1. Purpose. The purpose of this survey was to investigate, by adopting the following method, what is the relation of the grievances concerning human relation, in their frequency and intensity, to the whole grievances in a worker's life of two large factories.2. Interviewees. Out of the whole employees 2197 of M factory, and 2924 of N factory, 297 and 430 workers respectively were selected, excluding the officials of the higher positions, which contain a subsection, chief (kakari-cho). The selection was made according, and in proportion, to the working-status, and the age and sex groups.3. Method. Neither the directive method of recording worker's grievances upon questionaires, nor the non-directive method in the sense of taking notes of the grievances given quite spontaneously by them, was adopted. We classified the grievances which may be expected from the workers into the following 10 major items ; job, working conditions. working hours, wages, human relations, training, welfare facilities, recreation, transportation, management policy and labour union. These items were recorded separately on so many cords, with subdivided items belonging to each of them, and the cards were presented to the interviewees. This method helped them in finding a clue to the statement of their grievances, and also helped us in coding the results and in acpuiring the basis for it. Thus, we tried to grasp the frequency of the grievance belonging to each major and subdivided item, and further the intensity of the grievance belonging to each major item by counting the points the interviewees gave to it, on the condition that the total 10 points should be given to the whole consciousness of the grievances each interviewee has.4. Result. The result common to these two factories is that worker's grievance on human relations ranks high in intensity, although it ranks rather low in frequency.


The homogenization problem is considered for the equations of two-phase flow in porous media with a periodic or random small-scale structure of inhomogeneities. The capillary relation between saturation and the drop in pressures at microscales accounts for hysteresis and dynamic memory effects. Homogenized equations are derived, and convergence of solutions to the solution of the homogenized problem is proved. Properties of averaged capillary relation are described in the particular case of a two-component porous medium.


An organic cation lacking specificity in its structure-directing action offers the possibility, through the screening of other structure-directing parameters, to synthesize a variety of zeolites. In this work we show that the organic structure-directing agent 2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethylimidazolium (2iPr13DMI) can produce up to seven different zeolite phases depending on water concentration, the presence of inorganic impurities, crystallization temperature and time, and germanium molar fraction. The obtained phases are very different in terms of pore system, connectivity of the zeolite structure and structural units. At the pure SiO2 side, ZSM-12 and SSZ-35 dominate, with ZSM-12 being favored by the presence of potassium impurities and by less concentrated conditions. The introduction of Ge at low levels favors SSZ-35 over ZSM-12 and as the Ge fraction increases it successively affords CSV, -CLO and two distinct UOS zeolites, HPM-11 and HPM-6. These two zeolites have the same topology but distinct chemical compositions and display powder X-ray diffraction patterns that are much different from each other and from that of as-synthesized IM-16 (UOS reference material). They also show different symmetry at 96 K. Rietveld refinements of the three as-made UOS materials mentioned are provided. HPM-6 and HPM-11 are produced in distinct, non-adjacent crystallization fields. The frequent cocrystallization of the chiral STW zeolite, however, did not afford its synthesis as a pure phase. Molecular mechanics simulations of the location of the organic cation and host-guest interactions fail to explain the observed trends, but also considering the intrinsic stability of the zeolites and the effect of germanium help to rationalize the results. The study is completed by DFT calculations of the NMR chemical shifts of 13C in UOS (helping to understand splittings in the spectrum) and 19F in CSV (supporting the location of fluoride inside the new [4452], which is an incomplete double 4-ring).


Uterine fibroids (UFs) are one of the most common pathologies of the female genital tract. The incidence of UFs has been estimated at 25–80%. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a cell-signaling protein involved in systemic inflammation and is one of the cytokines responsible for the acute phase reaction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of clinically symptomatic UFs on TNF-α serum levels. A total of 149 Caucasian women were included: 85 patients admitted for surgery due to clinically symptomatic UFs (n = 85; study group) and 64 age-matched UF-free controls (n = 64). TNF-α serum concentrations between the groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also used as a statistical model to evaluate TNF-α as a marker for UFs. Mean TNF-α serum concentration in the study group was 0.34 ± 0.14 pg/mL; (in half of the subjects, the level did not exceed 0.39 pg/mL. Mean TNF-α serum concentration in the control group was 0.17 ± 0.09 pg/mL; in half of the subjects, the level did not exceed 0.14 pg/mL. The difference was statistically significant. Using the area under the ROC curve, we found that TNF-α serum concentration of 0.34 pg/mL can be used as a predictor for UFs in selected populations. In our study, we confirmed higher TNF-α serum concentrations in women with clinically symptomatic UFs.


The purpose of the study was to look at the link between Organizational Politics, Job Stress, and Turnover Intentions as some of the difficulties that face Ghanaian businesses, leading to policy formation. The participants in this study were Anglo Gold Ashanti employees. Data was gathered by the distribution of personally given questionnaires to respondents who were chosen using a non-probability sample approach called convenience sampling. In the end, a total of 100 completed questionnaires were employed in the study. The results of this study were established by analyzing the data with SPSS and Smart PLS SEM Software. The study's findings revealed that Organizational Politics and Turnover Intention had a substantial positive association. The outcomes of this study suggest that in order to lower turnover intentions, high levels of work stress and low levels of organizational politics must be addressed.


1. Reduction of hydroxylamine drug metabolites by NADH-dependent hydroxylamine reductase (NDHR) has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of idiosyncratic sulphonamide toxicity in humans. The dog represents a naturally occurring clinical model for sulphonamide toxicity in humans. The purpose of these studies, therefore, was to characterize the presence of hepatic NADH-dependent hydroxylamine reductase activity in the dog and to compare this activity with that found in humans. 2. NDHR activity was characterized by the presence of two enzymes in both dog and human liver microsomes, with comparable estimates of Km (Km1 = 75 μM, Km = 404 μM in dog; Km1 = 69 μM, Km = 503 μM in human). Estimates of maximal velocity were significantly, but not dramatically, higher for dog NDHR (Vmax = 2.09 nmole mg−1 min−1, Vmax2 = 4.58 nmole mg−1 min−1) compared with human NDHR (Vmax1 = 0.42 nmole mg−1 min−1, Vmax2 = 1.56 nmole mg−1 min−1). NDHR in dog, as in humans, preferred NADH to NADPH, was more active at pH 6.3 than at 7.4 and was not inhibited by carbon monoxide, azide, anaerobic conditions, the CYP substrate inhibitors tolbutamide, dextromethorphan, or erythromycin, or antibodies directed against CYP2C, CYP2D or CYP3A. 3. It is concluded that two forms of NDHR are present in dog and humans with similar biochemical characteristics. Although NDHR activity has been attributed to a CYP2D isoform in pig, there is no evidence for involvement of CYP450 in the reduction of sulphamethoxazole hydroxylamine in either dogs or humans.


This study examines the role of records centres in relation to the management of public sector records in Kenya. It highlights the inadequacies of the Public Archives and Documentation Service Act (Cap 19) of 1965 as a tool to manage public sector records. The findings of the study are based on questionnaires which were distributed to provincial archivists in charge of records centres. One of the major findings of the study is that records centres have played a significant role in the management of public sector records. The study also addresses the various problems experienced by record creators in managing public sector records and notes that the resources availed to records centres are not commensurate with their growing responsibilities in records management. Among the recommendations are that the Public Archives Act should be revised, existing provincial records centres should be converted into provincial archives, staffing at both the professional and para‐professional levels should be improved and an attempt should be made to involve records creators in the management of records created within their organisations.


In production processes Life Cycle Assessment represent effective tool for accessing information about potential and real impacts of products life cycle. Life cycle analyses of products involve especially material, energy and economic flows. But they are also suitable for information about production and consumption impacts on the workers, the consumers, the local communities, the society and other shareholders. Social Life Cycle Assessment is an extended concept for decision-making processes, covering traditional environmental content and on the top of that assessing social and socio-economic impacts related to products' life cycles. Many companies in metallurgy introduce Life Cycle Assessment and environmental management systems in consideration of potential savings and avoiding material wastage. But effective corporate management system should bring balanced information covering economic, environmental and social tasks of company's production processes. The contribution deals with the application of Social Life Cycle Assessment on metallurgical materials production and their limitations and problems. The main objective is to determine optimized ways of implementation of Social Life Cycle Assessment for company materials and products to reinforce company competitiveness, environmental performance and sustainability.


Nefazodone is a selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist. Nefazodone has a pharmacologic profile similar to trazodone and other phenylpiperazine antidepressants, but distinct from nonselective first-generation agents and other selectively acting second-generation agents. Results of a multicenter, double-blind, fixed-dose trial indicate nefazodone is effective in improving depressive symptoms of outpatients with major depressive disorder treated with daily doses of 100 mg to 200 mg. A comparison of the fixed-dose trial design with an alternative design permitting dose titration within fixed ranges is presented. The relative merits of each design for establishing therapeutic dose ranges are discussed.


On using the signal processing ability of Backpropagation Model of Neural Network, the noise elimination is performed on the image of a joint part of arc welding. The object image, which is obtained by the slit light slice method, is often used for the detection of joint configurationis on the purpose of welding automation. The noise caused by the welding arc is superimposed on the image and disturbs the detection. Such noise is eliminated through the learning process of Neural Network which is carried out for the noise imposed input images and the noiseless teacher images. The structure of the network, the image input method, the selection of the teacher image and the method to recover the resolution of the processed result are investigated experimentally. It is shown that the noise elimination is successfully done as the result.


