The rocks of the drift in Essex are of such great variety that it is very difficult to get a really representative collection; but I have selected some two hundred specimens out of a much larger number, and these, I think, may fairly be called representative, at any rate of the rocks in the western and north-western parts of Essex. Some of these are chips from large boulders, others are rolled pebbles. I have gathered them from the surface of the land within a radius of about four miles from Felstead, taking them chiefly from the open fields, the lanes, ditches, and bye-roads, and avoiding the main roads for obvious reasons, although no imported road-metal is used in the immediate neighbourhood. A considerable number have been taken out of the Boulder-clay, and some few from the gravel-beds which underlie it. The village of Felstead stands upon high ground overlooking the valley of the Chelmer, about six miles to the north-west of Braintree and just off the highroad between Braintree and Dunmow. The general appearance of this part of Essex is that of a tableland which has been carved out into valleys, with gently sloping rounded hills. On the slopes of these hills there are at all levels, even to the very tops, beds of loamy gravel, alternating with a considerable thickness of stiff yellow loam in some parts, and in others with chalky Boulderclay, patches of which lie on the tops of the hills and along the upper slopes, sometimes


Mycobacterium bolletii infection with band erosion complicating laparoscopic gastric banding is reported. A 33-year-old man developed right upper quadrant pain and an epigastric discharging lesion 4 weeks after revision of gastric banding for morbid obesity. Investigation revealed band erosion with infection of the omentum and the abdominal wall. The band was removed and M. bolletii was isolated and identified after DNA sequence analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in which M. bolletii was isolated from a human omentum after complicated gastric banding surgery.


The purpose of the paper is to theoretically calculate infeed of grinding wheel for forming a cambered workpiece such as roll in traverse grinding. The infeed of grinding wheel has been analyzed considering various residual stock removals, wheel wear, the profile change of cutting surface of wheel caused by wheel wear. Then it is made clear that cambered workpiece can be ground with NC-grinding machine. The distributions of stock removal rate, grinding force and wheel wear rate on cutting surface of wheel are calculated.


We proposed a dynamic stochastic mathematical model to evaluate the role of macrophage polarization in plaque development. The dynamic process of macrophages from proliferation to death was simulated under different lipid microenvironments. The probability of macrophage phenotypic switching was described using a Bernoulli distribution where the stochastic variable was determined by the local lipid level. Moreover, the interactions between macrophages and microenvironmental factors vary with macrophage phenotype. We investigated the distribution of key microenvironmental factors, the dynamics of macrophage polarization and its influence on foam cell formation. M1 macrophages were found to predominate in advanced plaque corresponding to the exacerbated inflammation observed in mice experiments. The imbalance between the deposition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and phagocytic effects of macrophages governed the formation of foam cells. Furthermore, we simulated targeted therapies by either directly inhibiting the polarization probability to M1 macrophages or indirectly regulating macrophage polarization due to high-density lipoprotein levels. Comparison of simulation results with experimental findings in both therapies indicated that the intervention and regulation of macrophage polarization could influence plaque microenvironment and subsequently induce plaque regression, especially in the early stage. The proposed modelling system can facilitate the evaluation of novel therapies targeting macrophage polarization.


To establish a rapid method for the simultaneous differential detection of porcine circovirus types 2 (PCV2) and 3 (PCV3), two pairs of primers and two TaqMan probes were designed according to the gene sequences of PCV2 and PCV3, and a dual TaqMan fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the simultaneous detection of two virus nucleic acids was established. The results showed that the correlation coefficients (R2) of the standard curves drawn using the recombinant plasmids of PCV2 and PCV3 were greater than 0.99 and had a good linear relationship. The specific detection results of PCV type 1, Porcine parvovirus, and Porcine pseudorabies virus were negative. The detection limits of this experimental method for PCV2 and PCV3 were 10 and 1 copies/μL, respectively, which were more sensitive than those of the common PCR detection methods. The established method was used to detect 76 samples from some pig farms in Shandong Province. 11 of the 76 samples were PCV3 positive (positive rate of 14.47%), 24 were PCV2 positive (positive rate of 34.58%), and PCV3 and PCV2 were mixed in six samples (positive rate of 7.89%). The whole-genome sequence of PCV3 was amplified and sequenced to further understand the molecular biological characteristics and genetic variation of PCV3 in Shandong Province. The genomes of 11 PCV3 strains were all 2000 bp long, and the whole-genome sequence homology between them ranged from 98.4% to 99.9%. There were mutation sites in the amino acid sequences of Cap and Rep proteins, and the strains isolated in this experiment were concentrated in the PCV3a and PCV3c subgroups. This study provides technical support and molecular biological basis for nucleic acid detection, epidemiological characteristics, genetic variation, and control of PCV3 in Shandong Province.


THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE RESEARCH COMPLETED ON JANUARY 30, 2007, FOR THE ESPECIALIZAÇÃO EM RESPONSABILIDADE CIVIL GRADUATE COURSE OF FUNDAÇÃO GETULIO VARGAS – EDESP – GVLAW, REGARDING MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS IN THE TRIBUNAL DE JUSTIÇA OF THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO. DIFFERENT VARIABLES, SUCH AS THE TYPES OF MEDICAL INTERVENTION; THE LITIGANTS; THE MEDICAL SPECIALTY INVOLVED; AND THE RESULTS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS, WERE ANALYZED. AMONGST THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCLUSIONS ARE: (I) THE NUMBER OF LAWSUITS FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE HAS INCREASED IN THE LAST YEARS; (II) SURGERY IS THE TYPE OF MEDICAL INTERVENTION PRESENT IN THE GREATEST NUMBER OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS; (III) DOCTOR AND HOSPITAL ARE THE MOST COMMON DEFENDANTS; (IV) GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS, LABORATORIES AND PLASTIC SURGERY WERE THE SPECIALTIES MOST INVOLVED IN LAWSUITS; (V) PLAINTIFFS WIN IN HALF OF THE LAWSUITS AND LOSE IN THE OTHER HALF; AND (VI) THE TRIBUNAL DE JUSTIÇA'S TRIALS ARE IMPARTIAL.


Several seismic techniques, both passive and active, exist for estimating the shear‐wave velocity VS structure of shallow sedimentary structures. In particular, passive compliance signals recorded by broadband ocean‐bottom seismometers (OBSs) can be used to invert for VS structure. While compliance‐based imaging studies have been carried out at several locations across the Cascadia Subduction Zone, such an approach has not been extensively applied to OBSs deployed on the continental shelf and slope. In this study, we measure compliance and coherence signals at 13 broadband OBSs deployed along Cascadia's continental shelf and upper slope. We then use a recently developed technique to probabilistically invert compliance signals for shallow VS structure that makes use of mixture density neural networks. Finally, we compare and contrast our inverted VS profiles and derived properties obtained using this method with previous studies focused on the properties of basin sediments.


When humans are given a policy to execute, there can be policy execution errors and deviations in policy if there is uncertainty in identifying a state. This can happen due to the human agent's cognitive limitations and/or perceptual errors. So an algorithm that computes a policy for a human to execute ought to consider these effects in its computations. An optimal Markov Decision Process (MDP) policy that is poorly executed (because of a human agent) maybe much worse than another policy that is suboptimal in the MDP, but considers the human-agent's execution behavior. In this paper we consider two problems that arise from state uncertainty; these are erroneous state-inference, and extra-sensing actions that a person might take as a result of their uncertainty. We present a framework to model the human agent's behavior with respect to state uncertainty, and can be used to compute MDP policies that accounts for these problems. This is followed by a hill climbing algorithm to search for good policies given our model of the human agent. We also present a branch and bound algorithm which can find the optimal policy for such problems. We show experimental results in a Gridworld domain, and warehouse-worker domain. Finally, we present human-subject studies that support our human model assumptions.


Procedures to divide a cake among n people with n-1 cuts (the minimum number) are analyzed and compared. For 2 persons, cut-and-choose, while envy-free and efficient, limits the cutter to exactly 50% if he or she is ignorant of the chooser's preferences, whereas the chooser can generally obtain more. By comparison, a new 2person surplus procedure (SP), which induces the players to be truthful in order to maximize their minimum allocations, leads to a proportionally equitable division of the surplus—the part that remains after each player receives 50%—by giving each person exactly the same proportion of the surplus as he or she values it. For n ≥ 3 persons, a new equitable procedure (EP) yields a maximally equitable division of a cake. This division gives all players the highest common value that they can achieve and induces truthfulness, but it may not be envy-free. The applicability of SP and EP to the fair division of a heterogeneous, divisible good, like land, is briefly discussed.


Sensor array with pattern recognition method is often used for gas detection and classification. Processing time and accuracy have become matters of widespread concern in using data analysis with semiconductor gas sensor array for volatile organic compound gas mixture classification. In this paper, a sensor array consisting of four nanostruc‐ tured semiconductor gas sensors was used to generate the response signal. Three main categories of gas mixtures, including single-component gas, binary-component gas mixtures, and four-component gas mixtures, are tested. To shorten the training time, extreme learning machine (ELM) is introduced to classify the category of gas mixtures and the concentration level (low, middle, and high) of formal‐ dehyde in the gas mixtures. Our results demonstrate that, compared to traditional neural networks and support vector machines (SVM), ELM networks can achieve 204 and 817 times faster training speed. As for classification accuracy, ELM networks can achieve comparable results with SVM.


