The translocation of spin-labeled analogues of phosphatidylcholine (4-doxylpentanoyl-PC, SL-PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (SL-PE), phosphatidylserine (SL-PS), and sphingomyelin (SL-SM) from the outer to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane bilayer was investigated in dog kidney MDCK II and human colon Caco-2 cells. Disappearance from the outer leaflet was assayed using back-exchange to serum albumin. Experiments with cells in suspension as well as with polarized cells on filters were performed at reduced temperatures (10 and 20 degreesC) to suppress endocytosis and hydrolysis of spin-labeled lipids. For both epithelial cell lines, a fast ATP-dependent inward movement of the aminophospholipids SL-PS and SL-PE was found, while SL-SM was only slowly internalized without any effect of ATP depletion. The kinetics of redistribution of SL-PC were clearly different between the two cell lines. In MDCK II cells, SL-PC was rapidly internalized in an ATP-dependent and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive manner and at a rate similar to that of the aminophospholipids. In contrast, in Caco-2 cells the inward movement of SL-PC was much slower than that of the aminophospholipids, did not depend on ATP, and was not N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive. Inhibitor studies indicated that the outward-translocating multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein present in these cells did not affect the kinetics of inward translocation. Internalization was always similar on the apical and basolateral cell surface, suggesting the presence of the same phospholipid translocator(s) on both surface domains of epithelial cells. We propose that Caco-2 cells contain the well-known aminophospholipid translocase, while MDCK II cells contain either two translocases, namely, the aminophospholipid translocase and a phosphatidylcholine-specific translocase, or one translocase of a new type, translocating aminophospholipids as well as phosphatidylcholine.


Over 400 million people worldwide use groundwater contaminated with arsenic and/or fluoride as a source of drinking water. The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) has developed a method to estimate the risk of contamination in a given area using geological, topographical and other environmental data without having to test samples from every single well. The research group's knowledge is now being made available free of charge on the interactive Groundwater Assessment Platform (GAP, www.gapmaps.org). GAP is an online GIS platform for risk forecasting and mitigation of geogenic groundwater contamination. GAP enables researchers, authorities, NGOs and other professionals to visualize their own data and generate hazard risk maps for their areas of interest.


The androgen-binding sites in the cytosol and nuclei were decreased 1 week following castration and this reduced level was sustained for 2 weeks. A maximal increase of the androgen-binding sites in the cytosol was induced by a single injection of testosterone, while the sites in the nuclei were increased gradually with the duration of testosterone injection. These findings suggest that testosterone was able to induce the binding sites in the liver cytosol and nuclei which had been reduced after castration.


Received 5/4/2019; Accepted 28/4/2019 DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2019.11548.1736 ©2019 National Information and Documentation Center (NIDOC) A SERIES of new compounds characterized by presence of quinazoline scaffold and phosphorothioate moiety in their molecular structure, was prepared through reacting Japanese reagent (JR, 1a) and Lawesson reagent (LR, 1b) with quinazoline-4-ones (3a-e) in boiling toluene. The expected quinazoline-4-thiones were also formed and well identified. Molecular docking studies were performed to determine the molecular affinity between the new products and the target protein. The starting quinazolines and ten of the new products were in vitro evaluated as antimicrobial agents using Cephradine and Fluconazole as reference drugs for antibacterial and antifungal assays, respectively. Of particularly, the dioxathiaphosphinane (12) and benzoxaphospholylidene (17) exhibited 15% potent inhibition that equals to Cephradine against Escherichia coli strains.


Background: Hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal illness use a tunnelled central vein catheter for vascular access. Heparin with a preservative, in contrast, exhibits inferior antibacterial effects against biofilm and plank tonic bacteria. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of taurolidine citrate solution versus heparin lock solution when infused into the catheter lumens of hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal illness. Study design: Randomized clinical trial Place and duration of study: Hemodialysis Unit, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia from 11th December 2018 to 10th June 2019. Methodology: One hundred and fourteen patients on hemodialysis aged 40-70 years with end stage renal disease with Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 15 mL/min, on maintenance hemodialysis through tunnelled dialysis catheter dependent for at least 6 months and patent catheters were selected and randomized into two equal groups by using sealed opaque envelopes bearing a tag of Heparin group and citrate-taurolidine group. Patients were excluded from the study if they had a catheter site infection or an infection unrelated to a catheter that was on antibiotic therapy or had positive blood cultures within two weeks of enrollment. Every two weeks and at the time the catheter was removed, blood cultures were routinely obtained from the catheter lumen to look for bacterial colonization. At the conclusion of six months of hemodialysis, the CRI was assessed. All instances of infections caused by catheters were documented. Results: Incidence of catheter related infection occurred in 5 (8.8%) patients who underwent Heparin group while none of the patient (0%) of taurolidine/citrate group suffered with catheter related infection. This data reveals significantly high incidence of CRI in Heparin group (p=0.029) and significantly high efficacy of taurolidine/citrate group over Heparin group. Conclusion: Efficacy of taurolidine citrate solution is superior versus heparin lock solution instilled in the catheter lumens of patients on hemodialysis. Keywords: Catheter, Infection, Renal disease, Hemodialysis


This study aims to determine the effect of the National Instruments (NI) Multisim Software on students' mastery of the wave rectifier circuit viewed from students' visual-spatial abilities (KVS). A pre-experimental design was used in this study. The sample of this research was students of the Physics Education Study Program taking the Basic Electronics I course selected through saturated sampling technique. The data collection tools were in the form of a visualspatial ability test instrument and the wave rectifier circuit mastery test instrument. Correlation tests, multiple regression, and independent-sample t-test were used to determine the effect of spatial-visual ability on the learning outcomes of the wave rectifier circuit through the application of the National Instruments Multisim Software. The results obtained indicate that: 1) Student learning outcomes on the wave rectifier circuit material by using the NI-Multisim Software has in the sufficient category; 2) Students' visual-spatial ability on the KVS-interpretation has very high-category, KVS-series pattern has high-category, KVS-reflection has high-category, KVSrotation has high-category, KVS-projection has high-category, and KVS-drawing has mediumcategory; 3) The ability of students' spatial visibility has a positive and significant correlation to student learning outcomes and has an influence contribution of 76.20% to learning outcomes; 4) The learning outcomes of students who have KVS-high are better than the average learning outcomes of students who have KVS-low in learning the wave rectifier series material using the NI-Multisim software.


ne"> A comfortable work environment, one of which can be seen from the physical factors in the working environment, especially in the aspect of the working climate (heat-pressure). The working climate (heat-pressure) in the workplace can affect the health of the workforce that will ultimately decrease productivity. According to the research results of Ari, Suwondo and coauthors in 2008, that the pressure the heat affect the workers blood pressure. Tofu factory belonging to the "Ibu Lis" is the manufacturer knew the only residing in Donorojo Subdistrict of Pacitan Regency. The results of measurements on a preliminary survey of the working climate in 3 point at the production of known average temperature 31,28 oC. These results show has exceeded the threshold Value (NAB) based on the regulation of the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Number PER 13/DOWNLOAD/X/2011 about the value of the thresholdfFactors are physical and chemical factors in the workplace amounted to 25.9 °C so that it can have an effect on the health of workers, in particular the blood pressure. In general, this research aims to know the difference in blood pressure before and after exposure to heat pressure on workers at Lady Lis's tofu factory Donorojo Subdistrict of Pacitan Regency and in particular aiming to identify the characteristics of the workforce, the employment climate measure, measure the blood pressure of the workers before and after work, analyzing the difference of blood pressure before and after exposure to heat pressure, described the influence of characteristics of workers against blood pressure and climate control efforts work in the factory. This research includes the kind of observational studies and timebased data retrieval include cross sectional study. A large sample of 30 people taken in random, data is collected and processed and analyzed statistically (analytic) to test the hypothesis. The results showed there was a difference in blood pressure before and after exposure to heat pressure. Blood pressure changes also affected the characteristics of workers, among others, age, period of employment, and the habit of exercising. Factory owners are advised to install the ventilation is natural or manmade in the form vetilasi giving a fan or exhauster, workers should be more drinking lots of water, and take advantage of the break well. Key words : heat pressure, blood pressure, tofu factory


Background Rosacea is a common dermatosis characterized by erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules. Objective We aimed to evaluate contact sensitivity in the rosacea patients. Methods We included 65 rosacea patients and 60 healthy volunteers in the study. The patient and control groups were patch tested with European baseline series and cosmetic series. Results A positive reaction to at least 1 allergen in the European standard series was found in 32.3% of rosacea patients and 20.0% of subjects in the control group while the relevant numbers were 30.8% of rosacea patients and 10% of controls with the cosmetic series (p=0.08). In total, we found a positive reaction to at least 1 allergen in 38.5% of patients and 25.0% of controls (p=0.15). We did not find a statistically significant relationship between a positive reaction to 1 allergen in total and the gender, skin type, rosacea type, ocular involvement, age and disease duration. There were more symptoms in patients with a positive reaction to allergens (p<0.001). Conclusion Contact sensitivity was detected more common in rosacea patients. Patch testing may be useful in the treatment and follow up of rosacea patients especially if symptoms such as itching, burning and stinging are present.


