to the backboard, the sacral interface pressure was reduced to an average maximum pressure of 188 mmHg [4]. The objective of this project is to develop a backboard with a light pressure dispersion liner to reduce interface pressures on pressure sensitive areas in the supine position.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


In Reply . —We appreciate Dr Braslow's suggestions and recommendations regarding the endorectal ileal pullthrough procedure. As indicated in our article, the ileum is divided approximately 1 to 2 cm from the ileocecal valve unless there is active disease in the terminal ileum, in which case a small amount of ileum is resected. After mobilizing the superior mesenteric artery up to its origin from the aorta, the terminal ileum is divided approximately 15 cm from the end, but preserving the blood supply to the distal segment. The reservoir is constructed in a side-to-side manner over a distance of approximately 12 to 13 cm, which leaves an ileal "spout" distal to the lower end of the reservoir of approximately 1.5 to 2 cm. With regard to preserving the ileocecal valve and a portion of ileum for the pullthrough segment, it has been our experience that almost all patients with ulcerative colitis will


[Abstract] Recent advances have droven cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) from late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequence to multi-modality imaging, and CMR has become one of the imaging methods to detect myocardial histological abnormalities. CMR can provide detailed myocardial anatomical and functional information, and can accurately assess myocardial histological abnormalities from qualitative or quantitative, macroscopic or microscopic and even molecular perspectives. Various CMR methods, including LGE sequence, mapping sequence, diffusion-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, have their own advantages in the diagnosis and treatment and in deep understanding of the mechanisms. And they are of great significance for knowing and treating myocardial diseases. This review summarizes the advantages and clinical application of the myocardial tissue characterization imaging methods in evaluating different kinds of cardiomyopathy. [Key words] magnetic resonance imaging; myocardium; histology; cardiomyopathies [Acad J Sec Mil Med Univ, 2019, 40(3): 243-249]


The invention discloses a system for detecting capacitive touch screen performance. A capacitive touch screen is arranged on mobile communication equipment and comprises an actuator, a communication device and a processor. The actuator is used for operating a picture displayed on the capacitive touch screen. The communication device is used for receiving signals sent by wireless mobile communication equipment after operation on the picture of the actuator and sending the signals to the processor. The processor is used for receiving the wireless signals and obtaining information carried in the signals, and the information is compared with preset information. The invention further discloses a method for detecting capacitive touch screen performance. According to the system and method for detecting capacitive touch screen performance, capacitive touch screen performance is detected, and accordingly whether the capacitive touch screen is good is judged.


The coefficient of the log term in the entanglement entropy associated with hyperspherical surfaces in flat spacetime is shown to equal the conformal anomaly by conformally transforming Euclideanized spacetime to a sphere and using already existing formulae for the relevant heat-kernel coefficients after cyclic factoring. The result follows from the fact that the conformal anomaly on this lune has an extremum at the ordinary sphere limit. A proof is given. Agreement with a recent evaluation of the coefficient is found.


A formula that uses K-minimal Eulerian circuits and the inclusion-exclusion property to efficiently compute K-terminal reliability R/sub K/(G) for ring networks is presented. This formula is applied to three fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) ring network topologies, and it is shown that the time complexity of computing each K-terminal reliability expression is polynomially bounded. The applicability of the authors' approach is illustrated by deriving a closed-form expression of R/sub K/(G) for the FDDI double-ring topology in terms of the failure probabilities of links, network ports, and station common units.<<ETX>>


and subalpine forests. Author(s) Hagiwara, Yusuke; Matsuoka, Shunsuke; Hobara, Satoru; Mori, Akira S; Hirose, Dai; Osono, Takashi Citation Canadian journal of microbiology (2015), 61(10): 735-743 Issue Date 2015-10 URL http://hdl.handle.net/2433/202572 Right This is the accepted manuscript (post-print) of an article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2015-0111. Type Journal Article Textversion author


It comprises a rotor (7); and a stator (8) comprising a cylindrical stator iron core (15) wherein a plurality of slots extending in an axial direction of a shaft (6) is formed in an alignment in circumference, and is mounted on and supported in a housing (3) so as to hold the rotor (7) therein, and a stator coil (16) is wound around the slots and which has a high rigidity in order to ensure that no distortion appears from a force applied at the time of mounting on the housing (3). An insulating resin (25) having adhesive properties is applied to the entire surface of the coil end portions (16a, 16b). An angular portion formed by an outer circumferential surface of the base of the coil end portions (16a, 16b) and an end face in the axial direction of the stator iron core (15) is also fulfilled by the adhesive insulating resin (25).


This article discusses the issue of unfair, discriminatory and administratively complex highway use taxes, which the trucking industry would like to address. Specifically, the industry is recommending that Congress establish a two structure standard for state taxation of the motor carrier industry. It would consist of state registration fees and fuel taxes. Moreover, the industry wants uniform administration of these two operating taxes. It advocates usage of the International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). The article includes other recommendations to Congress by the trucking industry, and a table listing all states' taxation of trucking.


The embodiment of the invention provides a power supply management device and a power supply system. The power supply management device comprises a power supply output port group used for outputting a power supply voltage, wherein the power supply output port group comprises a plurality of DC-to-DC power supply dynamic adjustable output ports and a plurality of DC-to-DC power supply dynamic unadjustable output ports. The power supply management device also comprises a plurality of reference voltage input ports which respectively correspond to the DC-to-DC power supply dynamic adjustable output ports and the DC-to-DC power supply dynamic unadjustable output ports, second divider resistors are arranged between the at least one DC-to-DC power supply dynamic adjustable output port and the reference voltage input ports corresponding to the DC-to-DC power supply dynamic unadjustable output ports, and first divider resistors are arranged between the reference voltage input ports and linear power supply dynamic adjustable output ports in the linear power supply output port group; and the reference voltage input ports are grounded through pull-down resistors, thus DC-to-DC is dynamically adjusted through an adjustable power supply LDO (Low Drop Output).


