The National Broadband Network (NBN) is a significant investment by the Australian Government intended to provide new, universally accessible digital infrastructure that will immediately boost Australia's comparative position in the race by nations to compete in the Digital Economy. Domestically the success of this investment will be measured based on both its social and economic contribution to communities, businesses and industries across all regions and locations. Here, investigation is made of international research that, when applied to Australia, will demonstrate that the success of the NBN as an investment is contingent upon advancing beyond Industrial Age thinking and short-term imperatives that have separated economic and social effects to the detriment of important debates on ICT industry development and quality of the broadband connection as distinct from a too-narrow focus on high speed. The investigation shows that the limitations to the current debate may restrict both global and domestic opportunities. As a result the economic cost to Australia could be as much as AUD$12.76 billion per annum to the nation's GDP for every 10 per cent of Australians that do not connect to the new high-speed broadband network (Gyarmati et al. 2010: 17-18; Kim, Kelly and Raja 2010: 2). Importantly, however, policy makers need to appreciate that the economic benefits are intertwined with social factors that extend beyond construction of the NBN, to include how to better prepare Australians to adopt and use the network.


Investigations on 496 Wistar rats have revealed that in winter geomagnetic deviations (GMD) have no effect on hepatic function of the intact animals. GMD in spring and summer provoked functional impairment of the liver while in autumn intact and CCl4 hepatitis rats exhibited GMD-related normalization of liver function. Thus, efficacy of physiotherapeutic correction of the liver depends on the phase of the annual cycle and geomagnetic situation.


In the deregulated environment, information is the key to secure operation, profitability, customer retention, market advantage, and growth for the power industry. The rapid development of the Internet and distributed computing have opened the door for feasible and cost-effective solutions. This article describes and demonstrates a unique Internet-based application in a substation automation system that is implemented based on the existing system control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and very large-scale integration (VLSI) information technologies (IT). The user can view the real-time data superimposed on one-line diagrams generated automatically using VLSI placement and routing techniques. In addition, the user can also control the operation of the substation at the server site. The choice of Java technologies, such as Java Native Interface (JNI), Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI), and Enterprise Java Bean (EJB), offers unique and powerful features, such as zero client installation, on-demand access, platform independence, and transaction management for the design of the online SCADA display system.


Abstract This paper takes a fresh look at citation counts and publications in top-rank journals, which the academic economics profession uses to evaluate and promote its members. It first examines how and why citations are mentioned in an article, and what this implies about their counts. The discussion then examines how average citation counts to articles are used to rank journals, and the paper reviews the concerns that have been expressed about this practice. These concerns identify the large variance in citation counts among articles of the same journal, implying that those articles themselves must vary greatly in quality (Engemann and Wall 2009). To address these concerns, the paper proposes the classification of citations into three categories: Fodder Citations (for references that contribute only trivially to a paper), Relevant Citations (which substantively contribute to the paper, though the paper would remain roughly the same without them), and Essential Citations (which have a major influence). The paper argues that counts of citations by the last two categories offers greater credibility in the application of citation counts to evaluate economic literature. Finally, the paper provides an opportunity for economists to participate in a new project that solicits information on citations by these categories.


Abstract:The preparation hypothesis posits that women's genital responses (vasocongestion and lubrication) occur automatically in the presence of any sexual stimulus to prevent injuries from sexual activities. It follows that women's genital responses should be easily conditioned to non-sexual cues that reliably predict impending sexual activities. It has been difficult, however, to demonstrate classical conditioning of genital responses in women in the laboratory. In the current study, we used music as an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) and vignette narrations of consensual sex, non-consensual sex, and neutral (nonsexual) interactions as unconditioned stimuli (US). Eighteen women (range = 18–27 years, M = 21.9 years, SD = 2.2 years,) and 18 men (range = 19–29 years, M = 22.8 years, SD = 2.8 years) were exposed to three neutrally-rated classical music pieces, each paired with a different type of vignette. Participants were exposed to 3 pre-acquisition trials, 12 acquisition trials, and a minimum of 9 extinction trials. After each trial, participants were asked to rate the CS (or the US in CS-US pairings) on pleasantness, anxiousness, and perceived sexual arousal. Vaginal photoplethysmography and penile plethysmography were used to assess changes in genital responses. The sexual vignettes produced genital responses and the nonsexual vignettes did not. We did not observe conditioning of genital responses to music in either sex, but did so for men's and women's feelings of sexual arousal toward songs paired with a consensual sex story. The results were not consistent with the preparation hypothesis.


The performance of traditional NoC architecture is limited in terms of throughput, delay and power consumption due to multi-hop wired links. The Wireless Network-on-Chip (WiNoC) has demonstrated their advantages as an emerging interconnect and communication architecture for the new-generation multi-core systems. In this work, we systematically analyze the propagation path of hybrid WiNoC under two on-chip antennas. Based on the deduction of reflection coefficient using 3-D Descartes coordinate system and the ray tracing, we model the intra-chip wireless propagation channel for hybrid Wyncote ensure the reliable communication, we evaluate the Bit-Error-Rate (BER) performance, delay spread and coherence bandwidth. Especially, the simulation based on the model shows that the Signal-Noise-Ratio budget at the end of receiver must be greater than 15 dB to ensure the BER performance for the on-chip wireless communication. It also demonstrates that the path loss for optical on-chip antenna could be improved about 6dB by elevating the height of antenna pairs. The channel coding scheme used for improving the system performance has been analyzed in detail. Besides, we propose an adaptive power control mechanism to maintain high performance by making a balance between BER, operating frequency and transmitted power. Copyright © 2013 IFSA.


Over the last decades the traditional approach to research based on the absolute centrality of the professional researcher has been challenged by the spread of participatory approaches. The most radical approaches to participatory research have been perceived as processes through which marginalized groups get self-awareness and can actively influence society. Here we can find a common ground between participatory research and the emancipatory approaches rooted in the Freirian emphasis on "conscientisation" and "emancipation". Moreover, interesting applications of participatory and emancipatory methods draw on connections with the philosophical foundations of Amartya Sen's Capability Approach. Starting from this theoretical background this paper will show how emancipatory approaches can be used to simultaneously collect information on disability and induce an emancipatory process that can involve persons with disabilities. The presented case study will focus on an emancipatory research about the interaction between gender and disability based discriminations in Palestine.


A tunable mechanical horizontal monolithic seismometer/accelerometer, developed for applications in the fields of geophysics and interferometric detection of gravitational waves of second and third generation, is described. The large measurement band (10−3 ÷ 10 Hz) with sensitivities of ≈ 10−12m/, as seismometer, and better than 10−11 m/s2/, as accelerometer, have been obtained with an optimised mechanical design and the introduction of a very sensitive laser interferometric optical readout, the latter aimed also to ensure a very good immunity to environmental noises. Prototypes of seismometers are operational in selected sites both to acquire seismic data for scientific analysis of seismic noise and to collect all the useful information to understand their performances in the very low frequency band (10−6 ÷ 10−3 Hz).


Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, commonly associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), leading to degeneration of the optic nerve and death of retinal ganglion cells, the output neurons in the eye. In recent years, many studies have implicated mitochondrial dysfunction as a crucial player in glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Mitochondrial function has been an increasingly researched topic in glaucoma, given its vital role in bioenergetics and propagation of action potentials. One of the most metabolically active tissues in the body characterized by high oxygen consumption is the retina, particularly the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). RGCs, which have long axons that extend from the eyes to the brain, rely heavily on the energy generated by oxidative phosphorylation for signal transduction, rendering them more vulnerable to oxidative damage. In various glaucoma models, mitochondrial dysfunction and stress from protein aggregates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) have been observed in the RGCs. However, it has been shown that the two organelles are connected through a network called mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs); hence this crosstalk in a pathophysiological condition such as glaucoma should be evaluated. Here, we review the current literature suggestive of mitochondrial and ER stress related to glaucoma, indicating potential cross-signaling and the potential roles of MAMs.


Transnational governance initiatives (TGIs) are increasingly recognized as central actors in the governing of climate change and biodiversity loss. Yet, their role in linking these domains has yet to be explored. As the climate crisis comes to be increasingly interlinked with the loss of biodiversity, such initiatives are increasingly combining this challenge of climate change with action on biodiversity loss through the deployment of nature-based solutions, with significant consequences for the ways in which the nature problem and its solutions are framed and implemented. Employing a governmentality approach, this research reveals two overarching rationales by TGIs of biodiversity as a means to climate change and biodiversity loss as "asset-at-risk" that are rendered governable through myriad techniques "at a distance" and "in proximity." By revealing how biodiversity is made to fit with the climate arena, this research finds that these governable biodiversity spaces could generate rather regrettable solutions along these shifting and unfolding climate–biodiversity frontiers.


This study examined how the management of workers for elderly welfare services affects their turnover intention and verified the analysis of mediating effects of organizational commitment and job satisfaction. To this end, the study conducted a survey of 429 workers at elderly care facilities in Gwang-ju and South Jeolla Province. The study shows following results. First, compensation scheme and organizational culture have a significantly positive influence on their organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Second, empowerment, organizational commitment and job satisfaction have a significant positive effect on their turnover intention. To conclude, its findings will help to present reference data for the improvement of job satisfaction of workers for elderly welfare services. ▸Keyword :Turnover intention, Organizational commitment, Job satisfaction


A SiGe-base heterojunction bipolar transistor with an extremely thin n hydrogenated amorphous Si ( alpha -Si:H) emitter is proposed and characterized. The structure results in enhanced emitter injection efficiency, current gain, and frequency performance. The fabricated devices exhibited maximum current gains of 100 and Early voltages of 55 V. The unity current gain cutoff frequency (f/sub T/) for a device with an emitter size of 2 mu m*4 mu m was 8.5 GHz.<<ETX>>


We present an algorithm that learns to imitate expert behavior and can transfer to previously unseen domains without retraining. Such an algorithm is extremely relevant in real-world applications such as robotic learning because 1) reward functions are difficult to design, 2) learned policies from one domain are difficult to deploy in another domain and 3) learning directly in the real world is either expensive or unfeasible due to security concerns. To overcome these constraints, we combine recent advances in Deep RL by using an AnnealedVAE to learn a disentangled state representation and imitate an expert by learning a single Q-function which avoids adversarial training. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in 3 environments ranging in difficulty and the type of transfer knowledge required.


