Purpose: Recent studies demonstrated the efficacy of acute-phase thrombectomy for acute major artery occlusion in anterior circulation. However, its efficacy in posterior circulation has not been verified. We examined acute-phase thrombectomy involving posterior circulation in our hospital. Methods: The subjects were 15 patients who underwent acute-phase thrombectomy involving posterior circulation in our hospital between July 2010 and July 2015. The mean age was 74.6 years. The mean baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 24.6 points. For preoperative evaluation, MRI was performed in 13 patients, and perfusion CT in 1. The type of cerebral infarction was evaluated as cardiac embolism in nine patients (60%), atherothrombotic infarction in two (13%), and others in four (27%). A Merci, Penumbra, or stent retriever was used as a first-choice device. Nine patients were treated with several devices. Results: In all patients, a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of 2B or higher was achieved. Eight patients (53%) showed a TICI score of 3. An improvement of the NIHSS score after 24 hours was achieved in 13 patients (87%), but three patients (20%) showed an mRS score of 0–2 on discharge. The mortality rate was 0% (n = 0). There was a correlation between a high signal intensity of the brain stem on MRI Diffusion Weighted Image (DWI) and the outcome. Conclusion: Acute-phase thrombectomy was useful for relieving symptoms and reducing the mortality rate. Furthermore, the outcome was correlated with a high signal intensity of the brain stem on DWI.


We reported previously that although there is disruption of coordinated cardiac hypertrophy and angiogenesis in transition to heart failure, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 induced antiangiogenic factors play a vital role in this process. Previous studies have shown the cardioprotective role of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in various cardiac diseases, but its role during transition from compensatory hypertrophy to heart failure is yet to be unveiled. We hypothesize that H₂S induces MMP-2 activation and inhibits MMP-9 activation, thus promoting angiogenesis, and mitigates transition from compensatory cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure. To verify this, aortic banding (AB) was created to mimic pressure overload in wild-type (WT) mice, which were treated with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, H₂S donor) in drinking water and compared with untreated control mice. Mice were studied at 3 and 8 wk. In the NaHS-treated AB 8 wk group, the expression of MMP-2, CD31, and VEGF was increased while the expression of MMP-9, endostatin, angiostatin, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3 was decreased compared with untreated control mice. There was significant reduction in fibrosis in NaHS-treated groups. Echocardiograph and pressure-volume data revealed improvement of cardiac function in NaHS-treated groups over untreated controls. These results show that H₂S by inducing MMP-2 promotes VEGF synthesis and angiogenesis while it suppresses MMP-9 and TIMP-3 levels, inhibits antiangiogenic factors, reduces intracardiac fibrosis, and mitigates transition from compensatory hypertrophy to heart failure.


Rat embryos were exposed to sodium salicylate in vitro at concentrations comparable to those used to produce terata in vivo. Embryos treated with 400, 600, or 800 micrograms Na salicylate/ml were compared with embryos treated with an equimolar concentration of NaCl. When compared to growth of the controls, a significant dose-dependent decrease in growth parameters was observed. The incidence of abnormal embryos characterized by generalized swelling (particularly in the area of the rhombencephalon) was also dose dependent. This study demonstrates the teratogenicity of salicylate in the rat independent of maternal factors.


A variational principle which (1) accommodates a deforming signal without an explicit model, and (2) provides a confidence measure for its result, is suggested for signal flow calculations.


This paper systematically studies the trade effects of Economic Integration Agreements involving the European Union. We thoroughly disentangle the ex post effects of these agreements by analyzing various sources of heterogeneity and controlling for potential endogeneity and multilateral resistance. Our results confirm the general trade-enhancing impact, but point to an asymmetric effect on European exports and imports. While free trade agreements strongly increase import competition in the European Union market, their effect on European exports is much more complex. Economic Integration Agreements enhance trade by more product differentiation (the extensive margin), but reduce the trade intensity (the intensive margin) simultaneously. Nevertheless, the cumulative effect over time is positive for imports, as well as exports. Moreover, the trade effects differ across European Union member states and across agreements. In particular, the integration depth and the economic rationale matter.


In Research Reactor Institute of Kyoto University (KURRI), developmentsof FFAG acceleratorsfor the basic study of Accelerator Driven Sub-critical Reactor (ADSR) system and various applications such as muon acceleration, hadron therapy have been in progress. Present status and developments of FFAG accelerators at KURRI are presented.


The objective of this study was to investigate the calf death and analyse the causes of the mortality by based on medical records and autopsy findings during 10 years in a large dairy farm. Total of 1,361 calf born and 146 calf dead during the invested period. Mortality rate was 10.7% and showed the big difference by year-specific mortality from 2.8% (4 calves) to 19.2% (28 calves). The highest rate of mortality was 1 week age (18.5%, 27 calves) and followed by 2 week age (11.6%, 17 calves) and mortality of more old calf tended to be reduced. The death less than 4 weeks and 8 weeks of age of the entire mortality accounted for 41.1% (60/146 calves) and 70.0% (102/146 calves), respectively. Causes of calf death were digestive diseases (53.4%), respiratory diseases (17.1%), musculoskeletal disease (8.2%), and systemic disease (8.2%) in order. Specific causes of calf death was highest in enteritis (43.2%), followed by pneumonia (14.4%), sepsis (8.2%) and fractures (3.4%). Seasonally, most of calf death happened in winter (48.6%) and then fall (21.2%). This results showed that enteritis and pneumonia are the main reason of calf death but other reasons were involved in calf death on the based on autopsy finding. On going research relating factors of calf mortality is needed.


This paper presents image-based navigation from an image memory using a combination of line segments and feature points. The environment is represented by a set of key images, which are acquired during a prior mapping phase that defines the path to be followed during the navigation. The switching of key images is done exploiting the common line segments and feature points between the current acquired image and the nearby key images. Based on the key images and the current image, a control law is derived for computing the rotational velocity of a mobile robot during its visual navigation. Using our approach, real-time navigation has been performed in real indoor environment with a Pioneer 3-DX equipped with an on-board perspective camera and the humanoid robot Pepper without the need of accurate mapping and localization nor of 3D reconstruction. We also show that the combination of points and lines increases the number of features that helps in robust and successful navigation especially in those regions where few points or lines can be detected and tracked/matched.


A case of chromomycosis from Comoro Islands was first treated without success with high doses of oral amphotericin B (3 g per day). Treatment with itraconazole (400 mg per day) was also unsuccessful. Then, in vitro tests were done to study the susceptibility of this Fonsecaea pedrosoi strain to antifungal drugs. It was resistant to itraconazole, sensitive to 5-fluorocytosine, and the combination of 5-fluorocytosine with amphotericin B was synergistic. The patient was then treated with this last combination of drugs, which seemed to be effective. The patient stopped this treatment after six months, and relapse occurred two years later. The best therapeutic strategy in cases of chromomycosis seems to be a combination of two drugs chosen according to the results of prior antifungal susceptibility testing.


An easy and high yield one pot reaction to enantiomerically pure 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-as-triazines 5a–d and 8a–d is described, starting from benzyl 4-amino-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-β-L-lyxopyranoside (3) and benzyl 4-amino-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-α-D-lyxopyranoside (6).


Background: Necrotizing soft-tissue infections are infection of any of the layers within the soft tissue compartment that are associated with necrotizing changes. These infections are highly lethal if not diagnosed. The purpose of this article is to assess the different diagnostic tools. Methods: We carried out a retrospective study to assess the prevalence of soft tissue infections at Geetanjali medical college and hospital, Udaipur (Tertiary care rural centre) in last four years. Clinical details of the 216 patients with soft tissue infection were recorded from their case sheets and were analyzed with reference to their age, sex, risk factor, symptoms, etiology, microbiology, treatment employed, complication and final outcome etc. Results: Pain and swelling were commonest presenting symptoms found in every case. Diabetes and Trauma were major predisposing factor in our series. NSTI differ from NNSTI with respect to presence of blister (50% versus 5.8%), Dusky discoloration (58.3% versus 0%), Necrotic skin (51.04% versus 0% ) and  Crepitance (6.2%  versus 0%). In present series' most common organism causing NSTI in our institute is gram negative bacilli .Prompt resuscitation followed by early and adequate debridement remains the cornerstone of management of NSTI. Conclusions: Diagnosis of necrotizing infection is challenging but there are enough tools including clinical findings, biochemical parameters, imaging aids and invasive procedures that can help make the diagnosis. When in doubt, exploration of the compromised tissue should be performed. The mainstay of treatment is early and adequate surgical debridement.


OBJECTIVE
The aim: The aim of our study was to define the factors that can robustly predict a response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in patients with local advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and prognosis factors of progression free survival (PFS) using molecular (8-oxodGu), immunohystochemical (Ki-67) and genetic (GSTP1 and MTHFR genes polymorphism) markers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and methods: GSTP1 and MTHFR polymorphisms were studied by real-time PCR on tumour material from 110 patients with LARC. Ki-67 protein expression was assessed using rabbit monoclonal antibodies to Ki-67 (Dako, Denmark) on EnVisionTM FLEX detection system (Dako, Denmark). 8-oxodGu level in eluate was measured by spectrophotometry.

RESULTS
Results: Patients from both groups showed significant pathomorphological response to NCRT. It is robust correlation between 8-oxodGu levels in patients' blood and their response to CRT (mrTRG scale) in MG was determined. Oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy promotes statistically significant decrease of 8-oxodGu levels. With the decrease of Ki-67 protein expression level the probability of tumour relapse increases. It is determined that critical value of Ki-67 protein expression level makes less than 27 and tumour relapse probability in this case makes 50%. Tumour relapse risk in patients with GSTP1 and MTHFR polymorphism is 12.3 and 16.3 times higher than in patients who do not carry such polymorphism, respectively. Combination of GSTP1, МTНFR polymorphisms and Кі-67 protein expression factors determines prognostic probability of tumour relapse within 51-99%.

