By applying static load tests and the finite element analysis method, this study assesses the load-bearing performance and load transfer mechanism of squeezed branch piles. This study also compiles data and discusses findings about the distribution of field displacement, the development of a plastic zone in the soil, and the influence of branch quantity and horizontal load on the vertical bearing capacity. The results show that the axial force of the squeezed branch pile changes obviously at the site of the squeezed branch. Additionally, this study identifies the sequenced effects of frictional resistance; the displacement patterns of the soil around the pile, particularly below the branch and pile tip; the minimum center distance between piles in a group, which should be greater than 1.5 times the branch diameter; and the location of plastic strain in the soil below the branches and pile tip. The data reveal that the vertical bearing capacity of squeezed branch pile is 16 to 30% higher than that of normal pile under the same conditions; furthermore, the vertical bearing capacity of squeezed branch pile increases as the number of branches and horizontal load increase. Considering geological engineering conditions and loading requirements, it is advisable to identify an optimum branch quantity for the specific bearing stratum; in this case, the optimum branch quantity was 1 to 3. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.23.5.19357


The diagnostic information gained by spinal CT for the planning of surgery of spinal disease is discussed under clinical aspects. For discogenic disease CT has replaced myelography in significance and as primary investigation, except for unclear complaints, that cannot be attributed to a specific segment. Here myelography still is the prime investigation. With CT degenerative peripheral appendages turned out to be significant for secondary stenosis syndromes of the spinal canal. In future it seems advisable, to differentiate between the facultatively pathogenetic important dorsal spondylosis and ventro-lateral spondylosis, which is unimportant for the spinal complaints. If surgical correction of congenital spinal malformations is considered, apparent or silent dysraphia must be ruled out in order to prevent neurological complications. Here CT can improve diagnostic safety significantly. For the resection of tumourous or inflammatory destructions CT provides an excellent means for preoperative statements on the necessary resection area, the size of the graft and the strength of adjacent soft tissues for the graft, the required stabilisation instruments, possible effects on adjacent organs, lumen reduction of the spinal canal, and the appropriate surgical entrance. The exploration of traumatic conditions of the spinal column by CT is of value especially for a detailed preoperative investigation, since it facilitates a quantification of the destruction of the vertebral body and the arches, the condition of the posterior body surface and the stenosis of the spinal canal.


One of the key challenges in the promotion of web-based learning is the development of effective collaborative learning environments. Empirical studies have more recently started to focus less on establishing parameters for effective collaboration and more on trying to understand the role which such variables play in mediating interaction. The procedures and methods of collaborative learning mode, supported by computers in logistics engineering teaching under network circumstance are introduced in this paper. We propose a logistics engineering- based learning models and frameworks. The task-based collaborative learning mode, as the writers have proposed, is convenient for teachers to guide and supervise the students. This mode is advantageous to create a better learning circumstance and develop students' over all qualities. Keywords - Collaborative Learning; network circumstance; logistics engineering teaching


LH-RH stimulation tests were performed on two successive days in 25 women with secondary amenorrhoea of probable hypothalamic origin by intravenous injection of 150 mug of synthetic LH-RH. The patients were selected by exclusion of definite pituitary or ovarian disease and in the absence of clinical or laboratory evidence of androgen excess. Five women received successive LH-RH stimulation tests only without administration of steroid hormone. Twenty women were treated with gonadal steroids in addition to the double LH-RH stimulation test by intramuscular injection of the steroid 4 h after the first LH-RH injection. Of these 20, 9 received oestradiol (Oe2), 5 received progesterone (P) and 6 received Oe2 + P. Gonadotrophin responses to LH-RH in successive tests without steroid were not significantly different. Oe2 or P alone each produced suppression of LH and FSH responses to LH-RH in the second test as compared to the first. Combined Oe2 + P produced augmentation or suppression of the second gonadotrophin responses depending on the dose of Oe2 administered. The results demonstrate a direct effect of oestrogen or progesterone alone and in combination on the pituitary responsiveness to LH-RH. The effect of the combined steroids can be modified by variation in the oestrogen: progesterone ratio.


Consider the following hypotheticals:(1) A hospital uses artificial intelligence software to analyze a patient's medical history and make a determination as to whether he or she needs surgery. One day, the artificial intelligence software incorrectly diagnoses a patient and recommends an unnecessary surgery. In preparation for the surgery, an anesthesiologist applies an incorrect dosage of the surgical anesthetic and kills the patient.(2) An investment firm uses artificial intelligence software to identify promising stocks for investment. Without any further research, an investment banker negligently recommends stocks off of the software's prepared list. Those stocks go bust, costing their new owners thousands of dollars.(3) A vehicle with autonomous-driving software is cruising down a two-lane road. The lane to its right is filled with cars driving in the same direction. A human driver is in oncoming traffic and recognizes the autonomous car as being from a notable autonomous car brand. The human driver decides it would be fun to "play chicken" with the car to see how it will react. The human driver proceeds to swerve into the autonomous vehicle's lane and the autonomous vehicle, thinking it best to avoid a head-on collision and not realizing the human driver won't hit it, swerves into the right lane, triggering a collision with an innocent third-party car.(4) A delivery drone, piloted with autonomous-piloting software, is en route to deliver a package. On its way, it passes the home of a paranoid man who is very concerned with his privacy. He proceeds to take a baseball, and with an impressive throw, knocks the drone out of the sky. The drone crashes down and hits a child playing in a nearby park.(5) A company selling artificial intelligence software sells its product to a racist. The racist proceeds to install the software onto a robot butler, and the robot butler proceeds to learn and develop under the teachings of its owner. One day, a black UPS driver delivers a package to the front door. The now-racist robot answers the door and upon seeing the black UPS driver, thinks, "The only reason a black person would be on my front porch would be if he were here to burgle my owner." The robot proceeds to attack the UPS driver under the mistaken assumption that he is a burglar.In each of the above hypotheticals, the use of artificial intelligence led to the injury of an innocent person. When faced with an injury caused by another, each of these persons may seek a remedy through the tort system. The tort system is designed to provide monetary damages for injured parties when they are harmed by the negligent conduct of another.1 In this way, the tort system assures that the costs of negligent conduct lie with those responsible for causing the injury.2 Each injured party in the hypotheticals above can sue the negligent actor who caused the harm-but who (or what) exactly caused the injured party's harm? In the above hypotheticals, there are human actors who cause the injured party's harm through obviously negligent conduct or even intentional conduct. These human actors present themselves as obvious targets, but what about the developers of the artificial intelligence software? When the injured parties sue in court, they are likely to sue whomever has the deepest pockets.3 This should strike fear into the hearts of many artificial intelligence companies, because in these tort suits, they are likely to be the parties in the best financial position to pay out damages.If artificial intelligence companies are sued for the negligent development of their software, courts will be faced with a difficult question of foreseeability. When proving a case of negligence, plaintiffs are required to show the harm that occurred was a foreseeable consequence of the defendant's negligent conduct.4 This is also called satisfying the proximate cause requirement of a negligence case.5 In each hypothetical, was the interaction between the artificial intelligence software and human actor foreseeable? …


Abstract 5091 Non-Hodgkin9s Lymphoma (NHL) is one of the most common cancers in childhood. The development of chemoresistance in tumor cells is one of the principal causes of treatment failure. This resistance has been associated to different mechanisms, being the overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-xL. It has been shown that this protein is regulated by the transcription factor HIF-1α, which is overexpressed in several tumors, including NHL, and the overexpression of both proteins may result in resistance to chemotherapy. We investigated the role of HIF-1α in resistance to chemotherapy via the induction of the Bcl-xL expression in NHL cell lines, using a pharmacological modulation of HIF-1α. Our data showed that treating the Ramos cell with ethyl 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoate, the inhibitor of prolylhydroxylase, induces accumulation of HIF-1α and this correlates with an increase of Bcl-xL as well as resistance to apoptosis after the exposition to chemotherapeutics drugs. In contrast, the treatment of Ramos cells with 2-methoxyestradiol, the inhibitor of HIF-1α activity, induced downregulation of the Bcl-xL expression, and this correlates with the sensitization of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. This data demonstrated that the up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL in NHL cells correlates with HIF-1α expression and activity, through which induces a phenotype of chemoresistance. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


This study mapped the outcomes of the agricultural intervention based on resultant effectiveness and functionality of capacity building process in SPDC's agricultural intervention programme in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select forty-eight (48) respondents for the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and composite index analysis. The result reveals that 64.6% of the respondents received training on various aspects of management of agricultural project such as, feed production, machine operation and maintenance, farm maintenance and general project management. Result from field observation shows that 31.25% of the intervention was functional. The result of data analysis shows that, 75% of the respondents indicated they needed practical capacity building for effective project management and sustainability. The findings support a dire need for participatory evaluation on strategies towards the improvement of capacity building process service delivery.


Abstract : While much attention is always given to issues of strategic and nuclear arms control, the conventional arms control agenda remains something of a stepchild. Nonetheless, in regards to European security, conventional arms control issues are of the utmost significance. Indeed, since Russia suspended its observance of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty in 2007, there has already been one war in Europe, the Russo-Georgian war of 2008, and many subsequent rumors of war. Indeed, one could arguably claim that since that Russian suspension, progress on ensuring European security has stagnated, if not worse. Bearing in mind the importance of these issues to European security in general and Russian ties with Europe and the United States in particular, as well as the connection between the conventional and nuclear arms control agendas, the Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) is pleased to present our readers with this monograph wherein three distinguished U.S., European, and Russian experts (Jeffrey D. McCausland, Paul Schulte, and Sergey Rogov) outline the parameters of these thorny interrelated issues. These papers represent the views presented at the SSI-Carnegie Council conference at Pocantico, NY, from June 1-3, 2011, and were subsequently revised for publication by the editors. Taken together, these articles fully clarify the multiple and complicated dimensions and connections linking these issues of conventional arms control and force reductions in Europe to the wider strategic and nuclear issues in which the parties are also involved. In this respect, they embody a major part of our activity in fostering international analysis and dialogue on topical security issues for the benefit and enlightenment of policymakers and experts.


