Objective Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common hereditary disease in Iran. In developed countries, newborn screening programs have been established to ensure early diagnosis, but in most developing countries, screening is not performed and the diagnosis is often delayed. The aim of the present work was to investigate the clinical presentation of SCD in Iran and comparison of its hematologic indices with normal children. Methods The study included 44 pediatric patients (26 boys and 18 girls) with sickle cell anemia (SS), 27 sickle /β°-thalassemia (Sβ°), and 21 sickle /β+-thalassemia (Sβ+). Fifty seven healthy individuals matched with the patients were randomly selected as controls. Findings Mean age at diagnosis in SS group was 4.3 years. At the time of diagnosis all patients were anemic, 89% complained of painful crises. Hemoglobin(Hb) concentration, red blood cell (RBC) count and Hb×RBC product in SS group was significantly lower than in control group (P<0.001), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) showed no significant differences. Hb×RBC product below 45 and MCH/RBC above 7 have the best sensitivity and specificity for differenting SS group and the control normal group (91 and 98% for Hb×RBC and 89 and 100% for MCH/RBC respectively). Mean age at diagnosis in Sβ+ group was higher than in SS and Sβ° groups (7.45 year vs 4.26 and 4.25 year) (P<0.001). In addition, Sβ° and Sβ+ groups had significantly lower MCV, MCH, and Hb×RBC indices compared with control group. Conclusion We suggest that in an anemic patient with history of pain crises, normochrome normocytic anemia, Hb×RBC <45 and MCH/RBC ≥7, SCD should be considered and the patient evaluated accordingly to confirm the diagnosis.


This book is an intellectual history of Ernst Fraenkel's The Dual State (1941, reissued 2017), one of the most erudite books on the theory of dictatorship ever written. Fraenkel's was the first comprehensive analysis of the rise and nature of Nazism, and the only such analysis written from within Hitler's Germany. His sophisticated-not to mention courageous-analysis amounted to an ethnography of Nazi law. As a result of its clandestine origins, The Dual State has been hailed as the ultimate piece of intellectual resistance to the Nazi regime. In this book, Jens Meierhenrich revives Fraenkel's innovative concept of "the dual state," restoring it to its rightful place in the annals of public law scholarship. Blending insights from legal theory and legal history, he tells in an accessible manner the remarkable gestation of Fraenkel's ethnography of law from inside the belly of the behemoth. In addition to questioning the conventional wisdom about the law of the Third Reich, Meierhenrich explores the legal origins of dictatorship elsewhere, then and now. The book sets the parameters for a theory of the "authoritarian rule of law," a cutting edge topic in law and society scholarship with immediate policy implications.


What goes up should come down and vice versa. Cellular homeostasis requires that every signaling process involving up- or down-regulation of a given pathway should only be transient, and returning to steady state after a signaling process is as vital to living cells as being able to perceive and transduce changes of their environment. One of the best studied responses of plant cells subjected to water-related stress is the transient increase of the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). The increase in active ABA regulates the expression of ABA-responsive genes, some of which are strictly ABA-dependent in that their expression is almost undetectable in absence of elevated levels of cellular ABA. Since the function of these proteins may only be required transiently, a regulatory mechanism for transcriptionally and/or post-translationally regulate their expression should exist. In general during stress, molecular mechanisms aimed at shutting down the ABA-dependent signaling, as required at some point for the homeostasis of the plant cell, are poorly understood. The Arabidopsis TSPO (Translocator protein)-related protein is transiently induced by abiotic stresses and ABA treatment. Our recent work1 aiming at understanding the function and regulation of At-TSPO yielded exciting insights into the interplay among a stress-regulated protein, ABA responses, tetrapyrrole biosynthesis/scavenging, and autophagy.2 We discuss these findings in relation to tetrapyrroles metabolism/trafficking and the regulation of ABA-dependent signaling by the plant cell.


The study sought to study the benefits and challenges on the Zimbabwean corporate sector's participation in Corporate Social activities. Such aspects would have to be studied together with the extent to which Zimbabwean corporates are involving themselves in corporate social responsibility. The level of corporate social responsibilities adopted by corporates will to a very large extend be depended on a number of factors which the study will also seek to highlight. Generally the research will try to bring out how these variables are interacting in the Zimbabwean context to bring out a certain CSR ideology. Importantly the benefits being enjoyed or being missed as a result of different CSR conceptualization have to come out from this study.

In seeking to address the purpose of this research as outlined above, the research adopted a quantitative approach in which firstly the population of this study was identified as all managers of corporates operating in Zimbabwe. Using this population guide, a sample was drawn to constitute those that will be involved in the study. A questionnaire with standard structured questions relating to the variables under study was then administered to this samples. The data responses from these questionnaires were then processed into information that allowed for further analysis and interrogation. Conclusions were then drawn from these findings leading to the formulation of recommendations.

The study found out that although there is a conducive environment for the uptake of CSR in the country, the level of corporate participation remains relatively low. Corporates are not devoting adequate resources to CSR. In addition many have failed to develop codes and principles to drive this phenomenon. Although they seem to want to blame the lack of financial resources for the low level of CSR uptake, the main challenge was the bias towards the need to manage the brand using CSR by most firms. The legal environment also does not have adequate attributes to drive CSR.

The research concluded that more need to be done to encourage firms towards increased CSR. This could be through lobbying using professional bodies and the government officials. The Legislative might also have to be strengthened. Generally management need to appreciate that there are more benefits to the firm in taking up the concept.


Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by a progressive loss of short-term memory accompanied by a gradual loss of cognitive functions (Ross et al., 2004). AD is among the most frequently encountered diseases in aging societies with an estimated 5million people in the United States and 17 million people worldwide suffering from the disease. It is expected that these numbers will quadruple by the year 2040, by which 1 out of 45 Americans will be affected, leading to a considerable public health burden (Fratiglioni et al., 1999). AD pathogenic mecha‐ nisms contributing to neuronal loss and brain dysfunction are still unclear. However, remarkable advances have taken place in understanding of both the genetics and molecular biological aspects of the intracellular processing of amyloid and tau and the changes leading to the pathologic formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and the intraneuronal aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau into neurofibrillary tangles. This progress in our understanding of the molecular pathology has set the stage for clinical‐ ly meaningful advances in the development of biomarkers.


The subject. The article is about the peculiarities of referendum and popular initiative which are the main forms and institutions of direct democracy in Switzerland.
The purpose of the article is to determine the peculiarities of direct democracy in Switzer-land and characterize its main forms: referendum and popular initiative. In order to achieve the objective the following tasks can be defined: 1) to find the origins and identify the variations of forms of direct democracy in Switzerland; 2) to trace the evolution of en-shrining on the statutory level of such institutions of direct democracy in Switzerland as referendum and legislative initiative from the time of their conceiving till the enactment of the actual Constitution; 3) where relevant, to perform a brief comparative analysis of the forms of direct democracy in Switzerland and similar institutions shaped in other countries; 4) to define the role and meaning of referendum and legislative initiative in history as well as in the modern stage of the development of the Swiss State.
The methodology of the study includes the use of general scientific methods (description, deduction, induction, analysis and synthesis) together with formal juridical and compara-tive juridical approach. In addition, throughout the article and, in particular, while working with sources of law, historical approach and systematic approach were practiced.
The main results and scope of their application. The article presents the analysis of such forms of direct democracy in Switzerland as referendum and popular initiative, character-izing each form. The principle of democracy expressed by the practice of referendum and legislative initiative is present in its entirety. No country in the world has come as close to applying direct democracy to national political issues as Switzerland. Since the mid-nineteenth century, when the country's first Federal Constitution was adopted, Switzer-land has managed to hold more referendums than all other countries combined in the same time frame.
Conclusions. Referendum enables Swiss citizens to dismiss the measures taken by their representatives and the initiative gives the citizens possibility to put laws into practice in-dependently from the legislative powers. Swiss experience vividly demonstrates that used sensibly and taking into consideration national legislative traditions such forms of consult-ing with the people can be quite promising and efficient for other European countries.


Data-music reflects the ubiquity of data in modern society. Composers have not engaged widely with the opportunities opened up by this, despite the chance to overcome a gulf between academic art music and social engagement. Their reluctance might be traced to the challenge of reconciling abstract data and concrete sound, in political implications, and in technological barriers in computer music. The present paper argues that socially relevant music composition for the 21st century can adopt a programme of sonification grounded in politically acute data. As examples of such practice, two compositions are discussed founded upon US and UK social data sets, and realised via the SuperCollider programming language. The consequences for the composer of new music are further discussed from political and musicological angles, with the 'purpose' of writing such music analysed from the perspective of various commentators.


The BIR4 pulse achieves adiabatic excitation over a moderate frequency range but has a relatively high adiabatic threshold, which is demanding on the hardware and deposits significant energy when the repetition rate is high. We show here using simulations and an experiment in vivo that optimal control can provide a better alternative with a significantly lowered adiabatic threshold.


We propose an ac current source that can be tuned from a pure charge to a pure spin current source. The device consists of two mesoscopic capacitors attached to a two-dimensional strip of a topological insulator. The change from charge to spin current is controlled by an offset in the top gate potentials that drive the capacitors. In addition to this setup, which anticipates the experimental realisation of quantum point contacts in topological insulators, we propose an analogous source in the quantum Hall regime which only relies on presently available building blocks. To this end, we calculate the band structure of a topological insulator in a magnetic field. The intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, together with a split gate, allows for an analogous source, where charge and spin current can be manipulated. The realisation of the device as well as the detection of the ac spin current are within reach of the present experimental technology.