CONCLUSION
Conclusions: 8-oxodGu level can serve as independent prognostic factor of NCRT efficacy in patients with LARC. Combination of GSTP1, МTНFR genes polymorphism with Кі-67 protein expression decrease enables monitoring and robust prognosis of LARC relapse.


The brain establishes relations between elements of an unfolding sentence in order to incrementally build a representation of who is doing what based on various linguistic cues. Many languages systematically mark the verb and/or its arguments to imply the manner in which they are related. A common mechanism to this end is subject-verb agreement, whereby the marking on the verb covaries with one or more of the features such as person, number and gender of the subject argument in a sentence. The cross-linguistic variability of these features would suggest that they may modulate language comprehension differentially based on their relative weightings in a given language. To test this, we investigated the processing of subject-verb agreement in simple intransitive Arabic sentences in a visual event-related brain potential (ERP) study. Specifically, we examined the differences, if any, that ensue in the processing of person, number and gender features during online comprehension, employing sentences in which the verb either showed full agreement with the subject noun (singular or plural) or did not agree in one of the features. ERP responses were measured at the post-nominal verb. Results showed a biphasic negativity−late-positivity effect when the verb did not agree with its subject noun in one of the features, in line with similar findings from other languages. Crucially however, the biphasic effect for agreement violations was systematically graded based on the feature that was violated, which is a novel finding in view of results from other languages. Furthermore, this graded effect was qualitatively different for singular and plural subjects based on the differing salience of the features for each subject-type. These results suggest that agreement features, varying in their salience due to their language-specific weightings, differentially modulate language comprehension. We postulate a Salience-weighted Feature Hierarchy based on our findings and argue that this parsimoniously accounts for the diversity of existing cross-linguistic neurophysiological results on verb agreement processing.


Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we analyze African-American and white respondents' reports of the nature of their romantic experiences. We explore levels of companionate intimacy, including frequency of interaction and intimate self-disclosure, degree of romantic and sexual intimacy, as well as problem areas including relationship violence and nonexclusivity. African-American respondents report relationships of longer average duration relative to white youths, but overall responses reflect a somewhat less intense or intimate relationship style. These observed differences were not completely attenuated once relevant controls are introduced. We connect these findings to prior research on African-American adolescent family and peer relations, and call for additional research that supplements the behavioral emphasis of Add Health.


Introduction The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and the Rating Form for IBD patient's Concerns, are widely used measures in IBD but fail to capture the essence of living with IBD from the patient's perspective. To deliver patient centred care it is imperative that we have an understanding of the experience of living with IBD. This study aimed to synthesise the findings of qualitative papers that explored the health and social needs of patients living with IBD. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, PsychInfo, EMBASE, CINAHL, British Nursing Index via the OVID platform to August 2010. Search filters developed by the Hedges database, McMaster University Health Information Research Unit and Kathryn Nesbit, Edward G Milner Library, University of Rochester, were adapted to aid the search. 1395 papers were generated by the preliminary search. Qualitative studies which explored the phenomena of living with IBD, English language and sample population adults >16 years were included. Study eligibility judgements and data extraction were independently completed by the authors. The papers were quality appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Synthesis was achieved by comparing the themes and findings of each study with one another to identify 1st order constructs. Repeated comparison between the papers revealed the similarities and differences, which led to 2nd order constructs and the new interpretation of the synthesised studies. Results Six papers and one unpublished thesis were included, all from Western countries, one study included patients from an immigrant background. Combined sample of the studies was only 86 patients to describe the phenomena of living with IBD. First iteration of synthesis identified 16 themes, 2nd iteration synthesised these into three main constructs: "detained by the disease"; "living in a world of disease"; "wrestling with life". "Detained by the disease" is the fear of incontinence, and the behaviour the patients displays as a result of this. Social isolation and missing out on life events all serve to "pull" the patient back from normal living. "Living in a world of disease" is living with the fear of a long term condition." Wrestling with life" is the "push" to continue normal living. Conclusion People with IBD endure many daily challenges, stress, pain, fighting for control. The combined impact of living with IBD is the tension they live with. The value of metasynthesis is the interpretation of all of the synthesised studies to provide a global representation of living with IBD: "Pushed and pulled: a compromised life", people living with IBD experience a constant conflict throughout their lives, they push to be normal but IBD pulls them back. Competing interests None declared.


The funding mix of European firms is weighted heavily towards bank credit, which underscores the importance of efficient pass-through of monetary policy actions to lending rates faced by firms. Euro area pass-through has shifted from being relatively homogenous to being fragmented and incomplete since the financial crisis. Distressed loan books are a crisis hangover with direct implications for profitability, hampering banks ability to supply credit and lower loan pricing in response to reductions in the policy rate. This paper presents a parsimonious model to decompose the cost of lending and highlight the role of asset quality in diminishing pass-through. Using bank-level data over the period 2008-2014, we empirically test the implications of the model. We show that a one percentage point increase in the impairment ratio lowering short run pass-through by 3 percent. We find that banks with severely impaired balance sheets do not adjust their loan pricing in response to changes in the policy rate at all. We derive a measure of the hidden bad loan problem, the NPL gap, which we define as the excess of non-performing loans over impaired loans. We show that it played a significant role in the fragmentation of euro area pass-through post-crisis.


PURPOSE
Rectus extraocular muscles (EOMs) consist of orbital (OL) and global (GL) layers. This study enumerated the fibers in both layers along the length of each EOM.

METHODS
Four human (ages 17 months-93 years) and three monkey (ages 5-7 years) orbits were serially sectioned in the coronal plane and stained with Masson's trichrome. All fibers of the rectus EOMs were counted using light microscopy at midorbit in all specimens and regular intervals throughout the orbits for one human and one monkey.

RESULTS
In the GL, human EOMs in midorbit contained 8000 to 16,400 fibers, and monkey EOMs contained 3600 to 6600 fibers, varying little among the four rectus EOMs. In humans and monkeys, the number of OL fibers in midorbit varied widely according to specific EOM, being most numerous for the medial rectus (human: 7400-14,600; monkey: 3700-7000). The GL existed over the entire extent of each EOM from origin in the orbital apex into continuity with the tendon inserting on the globe. The OL was absent in the most anterior portion of each EOM, because OL fibers inserted on the respective EOM pulley.

CONCLUSIONS
Primate EOMs contain substantial numbers of OL fibers. Numerical similarity of GL fibers is consistent with similar mechanical loading on each of the four rectus EOMs, as required to rotate the globe. Numerical dissimilarity of OL fibers correlates with varying mechanical loading because of varying elasticities of connective tissues onto which these fibers insert.


The multiplicative and low-bandpass filtering characteristics of real-time holograms in photorefractive media are used as a basis for a baseband frequency demodulator by means of holographic homodyne detection. We experimentally demonstrate the demodulation of spatial bandpass signals in the kilohertz regime and homodyne detection in the gigahertz regime.


Custom disposable patient immobilization systems that conform to the patient's body contours are commonly used to facilitate accurate repeated patient setup for imaging and treatment in radiation therapy. However, in small-animal imaging, immobilization is often overlooked or done in a way that is not conducive to reproducible positioning. This has a negative impact on the potential for accurate analysis of serial or multimodality imaging. We present the use of vinyl polysiloxane dental impression material for immobilization of mice for imaging. Four different materials were examined to identify any potential artifacts using magnetic resonance techniques. A water phantom placed inside the cast was used at 4.7 T with magnetic resonance imaging and showed no effect at the center of the image when compared with images without the cast. A negligible effect was seen near the ends of the coil. Each material had no detectable signal using electron paramagnetic resonance imaging at 9 mT. The use of dental material also greatly enhances the use of fiducial markers that can be embedded in the mold. Therefore, image registration is simplified as the immobilization of the animal and fiducials together helps in translating from one image coordinate system to another.


One of the negative impacts of internet are the consumption of pornographic content that is increasing and far more open than before. The internet is considered a more comfortable place to search for sexual information. This study aims to describe the symbols of pornography and to find out the meaning of symbols consumed by adolescents. The perspective of symbolic interactionism theory is used to understand the process of formation of individual behavior because of the social environment. In the perspective of symbolic interactionism, it shows that the condition of the society will continue to be created repeatedly through individual interactions with symbolic representations of the surrounding society. Symbolic interactionism enables individuals to develop their own self-sense to be socialized in social life. This research uses a qualitative method by conducting a case study on four subjects who are addicted to internet pornography. Interviews are used to collect the data and the use purposive sampling technique is used to select the subjects of the research. Thematic analysis technique is used to analyze the data. The results showed that subjects studied sexuality or acts related to sex through internet pornography and messages communicated through internet pornography. Internet pornography contains the symbols of power namely the power over women's bodies that are communicated in pornography. In internet pornography, men are symbolized as strong and dominant figures, while women are portrayed as weak figures. In addition, a man is physically symbolized as a muscular, stocky and well-built while a woman is supposed to be slim, big-breasted and slim-hipped. Keywords— internet pornography, symbolic interaction,


This article provides a systematic analysis of the cognitive processes required for acquiring skill in practical ethical reasoning in a professional domain. We undertook this NSF-supported research project in part to study relationships between case-based instruction in professional ethics and cognitive analyses of ethical reasoning strategies. Using a web-based experimental design, we report striking differences in the students' and ethicists' use of knowledge and reasoning. Virtually all of the ethicists and some students' protocols made significant use of specialized professional knowledge and also used role-specific content in the ethical principles applied in their responses. In contrast, other student protocols made significantly more use of common knowledge and applied more general ethical principles or appealed to consequences in the justification of their responses. Our analyses show how certain strategies were superior to others in regard to identifying alternative moral issues, assessing the moral implications of actions, and providing alternative practical resolutions to conflicts. The findings point to the importance of professional knowledge and role-specific professional obligations in resolving professional ethical conflicts: the same knowledge and "middle-level" principles necessary to comprehend and apply professional codes of ethics.