The complex and largely obscure regulatory processes that underlie ossification and fusion of the sutures during skull morphogenesis are dependent on the conditions of the extracellular microenvironment. The concept that growth factors are involved in the pathophysiology of craniosynostosis due to premature fusion of skull bone sutures, is supported by recent genetic data. Crouzon and Apert syndromes, for example, are characterized by point mutations in the extracellular or transmembrane domains of fibroblast growth factor-2 receptor. In primary cultures of periosteal fibroblasts and osteoblasts obtained from Apert and Crouzon patients, we observed that Crouzon and Apert cells behaved differently with respect to normal cells as regards the expression of cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecule accumulation. Further modulation of ECM components observed after the addition of cytokines provides support for an autocrine involvement of these cytokines in Crouzon and Apert phenotype. Changes in ECM composition could explain the altered osteogenic process and account for pathological variations in cranial development. We suggest that a correlation exists between in vitro phenotype, clinical features and genotype in the two craniosynostotic syndromes. New research into signal transduction pathways should establish further connections between the mutated genotype and the molecular biology of the cellular phenotype.


Stratospheric air samples have been collected once per year since 1985 over Japan using a balloon-borne cryogenic sampler and then analyzed for their CO2 concentrations. The measurements showed high values of CO2 in the lowest part of the stratosphere, then a decrease with height to 20.0–25.0 km, and almost constant values above this level. From the comparison with the results of our aircraft measurements in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, it is suggested that the vertical profile of stratospheric CO2 over Japan is strongly related to transport processes that are associated with tropospheric air being introduced into the stratosphere in the tropical region and then moving poleward with different speeds at different heights. The average rate of the CO2 increase from 1985 to 1991 was estimated to be 1.4 ppmv/year; this is similar to the rate found for the troposphere over the same period.


The words a user is likely to write comprise the user's active vocabulary. This vocabulary is considerably smaller than the passive vocabulary of words a user reads. We explore an interactive adaptive lexicon method that separates a large lexicon into active and passive sets, and gradually expands and adapts the active set to reflect the user's active vocabulary. The adaptation is achieved through lightweight interaction as a by product of actual use. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated through a computational experiment and a user study.


Next-generation biomass feedstocks are needed to optimize sustainability in a wide range of soils and climates. Species that has been recently noticed in Europe is Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita L. Rusby). A critical question with research of this species is its field propagation. A long-term (2003–2012), field experiment was conducted to determine the impact of propagation method on yields and productivity this species. The hypothesis was higher yields of S. hermaphrodita biomass from vegetative propagations than from generative propagations, also over the long term. On average, from first 10 years of lifespan of Virginia fanpetals (2003–2012), biomass dry matter (DM) yields were significantly higher by vegetative propagation (16.8 Mg ha–1) as for generative (10.9 Mg ha–1). The average gross energy yield obtained by the vegetative propagation reached 304 GJ ha–1 while by the generative propagation was 196 GJ ha–1. The determined heat of combustion reached 18.1 GJ Mg–1 DM, the ash content was 28 g kg–1, and the nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), and chlorine (Cl) contents were 1.9 g kg–1, 0.52 g kg–1 and 0.23 g kg–1, respectively, regardless of propagation methods.


Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing has become the killer application in the wired Internet and might also be highly attractive for mobile networks. In particular since UMTS operators are searching for new applications which do both: a) exploit the potential of the UMTS technology and b) motivate the user to adopt the new technology. In this work we are investigating the performance of an eDonkey-based mobile P2P file-sharing system by means of time-dynamic simulation. Mobile networks differ from wireline networks by the limited capacity of the radio link and the mobility of the users. P2P networks, in contrast, are overlays which consider the transport network in an abstract way. In a mobile environment, the question arises, whether the abstraction can be maintained and what will be the performance impact if there is any. We will show in detail how the mobile access technology (GPRS or UMTS), the churn behavior of mobile users, the file size of mobile specific content, and special infrastructure entities, such as a cache peer, influences the performance of the suggested mobile P2P file-sharing service.


CONTEXT
Controversy surrounds the diagnostic and prognostic importance of slightly elevated cardiac markers in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation.

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the relationship between peak creatine kinase (CK)-MB level and outcome and to determine whether a threshold CK-MB level exists below which risk is not increased.

DESIGN AND SETTING
Retrospective observational analysis of data from the international Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable Angina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin Therapy (PURSUIT) trial, conducted from November 1995 to January 1997.

PATIENTS
A total of 8250 patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation who had at least 1 CK-MB sample collected during their index hospitalization.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Mortality at 30 days and 6 months, was assessed by category of index-hospitalization peak CK-MB level (0-1, >1-2, >2-3, >3-5, >5-10, or >10 times the upper limit of normal). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the independent prognostic significance of peak CK-MB level after adjustment for baseline predictors of 30-day and 6-month mortality.

RESULTS
Mortality at 30 days and 6 months increased from 1.8% and 4.0%, respectively, in patients with normal peak CK-MB levels, to 3.3% and 6.2 % at peak CK-MB levels 1 to 2 times normal, to 5.1% and 7.5% at peak CK-MB levels 3 to 5 times normal, and to 8.3% and 11.0% at peak CK-MB levels greater than 10 times normal. Log-transformed peak CK-MB levels were predictive of adjusted 30-day and 6-month mortality (P<.001 for both).

CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that elevation of CK-MB level is strongly related to mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation, and that the increased risk begins with CK-MB levels just above normal. In the appropriate clinical context, even minor CK-MB elevations should be considered indicative of myocardial infarction.


This study evaluated the efficacy of politzerization with an automated, hand-held device that controls volume velocity (airflow) in the treatment of 20 children with otitis media with effusion. These patients underwent politzerization twice a week for up to 6 weeks. Another 20 children with otitis media with effusion who were not treated with politzerization served as controls. Following treatment, resolution of the average air-bone gap to within normal limits was achieved in 70% of the treated group and 20% of the controls, which eliminated the need for grommet insertion in these patients. Improvement in tympanometric peak pressure was also significantly greater in the treated group. Politzerization was efficiently and successfully performed in all patients. The automated device's ease of administration and its ability to control airflow suggests that it has the potential to be an effective home treatment that can be administered by the parents or guardians of children who have otitis media with effusion.


A pacing-induced tachycardia causes a net loss of K+ from the myocardium whereas adrenergic stimulation at constant heart rate will cause a net K+ accumulation. In the intact heart, isoproterenol (ISO) will, as expected, exert both effects, but the net result with regard to K+ balance is unknown. In the experiments on intact porcine hearts presented herein, a shunt from the coronary sinus to the right atrium allowed continuous monitoring of the myocardial K+ balance. ISO caused heart rate, dP/dt, and peak aortic flow to increase to a new steady state in less than 10 sec. There was an initial K+ loss lasting 1 min followed by a 10- to 15-times larger net uptake subsiding after 7 min. Overall, tissue K+ increased by 140.5 +/- 60.0 mumole/100 g, corresponding roughly to a 3 mM increase in intracellular concentration during ISO infusion. Ouabain binding sites determined in intact biopsies from the left ventricle remained unchanged. Thus, ISO has a biphasic effect on myocardial K+ balance, eventually causing a net increase of tissue K+ content probably unrelated to the inotropic effects. Direct stimulation of the Na+, K+-ATPase without changing the number of enzymes is possible.


Abstract This essay maps the nature, scope, and implications of the field of "public humanities" as practiced within the university. Calling for a public humanities that is collaborative, process-centered, and committed to racial and social justice, the essay considers the challenges and possibilities the new field brings to university teaching, scholarship, and administration. The author draws from her work at Brown University, her experience as the editor of a book of case studies, Doing Public Humanities, and her time as a participant-researcher at New Urban Arts, a Providence arts group, to review the organizations and resources devoted to public humanities. Describing why (and what, when, where, and how) a new humanities field began and where it stands now, the essay traces possible lessons for the humanities brought by the evolution of public humanities.


We have previously described the spontaneous regeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons after optic nerve (ON) transection in the adult Gallotia galloti. As neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) is involved in neuronal differentiation, survival and synaptic plasticity, we performed a comparative immunohistochemical study of NT‐3 during the ontogeny and regeneration (after 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postlesion) of the lizard visual system to reveal its distribution and changes during these events. For characterization of NT‐3+ cells, we performed double labelings using the neuronal markers HuC‐D, Pax6 and parvalbumin (Parv), the microglial marker tomato lectin or Lycopersicon esculentum agglutinin (LEA), and the astroglial markers vimentin (Vim) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Subpopulations of retinal and tectal neurons were NT‐3+ from early embryonic stages to adulthood. Nerve fibers within the retinal nerve fiber layer, both plexiform layers and the retinorecipient layers in the optic tectum (OT) were also stained. In addition, NT‐3+/GFAP+ and NT‐3+/Vim+ astrocytes were detected in the ON, chiasm and optic tract in postnatal and adult lizards. At 1 month postlesion, abundant NT‐3+/GFAP+ astrocytes and NT‐3−/LEA+ microglia/macrophages were stained in the lesioned ON, whereas NT‐3 became downregulated in the experimental retina and OT. Interestingly, at 9 and 12 months postlesion, the staining in the experimental retina resembled that in control animals, whereas bundles of putative regrown fibers showed a disorganized staining pattern in the OT. Altogether, we demonstrate that NT‐3 is widely distributed in the lizard visual system and its changes after ON transection might be permissive for the successful axonal regrowth. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008


Introduction In patients with COPD, exacerbations are among the most relevant safety concerns. Here, we report frequency of exacerbations in a real-life out-patient COPD population. Methods To get insights into occurrence and frequency of exacerbations in a real-life out-patient COPD population, data of 6,209 COPD patients with obstructive spirometry pattern were obtained from 349 German primary and secondary care centres participating in the DACCORD cohort. This included history and treatment of exacerbations 6 months prior to inclusion into the registry. Exacerbations were defined based on prescription of oral steroids and/or antibiotics or hospitalisation. Results Mean age of the patients was 65.7 years, with 18% of the patients older than 75 years. 36.9% of the patients had severe or very severe airflow limitation (GOLD 2010). 50.7% were vaccinated against influenza and 36.3% against pneumococcae, respectively. In the 6 month period prior to study inclusion, 27.8% of the patients had exacerbations. Among them, only a minority had two (5.8%) or more (2.1%) exacerbations. A hospital stay was required in 16.4% of the exacerbated patients, equivalent to 4.3% of the total cohort. The majority of exacerbations were treated in an ambulatory setting with 58.4% of patients receiving systemic steroids and 73.2% receiving antibiotics. Conclusion The overall frequency of exacerbations in a large real-life COPD cohort was low, but in accordance with a previous report. 1 Exacerbations, disease severity and vaccination status will be prospectively followed as part of the DACCORD study over the next 2 years. Reference 1. Agusti et al., Resp Res 11:122.