This paper explores the moral imperative for a renewed vision of schooling in the 21 century, from the standpoint of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD, advocates for teaching and learning spaces underpinned by civic compassion in the sense of 'an active concern for well-being'. This love based paradigm of education seeks to expand the horizons of our compassion for others; calling for an education system that takes into account the need for biosphere, spatial and temporal dimensions of care for the common good. This vision of education is firstly outlined and then practically explored through an example of ESD innovation in practice; a participatory education programme in sustainability leadership with students from primary, secondary, and post 16 educational settings. ESD is put forward as offering a vital and broad opportunity for the advancement of social justice in education, supporting the creation of kinder learning spaces that position educators as facilitators of civically engaged compassionate learning.


The article presents the results of mechanical and tribological tests of Ni-P/Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings deposited on the AW-7075 aluminum alloy using the chemical reduction method. The influence of the chemical composition on the Vickers microhardness determined by the DSI method was examined. The nanocomposite layers were made of Si3N4 silicon nitride in a polydisperse powder with a particle size ranging from 20 to 25 nm. The influence of the content of the dispersion layer material on the adhesion to the substrate was analyzed. The abrasive wear was tested and determined in the reciprocating motion using the "ball-on-flat" method. The surface topography was examined by the contact method with the use of a profilometer. Based on the obtained test results, it was found that the Ni-P/Si3N4 layers produced in the bath with the Si3N4 nanoparticle content in the amount of 2 g/dm3 are more resistant to wear and show greater adhesion than the Ni-P/Si3N4 layers deposited in the bath with 5 g/dm3 of the dispersion phase. NiP/Si3N4 layers provide protection against abrasive wear under various loads and environmental conditions.


Word choice is dependent on the cultural context of writers and their subjects. Different words are used to describe similar actions, objects, and features based on factors such as class, race, gender, geography and political affinity. Exploratory techniques based on locating and counting words may, therefore, lead to conclusions that reinforce culturally inflected boundaries. We offer a new method, the DualNeighbors algorithm, for linking thematically similar documents both within and across discursive and linguistic barriers to reveal cross-cultural connections. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of this technique are shown as applied to two cultural datasets of interest to researchers across the humanities and social sciences. An open-source implementation of the DualNeighbors algorithm is provided to assist in its application.


Breakdown of the sulfosugar sulfoquinovose (SQ, 6-deoxy-6-sulfoglucose), produced by photosynthetic organisms, is an important component of the biogeochemical carbon and sulfur cycles. Here, we reveal a new pathway for SQ degradation involving oxidative desulfurization to release sulfite and complete breakdown of the carbon skeleton of this sugar to support the growth of the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens. SQ or its glycoside sulfoquinovosyl glycerol are imported by an ABC transporter system with associated SQ binding protein. A sulfoquinovosidase cleaves the SQ glycoside and a flavin mononucleotide-dependent sulfoquinovose monooxygenase acts in concert with an NADH-dependent flavin reductase to release sulfite and form 6-oxo-glucose. A short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase oxidoreductase reduces 6-oxo-glucose to glucose, allowing it to enter primary metabolism. Structural and biochemical studies provide detailed insights into the binding and recognition of key species along the reaction coordinate. This sulfoquinovose monooxygenase pathway is distributed across alphaproteobacteria and especially within the rhizobiales. This metabolic strategy...


The Grandispora maculosa miospore assemblage – initially described in 1968 from Middle-Late Mississippian strata of New South Wales (eastern Australia) – is well represented in samples examined herein from 10 Western Australian subsurface sections located in the northern Perth Basin (Coolcalalaya Sub-basin) and, to its immediate north, in several sub-basins of the southern and northern sectors of the Carnarvon Basin. Of particular stratigraphic-correlative importance is the presence of the eponymous G. maculosa together with, inter alia, Reticulatisporites magnidictyus, Verrucosisporites quasigobbettii, V. gregatus, Apiculiretusispora tersa, Raistrickia accinta, R. radiosa, Foveosporites pellucidus , and Cordylosporites asperidictyus . Four species are newly described herein: Apiculatasporites spiculatus, Dibolisporites sejunctus, Raistrickia corymbiata, and Vallatisporites valentulus . Published accounts from elsewhere in Gondwana collectively signify the widespread dissemination of the G. maculosa palynoflora, particularly through northern and western regions of the supercontinent, thus affording an effective means of intra-Gondwanan stratal correlation. Limited absolute dating and stratigraphic-successional considerations across Gondwana indicate that the age of the G. maculosa Assemblage can be bracketed within the middle Visean-early Serpukhovian of the Middle-Late Mississippian. This age is supported by the complete absence of bilaterally symmetrical, non-striate, saccate pollen grains, produced by walchian conifers, which were introduced globally (including in Australia) and near-synchronously late in the Serpukhovian. Cryptogamic land plants (ferns, articulates, lycophytes) are the inferred source of the palynoflora.


BACKGROUND
Regorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor (MKI) approved for use in multiply pre-treated metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRC). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of regorafenib from India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Records of 23 cases treated with regorafenib at our centre between June 2013 till September 2015 were reviewed. All had received at least two non cross resistant lines of therapy prior to regorafenib. Toxicity was recorded using CTCAE version 4.03. Responses were assessed using RECIST 1.1 criteria. Response evaluation was done every three months or earlier if clinically indicated. Five patients were still on therapy at the time of this report.

RESULTS
The median age was 50 years. Thirty-nine percent (9/23) had upfront metastatic disease. Twenty-six percent (6/23) and 39% (9/23) patients had received prior treatment with cetuximab and bevacizumab respectively. Mean duration of regorafenib treatment was 3.8 months. At least one grade III/IV toxicity was noted in 65% (15/23) cases. The most common were handfoot syndrome (HFS) and fatigue seen in 86.9% (20/23) patients. Grade II and III HFS was seen in 65% patients. One patient required stoppage of treatment due to grade III hepatotoxicity. Dose reduction was required for 86.9% (20/23) patients. Best response noted was stable disease in 34.8% (8/23), partial response in 8.7% (2/23) patients and progression in 56.5% (13/23). Median progression free survival was 3 months and median follow-up was 4.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS
Regorafenib, although an effective treatment strategy in multiply pre-treated mCRC, is associated with significant side effects.


Using specific photoreceptors, plants can sense light signals fundamental to their growth and development under changing light conditions. Phytochromes sense red and far-red light, cryptochromes and phototropins sense UV-A and blue light, while the UVR8 gene senses UV-B signals. The study of the molecular mechanisms used by plants to respond to artificial biophilic lighting is of pivotal importance for the implementation of biophilic approaches in indoor environments. CoeLux® is a new lighting system that reproduces the effect of natural sunlight entering through an opening in the ceiling, with a realistic sun perceived at an infinite distance surrounded by a clear blue sky. We used the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to assess the gene expression of the main plant photoreceptors at different light intensities and at different times after exposure to the CoeLux® light type, using high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps as control light type. Genes belonging to different families of photoreceptors showed a similar expression pattern, suggesting the existence of a common upstream regulation of mRNA transcription. In particular, PHYA, PHYC, PHYD, CRY1, CRY2, PHOT1, and UVR8, showed a common expression pattern with marked differences between the two light types applied; under the HPS light type, the expression levels are raising with the decrease of light intensity, while under the CoeLux® light type, the expression levels remain nearly constant at a high fold. Moreover, we showed that under biophilic illumination the light spectrum plays a crucial role in the response of plants to light intensity, both at the molecular and morphological levels.


Abstract:This article traces the manifestation of the antihuman attitude in twenty-first century sf cinema, particularly in the cyborg film. The antihuman attitude is most clearly recognizable in apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic cinema, where it provides spectacular images of humanity's destruction. However, it also finds a much subtler visualization in films featuring technologically augmented characters. While presenting narratives which ultimately reinstate a privileged Enlightenment humanism, the visual economy of these films continues to represent its protagonists as dehumanized commodities. Engaging with Fredric Jameson's political unconscious and film genre theory, the article explores how the antihuman attitude manifests in 2014's RoboCop through visuals which undermine the autonomy of its human protagonist and contradict the film's humanist narrative.