The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of rooting media (clay, peat moss + sand, peat moss + perlite and vermiculite), cutting types (tip, middle and basal) and different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (control, 50, 100 and 200 ppm IBA) on the rooting and growth of Conocarpus erectus L. stem cuttings. The experiment was laid out in a split-split-plot design, with three replicates. The obtained results showed that vermiculite was the best rooting medium used for improving the rooting percentage, root number, root length, stem length, branch number and leaf number per rooted cutting, followed by peat + perlite (1:1 in v/v) and peat + sand (1:1 in v/v), respectively comparing with clay soil which recorded the lowest values. The tip cutting was superior to the middle and basal ones in all rooting media used, especially in vermiculite medium. Among IBA concentrations used, cuttings treated with IBA at 100 ppm produced significantly better rooting (42.9%) than 50 ppm (36.3%), 200 ppm (36.0%) and untreated cuttings (23.1%). The greatest rooting percentage (95.0%) and the best root and growth characteristics as well as the highest endogenous contents of phenols, indole acetic acid (IAA) and the lowest abscisic acid (ABA) contents were obtained from tip cuttings treated with IBA at 100 ppm and planted in vermiculite substrate. Moreover, the combined treatment of 100 ppm IBA and vermiculite substrate significantly improved the rooting percentage, root and growth measurements of middle and basal cuttings as well as gave the highest C/N ratio in basal cutting tissues compared to the same cutting types combined with the other rooting media and IBA concentrations. Hence, it could be recommended to treat the different types of C. erectus stem cuttings with IBA at 100 ppm and planting in vermiculite medium for improving rooting, quality and growth of cuttings.


Advances in the development and application of new types of energy conservation systems and control devices to achieve thermal stability of electronic equipment enclosures are addressed. Phase change material (PCM) research conducted to find new types of self temperature regulating, energy conserving high-density thermal energy storage structures is described. Such systems have become the standard method of reserve cooling in smaller type telephone exchanges with PCM application now extending into larger type exchanges. Also introduced is a vacuum panel heat exchanger (VPHE) currently being developed in Australia. The VPHE is a superconductor of heat which will enable the building to behave as a thermal diode heat pipe. The authors conclude with a discussion of some novel design concepts which they believe will form the basis for future developments in communication equipment buildings that will be more in tune with natural energies and protection of the natural environment.<<ETX>>


The results of imatinib (Gleevec) (formerly STI571) therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have continued to improve and have surpassed almost everyone's predictions. However, the long-term results with imatinib and its ability to cure CML as a single agent are unknown. These issues will be discussed along with potential strategies to improve the cure rate, using imatinib as a building block to achieve this goal.


anaesthesia. Early discharge has been shown to be safe for a select patient population. However same day admission for TAVI will also influence hospital length of stay and there are few data on the feasibility and safety of this approach. Methods A same day admission programme was commenced in our unit in April 2017, supported by the introduction of a TAVI Specialist Nurse. We performed a retrospective, single-centre audit to compare the patients treated under the same day admission programme (same day group) with a control group who were admitted the day before their procedure (standard care group) over 12 months period preceding the new programme. Length of stay, baseline and procedural characteristics (table 1), and in hospital and 30-day follow-up outcomes (table 2) were analysed. Electronic data and medical records were used to collect data on demographics, baseline characteristics, procedural details, hospital outcome and long-term outcome. Results A total of 77 patients in the standard care group and 102 patients in the same day group were analysed. In the same day group, same day admission was planned in 97 patients (95%) and was successful in 91 (94%) patients. The incidence of same day cancellation was lower in the same day group (11% vs 2%). TAVI was performed successfully in 89 (98%) patients in the same day group and 77(100%) in the standard care group. The median length of stay in the same day group was lower (1 vs 2; p<0.005) than that of the control group, there was no difference in mortality, procedural complications or re-admission rates. Baseline demographics were reported by using descriptive analysis while comparative analysis was used to test the association of different variables. Conclusion Routine same day admission for TAVI can be safely implemented for patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI with the support of a Specialist Nurse. This led to a shorter length of hospital stay with no detrimental effect on procedure outcomes or readmission rate and has the potential of significant cost savings. Conflict of Interest no ACHD


The role of dairy products in human health has been extensively studied for decades; however, evidence regarding dairy consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains controversial and uncertain. Furthermore, study results are misinterpreted to a remarkable extent. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the association between intake of dairy foods and risk of T2D. A thorough search was conducted using electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Related studies that addressed this research question between 2004 to 2019 were considered. Although most of the existing evidence suggests a beneficial role of dairy consumption on risk of T2D, only low-fat dairy foods and yogurt have shown a significant and consistent role, while other dairy products showed no association with prevention of T2D. Researchers, readers, and the public should maintain caution when reporting and interpreting findings and consider aspects such as heterogeneity, generalizability, and clinical and statistical significance.


The past is never dead. It's not even past William Faulkner (1951) Bacteria can acquire heritable immunity to viral (phage) enemies by incorporating phage DNA into their own genome. This mechanism of anti-viral defence, known by the acronym CRISPR, simultaneously stores detailed information about current and past enemies and the evolved resistance to them. As a high-resolution genetic marker that is intimately tied with the host–pathogen interaction, the CRISPR system offers a unique, and relatively untapped, opportunity to study epidemiological and coevolutionary dynamics in microbial communities that were previously neglected because they could not be cultured in the laboratory. We briefly review the molecular mechanisms of CRISPR-mediated host–pathogen resistance, before assessing their potential importance for coevolution in nature, and their utility as a means of studying coevolutionary dynamics through metagenomics and laboratory experimentation.


Coral reefs are facing unprecedented global, regional and local threats that continue to degrade near-shore habitats. Water quality degradation due to unsustainable development practices at coastal watersheds is one of the greatest stressors across multiple spatial scales. The goal of this study was to assess near-shore coral reef benthic community spatio-temporal response to sedimentation patterns, weather, and oceanographic dynamics at Bahia Tamarindo and Punta Soldado in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. Benthic data were collected across a distance gradient from the shore through high-resolution images at marked belt transects. Environmental data were assessed and contrasted with benthic assemblages using multivariate correlations and multiple linear regression. Coral colony abundance and coral recruit assemblages showed significant variation among seasons, sites and distance zones (PERMANOVA, p<0.01). Species diversity (H'n) increased at both study sites with distance from shore and the most conspicuous coral recruit species were stress-tolerant Porites astreoides, P. porites, and Siderastrea radians. Difference in coral abundance and coral recruits per site had a strong significant negative relationship with sediment characteristics and depth (p<0.05). Near-shore coral reef benthic community structure was significantly different between sites and distance zones from shore, with depth having an important role shaping reef zonation. Changes in benthic community structure were associated with local sediment distribution patterns emerging from human alteration of coastal watersheds and natural events that cause terrigenous sediment deposition and sand resuspension across the reef. Coral cover was significantly lower at zones more exposed to recurrent sedimentation stress (p<0.01). It was also correlated with sediment texture (p=0.006) and terrigenous sediment deposition (p=0.016). Scleractinian coral cover had an inverse relationship with gorgonian and macroalgae cover. In a short-term period, a pattern of increased dominance of encrusting calcareous algae Ramicrusta textilis and invasive sponge Dictyonella funicularis were documented. Changing land use and increased frequency of extreme weather events, as a consequence of global patterns of climate change, may play an important role shaping near-shore coral reefs benthic communities and could threaten the resilience of coastal regions. Therefore, collaborative and trans-disciplinary ecosystem-based management efforts are urgently needed to effectively reduce land-based stressors and foster near-shore coral reef recovery.


An experimental concept for measuring sound-sound scattering of finite aperture acoustic beams in a water tank facility is presented. In order to achieve a measurable effect, the beams are collimated within their intersection domain by a focusing acoustic lens. A paraxial quasi-linear split step simulation tool has been developed and used in order to determine and optimize experiment setup parameters. The scattered part of the difference frequency field was measured and found to be compatible with simulations. Furthermore, the primary beams were also monitored in order to guarantee full compatibility with simulated propagation and compare the measured difference field with the overlap contribution. A spatially coherent post processing filtering was applied in order to improve the signal to noise ratio. A distinct clear scattering peak in the difference field has been identified propagating with the predicted off axis tilt angle.