Using Cartan's exterior calculus, we derive a coordinate-free formulation of the Euler equations. These equations are invariant under Galileian transformations, which constitute a global symmetry. With the introduction of an appropriate generalized Coriolis force, these equations become symmetric under general coordinate transformations. We show how exterior calculus simplifies dramatically the derivation of conservation laws. We also discuss the advantage of an exterior calculus formulation with respect to symmetry-preserving discretizations of the equations.


Introduction: Skin cancer of the feet require quick surgical management with the less as possible organic impact, especially in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. The techniques of regional block anesthesia are relatively easy to perform and safe when performed rigorously. Discussion: The sensitive innervation of the feet depends on five nervous branches: posterior tibial nerve, deep peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, sural nerve and saphenous nerve. The authors discuss the anesthesia techniques and possible complications. Conclusions: The techniques of anesthesia of peripheral nerves of the feet can achieve success rates of 95% and optimize the resources available in dermatologic surgery.KEYWORDS – Nerve Block; Peripheral Nerves; Foot; Skin Diseases.


Based on own work on species and trait recognition and complementary studies from other working groups, we present a workflow for data extraction from digitized herbarium specimens using convolutional neural networks. Digitized herbarium sheets contain:

 preserved plant material as well as additional objects:

 the label containing information on the collection event,

 annotations such as revision labels, or notes on material extraction,

 identifiers such as barcodes or numbers,

 envelopes for loose plant material and

 often scale bars and color charts used in the digitization process.

 preserved plant material as well as additional objects:
 the label containing information on the collection event,
 annotations such as revision labels, or notes on material extraction,
 identifiers such as barcodes or numbers,
 envelopes for loose plant material and
 often scale bars and color charts used in the digitization process.
 In order to treat these objects appropriately, segmentation techniques (Triki et al. 2018) will be applied to localize and identify the different kinds of objects for specific treatments. Detecting presence of plant organs such as leaves, flowers or fruits is already a first step in data extraction potentially useful for phenological studies. Plant organs will be subject to routines for quantitative (Gaikwad et al. 2018) and qualitative (Younis et al. 2018) trait recognition routines. Text-based objects can be treated as described by Kirchhoff et al. 2018, using OCR techniques and considering the many collection-specific terms and abbreviations as described in Schröder 2019. Additionally, species recognition (Younis et al. 2018) will be applied in order to help further identification of incompletely identified collection items or to detect possible misidentifications. All steps described above need sufficient training data including labelling that may be obtained from collection metadata and trait databases.
 In order to deal with new incoming digitized collections, unseen data or categories, we propose implementation of a new Deep Learning approach, so-called Lifelong Learning: Past knowledge of the network is dynamically saved in latent space using autoencoder and generatively replayed while the network is trained on new tasks which enables it to solve complex image processing tasks without forgetting former knowledge while incrementally learning new classes and knowledge.


A regiodivergent catalytic method for direct conversion of aldehydes to branched or linear alkyl ketones is described. Rhodium complexes modified by P tBu2Me catalyze formate-mediated aldehyde-vinyl bromide reductive coupling-redox isomerization to form branched ketones. Use of the less strongly coordinating ligand, PPh3, promotes vinyl- to allylrhodium isomerization en route to linear ketones. This method bypasses the 3-step sequence often used to convert aldehydes to ketones involving the addition of pre-metalated reagents to Weinreb or morpholine amides.


Educational Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be an appropriate tool for creating flexible learning environments. ICT can contribute to flexibility through its potential to keep content up‐to‐date and to address personal learning needs. ICT could, thus, make learning more accessible to a wider group of students. However, doing this requires that educational tools and the ways they are used in the classroom are experienced as challenging and attractive and, most important, inclusive to the students using them. In order to support the learning of all users, differences between students should be taken into account. In four schools for secondary education in the Netherlands, the relationship between social scripts in educational tools and the inclusiveness of the use of these tools in classroom practice has been studied. Our analysis shows that educational tools indeed differ in the extent of inclusiveness for different groups of students, particularly in their instructional structure. Teachers appeared to reinforce the inclusiveness of the more inclusive tools, but, generally, did not affect the inclusiveness of the less inclusive tools. When more inclusive educational tools were used, students participated more actively – they read the texts better, they asked fewer questions and they collaborated more. This is particularly the case for girls and students from minority groups.


At the base of national development is an advancement in education; specifically university education. The Nigerian case reveals that the system of education is at the mercy of state's internal intricacies. The issue of ethnicity, which has fuelled distrust, suspicion and competition among the ethnic groups has resulted in the introduction of certain resolutions such as quota system, federal character, revenue allocation, rotation, zoning, etc. which have further exacerbated the issue; normalizing and legalizing ethnicity. The destructive effects of ethnicity have trickled down to education, and national development remains at the receiving end. In fact, it reflects in the county's public university admission process, appointment of university dons, and even in the location of university facilities: culminating in the deprivation of university education for qualified applicants, displacement of frustrated students and brilliant academics abroad, and the eventual loss of those that could assist in national development to more inclusive societies of the world. As one of the world's most pluralised society, Nigeria becomes the preferred case for the study. A descriptive-analytical approach is applied, while the data are basically collected from texts, institutional records and academic journals. Findings indicate that merit is sacrificed at the altar of national integrity and political accommodation.


With rising vocational expectations of higher education, universities are increasingly promoting themselves as preparing students for future professional lives. This makes it timely to ask what makes professionalism meaningful to students. In addressing this question, we first identify aspects of professionalism that might represent appropriate aspirations for higher education, in particular the development of professionalism as a transformational rather than acquisitional process. We then report on an empirical study aimed at examining current students' understandings of professionalism, and identifying what they commonly notice and do not notice about professionalism. Finally, we give examples of curriculum interventions designed by subject convenors in response to these findings.


We report a simple, high-yield colloidal synthesis of copper indium selenide nanocrystals (CISe NCs) based on a silylamide-promoted approach. The silylamide anions increase the nucleation rate, which results in small-sized NCs exhibiting high luminescence and constant NC stoichiometry and crystal structure regardless of the NC size and shape. In particular, by systematically varying synthesis time and temperature, we show that the size of the CISe NCs can be precisely controlled to be between 2.7 and 7.9 nm with size distributions down to 9–10%. By introducing a specific concentration of silylamide-anions in the reaction mixture, the shape of CISe NCs can be preselected to be either spherical or tetrahedral. Optical properties of these CISe NCs span from the visible to near-infrared region with peak luminescence wavelengths of 700 to 1200 nm. The luminescence efficiency improves from 10 to 15% to record values of 50–60% by overcoating as-prepared CISe NCs with ZnSe or ZnS shells, highlighting their potential for applications such as biolabeling and solid state lighting.


&NA; Radionuclide liver scans and gray scale ultrasonography of the liver were compared in 456 patients with various abnormalities including normal variants, jaundice, abscesses, and metastatic diseases. In general the better resolution of sonography detected smaller and deeper focal lesions than nuclide scans, but nuclide studies were more informative in hepatocellular disorders. Nuclide studies frequently demonstrated lesions that could be further delineated by sonography as either cystic or solid. This ability was of particular significance in isolated liver lesions found during metastatic surveys.


In this paper, the hybrid dehumidification system using thermoelectric device is based on the idea of utilizing waste heat from the heat dissipation side of thermoelectric device as a heat source to regenerate chemical desiccant. We would like to apply this system to spaces required dehumidification due to continuous moisture generation or local high humidity in the houses. And, we want to confirm the possibility of developing the hybrid dehumidification system that combines passive dehumidification using chemical desiccant with active dehumidification using thermoelectric device. 주요어 : 열전소자, 화학제습, 하이브리드 제습시스템, 재생


The reflective null corrector used to manufacture of the Hubble Space Telescope contains valuable information about the prescription of the primary mirror since an excellent null was achieved between the null-corrector wave front and the primary-mirror wave front. During the Phase I measurements, the leading cause of the spherical aberration, the field lens position error, was discovered and remeasured to an accuracy of +/-0.005 mm. To derive the conic constant of the primary mirror to an accuracy of +/-0.0003, we remeasured the parameters of the reflective null corrector that could contribute to the spherical aberration of the primary mirror.