In this article, the computation of μ-values known as Structured Singular Values SSV for the companion matrices is presented. The comparison of lower bounds with the well-known MATLAB routine mussv is investigated. The Structured Singular Values provides important tools to analyze the stability and instability analysis of closed loop time invariant systems in the linear control theory as well as in structured eigenvalue perturbation theory.


In this paper, we propose a new diffusion approach for multiplicative noise removal. The diffusion is driven by two terms. One is the regularization term which comes from the Beltrami flow, the other is the fidelity term inspired by the Aubert-Aujol (AA) model. The two terms are balanced by a weight parameter. In order to overcome the difficulty in choosing the best weight, we derive an automatic scheme. Numerical results show that the proposed method preserves edges better than the scalar AA model while smoothing out the multiplicative noise.


The article discusses the freedom of expression crisis that characterized the authoritarian response of the Egyptian government to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the case study of the expulsion of the foreign correspondent for The Guardian over contested outbreak data, the article argues that authorities in Egypt exploited the pandemic for political ends by silencing critics and by manipulating the public opinion.


The melt superheating treatment was conducted on K4169 Ni-based cast superalloy at 1 680 ℃.The influence between loss of element,macroscopic grain size,solidification microstructure,the segregation degree of alloy elements and different melt superheating time at the same melt superheating temperature is explored.The results show that alloy composition of melt superheat treatment is still in the permitted range within 10 min.Cr has been seriously damaged when melt superheating time has been kept for 15 min at 1 680 ℃.Macroscopic grain size is increased,secondary dendrite arm spacing is refined,and the segregation degree of alloy elements is decreased when the melt superheating time increases from 5 min to 10 min.When melt superheating treatment time is prolonged to 15 min,the dendrite arms become coarse and the segregation degree of alloy elements is increased.Macroscopic grain size and secondary dendrite arm spacing refining size can reach M-7,34.95 μm respectively and the segregation degree of alloy elements is the lightest when melt superheating temperature time has been kept for 10 min.


Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the basis of students' confidence in their answers to test items. The domain-specific hypothesis predicts that confidence judgments will be related to performance on a particular test, but not to confidence judgments or performance on unrelated tests. In contrast, the domain-general hypothesis predicts that confidence judgments will be related not only to performance on a particular test but also to confidence judgments and performance on unrelated tests. The results of the present study support the domain-general hypothesis. The results of other data analyses suggest that the domain-general nature of confidence judgments may be attributable to generalized metacognitive knowledge.


Drug is a substance that brings about a change in the biological functions through its chemical actions. Drug losartan are the first marketed beta blockers of the angiotensin II-type (AT1) receptor. It is the prototypic ARB. Their pharmacologic effect are very similar to the ACE inhibitors, because they also produce the arteriolar and venous dilation and block aldosteron secretion, thus lowers the blood pressure, decreases the salt and water retention. Its chemical name is losartan potassium. It is indicated in mild to severe hypertension and contraindicated in pregnancy because it increases teratogenic risk and may leads to mal formation or death of fetus. It is light yellow solid and stable under recommended storage conditions, freely soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. Losartan inhibit the binding of angiotensin II to type 1 in tissue (kidney and adrenal gland) losartan and its active metabolite is more potent then losartan inhabitation causes vasodilation and decreases sodium and water retention. The aim of study is to determine the %age assay of losartan potassium of different brands.


We urge all parties to allow timely, unhindered and safe humanitarian access, particularly in areas that have come under the control of Syrian authorities, and cease attacks on agricultural areas. We call on the regime to respect its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and Security Council Resolution 2118. Australia reiterates its position, in the strongest possible terms, that the use of chemical weapons anytime, anywhere and under any circumstances is unjustifiable and unacceptable.


This paper offers the conceptual apparatus of socio-demographic safety of municipal level territory with the developed qualifier of threats. The complex technique of diagnostics of socio-demographic safety of municipal level territory and revealing of influence of large integrated structures on its formation is developed. The given technique is based on the author's approach of sharing of methods of the indicative analysis and the multidimensional scaling, allowing to estimate absolute and relative level of a condition, dynamics of socio-demographic safety of municipal union with revealing of latent interrelations of integration and socio-demographic processes. The developed complex technique has been approved by municipal unions of Sverdlovsk region where enterprises of large integrated structures are being in production. According to the received results all considered territories on parameters of socio-demographic safety for the period 2000-2009 were in a crisis zone, thus interaction of local governments and the enterprises in a direction of maintenance of socio-demographic safety of territories of their basing in 2009 was productive in all considered unions with the exception of Severouralsk town.


This research aimed to establish the level of consumer experience with pastoral/spiritual care provision in a large tertiary private hospital. Two hundred and twenty-seven patients and bereaved carers of deceased patients who had received pastoral care were surveyed, with a response rate of 20% (n = 44). The key finding was the positive impact of pastoral care encounters, with the majority of respondents reporting provision of pastoral care to be helpful, and offered with courtesy and respect.


CO2 switchable N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine was used as both a recyclable catalyst and solvent for aldol condensation, giving good to excellent yields.