Affinity membranes have been prepared by immobilizing D‐PAM, a synthetic ligand that exhibits affinity for the Fc portion of antibodies, onto poliethersulfone microporous membranes. The ligand density has been measured and the ligand utilization was evaluated and compared with literature data available for chromatographic beads. The resulting new affinity membranes have been experimentally characterized and tested by using pure murine IgG solutions and mouse serum. Equilibrium and kinetic parameters have been obtained in batch experiments using pure protein solutions. The highest binding capacity measured for murine IgG was 45 μg/cm2 obtained at 1.2 mg/mL protein concentration at equilibrium, while the maximum static binding capacity calculated with the Langmuir model was 81 μg/cm2. The adsorption of murine IgG on the affinity membranes was described using different isotherms: Freundlich and Temkin models have been considered and critically compared with the Langmuir adsorption model. A dynamic binding capacity of 21 μg/cm2 was obtained by feeding a solution of 0.3 mg/mL of murine IgG, confirming the results obtained in batch experiments at the same concentration. The affinity membranes considered are endowed with good binding capacity for murine IgG and good selectivity for immunoglobulins and can be considered for the capturing step of an antibody production process.


Caffeine is one of the few plant products with which the general public is readily familiar because of its occurrence in beverages such as coffee and tea,as well as various soft drinks.Its chemical formula is C8H10N4O. Moreover,caffeine can naturally be found in cocoa seeds such as Prang Besar Cocoa (PBC) 123.PBC 123 one of cocoa clone that can be found in Malaysian Cocoa Board plantaion at Jengka, Pahang. Commonly,the alkaloid contents (caffeine,theobromine,and theophylline) in cocoa are extracted before the cocoa is processed and the caffeine are discarded without use whereas the caffeine has its own benefits.For example,it is used for pharmaceutical purposes and the caffeine has increasing demand in the world.Moreover,an effective and low cost solvent is also needed for better extraction of caffeine. This will increase the profit from the sales of caffeine. Thus,this research will find the best solvent for the high extraction yield and also will optimize the parameters that affect the extraction yield of caffeine. The purpose of this research is to extract caffeine from Prang Besar Cocoa (PBC) 123.Besides that, this research is also to investigate the effect of sample particle size,extraction time and solvent/feed ratio on the yield of caffeine.Firstly,the seeds dried at 60˚C for 1hour.Then,the dried seeds will blend and sieved into 5 different particles size which is 2000,1000,800,630 and 315 µm.5g of powdered seeds will boiled with 250mL distilled water in batch heat reflux extractor for 15,30,45,60 and 90 minutes.For liquid-liquid extraction, solvent extraction will done using ethyl acetate at solvent or feed ratio of 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2 and 1:1. The lower layer that contains caffeine will collect.Rotary evaporator will used to evaporate ethyl acetate at 78˚C. Finally,the yields of caffeine in the solution will analyze by using UV/Vis Spectrophotometric method. The caffeine yield was highest at sample particle size of 315μm (0.27% w/w caffeine or 2.739 mg/g cocoa), solvent/ feed ratio of 1:1 (0.26% w/w caffeine or 2.614 mg/g cocoa), and extraction time of 90 minutes (0.26% w/w caffeine or 2.637 mg/g cocoa). The best conditions for the highest yield of caffeine from PBC123 were 315μm of sample particle size, 1:1 of solvent/feed ratio and 90 minutes of extraction time.


The treatment and favorable outcome of a bitch with uterine torsion and two retained fetuses are described. The condition was corrected surgically by ovariohysterectomy. Complications (i.e., septic shock, peritonitis, and hemostatic abnormalities) were managed with aggressive medical therapy. Torsion of the gravid uterus in dogs is a life-threatening condition which can have a successful outcome if medical complications encountered in the pre- and postoperative periods are treated quickly and effectively.


The article attempts to examine the application of the impossibility doctrine toward economic crisis from the legal and economic point of view using the Asian economic crisis case. From a legal perspective, the economic crisis occurs after the conclusion of the contract, unforeseeable at the time of the conclusion of the contract, beyond the control of the promisor, and the risk of the event was not assumed by the promisor may constitute impossibility. From the economic analysis, it is evident that the foreign lenders should bear the risk as they have relatively better ability in predicting the event's occurrence, are in a better position to diversify risks by pooling a self-insurance, engage in risky investment (mismatch maturity investment) while international environment makes borrowers less likely to hedge their loans. It also found that foreign banks do not expose to the Indonesia economic crisis, are better position to pooling a risk, have multiple cushions from being deprived out of the market. While another justification to apply the impossibility doctrine, in this case, is to avoid bankruptcy cost. It is suggested to use tools of analysis in applying impossibility doctrine: (i) the promisor (borrower) asking to discharged could not reasonably have prevented the event rendering his performance uneconomical, (ii) the promisee (lender) is in a better position to predict the probability of the occurrence of the event occurrence and the magnitude of the loss if it occurred, (iii) the promisee (lender) is in a better position to pooling risk, (iv) the promisor (borrower) does not have its wealth more positively correlated with the event (i.e. depreciation), and (v) he promisor (borrower) does not make a profit out of the market movement as a whole.


DLC, WC/C, and TiN coated SF 100 martensitic stainless steel and Yttria-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (Y-TZP) surgical scalpels were tested, characterized, and comparatively evaluated with regard to chemical leach, micromorphology, and mechanical properties in order to evaluate their suitability as reusable surgical scalpels. Vickers microhardness (HV), Scratch Hardness Number (), and sharpening by grinding and cutting capabilities of all the coated scalpels were deemed appropriate for reusable surgical scalpels. However, coated Y-TZP scalpels demonstrated higher Vickers microhardness than martensitic stainless steel scalpels coated with the same coatings, except DLC coating on Y-TZP substrate that presented less adhesion than the other coatings. Uncoated and coated martensitic stainless steel scalpels presented corrosion and chemical leach when soaked for a defined period of time in a simulant physiological saline solution, while uncoated and coated Y-TZP scalpels did not present these drawbacks. Therefore, DLC, WC/C, and TiN coated SF 100 martensitic stainless steel surgical scalpels are unsuitable as reusable surgical scalpels, limiting their application to disposable scalpels only, as the uncoated ones, despite their higher microhardness and expected longer cutting capability duration. Based on these experimental results, WC/C and TiN coated Y-TZP scalpels can be proposed as candidates for reusable surgical scalpel applications.


Background: Different field tests are used to evaluate muscular capacity, in particular maximal voluntary endurance. However, although there are some normative values for a few muscle endurance tests, these do not consider the mass, size or age of individuals, which are well-known factors that influence muscle performance.Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of 8 field tests and establish muscle endurance norms, in an healthy population, based on their anthropometric characteristics which could permit to evaluate at best the entire muscle function in a quick manner.Design:Case series. Methods:This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was to check the reproducibility inter- and intra-assessor for 8 isometric muscle fields tests on twenty volunteered subjects age of 40.9 ± 11.6 years old. The second part was to establish muscle maximal voluntary endurance norms according of these tests on a total of 400 healthy participants segmented by age (50 males and females by age bracket: 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59 years old, for a total of 200 males and 200 females).Results:The intra and inter-assessor reproducibility tests was very high for all muscle measurements (the ICC varied between 0.915 and 0.996). Good sensitivity is observed for all isometric tests highlights with simple linear regression test demonstrating a significant impact for the variable age for all tests (p<0.001). Each muscle belt presents same ratio regardless of the age and gender group. The simultaneous multiple regression analyses highlight that the anthropometric characteristics of subjects influence significantly the performance of isometric tests. Conclusion:This study has permitted to established prediction equations in an healthy population according to their anthropometric characteristics as well as agonist/antagonist ratios for eight muscle isometric field tests after to be demonstrated an excellent reproducibility of all tests.


People with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly experience psychological problems including anxiety and depression. Evidence indicates that psychological interventions based on cognitive behavioural principles can help improve mental health. Such interventions are often delivered in groups and a common assumption is that the social interaction afforded by a group format is beneficial. The aim of this thesis is to explore this assumption and, drawing on social identity theory, investigate why and for whom MS psychological adjustment interventions are effective (or not) when delivered in a group.

Social identity refers to the part of an individual's self-concept that is derived from belonging to social groups. In the first study, a survey was conducted to establish an evidence base for the relationship between psychological wellbeing and social identity processes in people with MS (n=203). Continued membership of groups belonged to prior to diagnosis was associated with reduced psychological distress, highlighting the importance of social identity continuity. Increased anticipation of stigma as a result of having MS was associated with increased psychological distress. Identification with an MS group was associated with a small decrease in psychological distress when the effect of the other variables was accounted for. This raised the possibility that positive effects of MS group identification may be suppressed by an underlying negative influence of identifying with a socially devalued group.

A realist synthesis was undertaken to gain further insight into how these processes may contribute to intervention success or failure. This identified several benefits of group format, but indicated that these benefits were more readily obtained when MS was not experienced as posing a threat to identity. When the identity threat from MS was high, there were indications that a group format could have negative consequences for psychological wellbeing.

The identity-related benefits and drawbacks of individual and group interventions were explored further in a thematic analysis of interviews with 16 people with MS. Participants had taken part in a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of group versus individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Several benefits of group delivery were identified, including shared understanding, normalisation of illness and the opportunity to socialise, share information and challenge negative stereotypes. Perceived drawbacks included unhelpful group norms, putting on a mask and confrontation with a feared identity. Identity threat was found to be especially marked in the group delivery format and appeared to reduce intervention engagement. Identity threat varied depending on social identity continuity, incorporation of MS into identity, stigma, time since diagnosis, symptom progression, ageing and illness narrative. A narrative analysis of two of the interview transcripts highlighted the power of narrative perspective to influence how people respond to MS and offered an explanation for the differing responses to the prospect of taking part in group or individual interventions.