The validation of the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) of a satellite is essential for mission success. This thesis deals with setting up a testbed to test ADCS components of nanosatellites. The testbed is called In-orbit Simulator, and is setup in the clean room. A two-axis turntable, Helmholtz cage, and sun simulator are used to setup the testbed. The Helmholtz cage is designed, built and tested to fulfill the requirements. The turntable and the sun simulator are Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products. The different hardware involved is integrated as a single testbed. The user interface software is written in MATLAB to control the testbed and carry out tests. The Earth's magnetic field is simulated using the Helmholtz cage, the sun vector is simulated using the sun simulator and the satellite motion is simulated by the turntable. The testbed is then used to calibrate the fight model sun sensor and magnetometer of Velox P picosatellite.


The interaction of oppositely charged lock- and key-colloids is investigated using computer simulations. We show that indented spheres, i.e., lock-particles, can be specifically assembled with spherical key-particles using solely electrostatic interactions in addition to a hard overlap potential. An analytic description of the entropic and energetic contributions is derived and supported by simulations and explicit energy calculations, respectively. The analytic expression of the electrostatic contribution is further employed to build up a schematic model allowing for efficient large-scale Monte Carlo simulations. The influence of the charge/ionic strength, the degree of indentation, and the size/number ratio is discussed by analyzing the specific and unspecific associations from the simulations. Herein, both particle design and mixing conditions lead to the formation of stable specific clusters analogous to colloidal molecules whose valence is defined by the number of lock-particles associated with a key-particle. In addition, the approach is extended to the encapsulation of an excess of small key-particles in largely indented lock-particles. These two examples exemplify that highly specific pairwise interactions can be implemented by using solely oppositely charged particles with complementary geometries, which opens the road for a rational design of complex hierarchical self-assemblies of complementary building blocks.


We consider the mass-critical generalized Korteweg--de Vries equation $$(\partial_t + \partial_{xxx})u=\pm \partial_x(u^5)$$ for real-valued functions $u(t,x)$. We prove that if the global well-posedness and scattering conjecture for this equation failed, then, conditional on a positive answer to the global well-posedness and scattering conjecture for the mass-critical nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation $(-i\partial_t + \partial_{xx})u=\pm (|u|^4u)$, there exists a minimal-mass blowup solution to the mass-critical generalized KdV equation which is almost periodic modulo the symmetries of the equation. Moreover, we can guarantee that this minimal-mass blowup solution is either a self-similar solution, a soliton-like solution, or a double high-to-low frequency cascade solution.


Background: The National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme in South Sudan was created in 2006, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are its main implementers. Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a major public health threat. Available literature describes case finding as very low, but treatment success as high. This study was conducted to establish the true picture of case detection and to suggest ways to improve on case finding. Methods: Recent trends in routine TB case notification as well as case detection and treatment outcome rates were analysed. Approaches and methods utilized in PTB case finding by the involved NGOs were examined. Opinions on how best to improve on case detection were generated. Results: There was an increase in the trend of notification from 2002 to 2009, but the sputum smear-positive proportion was stable for the same period. The case detection rates were very low, all below 50% of expected for the given years; treatment success rates were high and stable, at an average of 80%; the defaulter rate was on the increase, especially after 2006. The NGOs seemed to be using the recommended approaches and methods to find and diagnose PTB. There was variation in opinions on how to improve on case detection in the region, with overlap in some instances. Conclusions: PTB case detection has been very low in South Sudan over the last decade; however, the DOTS treatment success rate is high. The high treatment success rate could mean that if more PTB cases could be found in the communities, more are likely to be treated successfully.


With the advance of ubiquitous computing, a lot of resource-constrained devices are involved in computation. Server-aided computation is a plausible technique to be adopted by these devices to perform computation-extensive tasks. In 2011, Wang presented a construction of the server-aided Paillier's signature verification scheme. In this paper, we present a server-aided Paillier's signature generation scheme.


Introduction Vertebral slip reduction has been recommended in arthrodesis for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) to achieve balanced spinal alignment and bone fusion. However, what determines the degree of slip reduction using cortical bone trajectory technique for lumbar pedicle screw insertion is yet to be determined. Thus, in this study, we aim to investigate the slip reduction capacity using cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique and to identify factors affecting the slip reduction rate. Methods This is a retrospective radiological evaluation of prospectively collected patients. In total, 49 consecutive patients who underwent single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for LDS using the CBT technique were included (mean follow-up: 28.9 months). Firstly, radiological parameters of fused segment including the percentage of anterior vertebral slip (%slip), lordotic angle, and disk height were measured. Then, patient and procedure-related parameters were examined to determine factors related to the slip reduction rate using multiple regression analysis. Results The %slip was reduced from 15.0±4.8 to 1.6±2.3% immediately after surgery and 2.2±2.9% at the last follow-up (p<0.01), with a slip reduction rate of 87.5±15.7% and correction loss of 0.6±2.1%. As per multivariate regression analysis, it was found that preoperative %slip (standardized regression coefficient [β]=−0.55, p=0.003) and the depth of screw insertion in the caudal vertebra (β=0.38, p=0.03) were significant independent factors affecting slip reduction rate (adjusted R2=0.29, p=0.008). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the capacity for and factors affecting slip reduction using the CBT technique for LDS. The CBT technique may be a useful option for achieving slip reduction, and the depth of screw insertion in the caudal vertebra was identified as a significant technical factor to obtain a more significant reduction of slipped vertebra.


Abstract Objective: To explore whether ozonated oil recovery atopic dermatitis (AD) via immunoregulation. Methods: Mice were repeatedly challenged with the triplex allergens of staphylococcal enterotoxin B, ovalbumin and calcipotriol ointment on the back to develop AD lesions, and were treated with ozonated oil. The lesional skins were scanned by reflectance confocal microscopy to measure the thickness of epidermis. The skin tissues were stained. Th1-type and Th2-type cytokines in serum and in tissues were detected by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. Results: Ozonated oil significantly inhibited inflammation and healed the lesions in 7 d. Ozonated oil inhibited NGF expression as compared to the groups treated with vehicle or PBS (p < .01).The serum proteins and lesional transcripts of Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-31 were lower in the ozonated oil treated group than the groups treated with vehicle or PBS (p < .05). The IL-10 level was increased with treatment of ozonated oil (p < .01). On the other hand, the expressions of Th1 cytokines including IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the serum were not regulated by ozonated oil. Conclusions: Our results showed that ozonated oil could suppress inflammation in an AD murine via decreasing Th2-dominant cytokines response and increasing IL-10 expression. These suggest that ozonated oil may be a potential remedy for AD. Graphical Abstract


A 10-week feeding trial was conducted with juvenile black sea bass Centropristis striata fed isonitrogenous diets (46% CP) with four lipid levels (7, 10, 13 and 16%) to identify dietary lipid levels supporting maximum weight gain and efficiency. Menhaden fish meal (FM) and animal protein concentrate (APC) were used in a 2×4 factorial experiment to evaluate effects of protein quality and lipid level on production. Weight gain, thermal growth coefficient, protein and energy retention, proximate composition and hepatic indices were evaluated. Weight gain was higher (P<0.05) in FM treatments and no protein sparing effect was observed. All growth, efficiency and retention parameters, except apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) among FM diets, were independent of dietary lipid. Based on proximate composition, diets should be restricted to no more than 13% lipid in 46% CP diet, and can be reduced to 7% without loss of growth and efficiency. Second order polynomial regressions on ANPU indicated 10–12% dietary lipid in a 46% CP diet is appropriate depending on protein quality. Reducing dietary lipid in current commercial feeds fed to black sea bass could represent a substantial cost savings in feed production.


Many traits are phenotypically plastic, i.e. the same genotype expresses different phenotypes depending on the environment. Genotypes and individuals can vary in their response to the environment and this genetic (G × E) and individual (I × E) variation in reaction‐norm slopes can have important ecological or evolutionary consequences. Studies on I × E/G × E often fail to show slope variation, potentially due to the choice of the environmental covariate. Identifying the genuine environmental driver of phenotypic plasticity (the cue) is practically impossible and hence only proxies can be used. If the proxy is too weakly correlated with the cue, this may lead researchers to conclude there is little or no (variation in) plasticity, and hence lead to downwardly biased estimates of the potential for plastic responses (or evolutionary change in the slope) in response to environmental change. Alternatively, the environment‐specific mean phenotype (ESM) across individuals – which captures all environmental effects on the phenotype – as covariate should be less prone to such bias. We showed by simulation – after verifying the concept analytically – that using weakly correlated proxies indeed biased estimates of slope variation vis‐à‐vis the true cue downward but that ESM as a covariate held up well, even when multiple sources of I × E or an interaction between environments (I × E × E) existed in the data. Analysis of two real datasets revealed that estimated I × E and G × E, respectively, were more sizeable and precise when using ESM as opposed to reasonably informative environmental proxies. We argue that the ESM approach should be adopted by biologists as a yardstick in the study of (variation in) plasticity in the wild and that it may serve as a useful starting point for the search of better environmental proxies and unravelling complex I × E or G × E patterns.