BACKGROUND Human umbilical cord contains two arteries and one vein with their tunica intima and tunica media layers. The role of tunica adventitia is fulfilled by Wharton's jelly, a mucoid connective tissue. The function of Wharton's jelly is to prevent the vessels from compression and torsion which is essential for foetal development. The purpose of the study was to estimate the importance of Wharton's jelly in the growth of the foetus. METHODS Umbilical cord tissue collected from each case was immediately put in 10 % formalin for fixation. Slides were then stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. These slides were then read under light microscopy and measurements were taken using a photomicrograph. Wharton's jelly area was calculated by subtracting the total vessel area from the umbilical cord area. RESULTS The histological measurements of umbilical vessels include the external diameter, lumen diameter, wall thickness, thickness of tunica intima and tunica media, and the area. The mean area of the umbilical cord was 35.73 ±23.04 mm2 (Mean ± SD) and the mean area of the Wharton's jelly was 29.74 ± 19.26 mm2. There was a significant difference in the external diameter and wall thickness of the umbilical artery. Analyses showed that there was a significantly (P < 0.01) increased external diameter and wall thickness of umbilical artery in normal cases, compared to single umbilical artery cases. CONCLUSIONS There was a significant positive correlation between the gestational age and the external diameter of the umbilical cord. There was a significant difference in the external diameter of the umbilical cord between SUA cases (4.45 mm) and the other foetuses with normal umbilical cord (6.53 mm). There was a significantly increased external diameter, lumen diameter, wall thickness and area of umbilical vein in normal cases, compared to single umbilical artery cases. There was a significantly increased area of umbilical cord and area of Wharton's jelly in normal umbilical cord foetuses than foetuses with a single umbilical artery. KEY WORDS Foetus, Umbilical Cord, Wharton's Jelly, Umbilical Artery, Umbilical Vein, Light Microscopy


We analyze spectral properties of a leaky wire model with a potential bias. It describes a two-dimensional quantum particle exposed to a potential consisting of two parts. One is an attractive $\delta$-interaction supported by a non-straight, piecewise smooth curve $\mathcal{L}$ dividing the plane into two regions of which one, the `interior', is convex. The other interaction component is a constant positive potential $V_0$ in one of the regions. We show that in the critical case, $V_0=\alpha^2$, the discrete spectrum is non-void if and only if the bias is supported in the interior. We also analyze the non-critical situations, in particular, we show that in the subcritical case, $V_0<\alpha^2$, the system may have any finite number of bound states provided the angle between the asymptotes of $\mathcal{L}$ is small enough.


We analyzed color development in four cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars, brown cotton (ZX-1 and XC-1), green cotton (4560 and G-7), and compared color parameters to white cotton (LMY28). Color value, chroma (Cab*), and color difference (Delta Eab*) were studied by tristimulus colorimetry during fiber development. Results showed that lightness (L* values) dimmed gradually and differences were significant (F=25.86-1575.18, P<0.0001) at the same developmental stage, while chromaticity (a* values and b* values) increased and showed an obvious peak. In addition, there were significantly different between cultivars during fiber development (F= 40.12-13435.2, P< 0.0001). The Cab* of brown fiber increased slowly from 25 to 35 days post anthesis (DPA), deepened rapidly from 35 to 40 DPA, and from 55 DPA to maturation. The chroma of the XC-1 brown cotton cultivar was significantly higher than ZX-1 (F=130.36, P<0.0001) at maturation. The Cab* of green fiber gradually deepened from 25 to 45 DPA, reached a maxima at 45 DPA. The Cab* values of the G-7 green cotton cultivar were significantly higher than 4560 (F=46.28-4263.04, P<0.0001) during development. The Delta Eab* values of brown fiber were small before 35 DPA, rose rapidly from 35 to 40 DPA, and rose rapidly again sharply with maturation (F=182.95, P<0.0001). The Delta Eab* of green fiber increased rapidly, then slowly, but the rapidly increasing phases were different between cultivars, as the Delta Eab* of G-7 fiber rose rapidly from 35 to 40 DPA, while that of 4560 fiber rose most rapidly from 30 to 35 DPA. The final Delta Eab* of the 4560 cultivar reached a stable level of 12.84 at maturation, which was significantly lower than G-7 (F=4556.97, P<0.0001). Thus, the fiber color of brown cultivars gradually deepened before 35 DPA, rapidly deepened from 35 to 40 DPA, and from 55 DPA to maturation, while green cultivars gradually deepened from 25 to 45 DPA, reached a maxima at 45 DPA, and then faded from 55 DPA to maturation.


In this paper, we introduce hyper quasi-MV algebras as the generalizations of hyper MV-algebras and quasi-MV algebras. First we give the definition of hyper quasi-MV algebras and investigate some basic properties of hyper quasi-MV algebras. Second we introduce ideals and weak ideals in a hyper quasi-MV algebra. Especially, we study two types of (weak) ideals and discuss the relationship between them. We also present the dual notions of ideals and weak ideals in this paper. Finally, we show the properties of ideals and weak ideals under the homomorphism of hyper quasi-MV algebras.


This paper has presented performance improvement of printer belt drive for a computer system.A typical printer for a computer uses a belt-drive mechanism to laterally move a printing device across a printed page. It is required to improve the response performance of a printer so as to achieve efficiency, positioning accuracy, timing, high speed and acceleration. In order to address the poor response performance, mathematical equations representing a belt and pulley dynamics and the rotational dynamics of a DC motor were obtained. A robust system is developed to take care of the problem. The objective of the paper is to design a compensator that will optimally improve printing performance of a printer belt drive system. A hybrid compensator was designed using Matlab software. The designed `compensator was combined with dynamics of a printer belt drive system to form a single input single output (SISO) closed-loop system. Simulation results obtained showed that with the compensator in the loop, the response performance of the system was highly improved.


A W-CDMA power amplifier with new impedance matching technique, Switch-Less Impedance Matching (SLIM), is fabricated to improve the efficiency and linearity of a power amplifier at medium- to low-power ranges. In a SLIM amplifier, two amplifiers with different saturation powers are connected in parallel, and operated alternately without switches in the signal path. At its full power of 25.6 dBm, fabricated SLIM amplifier module exhibited power added efficiency of 38% with ACPR of -40 dBc, which is comparable to existing PAs for W-CDMA. Furthermore, at 15 dBm, its power added efficiency is as much as 12% with ACPR of -42 dBc. Throughout its output power range up to 25.6 dBm, the SLIM PA can provide very high linearity of under -40 dBc ACPR. Furthermore, the efficiency of 12% is not possible from a single amplifier with fixed load impedance.