BACKGROUND: The seeds of Araucaria angustifolia, namely pinhao, are consumed in south and southeast Brazil as flour or baked. There is relatively little information about the chemical composition and nutritional value of the seed and its flour. RESULTS: Pinhao flour was obtained by drying at constant temperature of 50 °C (PF50) or 80 °C (PF80) in a circulating air drier for 16 h, and evaluated as a feed additive for growing rats. Wistar rats were fed five experimental diets (n = 6 rats per diet) containing different protein sources: casein (diet CAS), casein supplemented with 20% (w/w) flour PF50 or PF80 (diets PF50 and PF80), casein supplemented with 20% pinhao without heat treatment (diet NPF), and a non-protein group (diet APROT). Values for weight gain, feed ingest, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein ratio (NPR) were similar for diets CAS and PF80. Lowest values for all nutritional parameters were observed for diets complemented with pinhao flour. Trypsin inhibitor activity was detected in PF50 but not in PF80. CONCLUSION: Pinhao flour heated at 80 °C for 16 h and used as supplementary in diet had the most similar results in all nutritional parameters to casein-based diets, and can be used as a complementary source, substituting up to 20% of a high biological value protein in food formulations. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry


Older age, male sex, and non-white race have been reported to be risk factors for COVID-19 mortality. Few studies have explored how these intersecting factors contribute to COVID-19 outcomes. This study aimed to compare demographic characteristics and trends in SARS-CoV-2 admissions and the health care they received. Hospital admission data were collected through DATCOV an active national COVID-19 surveillance programme. Descriptive analysis was used to compare admissions and deaths by age, sex, race, and health sector as a proxy for socio-economic status. COVID-19 mortality and healthcare utilisation were compared by race using random effect multivariable logistic regression models. On multivariable analysis, black African patients (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 1.3), coloured patients (aOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1, 1.3), and patients of Indian descent (aOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.2, 1.3) had increased risk of in-hospital COVID-19 mortality compared to white patients;and admission in the public health sector (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.5, 1.6) was associated with increased risk of mortality compared to those in the private sector. There were higher percentages of COVID-19 hospitalised individuals treated in ICU, ventilated, and treated with supplemental oxygen in the private compared to the public sector. There were increased odds of non-white patients being treated in ICU or ventilated in the private sector, but decreased odds of black African patients being treated in ICU (aOR 0.5;95% CI 0.4, 0.5) or ventilated (aOR 0.5;95% CI 0.4, 0.6) compared to white patients in the public sector. These findings demonstrate the importance of collecting and analysing data on race and socio-economic status to ensure that disease control measures address the most vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19.


Various aspects of the biology, sex ratio allocation, and host specificity of several species of egg parasitoids of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), H. vitripennis (Germar), were studied. The distribution and prevalence of egg parasitoids of GWSS were investigated in an experiment conducted at six field sites over two years. Most of the observed parasitism was attributed to two species of Gonatocerus, G. ashmeadi Girault and G. walkerjonesi S. Triapitsyn, with the former producing most of the parasitism in interior southern California and the latter being predominant at coastal sites. Biological traits of G. deleoni Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Virla and Pseudoligosita plebeia (Perkins), two potential candidates for biological control of GWSS, were investigated. Gonatocerus deleoni's average parasitism rate on 1-8-day-old eggs was 45.7% but this was significantly affected by the age of the egg, ranging from 1.4% to 69.9%. G. deleoni was able to develop in eggs of GWSS and Homalodisca liturata Ball, but was unable to develop on eggs of Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret) or Erythroneura elegantula Osborn. When provided honey and water, water alone, or no food or water, P. plebeia adult females lived an average of 64.1, 2.3, and 2.0 days, respectively. Pseudoligosita plebeia were able to successfully parasitize GWSS eggs (1-8 days old), with higher parasitism in young host eggs (1-3 days old) than in old host eggs (5-7 days old). An increasing trend in offspring production was seen for P. plebeia from adult age 2 to 26 days followed by a decreasing trend with offspring produced up to age 75. Pseudoligosita plebeia contained fewer mature eggs at younger ages (1 and 3 days old) than at older ages (5, 11, 15, and 31 days old). We examined whether G. ashmeadi Girault produces precise sex ratios under a field setting. Our analyses show field collected G. ashmeadi tend to produce less female biased sex ratios with higher variance in male numbers than are shown in laboratory studies. We found significant effects of proportion parasitism and host density on sex ratio, while proportion parasitism had a significant effect on sex ratio variance.


The sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin Siglec-15 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy in several tumor types. The present study aimed to investigate Siglec-15 expression in gastric cancer (GC) patient tissues and to evaluate its clinical value. Siglec-15 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 71 patients. Siglec-15 staining was observed in tumor cells of 53 (74.64%) patients, with significant association with histologic classification and angiolymphatic invasion (p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry analysis also detected Siglec-15 in tumor-associated stroma cells (macrophages/myeloid cells). There was no significant association with outcome parameters. Siglec-15 expression in well differentiated histological GC tissues and in the tumor microenvironment are potential targets to be further investigated as a novel prognostic factor for GC.


Protein kinases play key roles in defining the transformation of many solid tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and have become attractive drug targets. The Ror-family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are transmembrane proteins with putative tyrosine kinase activities that play crucial roles during the development of various organs and tissues. One of these receptors, the RTK-like orphan receptor 2 (Ror2) is known as a developmentally regulated receptor that enhances tumor cell migration and tumor invasiveness. Recently, our lab reported on the expression of Ror2 in human RCC tumors and cell lines, and that its expression is correlated with invasive growth in culture. In mammals, Ror2 has been shown to act as a receptor or co-receptor for Wnt5a, a member of the Wnt family, inducing a noncanonical Wnt signaling cascade. We have found that Ror2 is expressed in various cell lines, including 786-O, HEK293, HeLa, SaOS2, and U2OS. Cell migration analysis using single cell tracking confirmed that Ror2 promotes cell migration, further enhanced by Wnt5a stimulation. Separately, we have shown that Ror2 expression correlates with enhanced canonical Wnt-signaling through an increased pool of downstream stable β-catenin in RCC and activation of canonical targets. However, the kinase activity of Ror2 has been controversial. Using 786-O Ror2 overexpressing cells (786-O/Ror2), we detected that Ror2 becomes phosphorylated upon Wnt5a treatment. Based on a report of antibody induced homodimerization of Ror2 necessary for stimulation, we treated 786-O/Ror2 cells with Ror2 antibody and verified a significantly enhanced phosphorylation. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that receptor dimerization via Wnt ligand engagement or antibody treatment is necessary for effective signal transduction. We have thus utilized the PathHunter Ror2 activity assay developed by DiscoveRX, to use blockade of dimerization as an assay for Ror2 targeted drug development. This system utilizes an EGFR/Ror2 chimera cell line that expresses the cytosolic portion of ROR2 containing the kinase domain tagged with a ProLink tag at the C-terminus and fused to the extracellular and transmembrane domains of EGFR. Receptor activation is mediated by EGF addition, which results in a dose-dependent increase in signal caused by complementation of the SH2 tagged with the complementary EA enzyme fragment binding to the phosphorylated receptor. Thus, activation reads out in dimerization and phosphorylation which in turn, results in enzyme fragment complementation in this assay. Our data using this EGFR/Ror2 chimera U2OS cell line show that stimulation of these cells with EGF induces phosphorylation to a great extent both by IP/western, and chimeric signal. We believe these tools are useful in screening compounds in search of Ror2 inhibitors for RCC or other cancer therapeutics.

Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):B206.

Citation Format: Zufan Debebe, Melissa Porter, Emily E. Hull-Ryde, Neal Rasmussen, Adam Sendor, Jacqueline Norris-Drouin, Keefe Chan, James E. Bear, William P. Janzen, Kimryn Rathmell. Ror2 as a therapeutic target in renal cell carcinoma and other invasive cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B206.


Background Globally, syphilis remains a major and resurgent public health problem with high incidence rates in many settings, including among men who have sex with men (MSM). Left untreated, syphilis can lead to further transmission, morbidity and enhanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission. A primary chancre is classically described as an indurated single painless ulcer at the site of Treponema pallidum inoculation. However, recent clinical experience is that primary syphilis can present atypically, as multiple and/or painful ulcers with features suggestive of genital herpes. We aimed to describe serology and Treponema pallidum polymerase chain reaction (Tp PCR) positive lesions of primary syphilis in men, the rates of painful or multiple lesions, whether there was concurrent genital Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and whether concurrent HIV infection altered the presentation. Methods Tp PCR positive results with confirmatory syphilis serology and HSV PCR results reported by VIDRL were identified and compared to MSHC medical records over a five-year period from 2010 to 2014. Results 183 patients fulfilled the criteria of Tp PCR positive primary syphilis. Primary syphilis lesions were frequently painful (49.2%) or multiple (37.7%), and were infrequently associated with HSV (2.7%). Presentation was not significantly altered by HIV status. Anal lesions were more common in HIV positive men (34.2%) than in HIV negative men (11.6%). Syphilis reinfections were more common in HIV positive men (39.5%) than in HIV negative men (11.7%). Conclusion Tp PCR is a useful tool to confirm syphilis as a cause of genital lesions and positivity may precede serological markers. Early syphilis lesions may be clinically misidentified as HSV infection if syphilis is not considered. Awareness of the clinical variability of primary syphilis lesions should be included in health promotion messages to the public and health care providers. Disclosure statement There are no conflicts of interest.


A Mobile Ad-Hoc Network is a collection of mobile nodes that are dynamically and arbitrarily located in such a manner that the interconnections between nodes are capable of changing on continual basis. Due to security vulnerabilities of the routing protocols, wireless ad-hoc networks are unprotected to attacks of the malicious nodes. One of these attacks is the Black Hole Attack. In this paper, we give an algorithmic approach to focus on analysing and improving the security of AODV, which is one of the popular routing protocols for MANET. Our aim is on ensuring the security against Black hole attack. The proposed solution is capable of detecting & removing Black hole node(s) in the MANET at the beginning. Also the objective of this paper is to provide a simulation study that illustrates the effects of Black hole attack on network performance. Previously the works done on MANETs focused mainly on different security threats and attacks such as Impersonation, Wormhole, Jellyfish, and Intrusion detection. Attack of black hole is required on routing protocols AODV, OLSR and TORA. And also check which protocol performs better against black hole attack. There is a need to address all these types of protocols under the attack, as well as the impacts of the attacks on the MANETs. We want to analyse Black Hole attack in MANETs using AODV, OLSR and TORA which are reactive, proactive and hybrid protocol respectively in nature.


with the serum of Agaricus. The Tuber extract gave strong precipitation both with Tuber serum and with yeast serum, but none with mushroom serum. The mushroom extract gave a precipitate only with the serum of the animal treated with mushroom extract. From these experiments the writers infer that the yeast is more closely related to the Ascomycetes than it is to the Basidiomycetes. While the precipitin method has been used to a certain extent in attempts to show. relationships among animals, too much stress should not be laid on this single experiment with plants. It is possible that albuminous substances from some plants may produce precipitins in the blood of animals that will then react with many plant albumins, just as it has been found that precipitins in animals will affect animals of more and more distant relationship depending on the intensity and duration of the treatment of the original animal.-H. HASSELBRING.