W HEN SCIENTISTS approach a new subject, their first task, after that of raw description and preliminary ordering, is to discover which descriptive features of the phenomena under observation are particularly useful for grouping or differentiation, and to initiate classification on the basis of such criteria. Their next task is to determine which features isolated according to one set of criteria coexist with features isolated according to other useful criteria. In this way they arrive at larger typological classifications which bring a measure of systematic order into what had first seemed sheer descriptive chaos. Noteworthy examples in other sciences include the Linnaean classification of living organisms and the periodic system of classifying chemical elements devised by Mendelyeev. In anthropology, the initial classificatory task has by now been substantially accomplished in the field of social structure. Through the contributions of men like Morgan, Tylor, Rivers, Kroeber, Lowie, Linton, Spier, Kirchhoff, Radcliffe-Brown, Steward, and Eggan we now possess satisfactory criteria for differentiating types of family organization, kin and local groups, and kinship terminology and behavior patterns. Moreover, the work of Rivers, Lowie, Radcliffe-Brown, and many others, including the present writer, has shown how these features are combined with one another in particular ways to produce a finite number of types of social organization, which in their totality represent a systematic classification comparable to those of Linnaeus and Mindelyeev. However useful, and indeed indispensable, is this task of classification, it is by no means the ultimate goal of science. Any typological system is, by its very nature, static in character. It takes on full meaning only when scientists are able to demonstrate the dynamic processes which give rise to the phenomena thus classified. The Linnaean system, for example, came alive only after Darwin had discerned the processes of variation and natural selection, and especially after the geneticists had laid bare the dynamic mechanisms of heredity. It is the contention of this paper that the anthropological study of social structure has gradually been emerging from its classificatory or typological phase, and that the changing emphases which we can currently observe are characterized for the most part by a common concern with dynamics or process. Before examples are


Cognitivism is the ascendant movement in psychology these days. It reaches from cognitive psychology into social psychology, personality, psychotherapy, development, and beyond. Few psychologists know the philosophical history of the term, "cognitive," and often use it as though it were completely synonymous with "psychological" or "mental." In this paper, I trace the origins of the term "cognitive" in the ethical theories of the early 20th century, and through the logical positivistic philosophy of science of this century's middle part. In both of these settings, "cognitive" referred not primarily to the psychological but, rather, to the truth-evaluable (i.e., those propositions about which one can say that they are either true or false). I argue that, strictly speaking, cognitivism differs from traditional mentalism in being the study of only those aspects of the mental that can be subjected to truth conditional analysis (or sufficiently similar "conditions of satisfaction"). This excludes traditionally troublesome aspects of the mental such as consciousness, qualia, and (the subjective aspects of) emotion. Although cognitive science has since grown to include the study of some of these phenomena, it is important to recognize that one of the original aims of the cognitivist movement was to re-introduce belief and desire into psychology, while still protecting it from the kinds of criticism that behaviorists had used to bring down full-blown mentalism at the beginning of the century.


Being updated biweekly till the end of the year, this Education & Resources web page lists major clinical studies on antioxidant-based modalities or related entities in disease intervention and health promotion, which have been published in highly influential journals during 2021. It should be noted that this is not intended to be a complete list, but is rather to focus on rigorously designed and well conducted high-profile randomized controlled trials (RCTs) whose findings were reported in medical or bioscience journals of the highest impact. For more comprehensive information on antioxidant-based clinical trials, the reader may refer to the ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov), the largest clinical trials database, run by the US National Library of Medicine, that holds registrations from over 368,000 trials from 219 countries.
2021 LIST IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Xu et al. Edaravone dexborneol versus edaravone alone for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke: a phase III, randomized, double-blind, comparative trial. Stroke 2021 Mar; 52(3):772-780. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.031197.
Key finding: Edaravone dexborneol (a combination of edaravone and borneol) was superior to edaravone alone in improving the clinical outcomes of the acute ischemic stroke patients.
Note: Edaravone, a synthetic free radical scavenger, was approved by the US FDA in 2017 for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Borneol is a phytochemical with diverse biological activities including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Kim et al. Reactive oxygen species scavenger in acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Stroke 2021 Feb 25; doi: https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.032266.
Key finding: Giving N-acetylcysteine 2000 mg/day and selenium 1600 µg/day, intravenously, for 14 days significantly improved the clinical outcomes in the acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients.
Note: N-Acetylcysteine is a precursor of glutathione (GSH). Selenium acts as an antioxidant element due, at least partly, to its essentialness for the function of various selenoproteins, including selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidases (GPx).
Kalstad et al. Effects of n-3 fatty acid supplements in elderly patients after myocardial infarction: a randomized, controlled trial. Circulation 2021 Feb 9; 143(6):528-539. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.052209.
Key finding: Null
Note: n-3 Fatty acids, also known as omega-3 fatty acids, possess potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.
Lynch et al. Safety and efficacy of omaveloxolone in Friedreich ataxia (MOXIe Study). Ann Neurol 2021 Feb; 89(2):212-225. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ana.25934.
Key finding: Omaveloxolone significantly improved neurological function compared to placebo and is well tolerated.
Note: Omaveloxolone, a synthetic oleanane triterpenoid, is an activator of Nrf2, the chief regulator of cellular antioxidant and other cytoprotective genes.
Meir et al. Effect of green-Mediterranean diet on intrahepatic fat: the DIRECT PLUS randomised controlled trial. Gut 2021 Jan 18; gutjnl-2020-323106. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2020-323106.
Key finding: Green-Mediterranean diet enriched with green plants and polyphenols improved non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Note: Mediterranean diet and green plants (green tea) and nuts are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and possess many health benefits, especially cardiovascular protection. However, the exact contribution of antioxidant components to the health benefits of Mediterranean diet remains to be established.
Rinott et al. Effects of diet-modulated autologous fecal microbiota transplantation on weight regain. Gastroenterology 2021 Jan; 160(1):158-173.e10. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.08.041.
Key finding: Polyphenol-enriched diet-modulated autologous fecal microbiota transplantation attenuated weight regain and preserved glycemic control.
Note: Dietary polyphenols possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and many other biological activities.
Zheng et al. Plasma vitamin C and type 2 diabetes: genome-wide association study and Mendelian randomization analysis in European populations. Diabetes Care 2021 Jan; 44(1):98-106. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2337/dc20-1328.
Key finding: Null; no evidence to support an efficacy of vitamin C supplement in type 2 diabetes prevention.
Note: Vitamin C is a multitasking compound; it is an antioxidant, but also possesses many other biological functions. According to Dr Davey Smith,  Mendelian randomization is a method of using measured variation in genes of known function to examine the causal effect of a modifiable exposure on disease in observational studies (from the US CDC website: https://cdc.gov). A positive finding in a Mendelian randomization study provides strong evidence for a causal relationship.
Luo et al. Diet-derived circulating antioxidants and risk of coronary heart disease: a Mendelian randomization study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021 Jan 5; 77(1):45-54. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.10.048.
Key finding: Null
Note: According to Dr Davey Smith,  Mendelian randomization is a method of using measured variation in genes of known function to examine the causal effect of a modifiable exposure on disease in observational studies (from the US CDC website: https://cdc.gov). A positive finding in a Mendelian randomization study provides strong evidence for a causal relationship.


The aim of this study is to develop a general purpose optimal trajectory planning algorithm for multibody systems. Multibody systems may be divided into two groups, i.e., open loop systems and closed loop systems. In a previous paper, a general purpose optimal trajectory planning algorithm for open loop systems was suggested. In this paper, optimal trajectory planning algorithms for closed loop systems are proposed by extending the algorithm for open loop systems. Two types of methods are presented by using the dynamics computational algorithms for closed loop systems. The first method is based on the generalized coordinate partitioning and embedding techniques. The second method is based on the augmented formulation with Lagrange multipliers. The validity of these methods for optimal trajectory planning is confirmed by computational results and their features are compared.


•Diterpenoids play important roles in rice microbial disease resistance as phytoalexins, as well as acting in allelopathy and abiotic stress responses. Recently, the casbane-type phytoalexin ent-10-oxodepressin was identified in rice, but its biosynthesis has not yet been elucidated. •Here ent-10-oxodepressin biosynthesis was investigated via co-expression analysis and biochemical characterization, with use of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology for genetic analysis. •The results identified a biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) on rice chromosome 7 (c7BGC), containing the relevant ent-casbene synthase (OsECBS), and four cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes from the CYP71Z subfamily. Three of these CYPs were shown to act on ent-casbene, with CYP71Z2 able to produce a keto group at carbon-5 (C5), while the closely related paralogs CYP71Z21 and CYP71Z22 both readily produce a keto group at C10. Together these C5 and C10 oxidases can elaborate ent-casbene to ent-10-oxodepressin (5,10-diketo-ent-casbene). OsECBS knock-out lines no longer produce casbane-type diterpenoids and exhibit impaired resistance to the rice fungal blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. •Elucidation of ent-10-oxodepressin biosynthesis and the associated c7BGC provides not only a potential target for molecular breeding, but also, given the intriguing parallels to the independently assembled BGCs for casbene-derived diterpenoids in the Euphorbiaceae, further insight into plant BGC evolution, as discussed here.


It is known that a stationary random process is represented as a superposition of harmonic oscillations with real frequencies and uncorrelated amplitudes. In the study of nonstationary processes, it is natural to have increasing or declining oscillationсs. This raises the problem of constructing algorithms that would allow constructing broad classes of nonstationary processes from elementary nonstationary random processes. A natural generalization of the concept of the spectrum of a nonstationary random process is the transition from the real spectrum in the case of stationary to a complex or infinite multiple spectrum in the nonstationary case. There is also the problem of describing within the correlation theory of random processes in which the spectrum has no analogues in the case of stationary random processes, namely, the spectrum point is real, but it has infinite multiplicity for the operator image of the corresponding operator, and when the spectrum itself is complex. Reconstruction of the complex spectrum of a nonstationary random function is a very important problem in both theoretical and applied aspects. In the paper the procedure of reconstruction of random process, sequence, field from a spectrum for Gaussian random functions is developed. Compared to the stationary case, there are wider possibilities, for example, the construction of a nonstationary random process with a real spectrum, which has infinite multiplicity and which can be distributed over the entire finite segment of the real axis. The presence of such a spectrum leads, in contrast to the case of a stationary random process, to the appearance of new components in the spectral decomposition of random functions that correspond to the internal states of "strings", i.e. generated by solutions of systems of equations in partial derivatives of hyperbolic type. The paper deals with various cases of the spectrum of a non-self-adjoint operator A, namely, the case of a discrete spectrum and the case of a continuous spectrum, which is located on a finite segment of the real axis, which is the range of values of the real non-decreasing function a (x). The cases a (x) = 0, a (x) = const, a (x) = x and a (x) is a piecewise constant function are studied. The authors consider the recovery of nonstationary sequences for different cases of the spectrum of a non-self-adjoint operator A promising since spectral decompositions are a superposition of discrete or continuous internal states of oscillators with complex frequencies and uncorrelated amplitudes and therefore have deep physical meaning.