The evolution of infinitesimal three-dimensional perturbations superimposed on a Burgers vortex is studied. By a sequence of variable transformations and scalings this linear evolution problem is reduced to a time-dependent system which is nearly identical to the stability equations governing a Lamb–Oseen vortex. The maximum amplification reached by perturbations over a finite time interval is computed through an iterative scheme based on the direct and adjoint governing equations, and results on the asymptotic stability of the Burgers vortex are deduced. The Burgers vortex is shown to be asymptotically stable, although significant short-term amplification may occur.


: The use of bag of visual words (BOW) model for modelling images based on local invariant features computed at interest point locations has become a standard choice for many computer vision tasks. Visual vocabularies generated from image feature vectors are expected to produce visual words that are discriminative to improve the performance of image annotation systems. Most techniques that adopt the BOW model in annotating images declined favorable information that can be mined from image categories to build discriminative visual vocabularies. To this end, this paper introduces a detailed framework for automatically annotating natural scene images with local semantic labels from a predefined vocabulary. The framework is based on a hypothesis that assumes that, in natural scenes, intermediate semantic concepts are correlated with the local keypoints. Based on this hypothesis, image regions can be efficiently represented by BOW model and using a machine learning approach, such as SVM, to label image regions with semantic annotations. Another objective of this paper is to address the implications of generating visual vocabularies from image halves, instead of producing them from the whole image, on the performance of annotating image regions with semantic labels. All BOW-based approaches as well as baseline methods have been extensively evaluated on 6-categories dataset of natural scenes using the SVM and KNN classifiers. The reported results have shown the plausibility of using the BOW model to represent the semantic information of image regions and thus to automatically annotate image regions with labels.


Abstract : The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Land Capability Group 1 (LCG 1) has identified a need to develop and validate symbology for the individual soldier that can be displayed on a wide range of digital displays. Prototype symbology sets for this purpose have been developed by several NATO nations. A heuristic evaluation of these sets indicated that none of them were entirely consistent with good human factors practice. A new set (CHARLIE) was developed that conformed more closely to human factors guidelines. To further evaluate the most suitable symbology, an empirical assessment was carried out. Two different sizes of three prototype symbol sets were evaluated against backgrounds composed of digital photographic images of differing complexity and digitized paper maps under two different display resolutions. The symbol sets evaluated were the CHARLIE set discussed above, and two variants (ALPHA and BRAVO) of a set designed by NATO LCG1. The symbols were evaluated using a visual search task with accuracy and speed of response as the measures of performance. The results indicated that detection and discrimination of the CHARLIE symbols was significantly faster under all of the conditions tested and significantly more accurate with low resolution displays. Moreover, performance with the CHARLIE symbols was consistent across all the conditions tested (background, resolution, and symbol size).


(1) Despite many years of research, melanoma still remains a big challenge for modern medicine. The purpose of this article is to review publicly available clinical trials to find trends regarding the number of trials, their location, and interventions including the most frequently studied drugs and their combinations. (2) We surveyed clinical trials registered in the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), one of the largest databases on clinical trials. The search was performed on 30 November 2018 using the term "melanoma". Data have been supplemented with the information obtained from publicly available data repositories including PubMed, World Health Organization, National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Cancer Information System, and many others to bring the historical context of this study. (3) Among the total of 2563 clinical trials included in the analysis, most have been registered in the USA (1487), which is 58% of the total. The most commonly studied drug in clinical trials was ipilimumab, described as applied intervention in 251 trials. (4) An increase in the number of melanoma clinical trials using immunomodulating monoclonal antibody therapies, small molecule-targeted therapies (inhibitors of BRAF, MEK, CDK4/6), and combination therapies is recognized. This illustrates the tendency towards precision medicine.


Bank loan management is crucial and it is instrumental in ensuring the success or failure of any credit institution. Albanian banking system as a relatively newcomer in the market economy, started to apply modern lending rules & procedures after the major loan portfolio was already created, whereas the key role of risk management and its respective procedures was mostly unknown for the majority of banks in Albania, during the credit boom. On the other side, Bank of Albania has been relatively late in taking up its role in controlling and monitoring the process of setting up the lending structure and regulation, as a mandatory standard, applicable in lending practices for commercial banks in Albania. The adjusted Basel I standards helped banks in Albania to weather the effects of the last financial crisis, but proved incomplete, in terms of ensuring long-term loan quality management. The paper shed light on main reasons why Albanian banks lagged behind in terms of applying and implementing modern risk management practices and procedures, during the credit boom period and explain why applying rules, procedures, intending to correct mistakes done during lending process, or improving the low quality portfolio, proved to be costly and of less success. Also, the paper put emphasis on lack of properly qualified and well-trained credit officers, within Albanian banks, as most of them practiced "on job training", and only a few banks took care of training the staff, and arranging proper organizational structures, which were mostly focusing to sales rather than risk. Finally, the paper provides some recommendations on improving internal lending practices and procedures, along with modern risk management principles and near-future full implementation of Basel II standards by Bank of Albania.


BACKGROUND
Although many studies have reported reduced vitamin B-6 status with aging, little information is available about the specific effects of menopause.

OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine vitamin B-6 metabolism in premenopausal and early postmenopausal women.

DESIGN
We examined dietary intake and vitamin B-6 metabolites in the plasma, erythrocytes, and urine of 30 premenopausal women (x +/- SD age: 41.9 +/- 4.8 y) and 30 women (aged 54.0 +/- 3.8 y) who were 4.0 +/- 1.4 y past menopause.

RESULTS
Vitamin B-6 intake in the postmenopausal group (1.97 +/- 0.40 mg/d) was significantly greater than that in the premenopausal group (1.63 +/- 0.50 mg/d). Plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxal concentrations and erythrocyte PLP, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine phosphate concentrations were in the normal range in both groups and did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Plasma and erythrocyte 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) concentrations were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group, which may have been due at least partly to the slightly higher vitamin B-6 intake of the former group. Erythrocyte 4-PA was correlated (r = -0.37, P < 0.01) with serum estradiol in both groups. Urinary 4-PA did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The serum phosphate concentration was higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group, and it was correlated (r = 0.40, P < 0.01) with plasma PLP. Inhibition of alkaline phosphatase by the increased phosphate may help to increase plasma PLP.

CONCLUSION
Menopause may not necessarily be associated with a decrease in vitamin B-6 status.


The focus of this study is to determine the teachers' usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in vocational and technical schools in Turkey according to their age, level of education, opportunity of access to computers and ways of learning to use computers. Study group of the research was four hundred and sixteen teachers from vocational and technical schools in Turkey. Data were obtained a questionnaire which was designed by the researchers. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis reveal that teachers use ICT most frequently for managerial purposes, and the least for instructional purposes and there is a significant difference in teachers' usage of ICT based on their ages, level of education, opportunity of access to computers, ways of learning to use computers. Level of education appears as the variable which has the greatest effect on teachers' purposes of using ICT.


Autophagy is an effective regulatory process for eliminating tumors and worn-out intracellular components. Different groups of enzymes and regulatory elements are involved in the autophagy process. MAP1LC3A and BECN1 genes are the most important gene groups in autophagy. These genes, through the production of beclin1 autophagosomes. In general, both MAP1LC3A and BECN1 genes are active in cellular responses and the biological process. The aim of this study was bioinformatics analysis at the level of genome and proteome and to evaluate and compare the expression of MAP1LC3A and BECN1 genes in different human body tissues. The results of this study showed that the expression level of the BECN1 gene was relatively higher than the MAP1LC3A gene in different mammals. Cell analysis of MAP1LC3A and BECN1 genes by antibodies that bind to proteins of target genes showed that the protein encoded by the BECN1 gene is more present in the cytosol and the proteins encoded by MAP1LC3A gene are locally present in vesicles. It was also found that the protein encoded by the MAP1LC3A gene had a higher expression in brain tissues than in other tissues, while the beclin-1 protein in cardiac tissue showed higher expression than in other tissues. Finally, by using this information, it is possible to provide the ground for targeted therapies.


The effect of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (SRBT) on the stress-induced increase of monoamines in brain regions was investigated in three mouse emotional stress models. Dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) contents were elevated significantly by electric shock stress, psychological stress and conditioned fear stress in thalamus, hypothalamus and amygdala. The DA and DOPAC levels were decreased by preadministration of SRBT (600 mg/kg, p.o.) in the last two models, but were not altered in electric shock stress. Therefore, this compound seems to be effective in stress involving emotional factors. These results indicate that SRBT affects the brain monoamine neurons leading to psychological change in mice.


The feasibility of using simple static mixers (SM) to produce polymerisable miniemulsion dispersions, and the influence of the emulsification conditions on the diameter of the resulting methylmethacrylate droplets were examined. It was shown that these simple mixers could be used to generate droplets with diameters on the order of 150–300 nm, and that these droplets could be successfully polymerised. As expected, increasing the flow rate through the mixers led to a decrease in the average droplet size. Doubling the number of mixers in series did not have a significant influence on the droplet size but did decrease the time needed to achieve a steady final value of the average diameter. On the contrary, changing the surfactant concentration had an observable effect on the droplet sizes obtained, with higher surfactant concentrations yielding smaller droplets. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009


OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of re-sampling for patients who had failed non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) due to low cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) fraction.

METHODS
Clinical data of 20 387 patients undergoing NIPT test was reviewed. The patients were re-sampled when initial blood test did not yield a result due to cffDNA fraction. The results were analyzed, and the outcome of pregnancy was followed up.