The assignment of obligations to pay for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and for adaptation to unavoidable climate change is a critical and controversial component of international negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In this article we present a new framework called 'Greenhouse Development Rights' (GDRs): a formula for the calculation of national obligations on the basis of quantified capacity (wealth) and responsibility (contribution to climate change). GDRs seek to preserve the 'right to development' by exempting from obligation any income and emissions under a 'development threshold'. By taking into account the distribution of income and emissions within countries, and calculating national obligations as if they were the aggregated obligations of individuals, the framework treats every global citizen identically, and allocates obligations even to poor countries that are proportional to their actual middle-class and wealthy populations. When coupled to a trajectory of rapid emissions reductions (for example, 80 per cent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050), the framework results in larger reduction obligations for both rich and poor countries than they currently seem prepared to accept. However, the formula may be 'fair enough' to break the impasse that currently separates rich and poor countries in the negotiations.


Aim: The most important factor underlying the mortality of patients with diabetes is the lack of self-care. This study aimed to determine the effect of education via mobile text messaging on the self-care of patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This semi-experimental controlled study was carried out on 74 patients with diabetes in Chabahar, Iran. They were selected using convenience sampling in the health care centers, and were randomized into two control and intervention groups of 37 subjects each. The tools to collect data were questionnaires containing demographic profiles and self-care questionnaire. For each group, the questionnaires were completed, and educational SMS (short message service) was sent to the intervention group for four weeks. The post test questionnaire was completed by both groups two months after educational in tervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 and appropriate statistical tests. Findings: Before the intervention, the mean scores of all self-care dimensions between the two groups did not differ significantly but after that, the mean of total scores of se lf-care and some of its dimensions (adherence to diet, blood glucose self-monitoring and foot care) were positive, and significantly increased in the intervention group versus the control g roup regularly after intervention were not different significantly between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of sending SMS educational method (SSEM) in improving the self-care of patients, it is necessary to further consider and use this method.


PurposeIn the study, a five-dimensional-safety risk assessment model (5D-SRAM) is developed to improve the construction safety risk assessment approaches available in the literature. To that purpose, a hybrid multi-dimensional fuzzy-based model is proposed, which provides a comprehensive ranking system for the safety risks existing in a project by considering the contextualization of the construction-related activities resulting in an accident.Design/methodology/approachThe developed 5D-SRAM is based on an amalgamation of different fuzzy-based techniques. Through the proposed fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the importance weights of essential risk dimensions playing role in defining the magnitude of the construction-related risks are obtained, while a precise prioritized ranking system for the identified safety risks is acquired using the proposed fuzzy technique of order preference similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS).FindingsThrough the application of the proposed 5D-SRAM to a real-life case study – which is the case of green building construction projects located in Hong Kong – contributions are realized as follows: (1) determination of a more complete range of risk dimensions, (2) calculation of importance weightings for each risk dimension and (3) obtainment of a precise and inclusive ranking system for safety risks. Additionally, the supremacy of the developed 5D-SRAM against the other safety assessment approaches that are commonly adopted in the construction industry is proved.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed 5D-SRAM provides the concerned safety decision-makers with not only all the crucial dimensions that play roles toward the magnitude of safety risks posing threats to the workers involved in construction activities, but also they are given hindsight regarding the importance weights of these dimensions. Additionally, the concerned parties are embellished with the final ranking of safety risks in a more comprehensive way than those of existing assessment methods, leading to sagacious adoption of future prudent strategies for dealing with such risks occurring on construction sites.Originality/valueNumerous studies have documented the safety risks faced by construction workers including proposals for risk assessment models. However, the dimensions considered by such models are limited, generally constrained to risk event probability combined with risk impact severity. Overlooking other dimensions that are essential towards the calculation of safety risks' magnitude culminates in overshadowing the further adoption of fruitful mitigative actions. To overcome this shortcoming, this study proposes a novel 5D-SRAM.


PURPOSE
to evaluate the dosimetric and radiobiological consequences from having different gating windows, dose rates, and breathing patterns in gated VMAT lung radiotherapy.

METHODS
A novel 3D-printed moving phantom with central high and peripheral low tracer uptake regions was 4D FDG-PET/CT-scanned using ideal, patient-specific regular, and irregular breathing patterns. A scan of the stationary phantom was obtained as a reference. Target volumes corresponding to different uptake regions were delineated. Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) 6 MV VMAT plans were produced for conventional and hypofractionated radiotherapy, using 30-70 and 100% cycle gating scenarios. Prescribed doses were 200 cGy with SIB to 240 cGy to high uptake volume for conventional, and 800 with SIB to 900 cGy for hypofractionated plans. Dose rates of 600 MU/min (conventional and hypofractionated) and flattening filter free 1400 MU/min (hypofractionated) were used. Ion chamber measurements were performed to verify delivered doses. Vials with A549 cells placed in locations matching ion chamber measurements were irradiated using the same plans to measure clonogenic survival. Differences in survival for the different doses, dose rates, gating windows, and breathing patterns were analyzed.

RESULTS
Ion chamber measurements agreed within 3% of the planned dose, for all locations, breathing patterns and gating windows. Cell survival depended on dose alone, and not on gating window, breathing pattern, MU rate, or delivery time. The surviving fraction varied from approximately 40% at 2Gy to 1% for 9 Gy and was within statistical uncertainty relative to that observed for the stationary phantom.

CONCLUSIONS
Use of gated VMAT in PET-driven SIB radiotherapy was validated using ion chamber measurements and cell survival assays for conventional and hypofractionated radiotherapy.


Labor disputes settlement in China follows a non-litigation mode which contains consultation, mediation and arbitration. This article gives explanations on basic theory of labor disputes settlement mechanism and analyzes problems existed in the current non-litigation settlement mechanism of labor disputes in order to help with the perfecting of the mechanism. Key words: Labor disputes settlement; Non-litigation settlement mechanism of labor disputes; Problems


The purpose of this article is to examine the disconnect happening in relation to family–centre partnerships. Developing partnerships with families is hotly debated and provides challenges for educators teaching in the early childhood sector. Using a comparative case study analysis, several research studies conducted in the states of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, are examined to illustrate these disconnects. These issues are examined within Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, a national framework that is common to all programs across Australia, which identifies practice, principles and learning outcomes for young children. This disconnect is related to the language that is used by the early childhood staff and misunderstood by the parents, the ways communication occurs and its ineffectiveness. The article argues that there is a need to move beyond the current rhetoric of engaging in partnerships with families to a space that allows for transparency, reciprocity and new language.


Abstract Utilisation of Anagrus nilaparvatae is a promising and effective method for planthoppers manipulation. Twenty-seven components of remote lemongrass (Cymbopogon distans) oil were identified by GC/MS and nine volatiles were selected for behavioural experiments. In this study, we noted that the remote lemongrass oil was attractive to female A. nilaparvatae at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/L. α-Pinene, β-pinene, eucalyptol, carveol and D-carvone attracted female wasps in the dose-dependent bioassays. Blend 1 (a mixture of eucalyptol, D-carvone, carveol, α-pinene, and β-pinene with ratios of remote lemongrass oil volatiles of 625:80:11:5:3) attracted female wasps at 10 mg/L, while blend 2 (a mixture of the same five volatiles at the same loading ratio) attracted them at 0.1 and 1 mg/L. These results suggested that plant essential oils could be attractants for natural enemies to control pests. The ratios of volatiles in the mixtures affect the attractiveness of the synthetic mixtures.


Finding and analyzing Simpson's paradox, a well known statistical phenomenon, has found many applications. While the existing literature focuses on only analyzing the causes of identi ed Simpson's paradox, there is no systematic analysis on Simpson's paradox in multidimensional spaces. In this paper, we develop a simple yet practical approach to automatically identify all Simpson's paradox instances formed by various sub-populations and separator attributes in a multidimensional data set. Moreover, we analyze the distribution of the multidimensional Simpson's paradox instances on three real data sets with respect to dimensionality, size of sub-populations, participation of individual records, redundancy, and more. We obtain a series of interesting observations about a few questions that have never been asked before. The results open doors to a few interesting directions for future study. Moreover, this paper is an outcome from a high-school student summer research internship. It re ects our on-going e ort in promoting data science research to youth and high school students.


We have fabricated a Cooper-pair transistor (CPT) with parameters such that for appropriate voltage biases, it behaves essentially like a single Cooper-pair box (SCB). The effective capacitance of a SCB can be defined as the derivative of the induced charge with respect to gate voltage and has two parts, the geometric capacitance, C(geom), and the quantum capacitance C(Q). The latter is due to the level anticrossing caused by the Josephson coupling and is dual to the Josephson inductance. It depends parametrically on the gate voltage and its magnitude may be substantially larger than C(geom). We have detected C(Q) in our CPT, by measuring the in phase and quadrature rf signal reflected from a resonant circuit in which the CPT is embedded. C(Q) can be used as the basis of a charge qubit readout by placing a Cooper-pair box in such a resonant circuit.