Hyperphosphatemia is an important modifiable risk factor for death and cardiovascular events in patients on hemodialysis (HD). As nicotinamide has been shown as an inhibitor of sodium–dependent phosphate co–transport in rat renal tubule and small intestine, we examined whether nicotinamide reduces hyperphosphatemia in patients undergoing HD. The study was conducted in 30 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients [20 (66.7%) males and 10 (33.3%) females; mean age 54 ± 14.9 years] undergoing twice/thrice weekly HD for more than 3 months. Patients on other phosphate binders were given a 2-week wash-out period. Nicotinamide 250 mg capsules were given twice daily for 25 patients with serum phosphorus greater than 5 mg/dL and thrice daily for 5 patients with serum phosphorus greater than 8 mg/dL immediately after food for 8 weeks. Serum phosphate and calcium levels were estimated every month prior to HD session, and complete blood count, blood sugar, renal profile, liver function tests were estimated at beginning and end of the study. Patients were regularly monitored for side effects. There were significant decreases in the serum phosphate (6.85 ± 1.35 mg/dL at the baseline to 5.74 ± 1.18 mg/dL at the 4th week and to 4.54 ± 0.86 mg/dL at the 8th week), the serum calcium-phosphorus product (57.8 ± 12.21 at the baseline to 48.3 ± 10.71 on 4th week and to 38.201 ± 8.21 at the 8th week), and alkaline phosphatase levels (130.23 ± 50.13 IU/L at the baseline to 116.40 ± 48.27 IU/L after 8 weeks) on treatment with nicotinamide (P < 0.001). Other parameters remained unchanged. Watery stools reported by seven patients resolved during the course of the therapy. Nicotinamide is safe, cheap and effective in controlling serum phosphorus, Ca × P product and alkaline phosphatase levels in patients on maintenance HD.


Context The role of lymph node ratio (LNR) has been recognized as a prognostic factor in several malignancies. Objectives To evaluate the role of LNR in patients affected by pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Methods Data regarding 45 patients were extracted from a dedicate database containing 92 patients undergone surgical exploration for pNETs. Patients who underwent palliative operation or enucleoresection or without Ki-67 determination were excluded. Sex, age, presence of symptoms, hormonal status, site of tumor, presence of MEN1, surgical procedure, R status, TNM-ENETS stage, WHO 2010 classification, Ki-67, and LNR were studied as possible factors influencing disease free survival (DFS) with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Mean age of patients was 60±13 years. There were 22 (51.2%) female and 21 (48.8%) male. Symptoms were present in 27 (62.8%) patients. 34 (79.1%) patients had non-functioning pNETs and more frequently the tumor was located in the body (46.5%). Five (11.6%) patients were affected by MEN1. R0 resection was carried out in 38 (88.4%) cases. There were 17 (39.5%) pNETs G1, 24 (55.8%) pNETs G2 and 2 (4.7%) pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (pNECs) G3. Mean Ki-67 was 6±10%. According to TNM-ENETS stage there were 17 (39.5%), 2 (4.7%), 17 (39.5%), and 7 (16.3%) patients in stage I, II, III, and IV, respectively. LNR was 0 in 26 (60.5%) patients, between 0 and 0.2 in 8 (18.6%) patients, and >0.2 in 9 (20.9%) patients. Mean DFS was 48±56 months. Multivariate analysis found that TNM-ENETS stage (HR 5.0; P=0.036) and Ki-67 (HR 1.2; P=0.016) were significantly related to DFS. There were no differences between patients with LNR=0 and LNR between 0 and 0.2 (HR 5.9; P=0.172) while patients with LNR between 0 and 0.2 had better DFS respect to those with LNR >0.2 (HR=0.2; P=0.01). A new cut off for LNR of 0.07 was obtained by ROC curve (AUC 0.771; P=0.008). Considering the new cut off, the multivariate analysis showed that LNR <0.07 was the only independent factor related to DFS (HR=28; P=0.002). Conclusion LNR can be considered an important prognostic factor predicting DFS in patients affected by pNETs.


Background: Onychomycosis is one of the most prevalent nail disorders in adults, where conventional topical therapy is often protracted and in most cases ineffective. On the other hand, systemic/oral therapy is not suitable for all patients and might be associated with relevant side effects. Therefore, laser therapy can be used as an alternative to or extension of existing treatment protocols. Objectives: We used diode laser treatment for onychomycosis to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment as single therapy as well as in combination with an ongoing antimycotic treatment. Methods: We used a 1,064-nm diode laser (FOX Laser, ARC Laser GmbH, Germany) in pulse mode with a spot size of 4 mm. The laser's settings were: 8 W, with a pulse duration of 80 ms and a repetition rate of 5.6 Hz; the energy fluence/pulse was 5.1 J/cm2, and a total energy of 250-500 J for large and/or thickened nails (digit I), 120-200 J for medium nails (digits II-IV) and 60-120 J for small and/or very thin nail plates (digit V) was counted in the laser display. Two to three passes where applied continuously over the entire area of the nail (nail plate, nail folds and eponychium) in a grid pattern. Eighty-two affected toenails were treated at least twice every 8 weeks; all nails treated were clinically diagnosed as onychomycosis. The evaluation of the treated nails was conducted by two dermatologists, initially by semiquantitative visual examination, followed by evaluation with the Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI). In addition, the patients were asked to state their satisfaction with the treatment and its results in a written questionnaire. Results: All nails showed an improvement ranging between 14 and 56% including the analytical evaluation scale (OSI). Two dermatologists evaluated 34 nails. Both reported significant improvement and/or good clinical improvement, which corresponds to about 41% for both evaluations. The mean OSI of all patients was 18.9/19.9 before treatment which changed to 14.3/14.8 after treatment. This corresponds to an improvement of about 25% (-4.6/-5.1) compared to the initial value. Specifically the subgroup with positive antimycotic culture and no additional antimycotic treatment showed an improvement of about 25%. This improvement can be attributed to the effect of the diode laser treatment. When evaluating the OSI of all nails, it appears that about 15-20% of the severe OSIs improved and changed to a moderate level, while a similar portion of patients with moderate onychomycosis improved to mild onychomycosis. Patient satisfaction was measured to an average value of 4.6 out of a maximum of 10 points. About 60% of the treated patients would recommend the treatment to their family members or friends. Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated that diode laser treatment of onychomycosis provides acceptable results with minimal to no side effects. Further clinical evaluations could help to establish better therapy protocols, especially for those patients who had no benefit from the laser treatment, or could also be used as an add-on to an existing therapy.


Evasion of complement-mediated killing is a common phenotype for many different types of pathogens, but the mechanism is still poorly understood. Most of the clinic isolates of Edwardsiella tarda, an important pathogen infecting both of human and fish, are commonly found serum-resistant. To explore the potential mechanisms, we applied gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics approaches to profile the metabolomes of E. tarda EIB202 in the presence or absence of serum stress. We found that tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was greatly enhanced in the presence of serum. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme activity assays validated this result. Furthermore, exogenous succinate that promotes the TCA cycle increased serum resistance, while TCA cycle inhibitors (bromopyruvate and propanedioic acid) that inhibit TCA cycle, attenuated serum resistance. Moreover, the enhanced TCA cycle increased membrane potential, thus decreased the formation of membrane attack complex at cell surface, resulting serum resistance. These evidences suggested a previously unknown membrane potential-dependent mechanism of serum resistance. Therefore, our findings reveal that pathogen mounts a metabolic trick to cope with the serum complement-mediated killing.


Transport barriers in the present stellarators are reviewed in comparison with those in tokamaks. Peculiarities of stellarator plasma structures are introduced in order to obtain a unified view of the barrier formation mechanism. Particular attention is paid to neoclassical (-driven) internal transport barriers that are commonly observed in stellarators. Discussion is made about important aspects of structural formation; e.g. the formation or bifurcation mechanism of radial electric field and its causal link with the transport barrier, and effects of magnetic field configuration on the barrier formation.


The parallel curves are especially used in numerically controlled machining where a biaxial machine defines the shape of the cut made with a round cutting tool. In this study, trajectory ruled surfaces are investigated whose base curve is the parallel curve of a prescribed curve. Some results related with their developability and minimality are obtained. In addition, the conditions are investigated for the base curve to be a special curve. Parallel trajectory ruled surfaces are illustrated with examples.


Most attention to the risks from fish consumption has focused on recreational anglers and on fish caught by individuals, but the majority of fish that people eat are purchased from commercial sources. We examined mercury levels in three types of fish (tuna, flounder, bluefish) commonly available in New Jersey stores, sampling different regions of the state, in communities with high and low per capita incomes, and in both supermarkets and specialty fish markets. We were interested in species-specific levels of mercury in New Jersey fish and whether these levels were similar to data generated nationally by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA; mainly from 1990 to 1992) on the same types of fish. Such information is critical for providing public health advice. We were also interested in whether mercury levels in three common species of fish differed by region of the state, economic neighborhood, or type of store. We found significant species differences, with tuna having the highest levels and flounder the lowest levels. There were no significant differences in mercury levels as a function of type of store or economic neighborhood. There was only one regional difference: flounder from fish markets along the Jersey shore had higher mercury levels than flounder bought in other markets. We also examined mercury levels in six other commonly available fish and two shellfish from central New Jersey markets. There were significant differences in availability and in mercury levels among fish and shellfish. Both shrimp and scallops had total mercury levels < 0.02 ppm (wet weight). Large shrimp had significantly lower levels of mercury than small shrimp. For tuna, sea bass, croaker, whiting, scallops, and shrimp, the levels of mercury were higher in New Jersey samples than those reported by the FDA. Consumers selecting fish for ease of availability (present in > 50% of markets) would select flounder, snapper, bluefish, and tuna (tuna had the highest mercury value), and those selecting only for price would select whiting, porgy, croaker, and bluefish (all with average mercury levels < 0.3 ppm wet weight). Flounder was the fish with the best relationship among availability, cost, and low mercury levels. We suggest that state agencies responsible for protecting the health of their citizens should obtain information on fish availability in markets and fish preferences of diverse groups of citizens and use this information to select fish for analysis of contaminant levels, providing data on the most commonly eaten fish that will help people make informed decisions about risks from fish consumption.