A likely source of a quench in cable-in-conduit internally cooled superconductors (CCICS) is frictional heating due to strand motion in the cable. Most previous studies on CCICS stability evaluate the amount of energy needed to quench the conductor by assuming that the disturbance energy is uniformly distributed across the cross section. We believe that these studies are too optimistic, and have studied the stability of CCICS assuming that the disturbance energy is abruptly input into a small part of a single strand. To perform this analysis, the transient heat transfer characteristics of supercritical helium (SHE) have been measured. This paper presents the transient heat transfer characteristics of SHE and the results of our stability analysis. >


Lidars have gained a lot of popularity in the field of wind energy, partly because of their potential to be used for wind turbine control. By scanning the oncoming wind field, any threats such as gusts can be detected early and high loads can be avoided by taking preventive actions. Unfortunately, lidars suffer from some inherent weaknesses that hinder measuring gusts; e.g., the averaging of high-frequency fluctuations and only measuring along the line of sight). This paper proposes a method to construct a useful signal from a lidar by fitting a homogeneous Gaussian velocity field to a set of scattered measurements. The output signal, an along-wind force, acts as a measure for the damaging potential of an oncoming gust and is shown to agree with the rotor-effective wind speed (a similar control input, but derived directly from the wind turbine's shaft torque). Low data availability and the disadvantage of not knowing the velocity between the lidar beams is translated into uncertainty and integrated in the output signal. This allows a designer to establish a control strategy based on risk, with the ultimate goal to reduce the extreme loads during operation.


ABSTRACT  Here we address the personhood of patients in a permanent vegetative state (PVS), who fall outside categories of "alive" or "dead" and "subject" or "object." Drawing on fieldwork in an Israeli hospital, we examine multiple and shifting approaches to PVS patients, which are articulated in the course of caring for and living with them. We argue that, alongside the institutional definition of these patients as being in a PVS, which, as Kaufman showed, evokes irresolvable confusion as to their ontological nature, there appear and disappear other senses of their personhood. Allying with other studies of cognitively impaired patients (e.g., those with dementia and Alzheimer's), we explore this relational person-concept while demonstrating its situational nature. We analyze patients' admission to the hospital, showing how their essentialistic personhood is "emptied" and how and when their fluid, relational personhood appears and disappears, further showing how this personhood is reified by imagined life stories.


This study expands research on how intergroup contact makes ethnic minority members less prejudiced toward the majority group. Specifically, we propose that perceived group discrimination may serve as an essential boundary condition of the friendship‒prejudice relationship. Accordingly, analyses show that: (a) cross-group friendship predicts less prejudice, (b) perceived group discrimination relates to greater prejudice only among noncontacted ethnic minority members, and (c) greater perceived group discrimination enhances the ability of cross-group friendship to predict reduced prejudice toward majority members. The enhancing effect is inconsistent with previous research. Moreover, we show that perceived personal discrimination does not moderate the friendship‒prejudice relationship. Finally, analyses confirm the unique qualities of cross-group friendship, as perceived group discrimination does not predict greater prejudice when this type of contact is most intense. Analyses are performed on an unusually rich, national probability sample of ethnic minority members fielded in 2017 including 1211 respondents from Denmark. We conclude with discussion of the implications of our findings.


Author(s): Busch, Julia | Advisor(s): Jensen, Paul R | Abstract: Secondary metabolite production plays an important role in the interaction of bacteria and their environments. While many marine microbes have been found to produce bioactive molecules, relatively little is known about the diversity and distribution of biosynthetic gene clusters with known products. This dissertation includes five chapters that explore these topics in the genus Pseudoalteromonas. The first chapter introduces marine natural products and the group of bacteria, followed by three research chapters and a summary chapter. Chapter 2 explores the evolution of the bmp gene cluster in the genus Pseudoalteromonas. A well-supported species phylogeny was generated and the distribution and diversity of the biosynthetic gene cluster was mapped onto the tree. Four distinct versions of the bmp cluster were found in the genus, with evidence supporting gene loss in certain cases. It is uncertain how many times the gene cluster was acquired within Pseudoalteromonas, but the conservation of the biosynthetic genes within some lineages suggests that the metabolites produced are relevant to the ecology of these bacteria. Chapter 3 presents the results from the bacterial cytological profiling of pentabromopseudilin in an E. coli strain. The primary phenotype observed in treated cells was membrane permeability, which increases over time and concentration. Despite its apparent ability to disrupt the cell membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and increase the potency of two tested antibiotics, pentabromopseudilin is not likely a good candidate for therapeutic uses due its cytotoxicity. The final research chapter investigates the bioactivity and biosynthetic potential of five Pseudoalteromonas species. The crude extracts and fractions of some of the strains included in the study were bioactive against Gram-positive and Gram-negative test strains. Preliminary genome mining results reveal that Pseudoalteromonas are rich in biosynthetic gene clusters, most of which do not have known products or similar clusters.


This study describes the development and investigation of the concept of organizational transfer climate and discusses whether it influences the degree to which trainees transfer behaviors learned in a training program to their job situations. The study was conducted in a large franchise that owns and operates over one hundred fast-food restaurants in a large metropolitan area. Analyses indicated that when manager trainees were assigned to units that had a more positive organizational transfer climate, they were rated as better performers of the behaviors previously learned in training. As was predicted, it was also found that manager trainees who learned more in training performed better on the job. It was concluded that, in addition to how much trainees learn in training, the organizational transfer climate of the work situation affects the degree to which learned behavior will be transferred onto the actual job. This research suggests that organizational transfer climate is a tool that should be investigated as a potential facilitator for enhancing positive transfer of training into the work environment.


BACKGROUND
Bariatric surgery has grown from an obscure experimental procedure to one of the most popular operations in the world. Such accelerated progress left many gaps, notably concerning subsequent rehabilitation needs of this population.

AIM
In the present study, a brief description of both the patients and the interventions is provided, along with potentially disabling features especially concerning the locomotor system, which has received comparatively little attention .

DESIGN
Based on reported protocols and actual experience, major issues are addressed.

SETTING
Bariatric patients are initially managed in the hospital, however long-term and even lifetime needs may be recognized, requiring major lifestyle and physical activity changes. These have to be focused in all settings, inside and outside the healthcare institutions.

POPULATION
Initially only adults were considered bariatric candidates, however currently also adolescents and the elderly are admitted in many centers.

RESULTS
Bariatric weight loss is certainly successful for remission or prevention of metabolic, cardiovascular and cancer comorbidities. Yet benefits for bones, joints and muscles, along with general physical performance are still incompletely established. This should be no reason for denying continued care to such individuals, within the context of well-designed protocols, as available evidence points toward favorable rehabilitation in the realms of physical, social and workplace activities.

CONCLUSION
The importance of a physiatric curriculum in medical schools has been emphasized. Even more crucial is the presence of such a specialists in obesity and bariatric teams, a requirement recognized in a few countries but not in others.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT
The relevance of obesity as a disabling condition is reviewed, along with the positive changes induced by surgical weight loss. Although obesity alleviation is a legitimate end-point it is not a sufficient one. The shortcomings of such result from the point of view of physical normalization are outlined, and recommendations are suggested.


Abstract Double pulse laser welding is investigated to reduce hot cracking in 6082 aluminium alloy welds. Therefore, Nd:YAG and diode laser pulses are superimposed and synchronised with a specific delay. The diode laser heats the parent metal and weld metal during weld spot solidification to compensate for solidification shrinkage and thermal contraction. The results of conventional pulsed laser welding prove that hot cracking is strongly dependent on the pulse peak power of the Nd:YAG laser, which constrains the crack free penetration depth. Adding the diode laser pulse at a defined time during weld spot solidification eliminated hot cracking. The double pulse welding method allowed the butt welding of 0·5 mm thick 6082 aluminium alloys without the formation of hot cracking.


The body is constantly faced with a dynamic requirement for blood flow. The heart is able to respond to these changing needs by adjusting cardiac output based on cues emitted by circulating catecholamine levels. Cardiac β‐adrenoceptors transduce the signal produced by catecholamine stimulation via Gs proteins to their downstream effectors to increase heart contractility. During heart failure, cardiac output is insufficient to meet the needs of the body; catecholamine levels are high and β‐adrenoceptors become hyperstimulated. The hyperstimulated β1‐adrenoceptors induce a cardiotoxic effect, which could be counteracted by the cardioprotective effect of β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated Gi signalling. However, β2‐adrenoceptor‐Gi signalling negates the stimulatory effect of the Gs signalling on cardiomyocyte contraction and further exacerbates cardiodepression. Here, further to the localization of β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptors and β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated β‐arrestin signalling in cardiomyocytes, we discuss features of the dysregulation of β‐adrenoceptor subtype signalling in the failing heart, and conclude that Gi‐biased β2‐adrenoceptor signalling is a pathogenic pathway in heart failure that plays a crucial role in cardiac remodelling. In contrast, β2‐adrenoceptor‐Gs signalling increases cardiomyocyte contractility without causing cardiotoxicity. Finally, we discuss a novel therapeutic approach for heart failure using a Gs‐biased β2‐adrenoceptor agonist and a β1‐adrenoceptor antagonist in combination. This combination treatment normalizes the β‐adrenoceptor subtype signalling in the failing heart and produces therapeutic effects that outperform traditional heart failure therapies in animal models. The present review illustrates how the concept of biased signalling can be applied to increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of diseases and in the development of novel therapies.


In the implicit solvent models of electrolytes (such as the primitive model (PM)), the ions are modeled as point charges in the centers of spheres (hard spheres in the case of the PM). The surfaces of the spheres are not polarizable which makes these models appropriate to use in computer simulations of electrolyte systems where these ions do not leave their host dielectrics. The same assumption makes them inappropriate in simulations where these ions cross dielectric boundaries because the interaction energy of the point charge with the polarization charge induced on the dielectric boundary diverges. In this paper, we propose a procedure to treat the passage of such ions through dielectric interfaces with an interpolation method. Inspired by the "bubble ion" model (in which the ion's surface is polarizable), we define a space-dependent effective dielectric coefficient, ε(eff)(r), for the ion that overlaps with the dielectric boundary. Then, we replace the "bubble ion" with a point charge that has an effective charge q/ε(eff)(r) and remove the portion of the dielectric boundary where the ion overlaps with it. We implement the interpolation procedure using the induced charge computation method [D. Boda, D. Gillespie, W. Nonner, D. Henderson, and B. Eisenberg, Phys. Rev. E 69, 046702 (2004)]. We analyze the various energy terms using a spherical ion passing through an infinite flat dielectric boundary as an example.