The paper first discusses some issues in regard to seismic performances and the last discussion lead to develop modified strengthening techniques of existing non-engineered brick-nogging buildings. Myanmar is extremely vulnerable to seismic activity. Also, most of local occupants construct their houses by using traditional building styles and methods. From the observation of past earthquake, such as Thabeikkyin earthquake, the existing brick-nogging buildings were reached the most vulnerable condition. Therefore, in this study, their seismic performances were targeted to evaluate. The arising question is how can define buildings adequacy and how they supply the sufficient structural performance. Non-linear static push-over method is the most widely preferred way of the assessment and performance evaluation issue. To evaluate their seismic performances, fragility assessments are used. Four damage stages (slight, moderate, extensive and complete) are used to classify damage conditions and the study of damage provides an important step in the evaluation of strengthening measures. In this study, strengthening methods were selected by considering various assessment issues such as their effectiveness, easy to use, cost-effectiveness and even include aesthetically.


In this article, we introduce and characterize linear dependence graph Γ( V ) of a finite dimensional vector space V over a finite field of q elements. Two vector spaces U and V are isomorphic if and only if their linear dependence graphs Γ( U ) and Γ( V ) are isomorphic. The linear dependence graph Γ( V ) is Eulerian if and only if q is odd. Highly symmetric nature of Γ( V ) is reflected in its automorphism group S m ⊕ ( ⊕ i = 1 m S q − 1 ) , where m = ( q n − 1)/( q − 1) . Besides these basic characterizations of Γ( V ) , the main contribution of this article is to find eigen values of adjacency matrix, Laplacian matrix and distance matrix of this graph.


Objective:To investigate the clinical value of post-processing techniques of 64-slices spiral CT angiography(CTA)in the preoperative evaluation of meningioma.Methods:A total of 25 patients who had meningioma underwent dual-phase CTA.All CT data were reconstructed with the post-processing techniques including volume rendering(VR),maximum intensity projection(MIP)and thin-slice maximum-intensity projection(TSMIP).The relationship of tumor and feeding arteries as well as the appearances of blood vessels were studied.Results:Of the 25 patients with meningioma,the location of tumor were sphenoid ridge(n=8),parasellar region(n=7),cerebellopontine angle(n=4),parasagittal sinus region(n=4)and frontal lobe(n=2).The blood vessels were displaced smoothly in 16 patients,narrowing of blood vessels or increase and disorder of feeding arteries in 9 patients.CTA can clearly show the tumor shape in various location,the relationship of tumor with blood vessels and adjacent tissues and structures.Conclusion:Dual-phase CTA with various reconstruction techniques provided important information for the pre-operation evaluation of meningioma,which is worth recommending in clinical practice.


Objective To investigate the effect of Niweikang intervention treatment on expressions of P16protein and TGF-β1in gastric mucosa of rats with chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG).Methods Seventy healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,CAG model group and Niweikang-treatment group.A CAG model in rat was created by using a synthetic method with H.pylori and ethanol-salicylate.The rats in Niweikang-treatment group received Niweikang intervention for 25weeks during the creation of the model.The general morphology and microscopic changes of gastric mucosa were observed,the expressions of P16protein and TGF-β1in the mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The gland arrangement of gastric mucosa in the Niweikang-treatment group was neat,and its mucous layer was thicker than that in CAG model group.The positive expression rate of P16protein in normal control group and Niweikang-treatment group was higher than that in CAG model group(χ2=17.733,9.823;P0.05),and that of TGF-β1was lower(χ2=21.390,16.546;P0.05).The difference of expression of P16protein and TGF-β1between normal control group and Niweikang-treatment group was not significant(P0.05).Conclusion Niweikang can effectively protect gastric mucosa,prevent the occurrence and development of CAG.The mechanism might be related to up-regulation of P16protein and down-regulation of TGF-β1.


At this year's annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO 2013), held May 31 through June 5 in Chicago, specialists discussed the latest findings in cancer research. The editors of NEJM Journal Watch Oncology and Hematology were in attendance to report highlights of the conference. Here, David Ilson, MD, reviews key presentations on new gastrointestinal cancer treatments.

A New Standard Therapy Option for Pancreatic Cancer

Von Hoff and colleagues reported results from the phase III, randomized IMPACT trial (Abstract 4005), which compared conventional gemcitabine therapy with nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in 861 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients received either gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) weekly for 7 weeks with 1 week off and then on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks or gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) plus nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. Most patients (93%) had Karnofsky performance status of 80 to 100, and 84% had metastatic disease to the liver. Combination therapy with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel was superior to gemcitabine in all endpoints, including overall survival (OS; 8.5 vs. 6.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.72; P =0.000015), progression-free survival (PFS; 5.5 vs. 3.7 months; HR, 0.69; P =0.000024), and response (23% vs. 7%; P =1.1 x 10-10). Grade 3 or 4 toxicities that were higher with nab-paclitaxel included neutropenia (38% vs. 27%), neuropathy (17% vs. 1%), fatigue (17% vs. 7%), and diarrhea (6% vs. 1%). Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel represents a new standard-therapy option for advanced pancreatic cancer. Although superior to gemcitabine alone, this regimen did not achieve the survival benefit reported for FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin, and fluorouracil) versus gemcitabine (NEJM JW Oncol Hematol May 11 2011).