Objective: To study the value of the wearable single-lead remote monitoring device with the scatterplot in chronic disease management. Methods: dmitted into 435 residents accord with the inclusion criteria of 20 primary medical institutions of Yinchuan city, and grouped voluntarily by the implementation schemes were grouped voluntarily according to the implementation schemes. According to one of the three implementation schemes selected, the general practitioner guided the subjects to take on the wearable single-lead remote monitoring device, collecting and uploading the EEG data, then diagnosed and analyzed by the synchronously generated ECG scatterplot, finally, summarized the incidence and the categories, analyzed the differences among these three groups. Results: Among 435 subjects, there were 61 normal patients and 374 arrhythmias with the detection rate of 85.98%; and among the 1672 data collected, there were 606 normal data and 1066 arrhythmia with the detection rate of 63.76%; 880 data in total 333 cases with atrial premature beat; 442 data in total 215 cases with occasional ventricular premature beat; 37 data of 22 cases with frequent atrial beat; 65 data of 28 cases with frequent ventricular premature beat; 13 data of 6 cases with atrial fibrillation; 25 data of 15 cases with excitation conduction disorder; 2 data of 2 cases with atrial flutter; 31 data of 19 cases with ventricular tachycardia; 30 data of 16 cases with conduction block; and 14 data of 8 cases with Para systolic rhythm. comparing the detection rate of arrhythmia in three groups, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The wearable singlelead remote monitoring device with the scatterplot has high application value in cardiovascular chronic disease management. Its effectively screening, validly diagnosing and detailed classifying are helpful to the early intervention, and the protection of the patients' lives.


In an increasingly competitive market, banks are constantly searching for sustainable competitive advantage to help them maintain their edge against competition. Over the years, banks have tried various drivers for competitive advantage, none of which were sufficient barriers for competitors. Understanding the behavior of their customers and using this knowledge to drive the interaction with customers is the most sustainable competitive advantage banks can obtain. Data warehousing and analytics provide banks with the ability to obtain customer knowledge, and the same infrastructure can be used for multiple business applications.


Budget of university scientific research project mainly includes budget preparation, budget execution, budget adjustment, budget control and budget performance evaluation. By managing and the budgets of university scientific research projects using a management information system, the technical director of projects can make full use of the budget in scientific research based on reasonable budget setting. The scientific funds can therefore be effectively utilized. In this research, the series of functions such as source management, budget management, expenditure management and inquiry statistics are realized using B/S frame and NET distributed framework, and Visual Studio 2005 is taken as development tool and SQL Server2005 as background data management system. Therefore, the practical and effective dynamic management and planning of funds and budgets for university scientific research projects are realized.


Thermal performances of the trapezoidal microchannel heat sink (MCHS) with pure pressure driven flow (PDF), pure electro-osmotic flow (EOF) and combined flow have been investigated and compared, using the multiphysics software COMSOL. The feasibility and accuracy of the simulation scheme for the microchannel are carefully validated with available experimental and numerical results for both PDF and EOF. The effects of the electric potential and driving pressure on the performance of the MCHS have been studied under different conditions. The flow rate, thermal resistance, and Nusselt number are investigated to determine the characteristic behavior of the trapezoidal MCHS of various sidewall angles, height-width ratios, and hydraulic diameters.


While much has been written about the historic divide between academic and student affairs units (Frost, Strom, Downey, Schultz, & Holland, 2010; Hirsch & Burack, 2002; Schroeder, 1999), there also has been an increase in the volume of partnerships that have formed between the two units. As demands for accountability have pressured higher education professionals to critically review their practices, policies, and procedures, the propensity for collaborative endeavors between academic and student affairs professionals has increased. Also increasing is research focused on understanding the forms and types of collaboration that are occurring between these units (Crafts, First, & Satwicz, 2002; Guarasci, 2002; Jacoby, 1999; Kezar & Lester, 2009; Schmidt & Kaufman, 2007).Early research tends to focus on the topics and programming around which collabo rations are occurring, the best practices of those collaborations, and the barriers to collaboration. Such research was typically conducted at traditional four-year, researchintensive, residential institutions using mostly quantitative methodologies. In recent years, work on collaborative practice in community college settings has emerged (Amey, 2010; Bourassa & Kruger, 2002; Gulley & Mullendore, 2014; Kennedy, 2004; Kezar, 2002; Kolins, 1999), yet remains very limited. The aforementioned research indicates that collaboration is different in the community college setting and further inquiry is necessary for a better understanding of practice and implications for these institutions. Therefore, this article focuses on understanding the impact of institutional size on collaborative practice between academic and student affairs at three community colleges of distinctly different sizes within the same system examining their similarities and differences.Review of the LiteratureMuch of the literature around the topic of academic and student affairs collaboration focuses on the programmatic partnerships that facilitate dialogue and interaction between members of each unit, such as seamless learning environments, service learning, freshmen and first year experiences, and faculty involvement in residence halls (Bourassa & Kruger, 2002; Crafts et al., 2002; Guarasci, 2002; Jacoby, 1999). These collaborations are grounded in the documents seminal to the understanding of purposes associated with academic and student affairs units, including: Student Learning Imperative (American College Personnel Association [ACPA], 1994), Principles of Good Practice (ACPA, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators [NASPA],1997), and Powerful Partnerships: A Shared Responsibility for Learning (American Association of Higher Education [AAHE], ACPA, & NASPA, 1998).Given the vast amount of literature produced over the past 15 years on collaborative practice between academic and student affairs units in higher education settings, very little of that research focuses on the community college setting. Noting this exclusion in the literature, Bourassa and Kruger (2002) stated that "the entire higher education community should keep track of factors within the community college sector that cultivate successful partnerships that are easily adapted by either community colleges or four-year colleges and universities" (p. 15). It is important to study community colleges as separate educational entities from other higher education institutions given the unique nature of the community college. Overall, community colleges differ from four-year institutions in terms of structure, mission, scope, and student population; all of which may impact collaborative practice.Few studies have offered insights into collaborative practice in community college settings (Amey, 2010; Kezar, 2002). Kezar (2002), for example conducted a nationwide quantitative study on collaborations between these units at a variety of institutions, including community colleges. After disaggregating the data, Kezar found that there were less structural barriers to collaboration in community colleges than other institutional types. …


Submarine Tailing Disposal (STD) is waste disposal activity to the sea through pipelines. Recently, the documentation system becomes the main problem of STD implementation. It is very weak so it can not cover the unpredicted effect to marine environment and the possibility of STD implementation's failure. In United States, prohibition of STD is regulated in Clean Water Act. It requires 2 (two) important matters that are implementation of the Best Available Technology (BAT) and New Source Performance Standard (NSPS). While Canada regulate it i Canadaian Federal Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Regulation (MMLER) and Canada's Fisheries Act. Indonesia itself doesn't have special regulation to prohibit STD. That is why Indonesia need to have a clear and strict regulation about STD. This article tries to describe the importance pf the regulation that prohibit STD.


In the era of information technology, the new types of cyber-attacks affect the performance of the network, which is very risky and cannot be restored quickly. In pervasive computing, there are more chances for such types of attacks since the personal data of the user is closely connected to the social environment. The research is performed using SNMP-MIB dataset, and feature selection are made by using the Enhanced Salp Swarm Optimization to select the optimal features to identify the attacks by using wrapper techniques. Then, various types of attacks are appropriately distinguished with proposed classifier Gated Recurrent Unit Neural Network based on Bidirectional Weighted Feature Averaging for high detection rate and accuracy. The value of performance metrics obtained from the proposed method outperforms the existing methods in terms of 99.9% accuracy, 99.8% in precision and detection rate is 99% in classifying different types of attacks.


Background: The uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is an important bacterium that colonizes the bladder mucous membrane as biofilm and causes urinary tract infection (UTI). In addition, UPEC favors long-term persistence and leads to relapses in untreatable UTI. Further, bacterial hydrophobic interactions play a role in bacterial adherence to the surface and facilitate biofilm formation due to adhesion. Similarly, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), fimbriae, curli fiber, and colanic capsule allow UPEC isolates to initiate infections. Considering the above-mentioned explanation, this study evaluated the association between genes encoding curli fimbriae, colanic acid (CA) capsule, and f1c fimbriae with biofilm formation and CSH among UPEC isolates. Methods: To this end, 100 Escherichia coli strains were isolated from the urine samples of the patients and were diagnosed by biochemical tests. Furthermore, a tissue culture plate method was used to determine the capacity of biofilm formation, followed by conducting microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons method for CSH determination. Finally, the presence of csgA, csgD, rcsA, rcsC, and foc genes was determined by applying polymerase chain reaction. Results: Totally, 40, 22, and 28 isolates had strong, moderate, and weak biofilm formation capacity, respectively. Moreover, 42 and 38 isolates had strong and moderate CSH. Similarly, among the isolates with strong CSH, 32, 13, and 5 isolates had strong, moderate and weak biofilm formation capacity and the prevalence of csgA, csgD, rcsA, and foc genes was 33, 35, 35, 16, and 29, respectively. Based on the findings, no significant difference was observed between the frequency of csgA, csgD, rcsA, rcsC, and foc genes among the strong, moderate, and weak biofilm producers. Conclusions: In general, there is an association between CSH and the biofilm formation of UPEC isolates. This result showed the role of CSH as an effective factor on bacterial adhesion for the first stage of biofilm formation. However, differentiating the strains is not confirmed regarding their ability to form biofilms and their CSH and the presence of all studied genes.


ABSTRACT In this study, pyrolysis properties of Sırnak asphaltite have been determined by thermal analysis methods. According to proximate and elemental analysis results, air-dried sample contains 0.56% moisture, 46.51% ash, 34.02% volatile matter, 18.91% fixed carbon, 42.1% C, 3.57% H, 0.50% N, 5.55% S, and 48.28% O by weight. For the determination of pyrolysis properties of the sample, DTA and TGA of thermal analysis methods have been used. DTA and TGA experiments have been carried out by using approximately 10 mg sample, under 50 ml/min nitrogen gas flow rate, from ambient to 900°C temperature range. To investigate the effects of particle size and heating rate on pyrolysis properties, TGA experiments have been carried out by using three different particle sizes and five different heating rates. By examining the TG/DTG thermograms, three different temperature regions have been found that depend on moisture loss, volatile release, and mineral matter decomposition. Also, by using TG/DTG data of the samples, apparent activation energies and Arrhenius constants were calculated by Arrhenius and Coats-Redfern kinetic models, and the results were compared with each other.