In this study the molecular characteristics of native and extruded starches of wheat, corn, and potato were observed under long-term alkali treatment (0.5 M NaOH, 7 days, 35°C). The molar mass distribution of samples determined by means of calibrated semi-analytical size exclusion chromatography (SEC) showed different profiles (double and single peak distribution) depending on the dissolution status of the starch polysaccharides with simultaneous loss of supermolecular structures because of disintegration of the aggregates. The molecular range was between 4 × 103 and 2 × 106 g/mol and their calculated average molar masses were Mw = 1.7 × 105–4.1 × 105 and Mn = 2.5 × 104–1.1 × 105 g/mol. The reduction value and the value of intrinsic viscosity were additional indicators for the dissolving status of starch polysaccharides as well as for the stability of starch molecules in alkaline solution.


Understanding the role of naturally occurring protective osmolytes, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), in the growth of amyloid fibrils implicated in neurodegenerative diseases is important to prevent fibril growth. The effect of TMAO on the growth of amyloid fibrils formed by the Sup35 prion peptide NNQQNY is studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The free-energy surface for the growth of the protofibril shows three major basins, corresponding to the free state where the peptide is in solution, the docked state where the peptide in solution interacts with the surface of the protofibril, and the locked state where the peptide is tightly bound to the protofibril, becoming a part of the fibril. The free-energy surface in the presence of TMAO shows that TMAO stabilizes the locked state of the peptide compared with the free state, indicating that TMAO aids in fibril growth. Dissecting the interaction of TMAO with individual amino acids in the peptide shows that TMAO interacts both directly and indirectly with the amino acids, depending on the nature of the side chains. The methyl groups in TMAO interact strongly with the hydrophobic aromatic ring in the Tyr residue. In the locked state, the surface area of Tyr available for interaction with TMAO decreases; as a result, the Tyr residue in the peptide flips out from the locked position, increasing the fluctuations of the peptide locked in the protofibril. Such strong direct interactions of amino acids with TMAO destabilize the folded or aggregated states of proteins. The overall increased stability of the peptide locked in the protofibril by TMAO is due to entropic or indirect interactions with the backbone Asn and Gln residues, which form major components of the NNQQNY peptide.


Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus infection in children has a different way of presentation. The involvement of muscular system is most commonly described as pyomyositis because of opportunistic infections or myopathy secondary to highly active antiretroviral therapy in both children and adults. Primary myopathy presenting as a progressive weakness is usually seen in adults and rarely observed in children with only a few cases described in the literature. In this case, we report a 7-year-old Indian girl with perinatal HIV infection presenting with progressive weakness and otherwise asymptomatic. An improvement was observed after antiretroviral and rehabilitative therapy.


Cultivated tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray var. latifolius Freeman) has received considerable interest as a crop for dryland production regions around the world. Successful tepary bean production will depend partly upon its resistance to endemic diseases. Thirteen select tepary bean lines were evaluated in the field and by rice-seed inoculation for resistance to ashy stem blight [Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid.] and by a root-clip inoculation method for resistance to fusarium wilt [Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. f. sp. phaseoli J.B. Kendrick and W.C. Synder) (Fop)]. Three lines, Mex-114, PI 440806-s, and PI 321637-s, exhibited high levels of resistance to both pathogens and their diseases. These reactions, combined with known resistances to other pathogens, will allow identification of multiple-disease-resistant tepary bean germplasm for use in different production regions and breeding programs.


The influence of a classroom's indoor environment on children's health, performance and comfort is a concern that receives increasing attention. Many schools experience problems with inadequate indoor air quality and climate. Investigations of the indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools have been often non-systematic, which can lead to costly ad-hoc remediation actions. It is therefore important to develop a holistic approach to the assessment of IAQ in schools. This paper presents a field study on the indoor air quality and thermal environment conditions of elementary schools in Gothenburg, Sweden. The focus of the paper is on the methodology to investigate the IAQ using both objective measurements and subjective assessment of the perceived IAQ. The indoor environmental measurements include indoor air quality and thermal comfort parameters for which guideline values exist. Finally, a questionnaire was developed to evaluate the perception of the classroom's thermal environment and air quality by young children. The paper presents the study protocol and diagnostics approach for IAQ in classrooms. Examples of results from the first 10 investigated classrooms are presented.


Angular dependence of magnetic field response of fully suspended resonant microelectromechanical double-clamped magnetoelectric beams was investigated as the basis for a vector magnetometer utilizing the magnetically induced change in fundamental resonance frequency. Strain-coupled magnetostrictive iron cobalt (FeCo) and piezoelectric aluminum nitride layers together constitute a magnetoelectric heterostructure with a high magnetic field sensitivity of 70 Hz/mT along the beam axis and a transfer function of 47 V/T at 10 Hz. The fundamental frequency shift to an external magnetic field is found to be strongly anisotropic with a relative variation of more than 3% between perpendicular and parallel field orientations with respect to the long axis of the beam at a field of 100 mT. This design can form the basis for an on-chip high sensitivity vector magnetometer operating with ultra-low power when multiplexed with two or more resonators.


The arrangement of the five central figures of the east pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia has been the subject of scholarly debates since the discovery of the fragments more than a century ago. In theory, there are four substantially different arrangements, all of which have already been selected by certain scholars for various aesthetic, technical and other considerations. The present project tries to approach this controversy in a new way, by producing a virtual 3D reconstruction of the group. Digital models of the statues were produced by scanning the original fragments and by reconstructing them virtually. For this purpose an innovative new software (Leonar3Do) has also been employed. The virtual model of the pediment surrounding the sculptures was prepared on the basis of the latest architectural studies and afterwards the reconstructed models were inserted in this frame, in order to test the technical feasibility and aesthetic effects the four possible arrangements. The paper gives an overview of the entire work and presents the final results suggesting that two arrangements can be ruled out due to the limited space available in the pediment.


The carboxy-terminal 29 amino acids of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein (HIV-1 TM) are referred to as lentivirus lytic peptide 1 (LLP-1). Synthetic peptides corresponding to LLP-1 have been shown to induce cytolysis and to alter the permeability of cultured cells to various small molecules. To address the mechanisms by which LLP-1 induces cytolysis and membrane permeability changes, various concentrations of LLP-1 were incubated with Xenopus laevis oocytes, and two-electrode, voltage-clamp recording measurements were performed. LLP-1 at concentrations of 75 nM and above induced dramatic alterations in the resting membrane potential and ionic permeability of Xenopus oocytes. These concentrations of LLP-1 appeared to induce a major disruption of plasma membrane electrophysiological integrity. In contrast, concentrations of LLP-1 of 20-50 nM induced changes in membrane ionic permeability that mimic changes induced by compounds, such as the bee venom peptide melittin, that are known to form channel-like structures in biological membranes at sublytic concentrations. An analog of LLP-1 with greatly reduced cytolytic activity failed to alter the electrophysiological properties of Xenopus oocytes. Thus, by altering plasma membrane ionic permeability, the carboxy terminus of TM may contribute to cytolysis of HIV-1-infected CD4+ cells.


By using the glyoxylic acid method of DE LA Torre and Surgeon (1976), occurrence, distribution and origin of catecholamines were investigated in the visual system of the albino rat. A dense network of green fluorescent terminals and preterminals could be detected in the dLGN. The spreading of terminals of catecholaminergic fibres had been observed in laminae I and II of the visual cortex. Investigation of lamina I with the Golgi-Kopsch method showed axons the thickness of which was below 1 micron, and with varicosities with a distance of approximately 3.5 micron, having a diameter of 2 to 4 micron. These axons might be identical with the fluorescent-histochemically represented terminals. Taking into account the course of catecholaminergic axons it can be concluded that the pyramidal cells of the neocortex, the spiny dendrites of which are heavily branched in the lamina I, are affected. After application of horseradish-peroxidase in the dLGN labelled cells have been found in the locus coeruleus (A6) only. After application of the enzyme in the visual cortex, labelled cells have been observed in the nuclei A 6 and A2. The pathway of catecholaminergic axons from the nucleus of origin to the terminal regions was investigated using the "false transmitter" 6-OH-DA. The results can be seen in a diagram.


Web caching or web proxy has been considered as the prime vehicle of coping with the ever-increasing demand for information retrieval over the Internet, the WWW being a typical example. Existing work on web proxy has primarily focused on content based caching; relatively less attention has been given to the development of proper placement strategies for the potential web proxies in the Internet. In this paper, we argue that the placement of web proxies is critical to the performance and further investigates the optimal placement policy of web proxies for a target web server in the Internet. The objective is to optimize a given performance measure for the target web server subject to system resources and traffic pattern. Specifically, we are interested in finding the optimal placement of multiple web proxies (M) among potential sites (N) under a given traffic pattern. We show this can be modeled a dynamic programming problem. We further obtain the optimal solution for the tree topology using O(N/sup 3/M/sup 2/) time.