Lipid-Conjugated Gemcitabine Not Superior for Pancreatic Cancer

Poplin and colleagues reported data from the phase II, randomized, …


The formation and functioning of the animal reproductive system occurs as a result of the coordinated interaction of a wide range of genes. The hormone inhibin (INHA) is a marker of Sertoli cell function and exocrine testicular function (spermatogenesis state). The aim of the work was to search for associations of inhibin alpha beta B (INHAB) gene polymorphism with sperm quality in the population of Russian Holstein bulls. Sperm traits (doublet ejaculate volume, concentration, progressive motility and the total number of spermatozoa) were evaluated over three years of bull use and the highest rates for each trait were selected. 32 bulls had contrasting traits. DNA was isolated from semen samples. Samples were sequenced using the Applied Biosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer using the BigDye® Terminator v3.1 Sequencing Standard Kit according to the protocol. Genotyping was then performed by PCR‐RFLP. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. All pairwise multiple comparison between means were conducted by t‐test. As a result only one nucleotide substitution A> G (rs43408735) was identified. The substitution is located in intron 1 and does not lead to a change in the amino acid composition of the protein; however, the proximity to the exon can affect the splicing processes. The frequency of the alleles in our studies was A ‐ 0.55, G ‐ 0.45, which differs from the population data in the ENSEMBL database, where the frequency of alleles was A ‐ 0.31, G ‐ 0.69. The frequency of occurrence of genotypes according to our data was AA ‐ 0.35, AG ‐ 0.40, GG ‐ 0.25. Bulls with the genotype AA had a highest doublet ejaculate volume (21.00 ± 5.850 ml), total number of spermatozoa (31.43 ± 10.393 mln) than bulls with the genotypes AG (16.08±8.450 ml and 24.35 ± 14.555 mln) and GG (10.75±6.065 ml and 14.80 ± 10.613 mln) (P˂0.05). No significant differences were found in the concentration of spermatozoa and motility. But bulls with the AA genotype had the greatest concentration and motility. The bulls with GG genotype had the poorest semen quality. The study of polymorphism in the genes that determine the formation and functioning of the reproductive system will help to understand the basics of these processes, as well as use them as molecular genetic markers for culling young bulls according to sperm quality.


Recently, polymer insulators that are used for high voltage applications have some advantages such as light weight, small size, vandalism resistance, hydrophobicity and easy making process. During outdoor service of polymer insulators, the surface of the insulating material is frequently subjected to moisture and contamination that lead to dry band arcing. Their tracking resistance, erosion resistance, end sealing and shed design are very important because dry band arcing causes degradation of polymer surface. Aging test to estimate life property of polymer insulator is executed through several international standard such as IEC 61109 and CEA tracking wheel test, but is not getting clear conclusion yet. There are two methods in the diagnosis method of polymer insulator such as off-line and on-line. The diagnosis methods in off-line are external condition analysis by the eye, contaminant analysis on surface, surface analysis, pollution withstand voltage test, power frequency flashover voltage test, lightning impulse flashover test, tensile fracture load test and flexural load test. Polymer material is also investigated it`s tracking resistance by adding surface active agent in IEC 587. In this paper, the tracking performance of polymer insulator with salt solution which is added surface active agent. The diagnosis of insulator sample has been analyzed by leakage current and visual examination, STRI guide and thermal image camera.


The European Space Agency's FIRST satellite will include a submillimeter direct detection instrument using bolometric detectors. The scientific drivers for the instrument are discussed and the essential features of the proposed instrument, SPIRE, are described. SPIRE (Spectral and Photometric Imaging REceiver) comprises a three-band imaging photometer covering the 250 - 500-micrometer range and an imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer covering wavelengths between 200 and 670 micrometer. The SPIRE detectors are 300-mK bolometer arrays providing full sampling of the diffraction spot. The imaging photometer is optimized for deep photometric surveys in the submillimeter (one of the main science goals of the FIRST mission), for which application it will be much more sensitive than any Earth-based facility. The nominal bands for the photometer are 250, 350, and 500 micrometer with a spectral resolution of 3. Three detector arrays observe the same 4-arcminute field of view simultaneously, with dichroic beam dividers separating the bands. The imaging spectrometer has a 2-arcminute field of view and an adjustable spectral resolution of 0.04 - 2 cm-1 ((lambda) /(Delta) (lambda) equals 20 - 1000 at 250 micrometer).


In this article we carried out a hydroclimatological characterization of the upper reaches of the Rio Negro Basin, located in the Brazilian portion. We used rainfall and streamflow data from the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET) and the Agencia Nacional de Aguas (ANA) in the 1995-2014 period, collected at different points surrounding the watershed. From the data analysis, we can identify that the average annual precipitation over the basin varies between 1440 and 1480mm. The annual average streamflow was approximately 538,7mm, corresponding to a runoff coefficient of 38%. The accumulated rainfall and streamflow series showed that, as of mid-year 2004, there was a significant reduction of the accumulated streamflow, probably caused by an increase in water demand for agricultural irrigation due to lower volumes of rainfall. Pre-2005 runoff coefficient showed an interannual oscillation between 36% and 42%, after 2005 the runoff coefficient systematically decreased from 45% to 35%. This reduction suggests an increase in the extraction of water for irrigation which consequently favors greater crop evapotranspiration in a period with slightly lower annual precipitation (2005-2014) compared to the previous period (1995-2004).


The syntax of these constructions has received a lot of attention in recent years (den Dikken 1995, 1998, Español-Echevarría 1996, Hulk & Tellier 1999ab, Doetjes 1997). However, very little work has concentrated on the relation between both constructions. Milner (1978) had already observed that quantitative and qualitative constructions share the same syntactic structure (see also Ruwet 1982). However, the X' framework of the late seventies did not allow a fully explicit implementation of this claim: the identical syntactic structure proposed could not account for various properties of quantitative and qualitative constructions. Interestingly, most research since the late seventies has focused either on quantitative or on qualitative constructions, without taking their common properties into consideration. We will argue that the parallelism between qualitative and quantitative constructions is even stronger than previously suspected.


