Better communication, more stakeholder engagement, policy integration, policy certainty and more resources to encourage innovation and access are needed to improve the effectiveness of Pacific Carbon Trust (PCT). This British Columbia Crown corporation, created to establish a carbon offset market and facilitate a carbon-neutral government, successfully met its ambitious first year target to offset the provincial government's operating emissions. Stakeholder interviews reveal most participants feel PCT has been largely effective and has the potential to be replicated with modifications in other jurisdictions. As part of a larger climate change action framework, this instrument can be used to demonstrate innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while helping influence cultural norms and behaviour. It can also play a part in stimulating the local green economy and positioning B.C. as a green innovation hub. Mixed methods have been used to evaluate how effectively PCT is living up to its potential. Transitioning to a Low Carbon Future 2


The resource theories of quantum coherence attract a lot of attention in recent years. Especially, the monotonicity property plays a crucial role here. In this paper we investigate the monotonicity property for the coherence measures induced by the Rényi α-relative entropy, which present in [Phys. Rev. A 94 (2016) 052336]. We show that the Rényi α-relative entropy of coherence does not in general satisfy the monotonicity requirement under the subselection of measurements condition and it also does not satisfy the extension of monotonicity requirement, which presents in [Phys. Rev. A 93 (2016) 032136]. Due to the Rényi α-relative entropy of coherence can act as a coherence monotone quantifier, we examine the trade-off relations between coherence and mixedness. Finally, some properties for the single qubit of Rényi 2-relative entropy of coherence are derived.


Abstract Objective The perceived fragility of extremely preterm neonates may deter paternal visitation early during the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. We retrospectively analyzed the correlation between paternal visitation of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in our NICU and sociodemographic characteristics. Study Design We identified inborn VLBW infants admitted to our NICU from 2017 to 2018. The rate of visit days in the first week of life was analyzed using Spearman's correlation and Poisson's regression. Results The analysis included 292 infants (median gestational age [GA]: 29 weeks), with fathers present on a median of 3 days of the first week of life. GA was not correlated with visitation (rho = –0.04). On multivariable regression, fathers visited less frequently if they did not live with the mother or if the mother lived 25 to 75 km from the hospital versus < 25 km. Conclusion Fathers' visitation in our NICU was constrained by socioeconomic factors rather than VLBW infants' characteristics.


Software as the true consumer of power and its potential contribution to reach sustainability goals is increasingly being acknowledged. Studies so far have presented successful results and methods to address the energy consumption of the software, indicating that different stakeholders striving for green software have different information needs with respect to their goals. However, currently there is no uniform manner to communicate measurements to the different stakeholders such that key findings are clearly identifiable and easy to understand, which is likely to hamper green software practices. In this paper we propose a metric that expresses a score for the resource utilization, such as power consumption, of a software product. The metric is designed to be a single score and is flexible to encompass those aspects that a stakeholder considers relevant in the context of software energy consumption. The metric was applied on two applications and allowed for objective comparison of application configurations and versions. Also the behavior of these applications across different hardware configurations could be analyzed. In addition to the metric we investigate means to visualize measurements which enhances communication and helped with highlighting the key findings.


With the increased incidence of diabetes, the number of diabetic patients who require surgical treatment is also increasing. Unfortunately, practices in this area lack standardisation. The purpose of this multidisciplinary, evidence‐based guidelines for perioperative blood glucose management is to provide a comprehensive set of recommendations for clinicians treating diabetes with different types of surgery. The intended audience comprises Chinese endocrinologists, surgeons, anaesthetists, clinical pharmacists, nurses and professionals involved in perioperative blood glucose management. The guidelines were formulated as follows. First, a multidisciplinary expert group was established to identify and formulate key research questions on topics of priority according to the Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes (PICO) process. We conducted a meta‐analysis of available studies using Review Manager version 5.3, as appropriate. We pooled crude estimates as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals using a random‐effects model, and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methods to assess the quality of the retrieved evidence. Finally, 32 recommendations were gathered that covered 11 fields—management and coordination, endocrinologists' consultation, diabetes diagnosis, surgery timing and anaesthesia method, blood glucose target values and monitoring frequency, hypoglycaemia treatment, oral administration of blood glucose lowering drugs, use of insulin, enteral and parenteral nutritional, postoperative treatment and medication and education and training. Twenty‐five systematic reviews and meta‐analyses were conducted for these guidelines to address the PICO questions. These guidelines are intended to improve perioperative blood glucose management and help doctors in specifying medical diagnosis and treatment, and will be implemented / disseminated extensively in China.


ABSTRACT: Premortem and postmortem processes significantly influence the formation of the molluscan fossil record in freshwater environments. Despite their importance for paleoenvironmental studies, they remain poorly understood. In Pampean shallow lakes, Holocene shell deposits of the euryhaline snail Heleobia parchappii show a relation with salinity, as preservation seems to be favored by brackish-saline water conditions. To explore if this pattern may respond to ecological (i.e., differential survival and reproduction) or taphonomic processes acting differently in freshwater and brackish-saline environments, we conducted a field-based study comparing premortem (abundance, length, width/length ratio, and crushing resistance in living and dead shells) and postmortem (fragmentation, fine-scale surface alteration, and loss of periostracum of dead shells) attributes along a modern lacustrine salinity gradient (0.5–40 ppt) in the Pampa plain of Argentina. Snails from saline lakes were smaller and more rotund than those from freshwater lakes, exhibiting higher abundances and resistances in death assemblages. They showed the highest fidelity in shell length and the best states of preservation, which were similar to values recorded in fossil shells. We concluded that shells deposited in saline lakes are better preserved than those deposited in freshwater lakes, giving rise to highly abundant shell concentrations, analogues to those shell-rich fossil levels recorded in Pampean lakes. Such abundance does not reflect the natural abundances of living snails, but rather is the result of the combined influence that less destructive environments and better shell intrinsic properties have on preservation.


Study Design. A translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation study. Objective. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt cross-culturally, and validate the Kannada version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Summary of Background Data. Low back pain is recognized as an important public health problem. Self-administered condition-specific questionnaires are important tools for assessing a patient. For low backache, the ODI is used widely. Preferred language of a region can have an effect on interpretation of questions and thus scoring. A search of literature showed no previously validated Kannada version of the ODI. Methods. Cross-cultural adaptation and translation was carried out according to previously set guidelines. Patients were recruited from the orthopedic outpatient department. They filled out a booklet containing the Kannada version of the ODI, Kannada version of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and a 10-point visual analog scale for pain (VASpain). Results. The Kannada ODI was answered by 91 patients and retested in 35 patients. After removing questionnaires with stray or ambiguous markings causing difficulty in computation of scores, 76 test questionnaires and 32 retest questionnaires were available for statistical analysis. The Kannada version showed an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). The Kannada version of the ODI showed good correlation with the RMDQ (r = 0.72) and moderate correlation with VASpain (r = 0.58). It also showed an excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.96). Standard error of measurement (SEM) was also low (4.08) and a difference of 11 points is the "Minimum Detectable Change (MDC)." Conclusion. The Kannada version of the ODI that was developed showed consistency and reliability. It can be used for assessment of low back pain and treatment outcomes in Kannada-speaking populations. However, in view of a smaller sample size, it will benefit from verification at multiple centers and with more patients. Level of Evidence: 3


Introduction Pre-operative investigations for emergency surgical patients differ between centers. Following established guidelines can reduce unnecessary investigation, cost of treatment and hospital stay. The present audit was carried out to evaluate the condition of doing pre-operative investigations for three common surgical emergencies compared to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and local criteria. Methods A retrospective clinical audit of acute-appendicitis, abscess and hernia patients admitted to the emergency department was carried out over a one-year period from July 2014 to July 2015. Data of laboratory investigations, their indication, cost and duration of hospital stay was collected and compared with NICE-guidelines. Results A total of 201 patients were admitted to the emergency department during the audit period. These included 77(38.3%) cases of acute-appendicitis, 112 (55.7%) cases of abscesses, and 12 (6%) cases of hernia. Investigations not indicated by NICE-guidelines included 42 (20.9%) full blood counts, 29 (14.4%) random blood sugars, 26 (12.9%) urea tests, 4 (2%) chest x-rays, 13 (6.5%) electrocardiographs, and 58 (28.9%) urine analyses. These cost 25,675 Rupees (245.46 Dollars) in unnecessary investigation costs and 65.7 days of additional hospital stay. Conclusions Unnecessary investigations for emergency surgical patients can be reduced by following NICE-guidelines. This will reduce workload on emergency services, treatment costs and the length of hospital stay.


Periodontitis is a chronic, multifactorial, polymicrobial disease causing inflammation in the supporting structures of the teeth. There is a plethora of non oral risk factors which have been reported to aid in the development of chronic periodontitis. Psychological stress and depression have been documented to have a negative impact on the periodontal health. Depression is associated with negligent oral health care leading to poor periodontal health. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between periodontal clinical parameters and depression. Methodology: The study design was a case-control study with 25 patients each in the Case and Control group. Case group consisted of patients diagnosed with depression by a specialist in the medical OPD. Control group consisted of the patients living in the same environment with similar background characteristics. All the cases and controls were assessed for the severity of depression by Hamilton Depression rating scale and Beck Depression Inventory. Periodontal parameters were assessed by using Oral Hygiene index Debris Index (DI) and Calculus Index (CI), Gingival Index, Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Clinical attachment loss (CAL). Results: In this study significant relationship is seen between subjects with depression and periodontal clinical parameters (DI, CI, GI, and PPD, CAL) as compared to the healthy subjects. Also it is seen that as the severity of depression increases, the periodontal condition deteriorates as reported by increased values of all the clinical parameters used in the study although, the relationship is not significant. Conclusion: After evaluating depression and periodontal clinical parameters we came to a conclusion that both diseases are related to each other and that stress or depression highly affects the periodontal health and therefore can be considered as a risk factor to periodontitis.