Beyond its critical role in T cells, T-bet regulates the functions of APCs including dendritic cells and B cells, as well as NK cells. Given that recipient APCs are essential for priming allogeneic T cells and recipient NK or T cells are able to reject allogeneic donor cells, we evaluated the role of T-bet on the host in acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using murine models of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. T-bet−/− recipients developed significantly milder GVHD than their wild type counterparts in MHC-mismatched or CD4-depedent minor histocompatibility Ag–mismatched models. Allogeneic donor T cells, in particular, CD4 subset, significantly reduced IFN-γ production, proliferation and migration, and caused less injury in liver and gut of T-bet−/− recipients. We further observed that T-bet on recipient hematopoietic cells was primarily responsible for the donor T cell response and pathogenicity in GVHD. T-bet−/− dendritic cells expressed higher levels of Trail, whereas they produced lower levels of IFN-γ and IL-12/23 p40, as well as chemokine CXCL9, resulting in significantly higher levels of apoptosis, less priming, and infiltration of donor T cells. Meanwhile, NK cells in T-bet−/− hosts partially contribute to the decreased donor T cell proliferation. Furthermore, although T-bet on hematopoietic cells was required for GVHD development, it was largely dispensable for the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Taken together with our previous findings, we propose that T-bet is a potential therapeutic target for the control of GVHD through regulating donor T cells and recipient hematopoietic cells.


Tissue Doppler Echocardiography was introduced in the 1960s (Yoshida et al., 1961), and enabled the quantitative assessment of myocardial motion and deformation. The wide use of tissue Doppler as a research tool halted, however, until the early 1990s (Hatle & Sutherland, 2000). Tissue Doppler is now available for high frame rates, wide sector angles and in combination with 2-dimiensional data acquisition. Although widely used in cardiovascular research, the clinical use is limited, probably due to the time consumption associated with special imaging protocols and tedious post processing. Nevertheless, tissue Doppler echocardiography has contributed to most of the available knowledge on the pathophysiology involved in myocardial contraction deficiency. The experienced cardiologist can easily identify large myocardial infarcts by visual analysis of echocardiograms, but identification of a small MI may be challenging due to the modest changes in tissue properties. In ischemic tissue, the contractility is reduced and reduced deformation and deformation rate is observed. Due to differences in contractility among ischemic and adjacent healthy myocardium, the ischemic myocardium has a characteristic deformation pattern with stretch in early systole, reduced systolic shortening, and a delayed (postsystolic) shortening when the ventricular pressure decays. This early stretch and post systolic shortening pattern has been described both experimentally (Edvardsen, T. et al., 2002; Skulstad et al., 2002) and clinically (Gjesdal et al., 2008; Jamal et al., 1999; Voigt et al., 2004).


BACKGROUND
The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak represents a global health emergency, and dialysis patients are a high-risk population. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in hemodialysis facilities require specific protocols to be planned and promptly executed for the management of suspected/confirmed cases of COVID-19 with respect to prevention, protection, screening, and isolation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
In order to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in our Hemodialysis Unit, we adopted individual protection measures accompanied by measures to minimize contacts among hemodialysis patients with suspicious symptoms as well as other patients and medical staff. We provided our patients detailed instructions to be followed in the event of their having symptoms compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection or having contacts with SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects. Ultimately, four possible scenarios and care paths were developed and implemented in collaboration with the Infectious Diseases and Emergency Units at the Padua University Hospital.

RESULTS
The application of this strategy has resulted in the nearly 200 patients treated in our hemodialysis facilities while there were only 2 cases of COVID-19 (1% incidence rate) with no deaths.

CONCLUSION
We attribute the low COVID-19 incidence noted so far for patients in our hemodialysis facilities to the early detection and prompt isolation of suspected patients per our specific plan along with the prompt application of preventive measures.


Gene editing is an advanced technique based on artificial nucleases and can precisely modify genome sequences. It has shown great application prospects in the field of medicine and has provided a new precision therapy for diseases. Primary immunodeficiency disease is a group of diseases caused by single gene mutation and characterized by recurrent and refractory infections, with an extremely high mortality rate. The application of gene editing has brought hope for curing these diseases. This article reviews the development of gene editing technology and briefly introduces the research and application of gene editing technology in primary immunodeficiency disease.


Increasing evidence supports that regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor, tumor draining lymph nodes, ascites and peripheral blood of patients with cancer are associated with poor prognosis. Tregs are important mediators of active immune evasion in cancer. In this review, the potential mechanisms of Treg actions and the roles of Tregs specifically in the tumor microenvironment derived from three types of gynecological cancers, cervical, vulvar and ovarian, are described. The correlations between Tregs and clinical immunotherapeutic study outcomes are discussed. Successful modulation of Tregs would likely have significant impact on the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic treatments in cancer patients.


A family of proteins, Homers 1, 2 and 3, involved in activity-dependent control of signal transduction has been recently described in neurons [Xiao, B., Tu, C. J., Petralia, R. S., Yuan, J. P., Doan, A., Breder, C. D., Ruggiero, A., Lanahan, A. A., Wenthold, R. J., and Worley, P. F. (1998) Homer regulates the association of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors with multivalent complexes of Homer-related, synaptic proteins. Neuron 21, 707-716]. By RT-PCR and RNasePA, mRNAs transcripts for Homer 1a and Homer 1c, but not Homer 1b, are detected in both skeletal and cardiac muscles of the rat. Full-length cloning of Homer 1a and Homer 1c cDNAs has been accomplished: There is no tissue specificity, by comparing skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and cerebellum, and there are a few species-specific base substitutions, by comparing rat and mouse sequences. The regulatory mechanism exerted via transition of Homer 1 isoform composition may be operative in striated muscles.


It is traditionally held that our knowledge of necessity is a priori; but the familiar theories of a priori knowledge – platonism and conventionalism – have now been discredited, and replaced by either modal skepticism or a posteriori essentialism. The main thesis of this paper is that Kant's theory of a priori knowledge, when detached from his transcendental idealism, offers a genuine alternative to these unpalatable options. According to Kant's doctrine, all epistemic necessity (which he calls "conviction" (Ueberzeugung) is grounded directly or indirectly on our capacity for clear and distinct rational intuition (which he calls "insight" (Einsicht). Insight, in turn, depends upon functions of the imagination for creating "mental models" of necessary truths. This doctrine is well exemplified by Kant's account of our knowledge of simple analytic truths.


The amount and composition of sinking material were studied at two depths (200 m and base of the photic layer) in the Subtropical Atlantic Ocean near the Azores during the AZORES I (August 1998) and II (April–May 1999) cruises. Particulate carbon and nitrogen fluxes collected in sediment traps decreased with depth, and presented maximum values near the Azores Front. However, this frontal system represents an increase of only 4.5% in the overall regional exportation during summer. Sedimentation rates outside the front were higher during spring. Particulate organic carbon exported at 200 m always represented <1.5% of water column (photic zone) standing stock. Mesozooplankton faecal pellets contributed significantly to carbon flux. On average, carbon in the form of faeces represented 31% (spring) and 65% (summer) of total carbon collected at 200 m. Composition of the copepod community seems to be related to the pattern of faecal pellet sedimentation, with omnivorous copepods (Oithona and Oncaea) being more abundant at stations where faecal flux decreased with depth. Phytoplankton sedimented at 200 m were dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates. Phytoplankton exported at 200 m represented <0.5% of water column (photic zone) standing stock.


People with chronic disease need to know how to manage their disorders. While doctors often lack time to educate patients, online learning is always available. ClimateGP is an online education suite that combines patient education with feedback to, and guidance from, the doctor. It covers the major chronic diseases and will soon cover the common smoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity (SNAP) risk factors. ClimateGP also provides web based continuing medical education approved by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. ClimateGP is currently the subject of randomised controlled trials, with preliminary results showing that it is effective and comparable to other established patient education materials.


Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Recently, PPAR activators have been shown to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages or vascular smooth muscle cells. It has been reported that tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) expression is elevated in the failing heart and that TNF-a has a negative inotropic effect on cardiac myocytes. Therefore, we examined the effects of PPARa and PPARg activators on expression of TNF-a in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Northern blot analysis revealed expression of PPARa and PPARg mRNA in cardiac myocytes. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that both PPARa and PPARg were expressed in the nuclei of cells. When cardiac myocytes were transfected with PPAR responsive element (PPRE)-luciferase reporter plasmid, both PPARa and PPARg activators increased the promoter activity. Cardiomyocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the levels of TNF-a in the medium were measured by ELISA. After exposure to LPS, the levels of TNF-a significantly increased. However, pretreatment of myocytes with PPARa or PPARg activators decreased LPS-induced expression of TNF-a in the medium. Both PPARa and PPARg activators also inhibited LPS-induced increase in TNF-a mRNA in myocytes. In addition, electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that PPAR activators reduced LPS-induced nuclear factor-kB activation. These results suggest that both PPARa and PPARg activators inhibit cardiac expression of TNF-a in part by antagonizing nuclear factor-kB activity and that treatment with PPAR activators may lead to improvement in congestive heart failure. (Circ Res. 2000;87:596-602.)


There exists much controversy as to whether international migration in general, and migrant?s remittances in particular, increase or decrease economic welfare at origin. Our research contributes to the international discussion on remittances by presenting novel insights on the basis of theoretical and empirical analysis. Analysis of remittances from macro-economic as well as micro-economic point of view reveals that remittances not only have growth enhancing effect but also have an equalizing impact on income distribution of the recipient economy. The first chapter shows how large flows of remittances not only help the receiver to accumulate necessary savings but also reduce the critical level of wealth needed to get access to the capital market to instigate entrepreneurship. The second chapter reveals that the measured impact of remittances on business investment have significant country heterogeneity; remittances facilitate entrepreneurship in those countries where the lenders of the capital market can predict smooth and increasing flow of remittances. The third chapter proposes that remittances work better than aid in enhancing growth of the recipient country and the reason is that remittances are more effective than aid in augmenting capital accumulation.