Interrupted hole transit experiments were carried out on dispersions of DEH, BD, and DBH in polycarbonate, using electron beam excitation. The sweep field was switched off for intervals between 10 ms and 10 s. On re-applying the field after more than 30 ms, the transit current initially rose to a value lower than that before interruption, but then gradually increased until holes began to arrive at the collecting electrode. The observations of a current plateau in uninterrupted transits, and of almost constant total charge collected irrespective of , suggest negligible deep trapping. The results seem incompatible with monoenergetic polaron transport, but can be understood on the basis of the Gaussian disorder model. When the field is switched off, the hole population `cools', slowly sinking into tail states. When the field is restored it is more quickly `re-heated' towards its original field-enhanced mean energy.


Execution of an administrative decision is effective if its main objective – enforcement of receivables – can be achieved. Enforcement authorities and creditors have the jurisdiction and can apply coercive measures against debtor. The result of the enforcement proceedings very often depends on their activity and collaboration.


To improve the efficiency and efficacy of cryopreservation of ovaries, we developed a new method termed in situ oocyte (ISO) cryopreservation. ISO cryopreservation is a multistep procedure that involves aspiration of follicular fluid and then perfusion of antral follicles and diffusion of whole buffalo ovaries with cryoprotectant agent (CPA), rapid cooling, storage, thawing and, finally, dilution and removal of the CPA with return to physiological environment. Our study compared ISO cryo ovaries with cryo-diffused ovaries. We systematically examined the effects of ISO cryo and diffuse cryo on ovaries by morphological examination and with viability tests. The percentages of morphologically normal and viable follicular oocytes from ISO cryo were significantly higher than those that resulted from the cryo-diffused method (p<0.01). The quality of follicular oocytes from ISO cryo ovaries appeared better than that achieved from cryo-diffused ovaries. In conclusion, this study shows that ISO cryo is highly efficient for cryopreservation of oocytes and ovarian tissue.


There are various understandings of the meaning of benefits, whether it can be categorized as property or not. The musalabi and Wahbah al-Zuhayli mushafa are of the same opinion about the benefits despite the different editorials, namely the usefulness or usefulness produced from a particular object, such as inhabiting a house, driving a car, wearing clothes, etc., while the Prophet Ahmad Al-Zarqa states that the benefits is the essence of ownership of property and objects with 'haq al-intifa', which is more common because the more includes the beneficial properties also includes 'haq al-intifa' which is something that benefits obtained from the permission of the owner, without ownership of the object. According to Hanafiyah, benefits other than the aqad ijarah are considered not valuable, in contrast to Syafi'iyah and Hanabilah who argue that the benefits of an object lie in the object itself, because that is the purpose of using the object. And mastery of the benefits of al-ijarah, al-'ariah, al-waqaf, al-washiyah bi al-manfaah and al-ibahah can switch after the benefits are exchanged for rewards and benefits of an object must be handed over.


The paper points out two methods of research in the field of psychosomatic resp. psychooncologic research. The "traditional method" of an Inter-Group-Comparison is confronted with the "modificated method" of an Intra-Group-Comparison. The methodological advantage of taxonomic subgroups is demonstrated at a population of 60 breast cancer patients. Two homogeneous subgroups of the investigated population can be distinguished not only by contents criteria but also by means of a cluster-analysis. The prognostic importance of the psychodynamic profile within the different subgroups is discussed. In this context defense mechanisms are particularly relevant.


In a prospective evaluation of all patients with Crohn's disease treated by us since 1970, 62 have completed at least one year, or required bowel resection after at least three months, of anti-inflammatory drug treatment. Sulfasalazine alone was used in 24 patients, steroids alone were used in four patients, both drugs were used together in 29 patients and azathioprine was added to the drug regimen of five patients. The initial choice of drug followed a set design but the regimens ultimately arrived at depended upon patient responses. Favorable complete or partial clinical responses were obtained in 54 patients, while 37 patients showed objective radiographic improvement or regression. No radiographic improvement was found in the eight patients with clinical treatment failure as well as in 11 patients with clinical improvement. Six clinically improved patients had not yet been re-examined radiographically. The study provides objective evidence that the majority of patients with Crohn's disease can be successfully treated by means of anti-inflammatory drugs.


ABSTRACT The importance of marketing library services and programs to users is indisputable, but developing an effective library marketing plan can be daunting for individuals new to the task. Much has been written recently about ways to market the academic library, but there is more to marketing than simply hanging a flyer or distributing a bookmark. Now, more than ever, marketing should be a part of the library's overall strategic planning process. Libraries must develop a marketing plan that incorporates the library's strategic plan as well as the mission and vision statements. This article provides a step-by-step overview on how to develop a comprehensive marketing plan, from both a public and a private institution's perspective.


CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts

Abstract #6140

Background: Ixabepilone (ixa), the first in a new class of antineoplastic agents, showed clinical benefit in combination with capecitabine (C) in 2 large clinical trials in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) pts whose tumors were resistant to (study 046, JCO, 2007) or pretreated with anthracycline (A) and taxanes (T) (study 048). In 048, ixa + C, compared to C alone, demonstrated significant increases in PFS (HR 0.79 [0.69-0.90]) and ORR (43% vs 29%). A trend toward increased OS was seen both in 048 (HR 0.90 [0.78-1.03]) and in 046 (HR 0.90 [0.77-1.05]), which did not reach statistical significance. Similar to taxanes, dose-limiting peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a side effect associated with ixa treatment. Here we present the incidence rates, management of ixa-induced PN from 3 registrational studies in pts with MBC and an analysis of resolution time. Also, data on potential risk factors for PN are presented. Methods: Incidence of PN is summarized from a 2000 pt program from 3 multi-center clinical trials. In this program, almost 1100 pts with MBC received ixa either as a monotherapy (40 mg/m2 IV over 3h Q3w, N=126) in a phase II study, or in combination with C (1000 mg/m2 PO BID x14d Q3w) in 2 large phase III studies (N = 369 and N = 595). PN was evaluated every 4 weeks after completion of treatment until toxicity was resolved. Resolution of PN was defined as the time from onset of worst grade to baseline or grade 1. A Cox regression analysis was also performed on a dataset of 945 pts with different tumor types across multiple studies, receiving ixa as a monotherapy or in combination with C, to identify the potential risk factors for grade 3/4 PN. Results: Incidence rates of grade 3/4 PN and resolution time observed in 1 phase III study (046) and the phase II (081) have been published before (081: JCO, 25; 3407). Here we present the data from the final confirmatory phase III study (048). ![][1] PN was effectively managed with dose reduction. After dose reduction, symptoms improved or did not worsen in the majority of pts, and a median of 2-3 additional treatment cycles were delivered. Pts with diabetes were at a higher risk of grade 3/4 PN (HR: 1.67 [1.00-2.78], p-value = 0.049). Conclusions: Incidence of ixa-associated PN was similar to that observed in trials of other T based regiments. Ixa-induced PN has a predictable median time to resolution of 5-6 weeks over 3 large studies.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6140.

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AIM
To develop new methodologies for selective cell ablation in a temporally and spatially precise fashion in model organisms.

MATERIALS & METHODS
living polyps (Hydra vulgaris) treated with gold nanoprisms were near-infrared (NIR) irradiated and the photothermal effects evaluated at whole-animal, cellular and molecular levels.

RESULTS
Nanoprisms showed good efficiency of internalization in living specimens, with no sign of toxicity; under NIR irradiation they induced cell death and the overexpression of the hsp70 gene.

CONCLUSION
gold nanoprisms could be employed as efficient heat mediators in model organisms, and NIR-triggered cell ablation may represent a new advanced tool to study cell function. Solving bioethical and economical issues, invertebrates may provide alternative models bridging the gap between cell research and preclinical studies of photothermal therapy.


This study aimed at the preliminary investigation of inorganic and organic contaminants in soils within Wukari metropolis and to assess the contamination status and metal bioavailability. Digested soil samples for total metals and fractionation were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations in triplicates using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer while 5 Varian Bond Elu SI SPE cartridges was used for solid phase extraction and the soil sample extracts were analyzed by GC-MS. The percentage bioavailability of metals ranged from Fe: 13.81 – 98.85 %, Ni: 65.01 - 80.93 %, Cr: 34.82 – 77.19 %, Pb: 66.93 - 86.59 % and Co: 70.35 - 99.14 % respectively. The bioavailability of Fe, Ni, Pb and Co station ST3 which is an agricultural area were above 50.00%. This indicates that food crops grown in the area may be contaminated by the metals. Irrespective of sampling points, the distribution of metals in the soil samples generally followed the order Fe: residual > carbonate > exchangeable > oxidizable; Ni: exchangeable > carbonate > oxidizable > residual; Pb: exchangeable > residual > carbonate > oxidizable; Co: exchangeable > carbonate > oxidizable > residual. Organic contaminants such as Halo alkanes; bromodichloromethane (molecular weight 162.0 g/mol) and chloroform (molecular weight 118.0 g/mol) were detected in ST1 while, 1, 1, 2 trichloroethane (molecular weight 132.0 g/mol). Another contaminant phenol d5 was recorded in sample ST2, ST3 and ST4 respectively. BTEX compounds were also contaminants present in ST5 (Fuel station near some automobile workshops).


ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the effects of a newly developed injury prevention programme for children's football ("FIFA 11+ Kids") on motor performance in 7–12-year-old children. We stratified 12 football teams (under-9/-11/-13 age categories) into intervention (INT, N = 56 players) and control groups (CON, N = 67). INT conducted the 15-min warm-up programme "FIFA 11+ Kids" twice a week for 10 weeks. CON followed a standard warm-up (sham treatment). Pre- and post-tests were conducted using: single leg stance; Y-balance test; drop and countermovement jump; standing long jump; 20-m sprint; agility run; slalom dribble; and wall volley test. We used magnitude-based inferences and linear mixed-effects models to analyse performance test results. We observed likely beneficial effects favouring INT in Y-balance (right leg; +3.2%; standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.34; P = 0.58) and agility run (+3.6%; SMD = 0.45; P = 0.008). Possibly beneficial effects were found in Y-balance, drop jump reactive strength index, drop jump height, countermovement jump, standing long jump, slalom dribble and wall volley test. At least possibly beneficial improvements in favour of "FIFA 11+ Kids" were observed in nearly all parameters. Most effects were small, but slight improvements in motor performance may potentially contribute to a reduction of injury risk.


Antiangiogenic drugs reduce blood flow to tumors and thereby inhibit tumor growth by starving tumors of oxygen and nutrients. However, antiangiogenic agents have achieved limited success as monotherapies. This may be in part because the reduced blood flow that follows this therapy induces tumor hypoxia and up-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), well implicated in the promotion of tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. We investigated whether the efficacy of antiangiogenic drugs could be improved by combining them with an inhibitor of HIF-1α. Previous investigators showed that HIF-1α can be inhibited by camptothecin (CPT). Therefore, we sought to demonstrate that CRLX101, a self-assembling nanopharmaceutical that delivers the topoisomerase-1 inhibitor CPT, is an inhibitor of HIF-1α and that CRLX101 efficacy is synergistic with antiangiogenic treatment. CRLX101 is designed to deliver therapeutically relevant concentrations of CPT to tumors over an extended period of time. We have previously presented data demonstrating dramatic CRLX101-mediated inhibition of tumor growth in 20 different xenograft models and CRLX101 is currently being evaluated in phase 2 clinical trials as a monotherapy for NSCLC, ovarian and gastric cancer and in combination with bevacizumab in renal cell carcinoma. First, we demonstrated that CRLX101 is an inhibitor of HIF-1α. A single administration of CRLX101 inhibited HIF-1α protein in 7/8 different xenograft models tested, representing ovarian, lung, renal, colorectal and prostate tumor types. In the HCT-116 colon xenograft tumor, for example, HIF-1α was inhibited up to 90% for at least 7 days. Treatment by CRLX101 also decreased the mRNA of all HIF-1α-regulated genes analyzed, including VEGF, CA9, GLUT-1, GLUT-3 and CD31. Inhibition of these genes occurred only in tumors in which HIF-1α levels were inhibited. Second, combining CRLX101 with bevacizumab (BEV) demonstrated a synergistic effect on tumor growth inhibition and improved survival in the A2780 ovarian xenograft tumor model. Specifically, CRLX101 alone, at a sub-maximal dose of 5 mg/kg, produced 2/10 complete responses (CRs), BEV alone at 5 mg/kg produced 2/10 CRs and the combination of the two resulted in 6/9 CRs. BEV alone increased HIF-1α protein, consistent with BEV-induced hypoxia, whereas CRLX101 alone inhibited HIF-1α protein. When the two drugs were combined, inhibition of HIF-1α was significantly greater than CRLX101 monotherapy. The synergistic activity of CRLX101 in combination with bevacizumab suggests that CRLX101 may be able to overcome HIF-mediated acquired resistance to antiangiogenic drugs through inhibition of HIF-1α, in addition to its topoisomerase 1 inhibition. These findings support the use of CRLX101 in combination with antiangiogenic drugs as an exciting new paradigm for the treatment of cancer. Citation Format: Douglas Lazarus, Christian Peters, Ketan Deotale, Scott Eliasof. CRLX101, a nanopharmaceutical in phase 2 clinical trials, is synergistic with antiangiogenic treatment through HIF-1α inhibition in an ovarian cancer xenograft model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 376. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-376


Background Major efforts are being invested in the development of disease-modifying compounds for Huntington's disease (HD). Testing the efficacy of such compounds in clinical trials is dependent on the validation of biomarkers capable of detecting disease progression over short time frames. Aim To evaluate a range of neuroimaging, clinical and cognitive markers of HD progression over 6-, 9- and 15-month intervals. To present effect sizes (ES) for each outcome which can be used to estimate sample sizes, and hence appropriately power, future disease-modifying trials. Method 40 controls and 61 stage 1 HD patients underwent 3T MRI and standard clinical and cognitive assessments at baseline, 6- and 15-months. Neuroimaging analysis included longitudinal change in lobar cortical thickness, striatal-, corpus callosal- and global-volume and diffusion metrics. ES were calculated for the difference in change between HD and controls. Results Volumetric neuroimaging measures such as caudate, white-matter and whole-brain atrophy produced consistently large ES over 6-, 9- and 15-month intervals. Diffusion metrics were slightly less sensitive, although caudate diffusivity metrics performed strongly over 15 months. Cortical thickness metrics lacked sensitivity to change over all lobes and all time intervals. Clinical and cognitive outcomes tended to lack sensitivity, particularly over 6- and 9-months, with wide confidence intervals around ES estimates. Conclusion Volumetric measures such as caudate atrophy may have utility as short-term readouts in proof-of-concept studies over 6 months and as secondary outcomes in larger efficacy studies over longer intervals. Specific diffusion metrics have potential utility as efficacy readouts over 9- and 15-months and may be of particular use if the mechanism of action of the therapy is relevant to white-matter integrity. Lobar cortical thickness readouts do not appear to provide sensitive markers of progression over these intervals.


Clinical features of morning glory syndrome were studied in 8 eyes of 7 patients. The cases were divided into two groups according to the size of the elevated peripapillary white ring. The size of the ring was expressed as an average disk diameter of normal control eyes. In 2 eyes of Group I with the ring less than 2.0 disk diameters, white tissue on the disk was less pronounced than in Group II, and vascular pattern in the posterior retina was almost normal. The macular ring reflex was present. In 6 eyes of Group II with the ring exceeding 2.0 disk diameters, white tissue on the disk was more marked than in Group I, and retinal vessels were narrow and extended straight toward the midperiphery. the macula was not formed, but a yellowish retinal area was observed on the center or temporal part of the elevated peripapillary white ring. It was concluded that in morning glory syndrome the macula may often by involved when anomaly of the optic disk is remarkable.


The result of vegetation cover classification greatly depends on the classification methods. Accuracy analysis is mostly performed using the error matrix in remote sensing. In recent remote sensing, image classification has been carried out on the basis of deep learning. In the field of image processing in computer science, Intersection over Union (IoU) is mainly used for accuracy analysis. In this study, the error matrix, which is frequently used in remote sensing, and IoU, which is mainly used for deep learning images, were compared and reviewed to analyze their accuracy levels for the results of vegetation index calculation. The results of vegetation index calculation were applied to the comparison of the accuracy levels of IoU and the error matrix. According to the results of accuracy analysis using the error matrix, which is based on random points, the accuracy of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was shown to be 82.4% and that of deep learning was shown to be 93.7%, with a difference of about 11.3%. pattern machine


Experiments directed towards the development of a quantum computer based on trapped atomic ions are described briefly. We discuss the implementation of single–qubit operations and gates between qubits. A geometric phase gate between two ion qubits is described. Limitations of the trapped–ion method such as those caused by Stark shifts and spontaneous emission are addressed. Finally, we describe a strategy to realize a large–scale device.


This essay seeks to explain Xavier Zubiri's concept of linear time in his work Espacio.Tiempo. Materia . In his concept of time, we can see the profound influence of Albert Einstein's Theory of Restricted Relativity. In order to comprehend more fully, then, what time means in the light of things, we have to study briefly how Zubiri himself understands Einstein concerning this theme.


The importance of stakeholders in the development of a sustainable urban freight sector has been highlighted in recent research. Not all stakeholders have a direct link to the supply chain, but they may still play a role in creating sustainable urban freight initiatives. This study explores the initiatives that norm-setting indirect stakeholders in urban freight, referred to as 'influencers', establish to support a more sustainable urban freight sector, and how those initiatives may impact the business models of carriers. The study uses data gathered for ongoing research into the roles of indirect stakeholders in the development of sustainable urban freight initiatives. The results indicate that influencers can put pressure on receivers regarding logistical issues and shape the physical environment in which deliveries are conducted. Influencers use three primary strategies to support sustainable urban freight: vehicle-focused measures, consolidation linked to physical infrastructure, and consolidation through behavioural changes. These initiatives impact the relationship between receivers and carriers and may push carriers to adopt more sustainable practices as well as take decisions that impact their business models. The results highlight the often-overlooked power of influencers in relation to the development of actor behaviour in the urban freight supply chain and show the potential for both conflict and change arising from the use of this power.


A new genus and species of pennellid copepod, Protosarcotretes nishikawai n. g., n. sp., is described on the basis of an ovigerous female infecting a Pacific viperfish Chauliodus macouni collected from the deep-waters of Suruga Bay, Japan. The new genus exhibits the most plesiomorphic states in the first to fourth legs of pennellids, and is differentiated from two closely related pennellid genera Sarcotretes and Lernaeenicus by the morphology of the oral appendages. Two species of the genus Lernaeenicus are transferred to the new genus as Protosarcotretes multilobatus (Lewis, 1959) n. comb. and Protosarcotretes gnavus (Leigh-Sharpe, 1934) n. comb. The host specificity and life cycle of deep-sea pennellids are discussed. Sarcotretes scopeli Jungersen, 1911 and Cardiodectes bellottii (Richiardi, 1882) show low differentiated host-specificity, while P. nishikawai seems to be limited to the Stomiidae, which are rare hosts of pennellids, in contrast to the Myctophidae family. In the Pennellidae family, two patterns of the life cycle are found: with or without naupliar stages.