ABSTRACT:International humanitarian aid organizations have a duty to provide protection and assistance to displaced persons and other vulnerable groups worldwide. In doing so, they collect personal and often highly sensitive information that may be of interest to international justice institutions investigating violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. The question arises whether humanitarian organizations can—or should—share information with these institutions? Is it possible to find a middle ground that balances the rights, duties, and priorities of those involved? This article examines four issues that affect information sharing between humanitarian organizations and international justice institutions: (1) the right to privacy and justice; (2) mandate requirements; (3) policy requirements; and (4) organizational culture. The article is based on an extensive literature review and interviews with twenty-eight current or former staff members at humanitarian organizations, international tribunals, and United Nations mechanisms and commissions of inquiry.


Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006

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Objective : Regulation of cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor expression, and particularly that of p21 Waf1/Cp1 and p27 Kip1 , has emerged as a critical aspect of growth control in normal mammalian cells and as a frequent point of dysregulation in a wide variety of tumors. Estrogens are essential for normal development and function of female reproductive tissues, yet play a pivotal, causative role in the initiation and progression of cancer. Our objective was to evaluate whether 17β-estradiol exerts any growth regulatory actions in normal and human uterine leiomyoma tissue through regulation of events in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Material and Methods : The p21 and p27 protein and mRNA expression levels both in tissues and cultured uterine leiomyoma cells were determined by immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and real time PCR analysis. Role of 17β-estradiol on uterine leiomyoma was monitored by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Western blot analysis. Results : We detected that p21 and p27 protein and messenger RNA expressions were down regulated in uterine leiomyoma tissue and cultured cells compared to normal myometrium. 17β-estradiol at 10 nM concentration elicited inhibition of Kip protein expression by regulating the expression of Cdk2 as a result cells manifested greater proliferation and viability. Conclusions : Our results suggest a new paradigm that estrogen-induced down regulation of the CDK inhibitors in leiomyoma controls the early stage of cell cycle progression. This study provides better understanding of the control exerted by estrogen over CDK inhibitors and its interaction with cyclins and CDK2/4 complexes which ultimately regulate human uterine leiomyoma formation and disease progression.


Cigarette smoking is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and thrombotic events. In athero-thrombotic diseases, the extracellular adenine nucleotides play an important role by triggering a range of effects such as the recruitment and activation of platelets, endothelial cell activation and vasoconstriction. NTPDase, a plasma membrane-bound enzyme, is the most relevant enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of extracellular tri- and di-phosphate nucleotides to adenosine monophosphate, which is further degraded by 5′ectonucleotidase to the anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory mediator adenosine. Thus, the preserved activity of these enzymes, regulating the extracellular concentrations of nucleotides, is critical in thromboregulatory functions. In the present in vitro study, performed on human platelets suspended in undiluted or diluted aqueous cigarette smoke extract (aCSE), we demonstrated that undiluted and 1 : 2 diluted aCSE is able to significantly reduce ADP hydrolysis (−24% and 12%, respectively) by intact human platelets. ATP degradation was also reduced (−31%) by undiluted aCSE. Conversely, aCSE did not alter platelet AMP hydrolysis. Results obtained by using N-acetylcysteine, a thiol-containing antioxidant, suggest that stable oxidants present in aCSE are responsible for the platelet NTPDase inhibition induced by aCSE. The decreased adenine nucleotide degradation could play a significant role in the extensive platelet activation and vascular inflammation observed in chronic smokers.


Flexible ultra-thin silicon (∼30 μm thickness) solar cells implemented with an energy-down-shift layer showed stable flexible and twistable characteristics. In particular, spin-coating Cd0.5Zn0.5S/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) on the cells enhanced the PCE by ∼0.7% through an energy-down-shift effect that enhanced the external quantum efficiency in the UV light region. In addition, the cells demonstrated an excellent bending fatigue performance because their PCE levels were sustained at ∼12.4% after 5000 bending cycles under a strain of ∼5.72%.


SRAM leakage constitutes a significant portion of the standby power budget of modern SoC products for handheld applications such as PDA and cellular phones. NMOS and PMOS reverse bias techniques for leakage reduction are implemented in a 2MByte SRAM testchip built with low power 90nm technology. Sophisticated analog regulators were implemented to precisely control the PMOS and NMOS reverse bias levels. The application of the reverse bias led to a 16X reduction in total array standby leakage and a cell leakage of only 20pA/bit. Excellent data retention for these bias conditions was demonstrated with detailed Vccmin mesurements.


In this paper, we introduce a new way of constructing and decoding multipermutation codes. Multipermutations are the permutations of a multiset that generally consist of duplicate entries. We first introduce a class of binary matrices called multipermutation matrices, each of which corresponds to a unique and distinct multipermutation. By enforcing a set of linear constraints on these matrices, we define a new class of codes that we term linear program (LP)-decodable multipermutation codes. In order to decode these codes using an LP, thereby enabling soft decoding, we characterize the convex hull of multipermutation matrices. This characterization allows us to relax the coding constraints to a polytope and to derive two LP decoding problems. These two problems are, respectively, formulated by relaxing the maximum likelihood decoding problem and the minimum Chebyshev distance decoding problem. Because these codes are non-linear, we also study efficient encoding and decoding algorithms. We first describe an algorithm that maps consecutive integers, one by one, to an ordered list of multipermutations. Based on this algorithm, we develop an encoding algorithm for a code proposed by Shieh and Tsai, a code that falls into our class of LP-decodable multipermutation codes. Regarding decoding algorithms, we propose an efficient distributed decoding algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers. Finally, we observe from the simulation results that the soft decoding techniques we introduce can significantly outperform hard decoding techniques that are based on quantized channel outputs.


Business processes managed by information systems rarely operate according to the pre defined scenario. Exceptions to the pre defined workflows occur frequently. This especially applies to the production processes, which are very complex and require a constant human involvement. Workflow management systems should be capable of responding adequately to the exceptions caused by the process environment. Moreover, the response should be automatic, if possible, i.e. the workflow should automatically adapt to the new situation, or otherwise, the system administrator should be informed, so that he could take appropriate actions. This paper presents workflow management system MD, which is capable of offering a satisfying solution to the detected exceptions.


Background: Atherosclerosis is a systemic multifocal disease with a preference for the branching points of the arteries. In this study, we quantitatively measured carotid and femoral plaque volume in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and/or established atherosclerotic disease using a 3D ultrasound technique. Methods: In this prospective, single-centre study, we included 404 patients (median age 64; 56.9% men) with at least one CVRF or established cardiovascular disease. Plaque volume was measured using 3D ultrasound equipped with an automated software. Results: We found a strong correlation of plaque volume with CVRF and the number of vascular beds involved. The strongest associations with total and femoral plaque volume were noted for smoking, hypertension, age, as well as for the presence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (p < 0.05). Carotid plaque volume was best predicted by hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, age, as well as the presence of cerebrovascular disease and coronary artery disease (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that smoking appears to be associated with total and femoral plaque volume, whereas hyperlipidaemia seems to be associated with carotid plaque volume. Measurement of 3D plaque volume is a practical and reproducible technique with the potential to become an additional screening tool in cardiovascular risk stratification.


CASE DESCRIPTION
An 8-year-old Hanoverian mare was presented for chronic mucopurulent discharge in the left eye, which was responsive to topical antibiotic therapy.

CLINICAL FINDINGS
The nasolacrimal orifice was absent in the left nasal meatum, and anterograde irrigation of left nasolacrimal duct was not possible. Dacryocystorhinography was performed and revealed about 4-6 cm of distal nasolacrimal duct atresia.

SURGICAL TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
A novel technique was attempted with the horse under standing sedation using an urinary catheter and a 980 nm diode laser with a 600 μm diameter flexible bare quartz fiber. A nasolacrimal orifice was successfully created by ablating the nasal mucosa directly over the tip of the urinary catheter, and patency was maintained with a soft catheter sutured in place for 4 weeks. At 3 months re-evaluation, the left nasolacrimal duct was patent and functional.

CONCLUSION
This case report describes a successful novel surgical technique used to correct congenital distal nasolacrimal duct atresia in an adult horse under standing sedation. Advantages over conventional surgical techniques are shorter operating time and limited hemorrhage.


Because of its outstanding dielectric properties and heat resistance, crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) is widely used as insulation materials for electric wires and cables. However the three-dimensional lattice structure produced by crosslinking makes it impos- sible to melt it down again for molding. Thus almost all waste XLPE is currently burnt (as a fuel) or disposed of in landfills. In this work the authors have developed technology in which the appli- cation of suitable heating and shearing to XLPE decreases its molecular weight, producing a recycled material that is sufficiently thermoplastic to allow it to be molded, and have evaluated the physical properties of the recycled material obtained. The crosslinked content remaining in the recycled material is from about 1 to 40 %; the melt flow rate (MFR) is in the range of 0.1 to 30 g/10 min, and the chemical structure is substantially the same as the original material, making it possible to recycle it to various applications using ordinary molding equipment. ABSTRACT


This paper defined a kind of multi-dimension data cube model, and presented a new formalization of generalized association rule based on data cube model. After comprehending the weaknesses of the current generalized association rule mining algorithms based on data cube, we proposed a new algorithm GenHibFreq which was suitable for mining multi-level frequent item set based on data cube. By taking advantage of the item taxonomy, algorithm GenHibFreq reduced the number of candidate itemsets counted, and had better efficiency. We also designed an algorithm GenerateLHSs-Rule for generating generalized association rule from multi-level frequent item set. Demonstrated through examples, algorithms proposed in this paper had better efficiency and less generated redundant rules than several existing mining algorithms, such as Cumulate, Stratify and ML_T2L1, and had good performance inflexibility, scalability and complexity and had new ideas on conducting the generalized association rule mining algorithms in multi-dimension environment and it also has great theoretical meaning and practical value.