BackgroundThe early weaning (EW) technology is an efficient method to improve the economic value of dairy ewes and satisfy the nutritional requirement of lambs which due to multiple fetuses or insufficient milk production of ewes. However, the affection of EW for rumen microflora is needed to evaluation because of the rumen microflora at early life would affect the health of host at whole life. In this study, the rumen microflora of dairy sheep with different EW time (D7, D15 and D25) were analyzed through 16s rDNA sequencing at D90. ResultsThe results showed that the application of EW did not affect the development of rumen. The species richness of the EW25 group was higher than EW7 and EW15 groups, while there was no significant difference in the abundance of microbial species between the CON and EW groups. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Fibrobacteres, Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most dominant phyla in all the samples. At tenricutes level, the relative abundance of EW7 group was significantly higher than other three groups (p<0.05). The spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed that pH was positively correlated with Rikenellaceae_RC9, Succiniclasticum, F082_unclassified, etc. (p<0.05), and negatively correlated with Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Succiniclasticum, Selenomonas, etc. (p<0.05). The content of MCP was positively correlated with CAG-352 and Ruminococcus_2 (p<0.05). The width of rumen papilla was negatively correlated with non-classifiable bacteria (p<0.05). The thickness of rumen muscle layer was positively correlated with Sharpea (p<0.05). ConclusionsIn summary, the EW of dairy lambs does not affect the development of rumen at early life. The rumen bacterial diversity showed some differences between different EW days of age but no obvious effect, which could be a reference for dairy lamb's EW time selection.


Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) activity is a promising strategy for treatment of type 2 diabetes. In the current study, DPP-IV inhibitory peptides were identified from mare whey protein hydrolysates obtained by papain. The results showed that all the mare whey protein hydrolysates obtained at various hydrolysis durations possessed more potent DPP-IV inhibitory activity compared with intact whey protein. The 4-h hydrolysates showed the greatest DPP-IV inhibitory activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.18 mg/mL. The 2 novel peptides from 4-h hydrolysate fractions separated by successive chromatographic steps were characterized by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The novel peptides Asn-Leu-Glu-Ile-Ile-Leu-Arg and Thr-Gln-Met-Val-Asp-Glu-Glu-Ile-Met-Glu-Lys-Phe-Arg, which corresponded to β-lactoglobulin 1 f(71-77) and β-lactoglobulin 1 f(143-155), demonstrated DPP-IV inhibitory activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 86.34 and 69.84 μM, respectively. The DPP-IV inhibitory activity of the 2 peptides was retained or even improved after simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro. Our findings indicate that mare whey protein-derived peptides may possess potential as functional food ingredients in the management of type 2 diabetes.


Objective: To characterize stimulation of taste fibers in the facial nerve following cochlear implantation. Patient: A 34-year old presented with reversible dysgeusia following activation of a cochlear implant. Intervention: Reprogramming targeted to specific offending electrodes reduced symptom intensity. Computed tomography demonstrated dehiscence of the bone separating the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve and the basal turn of the cochlea in proximity to the electrode array. Results: Dysgeusia was attributed to stimulation of taste fibers in the facial nerve by electrodes 13 to 16 of the cochlear implant array located in the superior-most portion of the basal turn. Conclusions: Dysgeusia following cochlear implant activation has not previously been reported. This likely results from stimulation of taste fibers through dehiscence of the bone separating the labyrinthine segment of the Fallopian canal and the basal turn of the cochlea. While in some cases of apparent dehiscence there may be thin bone present, recognition of this potential anatomic feature may influence the choice of which ear and which electrode design to implant.


ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to determine potential sources and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface soils devoted to different land uses in northwest Algeria. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods were applied to quantify 16 PAHs and 7 PCB congeners in surface soils. The sum of the 16 US-EPA priority PAHs and the 7 European indicator PCBs ranged from 133.7 to 2068.0 ng g−1 and from n.d. to 19.34 ng g−1, respectively. PAHs with four to six fused rings were predominant in soils, and their concentrations ranged from 110.1 to 1768.0 ng g−1. Principal component analysis (PCA) and isomeric ratios showed that pyrogenic processes and petrogenic contributions were the main sources of PAHs, while commercial mixtures of PCBs (Aroclor 1254 and 1260) were sources of PCBs in urban/residential and industrial sites. This is a first screening of data about PAHs and PCBs in soils around a Mediterranean city (Oran, North Africa), and a first step toward a better understanding of the impact of anthropogenic activities on land uses.


OBJECTIVES
To determine the frequency, risk factors and pattern of urinary complaints during pregnancy.

METHODS
A descriptive study was conducted in the Obstetric and Gynaecology Department of Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad from 1st January to 30th August 2008. Total 232 women were selected to ascertain the frequency and pattern of urinary symptoms as well as the risk factors of urinary tract infection (UTI) such as age, parity, education, past history of UTI and haemoglobin among women attending an antenatal clinic. All pregnant women irrespective of age, parity and gestational age were included, while women with known underlying renal pathology, chronic renal disease, renal transplant, diabetes or taking immunosuppressant therapy were excluded. Informed consent was taken and data collected on a self designed proforma. All the women underwent complete examination of urine. Dipstick test was performed on midstream urine and urine was cultured incase of positive dipstick test and women with urinary symptoms. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 11. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated among the categorical parameters by applying the Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS
Out of 232 women, 108(46.5%) reported urinary symptoms which were due to pregnancy induced changes on urinary system as no growth was obtained on urine culture, while 10 (4.3%) were due to underlying UTI. Most common urinary symptom in these women was abnormal voiding pattern 85 (40.3%) followed by irritative symptoms and voiding difficulties. Illiteracy, history of sexual activity, low socioeconomic (monthly income < Rs. 10,000 / month) group, past history of UTI and multiparity were found to be risk factors for UTI in these women. On complete urine examination, 222 (95.6%) patients either did not reveal any pus cells or had less than 5 WBC/HPF. Out of 108 cultures, only 10 (4.3%) specimens showed growth. E-coli was the most commonly detected organism 7 (3%) followed by S-aureus in 3 (1.3%).

CONCLUSION
The common urinary symptoms encountered in the studied women were abnormal voiding pattern followed by irritative symptoms. Majority of urinary symptoms were due to pregnancy related changes in the urinary system. Past history of UTI, sexual activity, lower socioeconomic group and multi parity were significant risk factors for UTI.


Here is suggested a solution to the accommodation-vergence mismatch problem in 3D stereoscopic displays. It can be achieved by compensating the mismatched focal length with refractive power of adjustable-focus 3D glasses. The compensation would make vergence of human eyes match with position of virtual stereoscopic motion pictures, reducing visual fatigue.


The effects of stress on human behavior and performance have been well recognized. However, little has been investigated on the impact of psychological stress on pilots and astronauts. Living a life of constantly altered sleeping hours, pilots or astronauts are experiencing sleep stage fragments or long working hours with little or no sleep. The relationship between sleep and stress is reciprocal. Studies have shown that even in low-stress conditions, sleep-deprived participants demonstrate anger and anxiety a lot more frequently than participants with normal sleep quality and hours. In this paper, we introduce a new psychological health-monitoring framework. The prognostics sensors include Actiwatch for sleep monitoring, BioPatch from Zephyr to collect electrocardiogram (ECG) for heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) for emotion changing monitoring. In this paper, a new Sleep-HRV-Emotion analytical model is proposed to assess the risk of emotion changes in real time. Prognostics analysis and prediction of psychological health is performed based on the proposed new model. Based on the output of the prognostics analysis, several stress intervention strategies are suggested both for the general public as well as for pilots and astronauts in particular. These interventions include the time to rest/sleep, hours of sleep, ultrasound pulses, and Yoga breathing. As such, these intervention strategies help recover, preserve, or improve pilot and astronaut performance, especially during long-duration space flights, and, ultimately, human settlement on other planetary bodies.


We propose real-time heterodyne imaging interferometry using the three-phase cor- relation image sensor (3PCIS). The SPCIS produces temporal correlation between incident light intensity and three-phase reference signals at each pixel and outputs the results as images in every frame. This property enables simultaneous demodulation of amplitude and phase images of hetere dyne interference within a single frame. We developed a real-time imaging system of heterodyne interferometry based on a Michelson polarization interferometer using a SPCIS and a two-frequency HeNe laser with a beat frequency of 25 kHz. We confirmed by experiments that a video sequence of demodulated amplitude and phase images of heterodyne interference was successfully obtained under a frame rate of 122 frames/s.


Using an analog feedback loop acting on the mode‐locker frequency of a synchronously pumped mode‐locked dye laser, we have observed a substantial decrease of pulse‐width variations at frequencies up to 10 kHz at the cost of an increase in higher‐frequency noise. A digital loop acting on the cavity length decreased noise at low frequencies. Using these methods, we have generated reproducible and stabilized frequency‐tunable subpicosecond pulses, and have determined the effects of noise in the mode‐locking frequency of the pumping Ar+ laser and drift in the cavity length of the dye laser.


This article descriptionbes the pioneering role of an unusual community development project in Mochudi in the thirty years from its establishment in 1976 to 2006. It descriptionbes its achievements as a self-help project, and the principal features of the project's Trust Deed, and notes that the vision of the founders of the project was clearly reflected when it was initially descriptionbed as an Education Centre rather than a museum. It descriptionbes some of the activities of an orthodox local museum such as its collection and displays, as well as others, such as the silk screen-printing workshop and its archaeological research at Modipe Hill. It also descriptionbes the museum's publishing achievements.