RESULTS
Among all samples, 17 (0.08%) had failed to yield a result due to low cffDNA fraction, all of which accepted re-sampling. A result was attained in 16 cases, with a success rate of 94.12%. Only one sample had failed the re-test.

CONCLUSION
For patients who had failed the initial NIPT due to low cffDNA fraction, re-sampling should be considered with gestational week and ultrasound results taken into consideration.


To know the incidence and treatment outcome of various ocular manifestations of allergic fungal pan sinusitis. A prospective study was conducted in a medical college hospital in south India for a period of 2 years which included all the cases of allergic fungal pansinusitis presented to the hospital. The cases were diagnosed by Bent-Kuhn criteria. The cases with ophthalmologic involvement were included in the study. CT scan of PNS, brain, orbit were done and the disease extent was noted. Cases with eye involvement were planned for surgical debridement after an initial prednisolone oral 1mg/kg over 2 weeks. Surgical debridement was done endoscopically by a team of ENT surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon and neurosurgeon. Histopathologic examination was done. Post-surgery the steroids were tapered over 2 weeks. Post operative follow up was done every day for first week followed by weekly once till a month and every 6 monthly once for a year in the form of clinical examination, CT scan was repeated after a week during post op period. In cases with suspected recurrence CT PNS was performed. Their outcomes were analyzed. 6 cases (33%) had ocular involvement. Proptosis was the most common (28%) finding followed by epiphora (22.2%), ophthalmoparesis (22.2%), diplopia (22.2%), ophthalmoplegia (11.%), complete loss of vision (5%). Surgical intervention led to early recovery in proptosis followed by others except with PL -ve case. Early treatment in AFPS prevents vision loss and has better outcomes.


In this paper a method is proposed to characterize the elasticity of isotropic linear materials from the generation and detection of an acoustic surface wave. For the calculation of the elastic constants, it is sufficient that only one of the faces of the sample be accessible. The methodology is based on both the measurement of the Rayleigh wave velocity and on the determination of the normal to longitudinal amplitude ratio calculated from the normal and longitudinal components of the displacement of a point. The detection of two consecutive surface wave pulses using a single experimental setup permits the determination of the elastic constants. The method is applied to calculate Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of an aluminum sample as well as their systematic uncertainties. The results obtained give a relative uncertainty for Young's modulus on the order of the sixth part of that calculated for Poisson's ratio.


Background and Purpose— The sole Food and Drug Administration–approved treatment for stroke is tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), but its brief therapeutic window and complications of treatment constrain its use. One limitation may be its potential to exacerbate impairment of cerebral autoregulation after stroke. Vasodilation is maintained by elevations in cAMP. However, cAMP levels fall after stroke because of overactivation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by toxic levels of glutamate, an effect that is exacerbated by tPA. Binding of wild-type (wt) tPA to the low-density lipoprotein–related receptor (LRP) mediates dilation. We propose that binding of wt-tPA to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor reduces cAMP and impairs vasodilation. We hypothesize that tPA-A296–299, a variant that is fibrinolytic but cannot bind to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, preferentially binds to LRP and increases cAMP and p38, limiting autoregulation impairment after stroke. Methods— Stroke was induced by photothrombosis in pigs equipped with a closed cranial window, cerebral blood flow determined by microspheres, and cerebrospinal fluid cAMP and p38 determined by ELISA. Results— Stroke decreased cerebral blood flow. Cerebral blood flow was reduced further during hypotension, indicating impairment of autoregulation. Autoregulation was further impaired by wt-tPA, which was prevented by MK801 and tPA-A296–299. Protection by tPA-A296–299 was blocked by anti-LRP Ab, the LRP antagonist receptor-associated protein, and the p38 inhibitor SB 203580, but not by control IgG. Stroke reduced cerebrospinal fluid cAMP, which was reduced further by wt-tPA, but augmented by tPA-A296–299. Cerebrospinal fluid p38 was unchanged by wt-tPA, increased by tPA-A296–299, and decreased by anti-LRP Ab and receptor-associated protein. Conclusions— tPA-A296–299 prevents impairment of cerebral autoregulation after stroke through an LRP-dependent increase in cAMP and p38.


This article is dedicated to one of the essential problems of improvement of the quality of education in the higher educational institutions in Ukraine nowadays that is the introduction of crossmedia into the educational process. In the article, based on the author's own experience, the essential characteristics of the cross-media, the importance of the formation of cross-media competencies in the Humanities graduates are disclosed and the effectiveness of the introduction of cross-media as an innovative technology in their training is analysed. The peculiarities of transformation and modernization of the modern didactic space are described, Ukrainian and foreign scientific and methodological works on the problem of the introduction of cross-media technologies into the educational process are reviewed, the theoretical aspects of this problem are studied, preferable sources of information and most popular platforms among students based on content analysis of ethnocentric questionnaire (hand delivered questionnaire) are revealed. An emphasis is made on the necessity to conduct media education in formal, informal and accidental ways, which lead to the formation of one's own media product in the sphere of one's personal interests. The author also paid special attention to the package of licensed programmes such as AdobeAudition, InDesign, Photoshop, AdobePremiere for the production of the multimedia content of high quality. On the basis of the new technological equipment the students who obtain higher education have an opportunity to realise their students' media projects and create the journalist content in such forms as: printed production with the on-line version, videoand audiopodcasts, infographics, videoconnection, webinars etc. The effectiveness of the student-centered attitude in the educational process that motivates the future specialists to self-knowledge, selfdevelopment and self-education is substantiated. It is proved that the introduction of such technologies affects the modernization of the educational process in the higher education institution, provides the maximum approximation of education to the conditions of the future career. ISSN: 2076-8184. Information Technologies and Learning Tools, 2019, Vol 70, No2. 258


Featuring research cases in Australia, China, Japan, Switzerland and the United States, from cosmopolitan New York to the American wilderness, this Special Issue reviews the ways in which popular media can be engaged through tourism across the globe. In this introduction, we set the scene for the six papers that follow, which collectively demonstrate the diversity of touristic, cultural and societal engagement with different forms of popular media through travel and tourism. The qualitative research papers present rich theoretical analysis and diverse and deliberate methodological approaches to critically examine a range of theoretical themes and constructs, including more amorphous concepts such as mediatised mobility, nationalism, gendered narratives and inter- and intra-personal authenticity, to more practical demonstrations of destination choice, contents tourism, placemaking and fandom. Each paper features a different popular media, including music, film, television series, animation, advertising and social media, and contributing authors critique the manifold uses of these mediums in tourism as well as their theoretical, managerial and operational implications. Also presented in this introduction is a brief explanation of the mentoring process in which some of the contributors participated to develop their scholarly practice and reflections with the support of a 'critical reader'.


Information and communication technologies (ICT) are often represented as a factor in global economic growth and social development. Consequently, countries and governments invest large amounts of resources in the ICT sector. However, it is not certain whether the results of these investments necessarily match expectations. In order to investigate this conundrum, this study evaluates government policies for Information Communication Technologies (ICT) growth in a developing country by extending and utilizing the design‐actuality gaps framework. A qualitative analysis of government's ICT policy documents (i.e., design) and interviews with 35 citizens and 54 government officials (i.e., actuality) shows significant design‐actuality gaps. Additional insights are derived from two focus groups involving 11 citizens. The analysis shows that not only there are gaps between policy design and actuality but also the dimensions of design and actuality are different. The causes of these gaps are discussed along with implications for practitioners and a theoretical extension of the design‐actuality gaps framework. This research contributes to the literature on design‐actuality gaps, ICT in developing countries, and government policy evaluation.


A class of R-estimators, based on the concepts of multivariate signed ranks and the optimal rank-based tests developed in Hallin and Paindaveine (2006a), is proposed for the estimation of the shape matrix of an elliptical distribution. These R-estimators are root-n consistent under any radial density g, without any moment assumptions, and semiparametrically efficient at some prespecified density f. When based on normal scores, they are uniformly more efficient thanthe traditional normal-theory estimator, based on empirical covariance matrices (the asymptotic normality of which moreover requires finite moments of order four), irrespective of the actual underlying elliptical density. They rely on an original rank-based version of Le Cam's one-step methodology, which avoids the unpleasant nonparametric estimation of cross-information quantities that is generally required in the context of R-estimation. Although they are not strictly equivariant, they are shown to be equivariant in a weak asymptotic sense. Simulations confirm their feasability and excellent finite-sample performances.


e opening of "Kemang Wa Lehulere: In All My Wildest Dreams" at the Art Institute of Chicago marks the rst solo exhibition in the United States for South African artist Kemang Wa Lehulere (b. 1984, Cape Town). e show, curated by Kate Nesin, Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, emblematizes Wa Lehulere's multidisciplinary approach through its display of objects created in several media, including Polaroid photographs, handwritten letters, annotated sketches, digital video, and sculptures made from salvaged school desks. Upon entering the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, viewers immediately witness "In All My Wildest Dreams," visible through the glass walls that enclose the front of the exhibition (Fig. 1). In the rst gallery space, visitors may ponder the seemingly disparate collection of objects that include several ceramic dog sculptures scattered on the oor, with some shattered and others still intact; these sculptures rest amid closed and opened weathered suitcases lled with plots of green grass. A depiction of a pencil sharpener resting on a pile of intricately illustrated bones, drawn in white chalk on a large blackboard, serves as a backdrop for this installation and was created on site by the artist (Figs. 2–3). ough the works are diverse in media and subject matter, several related motifs begin to emerge, gleaned from Wa Lehulere's mark-making, juxtaposed materials, and inclusion of physical remnants. e incorporation of cassette tapes and depictions of pencil sharpeners may be understood as an ode to relics of the past, but their use remains relevant as both magnetic tape and graphite pencils function to communicate history through the written or spoken word. A 1 Glass panels and doors at the entrance of the exhibition, "Kemang Wa Lehulere: In All My Wildest Dreams." This space allows visitors to preview the artist's installation work before entering the show. Photo: courtesy of the author (2016)


Background: Multiple perforations in the small bowel as cytomegalovirus (CMV) related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient is very rare. Up to now, only five IRIS-associated cases including our case were reported. We performed pathological examination, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), CMV and immune cells immunohistochemical staining for rapid diagnosis and differential diagnosis.Case presentation: We describe a case with multiple perforations in the small bowel as CMV related IRIS in an HIV-infected patient. The patient appeared multiple perforations in the small bowel after 26 days of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy. Partial resection and surgical repair of small intestine were performed. CMV enteritis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry staining and other opportunistic infections were excluded by mNGS. However, he died from intestinal obstruction and septic shock at 55 days after surgery. Conclusions: Perforations due to CMV related IRIS are very rare, and usually lack the prodromal period symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is not easily foreseen and appears shortly after ART. The condition of intestinal perforations is lethal, and early identification and surgical treatment are lifesaving.