The poxviruses identified in cetaceans are associated with characteristic tattoo or ring skin lesions. However, little is known regarding the prevalence and progression of these lesions and the molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses in the Southern Hemisphere. This manuscript describes the progression of poxvirus-like skin lesions in 5 free-ranging Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis. Additionally, 151 skin samples from 113 free-ranging cetaceans from Brazil, including 4 animals with tattoo skin lesions, were selected for poxvirus testing. Poxviral DNA polymerase gene PCR amplification was used to detect the virus in β-actin-positive samples (145/151). DNA topoisomerase I gene PCR was then used in Cetaceanpoxvirus (CePV)-positive cases (n = 2), which were further evaluated by histopathology and electron microscopy. Based on photo-identification, adult Guiana dolphins presented regressing or healed poxvirus-like lesions (2/2), while juveniles presented persistent (2/3) or healed and progressive lesions (1/3). CePV DNA was amplified in a common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus and in a Guiana dolphin. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and viral particles consistent with poxvirus were identified by histology and electron microscopy, respectively. CePV-specific amino acid motifs were identified through phylogenetic analysis. Our findings corroborate previous studies that suggest the placement of poxviruses from cetaceans within the novel CePV genus. This is the first molecular identification of poxvirus in South American odontocetes.


Many major foundries are using software such as ProCAST TM and MagmaSOFT TM , to simulate filling and solidification of castings, for process design. A number of input parameters to these casting simulation softwares (such as material properties and boundary conditions) are not well known. This has motivated the need for an optimization tool, which uses an inverse modelling approach to determine these parameters given the exp erimental results. The objective of this paper is to present formulations of different optimization problems that arise in the casting process. Use of efficient and robust optimization-based methodologies to solve these problems can play a major role in reducing costs and improving productivity and quality of cast products. This paper represents applications of optimization in mold filling, heat transfer, solidification and microstructure evolution.


The use of letters as a variable is one of the obstacles faced by students as they make the transition from arithmetic to letter-symbolic algebra. Primary students in Singapore are in a unique position as they are presented with opportunities, right across their primary years, to work with less abstract representations of numbers. These students are taught to use a set of proportionately sized rectangles to model arithmetic as well as algebra word problems. fMRI studies show that adults used similar processes in generating the rectangles and letters used to solve algebraword problems. How do primary students perceive these model representations? Ten primary 5 students were interviewed on a one-to-one basis after they had completed a series of mathematics tasks. The written and interview data suggest that these students' familiarity with the model method had enabled them to construct a new meaning of how numbers could be represented. This finding may offer educators an alternative route to facilitate the transition from arithmetic to letter-symbolic algebra.


Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we studied the electronic structure of graphene grown on a Ge (110) wafer, where a single-crystal single-layer graphene was recently grown using chemical vapor deposition. The growth mechanism of the single-layer single-crystal graphene was related to the hydrogen termination of the Ge (110) surface. To further understand the growth mechanism, we measured the electronic structure of the graphene-covered Ge (110) wafer in a vacuum as a function of the increasing temperature, which led to a deintercalation of the hydrogen atoms. Furthermore, we measured the electronic structure after the reintercalation of the hydrogen atoms between the Ge substrate and graphene. These findings show that hydrogen is intercalated between the Ge substrate and graphene after the growth of graphene using chemical vapor deposition.


A green method for chiral amine synthesis, the direct catalytic asymmetric reductive amination, was developed. Phenylhydrazide is an ideal nitrogen source for reductive amination. Molecular sieves play dual roles in this reaction. They help to remove H2O to form imine, as well as promote an imine reduction. f-Binaphane minimizes the inhibition effect from amines and helps the coordination of sterically demanding imines to the iridium center, thus leading to a smooth reaction.


Managing knowledge plays a significant role in the delivery of success in different organisations. Hospitality and hotels are not far from this. However, assessing the effectiveness of practicing knowledge management in hotels and despite vital for such sector, seems not deeply searched in some emerging economies such as the case of Qatar. This paper aims to fill in this void in the literature by developing and empirically analyse a model exploring if 'faults' exist while practicing knowledge management in hotels in Qatar. Such faults would result in gaps in knowledge which would seriously affect this industry. After examining results from more than 300 hotels in Qatar, findings show that discrepancies would be statistically significant while developing a knowledge management thematic strategy in the Qatari hotels.


Introduction. Heart failure increases the severity of symptoms and worsens the prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in smokers. Professional COPD is a separate phenotype, which suggests dif erences in the pat ern of comorbidity. Professional COPD in combination with heart failure has not been studied enough. T e aim of the study was to determine the relationship of heart failure c clinical, functional and hygienic characteristics of professional COPD. Materials and methods. T e one-center observational study included 115 patients with occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OCOPD). T e comparison group of 103 patients with COPD, smokers of tobacco. T e diagnosis of COPD met the criterion of GOLD 2011–2019. OCOPD patients were exposed to aromatic hydrocarbons with an excess of MPC in the air of working zone is 1.5 to 6 times, or of inorganic dust in the range of 2 to 9.5 MPC. Heart failure was diagnosed on the basis of any signs of myocardial dysfunction in echocardiography and/or elevation of the N-terminal precursor of cerebral natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) serum more than 125 PG/ml. the Groups were comparable in sex, age, durationof COPD, duration of action of exogenous etiological factor, causes of heart failure. Clinical and functional characteristics of COPD and heart failure were evaluated. For comparisons between groups for quantitative parameters used covariance analysis or test Kruskall-Wallis for comparison, the share of χ2 criterion. Relationships were determined by logistic regression. Results. In patients with OCOPD, the heart failure rate was higher  — 63 (54.8%) cases compared to 38 (36.9%) in the group of COPD Smoking (p=0.009). Biventricular failure prevailed (44 (38.3%) patients) with preserved ejection fraction(47 (40.9%) cases). Right ventricular failure was detected in 15 (13.0%) of the subjects, lef ventricular failure — in 4 (3.5%), p=0.002. Echocardiography revealed severe pulmonary hypertension and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in the OCOPD group. OCOPD in combination with heart failure was characterized by CAT index values of more than 10 points, low exercise tolerance, a signif cant rate of decline in FEV1, a decrease in the partial tension of arterial blood oxygen, severe exacerbations of COPD. In multivariate analysis of the development of heart failure in patients with OCOPD predicted: length of service, systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery, partial oxygen tension of arterial blood, the test distance of six-minute walk. Conclusions. 1. OCOPD is characterized by a probability of heart failure — 54.8%. Biventricular failure with preserved ejection f action and predominant violation of diastolic myocardial function prevails. 2. T e subphenotype of OCOPD in combination with heart failure is characterized by severe symptoms, hypoxemia of rest, severe exacerbations of COPD.


Microchimerism is the presence of cells from one individual in another genetically distinct individual. Pregnancy is the main cause of natural microchimerism through transplacental bi-directional cell trafficking between mother and fetus. In addition to a variety of cell-free substances, it is now well-recognized that some cells are also exchanged in pregnancy. Furthermore, it is now known that microchimerism persists decades later both in mother and in her progeny. The consequences of pregnancy-related microchimerism are under active investigation. However, many authors have suggested a close relationship linking fetal microchimerism and the development of autoimmune diseases. Fetal microchimerism is emerging as a potential contributing factor in certain diseases, including cancer. Parallel studies in animal and human pregnancy suggest that microchimeric fetal cells play a role in wound healing. Role of these microchimeric cells in human health and disease is discussed here.


A simple, rapid and precise UV spectrophotometric method for simultaneous estimation of cefuroxime axetil and probenecid from combined solid dosage form has been developed. Cefuroxime axetil and probenecid interfere with the UV absorption of each other. However, as they show different absorption maxima, use of modified Beer's law for the simultaneous estimation of both the drugs was explored. As both the drugs have different pharmacopoeial in-vitro dissolution media, simultaneous equations were developed in both the systems. The accuracy and precision of the method was determined and validated statistically. The method showed good reproducibility and recovery with percent relative standard deviation less than 2%. This method was successfully applied for determining the assay and in vitro dissolution of a marketed formulation.


everything in their power to produce the abovementioned unpleasant psychological states one could quite reasonably argue that alcoholism is indeed a political problem-at least in part. With regard to physical dependence on alcohol, it is strange that this takes so long to develop. It is also strange that sudden withdrawal can be achieved in most alcoholic patients without any dramatic ill effects. Why does the alcoholic not demand alcohol once in hospital or make attempts to get some himself (the latter is easy in an open unit with frequent visiting). Again why do so many alcoholics relapse after weeks or months of total abstinence. This surely can have nothing to do with physical dependence on alcohol; it is much more likely to be due to the continued presence of the various factors which led to the patient getting into difficulty with alcohol in the first place. W J STANLEY


AIMS
Polypharmacy is prevalent among non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients and presents a potential issue for the effective management of NVAF. This study compared the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (SE) and major bleeding (MB) among NVAF patients with polypharmacy newly prescribed oral anticoagulants (OACs).