This thesis makes valuable contribution to the literature in making explicit those aspects of group intervention format that confer benefit. It also draws attention to the identity-related drawbacks of a group format. The finding that identity threat may influence perceptions of, and engagement with, interventions offers an explanation for the mixed results in the literature regarding the efficacy of group interventions. The thesis findings begin to establish a theoretical basis for clinical decisions regarding whether to offer group or individual psychological adjustment interventions. An important implication is the need to frame, design and deliver group interventions in such a way as to reduce identity threat and promote a positive shared identity.

Further research is now needed to investigate whether the proposed identity-related mechanisms impact intervention efficacy. In the planned multi-site RCT of group versus individual CBT it would be valuable to incorporate measures of MS group identification and identity threat. This would enable quantitative investigation of the degree to which these variables influence intervention engagement and efficacy.


The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of bethanechol (BeCh) on contractility patterns of smooth muscle preparations of equine duodenum descendens, jejunum, caecum and pelvic flexure in vitro. Concentration-response relationships were developed for BeCh using in vitro assays with and without preincubation of muscarinic (M) receptor antagonists for M2 and M3 receptors. BeCh induced a significant, concentration-dependent increase in contractile response in equine intestine in specimens with circular orientation. The maximal effect was largest for jejunal specimens with no difference in EC50 within the different locations investigated. The M2 antagonist, AF-DX 116, caused a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve and the M3 antagonist, 4-DAMP (1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide), almost completely inhibited the effect of BeCh over the entire concentration-response curve. These data provide evidence that, although the effect of BeCh is predominantly mediated by M3 receptors, M2 muscarinic receptors also play a role in BeCh-induced contraction in specimens of equine intestine. The involvement of other muscarinic receptor subtypes cannot be excluded. Further studies are necessary to understand the effect of BeCh in vivo including diseased animals.


Editor, A recently published large-scale study (Mimouni et al. 2016) identified hyperopia as the parameter that demonstrated the strongest association with retreatment after excimer laser refractive surgery. We do share this observation as we also note less accurate refractive predictability and, most frequently, final undercorrection after hyperopic corneal refractive surgery. To improve refractive predictability, preceding studies (Zaldivar et al. 2005; Spadea et al. 2006) suggested that preoperative cycloplegic or manifest refraction, or a combination of both (Zadok et al. 2003), could be used in the laser nomogram. Previously, we reported that a manifest-cycloplegic difference (MCD) in spherical equivalent (SE) of 1.00 dioptre (D) or more occurs in about 13% of hyperopic eyes. In these cases, a correction of the manifest SE only did not appear to be adequate (Frings et al. 2016a). In a recent multicentre study, we thus evaluated the efficacy, predictability and safety of LASIK retreatment based on manifest refraction in hyperopic patients with a preoperative difference between cycloplegic and manifest refraction of 1.00 D or less who had LASIK retreatment based on manifest refraction. We analysed the refractive outcome of 113 hyperopic eyes according to standard graphs for reporting the efficacy, predictability and safety of refractive surgery. We found that efficacy (p < 0.001) and safety (p = 0.004) were statistically significant improved by the retreatment without being negatively influenced by preoperative manifest SE, manifest cylinder or keratometry, which we analysed. Still showing a trend towards undercorrection, retreatment resulted in 88 eyes (78.0%) that reached 0.50 D of the attempted correction. The optical zone diameter of the retreatment did not correlate with efficacy, predictability or safety. Treatment predictability, however, was statistically significant worse in eyes with a preoperative SE of more than 2.50 D (p = 0.005, tested with chisquare test). In our opinion, the main objective criterion for a retreatment is a difference between targeted and achieved manifest SE of 0.50 D or more after at least 6 months. We do not retreat eyes earlier after LASIK as keratometric and refractive changes are likely to occur up to 6 months (Frings et al. 2016b). The results of our study indicate that in hyperopic eyes with a preoperative difference between cycloplegic and manifest refraction of 1.00 D or less a LASIK retreatment is efficient, predictable and safe and therefore, finally meets preoperative patients' expectations. To summarize, the improvement of hyperopic LASIK still is a matter of discussion, hyperopes should not be treated earlier than 6 months and the difference between cycloplegic and manifest refraction should be taken into account during treatment planning. Many hyperopic cases will likely need a retreatment, most of which result in high efficacy, predictability and safety after all. We would highly recommend clarifying this fact to hyperopic LASIK candidates before the treatment.


By definition, hypertension has been linked to blood pressure levels. This link is demonstrated in the various iterations of reports by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC). Over the past few decades, the definition of hypertension has changed with each new report, and so have the levels of blood pressure that are considered satisfactory after treatment. In this article, Drs Giles and Sander review the current definitions of hypertension in clinical practice and its evaluation in light of total cardiovascular risk.


An HPLC-UV method for the determination of thiosulfate in aqueous media was modified and validated in this study to quantify the amount of residual thiosulfate in omeprazole samples. Absorption of thiosulfate ion was monitored at 215 nm in alcoholic tetrabutylammonium hydroxide solution as a mobile phase, in which the pH was adjusted to 6.20 by using dilute hydrochloric acid. A method detection limit of 0.08 mg/L was achieved for thiosulfate ion in 1000 mg/L omeprazole solution. The precision, accuracy, and the expanded uncertainty of the method were 2.7 %, 92.4-102.6 %, and 2.2 % (at 95 % confidence level (k = 2) assuming 1.0 mg/L thiosulfate in the sample solution), respectively.


Knowledge-based (expert) systems replicate the thinking processes that are involved in strategic planning. As such, they not only assist in making strategic planning decisions, but they also serve as useful learning tools for those studying strategic planning. By examining the knowledge bases of these systems, readers can analyze in detail how planners think. In addition, by using the systems, readers can observe how these processes are put to work in making specific decisions. The discussion of knowledge-based systems is in four parts: commercially available systems; proprietary company systems; research; and future integrated systems tools.<<ETX>>


By far the most important type of nuclear reaction is that in which two nuclei interact and produce one or more products. Such reactions involving two react ants are termed binary reactions. All naturally occurring nuclides with more than a few protons were created by binary nuclear reactions inside stars. Such nuclides are essential for life, and the energy that nurtures it likewise derives from energy released by binary nuclear reactions in stars. Binary nuclear reactions are shown schematically as


Field courses are an essential component of the undergraduate experience in many subjects, but are intensive and expensive for participating students. Unpreparedness often means time is used teaching the basics rather than challenging students in exciting and novel situations. Moreover, universal participation is not always possible. Video-based resources covering key concepts and techniques could help participant preparedness and could be used independently by non-participants. This reflective case study details a collaborative project in which students and instructors worked together to make conceptual and instructional videos during a highly applied biosciences field course in South Africa. In 2012, after training from a professional wildlife filmmaker, students were involved in planning, presenting, and filming 25 videos. Students benefited considerably from the filmmaking process as explaining concepts and filming techniques helped reinforce their understanding: an example of "see one, do one, teach one." The online, open-access videos were used by the 2013 cohort to increase preparedness and independently by non-participants to good effect, both internally and at several external institutions. New videos will be added each year to expand the resource base and allow students to gain from the filmmaking experience. This teaching and learning strategy is multidisciplinary, with relevance for a range of subjects.


ABSTRACT Objective Low levels of social connectivity are related to the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and this study investigates the role of body weight in this association. Methods In a sample of 9448 participants followed for a mean of 15.3 years (186,158.5 person-years) from the Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease Augsburg/Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg population-based cohort conducted in Germany, we investigated the association of social connectivity, measured by the Social Network Index, and body mass index (BMI) with the risk of clinically validated T2D incidence using stratified Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for sociodemographic, life-style, cardiometabolic, and psychosocial risk factors. Results During a mean follow-up of 14.1 years (186,158.5 person-years), 975 (10.3%) participants developed T2D. Participants with low social connectivity developed T2D at a higher rate than socially connected participants (10.0 versus 8.0 cases/10,000 person-years); however, BMI played a significant role in the association of social connectivity with T2D (p < .001). In comparison to their socially connected counterparts, low social connectivity was associated with a higher rate of T2D incidence in normal-weight (6.0 versus 2.0 cases/10,000 person-years), but not overweight (13.0 versus 13.0 cases/10,000 person-years) or obese participants (32.0 versus 30.0 cases/10,000 person-years). Correspondingly, Cox regression analysis showed that 5-unit increments in BMI increased the risk of T2D in socially connected participants (hazard ratio = 3.03, 95% confidence interval = 2.48–3.79, p < .001) at a substantially higher rate than in low socially connected participants (hazard ratio = 1.77, 95% confidence interval = 1.45–2.16, p < .001). Conclusion The detrimental link between low social connectivity and increased risk of T2D is substantially stronger in participants with a lower BMI.


Recycling of plastic is an established technology contributing to a circular economy. A sustainable society requires recycling to produce high quality feedstocks from all types of reusable waste. New recycling technologies will help to improve waste management practices, for instance dissolving plastic waste in a solvent to purify and maintain its material properties. In solution it is also possible to depolymerise polymers into monomers that can be used to remake virgin-grade material. In this review the advantages and disadvantages of three solventbased recycling processes will be considered: separation of cotton and polyester (polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) textiles, chemical recycling of polylactic acid (PLA) and dissolution-precipitation of polyvinylchloride (PVC). The current state of the art and future prospects are discussed, including a brief overview of how solvents are being used to process other types of plastic waste.