In 1885 the Geographical Society of Australasia sent the steam launch Bonito to chart the Fly and Strickland Rivers (now in Western Province, Papua New Guinea). The Expedition spent five months in New Guinea with the primary objectives of survey and biological exploration. The type locality of the murid rodent Melomys muscalis froggatti Troughton, 1937, described from a single specimen obtained during the Expedition, is localized to the region of the base camp at Observation Bend, Strickland River, based on the original Expedition maps and the unpublished diary reminiscence of the collector W. W. Froggatt. A review of the mammal collection obtained during that Expedition has not been reported previously, perhaps due to the poor surviving documentation. Several months after the Expedition returned to Sydney, Australian Museum curator E. P. Ramsay prepared a list of 22 mammal specimens received by the Museum. Twenty specimens attributed to the Expedition were not entered into the collection registers until 1913, half of which are likely to be incorrectly associated with the Expedition. Most specimens were registered with very limited data about collection date and locality. Of the 22 specimens originally received by Ramsay, eight rodents and two flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) have not been located in the Collection, but might remain unrecognized as specimens with no data. It is possible that additional mammal specimens were sent by the Geographical Society of Australasia to other institutions at the conclusion of the Expedition.


PJ Harvey's performances are premised on the core contention that she is somehow causing 'trouble'. Just how this trouble can be theorised within the context of the music video and what it means for a development of the ways we might conceptualise 'disruption' and think about music video lies at the heart of this book. Abigail Gardner mixes feminist theory and critical models from film and video scholarship as a rich means of interrogating Harvey's work and redefining her disruptive strategies. The book presents a rethinking of the masquerade that allies it to cultural memory, precipitated by Gardner's claim that Harvey's performances are conversations with the past, specifically with visualised memories of archetypes of femininity. Harvey's masquerades emerge from her conversations and renegotiations with both national and transatlantic musical, visual and lyrical heritages. It is the first academic book to present analysis of Harvey's music videos and opens up fresh avenues into exploring what is at stake in the video work of one of Britain's premier singer-songwriters. It extends the discussion on music video to consider how to make sense of the rapidly developing digital environment in which it now sits. The interdisciplinary nature of the book should attract readers from a range of subject areas including popular music studies, cultural studies, media and communication studies, and gender studies.


Classification of acute leukemia (AL) is based on commitment of the leukemic cells to either the myeloid or the lymphoid lineage. However, a small percentage of AL cases display features of both hematopoietic lineages and lacks immunophenotypical lineage commitment. These leukemias of ambiguous lineage represent a heterogeneous category of AL that cannot be classified as either myeloid AL (AML) or lymphoid AL (ALL). The lack of a clear classification of acute leukemias of ambiguous lineage as either AML or ALL is a hurdle in treatment choice for these patients. MicroRNAs are small single stranded RNA molecules which regulate gene expression by promoting degradation of mRNAs or repressing their translation. MicroRNA expression profiles have shown to be able to accurately discriminate AL of the lymphoid lineage from those of the myeloid lineage. Here, we compared the microRNA expression profiles of acute leukemias of ambiguous lineage with those of B-ALL, T-ALL and AML. MicroRNA expression profiles of nine patients with leukemia of ambiguous lineage and eleven patients with AML, B-ALL or T-ALL were analyzed. Unsupervised clustering analysis of the AML, B-ALL and T-ALL samples resulted in a clear separation between cases of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages. The top differentially expressed microRNAs between AML and ALL were miR-199b, miR-27a/b, miR-223, miR-23a, miR-221 and miR-150. Subsequently, we compared the general miRNA expression profiles of AL of ambiguous lineage with those of the AML, B-ALL and T-ALL cases thereby showing that these leukemias of ambiguous lineage do not segregate as a separate entity. Moreover, unsupervised clustering of all the AL samples using the top 10 percent of most variable microRNAs resulted in clustering of leukemias of ambiguous lineage with either AML, B-ALL or T-ALL. Furthermor, qRT-PCR expression analysis of the five most discriminative microRNAs between ALL and AML was able to define AL of ambiguous lineage as either AML or ALL. Thus, our results indicate the presence of a lymphoid or myeloid lineage specific microRNA expression profile in AL cases of ambiguous lineage, despite their mixed immunophenotype. At diagnosis, the classification of AL of ambiguous lineage by microRNA expression analysis might be of additional value in therapeutic decision making. Citation Format: Dave C. de Leeuw, Willemijn van den Ancker, Fedor Denkers, Rene X. Menezes, Theresia M. Westers, Gert J. Ossenkoppele, Arjan A. van de Loosdrecht, Linda Smit. MicroRNA profiling can classify acute leukemias of ambiguous lineage as either acute myeloid leukemia or acute lymphoid leukemia. [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 LB-246. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-246


Cadmium sulphide is one of the most promising materials for solar cells and of great interest due to its useful applications in photonics and electronics, thus the development of bio‐mediated synthesis of cadmium sulphide nanoparticles (CdS NPs) is one of the essential areas in nanoparticles. The present study demonstrates for the first time the eco‐friendly biosynthesis of CdS NPs using the yeast Trichosporon jirovecii. The biosynthesis of CdS NPs were confirmed by UV‐Vis spectrum and characterized by X‐ray diffraction assay and electron microscopy. Scanning and transmission electron microscope analyses shows the formation of spherical CdS NPs with a size range of about 6–15 nm with a mean Cd:S molar ratio of 1.0:0.98. T. jirovecii produced hydrogen sulfide on cysteine containing medium confirmed by positive cysteine‐desulfhydrase activity and the colony color turned yellow on 0.1 mM cadmium containing medium. T. jirovecii tolerance to cadmium was increased by the UV treatment and three 0.6 mM cadmium tolerant mutants were generated upon the UV radiation treatment. The overall results indicated that T. jirovecii could tolerate cadmium toxicity by its conversion into CdS NPs on cysteine containing medium using cysteine‐desulfhydrase as a defense response mechanism.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the adoption and application of the causal mapping method for cognitive distances measurement in the multicultural domain.

Design/methodology/approach
Causal mapping was used to estimate differences in mental models between participants. The developed method was applied in a multicultural setting for the selection of teaching cases.

Findings
In the main study, 129 people participated in the test. Overall, 7,217 relationships were tested. A set of demographic variables were used to test the reliability and external validity of the method. The method proved to be reliable and easy to apply. A smaller second study is an application example of the method.

Research limitations/implications
The main study proposes a formula for distance ratio calculation. Moreover, this formula proved to be externally valid and reliable. Thus, it is of interest for further research in this domain.

Practical implications
Practitioners are provided with a tool for the analysis of intercultural differences with the example of the perception of cultural values to develop a better understanding and improve education in a multicultural setting. Study 2 proposes an example of the methodology application.

Originality/value
This is the first application of causal mapping in the field of values research performed in a multicultural education setting. The formula for comparing causal maps is improved upon, and an application for the field of multicultural university classes is provided.


Legume-rhizobial symbiotic nitrogen fixation is the most efficient nitrogen assimilation system in the ecosystem. In the special interaction between organ–root nodules, legumes supply rhizobial carbohydrates for their proliferation, while rhizobials provide host plants with absorbable nitrogen. Nodule initiation and formation require a complex molecular dialogue between legumes and rhizobia, which involves the accurate regulation of a series of legume genes. The CCR4–NOT complex is a conserved multi-subunit complex with functions regulating gene expression in many cellular processes. However, the functions of the CCR4–NOT complex in rhizobia–host interactions remain unclear. In this study, we identified seven members of the NOT4 family in soybean and further classified them into three subgroups. Bioinformatic analysis showed that NOT4s shared relatively conserved motifs and gene structures in each subgroup, while there were significant differences between NOT4s in the different subgroups. Expression profile analysis indicated that NOT4s may be involved in nodulation in soybean, as most of them were induced by Rhizobium infection and highly expressed in nodules. We further selected GmNOT4-1 to clarify the biological function of these genes in soybean nodulation. Interestingly, we found that either GmNOT4-1 overexpression or down-regulation of GmNOT4-1 by RNAi or CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing would suppress the number of nodules in soybean. Intriguingly, alterations in the expression of GmNOT4-1 repressed the expression of genes in the Nod factor signaling pathway. This research provides new insight into the function of the CCR4–NOT family in legumes and reveals GmNOT4-1 to be a potent gene for regulating symbiotic nodulation.


Background: Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is an inflammation-related carcinoma, and inflammation has been recognized as an important factor in inducing carcinogenesis. To further explore the role of inflammation in KIRC, we developed an inflammation-related signature and verified its correlation with the tumor micro-environment. Methods: After the differential inflammation-related prognostic genes were screened by Lasso regression, the inflammation-related signature (IRS) was constructed based on the risk score of multivariate Cox regression. Then, the prognostic value of the IRS was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and multivariate Cox regression. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was applied to screen out enriched signaling pathways. Infiltrated immune cells, tumor mutational burden (TMB) and immune checkpoints were explored by CIBERSORTx and maftool. Results: Four genes (TIMP1, PLAUR, CCL22, and IL15RA) were used to construct the IRS in patients with KIRC. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression identified that the IRS could independently predict the prognosis of patients with KIRC in the training and validation groups. The diagnostic value of the nomogram increased from 0.811 to 0.845 after adding the IRS to the multiparameter ROC analysis. The GSVA results indicated that IRS was closely related to primary immunodeficiency and antigen processing and presentation. The immune checkpoint LAG3 was highly expressed in patients with high-risk score (p < 0.05), while CD274 (PD-L1) and HAVCR2 were highly expressed in patients with low-risk score (p < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the high-risk score group and CD8+ T, activated CD4+ memory T, gamma and delta regulatory T and M0 macrophage cells, while the low-risk score group was negatively associated with B memory, plasma, resting CD4+ memory T, activated NK, M1 macrophages and resting mast cells. Conclusion: We found that the IRS might serve as a biomarker to predict the survival of KIRC. Moreover, patients with high or low-risk score might be sensitive to immune drugs at different immune checkpoints.