METHODS AND RESULTS
A retrospective study of NVAF patients with polypharmacy who initiated OACs from 01JAN2013-30SEP2015 was conducted using US CMS Medicare and four commercial databases. Polypharmacy was defined as ≥ 6 concomitant medications on the index date. Propensity score matching was conducted to compare non-Vitamin K antagonists OACs (NOACs) to warfarin as well as between NOACs. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the risk of stroke/SE and MB. A total of 188,893 patients with polypharmacy were included, with an average of 8 concomitant medications (IQR 6-9). Compared to warfarin, apixaban (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.52-0.68) and rivaroxaban (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.69-0.83) were associated with a lower risk of stroke/SE. Apixaban (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.54-0.61) and dabigatran (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.66-0.88) were associated with a decreased risk of MB compared with warfarin. Compared with dabigatran and rivaroxaban, apixaban was associated with a lower risk of stroke/SE and MB. Dabigatran was associated with lower risk of MB compared with rivaroxaban.

CONCLUSIONS
In this observational study of anticoagulated NVAF patients with polypharmacy, effectiveness and safety profiles are more favorable for NOACs vs warfarin. Our observations are hypothesis generating and may help inform future clinical trials regarding appropriate OAC treatment selection in polypharmacy patients.


IASDR2011, the 4th World Conference on Design Research, was organized by the International Association of Societies of Design Research (IASDR) and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The conference took place on October 31 - November 4, 2011 at the Aula Conference Centre and the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering of TU Delft in the Netherlands. The conference successfully concluded with 6 keynote speakers, 200 podium presentations, 100 posters, 2 special sessions, 450 participants, 35 countries.


Macrophages play a significant part in immunity and immune responses. They assume a defensive role exhibited by their ability to carry on phagocytosis of parasites and microbes. They regulate lymphocyte activation and proliferation and they are essential in the activation process of T- and B-lymphocytes by antigens and allogenic cells. Enhanced bactericidal activity of "activated macrophages" is based on immunologically linked mechanisms involving lymphocytes. Macrophages kill ingested microbes but the mechanism by which this is accomplished is not completely understood. This paper discusses the role of macrophages in relation to immunity.


There is increasing evidence, albeit hospital based, that healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are amongst the leading communicable and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality (Tulchinsky and Varavikova, 2009, NICE, 2011). With the multifaceted delivery of healthcare, the risk of infection increases (Apisarnthanarak et al., 2012). Hospices are unique settings (with extremely vulnerable patient populations), but operate within wider healthcare contexts – so what is their role in managing HCAIs? The aim of this study, using a critical literature review, was to identify and discuss the current knowledge available about the management of HCAIs in hospices. The study was triggered by a number of incidents where patients were due to be admitted to the hospice as part of a stepped discharge from hospital. In each case the patient was being treated for infections with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), but their infection status was not handed over. Preliminary discussions with infection prevention and control practitioners in other hospices suggested inconsistencies in the management of the HCAI risk. Five key themes emerged from the study – the availability of current empirical knowledge, risks associated with HCAIs, the impact HCAIs and of infection prevention and control strategies on the quality of life for patients in palliative care, the ethos of palliative care, and screening. The review found little empirical evidence that HCAIs are managed in hospices, and concluded that the management of HCAIs in hospices is a misnomer. The broad purpose of this study was not to judge infection prevention and control practices in hospices, but to trigger thought and debate, and to develop collaborative approaches to HCAIs. The study recommends further qualitative research based on patient perceptions, on the impact of HCAIs, and on infection prevention and control strategies. This knowledge could be used to inform strategies and interventions for palliative care patients.


This essay considers the problematic construction of alternative masculinities in Spanish cinema during the Franco regime and their reconstruction during the Transition. The analysis examines the cultural parameters of the performance of difference on screen, focusing on the representation of peripheral masculine sexualities, at odds with the fundamental elements of the hegemonic Francoist national-catholic ideology, whereby homosexuality and otherness are commonly denied, neutralised or made invisible to reaffirm the heteromasculine national paradigm. It also explores the fissures in the construction of hegemonic masculinity in Spanish cinema and diverse attempts of deperipheralisation.


In this paper, we present a mechanism for automatic management of the memory hierarchy, including secondary storage, in the context of a global address space parallel programming framework. The programmer specifies the parallelism and locality in the computation. The scheduling of the computation into stages, together with the movement of the associated data between secondary storage and global memory, and between global memory and local memory, is automatically managed. A novel formulation of hypergraph partitioning is used to model the optimization problem of minimizing disk I/O. Experimental evaluation of the proposed approach using a sub-computation from the quantum chemistry domain shows a reduction in the disk I/O cost by up to a factor of 11, and a reduction in turnaround time by up to 49%, as compared to alternative approaches used in state-of-the-art quantum chemistry codes


Correction for 'Making good on a promise: ionic liquids with genuinely high degrees of thermal stability' by Brooks D. Rabideau et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 5019-5031, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8CC01716F.


Optic neuritis is characterized by decreased vision, impaired colour perception, relative afferent pupillary defects, and scotoma. Optic neuritis following dengue infection is rare and might be underdiagnosed. The pathophysiology of optic neuritis after dengue infection is still unclear and there are only a few reports. We report a case of bilateral simultaneous optic neuritis in a young female adult following dengue haemorrhagic fever. On presentation, she complained of blurred vision, pain around the eyes, central scotoma, and progressively worsening visual acuity to no perception of light in both eyes. The next day, laboratory examination showed leucopoenia (6.74 [4.5–11.5 103/μL]) and lymphocytosis (52.7 [18–42%]), suggesting viral infection with positive anti-dengue IgM and IgG. The patient received intravenous pulse steroid therapy according to the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. At 3 months follow-up, best corrected visual acuity improved to 6/6, with pale optic discs but normal perimetry. Although complications of dengue fever in the eye are rare, early recognition must be established to prevent permanent vision loss.


The opportunities and challenges of realizing sophisticated functionality by assembling many nanoscale devices, while covering large areas, remain for the most part unrealized and unresolved. In this work, we demonstrate the successful fabrication of an eight-device cascaded optoelectronic fiber structure in which components down to 100 nm are individually electrically addressed and can operate collectively to deliver novel functionality over large area coverage. We show that a tandem arrangement of subwavelength photodetecting devices integrated in a single fiber enables the extraction of information on the direction, wavelength, and potentially even color of incident radiation over a wide spectral range in the visible regime. Finally, we fabricated a 0.1 square meter single plane fiber assembly which uses polychromatic illumination to extract images without the use of a lens, representing an important step toward ambient light imaging fabrics.


We present a quantitative comparison of lipid and water signals obtained from broadband Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy (DOS) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). DOS and MRI measurements were performed on an identical set of emulsion phantoms that were composed of different water/soybean oil fractions. Absolute concentrations of water and lipid ranging from 35–94% and 63–6%, respectively were calculated from quantitative broadband near-infrared (NIR) absorption spectra (650–1000 nm). MR images of fat and water were separated using the three-point Dixon technique. DOS and MRI measured water and lipid were highly correlated (R2 = 0.98 and R2 = 0.99, respectively) suggesting that these techniques are complementary over a broad range of physiologically relevant water and lipid values. In addition, comparison of DOS derived concentrations to the MRI "gold standard" technique validates our quantitation approach and permits estimation of DOS accuracy and sensitivity in vivo.


The Integrated Project SALERO aims to advance the state of the art in digital media to the point where it becomes possible to create audiovisual content for cross-platform delivery using intelligent content tools, with greater quality at lower cost, to provide audiences with more engaging entertainment and information at home or on the move. SALERO will build on and extend research in media technologies, web semantics and context based image retrieval, to reverse the trend toward ever-increasing cost of creating media.


This paper compares three numerical methods for reliability calculation of Markov, closed, fault-tolerant systems which give rise to continuous-time, time-homogeneous, finite-state, acyclic Markov chains. The authors consider a modified version of Jensen's method (a probabilistic method, also known as uniformization or randomization), a new version of ACE (acyclic Markov chain evaluator) algorithm with several enhancements, and a third-order implicit Runge-Kutta method (an ordinary-differential-equation solution method). Modifications to Jensen's method include incorporating stable calculation of Poisson probabilities and steady-state detection of the underlying discrete-time Markov chain. The new version of Jensen's method is not only more efficient but yields more accurate results. Modifications to ACE algorithm are proposed which incorporate scaling and other refinements to make it more stable and accurate. However, the new version no longer yields solution symbolic with respect to time variable. Implicit Runge-Kutta method can exploit the acyclic structure of the Markov chain and therefore becomes more efficient. All three methods are implemented. Several reliability models are numerically solved using these methods and the results are compared on the basis of accuracy and computation cost.


Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a noninvasive technique used for assessment of muscle health in which a high‐frequency, low‐amplitude electric current is applied to the skin overlying a muscle, and the resulting surface voltage is measured. We have previously used adhesive electrodes, application of which is inconvenient. We present data using a handheld electrode array (HEA) that we devised to expedite the EIM procedure in a clinical setting.