The purpose of the IoT-based uv sterilizer design that uses the NODEMCU ESP32 as a microcontroller is to utilize digitalization technology that can be used to help the medical team at Blambangan Hospital in terms of room UV sterilization, because the hospital still uses manual control. UV rays have a very dangerous radiation effect if exposed to humans directly, so it is necessary to design a control device that can help the medical team avoid UV radiation. In this study using NODEMCU as a data receiver that has been integrated into the UV sterilizer user room network and uses an application on android as a remote control.


The evolution of liquid-solid systems by phenomena such as dissolution, nucleation, growth and agglomeration, is often described by means of only two variables : concentration of dissolved species and mean radius of the solid grains. But such a simplification may mask some important physical phenomena and is inadequate with models for which the knowledge of the size distribution is absolutely necessary. The correlations between the different kinds of results obtained from the use of three experimental techniques, possibly both being used simultaneously in the same reactor, make possible a more precise knowledge of the evolution of the liquid-solid system. Some examples of the use of these three techniques (conductometry of the liquid phase, turbidimetry, and sizing of particles by laser beam scattering) are presented for the water-potassium sulphate system.


We report recent results obtained in the area of bidirectional transmissions. We demonstrate the application of coherence modulation to such transmission systems using especially designed LiNbO/sub 3/ integrated electrooptic circuits. We describe a system, formed by a pair of matched Mach-Zehnder interferometers integrated in Z-propagating lithium niobate substrate, whose peculiarity is to feature a polarization-independent behavior in the frame of digital transmissions. Considerations on crosstalk are also discussed. The experimental results deal with the demonstration of a bidirectional link with a data bit rate of 25 Mb/s.


The purpose of this prospective study was to verify whether the percentage area of lung occupied by lowest attenuation values on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans reflects microscopic emphysema and to compare this quantification with the information yielded by the most widely used pulmonary function tests (PFT). Preoperative HRCT scans were obtained with 1-cm intervals in 38 subjects. With a semiautomatic evaluation procedure, the percentage areas occupied by attenuation values inferior to thresholds ranging from -900 Hounsfield units (HU) to -970 HU were calculated for the lobe or lung to be resected. Emphysema was microscopically quantified by using a computer-based method, measuring the perimeters and interwall distances of alveoli and alveolar ducts. The strongest correlation was found for -950 HU. As a second step, we evaluated possible correlations between PFT and microscopic measurements. Finally, considering the microscopic measurements as a standard, we tried to investigate their relationships with each of the PFT and with the relative area occupied by attenuation values lower than -950 HU for both lungs. This revealed that the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide associated with HRCT quantification is sufficient to predict microscopic measurements. We concluded that the percentage area of lung occupied by attenuation values lower than -950 HU is a valid index of pulmonary emphysema.


ABSTRACT Taking a phenomenological approach, this article explores the benefits and challenges of writing long-hand, and how this has significant qualitative impacts upon the early stages of the creative process. I will consider exemplar from famous practitioners; the benefits of archival research; and the implications on my own praxis. I will argue the efficacy of this aspect of practice-based research, one that aligns with Frayling's research through and into practice. As an experiential and kinaesthetic approach, long-hand writing can act as both a form of critical cultural resistance to the digitisation of daily life and also complementary to other technologies (e.g. 'smart' devices with styluses). The pedagogical effectiveness of this approach (e.g. timed writing activities within a workshop; use of notebooks for qualia-capture in the field) is explored and evidenced with particular focus on a series of 'Wild Writing' workshops led between 2015 and 2017 in England and North America.


Various models have been proposed to quantitate from [/sup 18/F]-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose ([/sup 18/F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) data glucose regional metabolic rate. The authors evaluate here four models, a three-rate constants (3 K) model, a four-rate constants (4 K) model, an heterogeneous model (TH) and a spectral analysis (SA) model. The data base consists of [/sup 18/F]FDG dynamic data obtained in the myocardium and brain gray and white matter. All models were identified by nonlinear weighted least squares with weights chosen optimally. The authors show that: 1) 3 K and 4 K models are indistinguishable in terms of parsimony criteria and choice should be made on parameter precision and physiological plausibility; in the gray matter a more complex model than the 3 K one is resolvable; 2) the TH model is resolvable in the gray but not in the white matter; 3) the classic SA approach has some unnecessary hypotheses built in and can be in principle misleading; the authors propose here a new SA model which is more theoretically sound; 4) this new SA approach supports the use of a 3 K model in the heart with a 60 min experimental period; it also indicates that heterogeneity in the brain is modest in the white matter; 5) [/sup 18/F]FDG fractional uptake estimates of the four models are very close in the heart, but not in the brain; 6) a higher than 60 min experimental time is preferable for brain studies.


We develop and analyze a new family of virtual element methods on unstructured polygonal meshes for the diffusion problem in primal form, that use arbitrarily regular discrete spaces V{sub h} {contained_in} C{sup {alpha}} {element_of} N. The degrees of freedom are (a) solution and derivative values of various degree at suitable nodes and (b) solution moments inside polygons. The convergence of the method is proven theoretically and an optimal error estimate is derived. The connection with the Mimetic Finite Difference method is also discussed. Numerical experiments confirm the convergence rate that is expected from the theory.


Circadian rhythm abnormalities, as shown by sleep/wake cycle disturbances, constitute one the most prevalent signs of depressive illness; advances or delays in the circadian phase are documented in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The disturbances in the amplitude and phase of rhythm in melatonin secretion that occur in patients with depression resemble those seen in chronobiological disorders, thus suggesting a link between disturbed melatonin secretion and depressed mood. Based on this, agomelatine, the first MT1/MT2 melatonergic agonist displaying also 5-HT2C serotonergic antagonism, has been introduced as an antidepressant. Agomelatine has been shown to be effective in several animal models of depression and anxiety and it has beneficial effects in patients with MDD, bipolar disorder, or SAD. Among agomelatine's characteristics are a rapid onset of action and a pronounced effectiveness for correcting circadian rhythm abnormalities and improving the sleep/wake cycle. Agomelatine also improves the 3 functional dimensions of depression—emotional, cognitive, and social—thus aiding in the full recovery of patients to a normal life.


The synthesis, anti-Candida activity, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies of a series of 2,4-dichlorobenzylimidazole derivatives having a phenylpyrrole moiety (related to the antibiotic pyrrolnitrin) in the alpha-position are reported. A number of substituents on the phenyl ring, ranging from hydrophobic (tert-butyl, phenyl, or 1-pyrrolyl moiety) to basic (NH(2)), polar (CF(3), CN, SCH(3), NO(2)), or hydrogen bond donors and acceptor (OH) groups, were chosen to better understand the interaction of these compounds with cytochrome P450 14-alpha-lanosterol demethylase (P450(14DM)). Finally, the triazole counterpart of one of the imidazole compounds was synthesized and tested to investigate influence of the heterocyclic ring on biological activity. The in vitro antifungal activities of the newly synthesized azoles 10p-v,x-c' were tested against Candida albicans and Candida spp. at pH 7.2 and pH 5.6. A CoMFA model, previously derived for a series of antifungal agents belonging to chemically diverse families related to bifonazole, was applied to the new products. Because the results produced by this approach were not encouraging, Catalyst software was chosen to perform a new 3D-QSAR study. Catalyst was preferred this time because of the possibility of considering each compound as a collection of energetically reasonable conformations and of considering alternative stereoisomers. The pharmacophore model developed by Catalyst, named HYPO1, showed good performances in predicting the biological activity data, although it did not exhibit an unequivocal preference for one enantiomeric series of inhibitors relative to the other. One aromatic nitrogen with a lone pair in the ring plane (mapped by all of the considered compounds) and three aromatic ring features were recognized to have pharmacophoric relevance, whereas neither hydrogen bond acceptor nor hydrophobic features were found. These findings confirmed that the key interaction of azole antifungals with the demethylase enzyme is the coordination bond to the iron ion of the porphyrin system, while interactions with amino acids localized in proximity of heme could modulate the biological activity of diverse antifungal agents. In conclusion, HYPO1 conveys important information in an intuitive manner and can provide predictive capability for evaluating new compounds.


Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a generic term for clinically and biologically heterogeneous group of tumors. Identification of high risk patients at presentation will allow effective trials of treatment. Therefore, t(14;18) detection using interphase Florescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) and Biomed multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on formalin fixed paraffin embedded lymph node archives from pathology department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt. Diagnosis were confirmed by pathological review using the diagnostic criteria defined in the revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasm / WHO classification. The study was carried out on 26 patients with lymph screen CD 19 +/ CD 5 - / CD 10 ± correlating t(14;18) with the immunophenotypic biological variables, Immunohistochemistry, and the standardized international prognostic index (IPI) with a median follow up for 5 years. Comparison of FISH and PCR techniques showed identical specificity with advantageous sensitivity of FISH over the PCR. Nine patients out of eleven with t(14;18) were associated with Germinal Center (GC) phenotype (CD10+ /Bcl-6 +). However, Only two out of fifteen with non GC phenotype(CD10- /Bcl-6 -) were associated t(14;18). The mean 5 years survival time of patients with t(14;18) was significantly lower (31.18 ± 3.06 month) compared to those without translocation (54.32 ± 2.54 month) ( P=0.001 ). Interestingly, patients with t(14;18) showed Bcl-2 positive (100%) compared to 46.6% in patient without t(14;18) ( P=0.004) . There is a significant correlation between t(14;18) and the clinicopathological risk criteria of IPI( P=0.01). In our study we demonstrated a detection of t(14;18) by FISH was found to be superior to PCR. The high risk group of GC phenotype together with Bcl-2 expression were associated with t(14;18) and could be used to tailor treatment.


Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis and vascular function, and it9s role in biology are thought to be well understood. Although the effects of VEGF on angiogenesis, i.e. on endothelial cells, have been extensively studied, its effects on tumor cell function remain to be clearly elucidated. Our laboratory has demonstrated the VEGF receptors are present and active on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Recently we have studied the phenotypic changes in human CRC cells to determine the role of autocrine/intracrine VEGF signaling on tumor cell function. Using cell lines with somatic knockout of the VEGF gene we have been able to show that loss of VEGF expression led to significantly decreased cell growth and increased spontaneous apoptosis in CRC cells. Depletion of VEGF also increased the in vitro sensitivity of cells to the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil. Importantly, these effects are not mediated in an autocrine or paracrine fashion, as neutralization of extracellular VEGF with a monoclonal antibody, or inhibition of kinase activity with small molecule inhibitors had no effect on CRC cell survival. These studies support a novel role for VEGF in cell survival as an intracrine factor. In our attempt to characterize the molecular mechanisms responsible for the intracrine pro-survival role of VEGF, we have performed gene microarray analyses on a pair of CRC cells with and without expression of VEGF. These studies show a clear difference in expression patterns of genes between cells that produce or lack VEGF, but surprisingly find no significant changes in gene expression when VEGF function is inhibited by functional antibodies (Bevacizumab). Our preliminary analyses of the gene expression profiles indicate that CRC cells lacking VEGF have increased levels of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases. In other biochemical assays, we also find that cells lacking VEGF have increased activation of survival and proliferation pathways compared to normal cells. Based on our data, we hypothesize that loss of VEGF may induce activation of other survival pathways that compensate for depletion of VEGF. Our microarray studies also indicate significant increases in a factor that has been implicated in increased metastasis in breast and lung cancer. This factor may be responsible for the increased migration and invasion of CRC cells lacking VEGF observed in vitro. Future studies will elucidate the exact role of VEGF in tumor cell survival and metastasis. Citation Format: Rajat Bhattacharya, Shaija Samuel, Fan Fan, Ganiraju Manyam, Veera Baladandayuthapani, Lee Ellis. Role of intracrine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling in colorectal cancer cell survival and metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 375. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-375


This paper demonstrates clinically that the interactional features of a transference neurosis are the waking equivalents of a manifest dream. Through analytic investigation of the emerging repetitive extraverbal elements of apparent transference resistance behavior, it is discovered that the systematic analysis of the details of such behavior yields a picture of synthetic construction fundamentally the same as that seen in dreams. By using Freud's technique of systematic dream interpretation, the tightly organized, coded, and camouflaged presence of many key compromise formations determining a neurosis are found to be represented in compact, highly condensed clinical interactions, providing an overall picture of dreamwork in action. The four components of dreamwork are found to be the principal means by which the unconscious genetic and dynamic material is represented in the analytic field.


Optimization is a key task in a number of applications. When the set of feasible solutions under consideration is of combinatorial nature and described in an implicit way as a set of constraints, optimization is typically NP-hard. Fortunately, in many problems, the set of feasible solutions does not often change and is independent from the user's request. In such cases, compiling the set of constraints describing the set of feasible solutions during an off-line phase makes sense, if this compilation step renders computationally easier the generation of a non-dominated, yet feasible solution matching the user's requirements and preferences (which are only known at the on-line step). In this article, we focus on propositional constraints. The subsets L of the NNF language analyzed in Darwiche and Marquis' knowledge compilation map are considered. A number of families F of representations of objective functions over propositional variables, including linear pseudo-Boolean functions and more sophisticated ones, are considered. For each language L and each family F, the complexity of generating an optimal solution when the constraints are compiled into L and optimality is to be considered w.r.t. a function from F is identified.


Objective To improve the resectable rate of massive hepatic tumors and operative tolerance of hepatectomy in the treatment of advanced liver cancers. Methods Sixteen cases of massive hepatic tumors were reviewed. The selective exclusion of hepatic outflow and inflow in hepatectomy was discussed. Results All the patients had normal course after the operative procedure and no hepatic coma or other severe hepatic disturbances were observed. Conclusion While the selective exclusion of hepatic outflow and inflow were applied, the resectable rate of massive hepatic tumors and operative tolerance of hepatectomy were improved.


This paper reports on the realization and characterization of the very first quantum-well (QW) mono-crystalline Si/SiGe 18×18 pixel infrared bolometer arrays that are manufactured using IC compatible heterogeneous 3D integration on fan-out wafers. This integration process enables bolometer materials on top of CMOS-based integrated circuits that can not be integrated with conventional monolithic deposition techniques. The manufactured bolometer arrays have a negative temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of 2.8%/K. Measurements of the 1/f noise showed a higher value than expected for the bolometers. This result can be compared to lower values of noise achieved for samples of the thermistor material and is believed to result from imperfect metal contacts.


This paper aims to contribute to the scientific and societal debates about the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and particularly on the resettlements' processes as part of extractive multinational companies (MNCs)'s commitments where the host country is an emerging extractive economy.,It is an exploratory study based on the analysis of secondary data, few interviews and on-site observation and deals with the description of the assessment of VALE, SA resettlement processes and assumed CSR practices of VALE, SA, an MNC operating in the Moatize district, Tete province in Mozambique.,The MNC assumes resettlement processes to be part of the CSR arena and reveals that VALE, SA follows a reactive poor approach as to CSR. The weak institutional context in Mozambique is like others described in the literature. The empirical data together with the sense of an ethical responsibility approach associated with resettlement processes and the paradigm shift in aid for trade as to development supported by the MNC's CSR leads to the conclusion that resettlement can be considered part of the CSR of a mining MNC.,The difficult access to key informants of the resettled communities, local government and little interest in interview participation by VALE, SA, showed a current lack of confidence and communication limitations by the company as to this issue.,The failure of VALE, SA and other mining companies to meet their resettlement responsibilities and the inability of government supervision, requires local and national, as well as social and scientific communication processes and debate on this issue to be maintained on an ongoing basis during the mining life cycle to guaranty accomplishments of CSR.,The controversy over whether mining MNCs will benefit Africa's emerging economies as to their socio-economic development will continue until MNCs commit themselves and act to be economically, legally and ethically responsible for contributing to the sustainable development of the countries where they operate.,This paper contributes to the debate on whether CSR frames the resettlement process based on literature review and key stakeholder views.


We consider a system, consisting of a metric tensor , a scalar field , a Weyl's gauge field and a scalar matter field , which is invariant under general coordinate transformation and Weyl's gauge transformation. Two kinds of identities and field equations are given and discussed. A special space-time with is considered in a gauge-independent manner. We point out that in a correct treatment where is not regarded as an independent variable, an auxiliary condition for Weyl's gauge field cannot be obtained. Therefore Weyl's gauge field can be treated as a usual field.


Abstract Hierarchical spatial models are very flexible and popular for a vast array of applications in areas such as ecology, social science, public health, and atmospheric science. It is common to carry out Bayesian inference for these models via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). Each iteration of the MCMC algorithm is computationally expensive due to costly matrix operations. In addition, the MCMC algorithm needs to be run for more iterations because the strong cross-correlations among the spatial latent variables result in slow mixing Markov chains. To address these computational challenges, we propose a projection-based intrinsic conditional autoregression (PICAR) approach, which is a discretized and dimension-reduced representation of the underlying spatial random field using empirical basis functions on a triangular mesh. Our approach exhibits fast mixing as well as a considerable reduction in computational cost per iteration. PICAR is computationally efficient and scales well to high dimensions. It is also automated and easy to implement for a wide array of user-specified hierarchical spatial models. We show, via simulation studies, that our approach performs well in terms of parameter inference and prediction. We provide several examples to illustrate the applicability of our method, including (i) a high-dimensional cloud cover dataset that showcases its computational efficiency, (ii) a spatially varying coefficient model that demonstrates the ease of implementation of PICAR in the probabilistic programming languages stan and nimble, and (iii) a watershed survey example that illustrates how PICAR applies to models that are not amenable to efficient inference via existing methods.


The paper discusses the necessity, feasibility and technology of FOPEN GMTI. It argues that this functionality may be one mode in a multi-function UWB UHF system, which jointly possesses the capabilities for air target MTI and high resolution FOPEN SAR. The radar platform may be a UAV or an aircraft, whereas it is proposed to use the push boom type of antenna mounting previously adopted with advantage for the CARABAS II UWB VHF SAR. Presently the push booms will hold a set of UWB UHF antenna elements. The paper relates GMTI to SAR, extended from imaging stationary ground to the 4-parameter set of targets in linear and uniform motion relative to ground. It is recognised that this extended imaging problem only depends on one new parameter viz. the SAR focusing velocity. The required signal processing may be tackled in an efficient manner by a hierarchical scheme based on iteratively merging subapertures and increasing the resolution. Rejection of stationary clutter and detection occurs on all the levels of increasing the resolution. The paper also provides a brief presentation of the Swedish FOA efforts to produce an experimental demonstrator of this multi-function radar system.


The use of fly ash in construction has been on the rise, yet its application in pavement construction remains relatively underexplored. This study addresses this gap by critically reviewing 70 years of research on fly ash usage in pavement engineering, offering valuable recommendations. Class 'C' fly ash is employed for soil stabilization, while class 'F' is used in concrete. In both flexible (asphalt) and rigid (concrete) pavements, fly ash primarily functions as a filler material. Fine ash, owing to its fineness, enhances asphalt concrete by reducing void ratios and water sensitivity, as well as easing subgrade compaction while increasing compressive strength. Incorporating fly ash into Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) enhances resistance to cracking and oxidative ageing. Adding fly ash (up to 25%) significantly boosts soil failure stress and strain values by 106% and 50%, respectively, while a combination of 8% lime and 18% fly ash yields maximum shear strength. A modest amount of lime (1-2%) mixed with 10% fly ash achieves a maximum dry density of 1.98 gm/cm3 at an optimal water content of 12.62%. Additional testing by researchers corroborates and validates the findings of this literature review.