Surgical phase recognition is a basic component for different context-aware applications in computer- and robot-assisted surgery. In recent years, several methods for automatic surgical phase recognition have been proposed, showing promising results. However, a meaningful comparison of these methods is difficult due to differences in the evaluation process and incomplete reporting of evaluation details. In particular, the details of metric computation can vary widely between different studies. To raise awareness of potential inconsistencies, this paper summarizes common deviations in the evaluation of phase recognition algorithms on the Cholec80 benchmark. In addition, a structured overview of previously reported evaluation results on Cholec80 is provided, taking known differences in evaluation protocols into account. Greater attention to evaluation details could help achieve more consistent and comparable results on the surgical phase recognition task, leading to more reliable conclusions about advancements in the field and, finally, translation into clinical practice.


This paper examines the relationship between technology adoption and the skill mix of the workforce in US manufacturing plants. Using information on the use and adoption of seven different information technologies, we find that the relationship between technology adoption and workforce skill varies across the technologies. The use and adoption of engineering and design tasks are associated with workplaces that have a relatively large share of nonproduction labor. When we examine the relationship between technology adoption and skill upgrading of workforces, we find little correlation between the use and/or adoption of technologies and changes in workforce skill at the plant level. However, we do find that plants adopting technologies related to engineering and design tasks grow faster over the period 1987–1997.


Teaching computing in K-12 is often introduced focusing on algorithms and programming concepts using block-based programming environments, such as App Inventor. Yet, learning programming is a complex process and novices struggle with several difficulties. Thus, to be effective, instructional units need to be designed regarding not only the content but also its sequencing taking into consideration difficulties related to the concepts and the idiosyncrasies of programming environments. Such systematic sequencing can be based on large-scale project analyses by regarding the volition, incentive, and opportunity of students to apply the relevant program constructs as latent psychometric constructs using Item Response Theory to obtain quantitative 'difficulty' estimates for each concept. Therefore, this article presents the results of a large-scale data-driven analysis of the demonstrated use in practice of algorithms and programming concepts in App Inventor. Based on a dataset of more than 88,000 App Inventor projects assessed automatically with the CodeMaster rubric, we perform an analysis using Item Response Theory. The results demonstrate that the easiness of some concepts can be explained by their inherent characteristics, but also due to the characteristics of App Inventor as a programming environment. These results can help teachers, instructional and curriculum designers in the sequencing, scaffolding, and assessment design of programming education in K-12.


Management of multiple energy storage devices in a DC microgrid is a challenge. Conventional method, such as droop control, cannot ensure accurate current sharing in coordinating multiple battery banks, which limits the DC microgrid system performance. This paper proposed an active DC bus signaling (ADBS) method to coordinate multiple battery banks in a DC microgrid. It has the advantages of accurate current sharing. Using the proposed ADBS method, the master controller can collect State of charge (SoC) of each slave battery bank by actively varying the DC bus voltage levels and monitoring the current change. The master module then sets a working voltage level after decision-making. The proposed method was experimentally evaluated, and the experimental results show that all the possible working voltage levels can be reached and the accuracy of current sharing is guaranteed.


A System on Chip (SoC) is presented, which is well-suited for both conventional telephony via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). A highly flexible approach offers the possibilities to integrate several interface types, customizable by software download. Additional download capabilities facilitate the integration of voice-codecs for voice compression, algorithms for silent noise injection, far end line echo cancellation, and fax/modem termination. The modular design-style allows to reuse all major building blocks in future systems. The modular testconcept enables separated tests for all parts of the chip as well as configurable self tests for easy go/nogo-decisions.


Abstract Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy of various morphologies, with variety of clinical manifestations and hemodynamic dysfunctions. Myocardial bridge (MB) is frequently seen in HOCM patients and the decrease of flow in the coronary artery segment going intramurally through the myocardium beneath a muscle bridge is also associated with angina, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and sudden death in these patients. We present here a rare case of successful treatment of MB with alcohol septal ablation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which has not been reported previously.


We studied the changes in cardiovascular performance and uterine blood flow during treatment with nicardipine HC1, a recently developed calcium entry blocker. Pregnant rabbits were surgically prepared for monitoring of uterine activity and blood flow measurements on day 24–26 of gestation. On day 29 of gestation, regular uterine activity was induced and then treated by intravenous nicardipine HC1 infusion. Measurements were made before induction of labor and before and after tocolysis. Nicardipine HC1 treatment was associated with a rise in pulse rate and concomitant fall in mean arterial pressure. While there was a significant (greater than 40%) increase in cardiac output during tocolysis, there was also a fall in uteroplacental blood flow. The significance of these changes and their implications for fetal well-being need further investigation before clinical studies can begin.


This Evidence Check aimed to summarise the evidence on effective models of psychiatry service delivery for older people in four types of hospital and residential / long-stay care services. The review found that hospital mental health wards for older people were effective in improving neuropsychiatric symptoms, mood, anxiety and quality of life. Specialist consultations and liaison services enhanced the quality of hospital care and the adoption of best practice approaches by clinicians. They also reduced hospital stay and carer stress, and increased patient satisfaction with care. The authors compared outcomes for older people being treated in dedicated mental health services with mainstream (or 'ageless') mental health services and identified a gap in evidence. The review found the need for more research on psychiatric services in residential and long-stay care settings, and effective care models in particular populations, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.


An error in the solution proposed by Hlawiczka (see ibid., vol.9, p.1957 (1976)) is pointed out. An alternative procedure by which the propagation characteristics of waves in a gyrotropic waveguide can be found is presented.


A solid-phase radioimmunoassay developed in our laboratory for detection of human viral immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies was applied to demonstrate human class-specific antibody response against capsid, envelope, and excreted antigens of herpes simplex virus type 1. In primary infections, a clear IgM and IgG antibody response was found predominantly against the envelope components, whereas the IgM and IgG antibodies to the capsid antigen appeared more slowly. Increasing IgG antibody titers to the excreted antigen were also found in primary infections, though appearing more slowly than antibodies to the other subunit antigens. The antibody response against capsid and envelope antigens was not type specific, whereas in primary infections IgG class antibodies against the excreted antigen showed distinct type specificity. In recurrent infections, no significant level of IgM class antibodies was demonstrated, but in the patients with a severe secondary herpes simplex virus infection a definite IgM class antibody response was found against the envelope antigen. In addition, during severe secondary infections the antibody response against the excreted antigen was enhanced. The host IgG antibody response in recurrent infections was directed against the envelope and excreted antigens, whereas the level of the capsid antibodies was relatively stable.


The Database Access Integration Services (DAIS) is a collection of services that facilitate access to data among diverse data systems in an electric utility communications network. DAIS provides access to data in distributed, heterogeneous data systems that include relational database management systems, other database management systems, control systems, file systems, and application systems. It also provides a common method for describing data, common data access operations and essential support services including a data dictionary, a data directory and distributed data access management capabilities. The DAIS project has developed specifications intended for vendor and third-party implementation. The software developed is only to implement a data access integration demonstration. These specifications can serve as a basis for influencing industry standards development. One important consequence of this strategy is that most actual software development will be performed by vendors, not utilities. DAIS is a tool to support data access. It is policy neutral regarding issues such as local or central administration of data or standardization of information model contents (e.g., EPRI Plant Information Network). As a tool, it can be used to help realize such policies. The DAIS does not provide data storage facilities, schema integration, distributed query processing, distributed applications or cooperativemore » processing. Rather, DAIS is complementary to these functions and can be used with other software that does provide these functions. This project documented the requirements for the DAIS. These requirements are the basis for design of the DAIS specifications. The key requirements for a DAIS are: Uniform access to heterogeneous utility data systems, remote update; coexistence with local data systems; local autonomy ; Security and access restriction enforcement; OSI compatibility; open architecture and extensibility; and operating platform independence.« less


The article considers the ontological significance of the objective phenomenology of Alain Badiou, as it is presented in his works «Logic of worlds» and «Second manifesto for philosophy». The author compares Badiou's phenomenology with the phenomenological projects of Husserl and Heidegger, noting its subject less character. The dissolution of the ontological subject in related reaction to the events by diverse strategies implemented in the subjectivity is performed in the objective phenomenology of Badiou by eliminating of the instance of contemplation in favor of ethical and political practice. Special attention is paid to the relationship of ontology and mathematics, as well as to the analysis of the concepts of the subject and post-eventuality in the context of traditional ontological categories of the one and the multiple. The conclusion is that in the modern ontological theory of the transition from the analysis of isolated nature of the phenomenon to the analysis of a single set–much.


The shape of diffuse scattering is shown to be related to the curvature of the free energy surface in k-space.


Automated pheromone dispensers disrupt the mating behaviour of pest moths by releasing pheromone during their daily activity period, which is not the same for all target species. These periods usually occur in or close to night time and last just a few hours, so automated sampling devices are needed to characterize them. However, the commercially available automated models do not provide enough temporal resolution for characterizing the short diel periods of sexual activity of moths. Thus, we built and tested a relatively cheap and simple high-temporal-resolution image-sensor insect trap. It consisted of a Raspberry Pi computer with an infrared camera operated by open-source software and housed in a plastic box. The Raspberry Pi was powered by a solar panel and rechargeable battery that were mounted on a solid and weather-proof structure made of cheap materials. Pictures were downloaded by WiFi from the Raspberry's SD card to a computer. Six traps baited either with synthetic sex pheromone or with females of Grapholita molesta (Busk) were tested in the fi eld. The traps were sturdy, reliable and easy to use, taking pictures at 10 min intervals, 24 h a day for over two months. These pictures confi rmed previous results regarding the period of sexual activity of the oriental fruit moth, which will aid in determining the optimal time for operating automated pheromone dispensers.