Background: Two recent systematic reviews have reported that median post-progression survival (mPPS) was typically double the median progression free survival (mPFS) in contemporary randomized trials of first line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We sought to determine the ratio of PPS to PFS and the accuracy of using simple multiples of PFS to estimate PPS in an independent dataset. Methods: We analysed survival data from 323 women in a randomized trial of capecitabine versus CMF as first line chemotherapy for MBC, both for the trial overall (using the median Kaplan Meier estimates: mPFS and mPPS), and for each individual woman (using her own PFS and PPS). PPS was estimated for each woman by (i) doubling her PFS (as per the systematic reviews), and (ii) by multiplying her PFS by the median of the individual patient ratios of PPS:PFS for this trial. Estimates were deemed accurate if they were within 0.75 to 1.33 times the actual value. The primary population of 221 women excluded 27 censored for progression, 65 censored for death, 8 with PFS th to 75 th , IQR), worst case (90 th ) and best case (10 th ) scenarios. Results: The median age was 62, ECOG PS was 0-1 in 87%, 46% had liver metastases and 64% had hormone receptor positive disease. Kaplan Meier estimates of survival times in months for the primary population (secondary population) were mPFS 5.3 (6.3), mPPS 8.8 (11), and mOS 16 (21). The ratio of mPPS:mPFS for the trial overall was 1.7. Ratios of PPS:PFS for individual women were lower with medians of 1.5 (IQR 0.6 - 3.1) in the primary population and 1.3 (IQR 0.5 — 3.0) in the secondary population. Estimates of a woman9s PPS as double her PFS were accurate in 17% of women. Estimates of a woman9s PPS as 1.5 times her PFS were accurate in 20% of women. When each woman9s PPS was estimated as 1.5 times her PFS, 10% of women survived for less than 0.18 times their estimate ( 4 x 1.5PFS)and the middle 50% survived between 0.37 to 2.1 their estimate (0.37 x 1.5PFS to 2.1x 1.5PFS). Analysis of accuracy in the secondary population gave similar results. Conclusion: The ratio of mPFS:mPPS in this randomized trial was similar to that seen in recent systematic reviews, but higher than the individual ratios of PFS:PPS for most women in the trial. A woman9s PPS was typically 1.5 times her PFS, but estimates based on this ratio were imprecise and better explained in terms of a typical range (50% living for half to double the estimate), best case scenario (10% living beyond 4 times the estimate) and worst case scenario (10% dying within one sixth of the estimate). Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-09-02.


Conflicts of interest arise between a decision maker and agents who have information pertinent to the problem because of differences in their preferences over outcomes. We investigate how the decision maker can extract the information by distorting the decisions that will be taken. We show that only slight distortions will be necessary when agents' signals are sufficiently accurate or when the number of informed agents becomes large. We argue that the particular mechanisms analyzed are substantially less demanding informationally than those typically employed in implementation and virtual implementation. Further, the mechanisms are immune to manipulation by small groups of agents.


The northern part of the Iberian continental passive margin is characterised by the presence of a ridge made of mantellic and magmatic rocks. This ridge, roughly parallel to the margin and continuous over several hundred kilometres, was emplaced at the end of the major rifting event that preceded North-Atlantic ocean opening. Petrological and geochemical studies on mantle rocks, whose results are presented here, are essential to characterise mantle affinity and processes that have affected this part of the mantle during or before continental break-up. In this work we would like to answer some questions like: Does this mantle correspond to the upwelling of the upper asthenospheric mantle at the end of the rifting event or rather correspond to the denudation of lithospheric mantle that was beneath the American-Iberian continent before oceanisation? Does the mantellic and magmatic ridge represent the first North-Atlantic oceanic lithosphere?
The studied peridotites were sampled by submersible on the northwest part of the Galicia bank during the Galinaute II campaign (Boillot et al., 1995). As all samples are weathered, we have only performed analyses on fresh minerals. All peridotites have common mantle assemblage (Ol+Opx+Cpx+spinel) but according to microscopic observations and geochemical results we have defined three different types of peridotites.
The first type is characterised by aluminous spinel (Cr* 0.2) and rare Cpx which is poorer in Na and Ti, richer in Cr, and have rather flat REE patterns, but, strikingly, lower middle and heavy REE contents compared to type 1 Cpx. Type 2 Cpx has also the lowest observed eNd values (-2.9 and +4.4.
The third type of peridotite is rather different: it is characterised by a strong high-temperature strain, by the occurrence of scattered pargasitic amphiboles and dioritic dykelets made of pargasite and plagioclase, and by the presence of plagioclase rim around spinel. Dioritic dykelets are contemporaneous with the rifting high-temperature strain of the host mantle (Feraud et al., 1988). Amphibole in these dykelets shows rather homogeneous geochemical features: +5.6 and +5.8 eNd values and REE contents about one hundred times chondrite, with middle REE maxima and LaN/SmN ratios < 1. Scattered amphibole in peridotites shows the same kind of REE patterns but variable REE contents ranging from 5 to 80 the chondrite composition.
From all these results, the first point to note is that the Galicia mantle ridge has been locally influenced by fluid circulation (type 3 peridotites), which was channelled inside active simple shear zones during rifting; moreover, the fluid associated with strain have probably favoured partial recrystallisation of the mantle from spinel to plagioclase facies. Type 1 and 2 peridotites probably give us more information on mantle affinity before oceanic opening, the most important fact being their contrasted eNd values. In this geodynamical context of passive rifting we can't explain the lowest eNd values by metasomatism of the asthenospheric mantle reservoir by enriched fluids during the rifting or oceanisation. Moreover, the eNd values calculated at rifting time are always so different that we can't explain the present isotopic values by different degrees of partial melting and so, different Sm/Nd time integrated evolution of an initially homogeneous asthenospheric mantle. Therefore, geochemical features of the Galicia ridge samples indicate that the mantle was already heterogeneous before rifting and probably represents a part of a sub-continental lithospheric mantle. To conclude, we can say that the Galicia mantle ridge is neither an asthenospheric diapir mantle emplaced during the rifting event, nor the mantellic part of the first North-Atlantic oceanic lithosphere, but likely is a piece of the lithospheric mantle that was beneath the American-Iberian continent before North-Atlantic opening. The Galicia mantle shows geochemical heterogeneities similar to what is known in many orogenic lherzolite massifs (Beni-Bousera, Ronda, Pyrenees, etc.) but these heterogeneities have probably been amplified during the rifting processes.


Amid expectations for a European 'transition to sustainable agriculture', there are competing transitional processes. Given the widely acknowledged harm from agro-industrial systems, 'unsustainable agriculture' has divergent diagnoses and innovative solutions. This rivalry can be analysed as contending innovation agendas; the analysis here combines theoretical paradigms of agricultural innovation.

In an EU policy context of a Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE), there are divergent accounts of its key terms: biological resources, economy, relevant knowledge and knowledge-producers. Likewise, divergent accounts are found of innovation, intensification, resource efficiency, resilience, bio-energy, horizontal integration, etc. These divergent agendas are promoted by distinct stakeholder networks. The dominant agenda favours laboratory-based techno-scientific innovation as a source of 'efficient' inputs, which can use renewable resources more efficiently for competitive advantage in global value chains. By contrast, other agendas promote farmers' knowledge of natural resources, especially via agro-ecological methods which can reduce energy inputs, increase productivity and add value through quality.

With those contending agendas, rival stakeholder networks seek to influence R&D priorities. From the standpoint of multifunctional agriculture, such contending agendas can play complementary roles in different rural spaces. Some agro-food practices may combine aspects of different paradigms. As a concept, Agricultural Knowledge Systems may provide a common space for interchanges between divergent agendas and their research priorities. However, these innovation agendas promote conflicting visions of the future.


In the present report principal optical properties, of semiconducting large-sized nanocrystalline (LSNC) (with thickness within 10-50 nm) are presented. A quantitative parameter for description of the LSNC state is introduced. Influence of the surrounding polymer matrices on the properties of the LSNC is shown. Role of the surrounding polymer matrix background in the manifestation of the optoelectronic properties is studied. Physical insight of the nano-confined effects manifesting for the case of LSNC is introduced. Typical methods using for simulations of band energy structure as well as for the reconstructed structure are presented. It is shown a necessity of substantial modification of the simulation methods developed for bulk-like crystalline materials for the LSNC. Superposition of the long-range ordering with the localized nano-quantized effects is analyzed within a framework of different one-electron band energy approaches. Role of electron screening effects in this case becomes of crucial importance. Occurrence of flattering in the band energy dispersion is discovered. Coexistence of the energy sub-bands with different effective masses is one of an advantageous of the LSNC. Manifestation of the LSNC non-liner optical (NLO) properties will be presented separately. It is clearly demonstrated that only appropriate choosing of the LSNC geometry parameters together with appropriate chemical content modification could enhance the key NLO parameters


Virgin Coconut Oil(VCO) is virgin coconut oil that is made enzymatically. The content of saturated fatty acids and flavonoid compounds in VCO can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug. This study aims to determine the activity of VCO as an anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the method of calculating the percentage of inflammation inhibition in white rat paws induced by intraplantar 1% carrageenan solution. The decrease in edema in the rat's feet was measured using a plethysmometer for 360 minutes. The results showed that VCO at a dose of 0.4 ml/200 g BW and 0.8 ml/200 g BW gave anti-inflammatory activity with the percentage of inflammation inhibition of 64.34 ± 9.90 and 52.66 ± 8, respectively. 94. The anti-inflammatory activity of VCO at a dose of 0.4 ml/ 200 g BW and a dose of 0.


The development of new technologies is causing rapid changes in the school curriculum. In this way, it is necessary to emphasize the training and learning, by part of the students, of a correct digital lite-racy due to the rise of the Internet. In this line of study, it should be noted that there is a sector of the population, which presents an intellectual disability in any society. In this sense, the present study is to evaluate the development of the communicative ability in young people with mild intellectual disability, using an electronic environment that stimulates the behavior and ability to process information that will enable to launch media literacy for the good interaction in their own environment. The methodology in this research is quantitative, using an evaluation model based on the dimensions selected to study. In this way, we analyzed a total of 6 subjects, belonging to the Center of Attention (CAM) of Saltillo, Coahuila (Mexico). Among the most relevant conclusions, it can be noted that delay in respect to a good media literacy. However, the study clarifies that interest was awakened in the young people for the digital platforms, despite the fact that educational institutions do not support this teaching methodology.