The study objective is to investigate the correlations between opportunistic microorganisms of the urethra and the quality of ejaculate, as well as the concentration of ubiquitory endocrine disruptors (bisphenol A and triclosan) in men semen. Materials and methods . We analysed 63 semen samples of men with normo- and patozoospermia. In seminal fluid the concentration of bisphenol A and triclosan was determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The microbiocenosis of the urethra was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the Androflor test system. The results were subjected to statistical processing using the Mann — Whitney U-test and correlation analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results . Bisphenol A was found in 100 % of the semen samples. Triclosan was detected in 84.9 % of the samples. Comparison groups on the quality of ejaculate (normo- and pathozoospermia) were statistically significantly different in the concentration of bisphenol A and triclosan in seminal fluid (p <0.001) and (p = 0.003) respectively. The study established statistically significant correlations between bisphenol A concentration, seminal triclosan and urethral microbiota: Lactobacillus spp. (r = 0.501, p = 0.003), Corynebacterium spp. (r = 0.425, p = 0.015), Anaerococcus spp. (r = 0.371, p = 0.045), Eubacterium spp. (r = 0.357, p = 0.037) for bisphenol A and Staphylococrns spp. (r = 0.392, p = 0.026), Streptococcus spp. (r = —0.486, p = 0.005) for triclosan. Conclusion. In this study the connection of the urethral microbiota with the quality of the ejaculate and the concentration of endocrine dis-ruptors (bisphenol A and triclosan) in men semen was established. In this regard, it is necessary to take into account the role of asymptomatic urethral dysbiosis when administering patients with poor ejaculate quality.


For many years physicians have sought to replace the starch in the diet of diabetics by some other carbohydrate which is well tolerated by the organism and which can be eaten in sufficiently large amounts without discomfort. Prominent among these substitutes for starch stands inulin, a carbohydrate closely resembling starch in its physical properties.1 Like starch it exists in the underground parts of many plants, as a reserve carbohydrate, but, unlike starch, it is a polysaccharid of levulose, the isomer of dextrose, which is the sugar yielded by starch on hydrolysis. Inulin occurs in the roots of many of the Compositae , particularly in the tubers of the dahlia, the artichoke, elecampane, and other similar plants. Of these vegetables, the artichoke is the best known as an article of diet, and is most frequently recommended for diabetics. Inulin is readily hydrolyzed to levulose by dilute acids, and inasmuch as this sugar


Dynamic performance of high-speed high-resolution digital-to-analog converters (DACs) is limited by distortion at the data switching instants. Inter-symbol interference (ISI), imperfect timing synchronization, and clock jitter are all culprits. A DAC output controlled by an oscillating waveform is proposed to mitigate the effects of switching distortion and clock jitter. This architecture has the additional benefit of mixing the DAC impulse response energy to a higher frequency, allowing a high-frequency image of the input to be used as the output. This has the potential for better noise performance and power and hardware savings relative to a conventional DAC+mixer architecture. A narrow-band sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) DAC with eight unit elements is chosen to demonstrate the radio frequency digital-to-analog converter (RF DAC) concept in a 1.8-V 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. Measured single-tone SFDR is -75 dBc, SNR is 53 dB, and two-tone IMD3 is -70.8 dBc for a 17.5-MHz band centered at 942 MHz. SNR performance is shown to have the predicted dependence on the phase alignment of the data clock and oscillating pulse.


We consider non-destructive testing of concrete tunnels for cracks and numerically investigate the feasibility of qualitative microwave imaging for the purpose. More precisely, the linear sampling method is exploited with limited aperture data, which is collected with a linear transceiver array, to sense possible cracks remotely. Preliminary numerical results indicate that the technique can rapidly detect the cracks' location for further investigation.


The 8V19N492 is a fully integrated FemtoClock NG jitter attenuator and clock synthesizer designed as a high-performance clock solution for conditioning and frequency/phase management of wireless base station radio equipment boards. The device is optimized to deliver excellent phase noise performance as required in GSM, WCDMA, LTE, and LTE-A radio board implementations. The device supports JESD204B subclass 0 and 1 clocks.


The impact of landscape fragmentation is well recognised as one of the key contributors to the past and present decline in European wildlife. Ecological networks were seen as a solution to this problem and have been the subject of research, policy and practice for nearly 40 years; resulting in many examples of best practice and lessons learned. More recently the European Commission has introduced the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) which retains the frame work of ecological networks at its core but which offers a more sophisticated integration of economic and social factors and the delivery of a range of ecosystem services. GI has already been included as a concept in EU strategy and offers much for future policy making and delivery of sectoral integration. The views of stakeholders indicate that there a number of key areas for improvement but confirm the potential of the concept. Further work should consider the practicalities of the full translation of the protected area networks into functional ecological networks and making them integral building blocks of the green infrastructure both at the level of policy and practice. In addition information about how to create actual ecological networks at the delivery level, particularly where this has involved stakeholder and public participation needs to be researched and made widely available. The issue of communication; specifically to politicians and decision makers within key sectors (such as spatial planning, transport, industry, etc.) but more widely to researchers, conservation practitioners, businesses and the interested public remain to be fully addressed.


ABSTRACT This article sheds light on the growing, but understudied role of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in supporting the local production of master plans across the African continent as a tool for guiding long-term investments in urban development. To explore the multiple logics, actors and interests driving the conception, preparation and implementation of these plans, we approach urban master planning as a transcalar process, through which diverse investment, planning and governance arrangements are produced and mobilized in ways that transcend the city scale. We illuminate these dynamics by building on an analysis of the history of Japanese development cooperation and drawing on case studies of JICA master planning in Malawi, Ghana and Tanzania.


A lack of accuracy, uniqueness and the absence of systematic classification of cropland categories, together with long-pending updates of cropland mapping, are the primary challenges that need to be addressed in developing high-resolution cropland maps for south Asia. In this review, we analyzed the details of the available land cover and cropland maps of south Asia on national and regional scales in south Asia and on a global scale. Here, we highlighted the methodology adopted for classification, datasets used, classification system used for classifying different land covers and croplands and the resolution of datasets available. This listed review of different available datasets can help the reader to know which datasets to be used in their study and to understand which methodology to be chosen to further developing the accurate high-resolution land cover and cropland maps for advanced studies and for better understanding of ground reality in a timely updated version. We tried to identify the major concerns, particularly the inadequacy of knowledge regarding the spatial distribution of major crop types within south Asia, which hinder policy and strategic investment and delay the efforts to improve food security for a rapidly growing human population at a time of constant market instability and changing global climate. The overall focus of this paper is on reviewing the need for timely updated high-resolution cropland maps of south Asia.


The paper presents an mm-Wave load modulated balanced amplifier (LMBA) architecture across 30–40 GHz. The architecture is implemented with a transformer-based hybrid at input and output to allow wideband power combining and achieve high isolation with a control PA for load-modulation and back-off efficiency enhancement across 30–40 GHz. To overcome the compressive behaviour of an LMBA and enhance linearity, an integrated adaptive biasing is integrated on-chip allowing superior ACLR performance across 30–40 GHz. Under CW excitation, the two-stage LMBA demonstrates output power of 18.5-20 dBm, output drain efficiency >30% across 30–40 GHz. The modulation capabilities of LMBA are tested using a 64 QAM signal with a data rate of 6 Gbps wherein PA demonstrates EVM of -26.4 dB and ACLR of -29 dBc at an average output power of 10.6 dBm. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first load-modulated balanced PA at mmWave in silicon.


The researchaimed to examinethe effect of waste litter cornand obtain the best to the growthand yield ofsweet corn(Zea mayssaccharataSturt). This study has been conducted in Jl.kartama, RT. 04 RW. 07 subdistrict Marpoyan Damai, Pekanbaru from November 2016 to Februari 2017. The researchexperiment use complete design random (CDR) consisting of 4 treatment and 5 replicationthen obtained20 experimentunits. The treatment tested was giving is :K0 = without waste litter corn, K1 = 10 ton/ha (6 kg/plot) of waste litter corn, K2 = 20 ton/ha (6 kg/plot) of waste litter corn, K3 = 30 ton/ha (6 kg/plot) of waste litter corn, K4 = 40 ton/ha (6 kg/plot) of wastelitter corn. The observed used is plant height,male flowersappear,female flowersappear,harvestingage, the production per plot, weight per seed of husk, diameter corncob without husk,cob lenght, and the number of seed lines. Waste litter of corndosage of 24 kg / plot is the best treatment on plant height parameters, male flowersappear, the number of seed lines, and production per plot. Corn waste litter dosage at 18 kg / plot is the best treatment on the parameters of female flowersappear, harvesting age, weight per seed of husk, cob length, and the diameter corncob.


Employing survey data, this study highlights the following characteristics of the Romanian Communist Party (RCP): with an estimated membership of 33 percent of Romania's employed population, the late RCP was proportionally the largest Leninist party in Eastern Europe. Consistent with the so-called "deproletarianization" thesis, the RCP manifested a marked preference toward recruiting well-educated individuals and professionals among its ranks. The RCP also tended to recruit from among disadvantaged classes (in particular, peasants and their offspring). Despite some prowomen "affirmative action" policies, women were underrepresented among Party members. Some ethnic minorities had fewer chances of joining the RCP than ethnic Romanians. As compared to other communist parties, the RCP had one of the highest rates of intergenerational political reproduction among its ranks. This article suggests that the amorphous character of the RCP and its closed elite could also explain why Party members did not bother to save their historically obsolete leader.


Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by a high degree of malignancy, early metastasis, limited treatment, and poor prognosis. Immunotherapy, as a new and most promising treatment for cancer, has limited efficacy in TNBC because of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Inducing pyroptosis and activating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase/interferon gene stimulator (cGAS/STING) signaling pathway to upregulate innate immunity have become an emerging strategy for enhancing tumor immunotherapy. In this study, albumin nanospheres were constructed with photosensitizer-IR780 encapsulated in the core and cGAS–STING agonists/H2S producer-ZnS loaded on the shell (named IR780-ZnS@HSA). In vitro, IR780-ZnS@HSA produced photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects. In addition, it stimulated immunogenic cell death (ICD) and activated pyroptosis in tumor cells via the caspase-3–GSDME signaling pathway. IR780-ZnS@HSA also activated the cGAS–STING signaling pathway. The two pathways synergistically boost immune response. In vivo, IR780-ZnS@HSA + laser significantly inhibited tumor growth in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice and triggered an immune response, improving the efficacy of the anti-APD-L1 antibody (aPD-L1). In conclusion, IR780-ZnS@HSA, as a novel inducer of pyroptosis, can significantly inhibit tumor growth and improve the efficacy of aPD-L1.


The subject of this thesis is educational mobilization in Portugal during the decade of the seventies. Rather than present an exhaustive account of the educational events that took place during the decade, the thesis attempts, firstly, to disentangle the complex web of occurrences in the field of education, and,secondly, ·to present an interpretation of three major educational events and their relationship to the changing nature of the Portuguese state. Inevitably the crowning event of the decade of the seventies,the April revolution of 1974, comes under considerable scrutiny. This brought to an end the Salazarist regime, which was incapable of coming to terms with the, eventually overwhelming, problem of decolonization. It also marked the beginning of a serious attempt to extend and deepen the effects of the (1971-3) Veiga Sima reform in education, which, in acting as a pivot for debates on the development and modernization of the country, found itself mediating the demands for chance emerging from civil society. This is described in Chapter 2. Chapters 3 and 4 describe how the April revolution stimulated very far reaching processes of democratization in education, both within the realm of relations of management within the school and in terms of what actually counted as education (that is, its redefinition in the light of the 'rediscovery' of 'Portuguese realities'). The fading of the project that was 'Portugal in transition to socialism', embodied in the process of 'normalization' which characterized the latter years of the decade of the seventies, is approached and assessed, in Chapter 5, through a study of the intervention of the World Bank in Portuguese higher education.


PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Although the congenital short femur is morphologically well characterized, changes at the molecular level have not been described in the literature so far. The absence of such information, along with the unknown aetiology of the defect, was the motivation for analysing angiogenesis and osteogenesis in the pseudoarthrosis (false joint) tissue in PFFD patients compared to physiological bone. The authors expected differences in gene expression, particularly in the quantity of expressed genes. MATERIAL AND METHODS A piece of bone was removed during an elective surgery procedure, placed in an RNA stabilization reagent, which prevents RNA degradation, and deep frozen. Thereafter, RNA was isolated and the profile of transcription was analysed by biochip analysis (SuperArray Bioscience Corporation). In total, it is possible to detect 113 genes of osteogenesis and angiogenesis. From the end of 2005 until the end of 2008, samples of 7 patients with PFFD and 3 physiological bone samples were examined. Several analyses were repeated to confirm the results; in total 13 chips for osteogenesis and 11 chips for angiogenesis expression were used. RESULTS Differences in the quantity and representation of the genes were noted. Some genes were considered over-expressed in PFFD tissue compared with the control sample (e.g. the gene for calcitonin receptor, collagen XII, I alpha 2, collagen II, IX, FGFR2, fibronectin, integrin) and other genes under-expressed (e.g. the gene for annexin A5, collagen XVIII alpha1, collagen I alpha1, cathepsin K, FGFR1, FGFR3, IGF2, VEGFB). CONCLUSIONS The differences in gene expression confirmed the authors' hypothesis. So far, the results cannot be generalized; this is the first step for follow-up experiments to confirm the suggested information and to integrate it with clinical findings, such as the alternative blood supply of affected extremity in some patients. Key words: proximal femoral focal deficiency, gene expression, microarray analysis, angiogenesis, osteogenesis.


Pandemic Covid-19 has spread rapidly, causing a severe health crisis worldwide, including Indonesia. As is well known, due to Indonesia's diverse population, there are differences in the number of cases between cities. Therefore, a distribution clustering process is needed to develop a map of Covid-19 cases which aims to enable optimal handling of this pandemic. In this study, DBSCAN was used for the clustering process of Covid-19 spread on Palopo city. Clustering using the DBSCAN algorithm is needed to find out the clusters that are formed and the location of Covid-19 spread in certain areas. The result of clustering using DBSCAN show that the largest cluster has a total 0f 432 cases that occurred throughout the time period with an average of 15 cases per day. After visualization, the most distribution of Covid-19 was in the central area of Palopo City and concentrated in Wara District with 250 cases.


Eight kinds of coals were pyrolyzed and gasified simultaneously by use of a rapid heating method in nitrogen, steam or CO2 atmosphere. Coal particles (1.0mm in diameter) enclosed in a platinum mesh basket were dropped into the reactor which had been heated to a desired temperature (750, 800 or 850°C), and were heated rapidly at the rate of ca. 1600°C/min to reach the final gasification temperature in about 30 seconds. The amount of the evolved gas (AEG) and the decrease in the mass of coal (DMC) in the course of the experiment were measured in detail. First this experiment was performed in a nitrogen atmosphere, the pressure of which was kept at 1, 2. 5, 5, 10 or 20atm, to obtain the AEG and the DMC owing to the pyrolysis. Then the same experiment was performed in a steam or in a CO2 atmosphere. In this experiment the pyrolysis and the gasification of the coal proceeds simultaneously. The AEG and the DMC owing to the gasification were estimated by subtracting the AEG and the DMC owing to the pyrolysis from those obtained in the latter experiment. The gasification rate was found to be nearly proportional to the pore surface area of the unreacted sample. Then the gasification rate was formulated by use of Bhatia and Perlmutters' model in which the change in pore surface area was taken into account. By use of this model the initial gasification rates were easily estimated. The validity of the model was experimentally verified. It was also clarified that the gasification rate increases little when the steam pressure exceeds 1 atm.


The advanced era of knowledge-based urban development has led to an unprecedented increase in mobility of people and the subsequent growth in the new typology of agglomerated enclaves of knowledge such as urban knowledge precincts. A new role has been assigned to contemporary public spaces of these precincts to attract and retain the mobile knowledge workforce for long by creating a sense of place for them. This paper sheds light over the place making in the globalised knowledge economy world which develops a sense of permanence spatio-temporally to knowledge workers displaying a set of particular characteristics and simultaneously is process-dependent getting developed by the internal and external flows and contributing substantially in the development of the broader context it stands in relation with. The paper highlights the observations from Australia's new world city Brisbane to outline the application of urban design as a tool to create and sustain this bipartite place making in urban knowledge precincts, which caters diverse range of social, cultural and democratic needs. It seeks to analyse the modified permeable typology of public spaces that makes it more viable and adaptive as per the changing needs of the contemporary globalised or in other words knowledge society. This research has taken an overall process-based approach reflecting how urban design is an assemblage of the encompassing processes that underlay the resultant place making. It explores how the permeable design typology of these contemporary precincts in Brisbane develops a progressive sense of place that makes them stimulating, effervescent and vibrant.


This perspective paper draws on the interest in ensuring that students who enter primary teacher training programs have a solid background knowledge of mathematics. We describe the access criteria and requirements for admission to the primary education degree programs at the Universidad de Alicante and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, in Spain, and the University of Helsinki, in Finland. We present the results of an evaluation of the mathematical knowledge that students bring to their education as teachers at these three institutions. The results show that in each program, the subgroup of students who had followed the longer track of mathematics courses scored significantly higher on the mathematical test, although this was no longer as clear when we compared across universities. We also found that the students who had taken the mathematics section of the entrance examination or the matriculation examination scored higher on the test than those from the same program who had not, but this tendency broke down when cross-university comparisons were made. We also explored how the cap set on the number of students admitted to the three programs – this being the most striking difference in the admission policies – could be an explanatory variable for these discrepancies. The comparison between universities leads us to hypothesize that expecting applicants to have met certain requirements in their academic trajectories prior to university entrance and adjusting the cap set on the number of places could ensure a better mastery of mathematical knowledge among those students admitted to the Spanish programs.


Background: Few studies have been carried out with the aim of describing the clinical course and follow-up of patients with tracheomalacia. We aim to describe the symptoms at diagnosis and the post-treatment clinical course of patients affected by airway malacia. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed characteristics of pediatric patients with a diagnosis of airway malacia. Patients were classified into three groups: bronchomalacia (BM), tracheomalacia (TM) and tracheo-bronchomalacia (TBM). Demographic and clinical data, diagnostic work-up and surgical treatment were recorded. Results: 13/42 patients were affected by congenital syndromes (30.9%). Esophageal atresia with or without tracheal-esophageal fistula (EA/TEF) was detected in 7/42 patients (16.7%). Cardiovascular anomalies were found in 9/42 (21.4%) and idiopathic forms in 13/42 (30.9%). BM occurred in 7/42 (16.6%), TM in 23/42 (54.7%) and TBM in 12/42 (28.6%). At the diagnosis stage, a chronic cough was reported in 50% of cases with a higher prevalence in EA/TEF (p = 0.005). Surgery was performed in 16/42 (40%) of children. A chronic cough and acute respiratory failure were correlated to the need for surgery. During follow-up, there was no difference in persistence of symptoms between conservative vs surgical treatment (p = 0.47). Conclusion: the management of tracheomalacia remains a challenge for pediatricians. Clinical manifestations, such as a barking cough and acute respiratory failure may suggest the need for surgery. Follow-up is crucial, especially in those patients affected by comorbidities, so as to be able to manage effectively the possible persistence of symptoms, including those that may continue after surgical treatment.