Seven commercially available dispersants have been applied to produce high concentrated aqueous suspensions of the nanosized alumina and partially stabilized zirconia powders processed by the plasma technique. Simultaneously, the electrokinetic behaviour of powders has been investigated in diluted suspensions by microelectrophoresis method. Zeta potential measurements are used to estimate the influence of selected dispersants on the electrokinetic properties of the powder surface. On the basis of obtained data the correlation between the surface electrokinetic properties in dilute suspensions and reached maximal suspension concentration is discussed.


Although small- and medium businesses (SMEs) significant economic contributions are globally acknowledged, many SMEs in Uganda have not fully adopted and integrated ethics into their business strategies. This study explores the business practices that influence SME's ethical conduct in Uganda. Primary data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A sample of 384 SME owner/managers was surveyed employing convenience sampling. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The empirical findings show that the business practices of SMEs significantly influence their ethical business conduct in Uganda. It was suggested that SME business owners/managers pay attention to their management practices and ensure that all employees are knowledgeable on what ethical business conduct entails or how to apply it in the workplace.


This study involves 65 patients with severe war injuries to the extremities where all conventional and available lines of treatment have failed or a decision of amputation has been made. Twelve humeri, 45 tibiae and eight femura were studied. The sliding system was used on 39 patients and the compressor system on 26 patients. In the sliding system, gaps ranged from 2 cm to 12 cm. In the compressor system established nonunion, failed bone graft operations, infected pseudarthrosis and gaps less than 2 cm were studied. Salah Eddin external fixation systems, both sliding and compressor, were found to be efficient, biomechanically adequate, easy to apply and remove and able to replace considerable gaps with no risks of open surgery.


GSDIII is divided into types IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, and IIId, which are distinguished by their pattern of signs and symptoms. GSD types IIIa and IIIc mainly affect the liver and muscles, and GSD types IIIb and IIId typically affect only the liver. It is very difficult to distinguish between the types of GSDIII that affect the same tissues. GSD types IIIa and IIIb are the most common forms of this condition.


miR-26a is associated with sperm metabolism and can affect sperm motility and apoptosis. However, how miR-26a affects sperm motility remains largely unknown. Our previous study indicated that the PDHX gene is predicted to be a potential target of miR-26a, which is responsible for pyruvate oxidative decarboxylation which is considered as a key step for connecting glycolysis with oxidative phosphorylation. In this study, we first reported a potential relationship between miR-26a and PDHX and their expressions in fresh, frozen-thawed, and epididymal boar sperm. Then, sperm viability and survival were determined after transfection of miR-26a. mRNA and protein expression level of PDHX in the liquid-preserved boar sperm after transfection were also determined by RT-qPCR and Western Blot (WB). Our results showed that expression level of PDHX was significantly increased during sperm transit from epididymal caput to corpus and cauda. Similarly, expression of PDHX was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fresh sperm as compared to epididymal cauda and frozen-thawed sperm. However, the expression of miR-26a in epididymal corpus sperm was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of caput and cauda sperm. Furthermore, after transfection of boar sperm with miR-26a mimic and inhibitor under liquid storage, the lowest and highest sperm viability was observed in miR-26a mimic and inhibitor treatment (P < 0.05), respectively. The protein levels of PDHX, after 24 and 48 h of transfection of miR-26a mimics and inhibitor, were notably decreased and increased (P < 0.05), respectively, as compared to negative control (NC) group. In conclusion, the novel and enticing findings of our study provide a reasonable evidence that miR-26a via PDHX, a link between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, could regulate the glycometabolic pathway which eventually affect boar sperm viability and survival.


Accurate determinations of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in natural aquatic samples, using the firefly luciferase ATP assay, require attention to several important procedural factors. A rationale for peak height measurements is presented, along with a comparison of commercially available photometers. Purified luciferase, stabilized with dithiothreitol, is recommended for low-level ATP measurements. Inorganic acids were found to be the most efficient extracting agents for bacterial ATP. Limitations of the assay as a bacterial biomass measurement or enumeration technique are discussed, with the conclusion that the assay is most valuable in conjunction with other measures of total microbial deviations from a baseline.


Resistance to molecular targeted therapy is a major challenge facing breast cancer patients and unfavorably impacts clinical outcomes, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths yearly. Resistance to cancer therapies arises from many factors. One of the key factors driving resistance is oncogenes which initiate pro-growth, pro-survival and metastatic programs that enable cancers escape various therapies. In HER2+ breast cancer, the oncogene HER2 is the master driver of this tumor. Trastuzumab effectively targets HER2. While this is generally successful, some patients who have HER2+ breast cancer develop resistance to trastuzumab and there are limited treatment options for them. Moreover, for low HER2+ expressing breast cancer, there are limited treatment options for them. And in African American women who have HER2+ breast cancer, there is disparity in their treatment outcomes. We have discovered that 3'UTR of HER2 is enriched with poly U stabilizing AU rich elements (ARE). We have developed a novel technology wherein we engineered the stabilizing HER2 3'UTR ARE motifs to destabilizing motif in HER2+ and HER2+ trastuzumab resistant breast cancer cells to control HER2 transcript. We achieved complete degradation of HER2 within 4-8 days in HER2+ wildtype breast cancer cells and 9-11 days in HER2+ trastuzumab resistant breast cancer cells. We had loss of cancer cell viability by more than 90%. We also show that control of HER2 transcript downregulated HER2-dependent kinases, transcription factors, and HER2 interactome. Mechanistically, the control of HER2 transcript was achieved by destabilized ARE sequence specificity which triggered the proteins PARN, XRN1 and CNOT1 to degrade HER2 transcript and this led to induction of active caspase 3/7, reduction of cell size, and severe distortion and disruption of the cancer cell membrane leading to cell death. Taken together, we have a developed a novel approach to control HER2 transcript expression both on spatial and temporal scale. This novel approach offers applications for targeting HER2+ trastuzumab resistant breast cancer as well as other cancers resistant to HER2 targeted therapy and driven by pervasive oncogenic signals.
 Citation Format: Chidiebere U. Awah, Fu Dong, Fayola Levine, Leonard Ash, Yana Glemaud, Olorunseun Ogunwobi. Engineered destabilized AU rich elements on the 3UTR of HER2 degrades HER2, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis in HER2 positive trastuzumab resistant breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1788.


Within the vast body of research on new product development (NPD), the so-called 'fuzzy front end (FFE) of innovation received and continues to receive considerable attention. The importance of the FFE can hardly be underestimated as it has been widely established that improvements to this early phase of the innovation process far exceed advances in later stages of the innovation cycle (Poskela and Martinsuo, 2009; Verworn, 2009). Even though its importance cannot be mistaken, FFE research results have been widely dispersed; scholars for example still have problems to settle upon a clear definition of the term 'fuzziness' (Brun, Saetre and Gjelsvik, 2009) and different research approaches and focal points of research are used interchangeably (Reid and de Bretani, 2004). This dissertation is an attempt to understand and synthesize the 'fuzzy front end' field of research. In doing so, it attempts to answer two research questions: (1) In the FFE research field, what are the different research streams and how have they developed over time and (2) what are the empirically proven success and contingency factors related to managing the fuzzy front end successfully? By means of an exhaustive integrative literature review, 103 publications were reviewed and close-read. The dissertation contributions to the literature in the following ways: first, a visual overview regarding the definitions on the terms 'fuzziness' and the 'front-end' is provided. Next, literature is categorized on (1) methodology type, (2) innovation dimension and (3) conceptual group. Third, success and contingency factors are identified and discussed and a tool is constructed that allows decision-makers, managers and entrepreneurs to understand how the FFE should be managed for their specific situation and context. Besides a theoretical contribution on the actual content of the FFE-literature field and the way it has developed over time, this dissertation also is of practical use for managers and entrepreneurs as it provides insights to move towards more successful FFE-processes.


In this article, to accelerate data acquisition and image reconstruction procedures in a multistatic short-range microwave imaging scenario, an orthogonal coding approach with Fourier domain processing is presented. First, a special 2-D multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) structure is introduced to fully electronically synthesize the 2-D aperture. Then, the model of the transmitted and received signals by a MIMO stepped-frequency-modulated radar is presented, with special considerations about orthogonal, balanced, and optimal sequences. On the receiver side, the backscatter frequency response extraction process is formulated with the aim of obtaining individual information of all channels. Finally, based on the introduced model, a fast Fourier-based algorithm with reduced dimensions, named MIMO coded generalized reduced dimension Fourier (CGRDF), is mathematically derived. It includes extracting phase and amplitude compensators with the aim of mapping 4-D to 2-D spatial data, transferring the backscatter transfer function from the spatial domain to the wavenumber domain, extracting the smoothing filter, compensating the curvature of the wavefront of all scatterers, and extracting the reflectivity function and an additional range compensator. The results of numerical simulations show the satisfactory and reliable performance of the proposed approach in terms of the information retrieval process and processing speed.