The zoo scientific community was among the first to focus attention on captivity-induced stereotypic behaviors, their causes, and methods of eradication. Environmental enrichment has emerged recently as the main husbandry tool for tackling this problem. An increasing number of research publications have attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of enrichment in reducing stereotypic behavior and to develop further concepts to explain how effective enrichment works. A review and meta-analysis of this literature indicates that enrichment is a successful technique for reducing stereotypic behavior in zoo animals. Enrichment was associated with significant reduction in stereotypy performance about 53% of the time. Published enrichment and stereotypy research is lacking for most zoo species, with most studies on large, charismatic, and often endangered species, but it is unclear whether stereotypies are more prevalent in these species. In addition, problems with scientific methods and data presentation, quantitatively detailed in this work, severely limit the conclusions drawn from zoo research. Further understanding of what kinds of enrichment works and what doesn't will require greater attention to experimental design, sample size, statistical analysis, and better descriptions of enrichment properties and the form of stereotypy. We recommend that future studies focus on increasing sample size (e.g., through multi-institutional studies), appropriate repeated measures design (e.g., with multiple baseline and experimental phases), providing full statistical information about the behavioral changes observed (including standard error), and ultimately the development of a predictive science for enrichment, stereotypies, and wellbeing. Zoo Biol 0:1–20, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.


This paper presents results obtained between 2010 and 2014 in the field of fan aerodynamics at the Department of Composite Technology at the VZLU aerospace research and experimental institute in Prague – Letnany. The need for rapid and accurate methods for the preliminary design of blade machinery led to the creation of a mathematical model based on the basic laws of turbomachine aerodynamics. The mathematical model, the derivation of which is briefly described below, has been encoded in a computer programme, which enables the theoretical characteristics of a fan of the designed geometry to be determined rapidly. The validity of the mathematical model is assessed continuously by measuring model fans in the measuring unit, which was developed and manufactured specifically for this purpose. The paper also presents a comparison between measured characteristics and characteristics determined by the mathematical model as the basis for a discussion on possible causes of measured deviations and calculation deviations.


The iatrogenic cost factor of treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is defined as the increase in cost resulting from NSAID-induced gastroduodenal ulcers. The iatrogenic cost factor of NSAIDs for the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom was calculated using the model of de Pouvourville (1992). The cost factor is defined as the ratio of the shadow price of the NSAID to the NHS price. The shadow price is calculated from the incidence of NSAID-induced gastroduodenal ulcers and the costs of treating them and the price of the drugs. The NHS iatrogenic cost factors of 10 NSAIDs were similar to those calculated by de Pouvourville for the French national health insurance system, Assurance-Maladie, and ranged from 1.08 for diclofenac/misoprostol to 2.38 for ibuprofen.


At 89 Patients with painfull wrist and clinical symptoms like a lesion of the triangular disc, arthrography of the radiocarpal joint was performed. In 18 cases with corresponding arthrographical findings removal of the disc results in clear recovery respectively painlessness. That simple operation seems to be an alternative to the resection of the ulna and a replaceable method if symptomatology and arthrography are accordingly. The described proceeding becomes important because no recovery was seen by conservative treatment.


This chapter presents the possibility that alongside expressions of depressed ethnicity that adopts the identity politics of empowerment, as in the case of Mizrahim in Israel, attention should also be paid to strong ethnicity: ethnicity that rests not only upon the distinctiveness of the immigrant, but also on the global and ideological resources that he possesses and which become a cultural message that he seeks to implement within his immediate environment as well as in wider society. US-born Jewish immigrants in Israel are a diverse group. North-American immigrants in Israel find themselves within a society that holds American culture in high esteem. Mizrahi ethnicity developed in relation to the dominance of the imagined ethnic model of Ashkenazim in Israel, American ethnicity developed in relation to the dominance of the reality of US superpower status and of the major Jewish center from which these Jews relocated to Israel. Keywords: American ethnicity; Israel; Jewish immigrants; Mizrahi ethnicity; politics of empowerment; strong ethnicity; US-born Jews


The most serious problem in the area of quantitative security evaluation is modeling of hacker's behavior. Because of the intelligent and complicated mental aspects of hackers, there are many challenges to model their behavior. Recently, there have been some efforts to use game theory for predicting hacker's behavior. However, it is necessary to revise the proposed approaches if there is a society of hackers with significant diversity in their behaviors. In this paper, we have examined our newly introduced approach to extend the basic ideas of using game theory to predict transition rates in stochastic models. The proposed method categorizes the society of hackers based on two main criteria used widely in hacker classification: motivations and skills. Markov chains are used to model the system. Based on the preferences of each class of hackers and the distribution of skills in each class, the transition rates between the states are computed. The resulting Markov chains can be solved to obtain the corresponding security measures of the system. We have explored some of the applications of the method and have shown that the method facilitates the study of relationships between important factors of hackers/defenders societies and different security measures of the system.


The aim of the project is to develop an ECG signal compression algorithm that has a high compression ratio while guaranteeing signal quality. An electrocardiography (ECG) signal is a representation of cardiac activity and has an need to be compressed to reduce data storage requirements and energy cost of transmission. Previous ECG signal compression techniques have shown steady improvement on compression ratio. However, these techniques generally lack quality considerations, so their applications are limited. We present a discrete cosine transform (DCT) based compression scheme and use beat detection which considerably improve the compression ratio. The quality of the compressed signal is configurable, and the accuracy of the signal is maintained given a signal quality requirement. The algorithm is implemented in a software/hardware solution. Some parts need to be done in the software. As a proof of concept, we have chosen the filter to be implemented in hardware. Mathworks HDL coder was used for generating RTL code and testbenches. Results show that our algorithm is capable of maintaining the specified quality, has a better compression ratio compared to previous work and is also capable to compress noisy ECG signals.


The recovery of Y-Ba-Cu-oxide tape, which is intended for use in a resistive fault current limiter, was, in a comprehensive way, related to the radial heat transfer and sample properties. To check our numerical model, experiments were made on a SuperPower tape and a set of copper wires in a liquid nitrogen bath at 77 K. The inner sample temperature T(t) and radial heat flux density q(T)t were deduced from the I(t) and U(t) , which were measured during the sample cooldown, after immersion to the bath. The temperature fall mimicked a zero-current recovery after the quench. The idea of the heat flux measurement was based on the fact that, for a specific sample, which is immersed in a coolant, the enthalpy change Vocmρm(dT/dt) is in equilibrium with the heat removal q(T) ·So, during the cooldown from initial temperature. Measuring the rate of the enthalpy change at a moment t, we measured the radial heat flux across the wetted tape surface q(T)t. For a superconducting tape, the Tc presented the lower limit of this method. Still, {dT/dt}(t) allowed tracking the onset and span of the superconducting transition, giving the quick, simple, and cheap way for Tc estimation. Moreover, the self-heating burst of the transport current was applied to a sample (both in a numerical model and in experiment). Choosing an appropriate thermal insulation layer on a surface and keeping the thermal capacity/wetted surface ratio small were recognized as the ways of recovery speedup, in parallel with making the volume density of the heat power or the total time of the overall heat load after fault as small as possible (increasing matrix resistance or incorporating protective switch within hybrid scheme).


OBJECTIVES
Verify the efficacy of clinical and morphologic parameters currently applied, including an immunohistochemical panel, in the prognostic of prostate cancer, in specific stages of the disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the period from 2002 to 2005, 40 surgical specimens were selected from patients submitted to radical prostatectomy, with their respective diagnostic biopsies. Based on the pathological stage pT2 or pT3, the specimens were separated into two groups, each one with 20 specimens. The results were confronted with pre- and postoperative clinical data. Between the groups studied, the following was also analyzed: the profile of the expression of molecular markers such as PSA, E-caderin, chromogranin-A, synaptofisin, P53 and Ki-67, both in the material coming from the prostatic biopsy and from the surgical specimens of all patients.

RESULTS
Data showed that patients with prostate-confined disease (pT2) presented lower PSA and Gleason score rates, in relation to the group with extra-prostatic disease (pT3). Quantitative measures obtained for the percentage of positive fragments from the biopsy revealed that patients from the pT2 group presented a lower mean percentage when compared to the pT3 group. Positive margins of both groups influenced the need for complementary treatment before biochemical progression. The comparison of the molecular marker expression in both stages was not significantly different.

CONCLUSION
It is evident the need to improve new methods, predominantly morphologic and molecular, that are able to further exploit the study of the material from the prostatic biopsy. As to the profile of the molecular markers used in both studied groups, there was no significant difference in the sense of outlining an additional prognostic factor in the clinical practice.


Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a well-known lncRNA associated with numerous diseases, particularly cancer, has received increased attention. The expression of MALAT1 was determined to be upregulated in numerous types of tumors and MALAT1 exhibited effects on tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. The abnormal expression of MALAT1 was identified in almost in every organ of the digestive system. MALAT1 performed an important role in the pathological alterations of organs that are associated with sex hormones and several reproductive system cancers. MALAT1 participates in molecular pathways. In the clinical application of MALAT1, MALAT1 was considered as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of cancers, and may also serve as therapeutic target for treatment of specific tumors. This review summarizes the abnormal expression of MALAT1 in cancer, its significant effect on the primary features of cancer, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of MALAT1 in various cancers. According to studies on MALAT1, we introduce the upstream and downstream substances associated with the function of MALAT1. These reviewed studies promote the clinical application of MALAT1 in the aspect of diagnosis and treatment of different cancers, and may help point out new study directions for MALAT1.