Radioisotope studies have shown that collagen synthesized in the shafts of bones from rachitic rats and chicks is similar in chain composition to that normally synthesized. However, the extent of lysine hydroxylation in both alpha1- and alpha2-chains is increased, by approx. 15-30% in the rat and by 50% in the chick.


The need to be able to predict the response of portions of the human body to dynamic loading has been well established, and it is the purpose of this study to experimentally investigate the effects of several independent parameters as they relate to the frequency response of a biological system. Specifically, the forearm of volunteer subjects was excited by a very small amplitude, sinusoidal forcing function at a position near the styloid process, and the response of the arm was measured with an accelerometer located near the olecranon process. The input forcing function frequency was automatically swept through a frequency range of 80 to 600 Hz, and the resultant output frequency response was recorded as a power spectral density curve by means of a wave analyzer. The natural frequencies of the arm were considered to be the frequencies at which relative peak amplitudes occur in the power spectral density curve. For each subject, four independent parameters, as well as the dependent variable (natural frequency), were measured. These four independent parameters were r (1) arm length as measured from elbow to wrist, (2) bone size as indicated by wrist size, (3) muscle development as indicated by the per cent increase in upper arm circumference from unflexed to flexed position, and (4-) fleshiness as indicated by the ratio of unflexed upper arm circumference to wrist width. The subjects utilized were approximately 250 college-age males. The significance of the effects of each of the foregoing parameters, and of the interactions between these parameters, on the dependent variable was examined via a 2n fixed factor, factorial experiment. The experimental results indicated all of the four factors significantly affected the resonant frequency at the 99% level of confidence. It was further determined that each of these factors had significant interactions, with all two way interactions except arm length-bone size and muscle development-fleshiness significant. All three way interactions were significant. No general trend was determined for any factor except bone size, for which an increase in level tended to cause a decrease in natural frequency. It was concluded that although other parameters may be found which affect the resonant frequency, these four were the ones of most importance.


High-resolution multi-slice T2W imaging at ultra-high field is highly sensitive to motion due to high tissue-CSF contrast and the k-space filling pattern. In this study we investigated the combination of 3D prospective and in-plane retrospective motion correction to improve image quality. We observed that a combination of navigator based prospective and data-driven retrospective correction is able to correct most severe motion artifacts during scanning, and remove smaller residual artifacts in reconstruction.


Abstract Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) can affect both domestic and wild artiodactyls. In a zoological setting, in which subclinical carriers and susceptible species are often housed in close proximity, the disease can prove fatal. This report describes a case of goat-associated MCF in a captive moose (Alces alces). The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology, which showed lymphocytic vasculitis in the brain and panuveitis, and by detection of caprine herpesvirus 2 DNA in tissues. Identical viral DNA sequences amplified from the clinically affected moose and from domestic, petting goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) housed in the zoo suggest that the goats were the source for the virus transmutation. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of confirmed goat-associated MCF in any moose in North America and of the surveillance measures and procedures put in place to prevent additional spread of the disease.


OBJECTIVE
To study the rate of, and factors associated with, recognition of psychiatric disorders and self-perceived problems among 18-year-old adolescent boys.

METHOD
The study population consisted of 2347 Finnish boys born during 1981 attending military call-up (79.7% of the original sample). At age 8, the boys were evaluated by parental and teacher Rutter scales and by self-reports using the Child Depression Inventory (CDI). At military call-up 10 years later, the boys filled in the Young Adult Self-Report (YASR). Information about psychiatric disorders recognized at the military call-up health examination was obtained from the national military register.

RESULTS
About 4.6% of boys were recognized as having a psychiatric disorder at the military call-up medical examination. In addition, 23.1% of boys reported emotional, behavioral or relational difficulties but were not recognized as having an ICD 10 psychiatric diagnosis at the military call-up medical examination. A higher level of psychopathology, problems across different life domains and early onset of problems were more strongly associated with recognition of psychiatric disorder than with self-reports of difficulties without a recognized psychiatric disorder. All informant sources, parents, teachers and children themselves at age 8, independently predicted recognition of psychiatric disorders and perceived difficulties 10 years later.

CONCLUSIONS
Only a minority of adolescents with psychiatric problems are recognized as having a psychiatric disorder in the health services. Efforts to prevent psychiatric disturbance in early life are emphasized. The use of screening methods in school health settings to detect children in need of child mental health services is justified.


L-DOPA, the precursor of catecholamines, exerts a pro-locomotor action in several vertebrate species, including newborn rats. Here, we tested the hypothesis that decreasing the degradation of monoamines can promote the pro-locomotor action of a low, subthreshold dose of L-DOPA in five-day-old rats. The activity of the degrading pathways involving monoamine oxidases or catechol-O-methyltransferase was impaired by injecting nialamide or tolcapone, respectively. At this early post-natal stage, the capacity of the drugs to trigger locomotion was investigated by monitoring the air-stepping activity expressed by the animals suspended in a harness above the ground. We show that nialamide (100 mg/kg) or tolcapone (100 mg/kg), without effect on their own promotes maximal expression of air-stepping sequences in the presence of a sub-effective dose of L-DOPA (25 mg/kg). Tissue measurements of monoamines (dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and some of their metabolites) in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord confirmed the regional efficacy of each inhibitor toward their respective enzyme. Our experiments support the idea that the raise of monoamines boost L-DOPA's locomotor action. Considering that both inhibitors differently altered the spinal monoamines levels in response to L-DOPA, our data also suggest that maximal locomotor response can be reached with different monoamines environment.


To meet the challenge of underfunding, creative partnerships are being developed to enhance government and nonprofit programs. This article will describe how to build large systems that work to ameliorate elder abuse and neglect. Projects funded through the Archstone Foundation Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative in California identify key components of system change, the process by which systems have been built to overcome barriers, and lessons learned for replication.


-This study aims to reveal the concept of the integration of Islamic values in Accounting Education at PTM. The paradigm used in this study is spiritual with a qualitative approach. Researchers use the ulul albab perspective in building ontological, epistemological, and research methodology. Data was obtained from one of the reputable Muhammadiyah Universities in Indonesia, which has an accounting study program. Data collection techniques are carried out through observation, interviews, and literature review. By using the method of prayer, remembrance, tafakkur, endeavor, and tawakal, this research has succeeded in uncovering the concept of the integration of Islamic values in Accounting Education held by the Muhammadiyah College, the Hidden Curriculum (hidden curriculum). Through the concept of Hidden Curriculum, it is expected to be able to contribute to producing religious and Muhammadiyah students. Keywords--Hidden Curriculum, The Concept of Value Integration, Accounting Education. JEL Classification--A20, I20, I23.


In many remote sensing applications millions of measurements can be made from a satellite at one time, and many times the data is of marginal value. In these situations clustering techniques might save much data transmission without loss of information since cluster codes may be transmitted instead of multidimensional data points. Data points within a cluster are highly similar so that interpretation of the cluster code can be meaningfully made on the basis of knowing what sort of data point is typical of those in the cluster. We introduce an iterative clustering technique; the procedure suboptimally minimizes the probability of differences between the binary reconstructions from the cluster codes and the original binary data. The iterative clustering technique was programmed for the GE 635 KANDIDATS (Kansas Digital Image Data System) and tested on two data sets. The first was a multi-image set. Twelve images of the northern part of Yellowstone Park were taken by the Michigan scanner system, and the images were reduced and run with the program. Thirty-thousand data points, each consisting of a binary vector of 25 components, were clustered into four clusters. The percentage difference between the components of the reconstructed binary data and the original binary data was 20 percent. The second data set consisted of measurements of the frequency content of the signals from lightning discharges. One hundred and thirty-four data measurements, each consisting of a binary vector of 32 components, were clustered into four clusters.