The reductive dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride, CCl4, by a concerted electron transfer-bond breaking mechanism was studied using combined high level quantum mechanical and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach. The free energy activation barriers for the first electron-transfer step were determined from the dissociation profiles of CCl4 and *CCl4(-) complexes in aqueous phase using hybrid-free energy QM/MM methodologies. Both density functional and coupled cluster perturbative triples (CCSD(T)) versions of QM/MM methods were investigated. The impact of the implicit solvent description based on continuum (COSMO) solvent models was also analyzed. QM/MM calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ/SPCE level of theory predict that the activation barriers vary from 0.7 to 35.2 kcal/mol for -2.32 and 0.93 V reduction potentials respectively. Good agreement with experimental data for oxide-free iron electrodes (-0.6 to -1.2 V reduction potentials) is observed indicating that the measured activation barriers are consistent with the concerted electron transfer-bond-breaking mechanism.


Seventy‐three limonoids isolated from three Meliaceae plants, Azadirachta indica, A. indica var. siamensis, and Melia azedarach, or semi‐synthesized from the Meliaceae limonoids, were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a primary screening test for anti‐inflammatory agents. Of the compounds tested, 21 compounds exhibited inhibitory activity (IC50 4.6 – 58.6 μm) without any significant toxicity (IC50 > 100 μm) which were more potent than l‐NMMA (NO‐production inhibitory activity, IC50 65.6 μm; cytotoxicity, IC50 > 100 μm), and among which, nine compounds, i.e., 17‐hydroxy‐15‐methoxynimbocinol (6), ohchinin (20), 1‐cis‐cinnamoyl‐1‐decinnamoylohchinin (24), salannin (27), methyl nimbidate (32), isosalannin (55), nimbolinin D (58), mesendanin E (69), and 7‐deacetylgedunin (73) exhibited potent inhibitory activity (IC50 4.6 – 29.3 μm). In particular, compounds 6 (IC50 7.3 μm), an azadirone‐type limonoid, and 73 (IC50 4.6 μm), a gedunin‐type limonoid, exhibited remarkable activity. Western blot analysis revealed that 27 and 73 reduced the expression levels of the inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 proteins in a concentration‐dependent manner. These findings suggest that limonoids of A. indica, A. indica var. siamensis, and M. azedarach, and their semi‐synthetic derivatives may be effective against inflammation.


The even degree of an animal population is generally measured by the coefficient of variation of major economic character. We have given a method to estimate the confidence interval for even degree of an animal population in die paper[1]. Facing the coefficient of variation, a statistic with complex properties, we fulfilled indirectly the significance test of the differences of animal populations' even degree among different treatments by analyzing the reciprocal of the statistic.


Synoptic surveys of lake chemistry in the eastern US and in Norway span comparable gradients in acid deposition. Sulfate levels in lakes of both areas (less natural background) reflect inputs of sulfate from the atmosphere. Lake acidification and acid lakes occur in both regions. Levels of nonmarine Ca plus Mg provide a better measure of lake sensitivity than alkalinity. Alkalinity may be low due to high sensitivity or as a result of acidification. Lakes become acidic (alkalinity < 0; pH < 5.3) when nonmarine sulfate levels (less natural background) are greater than nonmarine Ca plus Mg. Nitrate levels are highest in lakes receiving the highest acid deposition, but NO{sub 3} generally accounts for <10% of strong acid anions. A much higher percentage of lakes in southern Norway are acidic compared to the eastern US because a larger fraction of the Norwegian lakes are inherently more sensitive.


form of human "individuality" or "personality" ' (p. xiii, p. xv). Ultimately, this leads him to the idea of the sovereign acceptance of death,personified in Robespierre's refusal to place himself above the suspicion unleashed by the Jacobin terror. Thus, the reader is invited to take up the suggestion that Robespierre endures as a noble and heroic figure. Quite aside from the patience demanded of the reader in following some of these convoluted moves in the argument, the fear is that, even for those with strong stomachs, all of this may prove too much to bear.


In this work an instance of the general problem occurring when optimizing multicomponent materials is treated: can components be optimized separately or the optimization should occur simultaneously? This problem is investigated from a computational perspective in the domain of donor–acceptor pairs for organic photovoltaics, since most experimental research reports optimization of each component separately. A collection of organic donors and acceptors recently analyzed is used to train nonlinear machine learning models of different families to predict the power conversion efficiency of donor–acceptor pairs, considering computed electronic and structural parameters of both components. The trained models are then used to predict photovoltaic performance for donor–acceptor combinations for which experimental data are not available in the data set. Data structure, and the usefulness of the trained models are critically assessed by predicting some donor–acceptor pairs that recently appeared in the literature, and the best combinations are proposed as worth investigating experimentally.


Plant seeds progress through specific stages during germination, from quiescence in the dry state through water uptake, testa rupture and finally endosperm rupture. The stages of seed germination are fairly well classified but the underlying biochemical and mechanical processes are unknown. The ability to control a seeds progression through the stages of germination has implications on farming efficiency and so the following thesis explores Arabidopsis thaliana and Lepidium sativum seeds during the germination process.

A systematic approach to analysing the shape of cells within the radicle (embryonic root tissue) is developed, using confocal imaging, in order to characterise the shape of cells in the different tissues of the radicle. The cell shape approximations are not refined enough to characterise the different cell tissues. With more data, this approach would hope to find the region in which cells alter through the germination process.