Colorectal cancer is third most common malignancy and is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. The MUC1 multi-domain oncoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed in colorectal cancer and has been linked to poor outcomes in this disease. However, it is not known if MUC1 is of functional significance to colorectal tumors. Here, we investigate the effects of the MUC1-C inhibitor (GO-203), which disrupts MUC1-C homo-oligomerization, on AKT-mTORC-S6K translation pathway in human colorectal cancer cells. The present study demonstrates that GO-203 treatment was associated with inhibition of AKT-S6K1 signaling in colorectal cancer cells. Targeting MUC1-C with GO-203 downregulates TP53-inducible glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) protein. We show that GO-203-induced suppression of TIGAR is mediated by inhibition of AKT and the downstream mTOR pathway. The results also demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C blocks eIF4A cap-dependent translation of TIGAR. TIGAR promotes the shunting of glycolytic intermediates into the pentose phosphate pathway and thus is of importance for maintaining redox balance. In concert with these results, GO-203-induced suppression of TIGAR was associated with decreases glutathione levels. GO-203 treatment also resulted increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Consistent with these results, GO-203 inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells in vitro and xenografts in nude mice. These findings thus indicate that MUC1-C is a potential target for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Citation Format: Rehan Ahmad, Maroof Alam, Omar Al-Obaid, Masanori Hasegawa, Donald Kufe. Targeting MUC1-C oncoprotein inhibits AKT-S6K1-elF4A pathway regulated TIGAR translation in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3824.


Heavy petroleum occurs in limited amounts as tar sands within the western Santa Cruz Mountains. The largest accumulation of petroleum is in the middle and late Miocene Santa Margarita Formation. The Santa Margarita rests disconformably on pre-Tertiary Salinian basement rocks and unconformably on the Monterey Formation (middle Miocene) and older Tertiary rocks. The Santa Cruz Mudstone (late Miocene), which conformably overlies the Santa Margarita Formation, provided an initial seal for petroleum entrapment. The distribution of petroleum apparently is related to the depositional environment of the Santa Margarita and to later structural development. The Santa Margarita Formation is a tidal dominated marine shelf deposit. An 8-km wide northeast-trending facies of unidirectional, large-scale cross-strata of uncemented sand and gravel represents a zone of intense tidal currents; this facies provided a conduit for initial petroleum migration. Westward homoclinal folding, including northeast-trending and southwest-plunging compaction anticlines, formed structures for initial petroleum entrapment within the cross-bedded facies. Strike-slip movement on the San Gregorio fault system formed a postdepositional conjugate fault-and-fracture system in the western Santa Cruz Mountains. Where petroleum had accumulated on structures, faulting caused injection of the petroleum sand into overlying siliceous mudstone; these injections range in width from a few centimeters to 200 m. Faulting and associated clastic injections also formed partial seals across structures within the Santa Margarita Formation. The maximum thickness (30 m) of tar-saturated sandstone occurs in fault traps downdip on southwest-plunging anticlines within the cross-bedded facies. Petroleum accumulations also occur in stratigraphic traps where sand pinches out on paleotopographic highs, in structural traps in fault-bounded blocks on homoclinal folds and in possible diagenetic traps where sandstone rests on marble. End_of_Article - Last_Page 970------------


Williams Syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder associated with mental retardation (MR) and a distinct behavioral phenotype including a friendly and outgoing personality. This population, like others with MR, has been reported to have an increased rate of symptoms of mental illness; however, few studies have used DSM-IV criteria to quantify specific psychiatric diagnoses in WS and the prevalence of psychiatric illness in relatives of individuals with WS and the possible relationship between family and patient diagnoses is currently unknown. Methods: Twenty-one families participated; the patients' average age was 16 years. DSM-IV diagnoses were applied by using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS, Parent and Child Versions) and the Family History Screen. Results: A diagnosis from the ADIS was applicable to 13 patients (62%), and in 16 patients (76%) a diagnosis was applicable in their first-degree family members. Ten patients (48%) had some form of anxiety, specific phobia being the most common. Three patients (14%) had major depressive disorder and 9 patients (43%) had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The presence of anxiety or mood disorders in patients with WS and the presence of these disorders in their family members were unrelated. Conclusions: Patients with WS have a high prevalence of anxiety disorders and of ADHD. The presence of psychiatric disorders in WS did not appear to have a significant relationship to family history of psychiatric disorders, consistent with the hypothesis that the specific genetic alteration in WS causes, or contributes to causing, the anxiety disorders and the ADHD that are so common in the disorder. Populations with mental retardation (MR), especially those with known genetic alterations, offer a window into the effects of genes on determining cognition and behavior. Populations with MR are known to have increased rates of emotional distress and mental illness (1, 2). While estimates vary, the prevalence of


Background: Through the years, breast cancer management evolved toward conservation surgery. It is obvious that the clinical management requires a multidisciplinary approach to restoration of activity if daily living and quality of life after modified radical mastectomy.

Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study were to measure pain after physiotherapy intervention, to measure chest expansion after physiotherapy intervention, and to measure and improve shoulder range of motion (ROM) after physiotherapy intervention.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-experimental study in which initial data were recorded from the medical records, and then, after assuming proper resting status of the patient, the patients were assessed first numeric pain rating scale (NRS) for pain, ROM of shoulder joint, and chest expansion before and after the physiotherapy treatment given till patient get discharged.

Results: In the present study, a total of 7 participants were included who fulfilled inclusion criteria. All the participants underwent routine physiotherapy treatment started from the day 1 till discharged, and NRS for pain, ROM of shoulder joint, and chest expansion all parameters were statistically significant (P < 0.005).

Conclusion: The present study concluded that physiotherapy is more effective in modified radical mastectomy.


Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify correlation between DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy 2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and other prognostic factors such as Gleason's score, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and stage in carcinoma prostate and to assess a probability-correlation between DNA damage and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and control. Materials and Methods: A study has been carried out prospectively. Forty patients of carcinoma prostate, 34 BPH, and 14 healthy controls were included in the study between the period of July 2010 to July 2012. Serum 8-OHdG level was measured in all subjects as a marker of DNA damage. Results: Serum 8-OHdG level was significantly raised in patient with prostate cancer (313.39 ± 69.48 ng/mL) as compared with BPH patients (204.42 ± 40.97 ng/mL) and control group (198.94 ± 15.74 ng/mL) with P< 0.001. Serum 8-OHdG level in BPH patients was higher than the controls, but the mean difference was statistically insignificant (P = 1.000). The patients with serum PSA >20 ng/mL, Gleason's score >6 had higher mean 8-OHdG levels as compared to serum PSA ≤20 and Gleason score ≤6, as P< 0.05. There was also direct association found between prostate volume and stage of the tumor though it was not significant. Conclusions: These findings suggest that oxidative stress level was significantly raised in prostate cancer patients. It was also observed that a significant direct association exists between oxidative stress and certain clinicopathologic factors, including serum PSA, Gleason score, and metastasis which show that with progression of disease, there was increase in oxidative stress level.


This article surveys major themes on the latest revisionist thesis of economic growth in China during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. With an emphasis on the role of informal and formal institutions to economic growth, this article reviews the traditional legal system and its impact on the organizational evolution of major Chinese merchant groups. It argues that, to understand the distinctive path of long-term economic growth or stagnation in China, we need to go beyond the study of resource endowments or technologies, to also incorporate an economic analysis of China's traditional social and political institutions and their associated ideologies. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd and the Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand 2004.


Highly efficient production is discussed of nootkatone, the most important fragrant component of grapefruit and which possesses anti-obesity activity, from valencene, obtained from Valencia orange, by the green alga, Chlorella, and the fungi, Mucor, Botryospaeria and Botryodiplodia. The microorganisms introduce an oxygen atom at an allylic position to give secondary hydroxyl and keto groups. The presented methods are a cheap one step reaction, non-hazardous and very useful for the production of fragrant components from commercially available natural sesquiterpene hydrocarbons.


Introduction: The problem faced by the company is the increase in the number of damaged products during the production process, which affects the quality of the product resulting decreased sales levels. The production process in food, beverage, and other processing industry is the most important activity to produce products that later to be marketed. Methods: The research method used in the study is Six Sigma method. Six Sigma is a system which has purpose to make a business become successful in a comprehensive and flexible manner. The product taken and examined is the sweet fermented Carica fruit. This fruit will be produced by CV. Gemilang Kencana, wheresoever the fruit is ready for the packing process, both cups and bottles. Results: The results of the calculation of Six Sigma value from CV. Gemilang Kencana has a sigma level 3.8 with the possibility of damage/ defects to the product up to 11,760 pcs in a million chance of production (DPMO). To reduce the number of damaged/ defective products that occur in the production process by sorting the highest percentage of causes damage, namely packaging leakage by 37%, untidy products by 50%, and less full products by 13%. Conclusion and suggestion: After knowing the results in this study, if the cause of the damage is not handled properly, more products will fail during the production process, which will cause an increase in production costs and have an impact on company losses.