Background: The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistep process contributed by the accumulation of molecular alterations. We identified Apelin (APLN) as an outlier gene up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through RNA-Seq and microarray analysis. We aimed to investigate its function, mechanism of action and clinical implication in HCC. Methods: Gene expression and clinical implication of APLN were assessed in multiple human HCC cohorts. Ectopic expression and silencing of APLN were performed to determine its function. The therapeutic potential of APLN and its downstream pathway was investigated using in vitro and in vivo models. Results: APLN overexpression was commonly observed in more than 80% of HCCs and independently predicted poorer survival of patients in three independent HCC cohorts. Apelin up-regulation was mediated by active β-catenin, which binds to the APLN promoter to induce transcription. Ectopic APLN expression in HCC cells promoted cell proliferation, accelerated G1/S progression and inhibited apoptosis, whilst APLN knockdown exerted opposite effects in vitro and inhibited HCC xenograft growth in mice. Mechanistically, APLN activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway via APLN receptor, leading to increased expression of phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and cyclin D1. Pharmacological targeting of APLN by ML221 was safe and effective in inhibiting APLN-PI3K/Akt cascade and HCC growth in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: Our findings unraveled an oncogenic role of APLN in HCC, and that targeting of APLN might be a promising for HCC treatment. APLN may serve as an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients.


Protein sequence analysis is an important task in bioinformatics. The classification of protein sequences into groups is beneficial for further analysis of the structures and roles of a particular group of protein in biological process. It also allows an unknown or newly found sequence to be identified by comparing it with protein groups that have already been studied. In this paper, we present the use of growing self-organizing map (GSOM), an extended version of the self-organizing map (SOM) in classifying protein sequences. With its dynamic structure, GSOM facilitates the discovery of knowledge in a more natural way. This study focuses on two aspects; analysis of the effect of spread factor parameter in the GSOM to the node growth and the identification of grouping and subgrouping under different level of abstractions by using the spread factor.


Abstract Supernumerary teeth as mesiodentes in adults are a rare condition. Given that mesiodentes often interfere with the eruption of normal permanent incisors, the majority are diagnosed in teenagers. In some cases, this pathology is associated with the presence of a dentigerous cyst. Imaging techniques play a significant role in the diagnosis of cysts, particularly cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Once the correct diagnosis is established, appropriate therapeutic measures – usually surgical – should be initiated promptly. The case presented here is that of a 55-year-old male with an extensive dentigerous cyst arising from a maxillary mesiodens. The decision was made to perform enucleation of the cyst along with the mesiodens inside it. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia. No complications were observed in the postoperative period. The histopathology report confirmed a dentigerous cyst. Radiograph images obtained 10 months post-surgery showed spontaneous bone tissue reconstruction.


Edited version embargoed until 23.01.2019
Full version: Access restricted permanently due to 3rd party copyright restrictions. Restriction set on 23.01.2018 by SE, Doctoral College


Health care costs in the United States are much higher than in other countries. These cost differences can be explained in part by a lack of competition in the United States. Some markets, such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, have elements of monopoly. Other markets, such as health insurance, have elements of monopsony. Many other markets may be subject to collusion on prices, such as generic drugs, or wages, such as the nurse labor market. Lawful monopoly and monopsony are beyond the reach of antitrust laws, but collusion is not. When appropriate, vigorous antitrust enforcement challenging anticompetitive conduct can aid in reducing health care costs. This book addresses monopoly, monopsony, cartels of sellers and buyers, horizontal and vertical merger policy, and antitrust enforcement through private suits as well as the efforts of the antitrust Agencies. The authors demonstrate how enforcing antitrust laws can ultimately promote competition and reduce health care costs.


Challenger Mound, a 150‐m‐high cold‐water coral mound on the eastern flank of the Porcupine Seabight off SW Ireland, was drilled during Expedition 307 of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). Retrieved cores offer unique insight into an archive of Quaternary paleo‐environmental change, long‐term coral mound development, and the diagenetic alteration of these carbonate fabrics over time. To characterize biogeochemical carbon–iron–sulfur transformations in the mound sediments, the contents of dithionite‐ and HCl‐extractable iron phases, iron monosulfide and pyrite, and acid‐extractable calcium, magnesium, manganese, and strontium were determined. Additionally, the stable isotopic compositions of pore‐water sulfate and solid‐phase reduced sulfur compounds were analyzed. Sulfate penetrated through the mound sequence and into the underlying Miocene sediments, where a sulfate–methane transition zone was identified. Small sulfate concentration decreases (<7 mm) within the top 40 m of the mound suggested slow net rates of present‐day organoclastic sulfate reduction. Increasing δ34S‐sulfate values due to microbial sulfate reduction mirrored the decrease in sulfate concentrations. This process was accompanied by oxygen isotope exchange with water that was indicated by increasing δ18O‐sulfate values, reaching equilibrium with pore‐water at depth. Below 50 mbsf, sediment intervals with strong 34S‐enriched imprints on chromium‐reducible sulfur (pyrite S), high degree‐of‐pyritization values, and semi‐lithified diagenetic carbonate‐rich layers characterized by poor coral preservation, were observed. These layers provided evidence for the occurrence of enhanced microbial sulfate‐reducing activity in the mound in the past during periods of rapid mound aggradation and subsequent intervals of non‐deposition or erosion when geochemical fronts remained stationary. During these periods, especially during the Early Pleistocene, elevated sulfate reduction rates facilitated the consumption of reducible iron oxide phases, coral dissolution, and the subsequent formation of carbonate cements.


The study deals with analysis of four methods for determining the parameters of the Weibull distribution, using wind speed data collected in the Mupandal station at Kanya Kumari in India. The Weibull distribution is a twoparameter function commonly used to fit the wind speed frequency distribution. This family of curves has been shown to give a good fit to measured wind speed. Four methods for calculating the parameters of the Weibull wind speed distribution for wind energy analysis are presented : the Empirical method, the Maximum likelihood method, Modified maximum likelihood method, the proposed Energy pattern factor method. The application of each method is demonstrated using a sample wind speed data set and a comparison of the accuracy of each method is also performed using some statistical methods of analysis. The study helps to determine which one is effective in determining the parameters of Weibull distribution and to establish the wind energy resource


The first human to see monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in his newly invented microscope was the Dutch researcher Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in 1679. Since then, the gold standard to establish the diagnosis of gout arthritis is the detection of these crystals, phagocytosed by leukocytes contained in the synovial fluid of an inflamed joint. However, various obstacles may interfere with arthrocentesis individual cases: (i) Gout patients frequently carry a high cardiovascular risk and are on anticoagulant therapy or they do not consent to an invasive procedure due to the extreme pain level of their condition. (ii) In addition, diffuse soft tissue swelling without clearly detectable effusion can make it difficult to yield sufficient material to establish diagnosis. To overcome these problems, the EULAR evidence based recommendations for gout state that "for typical presentations of gout (such as recurrent podagra with hyperuricaemia) a clinical diagnosis alone is reasonably accurate but not definitive without crystal confirmation". Musculoskeletal ultrasound has the potential to support the non-invasive diagnosis of gouty arthritis. Sonography can detect free-floating MSU crystals in synovial fluid ("snow storm appearance") or subclinical tophus deposits. The most specific ultrasonographic finding, however, is the double contour sign, representing MSU deposits on the surface of hyaline cartilage (e. g. of femoral condyles or metatarsal heads). Recently, yet another diagnostic method has been described, which allows non-invasive identification of sodium urate crystals deposits in the periarticular tissues. Dual energy computed tomography (DECT) is an imaging method, which uses X-ray beams of two different energies to differentiate solid sodium urate deposits from connective tissues and from calcium containing structures by their absorption properties. Several clinical studies could clearly demonstrate that DECT does not only reliably detect clinically overt tophi, but also detects subclinical urate deposition at periarticular or peritendinous sites in gout patients. Therefore, DECT may not only be a very helpful imaging method for tophus assessment and follow-up in clinical trials and during urate lowering therapy in patients with the established diagnosis of chronic gout. It may also be valuable as differential diagnostic tool in patients with "unclassified" acute or relapsing arthritides, when aspiration of synovial fluid is not possible or not successful. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


We present some scenarios where default and/or nonmonotonic reasoning patterns are either necessary or useful for the modelling of dynamic spatial environments. The identified instances bear a direct relationship to the fundamental epistemological issues relevant to the frame and ramification problems; these are cases where a typical use of nonmonotonicity is necessary at a meta-theoretical or domainindependent level. Furthermore, non-monotonic reasoning is also necessary whilst modelling the appearance and disappearance of spatial objects – these phenomena, considered inherent to dynamic spatial systems, essentially involve the representation of an incompletely known domain of discourse. The final case, from the viewpoint of this paper, involves the use of non-monotonic reasoning for modelling causal explanation tasks in an abductive manner. Indeed, the non-monotonic patterns we illustrate are only indicative of the ones encountered and accounted for in the context of our key task of developing a situation calculus based domainindependent qualitative spatial theory that is usable in diverse dynamic spatial domains. The identification of other similar patterns and the general utility of non-monotonic reasoning from a specific spatial reasoning viewpoint is an important research agenda, and this paper calls for a further investigation of the same within the mainstream qualitative spatial reason-


The elderly diabetic patients are increasingly referred for percutaneous coronary interventions during acute coronary syndromes. A nonegligible proportion of this population includes the in stent restenosis as a possible cause of ischemic syndrome. This population accounts an higher risk of ischemic, bleeding and vascular complications affecting the periprocedural management, the length of hospital stay and also the prognosis. The improvement of strategies concerning site of access choice, antithrombotic drug and timing of interventional treatment have significantly reduced the incidence of complications. This paper reports the case of a 76 years-old diabetic female with a high bleeding risk, referred to our hospital because of NSTEMI complicated by pulmonary edema during hypertensive emergency. The patient had a simultaneous in stent restenosis both in left descending coronary artery and left renal artery, undergoing percutaneous transradial treatment during bivalirudin infusion. The clinical, technical, pharmacological and prognostic implications are discussed.