Change in the activity of cell wall modifying enzymes within the endosperm, that surrounds the emerging embryo, is a key part of the germination process and temporally and spatially defined high resolution transcriptomics data-sets are available to inform models. Through the course of this thesis, biochemical networks are developed, with ordinary and partial differential equation models being constructed and analysed. The models highlight elements for further investigation as well as differences between the two species considered. The mathematical models, along with data from biomechanical experiments on the endosperm, inform discussion on how the cell wall biochemistry of a cell wall alters the cell wall properties. These discussions focus on cell wall permeability, extensibility and the final cell separation event associated with germination. From the considered proteins, polygalacturonase and pectin lyase arise as the only viable candidates to cause the cell separation event with the model framework.


Sir, Studies assessing recanalization with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) have demonstrated that over 80% of the patients with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSSS) over 10 have persistent arterial occlusion after intravenous (IV) thrombolysis.[1] In the Intervention Management of Stroke (IMS) II Study, intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis after IV rt-PA in selected patients was considered safe.[1,2] However, currently, combined thrombolysis, IV followed by IA, is not recommended routinely except in clinical trials.[3]


In this article are published two objects discovered during excavations conducted at the site of ancient Zabalam by the Iraqi State Board of Antiques and Heritage under the directorship of the archeologist Haider Al-Subaihawi. Both objects carried dedicatory inscriptions in the name of King Warad-Sin of Larsa.


Objective To determine the expression of miR-486-3p in psoriatic lesions and healthy human skin and to estimate its effect on keratin 17 (K17) expression in HaCaT human keratinocytes.Methods Bioinformatics was used to predict microRNAs that may affect the expression of K17.Tissue samples were obtained from the lesions of 10 patients with psoriasis and normal skin of 10 healthy human controls.RNA was extracted from these tissue samples and reversely transcribed into cDNA with the addition of a Poly (A) tail.Then,real time quantitative PCR was performed to measure the expression of miR-486-3p.Cultured keratinocytes were transfected with miR-486-3p mimics or negative control,and Western blot was performed to determine K17 expression at 48 hours after the transfection.To evaluate the inhibitory effect of miR-486-3p on K17 expression,cultured 293T cells were transfected with the plasmid containing K17 3' untranslated region (UTR) seed sequence,three plasmids containing the complete deletion,interval mutation or double repeats of the seed sequence,or negative control plasmid.At 24 hours after the transfection,a dualluciferase reporter (DLR) assay was performed to quantify the expression of K17.Results Real time PCR showed that the expression level of miR-486-3p was significantly lower in psoriatic lesions than in the normal skin (0.211 ± 0.120vs.0.555 ± 0.425,t =2.62,v =9,P < 0.05).The HaCaT cells transfected with the mimics of miR-486-3p exhibited decreased expression of K17 compared with those transfected with the negative control.DLR assay revealed that the expression level (fluorescence intensity) of K17 in the negative control group was significantly higher than that in the 293T cells transfected with the seed sequence and those with the double repeats of the seed sequence (100.00% vs.65.31% ± 6.32% and 54.18% ± 10.01% respectively,both P < 0.05),but did not differ from that in the 293T cells transfected with the complete deletion and interval mutation of the seed sequence (100.00% vs.114.77% ± 16.14% and 110.21% ± 12.99% respectively,both P > 0.05).Conclusions The expression of miR-486-3p,which may inhibit K17 expression by binding to the seed sequence of K17 3'UTR,is lower in psoriatic lesions than in normal skin.The decreased expression and inhibitory effect of miR-486-3p may be implicated in the initiation and progression of psoriasis.

Key words:
Psoriasis;  MicroRNAs;  Keratin-17;  MiR-486-3p


ABSTRACT In the present investigation, the effect of microplasma arc welding (MPAW) process parameters on grain growth and porosity distribution of thin sheet Ti6Al4V alloy weldment has been examined. The MPAW procedure was performed at different current, welding speed, and flow rates of shielding and plasma gas. Metallographic characterization was carried out by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results have shown that beyond a threshold energy, burn of the metal in Ti6Al4V thin sheet alloy can occur. This case should be considered for any selection of welding process parameters. Furthermore, in MPAW there are a number of threshold parameters that can control weldment size. Metallographic characterization has shown that coarse primary beta grains exist in the fusion zone. This is due to the fact that these grains have nucleated epitaxially upon coarsened beta grains in the near heat affected zone (NHAZ) and grown competitively into the molten weld pool. Evaluation of grain size indicates that there is a threshold energy input for phase transformation of α → β in the HAZ. In the case of lower energy input, grain growth of β phase in the HAZ could be restricted by α phase. The presence of small quantities of this phase at high peak temperatures in the weld cycle is sufficient to prevent beta grain growth of HAZ and fusion zone (FZ). The SEM and optical metallographic examinations also indicated that porosity occurs in FZ. This could be due to a mechanism of hydrogen rejection that is already present in the starting base metal. Pore nucleation can be homogenous or heterogenous. Calculations have shown that homogenous nucleation is not a feasible mechanism for hydrogen pore creation in this alloy.


Child-centred research shows a respect for children and promotes their entitlement to be considered as persons of value and persons with rights. With the growing interest in this approach to psycho...


""Keeping wild animals like elephants in captivity outside their natural distribution range may
compromise the ability to provide them with a natural environment and scope for natural
behaviour. Elephants kept chiefly to generate income by travelling and begging (labeled Travel-
Begging elephants) are generally found far from their natural distribution range and are forced to
go through unnatural lifestyles. States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab do not have any wild elephants but they have a sizeable number of captive elephants, most of which come under the category of Travel-Begging syndrome. Although there are recent reports of wild elephants straying into Maharashtra from adjoining forest regions of Karnataka, this does not qualify Maharashtra as a state where wild elephants are found."