The aim of this research was to find out the most effective energy dose of laser energy per unit area irradiated to the subject, used in T47D cancer cell photodynamic therapy. The experiment used three variations of energy doses and two exogenous photosensitizers. The laser used was the He-Ne laser with a wavelength of 632 nm. Laser exposure on the T47D cancer cells was conducted in vitro at a distance of 1 cm with energy doses of 30.4 J/cm2, 18.8 J/cm2, and 30.4 J/cm2. The photosensitizers used in the experiment were chlorophylls isolated from sour-sop leaves and Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). The concentration of photosensitizers which is not toxic to cells, based on the toxicity test, is 300 ppm for chlorophylls and 350 ppm for PpIX. At the energy dose of 30.4 J/cm2, the percentage of cell death was 96.25% with chlorophyll addition, while with PpIX addition, the percentage was 81.62%. At the same energy dose, cell death in apoptosis was 95.78% with chlorophyll addition and 80.56% with PpIX addition. Based on the result of this research, it was revealed that the energy dose of He-Ne laser output of 30.4 J/cm2 was the most effective energy dose between the energy dose variation that could yield T47D cell death in an apoptosis way.


AIM
To systematically evaluate the available literature about overall levels of psychological capital among nurses.

BACKGROUND
Psychological capital is described as a positive mental state associated with nurses' mental health, quality of care and patient outcomes.

METHODS
A search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Chinese Database, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biological Medical (CBM), WanFang and Weipu Database from the inception of the databases until October 2021. Subsequently, two researchers identified and reviewed the literature and assessed the risk of bias. A random-effects model was conducted to achieve pooled estimates of psychological capital scales.

RESULTS
The pooled mean score of the psychological capital scale was 4.21 (95% CI, 4.07-4.35). For subdimensions such as hope, optimism, self-efficacy and resilience, the score was 4.12 (95% CI, 4.11-4.12), 4.34 (95% CI, 4.34-4.34), 4.50 (95% CI, 4.50-4.51) and 4.34 (95% CI, 4.33-4.34), respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated that nurses practising in Asia and intensive care units might have experienced lower psychological capital levels. In addition, significant differences were noted in studies with sample size and publication year. Studies with a large sample size reported a higher psychological capital than those with a small sample size. The pooled mean scores of psychological capital were higher in 2014-2018 than in 2019-2021. Meta-regression further revealed that geographic regions of participants might be a source of heterogeneity, and the Asian region had 32.23% of the heterogeneity between studies, and the African region had 18.71%.

CONCLUSION
This review is the first to synthesize published research and calculate a pooled score of psychological capital in nurses. These findings indicated that nurses reported a medium-high level of psychological capital, and there was significant heterogeneity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY
Administrators and policymakers should concentrate on nurses' psychological capital and tactically integrate psychological capital into nursing vocational training programs.


This paper is a preliminary report on autoconstructive evolution, a framework for evolutionary computation in which the machinery of reproduction and diversification (and thereby the machinery of evolution) evolves within the individuals of an evolving population of problem solvers. Autoconstructive evolution is illustrated with Pushpop, an evolving population of programs expressed in the Push programming language. The Push programming language can also be used in a more traditional genetic programming framework and may have unique benefits when so employed; the PushGP system, which uses traditional genetic programming techniques to evolve Push programs, is also described.


This study identified obstacles to internationalization in the Republic of Korea by examining differences in stakeholder perceptions at a large, private regional university. Questionnaire data (n = 127) and interview transcripts (n = 17) were analyzed. Independent samples t-tests of Korean and international stakeholders and one-way ANOVAs of faculty, students, and administrative staff were conducted to detect differences in the perceived importance and quality of internationalization at the university. Stakeholder groups shared a high perceived importance for internationalization, but internationals perceived quality to be lower than Koreans (p = .023), and faculty lower than both students (p = .03) and administrative staff (p = .025). Qualitative analysis revealed differences rooted in inconsistent conceptualizations of internationalization among stakeholder groups. Resentment, confusion, a lack of communication, and low organizational commitment emerged as barriers. Without a change in approach, internationalization efforts at Korean institutions of higher education will likely stall.


Introduction Following the publication of the pilot study on flexible sigmoidoscopy for bowel cancer screening in 2010 by Professor Atkins, Guernsey was the first State in the British Isles to implement bowel cancer screening using this method. The screening programme was introduced following a successfully feasibility pilot study in 2011. Method A total of 3,139 invitations were sent out in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The names of prospective paricipants are provied by local GPs. In 2012 and 2013 the programme screened participants aged 60years and in 2014, participants aged 60 and 65years old. Fleet enema is used for bowel preparation. The outcomes measured were: response rate, uptake, adenoma detection rate and participant satisfaction survey in 2014. Results 1,909 eligible prospective participants accepted and 1,456 completed screening. The response rate for the individual years was 55%, 67%, and 65% for 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively with an average of 62%. The uptake for the respective years was 36%, 56% and 56%, with an average of 49%. However, when the uptake was calculated using eligible accepted and the number of participants who completed screening for the three years, this was 66%, 84% and 86% respectively. Out of 1,456 participants who completed screening, 157 adenomas were detected, 51 (32%) of which were high risk. The adenoma detection rate (ADR) for the respective years was 12%, 8%, and 12% with an average ADR of 10.7%. Two cancers were identified in the 2012, none in 2013 and two cancers in the last four months of 2014 when 290 65 year old participants were screened. This older population also had more pathologically advanced adenomas. The 2014 participant satisfaction survey recorded that 91% were satisfied with the service and 91% would recommend the test to others. Conclusion In conclusion, the uptake and ADR are comparable with the national average. The uptake of the eligible accepted needs to be audited to assess why these prospective participants did not attend. Participant satisfaction with the screening process is very high. Screening the older age group, although more arduous, the process catches advanced adenomas before they become cancerous and early curable cancers. The programme is preparing to screen two age groups, 60 and 65year olds. Disclosure of interest None Declared. Reference Atkin WS, et al. Once-only flexible sigmoidoscopy screening in prevention of colorectal cancer: a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2010;375:1624–1633


Most software development tools allow developers to subscribe to notifications about code checked-in by their team members in order to review changes to artifacts that they are responsible for. However, past user studies have indicated that this mechanism is counter-productive, as developers spend a significant amount of effort sifting through such feeds looking for items that are relevant to them. We present NeedFeed, a system that models code relevance by mining a project's software repository and highlights changes that a developer may need to review. We evaluate several techniques to model code relevance, from a naive TOUCH-based approach to generic HISTORY-based classifiers using temporal code metrics at file and method-level granularities, which are then improved by building developer-specific models using TEXT-based features from commit messages. NeedFeed reduces notification clutter by more than 90%, on average, with the best strategy giving an average precision and recall of more than 75%.


Uncertainty studies become increasingly important as reservoir complexity increases. Although such studies are commonly a key factor in oil and gas exploration, projects are commonly restricted to simulation of facies and petrophysical properties. The structure of the reservoir itself is commonly considered to be a deterministic parameter, and yet it may contain uncertainty that has a major impact on the reserve estimations.A new methodology based on the P-field technique and focusing on reservoir geometry uncertainty is proposed to tackle this problem. With this method, not only horizon but also fault geometries are simulated around a given reference model.Because simulating fault geometries is more difficult than simulating horizon geometries, a new data structure has been designed to produce efficient computation of geometries. The simulation method tries to preserve the initial geometry at best. It may affect the location, dip, and shape in map view of all faults or any combination of these three basic modifications. Then, for each fault network realization, several horizon geometry simulations may be performed. The modeling and simulation system keep the geological model consistent after each simulation loop, allowing volumetric studies to proceed in a consistent fashion.


We explore the theoretical possibility of extending the usual squeezed state to those produced by nonlinear single-mode squeezing operators. We derive the wave functions of exp[−(ig/2)(P + P)|0 in the coordinate representation. A new operator's disentangling formula is derived as a by-product.


The limitations of the "pie-shaped" wedge osteotomy were reviewed and the preliminary means of making an arcuate wedge osteotomy were discussed. New instrumentation was introduced that will facilitate performance of arcuate cuts in bone. Figure 8 demonstrates practical application of the technique.


Finding icebergs–items whose frequency of occurrence is above a certain threshold–is an important problem with a wide range of applications. Most of the existing work focuses on iceberg queries at a single node. However, in many real-life applications, data sets are distributed across a large number of nodes. Two naïve approaches might be considered. In the first, each node ships its entire data set to a central server, and the central server uses single-node algorithms to find icebergs. But it may incur prohibitive communication overhead. In the second, each node submits local icebergs, and the central server combines local icebergs to find global icebergs. But it may fail because in many important applications, globally frequent items may not be frequent at any node. In this work, we propose two novel schemes that provide accurate and efficient solutions to this problem: a sampling-based scheme and a counting-sketch-based scheme. In particular, the latter scheme incurs a communication cost at least an order of magnitude smaller than the naïve scheme of shipping all data, yet is able to achieve very high accuracy. Through rigorous theoretical and experimental analysis we establish the statistical properties of our proposed algorithms, including their accuracy bounds.


Multiple sources must be consulted to determine the most appropriate procedures for the laboratory-based performance evaluation of aqueous oral inhaled products (OIPs) for the primary measures, dose uniformity/delivery, and aerodynamic particle (droplet) size distribution (APSD). These sources have been developed at different times, mainly in Europe and North America, during the past 25 years by diverse organizations, including pharmacopeial chapter/monograph development committees, regulatory agencies, and national and international standards bodies. As a result, there is a lack of consistency across all the recommendations, with the potential to cause confusion to those developing performance test methods. We have reviewed key methodological aspects of source guidance documents identified by a survey of the pertinent literature and evaluated the underlying evidence supporting their recommendations for the evaluation of these performance measures. We have also subsequently developed a consistent series of solutions to guide those faced with the various associated challenges when developing OIP performance testing methods for oral aqueous inhaled products.