Hierarchical approaches to functional neuroanatomy propose that choice-relevant brain regions have overlapping functions and can be organized into a series that progressively transforms information about options into choices. Here, we examined responses of neurons in four regions of the medial prefrontal cortex as macaques performed two-option risky choices. All four regions encoded economic variables in similar proportions and showed putative signatures of key choice-related computations. We found evidence for a hierarchical organization proceeding from areas 14→25→32→24. Specifically, we found that decodability of eight distinct task variables increased along that path, consistent with the idea that hierarchically later regions make these variables more separable. We also found longer intrinsic timescales in the same series, further supporting the idea of a hierarchy. Together these results highlight the importance of the medial wall in choice, endorse a specific hierarchical organization, and argue against a modular functional neuroanatomy of choice.


A new kind of quantum optical state, photon-added and -subtracted displaced Fock states, is introduced by applying the inverse of bosonic creation and annihilation operators to displaced Fock states. The quantum statistical properties of these states are investigated by numerical methods. Numerical results indicate that these states reveal some interesting non-classical properties, such as anti-bunching effects, sub-Poisson distributions and negativities of their Wigner functions.


The Portuguese Sign Language (hereinafter LGP) is linked to the deaf education in Portugal for decades. Its genesis is found in the first institutes in Lisbon and Porto in the 19th century, in which a considerable number of deaf people had gathered and developed signed communication systems. During the 19th century, the methodologies used in their education were based on these signed systems and the manual alphabet. With the advent of oralist methodologies introduced in Portugal, these signed communication systems were banned from the classroom, although deaf students continued to develop their sign communication clandestinely. The LGP was rescued in the 80s and 90s of the 20th century as a result of the studies carried out by the University of Lisbon in partnership with the Portuguese Association of the Deaf, and of the first attempts to implement bilingual education for deaf students. Both developments demonstrated the need to teach LGP as a first language to deaf students and the construction of an LGP curriculum. The first national LGP curriculum is published (DGIDC, 2008) with the publication of the Decree-Law 3/2008, which regulated deaf bilingual education for the first time in its Article 23. In 2018, two new Decree-Laws were published (54/2018 and 55/2018) that revoke the previous Decree-Law and promote a curriculum review of all school subjects. To understand the effectiveness of the 2008 LGP curriculum, we carried out an exploratory study. We interviewed four deaf LGP teachers who suggested the reformulation of the LGP curriculum, respecting the 2018 legislation and the reality of the current deaf school population.


Abstract Consumer behavior with respect to purchase regularity, satisfaction, origin, and willingness to pay for selected local versus non-Tennessee grown fresh produce is examined. Except for origin, consumer behavior with respect to the above is affected by income, household size and age distribution, race, age of respondent, college education, and occupation. The pattern of significant variables changed by commodity. Tomatoes, followed by peaches, had the greatest local market potential. Local promotion of other products may be more difficult. Results suggested consumers have no strong preferences for or against locally grown fresh produce. The prices of locally grown commodities in Knoxville should be less than or equal to those of comparable quality non-Tennessee commodities.


Objectives: This study was performed to find out the extent and nature of arterial flow abnormality in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy compared to diabetic patients without neuropathy, using duplex colour Doppler technique. Materials and method: This cross sectional study was performed on diabetic subjects in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, BIRDEM from July 2008' to May 2009. Patients were referred from Department of neurology and preventive foot care OPD, BIRDEM, for colour Doppler imaging of lower limb arteries. Total 88 consecutive diabetic patients were included in this study. Out of them 48 were diagnosed cases of diabetic neuropathy (group I) and 40 were diabetic without neuropathy (Group II). In all patients the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) and Pulsatility Index (PI) were recorded on both left and right lower limb arteries, by using duplex colour Doppler technique. Total no. of patients were 88. 48 had neuropathy. They were 27-57 yrs of age. Result: Unpaired't' test was used to find out relationship between the variables.P value <o.o5 was considered as statistically significant. The mean ABI was 1.44±0.07, ranged from 1.30 to 1.59 in group I (diabetic neuropathy) and 1.17±0.06, ranged from 1.05 to 1.26 in group II (diabetic without neuropathy). The mean ABI difference was found statistically significant (p<0.05) between group I and group II. The mean PI was 3.0±0.69, ranged from 1.18 to 3.68 and 7.97±2.29,ranged from 5.50 to 13.0 in group I (diabetic neuropathy) and group II (diabetic without neuropathy) respectively. The mean PI difference was found statistically significant (p<0.05) between group I (diabetic neuropathy) and group II (diabetic without neuropathy). Conclusion: In this study it was observed that Pulsatility Index (PI) decreased and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) increased in diabetic neuropathic group. There was significant difference of Pulsatility Index (PI) and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) found between diabetic subjects with and without neuropathy. So, from the finding of the present work, it can be said that diabetic neuropathy affect the arterial flow detected by non invasive duplex colour Doppler imaging may help in proper patient management and may prevent neuropathic arterial complications. But for any definine conclusion, bigger appropriate study should be done. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v2i2.12309 (Birdem Med J 2012; 2(2): 89-92)


This evaluation study used a descriptive research design to 1) assess the effectiveness of childbirth preparation class regarding knowledge, the antenatal practice of taught pregnancy and birthing skills 2) type of birth and 3) study the satisfaction of the women participating in the childbirth preparation class. Participants were 46 pregnant women with gestational age between 24 and 39 weeks, 28 husbands, and seven relatives. Data on antenatal birthing skill practice was retrieved from childbirth preparation class manual, whereas satisfaction and use of birthing skills during labor were collected from a separate questionnaire. Birthing data were extracted from hospitals' electronic record. We performed the descriptive statistical analysis. Results: 1. The women's mean of age was 26.63 years old, and at that time they first enrolled in the class. Half of them had a first-time pregnancy, 44.4% ware housewives, 58.7% finished junior high school/beginning a vocational education, and 80% of them had their husbands participating in the class. 2. The effectiveness of the program was found that 91.3% of the women reported a high level of knowledge and 93.5% reported high confidence in using the taught skills during pregnancy and labor immediately after the class: 2.1 The majority of the women consistently practiced taught skills at least three times a week, except crawling and mindfulness-based pain management which were least practiced. They reported the active involvement of husband and other relatives during practicing skills. 2.2 During birthing, the majority women, used the taught birthing skills, except mindfulness-based pain management which was not used. 3. Thirty-four women (73.9%) had normal delivery. 4. There was a high level of satisfaction in attending the class at 95.7%, and the intention to participate in the next class was 67.4%.


Abstract Background: The immune factors in human milk protect infants from infection and promote immune development. Evidence suggests that the production of milk-specific immunoproteins is energetically costly, making them a form of maternal investment in offspring health that is subject to life history trade-offs. Aim: This research tests the relationship between measures of reproductive effort and the production of milk immunoglobulin A (IgA) among Ariaal women, a settled northern Kenyan pastoralist population that experiences nutritional and disease stress. Subjects and methods: Two hundred and forty-three lactating Ariaal women participated in a questionnaire, anthropometric measurement and milk collection. Milk IgA was analysed using ELISA. Results: There was a significant U-shaped relationship between post-partum months and milk IgA, reflecting decreasing investment in the current offspring over the early post-partum period and subsequent recovery of maternal energy status near the end. There was also a significant inverse U-shaped relationship between milk IgA and parity, with high parity women showing a drop in milk IgA. In contrast, anthropometric measures of energy status were not associated with the production of milk IgA. Conclusion: This research shows that patterns of reproductive investment can be demonstrated in milk IgA in the absence of measured energy changes.


This chart provides guidance in choosing suitable contraceptive methods for breast-feeding mothers, non-breast-feeding mothers, women who had an abortion during the first or second trimester, and men. Men may use vasectomy at any time during the reproductive period and immediately after pregnancy. Breast-feeding mothers may use, immediately after delivery, the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), condoms, spermicides, and sterilization. IUDs may be inserted within 48 hours or after 6 weeks for breast-feeding mothers, non-breast-feeding mothers, and postabortion women in any trimester. Risk of expulsion within 48 hours is lower with immediate insertion. After 6 weeks, breast-feeding mothers may use a diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, or progestin-only methods such as Norplant. After 6 months, breast-feeding mothers may use any combined hormonal contraceptive. Injectables or pills are recommended for breast-feeding mothers only if lactation is well established and other options are not available or not acceptable. Non-breast-feeding mothers may immediately use condoms, spermicides, sterilization, and progestin-only methods. After 3 weeks, non-breast-feeding mothers may use combined hormonal methods. After 6 weeks, non-breast-feeding mothers may use the diaphragm, cervical cap, or sponge. Women who had a first-trimester abortion may use any method immediately. Women who had a second-trimester abortion may immediately use condoms, spermicides, progestin-only methods, sterilization, or combined hormonal methods. After 6 weeks, postabortion women may use a diaphragm, cervical cap, or sponge.


Mammography and xeroradiography for grouped microcalcifications are considered the most effective diagnostic methods to detect occult breast carcinoma. Radiography must direct the surgeon to excise the nonpalpable area. The removal of the tissue with grouped microcalcifications must be confirmed by intraoperative radiological control. The histologic preparation must be guided by radiographic controls. Tissue with calcific deposits is examined by step sections. The diagnostic success depends upon the cooperation between the radiologist, the surgeon, and the pathologist. Our results from 1964 to 1977 have shown a frequency of 14.4 % of occult carcinoma. Ductal or lobular carcinomata in situ have been diagnosed in 8.9%. In 9.9% of the patients, cystic disease with severe and atypical proliferations has been encountered.