Hand foot and mouth disease(HFMD)is a common infectious disease in children with strong infectivity and wide sphere of influence.Now, no effective medicine aimed at treating HFMD has been produced in the world.All we can do is to reduce its harmful effects and prevention is particularly important.Its pathogenesis is complex and is related to many factors, such as floating population, living environment, self-immunity, health habit and prevention awareness, meteorological factors are one of them.Meteorological factors are one of the important factors that affect the outbreak of infectious diseases, and the meteorological factors play an important role in the occurrence and prevalence of infectious diseases in the population.This review was to analyze the relationship between the incidence of HFMD and meteorological factors and other factors, and to study the qualitative and quantitative relationship between the prevalence of HFMD and all factors, and to provide evidence for the prevention measures.

Key words:
Hand foot and mouth disease; Risk factors; Influence factor; Meteorological factor


Background: Injuries to the posterolateral corner of the knee (PLC) can be difficult to diagnose and are often missed. The prone dial test can be difficult to perform in the acute setting and the supine dial test requires an assistant. Purpose: We present a simple single person seated dial test that can easily be performed in all patients with a suspected diagnosis of PLC injury. Study Design: Case Series. Method: The patient is seated on the edge of the examination couch with their knees flexed over the side and their calves pressed against the couch to reduce any posterior tibial subluxation. The patients' knees are placed together ensuring the pelvis is square; the knees are at the same level, and the patellae are facing anteriorly. The patients place their hands against the side of their knees and hold their knees together in this position. The examiner then grasps the patient's feet, approximates the medial malleoli and exerts a lateral rotational force at 30 and 90 degrees of knee flexion. Results: This test has 100% accuracy for diagnosing PLC injury in our institution. Conclusion: We present a sample to use alternative to traditional dial testing that does not require an assistant and also does not require the patient to be prone, thus limiting discomfort in the acute setting.


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Aiming at the poor positioning accuracy of the APIT positioning algorithm in wireless sensor networks, this paper proposes an APIT positioning algorithm 3DTC-APIT based on tetrahedral centroid cutting. First, the algorithm reduces the occurrence of misjudgment by setting the node counter. Second, use the centroid of the tetrahedron to cut the node location area multiple times to solve the node coordinates to be located. Finally, the node to be located whose position has been determined is added as a temporary anchor node to assist other anchor nodes in positioning. The simulation results show that compared with the comparison algorithms, the algorithm 3DTC-APIT can better improve the positioning accuracy and positioning coverage of nodes.


Cellular senescence is characterised by irreversible cell cycle arrest and marked changes in transcriptional and secretory activity. It can occur as a physiological component of healthy organismal development or in response to a range of cellular insults including DNA damage, oncogenic mutations and metabolic stress. Renal tubular senescence in response to ageing and injury is proposed as a driver of kidney fibrosis. Senescent cell depletion in mice improves outcomes in multiple organs including the kidney. There are currently no non-invasive biomarkers for quantifying renal senescence available. We are using a multi-omics approach and utilising human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (hRPTECs) in culture, a murine model of renal senescence and human samples, to identify urinary biomarkers of renal tubular senescence and to determine if they can predict decline in kidney function.

 In vitro: We optimised a model of induced senescence in hRPTECs in vitro using 10Gy irradiation and treatment with MDM2-antagonist Nutlin 3A. Transcriptomic studies using bulk RNAseq were performed comparing senescent cells with proliferating controls (each group n = 5). Genes with >x2 fold-change between groups and adjusted p values <0.01 were regarded as differentially expressed. In vivo: Senescence was induced using 7Gy total body irradiation (TBI) in mice whilst the Bcl2/w/xL inhibitor ABT-263, was used to deplete senescent cells. We performed LC-MS proteomic studies on urine from mice comparing healthy controls with mice exposed to TBI with or without subsequent senolytic therapy. In human kidney biopsy samples from 55 patients with CKD, we performed immunofluorescence staining for senescence marker p21CIP1, proliferation marker Ki67 (absent in senescent cells) and tubular markers CD10 and CKPAN and quantified tubular senescence using machine learning algorithms in the software QuPath (see figure). Tubular cells were classified as senescent when p21CIP1 positive and Ki67 negative and expressed as a percentage of all tubular cells.

 Irradiated and Nutlin 3A treated cells had increased mRNA levels of CDKN1A and reduced LMNB1 and MKI67 in keeping with senescence induction. Other transcripts including CXCL8 and IL6 rose in irradiated cells compared to controls but fell in Nutlin 3A treated cells. 1272 genes where differentially expressed in irradiated cells compared to controls; 760 of these genes were differentially expressed in the same direction in Nutlin 3A treated samples. Over representation analysis highlighted pathways relating to the cell cycle, consistent with senescence induction. LC-MS studies on murine urine samples identified 15 proteins that fell in mice exposed to TBI compared to healthy controls but reverted towards baseline with senolytic treatment. By combining my datasets with publicly available data, we identified several candidate biomarkers of senescence. This includes urokinase plasminogen activator surface receptor, a protein linked with senescence and ageing as well as other novel senescence markers (not named due to pending patent applications). In the patients where senescence was quantified, the mean age at the time of biopsy was 54 years (range 19-81 years) and the mean eGFR was 56 ml/min/1.73 m2 [s.d. 34]). Renal tubular senescence correlated with age (rho = 0.64, p<0.001) and inversely with baseline eGFR (rho = -0.51, p<0.001). LC-MS and ELISA studies in matched urine samples are ongoing to determine which molecules most closely correlate with senescence histologically in the human kidney; these will be presented at the meeting.

 Through a combination of transcriptomic studies and LC-MS proteomics, we have identified several candidate urinary biomarkers of senescence; ongoing studies will determine which molecules correlate with renal senescence histologically. Further studies in a cohort of >380 patients with >4 years follow-up will determine if the most promising biomarkers predict renal outcomes and will also be presented at the meeting.