This volume, published in memory of Barbara Adams, presents 57 contributions by authors from 16 different countries and contains the results of the latest research on Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt. In addition to papers originally presented at the 2002 conference in Krakow, there are the invited contributions by the friends and colleagues of Barbara Adams, including several on new discoveries from and thoughts about the site of Hierakonpolis.


Stratospheric ozone depletion results in an increased level of solar UV-B radiation (UV-B, 280-320 nm) reaching the earth surface. By the effect of UV-B radiation, various medicinal active ingredients changed because of the change of gene expression, enzyme activity and secondary metabolism, clinical effect is also changed. The research status of UV-B radiation and the accumulation of plant secondary metabolites in the past 10 years were summarized in this paper to supply reference for cultivation and exploitation of the medicinal plants.


Fresh fish marketing in producer level is very important agribusiness subsystem. This subsystem influences amount of catching fisheries obtained by fishermen, it also affects payment ability of consumer. The objective of the study was to analyze the structure, conduct and performance of fresh fish market at Pangkalan Pendaratan lkan (PPI) Muara Angke Jakarta and analysis market integration PPI Muara Angke and Pasar Bogor. The data analysis was focused on the variables supporting efficiency of marketing system. The study used combination of market, conduct and performance analysis and market integration analysis. The result of this study indicated that fresh fish marketing was not efficient. This inefficiency was due to : (1) the structure of fresh fish market was oligopsony, (2) the price was determined by wholesaler merchants, (3) the shortterm and long-term market integration was low and (4) there was still imbalance distribution of marketing margin, profit and marketing cost. http://www.mb.ipb.ac.id/


Municipal District Heating Services and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems can produce waste heat in the form of steam condensate and hot water. The authors have demonstrated (IMECE2014-39066) the potential of open field heating of green roofs to reduce thermal pollution, save potable water, and while increasing plant growth. Subsequent research in both Iceland and New York City using similar systems has resulted in the growth of out of region plants. The latest plant growth results are detailed.The latest research has indicated additional potential impediments, including the need for an additional CHP system pump. A thorough structural analysis on existing older roofs is necessary to avoid an overstressed roof. Substantial UV shielding of the plastic piping and upgrading of the pipes from braided PVC to PEX(a) was also needed.The details of selecting an appropriate heat exchanger were analyzed for a specific building and associated construction details are provided.Copyright © 2016 by ASME


The present study establishes a lithostratigraphic subdivision, a bio- and chemostratigraphy and describes the sedimentology of the Alstatte Bay at the southern margin of the Lower Saxony Basin in northern Germany. The socalled Fischschiefer is developed in the lower part of the section, a 2.1 m thick laminated interval that shows TOC values of up to 2 % and is interpreted as local expression of the global Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a). The basal part of the Fischschiefer is fairly continuously laminated, whereas its upper part is characterized by an alternation of laminated and non-laminated beds. Stable carbon isotopes (d13Ccarb) show a characteristic pattern for the Fischschiefer interval that can be correlated with sections from the Tethyan Realm. Immediately above the Fischschiefer, however, the studied section might reveal a diagenetic overprint as indicated by very negative carbon stable isotope values. The remaining part of the section is characterized by a rather monotonous claystone succession, terminated by a greenish layer rich in glauconite overlain by glacial till of Pleistocene age.  The fauna is typically Boreal in the lower part of the section, but changes around 2 m above the Fischschiefer towards an assemblage indicating a distinct Tethyan influx. The faunal shift is considered to be due to the maximum flooding of the continuous, long-term sea level rise of the Early Aptian which led also to a supposed shift from a restricted to open bay environment.


Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic activity of 70% methanolic crude extract of Cinnamomum verum bark in high cholesterol-fed diet rabbits. Methods: C. verum extract was administered at a dose level of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg (p. o) daily for 120 d to cholesterol-fed rabbits. Lipid profile in serum and histological changes in heart and aorta were investigated. The statistical analysis was carried out by student's 't'test. Results: Plant extract showed a significant decrease in the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL, VLDL (P ≤ 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner in treated animals. HDL ratio improved overwhelmingly as well as the marked decline was also noticed in the atherogenic index after administration with C. verum extract. Histopathological examinations demonstrated less cholesterol deposits in the aorta and significant increase in lumen size of coronary arteries of high cholesterol diet animals given C. verum compared to the high cholesterol diet animals not given C. verum supplement. Conclusion: The phytochemical analysis of methanol extracts indicated a strong presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins and fatty acids may be responsible for the significant hypolipidaemic as well as antiatherosclerotic activity. Our study exhibited that the methanol extract of C. verum bark is a potent hypolipidaemic agent and decreased cholesterol deposition in the aorta and plaque formation process in the coronary artery of high cholesterol diet animals.


Autonomous mobile robots have in recent times gained interest from many researchers. This is due to wide range of mobile robot application. Numerous robots especially in navigation, obstacle avoidance and path following are currently under development. A reliable collision avoidance methodology is needed for effective navigation. Normally robots are fitted with transducers such as ultrasonic sensors, infrared and cameras for detecting environment. Various methods have been established in the past years to resolve navigational problems associated with mobile robots. They include fuzzy logic, potential fields, genetic algorithm, neural network and vision base approaches. Fuzzy logic demonstrates to be an appropriate tool for handling uncertainty that emerge from imprecise knowledge during route finding.


Pedagogical descriptions in high school textbooks cover certain reflexive constructions in the first and second levels. Textbook writers rarely present the full reflexive construction, e.g., Me contradije a mi mismo, displayed with all the grammatical persons and complete English glosses in its expanded form. These text- books are silent on the differences between Spanish and English reflexives, including the permeability of English subject/object pronouns. They include pseudoreflexives, including directional verbs, e.g., subirse, and verbs of emotion, e.g., enojarse, in a fragmentary fashion. The "Waking Up Scene" appears in various text- books but does not serve as a stepping stone to higher levels. The treatment of reflexives is uneven.


The cationic polymerization of cardanol using borontrifluoridediethyletherate as initiator has been investigated by gel permeation chromatographic techniques. The molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymer at different temperatures and various initiator concentrations were studied, and the polymerization conditions have been optimized as 140°C with an initiator concentration of 1%. The reaction was found to follow first-order kinetics with respect to the monomer. The activation energy and rate constants for the system have also been evaluated. The polymer has been characterized by IR, 1H and 13C-NMR spectra.


A new method for modeling the human operator from actual input-output data utilizing time series analysis is discussed in this applications oriented paper. The technique first identifies the form of the model, then estimates the parameters of the identified model based on actual data. Finally it checks the fitted model in relation to the data with the aim of revealing model inadequacies, thus providing model improvement. The methodology for applying the time series technique for determining the model of the human element in a feedback system is discussed. In addition, an approach for determining the human model under various levels of stress is discussed. The time series approach is a useful method for modeling any set of discrete observables corrupted with noise, be it human or some other deterministic/stochastic process. Since this is the first time that the human model has ever been obtained from the time series method, it is quite understandable that the results described shed new light on certain aspects of this problem, reveal new insights into the human model, and ask other probing questions.


Background: A systematic literature review was conducted on mixed methods area. Objectives: The overall aim was to explore how qualitative information from interviews has been analyzed using quantitative methods. Methods: A contemporary review was undertaken and based on a predefined protocol. The references were identified using inclusion and exclusion criteria and specific key terms in 11 search databases. Results: Evidence was synthesized from 14 references that included the methods used for quantifying qualitative information, analyzing it statistically and the rationale behind this. Gaps in the existing literature and recommendations for future research were identified. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for a new mixed method based on advanced statistical modeling method that will explore complex relationships arising from qualitative information.


We show the equivalence of the Pieri formula for flag manifolds with certain identities among the structure constants for the Schubert basis of the polynomial ring. This gives new proofs of both the Pieri formula and of these identities. A key step is the association of a symmetric function to a finite poset with labeled Hasse diagram satisfying a symmetry condition. This gives a unified definition of skew Schur functions, Stanley symmetric functions, and skew Schubert functions (defined here). We also use algebraic geometry to show the coefficient of a monomial in a Schubert polynomial counts certain chains in the Bruhat order, obtainng a combinatorial chain construction of Schubert polynomials.


In 48 patients with full teeth loss 272 implants were placed with subsequent oral rehabilitation by fixed and removable dental restorations. Clinical efficiency rates after 5 years of follow-up were 99.6% for implants and 98.2% for restorations. High osseointegration values were obtained with mean "Periotest" value to be 3.6 and bone level loss of 0.7 mm. Best osseointegration features were revealed in cases of fixed restorations retained by 8 and more implants.


The use of mobile technology for education is on the rise across the world, especially in Indonesia. However, there are concerns in making such an educational revolution as mobile technology may introduce negative side effects to the Indonesian students. Also, only a few studies have discussed the use of mobile technology in Indonesian secondary schools. Those circumstances potentially make many stakeholders doubt the proper implementation of mobile technology-based learning and the possible challenges, especially in English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. Thus, this paper is aimed to provide theoretical insights into the implementation of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) for secondary school students in EFL classrooms. A secondary source analysis through systematic review was employed to generate the findings, focusing on MALL and EFL primary research and government documents related to education in secondary schools. Based on the findings, this paper offers an improved teaching and learning approach based on collaborative learning and task-based language teaching (TBLT) to facilitate better implementation and integration of MALL in EFL classrooms. In addition, the findings also show possible challenges during the implementation of MALL in Indonesia for future considerations, such as the technology readiness of EFL stakeholders and teachers' pedagogical issues related to mobile learning. Lastly, this paper is expected to raise awareness of MALL opportunities and open more paths for more primary research regarding the implementations of MALL in Indonesian EFL classrooms.