This thesis studies the changes in the formal educational policies in Tanzania from independence until the present. Since independence in 1961, the government of Tanzania has attempted several times to reform the educational system to meet their development objectives different objectives and generate desired outcomes. This thesis compares the 1967 Education for Self-Reliance policy with the most recent 1995 Education and Training Policy by taking a historical view of the role of work-oriented education in primary and secondary institutions. Using the framework developed by Wim Hoppers (1996), this study finds that work-oriented education is an important strategy for improving the relevance of the educational system in both policies. However the educational system has undergone noteworthy changes in the approach and focus of work-oriented education during this time. The most significant of these changes is a shift in emphasis from rural-oriented vocational education to technology education as the major focus of work-oriented education, demonstrated through supplementary education policies such as the 2007 Information and Communication Technology policy. This thesis maintains that the continued presence of work-oriented education has important implications for the 1995 Education and Training Policy, particularly because the current work-oriented program shares many of the same challenges that impeded the 1967 Education for Self-Reliance policy. Through historical analysis of past experiences and issues, these challenges must be recognized and addressed in order for the current policy to be successfully implemented and to achieve its work-oriented education objectives.


Mental health comorbidities are common among tuberculosis patients, with higher prevalence among people with rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant (RR/MDR) tuberculosis.  TB and depression share common risk factors adding to the overall disease burden. There is limited evidence about prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among tuberculosis patients in Romania. We assessed the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms and their evolution over the course of the treatment in RR/MDR-TB patients receiving in-patient care at the National Institute of Pneumonology (NIP) "Marius Nasta" in Romania during May-September 2020. We conducted a cohort study and used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety (defined as score≥ 8) symptoms at admission (baseline) and the second month of in-patient treatment (follow-up). Difference between baseline and follow-up depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using McNemar test. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with the presence of depression and anxiety symptoms at baseline. The cohort included 46 patients, 63% were male, mean age was 46 (±13.3) years. The prevalence of depression and anxiety in our cohort was 46% and 43% at baseline respectively, and 50% and 39%, at the follow-up respectively. About one third (7/25) of patients who had normal HADS depression score at baseline, had an increase above the threshold at the second month of treatment. No statistical difference in prevalence of depression or anxiety was found between the baseline and second month of treatment. Unadjusted analysis showed that odds of depression at baseline was lower in patients with education above 8th grade compared to patients with education below 8th grade (odds ratio=0.2, 95% confidence interval: 0.1,0.8, p=0.026). The study revealed high prevalence of depression and anxiety among RR/MDR-TB patients admitted to the NIP, underlining the necessity of evaluating the mental health of TB patients and linking them to appropriate care.


Vascular access (VA) is mainly a problem confronting patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). In some cases, peripheral veins are damaged or thrombosed because of repeated vein punctures and subsequent thrombophlebitis or accompanying ailments like diabetes or other kinds of vasculitis, making the use of conventional VA methods unsuitable. In this study, we present our experience using a synthetic vascular graft as an arterio-arterial duct (AAD) in the upper arm of patients undergoing HD, in whom other procedures had failed. In this procedure, we used a synthetic vascular prosthesis of polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE) (Gore-Tex®) or Vasculink® as an AAD, subcutaneous in the media aspect of the upper arm. HD was performed for this duct. Twenty patients were selected in whom all other VA means had failed. Patient age ranged from 33–83 yrs. In two patients (12%), early graft thrombosis was the cause of failure. In the remaining 14 patients (87%), a suitable flow was established. In another two patients, after several dialysis sessions the duct stopped functioning. We believe the reason for this malfunction was too much pressure on the graft to control bleeding due to the inadequate training of the HD personnel. The remaining 12 patients (75%) used the duct for >6 months. With this method, because we used only the artery for placing the conduit, complications relating to the vein such as limb ischemia, edema and venous hypertension did not prevail. On the other hand, because the conduit is an accessory duct, should it have become thrombosed, arterial flow to the limb would be unhindered. Therefore, we believe when all other conventional VA methods have failed, AAD is a suitable technique.


1. 1. Inflation of the cardiac stomach of the cod induced rhythmic contractions of the muscles and a slow increase in stomach volume towards a maximum. After deflation, the stomach remained relaxed and easily distensible for one or more hours. Section of the vagal tracts to the stomach did not change the response.

2. 2. Inflation in vitro produced a somewhat faster relaxation and a much faster recovery to the pre-distended state than occurred in vivo . Stimulation of the cut ends of the vagus raised gastric tone and increased resistance to distension, an effect mediated by cholinergic nerves.

3. 3. Tetrodotoxin and atropine relaxed the stomach so that distension was rapid and the maximal volume increased, revealing slower, possibly myogenic, contractions.

4. 4. The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) antagonist methysergide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), met-enkephalin and neurotensin did not affect the responses to distension. Somatostatin abolished spontaneous contractions in the resting stomach and lowered gastric tone, but did not further affect the responses to distension.

5. 5. In conclusion, cholinergic nerves maintain gastric tone in the cod. 5-HT neurones are absent in the cod stomach, and there are no indications of a 5-HT/VIP-controlled mechanism operating during distension. The effect of somatostatin differs from that in rainbow trout.

6. 6. For comparison with trout and cod, responses to in vivo gastric distension are also described for the flatfish Scophthalmus maximus, Scophthalmus rhombus, Limanda limanda and Pleuronectes platessa


Manufacturing of precise structures in MEMS, semiconductors, optics and other fields requires high standards in manufacturing and quality control. Appropriate surface topography measurement technologies should therefore deliver nm accuracy in the axial dimension under typical industrial conditions. This work shows the characterization of a dispersion-encoded low-coherence interferometer for the purpose of fast and robust surface topography measurements. The key component of the interferometer is an element with known dispersion. This dispersive element delivers a controlled phase variation in relation to the surface height variation which can be detected in the spectral domain. A laboratory setup equipped with a broadband light source (200 - 1100 nm) was established. Experiments have been carried out on a silicon-based standard with height steps of 100 nm under different thermal conditions such as 293.15 K and 303.15 K. Additionally, the stability of the setup was studied over periods of 5 hours (with constant temperature) and 15 hours (with linear increasing temperature). The analyzed data showed that a height measurement of 97:99 +/- 4:9nm for 293.15 K and of 101:43 +/- 3:3nm for 303.15 K was possible. The time-resolved measurements revealed that the developed setup is highly stable against small thermal fluctuations and shows a linear behaviour under increasing thermal load. Calibration data for the mathmatical corrections under different thermal conditions was obtained.


BackgroundMultiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant tumor syndrome with neuroendocrine tumorigenesis of the parathyroid and pituitary glands and pancreatic islet cells. This hereditary cancer is caused by germline mutations in the MEN1, located on chromosome 11q13. Among the approximately 3,000 cancer patients, in which multi-omics analysis was performed, we had a patient with multiple tumors including pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, thymic carcinoid and adenoma parathyroid, who showed no family history of MEN1.MethodsWe performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) of peripheral blood samples and three isolated tumor tissues (pancreas, thymus, and parathyroid). Sanger sequencing was used to validate MEN1 mutations; meanwhile, MEN1 mRNA levels on tumor samples were obtained by microarrays. MEN1 copy numbers and protein expression levels were determined by real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry, respectively.ResultsMEN1 mRNA levels of pancreas and parathyroid tissues from patient-derived tumor samples were remarkably reduced, compared to those of 3,095 tumor and normal tissue samples. WGS data indicated the thymus sample with MEN1 nonsense mutation (W203*), while no MEN1 mutations were observed in the other two samples. WGS also identified MEN1 gross deletion of 18.5 kbp (chr11:64569322 – chr11:64587796; GRCh37/hg19 assembly) in peripheral blood samples and all the three tumor tissues. In addition, no MEN1 copy numbers on pancreas and parathyroid tumors were detected, whereas peripheral blood and the thymic carcinoid had one copy. Immunostaining of all the tissues detected very low levels of the MEN1 protein, Menin.ConclusionWe detected a hemizygous MEN1 germline deletion in blood sample of the MEN1 proband. All the three tumor samples had second hit with a deleterious mutation or normal alleles lacked to generate loss of heterozygosity at the MEN1 locus, suggesting loss of tumor suppressive function for MEN1.


The oral bioavailability of two investigational formulations of bicalutamide was compared with the current clinical formulation. The first formulation was amorphous R-/S-bicalutamide in solid dispersion with a polymeric matrix of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HP55S) (R-/S-bicalutamide/HP55S); the second was R-bicalutamide alone in a solid dispersion with HP55S (R-bicalutamide/HP55S). Study 1 was a two-period, incomplete crossover study comparing a single dose of bicalutamide 150 mg with single 150 and 450 mg doses of R-/S-bicalutamide/HP55S in healthy male volunteers. Study 2 was a two-period, dose-escalation study of single doses of R-bicalutamide/HP55S in healthy male volunteers. Compared with bicalutamide 150 mg, both formulations appeared more bioavailable, with a faster rate of systemic absorption. The Cmax and AUC of R-bicalutamide/HP55S increased approximately proportionally with dose. The inter-subject variability of R-bicalutamide exposure for R-/S-bicalutamide/HP55S 150 mg increased 2.19-fold compared with bicalutamide 150 mg. Clinically insignificant increases in circulating luteinizing hormone and testosterone plasma concentrations were observed for both R-bicalutamide/HP55S and R-/S-bicalutamide/HP55S compared with bicalutamide 150 mg. Both new bicalutamide formulations were well tolerated.