Configurationally defined alpha-alkoxylithium reagents were prepared by reductive lithiation of 4-(phenylthio)-1,3-dioxanes. A new and more general synthesis of 4-(phenylthio)-1,3-dioxanes has been developed on the basis of the reduction and in situ acetylation of 1,3-dioxan-4-ones. For each of the substitution patterns examined (23a-d), reductive lithiation gave the axial alkyllithium (24a-d) with 99:1 stereoselectivity. Equilibrations of these alkyllithium reagents were possible with unhindered substrates to give the equatorial alkyllithiums 26a and 26b with excellent stereoselectivities. The more hindered axial alkyllithium reagents (24c, 24d) did not equilibrate efficiently. The equilibrium between alkyllithium reagents 24c and 26c strongly favors the equatorial isomer 26c. The inefficient equilibration with this hindered substrate is attributed to a slow rate of equilibration rather than insufficient driving force. These alkyllithium reagents could be coupled with a variety of electrophiles with retention of configuration by direct addition, copper-mediated coupling, or transmetalation to the corresponding alkylzinc reagent followed by copper-mediated coupling.


The article examines the role of the Internet and Web 2.0 technologies when used by expatriates for maintaining relationships back in their home country. It is based on recent research which studied the experience of Australian expatriates.


This research guide was designed to introduce you to the field of chemistry and biochemistry. You'll find books, article databases, and other resources you need to start your research. Find journal articles


Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy of medical management for vulvar vestibulitis and to examine several historical variables and determine their predictive values as to which treatments will be most successful. Methods: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with vulvar vestibulitis were evaluated. Each patient was treated using a sequence of consecutive medical therapies for vulvar vestibulitis. These therapies were topical aqueous 4% lidocaine with intercourse, topical corticosteroid therapy, oral amitriptyline, topical low-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream, intralesional alpha-interferon, and a low-oxalate diet in combination with oral calcium citrate. The patients were followed over 3–30 months and their responses to therapy were assessed. In addition, a statistical analysis was performed to determine the positive predictive values of certain historical variables and specific treatment successes. Results: Forty-nine patients reported positive responses to one of the initiated therapies. More specifically, 18.1% of the patients who used lidocaine, 33.8% who used topical corticosteroids, 57.1% who used amitriptyline, 16.7% who used 5-FU, none who received interferon, and 50% who tried a low-oxalate diet had positive responses to therapy. No historical variables were predictive of which therapies would have the most successful outcome. Conclusions: Medical management is effective in alleviating the symptoms of vulvar vestibulitis. Various aspects of a patient's history are not helpful in selecting the therapy that will be most effective.


Achieving climate change (CC) resilience in a timely and efficient fashion is becoming a major priority across multiple sectors. Agricultural CC adaptation has become an integrated part of agricultural development policy throughout the EU and further. Without the timely implementation of appropriate measures, the vulnerability of highly exposed and sensitive agricultural landscapes with low adaptive capacity will increase. This paper focuses on the Vipava Valley, a sub-Mediterranean agricultural area highly vulnerable to CC, describing the stakeholder landscape approach undertaken to define stakeholder responsibility level in terms of implementing adaptation measures; and it identifies the key challenges facing stakeholder networks at individual measure levels. The strategy for agricultural CC adaptation follows the structure proposed by the European Commission and clearly defines the necessary stakeholder landscape for implementing agricultural CC adaptation measures and indicators for adaptation strategy monitoring and evaluation. The challenges identified in relation to stakeholder interaction cannot be solved by strategy alone; a facilitated approach to policy implementation is necessary, its success being dependent on the ability of the social landscape to develop a firm implementation of a monitoring programme for adaptation to CC at the local municipality level.


The effect of silence segment elimination on the improvement of a speaker recognition system was investigated in this study. The speaker recognition system is a method to identify input speech of a speaker by the comparison of previously registered and the test speech. The performance of this system greatly depends on a preprocessing stage. The experiments on the extraction of speech segments from speech wave forms during the preprocessing stage were conducted to analyze the rate of recognition. A new measure was developed and proposed, based on the fact that the slope of a valley at the pitch point in speech wave forms is higher when the normalized AMDF was applied to the stationary and transition regions. Voiced segments were extracted from the speech wave forms. From the voice segments, unvoiced segments were then detected using the autocorrelation ratio for the adjacent samples at the front and rear regions of the voiced segments. The results of this study indicated that this proposed method increased the perception rate by approximately 2% but had little effect on recognition time.


Editor—We have previously reported on a large clinical study of patients with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2)1and described the usefulness of audiological screening in early detection of VS in NF2.2 Although DNA diagnosis is possible by linkage analysis and by detecting the NF2 family specific mutation, this is not possible in all cases. Only 40% of sporadic patients (new mutations) have an identifiable NF2 mutation3 and as 50% of NF2 patients have no family history,4 up to 30% of those at risk of NF2 will not be able to have a DNA presymptomatic test. While it is possible to calculate residual risks of NF2 from age at onset of symptoms curves,5 a more useful measure would be the level of risk reduction from a normal cranial MRI scan. A database recording information on affected subjects with NF2 was set up in Manchester in 1989. Patients were actively sought across the UK from paediatricians, neurosurgeons, ENT surgeons, geneticists, and dermatologists. We have used this database to determine the age at which MRI detects asymptomatic tumours in subjects with NF2 and the value of audiological screening. We have also created life curves for risk reduction in subjects at 50% risk of NF2.

Patient details from hospital notes and proformas have been entered into a database at St Mary's Hospital Manchester since 1989. A total of 344 patients fulfilling our published criteria for NF2 are recorded (table 1).1 3 5 Information on all known tumours, age at presentation and diagnosis, and many different symptoms are included. We have analysed details of patients who have been detected as having VS on a screening MRI scan without any known central nervous system pathology, signs, or symptoms. It has been our practice to carry out a baseline MRI …


The advent of very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery and the development of Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) have led to many new opportunities for fine-scale land cover mapping, especially in urban areas. Image segmentation is an important step in the GEOBIA framework, so great time/effort is often spent to ensure that computer-generated image segments closely match real-world objects of interest. In the remote sensing community, segmentation is frequently performed using the multiresolution segmentation (MRS) algorithm, which is tuned through three user-defined parameters (the scale, shape/color, and compactness/smoothness parameters). The scale parameter (SP) is the most important parameter and governs the average size of generated image segments. Existing automatic methods to determine suitable SPs for segmentation are scene-specific and often computationally intensive, so an approach to estimating appropriate SPs that is generalizable (i.e., not scene-specific) could speed up the GEOBIA workflow considerably. In this study, we attempted to identify generalizable SPs for five common urban land cover types (buildings, vegetation, roads, bare soil, and water) through meta-analysis and nonlinear regression tree (RT) modeling. First, we performed a literature search of recent studies that employed GEOBIA for urban land cover mapping and extracted the MRS parameters used, the image properties (i.e., spatial and radiometric resolutions), and the land cover classes mapped. Using this data extracted from the literature, we constructed RT models for each land cover class to predict suitable SP values based on the: image spatial resolution, image radiometric resolution, shape/color parameter, and compactness/smoothness parameter. Based on a visual and quantitative analysis of results, we found that for all land cover classes except water, relatively accurate SPs could be identified using our RT modeling results. The main advantage of our approach over existing SP selection approaches is that our RT model results are not scene-specific, so they can be used to quickly identify suitable SPs in other VHR images.


guarantee social justice for the greatest number, irrespective of sectarian affiliation.&dquo; Much of the valuable information in the book is the fruit of Khalidi's daily experience of Lebanese life during the ongoing crisis and personal interviews with top Palestinians, Lebanese, and other officials and leaders. However, he sometimes depends too much on the Western press to cover internal Lebanese and Palestinian events when local


Multiple primary carcinoma (MPC) is defined as two or more carcinomas without subordinate relationship detected in the same or other organs of an individual patient. The diagnosis of MPC must comply with the following standards: each of the tumors must present a definite picture of malignancy, each tumor must be histologically distinct, and the probability of one being a metastasis of the other must be excluded. MPC often occurs in the digestive system, but its pathogenesis remains unclear involving genetic susceptibility, tumor immunity and iatrogenic factors, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most MPC patients are double primary malignancy; the occurrence of quadruple primary malignancy is below 0.1%. Here we present a rare case of quadruple primary malignancy involving the small intestine, descending colon, renal pelvis and pancreas. Due to its rarity, the relevant literature is also reviewed. In general, the incidence of MPC is rising, so prevention, early diagnosis and treatment will become necessary and important. Therefore, further research should focus on the etiology and mechanism of MPC.


Background: Helminths modulate the natural immune responses of their human hosts, and may prevent or cure immune-mediated or allergic diseases, such as asthma. Non-randomised studies support this hypothesis.

Objectives: To assess the safety and effectiveness of helminth therapy in people with asthma.

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Trials Register and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. We included all randomised controlled trials where the intervention was any helminth species administered to people with asthma. We combined dichotomous data using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using mean difference (MD).

Results: We found 5 published reports, describing 2 studies (64 adult participants). Both studies used a single percutaneous application of 10 third stage Necator americanus (i.e. hookworm) larvae. Pooling of data showed no difference in airway hyperresponsiveness between the helminth and placebo groups (MD 0.51, 95% CI –0.54 to 1.56) and no difference in study dropouts (OR 2.15, 95% CI 0.36 to 12.76). Other outcomes (asthma symptoms, use of reliever inhalers, quality of life) did not differ between the groups. Adverse events were few.