We have developed a prototype of web based CAE system with HTML5 and WebGL technology and the ADVENTURE system. The main system including solver part is operated on the remote server like a cloud computing and user interface client is operated in a web browser on the Internet devices (including PCs, smartphones, and tablet devices) without any additional software or plug-ins.In this system, we use the ADVENTURE system as server-side CAE system. The ADVENTURE system is a general-purpose computational analysis system we have been developing. Aim of the system is to enable to analyze a three dimensional finite element model of arbitrary shape over 100 million Degrees Of Freedom (DOF) mesh on massive parallel computers like a large-scale PC cluster or a super computer. To solve large scale problem, domain-decomposition-based parallel algorithms are implemented in pre-processes (domain decomposition), main processes (system matrix assembling and solutions) and post-process (visualization) of the ADVENTURE system, respectively. The hierarchical domain decomposition method (HDDM) with the balancing domain decomposition (BDD) as a pre-conditioned iterative solver is adopted in the main processes. Module-based architecture of the system with standardized I/O format and libraries are also developed and employed to attain flexibility, portability, extensibility and maintainability of the whole system.Since the software has become a quite large system, it is not easy to install or operate the system on parallel machines by users. To solve this issue, the authors have been developed CAE system for large scale problems based on computer network. With this system, the main system including solver part is operated on the remote server like a cloud computing and to operate such a system from a client PC through the network. Users need not to touch server system and easy operation on client system was developed. But this system requires for users to install client software, which may become a barrier to start using the system.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


1. In rat liver mitochondria in vitro, an activation of succinate dehydrogenase [succinate: (2,6-dichloroindophenol)oxido-reductase], an inner membrane enzyme, was induced by Ca2+ at extramitochondrial concentrations (about 1.3 micron) close to those estimated in the cytosol. 2. The activation required both substrate (succinate) and ATP, and occurred whether mitochondria were coupled (Ca2+ could be accumulated) or uncoupled (Ca2+ could not be accumulated) by classical uncouplers. 3. The activation by Ca2+ of the uncoupled mitochondria was accompanied by a modest but significant change in the mitochondrial morphology as judged from light scattering measurements and electron microscopy. 4. In the uncoupled mitochondria, oxaloacetate added externally diminished the activation by Ca2+. In addition, the amount of oxaloacetate produced endogenously from succinate via malate fell after Ca2+ and ATP addition. However, the extent of the fall in mitochondrial oxaloacetate did not correlate with the degree of activation of succinate dehydrogenase. 5. The activation by Ca2+ of the uncoupled mitochondria was accompanied by a reductive shift of pyridine nucleotide and coenzyme Q, and an oxidative shift of flavoproteins and cytochromes b, c, and a-a3. 6. In the situation where the Ca2+-induced activation of succinate dehydrogenase (and consequently succinate oxidation) took place in the uncoupled mitochondria, oxidations of 3-hydroxybutyrate and pyruvate were markedly suppressed. 7. From the above findings, it is concluded that Ca2+ action on the mitochondrial inner membrane activates mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase, and this action produces an inhibition of electron transport between NAD and flavoprotein. In view of the location of these reactions in the inner membrane, a conformation change of the membrane is suggested as a common cause.


The present work aims to contribute to the development of a numerical method to compute small scale phenomena in atmospheric models, getting rid of any mesh refinement. In a domain, typically a mesh of a numerical weather prediction model, we simulate some particles that are moved thanks to a Stochastic Lagrangian model adapted from the PDF methods proposed by S.B. Pope. We estimate the Eulerian values of the required fields, thanks to the computation of a local mean value over an ensemble of particles. We are thus using a stochastic particle method. At small scale, our atmospheric model imposes that the mass density is constant in the domain. As a consequence, the particles have to be uniformly distributed at every time step of the particle method. We aim to use D.P. Bertsekas Auction algorithm in order to satisfy this constraint. Naturally, the transport cost will have to be minimum. This is a problem of 3D optimal transport, which is known to be difficult.


The importance of cellular metabolic adaptation in inducing robust T cell responses is well established. However, the mechanism by which T cells link information regarding nutrient supply to clonal expansion and effector function is still enigmatic. Herein, we report that the metabolic sensor adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical link between cellular energy demand and translational activity and, thus, orchestrates optimal expansion of T cells in vivo. AMPK deficiency did not affect T cell fate decision, activation, or T effector cell generation; however, the magnitude of T cell responses in murine in vivo models of T cell activation was markedly reduced. This impairment was global, as all T helper cell subsets were similarly sensitive to loss of AMPK which resulted in reduced T cell accumulation in peripheral organs and reduced disease severity in pathophysiologically as diverse models as T cell transfer colitis and allergic airway inflammation. T cell receptor repertoire analysis confirmed similar clonotype frequencies in different lymphoid organs, thereby supporting the concept of a quantitative impairment in clonal expansion rather than a skewed qualitative immune response. In line with these findings, in‐depth metabolic analysis revealed a decrease in T cell oxidative metabolism, and gene set enrichment analysis indicated a major reduction in ribosomal biogenesis and mRNA translation in AMPK‐deficient T cells. We, thus, provide evidence that through its interference with these delicate processes, AMPK orchestrates the quantitative, but not the qualitative, manifestation of primary T cell responses in vivo.


This paper proposes an algorithm for modeling the covariance of the spectrum in the prior distributions of non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) based sound source separation. Supervised NMF estimates a set of spectrum basis vectors for each source, and then represents a mixture signal using them. When the exact characteristics of the sources are not known in advance, it is advantageous to train prior distributions of spectra instead of fixed spectra. Since the frequency bands in natural sound sources are strongly correlated, we model the distributions with full-covariance Gaussian distributions. Algorithms for training and applying the distributions are presented. The proposed methods produce better separation quality that the reference methods. Demonstration signals are available at www.cs.tut.fi/~tuomasv.


Despite considerable research that has provided a better understanding of the challenges of doctoral education, it remains the case that only 57% of all doctoral students will complete their programs. This groundbreaking volume sheds new light on determinants for doctoral student success and persistence by examining the socialization and developmental experiences of students through multiple lenses of individual, disciplinary, and institutional contexts. This book comprehensively critiques existing models and views of doctoral student socialization, and offers a new model that incorporates concepts of identity development, adult learning, and epistemological development. The contributors bring the issues vividly to life by creating five student case studies that, throughout the book, progressively illustrate key stages and typical events of the socialization process. These fictional narratives crystallize how particular policies and practices can assist or impede the formation of future scholars. The book concludes by developing practical recommendations for doctoral students themselves, but most particularly for faculty, departments, universities, and external agencies concerned with facilitating doctoral student success.


In contrast to the orbital angular momentum (OAM), which is conserved on free space propagation, the topological charge (TC) of a paraxial optical vortex (OV) is not conserved in the gen-eral case. Here, we investigate a Gaussian beam with a fractional TC in the original plane and demonstrate both theoretically and numerically how the TC changes in the course of propagation. Depending on the proximity of the topological charge to an even or odd integer number, an optical vortex with the original fractional TC is shown to behave in a number of different ways. For sim-ple OVs (Laguerre-Gaussian or Bessel-Gaussian modes), TC is conserved both in propagation and after weak phase distortions. An experiment shows that when scattered by a random phase screen, the integer TC of an OV is conserved right up to a random phase variation of π . Therefore, in the case of weak turbulences, it is expedient to measure a discretely varying TC instead of a continu-ously varying OAM.


This paper deals with the modelling and verification of reconfigurable discrete event systems using model driven engineering (MDE) and Isabelle/HOL. MDE is a software development methodology followed by engineers. Isabelle/HOL is an interactive/automated theorem prover that combines the functional programming paradigm with high order logic (HOL), which makes it efficient for developing solid formalizations. We are interested in combining these two complementary technologies by mapping elements of MDE into Isabelle/HOL. In this paper, we present a transformation process from Ecore models, to functional data structures, used in proof assistants. This transformation method is based on Model-driven engineering and defined by a set of transformation rules that are described using formal presentations. Furthermore, in order to avoid redundant computations in RDESs, we propose a new algorithm for improved verification. We implement the contributions of this paper using Eclipse environment and Isabelle tool. Finally, we illustrate the proposed approach through FESTO MPS case study.


The main objective of this study is to examine the non-linear link between export upgrading and economic growth for 58 advanced and developing countries over the period of 1995-2015. For this purpose, an innovative dynamic panel threshold regression model (CS-ARDL) that allows control for cross-country heterogeneity, cross-sectional dependence, and feedback effects is employed to capture this non-linear relationship. The empirical results indicate that there exist threshold effects in the export upgrading-growth relationship. In particular, our findings suggest an inverted U-shaped relation between export sophistication and output growth. Below a critical level (1.3 for advanced countries and –0.7 for developing countries), more export complexity fosters economic growth. However, excessive export complexity might have adverse spillovers on long-term economic growth. Furthermore, we show that the effect of export sophistication on economic growth is asymmetric to advanced and developing countries when it is above and below the threshold level.


The 2010 Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS), Auckland, New Zealand, 13-17 April 2010.


The authors argue that bibliometrics has become the most important instrument to assess scientific and research activities. However, the information resources often fail to supply correct bibliometric data. Some paradoxes of data retrieval in several bibliometric information systems are examined. Within the RSCI system, the works published before the authors were born sometimes are included into their publication lists. Within the Scopus system, when calculating Hirsch index, we found that for some reason this indicator differed and some publications at some point dropped out of the list. Besides, sometimes bibliographic description in the databases is incorrect: publications on researchers are described as if authored by these researchers. Other paradoxes due to the race to the top publication activity and related risks are also considered.