Now a day the electrical energy utilization is increasing day by day like in industries, home appliances, and in electric vehicles. In electric vehicles the electrical energy is required to drive the motor drives. The electrical energy is given to electric drives through batteries like lead-acid, lithium, etc. Batteries are connected in series to provide energy cause circuit damage, voltage imbalance and less utilization of energy. This is because of different chemical characteristics and state of charge (SOC) of batteries. To avoid these disadvantages we are using Hybrid Cascaded multilevel converter. In this converter we have a half bridge arm and a H-Bridge. Half bridge arms are including the batteries into the circuit or bypass the batteries from the circuit. Half bridges are produce stair case dc output voltages from batteries and H- Bridge is used to convert dc voltages to AC output voltages. The output voltage is multilevel voltage which has less harmonics and lower dv/dt. To smoothen the output voltages and currents the pulse width modulation technique used is space vector pulse width modulation technique. And the current control technique is fuzzy logic control technique both provide lesser total harmonic distortions. By these techniques the utilization of battery energy is increased, voltage balance and fault-tolerance also improved. The simulation is done in MATLAB and experimental results are observed to know the performance of the converter.


Understanding feeding characteristics of animals is of fundamental value to engineering design and management strategies for enhanced well-being and production efficiency. White Leghorn laying hens have a high tendency of feather pecking and cannibalism. Beak trimming has been a management practice used by the U.S. poultry industry to prevent such cannibalism. However, beak trimming may temporarily or permanently alter the feeding behavior of the birds, which may need to be considered in the engineering design or management schemes (e.g., number of birds per feeder or per feed-line space, time allocation in a mealtime feeding scheme). This study aims to systematically evaluate feeding behaviors of poultry, under both nearly natural conditions and various modified conditions as encountered in commercial production situations. Electronic instrumentation systems and an analytical algorithm are used to measure meal size, meal duration, ingestion rate, and meal interval. The first study examined the comparative feeding behaviors of laying hens with or without beak trimming and revealed intriguing results. A second study quantifies feeding behavior of pullets with or without beak trimming during the period subsequent to beak trimming at 7 days of age. This research approach may be used as a non-invasive means to quantify animal welfare.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe grids, an important development of internet‐like communication, with references to internet sources of additional information. The aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.Design/methodology/approach – The tenth anniversary of the World Wide Web Consortium is noted, as well as music festivals in the Lent district of Maribor, which was the venue for the recent WOSC Congress.Findings – The internet provides valuable information on each of the three topics.Practical implications – Grids are an important current development, especially but not exclusively in connection with particle physics research.Originality/value – It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.


The Internet of Things gives us an idea of connecting what we care about together. Based on this idea, this paper provides a method to connect the information of the aim place's temperature or humidity to users through GSM network. The paper also presents the steps of the design and our successful experiments. Firstly, an overall design is presented. It is mainly about how the MCU detects humidity and controls GSM module to send a short message. Then, the needed components are chosen. ATmega16A is chosen as the microcontroller. SIM900A is chosen as the GSM Module. SHT11 is chosen as the sensor. After that, the hardware circuit is designed. At last, the paper introduces a detailed method of collecting data by SHT11 and sending message by SIM900A. Keywordsinternet of things; GSM; tele-monitor; short message; microcontroller


An endogenous compound (included in the fraction of uremic toxins often called the "uremic middle molecules") was separated from plasma of uremic patients and urine from normal persons. As elucidated by mass spectrometry, enzymatic hydrolysis, and 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, it appears to be a conjugate of o-hydroxybenzoic acid with glucuronic acid. Its presence in urine of healthy subjects indicates its physiological character.


SANSKRIT, which was for a time the spoiled child of the Indo-Germanic family, has of recent years for a variety of reasons fallen somewhat into -neglect, and, while the majority of the sister languages have met with full treatment from the comparative standpoint, in the case of Sanskrit either the interest or the courage has been lacking for such an undertaking. This gap is now in the course of being most admirably filled by Professor Wackernagel's Altindische Grammatik, the first volume of which has now been issued, and which promises to be one of the most important works in the field of Indo-Germanic philology that has appeared for a long time. In fact the width of knowledge, sobriety of judgment and clearness of exposition displayed in it make it a model of its kind. The introduction furnishes an excellent sketch of the history of the language, in which are pointed out the various influences that have helped to mould the literary speech. The possibility of the influence of the popular dialects is always kept in view, and is applied, for instance, most ingeniously to the explanation of huru by the earlier krnu (p. xviii). The main part of the present volume deals with the development of the Indian sounds from the Indo-Germanic. The fulness of the references here makes this a veritable treasure house of information on various points of Indo Germanic phonology. If we were disposed to quarrel with Professor Wackernagel, it would be rather for giving too much than too little. Surely it would have been kinder to the memory of the scholars of the past to have allowed many of their suggestions to rest quietly in their graves. It is impossible here to deal at length with the many problems suggested by the book. It may be of interest to indicate Professor Wackernagel's attitude to some of the questions of the day. With Brugraann and others he holds that in certain cases Skr. a corresponds to Idg. o ; an interesting example is tvdt-pitdras: d-n-aropes (p. 15). For the reduced form of the long vowels d, e, o, he suggests (p. 18) as Idg. the Greek vocalism, a, and a second e, o. The long sonant liquids and nasals, against which Schmidt recently delivered so effective a polemic, still appear, but they are strictly confined to the so called udatta roots, where, in the absence of any certain knowledge of the Idg. sounds which became in Skr. ir &c, they may perhaps have a certain value as algebraical symbols ; they are not used as a sort of dens ex machina to explain any awkward case of vocalism. The changes ght > gdh etc. are given as Indo-Germanic (p. 131). Here some mention ought surely to have been made of the other view, for that the change was Idg. is at least far from certain, see now Kz. xxxiv. pp. 461 sq. Streitberg's explanation of the ' dehnstufe' is rejected (p. 68).


language and preoccupation with the Yoruba deity Ogun, manifest his delicate appreciation of the incapacity of language to reflect or convey an 'essential', representative self. In highlighting Soyinka's creation of both a representative and an unrepresentable self, Jeyifo manoeuvres the Marxist critical machine into a field of post-structuralist fluidity; at the same time, he cleverly locates his theoretical turn within Yoruba cosmology, showing that Soyinka's most acute perception of his own decentredness occurs through Yoruba aesthetic references and principles. This may be one of the book's most 'radical' moves, for Soyinka's supposedly 'complex', 'obscure' or 'avant garde' works—including A Dance of the Forests, The Road, The Interpreters and Idanre—are no longer seen as the outpourings of an overly westernised, alienated intellectual, but as an intimately located engagement with post-colonial politics and Yoruba traditions. One of the few weaknesses in this otherwise outstanding book is Jeyifo's assumption of 'objectivity' in chapters one to six: having announced his 'passionate ideological partisanship' in the prefaratory 'declaration', he assumes that his subsequent textual interpretations are works of 'objective scholarship' (p. xxi). Can any literary scholar make such a claim, especially if he or she has accepted and endorsed—as Jeyifo does so convincingly—theories of language which separate the signifier from the referent, the enunciation from the object? One has to question the 'objectivity' of Jeyifo's subtle but biased adjectives in the book, a minor example of which may be found in chapter one. Here Jeyifo describes the infamous occasion in October 1965 in which a masked, Soyinka-shaped gunman entered the Ibadan section of the Nigerian Broadcasting Service: 'Making his way into one of the studios for live broadcasts in the complex, he held up the startled and frightened duty officers in the studio at gun point and then proceeded to force the dazed controllers of the station to broadcast a prerecorded message on behalf of ''free Nigeria''' (p. 7). This descriptive style, in which the victims are described as 'dazed', 'startled and frightened', nudges the reader towards a negative judgement of Soyinka's political actions and choices. Combining personal anecdote with detailed textual criticism and biographical material on Soyinka, Jeyifo presents a compelling interpretation not only of Soyinka's texts, but of the relationship between Nigerian literature and politics in the post-colonial period. The result is a stimulating, complex and invaluable contribution both to the scholarship on Soyinka and to African literary studies.


Bricks are broadly utilized in construction and building material around the globe. Conventional bricks are delivered from clay with high temperature kiln firing or from ordinary Portland cement concrete, and in this manner contain high embodied energy and have large carbon footprint. In numerous territories of the world, there is now a lack of natural resource for the generation of bricks. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of research on sawdust in production of interlocking brick. Besides that this paper also justifies the properties and structural behavior of sawdust interlocking brick. For the study purpose, 24 mixtures were prepared by varying the percentage of sawdust (0%-100%) and other cementitious materials. The sawdust interlocking brick mixture consists of Sawdust, Sand, Ordinary Portland Cement, Fly Ash, Nano-silica and water. From each mixture, the final product was tested for compressive strength after 7 days of curing. The mixture with an optimum compressive strength was chosen and following experimental tests were conducted. The laboratory experiments are conducted to evaluate Modulus of Rapture, Initial Rate of Absorption, 5 and 24 hour Absorption and Dimensional Tolerance. All the test conducted are based on the American Standard Testing Method (ASTM). The study revealed a good quality of sawdust interlocking brick can be produced, whereby contributing to sustainable development


The healthcare industry is undergoing a rapid transformation to meet the ever-increasing needs and demands of the patient population. Employers and health plans such as HMOs are demanding better service and higher quality care, and hospitals are trying to tackle reimbursement cutbacks, streamline services, and serve a diverse population. Hospitals have begun to realize that to overcome these obstacles and meet the needs of the health care plans and consumers, they must focus on the demands of the customer. Customer service initiatives increase patient satisfaction and loyalty and overall hospital quality, and many hospitals have found that consumer demands can be met through initiating and maintaining a customer service program. This article describes how the administrator can create, implement, and manage customer service initiatives within the hospital.