Power-law scaling of near surface air temperature fluctuations and its geographical distribution is analyzed in 100-yr observations and in a 1000-yr simulation of the present-day climate with a complex atmosphere-ocean model. In observations and simulation detrended fluctuation analysis leads to the scaling exponent alpha approximately 1 over the oceans, alpha approximately 0.5 over the inner continents, and alpha approximately 0.65 in transition regions [spectrum S(f) approximately f(-beta),beta=2alpha-1]. Scaling up to decades is demonstrated in observations and coupled atmosphere-ocean models with complex and mixed-layer oceans. Only with the complex ocean model the simulated power laws extend up to centuries.


BERT has recently attracted a lot of attention in natural language understanding (NLU) and achieved state-of-the-art results in various NLU tasks. However, its success requires large deep neural networks and huge amount of data, which result in long training time and impede development progress. Using stochastic gradient methods with large mini-batch has been advocated as an efficient tool to reduce the training time. Along this line of research, LAMB is a prominent example that reduces the training time of BERT from 3 days to 76 minutes on a TPUv3 Pod. In this paper, we propose an accelerated gradient method called LANS to improve the efficiency of using large mini-batches for training. As the learning rate is theoretically upper bounded by the inverse of the Lipschitz constant of the function, one cannot always reduce the number of optimization iterations by selecting a larger learning rate. In order to use larger mini-batch size without accuracy loss, we develop a new learning rate scheduler that overcomes the difficulty of using large learning rate. Using the proposed LANS method and the learning rate scheme, we scaled up the mini-batch sizes to 96K and 33K in phases 1 and 2 of BERT pretraining, respectively. It takes 54 minutes on 192 AWS EC2 P3dn.24xlarge instances to achieve a target F1 score of 90.5 or higher on SQuAD v1.1, achieving the fastest BERT training time in the cloud.


Leading indicators of future economic activity include measures such as new housing starts, managers purchasing index, money supply, and bond yields. Such macroeconomic and financial indicators hold predictive power in signaling recessionary periods. However, many indicators are constrained by the fact that data are often published with some delay and are subject to constant revision (Bandholz and Funke , Huang et al , Orphanides ). In this research, we propose a leading indicator derived from satellite imagery, the expansion of anthropogenic bare ground. Satellite-detected gain in built-up area, a major land cover and land use (LCLU) outcome of anthropogenic bare ground gain (ABGG), provides an inexpensive, consistent, and near-real-time indicator of global and regional macroeconomic change. Our panel data analysis across four major regions of the world from 2001 to 2012 shows that the logarithm of total ABGG, mostly owing to its major LCLU outcome, the expansion of built-up land in either year t, t −1 or t −2, significantly correlated with the year t logarithm of gross domestic product (GDP, de-trended by Hodrick–Prescott filter). Global ABGG between 2001 and 2012 averaged 7875 km2 yr−1, with a peak gain of 11 875 (± 2014 km2 at the 95% confidence interval) in 2006, prior to the 2007–2008 global financial crisis. The curve of global ABGG or its major LCLU outcome of built-up area in year t − 1 accords well with that of the de-trended logarithm of the global GDP in year t. Given the 40 year archive of free satellite data, a growing satellite constellation, advances in machine learning, and scalable methods, this study suggests that analyses of ABGG as a whole or its LCLU outcomes can provide valuable information in near-real time for socioeconomic research, development planning, and economic forecasting.


An interlaboratory trial for the determination of patulin in apple juice and fruit puree was conducted, involving 17 participants representing a cross section of industry, official food control, and research facilities. Mean recoveries reported ranged from 74 (10 ng/g) to 62% (25 ng/g) for apple juice and from 72 (25 ng/g) to 74% (10 ng/g) for fruit puree. Based on results for spiked samples (blind pairs at 2 levels), as well as naturally contaminated samples (blind pairs at 3 levels), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) in juice ranged from 8.0 to 14.3% and in puree from 3.5 to 9.3%. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSD(R)) in juice ranged from 19.8 to 39.5% and in puree from 12.5 to 35.2%, reflecting HORRAT values from 0.6 to 1.0 for juice and 0.4 to 0.9 for puree. The method showed acceptable within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for each matrix, as required by current European legislation.


Abnormalities of the umbilical cord are associated with poor perinatal outcome and fetal demise. These abnormalities include excessively long or short cord, over and under-coiled cord, true knots, nuchal and body entanglements, velamentous insertion, meconium staining, and cord rupture. These abnormalities in umbilical cord lead to decreased perfusion of the fetus, which is believed to be the mechanism for the poor outcome. Cord abnormalities may help explain some histologic findings in the placentas of infants with poor perinatal outcome or fetal demise.


The pulmonary and systemic dispersion of a dye mixture after intratracheal (i.t.) administration was characterized in young dairy calves. Five calves were given i.t. injections of a fluorescein and ampicillin mixture, and were then killed at 2, 5 or 15 min after treatment. The respiratory system, nasal pharynx area, nose, liver, kidney, stomach and esophagus were removed and examined. Sections were taken from lung areas for histopathological examinations and all tissues were photographed, using floodlight and ultraviolet light. There was uniform low-grade fluorescence throughout the lung, but the greatest fluorescence followed an anterior ventral dispersion. The dye was readily absorbed from the lung into the bloodstream, causing fluorescence in the liver, bile, kidney and urine. Coughing of the calves during the injection caused some of the mixture to be expectorated and swallowed, resulting in fluorescence in the esophagus, stomach contents, and nasal pharanges, turbinates and nostrils.


We consider the time dependent neutron diffusion equation for one energy group in cylinder coordinates, assuming translational symmetry along the cylinder axis. This problem for a specific energy group is solved analytically applying the Hankel transform in the radial coordinate r. Our special interest rests in the build-up factor for a time dependent linear neutron source aligned with the cylinder axis, which in the limit of zero decay constant reproduces also the static case. The new approach to solve the diffusion equation by integral transform technique is presented and results for several parameter sets and truncation in the solution for the flux and build-up factor are shown and found to be compatible to those of literature [1,2].


In the present study, clips were used as markers to evaluate displacement differences between proximal and distal ends of esophageal tumors and to test whether their internal target volume (ITV) margins should be determined separately. A total of 23 patients with mid-upper thoracic esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma, a tumor length of ≤8 cm and an esophageal lumen suitable for endoscopic ultrasonography were recruited for the present study. Clips were implanted endoscopically at the proximal and distal ends of the esophageal tumor (upper and lower clips). In a further exploratory study on 16 of the patients, a third clip was placed at the distal esophagus 2 cm above the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) (cardiac clip). The clips were contoured for all 10 phases of the four-dimensional computed tomography and the maximum displacements of the clip centroids among different breathing phases in left-right (LR), superior-inferior (SI) and anterior-posterior (AP) directions were marked as x, y and z, respectively. The ITV margins that covered 95% of the LR, SI and AP motion were 2.89, 5.00 and 2.36 mm, respectively. Axial displacement (y) was greater than radial displacement (x, z; P<0.05). It was also revealed that LR(x), SI(y) and AP(z) displacement of cardiac clips was greater than that of upper or lower clips (P<0.05). Differences in the axial and radial displacement of the upper and lower clips indicated that axial and radial ITV margins should be determined separately. However, further study is required on patients in whom the distal tumor end is located in proximity to the GEJ.


In this paper we use the minimax inequalities obtained by S. Park (2011) to prove the existence of weighted Nash equilibria and Pareto Nash equilibria of a multiobjective game defined on abstract convex spaces.


Winter et al. concluded that open appendicectomy (OA) appears to be a safer approach for pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis. The observational data set was unbalanced with a zero event rate in the OA group and the total event rate was too small for valid regression analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used for causal inference. However, recent evidence demonstrated that PSM generates higher levels of imbalance, model dependence and bias. Furthermore, boosted regression cannot overcome non-informative predictors or important predictors that have been overlooked. A straightforward test (exact, unconditional) of difference in two binomial proportions showed a difference of 5.6% foetal risk between OA and laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA). As the data were acquired neither by random sampling nor by randomization, there is no population to which one could refer and thus no meaning could be attached to the 95% confidence interval stated. The authors claimed that the results showed clinically relevant foetal risk but how was 'clinically relevant' defined? LA for pregnant mothers have consistently demonstrated benefits in terms of shorter operative times, length of stay and fewer postoperative complications compared with OA – 'the best way to take care of the baby is to take care of the mother'. As yet, there is no evidence-based pathophysiological explanation for the observed foetal risk with LA. Until then, there will be conflicting reports in the literature. To summarize, factors other than the surgical approach might have caused the observed difference and this study has not ruled out bias, confounding and chance and should not serve as an argument against the use of LA for suspected appendicitis in pregnancy. In observational studies, causality can be established only on non-statistical grounds.