UNLABELLED
Hyperinsulinism (HI) of infancy is a neuroendocrine disease secondary to either focal adenomatous hyperplasia or a diffuse abnormality of insulin secretion of the pancreas. HI with focal lesions can revert by selective surgical resection in contrast to the diffuse form, which requires subtotal pancreatectomy when resistant to medical treatment. Neuroendocrine diseases are a heterogeneous group of entities with the ability to take up amine precursors and to convert them into biogenic amines. Therefore, the aim of this study was (a) to evaluate the use of PET with 18F-fluoro-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-fluoro-L-DOPA) and (b) to distinguish between focal and diffuse HI.

METHODS
Fifteen patients (11 boys, 4 girls) with neonatal HI were enrolled in this study. All patients fasted for at least 6 h before the PET examination and their medication was discontinued for at least 72 h. The examination was performed under light sedation (pentobarbital associated with or without chloral). The dynamic acquisition started 45-65 min after the injection of 18F-fluoro-L-DOPA (4.0 MBq/kg weight). Four or 6 scans of 5 min each (2 or 3 steps according to the height of the patient) were acquired from the neck to the upper legs.

RESULTS
An abnormal focal pancreatic uptake of 18F-fluoro-L-DOPA was observed in 5 patients, whereas a diffuse uptake of the radiotracer was observed in the pancreatic area of the other patients. All patients with focal radiotracer uptake and also 4 of 10 patients with pancreatic diffuse radiotracer accumulation, unresponsive to medical treatment, underwent surgery. The histopathologic results confirmed the PET findings--that is, focal versus diffuse HI.

CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that 18F-fluoro-L-DOPA could be an accurate noninvasive technique to distinguish between focal and diffuse forms of HI.


Thirty-one different dermatoses were treated by intravenous administration of methylprednisolone sodium succinate to 242 patients. Despite the use of relatively large doses, none of the patients developed symptoms of adrenal atrophy or psychic depression. The usual dose per treatment was 20 mg., but some patients received 90 mg. daily for three weeks. Several patients with moon facies which developed during oral adrenal steroid therapy, previously prescribed, were relieved of this side-effect when the intravenous route of administration was used. When taken orally a percentage of this agent is thought to be converted to cortisone by the physiological activities of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This reaction is apparently obviated by intravenous or intramuscular administration, and the compound remains as methylprednisolone sodium succinate during its short life in vivo (half-life 188 minutes). Of the 242 patients treated only 18 had little or no improvement of their dermatoses.


Abstract Working within weak subsystems of second-order arithmetic Z2 we consider two versions of the Baire Category theorem which are not equivalent over the base system RCA0. We show that one version (B.C.T.I) is provable in RCA0 while the second version (B.C.T.II) requires a stronger system. We introduce two new subsystems of Z2, which we call and , and , show that suffices to prove B.C.T.II. Some model theory of and its importance in view of Hilbert's program is discussed, as well as applications of our results to functional analysis.


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Gossip protocols have emerged as a powerful technique for implementing highly scalable and robust services, such as information dissemination and aggregation. The fact that gossip protocols require very little or no structure to operate makes them particularly appealing to apply in dynamic systems, where topology changes are common (for instance, due to frequent faults or high churn rates). Therefore, gossip protocols seem particularly well fit to operate in wireless self-organizing networks. Unfortunately, these networks have a number of characteristics that impede the deployment of gossip protocols designed for wired networks. In this work we identify the inherent differences in communication between wired and wireless networks and their impact on the design and implementation of gossip protocols. In particular, our comparison includes drawing a distinction between the gossiping primitives suitable for each of these environments. In the context of this analysis, we conclude by presenting a list of open research questions.


The development, delivery and assessment of large, introductory, undergraduate courses that include a mixed cohort of internal and distance, and domestic and international, students is challenging at any time. However, alternative and flexible delivery approaches have been heralded by many as the solutions to the issues that this complexity produces. This paper examines this claim by analysing the experiences of students involved in three large, introductory courses, each utilising a different form of non-traditional methods of teaching and learning, to analyse whether it is beneficial in all cases. The analysed courses covered the three different disciplines of accounting, law and management. This research offers lessons for course facilitators and course developers alike, and demonstrates that accepting the challenge and embracing these forms of delivery and assessment as a replacement of traditional methods is not always appropriate. Instead, the findings suggest that these approaches offer real benefits to some students in particular situations and therefore should be viewed as worthwhile supplements to offer all students more flexibility and the opportunity to enhance their tertiary education experience by encouraging and supporting self-directed and independent learning skills.


Testosterone-oestradiol-binding globulin (TeBG) has been isolated from serum or plasma of several species using procedures that yielded highly purified protein, but which required multiple and tedious chromatographic steps. In this report we describe a procedure for the isolation of TeBG which involves two chromatographic steps: androgen affinity chromatography followed by anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (anion-exchange HPLC). The purity of the final product was confirmed by silver staining following fractionation on sodium dodecyl sulphate-containing polyacrylamide gels. The size heterogeneity and specific binding activity of TeBGs purified from human, rabbit, or bull serum (or plasma) by this technique was indistinguishable from preparations obtained by conventional chromatography. The present technique shortened the entire purification procedure to about 5 working days and yielded milligram quantities of highly purified protein. Bases on our experience with serum or plasma from the human, rabbit, and bull, this approach should be suitable for isolation of TeBG from a wide range of species.


Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignant tumor in elderly patients. The prognosis of renal cell carcinoma with distant metastasis is poor. We aim to construct a nomogram to predict the risk of distant metastasis in elderly patients with RCC to help doctors and patients with early intervention and improve the survival rate. Methods The clinicopathological information of patients was downloaded from SEER to identify all elderly patients with RCC over 65 years old from 2010 to 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzed the training cohort's independent risk factors for distant metastasis. A nomogram was established to predict the distant metastasis of elderly patients with RCC based on these risk factors. We used the consistency index (C-index), calibration curve, and area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) to evaluate the accuracy and discrimination of the prediction model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical application value of the model. Results A total of 36,365 elderly patients with RCC were included in the study. They were randomly divided into the training cohort (N = 25,321) and the validation cohort (N = 11,044). In the training cohort, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that race, tumor histological type, histological grade, T stage, N stage, tumor size, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were independent risk factors for distant metastasis elderly patients with RCC. A nomogram was constructed to predict the risk of distant metastasis in elderly patients with RCC. The training and validation cohort's C-indexes are 0.949 and 0.954, respectively, indicating that the nomogram has excellent accuracy. AUC of the training and validation cohorts indicated excellent predictive ability. DCA suggested that the nomogram had a better clinical application value than the traditional TN staging. Conclusion This study constructed a new nomogram to predict the risk of distant metastasis in elderly patients with RCC. The nomogram has excellent accuracy and reliability, which can help doctors and patients actively monitor and follow up patients to prevent distant metastasis of tumors.


Nonautotrophic thiobacilli were isolated from the acidic water of a coal mine. Based on their mixotrophic physiology, the isolates are regarded as strains of Thiobacillus perometabolis.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
To characterize the nature and impact of sleep disturbances on quality of life (QOL) in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).

METHODS
Participants were 3,397 women from a telephone probability survey who met IC/BPS symptom criteria. Sleep quality, duration, and IC/BPS nocturnal symptoms (i.e., trouble sleeping due to bladder pain, urgency, or needing to use the bathroom), general QOL (mental and physical health and sexual functioning), and IC/BPS QOL impairment were assessed via self-report during telephone interview.

RESULTS
Over half of the sample reported poor sleep quality, sleep duration ≤ 6 hours, or trouble sleeping due to IC/BPS symptoms. After covariate adjustment, short sleep duration was significantly associated with greater IC/BPS QOL impairment (β = -0.04; p < 0.001) and poorer self-reported physical health (β = 1.86; p < 0.001). Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with greater IC/BPS QOL impairment (β = 0.06; p < 0.001), poorer self-reported physical health (β = -2.86; p < 0.001), and greater sexual dysfunction (β = -0.04; p < 0.05). IC/BPS nocturnal symptoms were significantly associated with greater IC/BPS impairment (β = 0.14; p < 0.001), poorer physical health (β = -2.76; p < 0.001) and mental health (β = 0.52; p < 0.01), and greater sexual dysfunction (β = -0.10; p < 0.001), after covariate adjustment. After further adjustment for IC/BPS nocturnal symptoms, we found that poor sleep quality and short sleep duration were independent correlates of poor self-reported physical health.

CONCLUSIONS
Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration, as well as disorder-specific sleep disturbances, are highly prevalent in women with IC/BPS and are associated with poorer disease-specific and general QOL.