It was characterized the hexane biodegradation and mineralization using a hexane-degrading consortium, and analyzed its bacterial community structure by 16S rDNA PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). The specific growth rate () of the hexane-degrading consortium was 0.2 in mineral salt medium supplemented with hexane as a sole carbon source. The maximum degradation rate () and saturation constant () of hexane of the consortium are 460 and 25.87 mM, respectively. In addition, this consortium could mineralize of -hexane to , and of -hexane) was used for the growth of biomass. The clones isolated from the DGGE bands were closely related to the bacteria which were capable of degrading pollutants such as oil, biphenyl, PCE, and waste gases. The hexane-degrading consortium obtained in this study can be applied for the biological treatment of hexane.


The purpose of this study is to change the level of entrepreneurial alertness from individual to group and from the group to the organizational level and apply it to international market entry.,A literature review, meth-synthesis, interview and focal group are used for the final research framework. The way of theorizing for changing levels of entrepreneurial alertness is multi-level method. A framework for international market entry, a process of internationalization and an organizational learning process was used for the final conceptual framework.,A new framework for international entrepreneurial alertness in the opportunity discovery of individual, group and organizational level was developed.,Researchers will be able to use this framework for extending opportunity discovery and entrepreneurial alertness theories at individual, group, organizational and international levels.,Using the final framework, entrepreneurs and organizations will be able to discover new opportunities, and teachers will be able to educate international entrepreneurial alertness and opportunity discovery at individual, group and organizational levels.,The paper begins with an overview of previous researches in this area and then moves on to combine them using meth-synthesis to create a new framework for international entrepreneurial alertness in opportunity discovery. Note that the levels of entrepreneurial alertness from individual to group and from the group to the organizational level have been changed using a multi-level theorizing method.


A study on the impact of South Nyanza Sugar factory effluents on River Sare was carried out involving ten physico-chemical parameters including Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), etc regarded as pollution indicators. Water samples were collected from both upstream and downstream from the point of discharge from January to June covering dry and rainy seasons. Samples were analyzed according to standard methods. It was found that most of the physico-chemical parameters showed distinctive changes downstream from the factory compared to upstream sampling sites. The month of May showed even spectacular changes. During the month of May the factory is serviced, the exercise that includes the discharge of waste water lagoons into the river. Journal of Civil Engineering Research and Practice Vol.1(2)
2004: 39-54


Visualization of distributed processes is useful for the management of large-scale distributed computing systems. Reactivity and scalability are especially important requirements for such visualization of distributed processes. We have proposed the visualization technique "Data Jewelry Box" algorithm, which satisfies both of the above requirements. The technique can be applied for the visualization of distributed processes, however, the algorithm has a problem that may yield much different data layouts even among very similar datasets. This is a serious issue for the seamless visualization of time-varying data. To solve the problem, we propose the extension of "Data Jewelry Box" algorithm. The extension places data elements referring positions of the previous data layout, so that the extension can yield similar layouts among similar datasets. We introduce the extended algorithm, and propose the visualization system for distributed computing systems using the extended algorithm.


This paper discusses government-backed venture capital as a science, technology and innovation (STI) policy instrument from the Chinese perspective. China aspires to overhaul its growth model by vigorously promoting technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Like many other countries, however, funding gaps constrain new technology ventures in the early stages of venture development. To plug this gap, China attempts to use government-backed venture capital as a policy instrument. Super-size central government-backed VCs were set up and dozens of similar schemes are in operation at local levels. This paper provides a case study of such government-backed venture capital schemes in China. It documents the background conditions explaining the country's need for public venture capital, describes the distinct features of program design in such schemes, and assesses the impact of government-backed venture capital.


Variable stiffness manipulators balance the trade-off between manipulation performance needing high stiffness and safe human-robot interaction desiring low stiffness. Variable stiffness compliant links provide a solution to enable this flexible manipulation function in human-robot co-working scenarios. In this paper, we propose a novel variable stiffness link based on discrete variable stiffness units (DSUs). A DSU is a parallel guided beam that can adjust stiffness discretely by changing the cross-sectional area properties of the hollow beam segments. The variable stiffness link (named Tri-DSU) consists of three tandem DSUs to achieve eight stiffness modes and a maximum stiffness change ratio of 31. To optimize the design, stiffness analysis of the DSU and Tri-DSU under various configurations and forces was performed by a derived theoretical model compared with finite element analysis (FEA). The analytical stiffness model is derived using the approach of serially connected beams and superposition combinations. It works not only for thin-walled flexure beams but also for general thick beam models. 3-D printed prototypes were built to verify the feature and performance of the Tri-DSU in comparison with the FEA and analytical model results. It's demonstrated that our analytical model can accurately predict the stiffnesses of the DSU and Tri-DSU within a certain range of parameters. The developed variable stiffness link method and analytical model are extendable to multiple DSUs with different sizes and parameter configurations to achieve modularization and customization. The advantages of the stiffness change mechanism are rapid actuation, simple structure, and compact layout. These methods and results provide a new conceptual and theoretical basis for the development of new reconfigurable cobot manipulators, variable stiffness structures, and compliant mechanisms.


The control of respiratory tract infections in cystic fibrosis has for many years utilized a wide range of antibiotics. The effect of administering one or more antibiotics to combat an invading organism has, as might be expected, been variable. We have attempted here to determine some of the factors that are responsible for these variations in the hope that a more effective chemotherapeutic control might result. The cases studied in this series were limited to those with extensive lung damage, as only in these cases could enough sputum be obtained for assay purposes. The results we have obtained, therefore, do not indicate the value of the test antibiotic in prophylaxis.


So far, most calves have been cloned from live adult cows or fresh fetal samples. There are few reports on using cells from a dead mammal for nuclear transfer (NT). This study was conducted to investigate whether different kind of viable cells could be obtained from tissues stored in cold for different duration and whether these cells could be used for NT. Bovine oocytes isolated from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured in TCM199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 50 μg mL−1 sodium pyruvate, 1% v:v penicillin-streptomycin (10.000 U mL−1 penicillin G, 10.000 μg mL−1 streptomycin), 10 ng mL−1 EGF, 0.5 μg mL−1 FSH, and 5 μg mL−1 LH. First cell line (CC) was established from articular cartilage of the leg of a slaughtered cow stored at 0°C in a cold storage room for 48 h. Second cell line (MC) was established from leg muscle of a cow carcass stored at 0°C for 24 h. Tissues from articular cartilage and muscle were cut into small pieces. Tissue explants were cultured in DMEM-F12 supplemented with 10% FBS at 37°C in 5% CO2 in air. Bovine granulosa cells (GC) were isolated from ovarian follicles and used for NT as control cells. Prior to NT, all somatic cells were allowed to grow to confluency (G1/G0) in DMEM-F12 supplemented with 10% FBS. Cumulus cells were removed by vortexing with hyaluronidase at 18 h after the start of maturation. Matured oocytes labeled with DNA fluorochrome Hoechst 33342 were enucleated under UV to ensure full removal of the chromatin. A single cell was inserted into the perivitelline space of the enucleated oocyte. Oocyte-cell couples were fused by a DC pulse of 133V/500 μm for 25 μs. After fusion, NT units were activated using a combination of calcium ionophore (5 μM), cytochalasin D (2.5 μg mL−1), and cycloheximide (10 μg mL−1), and cultured for 7 days. Differences among groups were analyzed by one-way ANOVA after arcsin square transformation. The results are summarized in Table 1. The results suggest that viable cells can be obtained from articular cartilage and muscle of a cow carcass stored at cold temperature for 24 and 48 h and these cells have ability to generate NT blastocysts at rates similar to that of the controls. This study was supported by a grant from TUBITAK, Turkey (VHAG-1908-102V048). F Ergin is a volunteer young researcher. Table 1 In vitro development of NT embroys from different cell lines


PURPOSE
To analyze the effects of allopurinol and of post-conditioning on lung injuries induced by lower-limb ischemia and reperfusion.

METHODS
Thirty rats were used. They were divided in 5 groups: (1) group A: abdominal aortic dissection only, (2) group B: ischemia and reperfusion, (3) group C: administered allopurinol (100mg/Kg) a few hours before procedure, (4) group D: post-conditioned and (5) group E: administered allopurinol and post-conditioned. With the exception of group A, all groups were submitted to infrarenal aortic ischemia for 2 hours, and reperfusion for 72 hours. After euthanasia, lungs were removed for histological analysis. They were graded under two scores: pulmonary injury (neutrophil infiltration, interstitial edema, vascular congestion, and destruction of lung architecture) and lymphocytic score (neutrophil infiltration, lymphoid aggregate and secondary follicle).

RESULTS
On the pulmonary injury score, the degree of injury was smaller than in groups D and E, when compared to group B, p<0.05. Group C did not obtain the same result (p>0,05). On the lymphocytic score, there was no statistic difference among groups, p>0.05.

CONCLUSION
Both post-conditioning and the combination of allopurinol and post-conditioning were effective in remote lung protection induced by lower-limbs I/R. When used in isolation, allopurinol showed no protective effect.


The theoretical bases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) have recently been revised in the light of new findings obtained by means of immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis. These findings have questioned the concept that HD is a unique entity and have made the borders between HD and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas unclear. The clinical relevance of nodular lymphocyte predominance HD (LP-HD), the distinction between T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma and diffuse LP-HD, and the relationships between HD and anaplastic large cell lymphoma are reviewed and discussed.