We investigated the relationship between mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP) and blood volume in nonpregnant (NP), estrogen-treated (E), and pregnant (P) guinea pigs. Reversible circulatory arrest was produced by rapid ventricular pacing or acetylcholine in unanesthetized animals remote from surgery. MCFP (mmHg) was higher for E (7.1 +/- 0.3) than for NP (5.8 +/- 0.5) or P (5.3 +/- 0.4). The gradient for venous return, the difference between MCFP and right atrial pressure (mmHg), did not differ in NP- (6.0 +/- 0.5), P- (5.8 +/- 0.5), or E- (5.8 +/- 0.4) treated animals. Capacitance, the blood volume (ml/kg) at an MCFP of 6 mmHg, was increased in P (84 +/- 6) and E (89 +/- 7), compared with NP (64 +/- 5) animals. Compliance, the ratio of the change in volume to change in pressure in the range of 6-12 mmHg (ml.kg-1.mmHg-1), was greater in P (4.4 +/- 0.3) than NP (3.5 +/- 0.3) animals. Hexamethonium blockade did not affect MCFP, capacitance, or compliance. We conclude that the effect of blood volume expansion on the circulation in pregnancy cannot be predicted from knowledge of MCFP-blood volume relationships in the nonpregnant animal, because capacitance and compliance are altered. Estrogen administration to nonpregnant animals reproduces some of these effects.


The high energy proton component generated by the high power (~ 10 MW) NBI with beam ions energy ~ 1 MeV into the helium plasma is investigated. The resulting proton component is shown to simulate the alphas in a thermonuclear reactor quite well. The protons driven collective effects are reported. It is shown that in a tokamak with high energy NBI the experimental investigation of hot protons driven TAE modes and the determination of the threshold value of the proton beta of TAE excitation will be possible in a wide plasma parameters range.


The first rotor performance predictions were published by Joukowsky exactly 100 years ago. Although a century of research has expanded the knowledge of rotor aerodynamics enormously, and modern computer power and measurement techniques now enable detailed analyses that were previously out of reach, the concepts proposed by Froude, Betz, Joukowsky and Glauert for modelling a rotor in performance calculations are still in use today, albeit with modifications and expansions. This book is the result of the author's curiosity as to whether a return to these models with a combination of mathematics, dedicated computations and wind tunnel experiments could yield more physical insight and answer some of the old questions still waiting to be resolved. Although most of the work included here has been published previously, the book connects the various topics, linking them in a coherent storyline. This book will be of interest to those working in all branches of rotor aerodynamics – wind turbines, propellers, ship screws and helicopter rotors. It has been written for proficient students and researchers, and reading it will demand a good knowledge of inviscid (fluid) mechanics.


A worker's output depends not only on his or her ow n ability but also on that of colleagues, who can facilitate the performance of tasks that each i ndiv dual cannot accomplish on his own. We show that this common-sense observation generates m onopsony power and is sufficient to explain why employers might expend resources on tra i ing employees even when the training is of use to other firms. We show that training will t ake place in better-than-average or 'good' firms enjoying greater monopsony power, while 'bad' firms will have low-ability workers unlikely to receive much training.


The recent increase of 'Health Technology Assessment' (HTA)-related activities in Iran has necessitated the clarification of policy-making process based on the HTA reports. This study aimed to develop a Decision Support System (DSS) in order to adopt evidence-informed policies regarding health technologies in Iran. The study can be classified as Health Policy and Systems Research. A core panel of seven experts conducted two separate reviews of relevant literature for: 1- Determining the potential technology-related policies. 2- Listing the criteria influencing those policy decisions. The policies and criteria were separately discussed and subsequently rated for appropriateness and necessity during two expert meetings in 2013. In the next step, The 'Discrete Choice Experiment' (DCE) method was employed to develop the DSS for the final technology-related policies. Accordingly, the core panel members independently rated the appropriateness of each policy for 30 virtual technologies based on the random values assigned to all the criteria for each technology. The obtained data for each policy were separately analysed using stepwise regression model, resulting in a minimal set of independent and statistically significant criteria contributing in the experts' judgments about the appropriateness of that policy. The obtained regression coefficients were used as the relative weights of the different levels of the final criteria of any policy statement, shaping the decision support scoring tool for each policy. The study has outlined 64 policy decisions under 7 macro policy areas concerning a health technology. Also, 34 criteria used for making those policy decisions have been organized within a portfolio. DCE, using stepwise regression, resulted in 64 scoring tools shaping the DSS for all HTA-related policies. Both the results and methodology of the study may serve as a guide for policy makers (researchers), particularly in low and middle income countries, in developing decision aids for their own context-specific HTA-related policies.


Since the number of mobile users is continuously growing, we shrink cell size to increase the system capacity. By shrinking the cell size, the handoff rate is increased. To overcome these problems, a hierarchical cell structure is proposed. Because efficient use of radio resources is very important, utilization of all resources have to be maximized. Thus, in a hierarchical cell structure, how to assign available radio resources to each user is critical question. So far, several studies have been made on static radio resource management in a hierarchical cell structure. However, in order to adapt to changes of traffic, it is necessary to consider adaptive radio resource management. Thus, in this study, we propose an adaptive radio resource management in a CDMA based hierarchical cell structure. The performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated by means of computer simulation. The results show that the proposed scheme improves call blocking, call dropping and utilization of radio resource compared with conventional schemes.


We discuss the effect of Fermi surface curvature on long-distance or time asymptotic behaviors of two-dimensional fermions interacting via a gapless mode described by an effective gauge-field-like propagator. By comparing the predictions based on the idea of multidimensional bosonization with those of the strong-coupling Eliashberg approach, we demonstrate that an agreement between the two requires a further extension of the former technique.


There have been many popular biographies of Ivan IV, but this one is easily the best. It makes good reading. The text is based upon a wide range of contemporary narrative sources and is accompanied by well-chosen illustrations, maps, plans of the Kremlin, a glossary, and an index. The bibliography includes all the major works in Russian, English, and German, along with some esoterica. The book concentrates on military campaigns, diplomatic negotiations, and the horrors of the oprichnina. There is next to nothing on administrative reforms, and only one paragraph on the peasantry. But the authors did not set out to write a history of the Muscovite state in the sixteenth century. They have given us an account of Ivan's life, which they divide into three sharply contrasting periods: the troubled adolescent, the good tsar (guided by Sylvester), and the "harsh and tyrannical voluptuary" (following Anastasia's death). Allowing for some hyperbole (Ivan becomes "almost an abstraction of pure evil"), this is a respectable view: it goes back at least to Karamzin if not to Kurbskii.


Retrieval practice leads to the impaired recall of related but unpractised items, an effect termed retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). Two experiments showed that RIF occurred with "real world" educational material, and isolated several boundary conditions for the phenomenon. Experiment 1 showed that integration of material available to experts but not to novices in a domain of knowledge, protected against RIF, which disappeared after a 24 hours. Experiment 2 examined the impact on RIF of the degree of coherence or integration of the text material itself and the type of test format administered. Text coherence did not influence RIF, which occurred for the short answer and essay tests, but not for the multiple choice test. In both experiments, those participants who demonstrated RIF were able to monitor accurately the likelihood of recall impairment, suggesting that RIF may not be an unconscious process. Results are discussed in relation to exam preparation strategies.


A method for predicting the rejection of uncharged organic pollutants with nanofiltration, based on solute-membrane interactions affecting this rejection and on readily available knowledge about solute- and membrane parameters, was developed. Rejection values of model organic contaminants were measured with bench-scale NF experiments, using Trisep TS80-TSF membranes. Organic contaminants were subdivided into different categories, based on their hydrophobicity (expressed as log Kow-value). Predicted rejection curves, modeled with a log-normal model based on the molecular weight of the solutes, were in close agreement with the experimental data for the different categories of solutes. However, large differences were found between rejection curves for hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules: rejection curves for hydrophobic molecules have an inflection point at higher molecular weight values compared to hydrophilic molecules and the incline of the rejection curves is less steep for hydrophobic molecules compared to hydrophilic molecules. This indicates that hydrophobic and hydrophilic solutes demonstrate different molecular weight cut-off values on a single membrane and that hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions between solute and membrane affect rejection of hydrophobic solutes, while rejection is mainly a sieving phenomenon for hydrophilic solutes.


This paper presents the application of a novel high-Q planar waveguide resonator for microwave oscillator design. The waveguide cavity is made in printed-circuit-board process, first using a routed cut followed by a plated via-through-hole. Measurements show that the oscillator stabilized by the resonator delivers an output power of 14 dBm at 15 GHz and a phase noise of -98 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset from the carrier, under 5-V single bias. Experiments indicate the predominance of the waveguide resonator by a 13-dB phase noise improvement at 100 kHz offset against the microstrip oscillator.


The Van Geet home near Denver, Colorado, demonstrates the successful integration of energy conservation measures and renewable energy supply in a beautiful, comfortable, energy-efficient, 295-m 2 (3,176-ft 2 ) off-grid home in a cold, sunny climate. Features include a tight envelope, energy-efficient appliances, passive solar heating (direct gain and Trombe wall), natural cooling, solar hot water, and photovoltaics. In addition to describing this house and its performance, this paper describes the recommended design process of (1) setting a goal for energy efficiency at the outset, (2) applying rules of thumb, and (3) using computer simulation to fine-tune the design. Performance monitoring and computer simulation are combined for the best possible analysis of energy performance. In this case, energy savings are estimated as 89% heating and cooling (compared to 95 MEC), 83% electrical, and nearly 100% domestic water heating. The heating and cooling energy use is 8.96 kJ/°C.day.m 2 (0.44 Btu/°F.day.ft 2 ).