Conclusions: There was no clinical benefit from helminth therapy. The trials however were small and not powered to show effectiveness. Administered to humans in carefully measured doses, helminths appear to be safe. More preclinical studies should be performed, before larger and extended duration trials of helminths for asthma are carried out. 'Trickle colonisation' with helminths may be more effective than the administration to patients of a single large helminth bolus, but this therapeutic approach has not yet been tested for asthma.


The growing use of Instant Messaging for social and work-related communication has created a situation where incoming messages often become a distraction to users while they are performing important tasks. Staying on task at the expense of responsiveness to IM buddies may portray the users as impolite or even rude. Constantly attending to IM, on the other hand, may prevent users from performing tasks efficiently, leaving them frustrated. In this paper we present a tool that augments a commercial IM client by automatically increasing the salience of incoming messages that may deserve immediate attention, helping users decide whether or not to stay on task.


Abstract A three-year research project at the University of Southampton (2007–2010) investigated whether monitoring techniques commonly used by engineers to assess the strength and durability of materials could be usefully applied to inform the condition assessment of historic tapestries. To date it has not been possible to obtain an objective picture of the overall condition of a tapestry; the study investigated whether it is possible to identify precursors of structural damage. The two techniques, digital image correlation (DIC) and optical fibre sensors, were used to monitor a representative wool fabric, specially woven tapestry samples, a newly woven tapestry, and historic tapestries, both in the laboratory and in situ in a historic house. This study first sets out to answer the question: can DIC be used to monitor and visualize strain in historic tapestries? It is shown that DIC can be used successfully. Secondly, it discusses the map function, a novel development which allowed the monitoring equipment to be moved, so that it could be used in situ in a historic house. Thirdly, it provides further details of the experimental work using optical fibre sensors to confirm the accuracy of the DIC technique.


The spraying system described in this paper uses air and electrostatics to deliver small drops (20 um Dv 0 . 5 ) to the target. The use of this system in greenhouses is especially attractive since air movement can be controlled and drift is contained. It has been found that charged drops are collected more efficiently by, and distributed more evenly upon plant targets than uncharged drops. Evaluation of spray distribution on cucumbers and poinsettias confirmed that the theoretical advantages of small, charged drops may be exploited in greenhouses. Although the lower spray volume necessitated a correspondingly high concentration of active ingredient, no phytotoxic damage was observed.


Previous studies on software product management (SPM) domain have provided an extensive picture of the work of a software product manager. Still, little evidence exists about what principles should guide their decisions. A product manager's decision-making has a certain level of subjectivity based on managerial intuition. However, sustainable software product development requires effective long-term decision-making practices. Requirements engineering, as well as release planning and roadmapping, are SPM areas with the highest level of evidence-based decision-making. Still, the clear understanding of evidencebased decision-making practices is missing. The paper provides an analysis of decision-making related to SPM, reveals a spectrum of attitudes and approaches and reports assumptions on whether SPM is based on intuition or if it is evidencebased.


The isolation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) and embryonic germ cells (EGC) from early embryos is a major milestone in modern science and holds a great potential for human medicine. In 2007, Shinia Yamanaka and co-workers reprogrammed somatic cells to pluripotency by induced expression of pluripotency transcription factors. These so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are equivalent to ESC in terms of pluripotency and have the same potential for use in regenerative therapies. However, before the use of pluripotent cells or their derivatives in humans, potential therapies need to be tested in suitable animal models to ensure their safety. In this respect, the domestic pig is particularly suited for the testing of stem cell-based therapies intended for humans, since in general physiology and metabolism are similar in human and pigs. Since the isolation of the different types of pluripotent cells in human and mouse, there have been reports of derivation of ESC-like and EGC-like cell lines from porcine embryos. Despite the significant progress that has been reported in these studies, none of the described porcine cell lines have fulfilled all of the criteria for pluripotency, such as long-term maintenance and the ability to differentiate into all of the cells in the organism, including the germ line. This has prevented the use of these cells in the genetic engineering of livestock as well as their therapeutic application in animal models for human diseases. The derivation of the first porcine cell lines with iPSC characteristics (Ezashi et al. 2009 PNAS 27, 10 993–10 998) has provided a viable alternative to the ESC/EGC, and some major successes have been already achieved. The majority of the putative iPSC described in the literature have demonstrated pluripotent characteristics such as expression of various pluripotency markers and an ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers in vivo by forming teratomas in immunodeficient mice. One group has reported the derivation of iPSC lines that have been capable to generate chimeras with germline contribution (West et al. 2011 Stem Cells 29, 1640–1643), which is the first fully confirmed report of successfully produced porcine germ line chimera to date. Additionally, the differentiation of putative iPSC into rod photoreceptors and their integration into the retinas of recipient pigs has been reported (Zhou et al. 2011 Stem Cells 29, 972–980). Despite these major achievements, some challenges remain to be overcome in order to make porcine iPSC more widely applicable in disease models and in the transgenic technology. Due to some variations in the morphological and molecular characteristics of the reported putative iPSC lines, it needs to be determined which markers are the hallmarks of truly pluripotent porcine iPSC. Second, it is still not clear which are the optimal culture conditions for derivation and long-term culture of these cells. Since the culture conditions used today have been proven ineffective to maintain pluripotency in porcine ESC and EGC, the question remains whether the continuous expression of the transgenes is an important factor in the long-term culture of iPSC. Finally, it needs to be determined whether putative porcine iPSC derived from cell types other than multipotent stem cells (such as mesenchymal stem cells used by West et al., 2011) possess full pluripotency, which should be demonstrated by germ line chimera production via blastocyst injection or tetraploid complementation.


A pair of thyristors connected inverse parallel, with symmetrical triggering, are found to give smooth, stepless control of the current and load voltage in a series resistance-capacitance circuit. Large current pulses of adjustable amplitude are produced that appear to be suitable for electric welding. The application to power factor compensation of inductive loads is limited in usefulness due to poor waveform and high dissipation in the resistance-capacitance branch.


This work addresses the limitations of the expected utility theory in predicting risk preference under low probabilities. This topic has particularly not been addressed before when ambiguity is coupled with low probability estimates. The reader will find a theoretical analysis of ambiguity aversion when individuals purchase insurance for low-probability loss events. The topic has been looked into under the light of forest carbon offsets and the need for insurance for unavoidable losses of the sequestrated carbon. That is because wildfire losses have small probabilities of occurrence and are associated with ambiguity. The growing importance of using biological sinks toward emissions reduction only heighten the significance of this topic. The book also offers an experimental design involving three phases, including a replica of a previous study on insurance behaviour, the addition of the ambiguity factor, and two methods of measuring ambiguity preference. This book is particularly useful for experimental and environmental economists, and anyone interested in government policies pertaining carbon offsets.


Abstract. Particles containing secondary organic material (SOM) are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and play a role in climate and air quality. Recently, research has shown that liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) occurs at high relative humidity (RH) (greater than  ∼  95 %) in α-pinene-derived SOM particles free of inorganic salts, while LLPS does not occur in isoprene-derived SOM particles free of inorganic salts. We expand on these findings by investigating LLPS at 290 ± 1 K in SOM particles free of inorganic salts produced from ozonolysis of β-caryophyllene, ozonolysis of limonene, and photo-oxidation of toluene. LLPS was observed at greater than  ∼  95 % RH in the biogenic SOM particles derived from β-caryophyllene and limonene while LLPS was not observed in the anthropogenic SOM particles derived from toluene. This work combined with the earlier work on LLPS in SOM particles free of inorganic salts suggests that the occurrence of LLPS in SOM particles free of inorganic salts is related to the oxygen-to-carbon elemental ratio (O : C) of the organic material. These results help explain the difference between the hygroscopic parameter κ of SOM particles measured above and below water saturation in the laboratory and field, and have implications for predicting the cloud condensation nucleation properties of SOM particles.


ABSTRACT This essay traces several productive points of overlap and departure between the recent philosophical work of Judith Butler and ecological thinking. While ecological philosophers and theorists have often dismissed Butler's treatment of politics and ethics as narrowly anthropocentric, this essay charges that there are considerable conceptual resources within Butler's oeuvre that are not only in accord with much recent ecological theorising but which also stand to enrich our approaches to ecological thinking and politics. Focusing specifically on three conceptual clusters – exposure and precarity; infrastructure and coexistence; and assemblies and assemblages – this essay demonstrates how Butler's work can be leveraged to augment the ways we approach both ecosystems and our more-than-human cohabitants as elements of and actors within the dynamic play of forces that make coexistence more or less possible.


Hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus due to pancreatic beta cell destruction can cause the raising of free radicals production. Soy isoflavone-containing diets have been reported to be beneficial in diabetes because they show potential antioxidant and antihyperglycemia activities. This study was conducted to analyze the difference between isoflavone aglycones in tempe and isoflavone glycosides in soymilk on beta cell function including insulin secretion, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin expression of pancreatic beta cells. Thirty sprague dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into 3 following groups: (K1) diabetic control (P1) tempe flour 1.8 g (P2) soymilk powder 1.35 g. The treatment were given everyday for 28 days via oral gavage. FBG was measured using the GOD-PAP method, serum insulin was measured using ELISA, insulin expression analysis was done by immunohistochemical. Value of p less than 5% (p<0.05) was considered statistically significant. Tempe flour significantly decrease FBG level better than soy milk and control group (p<0.01). Although both groups showed an increase in serum insulin level after intervention, there was no significant different between them (p = 0.639). There were also a significantly decrease in FBG level on soymilk group compared to control (p<0.01). The mean insulin expression on K1, P1 and P2 were 2.67±2.34, 6.17±1.47 and 6.83±1.17, respectively. The insulin expression of both groups were not significantly different (p = 0.405). It is concluded that tempe flour shows a better anti-diabetic activity than soymilk.