Crystals of the title compound, C(4)H(8)N(5)+.C(2)F(3)O(2)-, are built up of singly protonated 2,4-diamino-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-1-ium cations and trifluoroacetate anions. The CF(3) group of the anion is disordered. The oppositely charged ions interact via almost linear N-H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a CF(3)COO-...C(4)H(8)N(5)+ unit. Two units related by an inversion centre interact through a pair of N-H...N hydrogen bonds, forming planar (CF(3)COO-...C(4)H(8)N(5)+...C(4)H(8)N(5)+.CF(3)COO-) aggregates that are linked by a pair of N-H...O hydrogen bonds into chains running along the c axis.


INTRODUCTION
Fosfomycin is a broad spectrum anti-microbial agent with activity against various bacterial agents. It is a bactericidal antibiotic which interferes with cell wall synthesis. Fosfomycin is rapidly absorbed orally and majority of the drug is excreted unchanged in urine with very high concentration levels achieved in urine after a single oral dose. Urine levels remain high for prolonged period which makes it a suitable drug in the treatment of Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). E.coli is the most common organism causing the UTI. With the inappropriate and inadvertent use of higher antibiotics, these bacterial isolates have acquired multidrug resistance for which treatment options are limited.

AIM
To evaluate the in-vitro activity of fosfomycin against uropathogenic E.coli and to compare its activity with the other anti-microbial agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was a prospective study done in the Department of Microbiology SVS Medical College, Mahbubnagar from Jan 2016 to Mar 2016. A total of 564 urine samples from suspected UTI cases were processed during the study period out of which 170 E.coli were isolated. Identification of the organisms were done by routine biochemical testing and antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion testing according to the CLSI guidelines (M100-S23).

RESULTS
A total of 170 E.coli isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Out of 170 isolates 60 (35.30%) were isolated from males and 110 (64.70%) from females with male to female ratio of 1:1.83. Majority of the isolates were obtained from the age group of 21-30 years (25.8%). Antibiotics like fosfomycin, imipenem and methenamine mandelate showed the highest sensitivity with all the isolates (100%) being susceptible to these drugs. Whereas, least sensitivity was observed for amoxyclav (15.2%) followed by cefixime (16.4%) and norfloxacin (21%). Fosfomycin has shown very good in-vitro activity against all the tested isolates when compared with many other antibiotics.

CONCLUSION
In view of emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens, testing for old and forgotten antibiotics like fosfomycin is gaining importance. Because of its unique mechanism of action and low incidence of resistance it can be a potential therapeutic alternative in the treatment of UTI.


The fast marching method (FMM)-based rapid flow simulation has been shown to accelerate simulation efficiency by orders of magnitude by transforming 3D simulation to equivalent 1D simulation using the concept of the "diffusive time of flight" (DTOF). However, the 1D transformation does not directly apply to multiwell problems. In this paper, we propose a novel DTOF-based multidomain multiresolution discretization scheme to accelerate multiwell simulation of unconventional reservoirs. Our method formulates multiwell simulation problems based on the DTOF which displays the pressure front propagation in unconventional reservoirs. The DTOF contours are used to partition the reservoir into local and shared domains. A local domain is where the flow is dominated by a single well, and the shared domain is where the fluid flow is influenced by multiple wells. The DTOF contours expand independently in local domains and interfere in the shared domain. After the partitioning, each domain is discretized using a multiresolution scheme whereby the original 3D fine mesh is preserved near the wells to account for detailed physics including gravity, and the rest of the domain is discretized into 1D mesh based on the DTOF contours to alleviate the simulation workload. The power and efficacy of our approach are demonstrated using synthetic and field-scale simulation models with different degrees of geologic and well-completion complexity. The simulation results, number of active cells, and computation time for the proposed discretization scheme are compared with the original high-fidelity 3D model for each case. The results show that the proposed method is suitable for multiwell simulation problems in unconventional reservoirs and can accelerate flow simulations by orders of magnitude with minimal loss of accuracy. The novelty of this work is the creation of DTOF-derived multiresolution discretization with local and shared domains to simplify and accelerate the calculation of subsurface flow problems, especially in unconventional reservoirs. Our workflow can be easily interfaced with commercial simulators, making it suitable for large-scale field applications.


Resin composite is the most popular tooth-colored material for the dental restoration. The polymerization shrinkage is an unavoidable disadvantage of this material which is associated with the gap formation and the secondary caries. Bonding system is used to eliminate these problems. However, the gingival margin of the proximal cavity remains the most common area found the restorative defects. An open sandwich technique has been suggested to address this problem. The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree of nanoleakage and adaptability of different lining materials in open sandwich technique. The slot cavities were prepared on the proximal surface of teeth with the gingival margin 1 mm below the CEJ. The teeth were divided into 5 groups (n=5): group I a flowable resin composite, group II a bulk fill flowable resin composite, group III a resin modified glass ionomer cement, group IV and V no lining material. Samples in the group I-III and V were restored with nanofilled resin composite while group IV were restored with bulk fill resin composite. All groups were thermocycled, processed with silver nitrate solution and observed under SEM. The silver nitrate deposited entire thickness of hybrid layer, in the dentinal tubules and on the resin tags in group I, II, IV and V. In group III, it deposited within the modified hybrid layer. The silver nitrate deposition was highest in group V (70.44 %) while the group II (55.29 %) was the lowest. The gap formation was found in almost all outer 1/3 of samples. The width of gap was different among materials. In the conclusion, the type of lining materials had an influence on the degree of adaptability to dentin while it did not effect on nanoleakage of bonding system. The bulk fill resin composite could improve the adaptability of the restoration to cervical dentin margin.


Microwave studies in the temperature range 4–300 K have been made on the different kinds of cobaltites in an attempt to observe a magnetic resonance. In a La0.9Ca0.1CoO3 single crystal a broad resonance absorption line (with ) due to the presence of Co4+ ions was observed below 40 K. The measured broadening of the linewidth with decreasing temperature can be related to the process of clustering of cobalt ions. In La0.8Ca0.2CoO3 and TbBaCo2O5.5 single crystals non-resonance absorption was observed in the temperature ranges 20–90 and 240–260 K, respectively. In order to investigate the nature of this absorption its intensity was measured as a function of external magnetic field and temperature. The results could suggest that the absorption, although similar for both compounds, was caused by two different mechanisms: microwave power losses on metallic/ferromagnetic clusters in La0.8Ca0.2CoO3 and high-frequency fluctuations of the magnetic domain walls in TbBaCo2O5.5.


The organization of the septo-hippocampal complex and the functional role of its structures has become the topic of a large body of research. The investigation of the role of the CA/sub 1/ field in the organization of the theta activity is the aim of this work. The investigation was carried out on rats under the functional integrity of the septo-hippocampal system in the natural orienting behavior and that induced by the reticular stimulation. A long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic efficacy following high-frequency activation of the Schaffer collaterals formed a zone of an increased excitability in the CA/sub 1/ field. That changed its influence on the septum and the reticular system and was manifested in the modification of the theta activity. The method of the estimation of the signal dimension was used to analyze the theta activity. In contrast to the spectral method it gives an opportunity to take into account some features of its phase structure.


This project's objective was to design an automated electronic clutching and mechanical shifting system for a formula-style car which is a part of the ergonomics and drivetrain sub-systems. The Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) at Midwestern State University (MSU) approved this project to be part of the design and manufacturing of their first-generation vehicle. The shifter and clutch designs meet the requirement for the Senior Design project. Past designs by various teams have demonstrated a variety of methods of clutch actuation and gear shifting. A popular design amongst most teams is paddle shifting and direct clutch actuation. The design calls for electric push buttons on the backside of the steering wheel that allows the driver to manipulate the solenoids needed to manually cycle through the gears. The current study proposes a semi-automatic clutching system together with a mechanical gear shifting system.
 Initial brainstorming led to the idea to combine the clutch with the gas pedal. The concept is that if the pedal is pushed down to a certain angle it will release the clutch, allowing the gears engagement. Meaning when the pedal is not depressed the clutch remains engaged disconnecting the drivetrain. The proposed clutching system utilizes a rotary position sensor, a servo motor, and a communication system between the two. The major idea is to integrate the sensor on the gas pedal so that it senses the position of the pedal. The output from the sensor is communicated by the use of a logic unit to a servo motor attached to the clutching lever of the engine. As the gas pedal is pressed the sensor sends a signal to the servo motor to actuate the clutch accordingly, removing the need for a separate clutch pedal. The Arduino is utilized to relay the signal from the position sensor to the servo motor. The gear shifting mechanism is mechanically operated using a shifter that is connected to a solid rod that actuates the gear selector on the engine. The rod selected is an all thread rod wrapped in Nylon, and the shifting lever is a simple pivot type. This system is completely designed and is implemented in the SAE vehicle. Successful implementation demonstrated the usefulness of the system over traditional clutching and shifting systems. Two major advantages of this system are the elimination of a clutch pedal and the longevity of the gearbox. The steps included a significant amount of brainstorming and taking some important decisions together with the instructor.
 The team also gained significant experience to employ engineering solutions in an organized manner. As per the author's knowledge, the proposed design is a novel concept for use in FSAE cars. During the process, the students entirely came up with this idea themselves. Successful completion showed that the students learned to innovate new designs and concepts for a part of a formula-type vehicle using the gained engineering knowledge.


Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and painful symptoms in patients with lung cancer undergoing treatment with operation, affecting patients' physical, psychological, family and social functions as well as their quality of life. However, there is very little evidence for treatment guidelines at home and abroad. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been proved to improve the symptoms of general weakness and shown to be beneficial to cancer patients' recovery. TCM treatment should be based on syndrome differentiation. Aiming at the CRF, we should focus on bolstering the deficiency while simultaneously attacking and reinforcing it. This trial preliminarily evaluated the efficacy and safety of Zhengyuan capsule for CRF in lung cancer patients undergoing operation. Methods/design: The single center clinical study is a two-group, double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to assess the efficacy and safety of Zhengyuan capsule for CRF in lung cancer patients undergoing operation. Eligible participants will randomly divided into two groups: a treatment group receiving a 8-week Zhengyuan capsule regimen therapy and a control group receiving a 8-week placebo capsule regimen therapy. The main efficacy indicator is fatigue, assessed using severity scores from the Cancer Fatigue Scale(CFS) measurement system. Secondary efficacy measures include fatigue which assessed using severity scores from the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form(MFSI-SF) measurement system, TCM syndrome pattern differentiation, levels of immunologic indicators(TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, T lymphocytes subsets and B lymphocyte subsets), patient's pulmonary functionality and adverse events (AEs). Evaluation will be carried out at the screening period, baseline, the middle of the intervention and the end of the intervention, respectively. Discussion: Experimental results of Zhengyuan capsule can guide the improvement of CRF and provide evidences that Zhengyuan capsule is effective and safe in lung cancer patients undergoing operation. The data can be imported into the management and treatment guidelines of CRF for patients with lung cancer undergoing operation throughout China nationwide. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (chictr.org.cn), ChiCTR1900022712/YZJ-TCM-ZYJN-02. Registered on 23 April 2019.


This paper presents a low phase noise fully integrated CMOS LC voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for 5-GHz WLAN applications. Low phase noise has been achieved by the use of the pMOS current source with a large gate length and bias filtering. The tail current source as well as the mirror has been kept large so that flicker-noise upconversion is minimized without degrading thermal noise. Bias filters are used in VCO to suppress reference current noise and dynamic transient effects on the bias line. The VCO is designed and implemented to evaluate the concept using 0.18-mum TSMC CMOS process. The VCO has a tuning range of 264 MHz and phase noise of -116 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency at the 5.32-GHz carrier. The figure-of-merit (FOM) of the VCO is -183.1. This VCO consumes 3.17 mA from a 1.8 V supply.


Bioassay-guided fractionation of the organic extracts of whole plants of Mostuea brunonis (Loganiaceae), using the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) human tumor-based in vitro antitumor screen, led to the isolation and identification of camptothecin 20-O-beta-D-glucoside (1) and three moderately cytotoxic alkaloids, the known deoxypumiloside (2) and strictosamide (3), and the new 2'-O-acetylstrictosamide (4), from the cytotoxic alkaloid fractions. While the previously unknown 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl camptothecin exhibited greater solubility in alcohol, DMSO-H(2)O and H(2)O than camptothecin, it was essentially inactive in the NCI's in vitro 60-cell line primary antitumor screen. However, it could be vulnerable to de-glucosidation in vivo, and may, therefore, merit additional evaluation as a potential prodrug of camptothecin that could be more readily formulated than the parent agent.


The key role of colour in ergonomics has been emphasized by a number of researchers and design professionals. Although several research studies have been published regarding the use of colour in ergonomics, there are still some areas that need to be considered. The issue of deciding a "colour of the year" is an example, which represents a new challenge for researchers in the field of ergonomics. This is of particular interest considering the fact that the nature of research on the selection of a "colour of the year" is generally based on user experience. This paper argues that ergonomics should play a more prominent role in this field to ensure better user experience and performance. This paper highlights specific areas that need further study and development. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Pea lectin was exposed to a pH range of 7-13. It was observed that alkaline-unfolding resulted in a molten globule-like intermediate at pH 11. The structural stability of this alkaline unfolded molten globule-like state of pea lectin was studied in the presence of HFIP. Thermal studies showed that this state was more susceptible to thermal denaturation as compared to the native state and it became even more so in presence of HFIP.


John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger is a dramatic study of a strained marriage relationship. In it Jimmy Porter is the protagonist and Alison Porter, a retired Colonel's daughter, is the heroine. The actual action of the play is centered around Jimmy's relationship with her. Despite his dominance, his wife Alison Porter, is the most important supporting character on whom Jimmy inflicts pain by his tirades all the time until eventually she feels she can bear no more. Later on she leaves him in her pregnant state to seek peace. After the loss of the baby she comes back to him when both have lost faith in each other. So they will go back to their previous unhealthy relationship causing her to become deplorable again. My reading of Alison Porter is that she is a suffering person though some find Jimmy a sufferer. This paper aims at assessing her sufferings and the reasons behind them. IIUC Studies Vol.10 & 11 December 2014: 65-80


Ritual slaughter thus became both a test case for how modern societies contend with what are often considered socially deviant religious practices, and a challenge for the accepted range of tolerance. As I will demonstrate in this article, the ways in which ritual slaughter was or was not tolerated were an expression of the arrangement of religion in society. Changing ideological and political views of the role of religion, and consequently of attitudes towards religious minorities, immediately influenced the status of ritual slaughter. I will concentrate on one case study: the treatment of ritual slaughter in Dutch society from the start of the twentieth century until the recent debates in 2011


PurposeThe modular dynamic façade (MDF) concept could be an approach in a comfort-centric design through proper integration with energy-efficient buildings. This study focuses on obtaining and/or calculating an efficient angle of the MDF, which would lead to the optimum performance in daylight availability and energy consumption in a single south-faced official space located in the hot-arid climate of Yazd, Iran.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology consists of three fundamental parts: (1) based on previous related studies, a diamond-based dynamic skin façade was applied to a south-faced office building in a hot-arid climate; (2) the daylighting and energy performance of the model were simulated annually; and (3) the data obtained from the simulation were compared to reach the optimum angle of the MDF.FindingsThe results showed that when the angle of the MDF openings was set at 30°, it could decrease energy consumption by 41.32% annually, while daylight simulation pointed that the space experienced the minimum possible glare at this angle. Therefore, the angle of 30° was established as the optimum angle, which could be the basis for future investment in responsive building envelopes.Originality/valueThis angular study simultaneously assesses the daylight availability, visual comfort and energy consumption on a MDF in a hot-arid climate.


As closed-loop insulin therapies emerge into clinical practice and evolve in medical research for type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment, the limitations in these therapies become more evident. These gaps include unachieved target levels of glycated hemoglobin in some patients, postprandial hyperglycemia, the ongoing need for carbohydrate counting, and the lack of non-glycemic benefits (such as prevention of metabolic syndrome and complications). Multiple adjunct therapies have been examined to improve closed-loop systems, yet none have become a staple. Sodium-glucose-linked cotransporter inhibitors (SGLTi's) have been extensively researched in T1D, with average reductions in placebo-adjusted HbA1c by 0.39%, and total daily dose by approximately 10%. Unfortunately, many trials revealed an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, as high as 5 times the relative risk compared to placebo. This narrative review discusses the proven benefits and risks of SGLTi in patients with T1D with routine therapy, what has been studied thus far in closed-loop therapy in combination with SGLTi, the potential benefits of SGLTi use to closed-loop systems, and what is required going forward to improve the benefit to risk ratio in these insulin systems.


The properties of relativistic jets, their interaction with the ambient environment and particle acceleration due to kinetic instabilities are studied self-consistently with Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulations. In this work we study how a relativistic electron-positron jet containing a helical magnetic field evolves by focusing on its interaction with the external ambient plasma. Particularly, 3D PIC simulations are performed using a longer simulation system than previous studies with an embedded helical magnetic field. An important key issue in this work is how such a magnetic field affects an electron-positron jet and how this excites kinetic instabilities such as the Weibel instability (WI), the kinetic Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (kKHI) and others by further focusing on how particles accelerate. We do find that kinetic instabilities along with generated magnetic turbulence are present and consequently accelerate particles. At the linear stage we observe recollimation-like features at the center of the simulated jet and later-on as the electron-positron jet evolves, the magnetic fields generated by the instabilities become untangled and reorganized into a new topology near the non-linear phase. We additionally report indications of reconnection near the end of the non-linear stage, before the magnetic-field becomes untangled, as electrons get accelerated by multiple magnetic islands in the jet. In the present study the untangled magnetic field becomes turbulent without any reformation as it happened in our previous study of an electron-proton jet, which we will use to additionally compare the present results, obtaining important insights about the nature of these phenomena applicable to high-energy astrophysical environments such as Active Galactic Nuclei jets and Gamma-ray bursts.


Free radicals (FRs) are reactive chemical species that can damage or destroy biological molecules and have the potential for causing serious tissue and organ damage. Because of evidence suggesting that they are involved in the pathophysiology of a wide spectrum of human disorders. FRs have recently been the subject of considerable interest. While some popularized accounts depict FRs as always being destructive, essential physiological functions, including prostaglandin biosynthesis and phagocyte activity, depend upon them. It is only when FR reactions are uncontrolled that they are likely to be destructive. This article, based on citations from peer-reviewed biomedical literature, discusses some of the roles FRs play in essential physiological processes and their potential for inducing pathological changes. Also discussed are factors that add to body burdens of FRs and various antioxidant control mechanisms. The relationship of diet to FR pathology is emphasized because of evidence suggesting its importance in the prevention of chronic degenerative disorders including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The health benefits accruing from appropriate application of FR research are likely to be substantial. Accordingly, it is important for all health care practitioners to be aware of new developments in this area.