The present study was undertaken in anesthetized pigs to determine the primary effects of cyclovirobuxine D [corrected] given intravenously on hemodynamic variables. In eight pigs, the administration of 1.5 mg/kg of cyclovirobuxine D [corrected] caused a small increase in aortic blood pressure. When this response was prevented, a decrease in heart rate was obtained in each of the eight pigs. When this response was also prevented, an increase in the maximum rate of change of left ventricular systolic pressure (left ventricular dP/dtmax) was observed. In four pigs, the decrease in heart rate and the increase in left ventricular dP/dtmax were progressively augmented by graded increases in the dose of cyclovirobuxine D [corrected]. In six pigs, the responses of hemodynamic variables to cyclovirobuxine D [corrected] were not affected by blockade of cholinergic and adrenergic receptors. In a further six pigs, blockade of nitric oxide synthase with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester did not affect the decrease in heart rate caused by the drug, but abolished the increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax and aortic blood pressure. The present study showed that intravenous administration of cyclovirobuxine D [corrected] primarily caused a decrease in heart rate and an increase in left ventricular inotropic state, which secondarily determined an increase in aortic blood pressure, and suggested that the response of heart rate involved a direct effect of the drug on the heart, while the response of left ventricular contractility was related to mechanisms dependent on the release of nitric oxide.


The scholarship on dual/multiple citizenship seems to unanimously agree that there is, at the global level, an inevitable trend towards the toleration of multiple citizenship. After proving reluctant to accept dual membership, so the argument goes, most of the modern states have gradually given up on pretending controlling multiple allegiance. Within this global trend, the Arab states have been identified as lagging behind due to various reasons, in particular because of the ethnic and patriarchal understanding of nationality and the democratic deficit in the region. Yet, with few notable exceptions, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has surprisingly received little scholarly attention in the growing research of dual citizenship, despite the importance of international and transnational population movement within and through the region. Based on the comprehensive collection and review of the existing legislation, recent reforms and current debates regarding multiple citizenship, this chapter focuses on the region in order to debunk teleological and normative approaches or culturalist and essentialist visions. It shows that, despite a general reluctance to naturalisation being one source of dual nationality, there is in the MENA a wide diversity of historical and national approaches and contradictory trends.


: Background : Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person's ability to function at work and at home. Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. Depression can strike at any time, but on average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime. Objectives: The main goal of this expert system is to get the appropriate diagnosis of disease and the correct treatment and give the appropriate method of treatment through several tips that concern the disease and how to treat it and we will see it through the application on the expert system. Methods: in this paper the design of the proposed Expert System which was produced to help Psychologist in diagnosing depression disease through its symptoms such as: a loss of energy, a change in appetite, sleeping more or less, anxiety, reduced concentration, indecisiveness, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness, guilt or hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The proposed expert system presents an overview about depression disease is given, the cause of diseases is outlined and the treatment of disease whenever possible is given out. SL5 Object Expert System language was used for designing and implementing the proposed expert system. Results: The proposed depression disease diagnosis expert system was evaluated by psychologist students and they were satisfied with its performance. Conclusions: The Proposed expert system is very useful for psychologist, patients with depression and newly graduated psychologist.


Recent experiments indicate that superconductivity in Bi$_2$Se$_3$ intercalated with Cu, Nb or Sr is nematic with rotational symmetry breaking. Motivated by this observation, we present a model study of nematic and chiral superconductivity induced by odd-parity fluctuations. We show that odd-parity fluctuations in the two-component $E_u$ representation of $D_{3d}$ crystal point group can generate attractive interaction in both the even-parity $s$-wave and odd-parity $E_u$ pairing channels, but repulsive interaction in other odd-parity pairing channels. Coulomb repulsion can suppress $s$-wave pairing relative to $E_u$ pairing, and thus the latter can have a higher critical temperature. $E_u$ pairing has two distinct phases: a nematic phase and a chiral phase, both of which can be realized in our model. When $s$-wave and $E_u$ pairings have similar instability temperature, we find an intermediate phase in which both types of pairing coexist.


This paper focuses on the organization of R&D cooperation of firms. With respect to market relations between cooperating entities one can distinguish horizontal, vertical as well as institutional R&D cooperation of firms. With respect to organizational mode of cooperation one can distinguish R&D contracts, license agreements, non-controlling investments, joint R&D as well as research joint ventures (RJVs). All listed above forms of R&D cooperation were briefly characterized in this work. In further part of the paper the problem of organization of R&D cooperation of firms was elaborated in the light of managerial economics and new institutional economics. The institutional – managerial strand of literature perceives the organization of interfirm cooperation as a central issue. This strand of literature allows to perceive interfirm R&D cooperation as heterarchy, for which trust is a key mechanism of coordination. In this context the game-theoretic concept of trust (proposed first by Cabral, 2005) applicable to the analysis of firms' relations and behavior within the network was presented.


Recently, evidence has accumulated that mutations in DNA repair genes might be associated with certain steps in carcinogenesis. The DNA polymerase beta gene is one of the DNA repair genes, and mutations in it have been detected in 83% of human colorectal cancers. To assess the involvement of polymerase beta gene mutations in the development of human prostate cancers, we performed sequence analyses of human DNA samples. Unexpectedly, we found six regions that were polymorphic. This information should be taken into consideration at the time of sequence analysis of the DNA polymerase beta gene.


Face recognition is important in human identification. The biological recognition technique acts as a good method and broad applications in security areas. This work presents a method to improve the face recognition accuracy using a combination of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Wavelet Transform. Wavelet Transform is used to decompose the input image with different levels and rearrangement of subband of wavelet in a way that extract a good information from the image; PCA is used as data redundancy and take the better representation of input data. We apply the proposed method on standard face recognition dataset, the ORL data and dataset from our environment to make the proposed method be practical. The comparison for different levels of wavelet show that the third level has better recognition accuracy with respect to other levels .Finally the performance of the proposed method is compared with other methods and gives better recognition accuracy.


The present work shows the outcomes from a first experimental analysis that aimed to find a support fabric with the functional features of Tetex TR (a polyester fabric), which, currently, is no longer produced. The study is divided in different stages: on the one hand, four different fabrics were selected and tested by a visual exam under a microscope in order to determine their main structural features; on the other hand, several mock-ups were prepared to compare and evaluate the mechanical behavior, chemical stability and reversibility of the fabrics, before and after an artificial ageing process. The results show the possibility of replacing Tetex TR some of the tested fabrics for local interventions on textile support, introducing new accessible and affordable materials into the field of canvas painting restoration.


Interpersonal crimes such as aggravated assault greatly impacts upon an individuals' sense of personal safety and security as the crime results in a physical injury. Understanding where and when aggravated assaults are most likely to occur is therefore vital to minimize the victimization risk associated with this crime. The main aim of this study is to explore the relative importance of space and time in aggravated assault victimization. This was done using national level aggravated assault data (2008-2010) obtained from New Zealand Police and census data from Statistics New Zealand. Both the spatial and temporal distribution of aggravated assault are outlined to examine their association with aggravated assault victimization. Aggravated assault is found to cluster in space but not in time. The relationships between aggravated assault risk in space and time and a suite of social, economic, and lifestyle variables was then examined. A clear socioeconomic gradient was found between aggravated assault risk by space and all neighborhood characteristics with high-risk neighborhoods having greater residential mobility and ethnic/racial diversity, as well as being more deprived, having higher rates of unemployment, and lower median household incomes. No clear pattern emerged between aggravated assault by time and the selected neighborhood characteristics. The policy implications of these findings in terms of policing and diversity conclude.


Six closely spaced sediment cores taken below the carbonate compensation depth penetrated fine silty muds and entered sandy sediment at 10–12 m below the seafloor. Foraminiferal assemblages and δ8O analyses on planktonic foraminifera indicated that the surface muds down to 2 m are Holocene and derived from local promontories above the CCD. Below these sediments are about 6 m of clays deposited during the late Wisconsin. These are unfossiliferous and have a possible northern source suggested by the higher chlorite content. Sandy sediments below 9 m in the cores contain well preserved benthic foraminifera from the Scotian Shelf. Glacial δ18O values on planktonic tests indicate the sandy sediments are most likely of latest Wisconsin age. Thus during the recent interglacial, the sand fraction of the southern Sohm Abyssal Plain sediments is mostly locally derived, but during glacial periods the sediments have a distant northern source containing quartz sand that was initially deposited on the Scotian Shelf 1,500 km to the north.


Objective: Cognitive impairment in elderly is often due to a combination of different etiologies. Thus, multidisciplinary programs that offer a combination of different interventions are more likely to be successful than those that offer a single intervention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive multi-factorial treatment plan, named the Brain Fitness Program (BFP), in elderly patients with cognitive impairment. Methods: We developed a 3-month multidisciplinary BFP for a total of five hours a week. We provided this program as an open clinical trial for 34 patients who presented to the NeurExpand Brain Center with concerns about a decline in their cognitive function. We conducted preand post-testing on cognitive function by using a reliable (α>0.90) 10-test battery of neurocognitive tests containing Letter Fluency subtest of Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Verbal Fluency Test; Color naming, Word reading, and Inhibition subtests of D-KEFS Color-Word Interference Test; Trail Making Test A and B; Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised; and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised. The BFP included cognitive training, meditation, fitness training, and neurofeedback therapy which were administered by specialists in each training program. Results: A repeated measure MANOVA with two factors (the neurocognitive battery with ten tests and the change, measured by a preand post-test) showed an overall significant improvement in the whole battery of neuro cognitive function in patients after completing the program. Conclusion: The results from this open clinical trial indicate that our multifactorial BFP has produced significant improvement in elderly with cognitive impairment.