Ceramics rods of binary (AI2O3-Y3AI5O12) and ternary (Al203-Y3Al5Oi2-Zr02) eutectic ceramic oxides were grown in air and nitrogen using the laser-heated floating zone method. Both materials presented a fine and homogeneous microstmcture, free from defects, with an average interlamellar spacing of 1.1 and 0.7 |jim for the binary and ternary eutectics, respectively. The strength and the toughness of the rods were measured from ambient temperature up to 1900K by three-point bending. For the fracture tests, a sharp notch was introduced in the rods using a femto second-pulsed laser. Samples grown in nitrogen presented higher strength than those grown in air. The mechanical properties of the A1203-YAG binary eutectic did not change with a temperature up to 1500-1600 K and plastic deformation above this temperature led to a slight reduction in strength and an increase in toughness. In the case of the ternary eutectic, the toughening effect of the thermal residual stresses disappeared at high temperature and the toughness decreased by a factor of two at 1473 K. The behavior of the ternary eutectic above this temperature followed the trends of the binary one although the changes in strength and toughness were much larger because of the smaller domain size (which favored diffusion-assisted plastic flow) and the lower eutectic temperature.


A general and practical PdII -catalyzed intermolecular silylation of primary and secondary C-H bonds of α-amino acids and simple aliphatic acids is reported. This method provides divergent and stereoselective access to a variety of optical pure β-silyl-α-amino acids, which are useful for genetic technologies and proteomics. It can also be readily performed on a gram scale and the auxiliary can be easily removed with retention of configuration. The synthetic importance of this method is further demonstrated by the late-stage functionalization of biological small molecules, such as (-)-santonin and β-cholic acid. Moreover, several key palladacycles were successfully isolated and characterized to elucidate the mechanism of this β-C(sp3 )-H silylation process.


A detailed comparison of the skulls of Cadurcodon (Rhinocerotoidea, Amynodontidae) and a recent tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) presents strong evidence for the existence of a proboscis in the Oligocene amynodont. A review of other fossil mammals (Astrapotherium, Palaeomastodon, Brachycrus, and Macrauchenia) shows the range of variation among probable proboscis bearers and suggests that the key characters indicating a proboscis are the reduction of the nasals, the expansion of the nasal incision, and the presence of large snout muscle scars. Six genera of amynodonts displaying a range from primitive, intermediate, to advanced grades with regard to snout structure, are described. These grades show a good correlation with the stratigraphic history of the family. The primitive square-lipped pattern is exhibited by AMNH 107635 from the late Eocene of Mongolia. Sharamynodon was an early intermediate form which may have had a prehensile upper lip. Two Oligocene genera, Amynodontopsis and Cadurcodon, represent the line of derived amynodonts which probably had a tapir-like proboscis. The second derived group, the metamynodonts, diverged along a separate adaptive line but retained the prehensile upper lip developed in the intermediate common ancestor of both groups.


Abstract Background: Vision health is recognized as a critical unmet need in North America. The ocular morbidity associated with glaucoma results from increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and early detection is crucial for the management of glaucoma. Our objective was to find a diagnostically accurate screening tool for intraocular hypertension that can be used in rural communities. We sought to validate the diagnostic accuracy of the iCare rebound tonometer against the gold standard Perkins applanation tonometer (PAT) in measuring IOP. Methods: Patients from two rural communities in Ontario, Canada visiting their optometrists for routine appointments had their IOP measured by a non-contact tonometer (NCT), an iCare rebound tonometer, and a Perkins applanation tonometer (PAT). Values of sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for a positive and negative result were calculated for the iCare and the NCT. Results: Complete data was collected from 209 patients. Overall, the iCare tonometer had high levels of validity, as compared to the gold standard PAT. The iCare tonometer displayed excellent sensitivity of 98.3% (90–99%, 95% CI) and excellent negative likelihood ratio of 0.024 (0.0088–0.066, 95% CI) which is useful for ruling out intraocular hypertension. Conclusions: The iCare tonometer is a reasonably valid tool for detecting elevated IOP. Its ease of use, simplicity, and accessibility makes it a good screening tool to improve eye health in rural areas.


Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of treatment of tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types V and Ⅵ by percutaneous minimally invasive internal fixation with double plates. Methods The 23 patients with serious tibial plateau fractures caused by violent injury were classified as SchatzkerⅤ (14 cases) and SchatzkerⅥ (nine cases). All the patients were surgically treated by percutaneous minimally invasive internal fixation with double plates. Their fractures and alignment of lower limb were reduced indirectly by the external fixation and scissoring redactor. The cases with osseous defects of the tibial plateau were given bone grafting. Exercises to recover the function of knee joint went on gradually from the first day after operation for all the cases. Results All the 23 cases were followed up. The follow-ups ranged from 6 to 32 months with an average of 16.2 months. There was no delayed union, nonunion or malunion in all the cases. The mean time for bone union was 12.6 weeks. According to the postoperative X-ray examination, there was no depression of the tibial plateau or change of the knee mechanics. The flexion of the knee achieved 128.5° (from 125° to 135° ). According to the Iowa evaluation system, the knee function was excellent in 13 cases, good in eihgt cases, and fair in two cases. The excellent and good rate was 91.3% . Conclusions In the treatment of tibial plateau fractures caused by high-energy injuries, the percutaneous minimally invasive internal fixation with double plates can avoid damaging the blood supply to the pre-tibial skin flap and the fracture ends, and prevent postoperative depression of the tibial plateau and postoperative change of the knee mechanics. The method is effective to recover the function of the affected lower limb.


The German sociologist, Niklas Luhmann, proposed a social theory that could describe a society at a far more abstract level than is customary. Based on his study of general systems theory and drawing on the works of biologists and mathematicians, Luhmann formulated his theory of social systems which he hoped would move social theory away from the discourse of oppression. In developing his theory, one of the conclusions he arrived at was that unilateral control (or domination) was impossible as a permanent feature of a system. This paper demonstrates (a) how such unilateral control cannot be a defining structure of a society although it appears temporarily from time to time and (b) how Luhmann's social systems theory provides a theoretical framework to understand the impossibility of unilateral control. By using Luhmann's theory of differentiation, this paper will show how the unique evolution of the Apartheid subsystem led to the temporary success of its efforts at unilateral control. It will also be shown how the same unique differentiation could not allow for this kind of control to persist over time hence the paradoxes of differentiation. The paper concludes by indicating the dangers of superficial abstractions based on temporary states of a system, and advocates a level of abstraction more concerned with action than experience. Un ive rsi ty of Ca pe To n


Objective To investigate the functional connectivity of the hypothalamus in chronic migraine compared to interictal episodic migraine in order to improve our understanding of migraine chronification. Methods Using task-free fMRI and ROI-to-ROI analysis, we compared anterior hypothalamus intrinsic connectivity with the spinal trigeminal nucleus in patients with chronic migraine (n = 25) to age- and sex-matched patients with episodic migraine in the interictal phase (n = 22). We also conducted a seed-to-voxel analysis with anterior hypothalamus as a seed. Results All patients with chronic migraine had medication overuse. We found a significant connectivity (T = 2.08, p = 0.024) between anterior hypothalamus and spinal trigeminal nucleus in the chronic group, whereas these two regions were not connected in the episodic group. The strength of connectivity was not correlated with pain intensity (rho: 0.09, p = 0.655). In the seed-to-voxel analysis, three regions were more connected with the anterior hypothalamus in the chronic group: The spinal trigeminal nuclei (MNI coordinate x = 2, y = −44, z = −62), the right dorsal anterior insula (MNI coordinate x = 10, y = 10, z = 18), and the right caudate (MNI coordinate x = 12, y = 28, z = 6). However, these correlations were no longer significant after whole brain FWE correction. Conclusion An increased functional connectivity between the anterior hypothalamus and the spinal trigeminal nucleus, as previously reported in preictal episodic migraine, was demonstrated in chronic migraine with medication overuse. This finding confirms a major role of the anterior hypothalamus in migraine and suggests that chronic migraineurs are locked in the preictal phase.


Medical and surgical research has always had a long-standing relationship with industry-based funding from sources, such as drug and device companies. Concerns exist surrounding the association between funding sources, outcome from studies and publication bias. Studies demonstrating increased odds ratios associated with positive results in industry sponsored studies across medicine have stimulated Cochrane reviews, literature reviews and other articles to examine this relationship further. In spine surgery in particular, studies with positive results have an odds ratio of 3.3 of being published. This article discusses the biases associated with industry sponsorship, possible ways to reduce such biases and ways to improve transparency in research relationships. This article explores the types of bias that can be encountered at different stages of research including previous trials in spine surgery. The means of improving transparency including the Physician Payment Sunshine Act of 2010 and International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICJME) accreditation are discussed. We recognize that physicians undertaking industry sponsored research should be protected and not be liable to perverse incentives. We conclude that mitigating bias in industry sponsored research is a multistep process and needs a multifaceted approach. The main beneficiary of research should be patients and as such a collective effort from medical professionals, health care institutions, journals and industry should approach research, and publications with that in mind.


During the study of the health of the fish species in the vicinity of Jubail City, Saudi Arabia, 3 specimens of Diplodus cervinus omanensis and 3 specimens of Acanthopagrus catenula were collected by fishermen using 30 x 10 m drifting gill nets of 25 mm mesh size and handed over to Ministry of Agriculture officials through their twice a week visits to fish landing areas and fish markets in Jubail. Diplodus cervinus omanensis (Oman porgy) and Acanthopagrus catenula (bridled seabream) represent new records for the Eastern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula and Saudi Arabian waters. Specimens of A. catenula were previously reported from the Iraqi marine waters, therefore, this is the 2nd appearance for this species in this part of the world. This study verifies parts of the diversity of the coastal fish communities of the eastern coasts of the Saudi Arabian waters, but also highlights that a large proportion of this area (the norther Arabian coast) has not been explored.