The enhanced production of prodigiosin was performed by two steps approaches. Here in this study, optimization of preservation condition and methodology for seed culturing were applied to attain a higher yield of prodigiosin using Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756 in a batch process. Results showed that the yield of prodigiosin was increased while the strain was kept refrigeration for 1 day before subculturing. It was evident that the higher yield of prodigiosin was found with a single time subculturing of previously 24 h preserved strain inside the refrigerator. The maximum yield of prodigiosin is found when the pH of seed media is kept at 6 and the pH of the seed medium was finally shifted after 24 h of subculturing to 7.5. The above final pH (7.5) was considered as a marker for the completion of the seed culturing process. It was evident from results that the production of prodigiosin was found maximum when seed culture was kept inside the refrigerator for 24 h for shocking. The results showed that 1.68 fold higher production of prodigiosin was found by two steps strategies. It was found that enhance the production of prodigiosin was possible by two steps strategies using Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756. There-fore, the above strain could be exploited commercially for the production of prodigiosin.


Precise radial velocity measurements have led to the discovery of ∼100 extrasolar planetary systems. We investigate the uncertainty in the orbital solutions that have been fitted to these observations. Understanding these uncertainties will become more and more important as the discovery space for extrasolar planets shifts to longer and longer periods. While detections of short-period planets can be rapidly refined, planets with long orbital periods will require observations spanning decades to constrain the orbital parameters precisely. Already in some cases, multiple distinct orbital solutions provide similarly good fits, particularly in multiple-planet systems. We present a method for quantifying the uncertainties in orbital fits and addressing specific questions directly from the observational data rather than relying on best-fit orbital solutions. This Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique has the advantage that it is well suited to the high-dimensional parameter spaces necessary for the multiple-planet systems. We apply the MCMC technique to several extrasolar planetary systems, assessing the uncertainties in orbital elements for several systems. Our MCMC simulations demonstrate that for some systems there are strong correlations between orbital parameters and/or significant non-Gaussianities in parameter distributions, even though the measurement errors are nearly Gaussian. Once these effects are considered, the actual uncertainties in orbital elements can be significantly larger or smaller than the published uncertainties. We also present simple applications of our methods, such as predicting the times of possible transits for GJ 876.


Abstract BACKGROUND Ultrasound‐assisted extraction of the intermediate product from the mechanical expression of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil was investigated to improve the overall expression yield without compromising oil quality. Complementary ultrasound technology was used as an out‐of‐line treatment carried out at 20 kHz frequency and optimized with respect to amplitude (80 and 152 μm), sonication time (2, 10, 20 min) and to the hemp paste properties, in particular its particle size and hydration, which drive the compressibility of the press cake. RESULTS Under the conditions evaluated, the optimal ultrasound treatment was found to be the one applied on the hydrated press cake for 2 min at 152 μm, which resulted in an oil yield of 13.4%, with an increase in extraction efficiency equal to 73% with respect to the control (untreated press cake). Sonication had a positive effect on the press cake texture and on the extracted oil antioxidant activity. Soaked samples treated for 2 min at 152 μm yielded the lowest hardness. Oil recovered from soaked samples treated at 80 μm and 152 μm ultrasound for 2 min had the highest antioxidant capacity. CONCLUSIONS The technological results gathered in the present investigation are preliminary to the design and engineering of scaled‐up equipment that combines the mechanical screw expression and the in‐line ultrasound unit. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.


Immunotherapy has become a promising modality for melanoma, especially using checkpoint inhibitors, which revive suppressed T cells against the cancer. Such inhibitors should work better when combined with other treatments which could increase the number and quality of anti‐tumor T cells. We treated one patient with advanced (stage IV) melanoma, using the combination of laser immunotherapy (LIT), a novel immunological approach for metastatic cancers that has been shown to stimulate adaptive immunity, and ipilimumab. The patient was treated with LIT, followed with one course of ipilimumab 3 months after the beginning of LIT. After LIT treatment, all treated cutaneous melanoma in head and neck cleared completely. After the application of ipilimumab, all the tumor nodules in the lungs decreased. The patient had remained tumor free for one year. While anecdotal, the responses seen in this patient support the hypothesis that laser immunotherapy increases the number and quality of anti‐tumor T cells so that ipilimumab and other checkpoint inhibitors are more effective in enhancing the therapeutic effects. Picture: Schematic of treatment using laser immunotherapy and ipilimumab on a stage IV melanoma patient.


Large segmental bone defects of the tibia may be due to infections, high-energy fractures, congenital diseases or tumors and represent a challenge for both the physician and the patient. In developing countries, the use of expansive techniques is not possible so that amputation is sometimes proposed. However, an alternative technique for limb salvage, applicable in developing countries consists of tibialization of the ipsilateral fibula. This technique is also called "Fibula pro Tibia", fibular transfer to the tibia or fibular centralization. We report this transfer in 4 patients with an average defect length of 11.8 cm. Union between the transferred fibula and the tibia was obtained in all patients, for both proximal and distal junctions, after an average time of 8.5 months (range, 4 to 18 months). Three patients returned to a normal walking function while one was still limping, but was able to walk independently without need of crutches.


Propolis samples collected from Mwingi, Malindi, Uasin-gishu and Meru south districts in Kenya were extracted using ethanol and methanol. The methanol extracts were further partitioned into ethyl acetate, hexane and aqueous fractions. The extracts were concentrated and dried in vacuum evaporator. Their antioxidative activities were tested in linoleic acid-â-carotene system and in soybean oil. The extracts' radical scavenging activities against 2,2–diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) were also studied. Significant differences were observed between the samples as well as within the samples' various extracts. The ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) and the ethyl acetate fractions from all four samples had higher 2,2–diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging activity compared to the aqueous and the hexane extracts at a concentration of 500 ig/ml. Malindi EEP at a concentration of 500 ig/ml had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher radical scavenging activity (87.7%) than all the other EEP's. The least radical scavenging activity was observed in Uasin-gishu EEP with 73.3%. The Mwingi ethyl acetate extract at a concentration of 500 ig/ml had 79.2% radical scavenging activity which was the highest observed amongst the ethyl acetate fractions and the least was in Uasin-gishu sample having 66.1% activity. The highest activity among the aqueous extracts was 7.1% in Meru South sample at a concentration of 500 ig/ml. Radical scavenging activity did not differ in all four aqueous fractions. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) observed in the antioxidation activity of Mwingi, Meru south and Malindi EEPP's, in the linoleic acid-â-carotene system at a concentration of 500 ig/ml. The EEP's were the most active against oxidation of the system with a range of 61.7% in Uasin-gishu sample to 71.8% in Malindi sample while the aqueous was the least active with a range of 5.8% to 11.7% in Uasin-gishu and Malindi samples respectively. The EEP's at a concentration of 1mg/ml showed greater activity against antioxidation of soybean oil compared to butylated hydroxyltoluene (BHT) at a concentration of 0.2 ig/ml for the first 25 days of the test. After the 25th day, there was sharp increase in peroxide values in all the EEPs showing loss of antioxidation strength. Key words : Propolis, Radical scavenging, antioxidation activity


AbstractTraditional automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocols are channel unaware. That is, they react tochannel errors by simply retransmitting erroneous packets and do not proactively decide whether or notto transmit a packet in a given slot based on past channel conditions. Clearly, ARQ protocols operatingin this mode are not energy efficient. For example, continuously retransmitting erroneous packets whenthe wireless channel is in deep fade would cause significant wastage of transmission energy.In this paper we present a wireless channel state aware ARQ protocol and discuss the savings intransmission energy versus delay trade-off. A probabilistic channel prediction scheme for bursty wirelesschannels is also proposed. The channel predictor is a stochastic iterative algorithm that can produce softchannel state predictions and track bursty, finite state wireless channels. No a priori knowledge about thestate transition probabilities is required by this predictor. Stochastic convergence of the proposed techniqueis proved. The proposed ARQ protocol utilizes the soft predictions to compute transmission/retransmissionpolicies in an online fashion. No pilot (training) symbols are used by the protocol for channel stateprediction thereby avoiding any energy wastage due to the transmission of these symbols. Simulationresults show that depending on the channel memory significant energy savings can be attained whencompared with standard ARQ protocols.Index TermsARQ protocol, stochastic prediction, energy efficiency, delay, stochastic convergence.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Corticosteroid induced osteoporosis (CIO) is a preventable condition that is often not realized by physicians who prescribe corticosteroids. The present study was carried out to study the awareness of CIO prevention in a teaching hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHOD
The medical records of patients who received corticosteroids equivalent to prednisolone of > or = 5 mg/day for a minimum of 3 months between 1 May 2004 and 30 June 2004 were reviewed.

RESULTS
Four hundred and forty nine patients of 1,540 who received corticosteroids (29.1%) were included in the present study. Rheumatologists, nephrologists, and dermatologists were the top three specialists to prescribe corticosteroids in 189 (42.1%), 103 (23.0%), and 46 (10.2%) cases, respectively. Only 146 patients (32.5%) received calcium supplement. Rheumatologists and neurologists were the top two specialists to prescribe calcium supplementation in 100 of 189 (52.9%) and 13 of 36 (36.1%) cases, respectively. Bone mineral density measurement was determined in only 26 of the 449 patients (5.8%).

CONCLUSION
Prevention of CIO is still neglected by internal medicine specialists, even in a teaching hospital. An educational campaign for physicians is warranted to improve the practice for the prevention of this treatable complication.