Recent research has demonstrated that first responders may report posttraumatic growth (PTG), positive psychological changes that arise in the aftermath of a trauma. Less is known regarding the perception of PTG among 9-1-1 telecommunicators, a group of first responders exposed to a high degree of lifetime trauma, including duty-related trauma as well as early and non-duty-related trauma. Moreover, the impact of childhood trauma on the processes involved in the perception of growth is less clear. While some distress is needed to facilitate processes that lead to the perception of PTG, it has been suggested that positive associations between PTG and pathology reflect avoidant coping or represent an illusory component of PTG. Structural equation models were used to examine early trauma exposure, coping, and pathology in predicting PTG among 9-1-1 telecommunicators (N = 788). In separate models using active and avoidant forms of coping, childhood trauma exposure had an indirect effect on PTG through coping. In a model considering both forms of coping, childhood trauma had an indirect effect on PTG through psychopathology, but not through coping. The results show that early trauma exposure leads to the perception of growth through pathways indicative of both adaptive and maladaptive coping processes.


Summary In this paper we review the workflow used for anisotropic moment tensor inversion and visualization applied to a dual well monitoring survey from the West Pembina field in Alberta. The workflow makes use of an exact, dynamic layered VTI ray-tracer that allows for constant dip. Included are a description of VTI model calibration, moment tensor inversion, moment tensor decomposition and visualization. Interpretation of the results is ongoing.


The geometric stochastic analysis on the Riemannian path space developed recently gives rise to the concept of tangent processes. Roughly speaking, it is the infinitesimal version of the Girsanov theorem. Using this concept, we shall establish a formula of integration by parts on the path space over a loop group. Following the martingale method developed in Capitaine, Hsu and Ledoux, we shall prove that the logarithmic Sobolev inequality holds on the full paths. As a particular case of our result, we obtain the Driver-Lohrenz's heat kernel logarithmic Sobolev inequalities over loop groups. The stochastic parallel transport introduced by Driver will play a crucial role.


Early in her long essay On Violence, Hannah Arendt says "no one engaged in thought about history and politics can remain unaware of the enormous role violence has played in human affairs, and it is at first glance rather surprising that violence has been singled out so seldom for special consideration." In the more than four decades since the publication of her book, much has been done to remedy this omission. Violence is everywhere now. As, through the eyes of our novelists, philosophers and cultural theorists, we look back on the wreck of the twentieth century, we see it as Walter Benjamin's Angel of History perceived it, as a constellation of violence piled upon violence, a chaotic record of man's brutality against man. This thesis sets out to chart the presentation of violence in the modern novel, looking specifically at the work of JM Coetzee and WG Sebald, two writers who have not only given us detailed accounts of the operation of violence in their work, but whose novels perform the ethical uncertainties of writing within a tradition that has been tainted by that violence. Using theorists from Benjamin to Arendt to Giorgio Agamben, I will look at the ethical and aesthetic decisions that each writer has made and question how and with what success Coetzee and Sebald have managed to write within the wreckage of a tradition scarred by violence. In wrestling with the subject of violence, modern novelists have had to discard many of the formal certainties of previous ages, tainted as they are by historical violence. I will show how violence, and the need to shape a narrative mode with which to address a debased modern existence, has led to formal inventiveness, to generic hybrids, to complex philosophical performances wrapped within the covers of books calling themselves "novels." I will look at Sebald and Coetzee's use of silence, of history, of other writers' work in their attempts to find a voice with which to narrate the violence of modernity.


To study the characteristics of PM2.5 pollution and the potential sources of its main components in the central plain urban agglomeration in autumn and winter, PM2.5 samples were collected continually in the four typical cities of Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, and Xinxiang from October 2018 to January 2019. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, carbon analysis methods, and ion chromatography were used to determine 18 kinds of inorganic elements, organic carbon (OC)/elemental carbon (EC), and 9 kinds of water-soluble inorganic ions. According to the daily PM2.5 concentration, three pollution levels were divided, and the comparative analysis for the spatial and temporal variation of PM2.5 and its main components, i.e., NO3-, OC, and 18 kinds of inorganic elements, were studied via the calculation of the nitrogen oxidation rate (NOR), secondary organic carbon (SOC), and enrichment factor. The emission sources and their contribution rates of PM2.5 pollution level in the four cities were calculated by a chemical mass balance (CMB) model; the potential pollution sources of PM2.5 and its main components, NO3- and OC, in the four cities were analyzed by a backward trajectory model (HYSPLIT) and potential source contribution factor method (PSCF). The results showed that the means of PM2.5 in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, and Xinxiang were (82.1±45.5), (84.7±39.8), (96.8±46.1), and (81.1±36.6) μg·m-3, respectively, during the sampling period, and the maximum daily mean values were 3.3, 2.6, 3.0, and 2.3 times, respectively, of the Chinese national secondary standard; the main components of PM2.5 in the four cities were NO3- and SOC, and the concentration of NO3-, the ratio of NO3-/EC, and NOR all increased significantly with the rising of pollution levels, generally showing that the mean values of NO3-/EC and NOR of Zhengzhou and Luoyang were a little higher than those of Anyang and Xinxiang; the concentration of SOC, the proportion of SOC in OC, and the ratio of SOC/EC all increased with the rising of pollution levels. From the concentration and enrichment degree of inorganic elements, As was the highest in Zhengzhou; Mn and Fe were the highest in Luoyang; Zn, Ni, and Cr were the highest in Anyang; and Cu and Pb were the highest in Xinxiang. Secondary nitrate, secondary sulfate, organic matter, coal combustion, motor vehicle, dust, biomass burning, and industrial processes were the main PM2.5 pollution sources in the four cities, with the highest contribution rate of secondary nitrate in Zhengzhou (37.7%), the highest contribution rate of vehicle sources in Xinxiang (14.1%), and a relatively high contribution rate of industrial process source in Luoyang (7.0%) and Anyang (6.8%). The northwest direction of airflow contributed 51.6%, 49.2%, 49.6%, and 46.3% of the total airflow in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, and Xinxiang, respectively. From the potential pollution area of each city, the Zhengzhou area was mainly concentrated in Henan province, the Luoyang area was mainly concentrated in the south of Henan province and Fen-wei plain, and the Anyang and Xinxiang areas were mainly concentrated in Henan province and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei transport belt. The pollution levels of OC in Anyang and Xinxiang were also affected by the northwest Anhui, southwest Shandong, southeast Shanxi, and north Shaanxi.


This paper discusses contemporary engagement with the theory and analysis of discourse in international relations. It argues that discourse understood as "meaning in use" has emerged as one of the core concepts in constructivist scholarship, being of tremendous theoretical and analytical value. The paper identifies two distinct types of discourse analysis around which most contributions in this field converge: micro-interactional approaches that emphasize the communicative, pragmatic aspects of discourse and macro-structural approaches focusing on discourse as structures of signification. What unites these studies is their interest in the diffuse power relationships that characterize social interaction in international politics and the productive effects of power that the term "discourse" serves to underline. Through a combination of these two different strands of discourse research, with two different conceptualizations of power (deliberative and productive), the paper develops a taxonomy of discourse approaches that reflects four distinct variants of discourse research. These variants are illustrated by means of an in-depth discussion of recent innovative studies. In conclusion, the paper points to a number of limitations in the present conceptualization of power through discourse as well as in terms of the uneasy combination of positivist epistemology and constructivist ontology in much empirical discourse research. Discussing the overlap between discourse and practice scholarship, the paper sketches future directions for research in this field.


Stress granule formation mediates the inhibition of colonic Hsp70 translation by interferon- (cid:1) and tumor necrosis factor- (cid:2) . Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol G481–G492, inflammation, through cytokines such as interferon- (cid:1) (IFN- (cid:1) ) and tumor necrosis factor- (cid:2) (TNF- (cid:2) ), has many effects on the intestinal epithelium, including selective translational inhibition of the cytoprotective protein heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying this effect, we examined the role of stress granules in mediating the actions of these proinflammatory cytokines. Using conditionally immortalized young adult mouse colonic epithelial cells, we demonstrate that IFN- (cid:1) and TNF- (cid:2) , which upregulate eukaryotic initiation factor- (cid:2) (eIF-2 (cid:2) ) phosphorylation and reduce Hsp70 translation, signif-icantly enhance stress granule formation in heat-shocked intestinal epithelial cells. The IFN- (cid:1) and TNF- (cid:2) effects in upregulation of stress granule formation and downregulation of Hsp70 were eIF-2 (cid:2) dependent, and the effect could be negated by blocking eIF-2 (cid:2) phosphorylation with use of an RNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. Correspondingly, IFN- (cid:1) and TNF- (cid:2) increased binding of cytoplasmic proteins to the 3 = -untranslated region of Hsp70 mRNA, suggesting specific recruitment of Hsp70 to stress granules as the mechanism of IFN- (cid:1) and TNF- (cid:2) inhibition of Hsp70 translation. We thus report a novel linkage between inflammatory cytokine production, stress granule formation, and Hsp70 translation inhibition, providing additional insights into the response of intestinal epithelial cells to inflammatory stress. (cid:1) andTNF- (cid:2) ,inadditiontoheatstress leads to stress granule formation in almost every cell, thus significantly sequestering Hsp70 mRNA in an untranslated state. IFN- (cid:1) and TNF- (cid:2) leads to phosphorylation of eIF-2a by enhanced phosphorylation of PKR, an action that can be blocked by PKR-I. IFN- (cid:1) and TNF- (cid:2) also promote the relocation of RNA-binding proteins, like TIA-1, from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, which further enhances the stress granule assembly.