Cysteine-dependent protein sequences were downloaded
from annotated database resources to generate comprehensive EGF, Sushi,
Laminin and Immu- noglobulin (IgC) motif-specific sequence files. Each dataset
was vertically registered and the cumulative distribution of amino acid
functional group chemistry determined relative to the respective complement of
cysteine residues providing critical disulfide stabilization of these four
well-known modular motif families. The cysteine-aligned amino acid distribution
data revealed limited ionic, polar, hydrophobic or other side chain
preferences, unique to each protein scaffold. In contrast, all four
cysteine-dependent protein families exhibited strong positional preference for
the aromatic residues phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr), relative to
analogous cysteine landmarks. More than eighty percent of the members in each
protein family were found to possesses the same conserved -Cys- (Xxx)3-4-(Phe/Tyr)-
arrangement, placing an aromatic amino acid at analogous EGF-C5+4,
Sushi-C2+4, Laminin-C7+4 and IgC-C1+5. Over seventy
percent of EGF, Sushi and IgC sequences exhibited a second obvious
Cys-associated aromatic site -(Phe/Tyr)-Xxx- Cysat EGF-C4-2,
Sushi-C2-2 and IgC-C2-2. The cysteine-associated
placement of aromatic amino acid chemistry in four major disulfide-dependent
protein families likely represents conservation of a molecular determinant of
global importance in the structure- function of this large and diverse subset
of extracellular proteins.


A new type of a wide-aperture, high-power and efficient semiconductor laser with emission leaking from an active region and involved in lasing is proposed. The principle of its operation is described. Single-mode semiconductor lasers with output apertures at the optical facet of 5 × 6 μm, 7 × 7.5 μm, and 10 × 10 μm and diffraction-limited divergence angles of emission from 6.9 to 12° in the vertical plane and from 3.3 to 7.7° in the horizontal plane are created for the first time. A single-mode cw output power of 0.5 W is obtained at 980 nm in a single-frequency regime with diffraction-limited divergence angles in the horizontal and vertical planes equal to 5.7° and 12.3°, respectively. In the multimode regime, the output powers of 1.3 and 3.0 W were obtained with small divergence angles for ridge widths of 10 and 50 μm, respectively.


The genus Atractus includes 146 species of cryptozoic snakes occurring from Panama to northeastern Argentina. Here, a molecular phylogeny of this genus is presented, which encompasses 29% (= 42; six are included here for the first time) of the species currently recognized. Morphological and phylogenetic support is found for three new species of ground snakes, which are described here based on their unique combination of molecular, meristic, and color pattern characteristics. The name A. arangoi Prado, 1939 is revalidated for a Colombian snake species previously subsumed under A. major Boulenger, 1894 based on new material collected in Ecuador. Reidentifications are provided for Atractus voucher specimens and sequences deposited in GenBank. With these changes, the number of Atractus reported in Ecuador increases from 27 to 31 species. Finally, attention is given to the importance of using a biogeographical framework that includes molecular data and a comprehensive geographic sampling when proposing species limits in complex taxonomic groups.


SIR: Recurrent diarrhoea is a common problem in underweight and marasmic children. Recent investigations have indicated that the upper part of the small bowel of such children has a complex flora which may contribute to a malabsorption state. 1 Because this flora includes anaerobes and parasites, some of which are sensitive to metronidazole, it was decided to test the usefulness of this drug (Flagyl, 100 mg three times per day) in children admitted to our malnutrition unit who developed mainly sugar-negative diarrhoea which did not respond to oral sugar and water therapy. The results were as follows.


Background: Our randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the value of an inhaler-specific visual aid as adjunct to standard inhaler technique education, showed beneficial short-term (after 6-8 weeks) effects. Correct inhaler technique improved from 8% to 70% of patients with asthma or COPD. Aim: To evaluate the long-term effects of inhaler technique education in asthma or COPD. Methods: Patients who participated in our RCT and completed both visits (n=98) were invited for a 1-year follow-up (FU) visit as part of routine care. All patients had completed inhaler technique education, including the use of the visual aid at short-term FU. During long-term FU inhaler technique was (re)assessed using inhaler-specific checklists. Results: Inhaler technique was evaluated in 56 patients (mean age 64±12yrs, 52% male) with asthma (45%) or COPD (55%). Reasons for not attending long-term FU were: referral to primary care (n=13), unwilling (n=6), deceased (n=4), lost to follow-up (n=19). Inhaler technique was adequate in 37 patients (66%). The most common mistakes with incorrect technique (n=19) were: no complete exhalation before inhalation (n=10, DPI), no 5 times in- and exhaling through the mouthpiece (n=5, MDI with spacer). Incorrect technique occurred more in COPD (48%) as compared to asthma (16%). Patients with incorrect technique were significantly older (69yrs) as compared to patients with adequate technique (62yrs). Conclusion: This study demonstrates positive long-term effects of thorough inhaler technique education. Yet, the number of patients who inhaled incorrectly stresses the importance of monitoring and (repeatedly) educating correct inhaler technique, particularly in older COPD patients.


The article is devoted to development of metrological support for measurements of mass fraction of crude fat (oil content) value which is hard to explain and generalised quality value of oilseeds and produced on their oilseeds residues, cereals and pulses, foodstuff and its components. Results of this value measurement depend on conditions of analysis and testing samples matrix. The problem of insuring of the results compossibility can be solved by the development of primary reference measurement procedure (PRMP) as well as development of related reference materials for transfer of the units to the results of routine measurements. As the basic method was taken modified extractive method – Randall's method of quantitative extraction of free and chemical or mechanical bound fat from product samples followed by measurement. Development of PRMP included the optimisation of the parameters of the measurement of the possible limits of their variation, as well as evaluating components of the uncertainty of measurement taking into account contributions related to influence on the measurement results of the applied equipment and reagents, equations, measurement, methodological factors, the heterogeneity of samples. The extended uncertainty of the measurement results of the mass fraction of crude fat (oil content) at the coverage coefficient k=2 was 0.15 %, providing a margin of accuracy of the developed PRMP concerning standardised measurement methods from 2.7 to 13.3 times. Comparisons of measurement results of crude fat mass fraction (oil content) in the seeds of: sunflower, soy, rape plant, mustard, flax by PRMP and GOST 10857–64, GOST 32749–2014, GOST 8.597-2010 vindicated the absence of result biases according to PRMP in compare with the routine methods results. Developed PRMP for crude fat (oil content) mass fraction in oilseeds and other products on their base (FR.PR1.31.2019.00009) together with PRMP for mass fraction of ash in nutritive products and food ingredients (FR.PR1.31.2018.00002), and state standards for system of units GET 173-2017, GVET 176-1-2010 was used for characterisation of 14 types of reference materials such as GSO 11268–2019/ GSO 11270–2019; GSO 11279–2019/ GSO 11283–2019; GSO 11284–2019/ GSO 11289–2019.


UNLABELLED
This study is to examine the degree to which women engage in attachment behaviors toward their unborn children. Cranley's Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) was modified to Japanese version (MFAS-J2), which consists of 20 items with .87 reliability. MFAS-J2 was administered to both normal and high-risk pregnant women (n = 275) during gestation. All subjects were restricted to women who were having their first child, and they were between 5 and 40 weeks gestation at the time they completed the instrument. Demographic data were also gathered.

RESULTS
(1) Maternal-fatal attachment increased significantly from 5 to 40 weeks of gestation. Especially feeling fetal movement had positive effect on maternal-fetal attachment. (2) Women who reported negative perception or ambivalent feeling about their pregnancy showed low attachment score. And women whose husband reported negative feeling about their pregnancy responded lower in the scale. (3) Some negative relationships were observed between maternal-fetal attachment score and the histories of abortion and sterility. (4) Maternal-fetal attachment showed no significant correlations to factors of threatened abortion, premature labor, and IUGR. (5) Maternal-fetal attachment showed negative correlations to State-Trait anxiety during early pregnancies.


ABSTRACT Under 1-kHz and low-frequency driving, we report our investigation of intra-cell ionic properties of two twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal (LC) cells made of same LC mixture but different polyimide (PI) materials for LC alignments. A heterodyne interferometry system was used to measure the phase retardations of the TN cells versus applied voltages at 1 kHz. We also measured the phase retardations and currents of the TN cells versus time by applying a mid-grayscale voltage of 1.3 V at 0.1 Hz to the cells. Related to the above-measured data, we have developed equations to characterise the field-driven transports of mobile charge carriers within the PI films independently from that within the LC medium of same TN cell to obtain time-dependent in-cell voltages of mobile charge carries across the LC mixture and across two PI-alignment films, respectively. Our experimental methods can be used to optimise LC mixtures and PI materials for low-refresh-rate thin-film-transistor-driven liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for low power and provide bases for further investigations on mobile-charge-carrier generation and transport within thin in-cell PI-alignment films as well as within the LC mixture of same LC cell. Graphical Abstract


Background : The aim of the study was a long-term observation of primary inguinal hernia surgery treatment
results.
Material and methods : An analysis of the treatment outcomes of 152 patients (142 M/10 F; 19–84 yrs,
median 60) operated on for primary inguinal hernia at the SPZOZ Garwolin Hospital Surgery Ward between
June 1999 and June 2001 was performed. The hernias were predominantly type II, III and IV (n = 78,
43, 27 resp.) according to the Gilbert-Rutkow classification. Elective (95%) and emergency repairs (in
cases of incarceration) were performed according to the Lichtenstein (n = 78), Trabucco T4 (n = 36) and
Valenti (n = 38) methods. Polypropylene multifiber Dallop PP mesh implants were used. The postoperative
hospitalization ranged from 1–14 days, with a median of 3 days.
Results : The prospective follow-up lasted 13–35 months (median 24 months). Late complications were
rare and included: hypertrophic scar, testicular abnormality (n = 8), spermatic cord abnormality (n = 4)
and pain or paresthesias within the operated region (n = 12).
 Conclusion : Even though two recurrences were observed following surgery employing Lichtenstein's
method, there was no statistical difference between the operative techniques used as to the number of
complications and unfavorable treatment outcomes.