INTRODUCTION
We aimed to evaluate the impact of thrombo-embolic-deterrent + intermittent pneumatic compression (TED + IPC) vs. muscle pump activator (MPA) on incisional wound healing in kidney and simultaneous pancreas- kidney (SPK) transplant recipients.

METHODS
We conducted a single-centre, randomized controlled trial in which 104 patients (kidney n=94; SPK n=10) were randomly assigned to wear TED + IPC (n= 52) or MPA (n=52) for the first six days following surgery. Patient demographics, postoperative outcomes, and incisional wound images were taken using a HIPAA-compliant application on postoperative days (POD) 3, 5, and 30, and assessed using the validated Southampton Wound Care Score.

RESULTS
There were no demographic differences between the groups. The MPA group had a significant improvement in wound healing on POD 3 (p=0.04) that persisted until POD 5 (p=0.0003). At POD 30, both groups were similar in wound healing outcomes (p=0.51). Bayesian inferential analysis revealed that the use of TED + IPC following transplantation had inferior outcomes compared to the use of MPA with sequential moderate evidence. The rate of complex wound infections was significantly greater in the TED + IPC group compared to the MPA group (29% vs. 12%, respectively; p=0.03). Patients were more satisfied with the use of a MPA device than TED + IPC. No major complications were encountered in either group.

CONCLUSIONS
The use of a MPA device in the immediate postoperative period leads to a significant improvement in immediate and early wound healing, and decreased number of complex wound infections following kidney and SPK transplantation compared to standard TED + IPC therapy. Patients were more satisfied with the use of a MPA device than TED + IPC.


Cross sections are reported for backward scattering of electrons by CO for electron energies in the range 2 - 160 meV. At very low energies, scattering is dominated by rotationally inelastic events and a set of rotationally inelastic cross sections is presented, parametrized in terms of an energy-dependent effective dipole moment for CO. A new value for the scattering length of is also estimated.


Transcription is a molecular requisite for long-term synaptic plasticity and long-term memory formation. Thus, in the last several years, one main interest of molecular neuroscience has been the identification of families of transcription factors that are involved in both of these processes. Transcription is a highly regulated process that involves the combined interaction and function of chromatin and many other proteins, some of which are essential for the basal process of transcription, while others control the selective activation or repression of specific genes. These regulated interactions ultimately allow a sophisticated response to multiple environmental conditions, as well as control of spatial and temporal differences in gene expression. Evidence based on correlative changes in expression, genetic mutations, and targeted molecular inhibition of gene expression have shed light on the function of transcription in both synaptic plasticity and memory formation. This review provides a brief overview of experimental work showing that several families of transcription factors, including CREB, C/EBP, Egr, AP-1, and Rel, have essential functions in both processes. The results of this work suggest that patterns of transcription regulation represent the molecular signatures of long-term synaptic changes and memory formation.


Biotransformation of fusidic acid (1) was accomplished using a battery of microorganisms including Cunninghamella echinulata NRRL 1382, which converted fusidic acid (1) into three new metabolites 2–4 and the known metabolite 5. These metabolites were identified using 1D and 2D NMR and HRESI-FTMS data. Structural assignment of the compounds was supported via computation of 1Hand 13C-NMR chemical shifts. Compounds 2 and 3 were assigned as the 27-hydroxy and 26-hydroxy derivatives of fusidic acid, respectively. Subsequent oxidation of 3 afforded aldehyde 4 and the dicarboxylic acid 5. Compounds 2, 4 and 5 were screened for antimicrobial activity against different Gram positive and negative bacteria, Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. intercellulare and Candida albicans. The compounds showed lower activity compared to fusidic acid against the tested strains. Molecular docking studies were carried out to assist the structural assignments and predict the binding modes of the metabolites.


Purpose: To describe an adult with chickenpox resulting in systemic vasculitis and bilateral retinal vascular occlusions. Methods: Single case report. Results: A 58-year-old man with chickenpox complicated by disseminated varicella-zoster systemic and retinal vasculitis resulting in a combined arterial and venous occlusion in one eye with multiple branch retinal vein occlusions in the other eye. There was no evidence of retinitis. The patient systemically improved after treatment with acyclovir and steroids; however, his vision remained poor. Conclusion: Chickenpox can be associated with systemic vasculopathy and may rarely result in multiple systemic and ocular infarcts, including severe retinal vascular occlusions.


This paper discussed the inclusion of primary education in the MDGs, the substantial progress and the challenges of a number of educational policies such as UPE, UBE and EFA (as its international antecedent), put in place by the Federal Government to tackle the problem of illiteracy, dropout and poor enrolment in primary and secondary schooling system in Nigeria. A historical synopsis of STM education was presented, and an attempt was made to also discuss, prime factors that will enable STME to be functional enough to meet the challenges of UBE in Nigeria.


The coastal waters of Hong Kong have been influenced by a number of anthropogenic factors, including cultural eutrophication, land reclamation and dredging. The effects of climatic variability on phytoplankton dynamics may be difficult to discern in coastal ecosystems due to the interaction of climatic variability with anthropogenic effects. In this study, the influence of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO) on phytoplankton dynamics in Hong Kong coastal waters was examined from 1986-2004. Weak correlations were found to exist between chlorophyll a concentration (Chl) and the multivariate ENSO index and PDO index. However, strong correlations were found to exist between the NPGO index and Chl. The NPGO has been proposed to influence Chl concentration in the North Pacific through its influence on upwelling and nutrient concentrations. In the coastal waters of Hong Kong, which are highly impacted by cultural eutrophication, we propose a different mechanism. The NPGO is locally forced by surface wind variability and we have found a strong negative correlation between NPGO and wind speed in Hong Kong. By destabilizing the water column, high wind speeds are detrimental to phytoplankton growth and therefore we hypothesize that the relationship between the NPGO and phytoplankton dynamics is as a result of wind speed variability. We have shown that large scale modes of climatic variability can be important in controlling phytoplankton dynamics even in ecosystems which are markedly influenced by a number of anthropogenic factors.


Crystal structures of six metamorphic low cordierites with Fel(Fe + Mg) ranging from 0.07 to 0.42 (atomic) were refined from X-ray data. No evidence of a superstructure was found, confirming that, in chemically intermediate cordierites, Fe and Mg are located o1 a single site. Although T-O distances remain nearly constant, increased Fe content causes (l) the M site to enlarge, (2) the channels to move apart, and (3) a and D to increase. In addition, channel rings rotate, change their shape, and move closer together within each channel, causing a decrease in c. Diference Fourier maps confirm that channel water is located in a split location near (0,0,y4).Its orientation is interpreted as being largely controlled by an excess negative charge on O(4) and O(5). The H-O-H plane is oriented nearly parallel to (100) and the H-H vector may either be close to [001] or [010]. Channel cations may be located at several locations at the channel walls in addition to the well-defined site at (0,0,0). Low framework cation-site occupancies are explained by 3-4 percent vacancies that balance for cations in the channel. Vacancies on T(2) and T(5) sites are inversely correlated, and on these sites an increasing number of vacancies produces an enlargement of tetrahedra. Minor differences in mean T-O distances, usually ascribed to Al-Si substitution, may be caused by tetrahedral distortions and vacancies.


AIM
In this work we evaluated the possibility for dietary supplement COLOSTRO NONI to be used as preventive and therapeutic agent in various diseases characterized by altered intestinal homeostasis with changes in the composition of the microbiota, alteration of the morphology and functionality, and also inflammation of the epithelium.

METHODS
Cellular activity of COLOSTRO NONI has been tested in an in vitro model of intestinal epithelium based on Caco-2 cell line. We tested the ability of COLOSTRO NONI to stimulate cellular turnover evaluating cell growth rate with WST-1 proliferation assay. We also tested the ability of COLOSTRO NONI to increase the gene expression of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) with a Real Time PCR assay. IL-8 is a fundamental chemotactic factor involved in inflammatory phenomena and in the control of tissue homeostasis.

RESULTS
COLOSTRO NONI is able to stimulate cell turnover in the proposed in vitro model and demonstrates active in increasing the gene expression of IL-8. Both aspects observed are fundamental for the establishment of mechanisms to repair tissue damage.

CONCLUSION
Obtained results indicate that COLOSTRO NONI could find clinical application in treatment of gastrointestinal disorders characterized by impairment of proper intestinal permeability, in inflammatory bowel diseases, in dysenteric diseases, in gastritis and in forms of pathological alteration of the mucous layer as celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.


【PURPOSE: This study concerns the wheelchair-based rehabilitation of elderly people, investigating muscle activity and coordination of upper limbs during wheelchair-based new millennium health gymnastics with varying elbow exercise velocity. METHODS: Twelve elderly people participated in new millennium gymnastics twice per week during 12-weeks. The group was separated into 0.4, 1.0, and 1.6 Hz groups (controlled by the metronome speed). Range of motion was measured by electrogoniometer, electromyography signals used root mean square values. The data application was normalized using reference voluntary contraction (%RVC). Upper limb (wrist and elbow joint) data gathered while standing up after the "falling on hips" was investigated in terms of coordination of angle-angle plots. One-way ANOVA, paired t-test and Scheffe's post hoc comparisons, were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: There were results taken before and after the experiments. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the triceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis of the 0.4 Hz group (p】


This paper studies the significance of text analysis in translation in regard to the analysis both inside and outside the "text", discussing the weight of analyzing lexical units and stylistic scales in translation and examining the importance of analyzing the translator's intention, the author's intention and the target language (TL) readership.