Red cell aggregation, which occurs in vivo when blood flow slows down, has been studied in 22 healthy subjects and 31 type I diabetics by means of Myrenne MA1 automatic aggregometer. First of all, the most reliable and precise technique has been studied: the best results have been obtained employing 25 microliters of K2-EDTA-anticoagulated blood stored between 0 and 20 degrees C for a maximum of 4 h. The present study has shown statistically significant differences (p = 0.01) between the two groups studied (controls: mean = 11.895 MEA +/- 0.863; diabetics: mean = 15.552 MEA +/- 0.985). Moreover, correlations between erythrocyte aggregability and hematochemical and rheological parameters like fibrinogen, ESR, serum proteins, plasma and blood viscosity, have been evaluated.


This paper presents the position of social media as a marketing tool for financial service sector especially in the banking sector and indicates the role of social media in building relationships between financial institutions and customers through new channels of communication. It highlights the opportunities that social media platform can provide the bank to enhance their customer engagement and loyalty. The paper initially talks about growth of social media across the globe as a marketing tool in financial service industry. It also highlights the way banking system has changed by the advent of social media and adoption of mobile technologies from transactional banking to relationship banking. Later the paper emphasises on how the social media has evolved into Indian banking industry and the impact of the same on customers. A primary research is conducted to know level of awareness and perception of social media in the banking sector, its main advantages and challenges, providing solutions for managing weaknesses and building on strengths. The paper ends with conclusions related to the challenges existing in the banking sector and to the manner in which digital and social realm shape current banking practices and future opportunities for the banking sector, preventing banking business models become obsolete.


This study investigates the relevance of government quality in moderating the incidence of environmental degradation on inclusive human development in 44 sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. Environmental degradation is measured with CO2 emissions and the governance dynamics include: political stability, voice and accountability, government effectiveness, regulation quality, the rule of law and corruption-control. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments. Regulation quality modulates CO2 emissions to exert a net negative effect on inclusive development. Institutional governance (consisting of corruption-control and the rule of law) modulates CO2 emissions to also exert a net negative effect on inclusive human development. Fortunately, the corresponding interactive effects are positive, which indicates that good governance needs to be enhanced to achieve positive net effects. A policy threshold of institutional governance at which institutional governance completely dampens the unfavourable effect of CO2 emissions on inclusive human development is established. Other policy implications are discussed. JEL Classification: C52; O38; O40; O55; P37


In this thesis we encounter the formulation of a
rigorous theory of resonant Raman scattering in graphene, the
calculation of the so-obtained Raman matrix element K2f,1o for the
2D Raman mode with the full inclusion of the matrix elements and a
physically appealing bridge between theory and experiment by
eschewing the problematic ascription of graphene with a finite
thickness. Finally, we elucidate an experimental study of the Raman
D and G modes of graphene and highly-defected pencil graphite over
the visible range of laser radiation. Marking a departure from the
usual practice for light scattering in semiconductors of including
only the dynamics of the electrons and holes separately, we show
via fourth-order quantum mechanical perturbation theory using a
Fock state basis that for resonant Raman scattering in graphene the
processes to leading order are those that involve the simultaneous
action of the electrons and holes. Such processes are indeed an
order of magnitude stronger than those prevalent in the literature
under the double resonance [1, 2, 3] moniker. We translate our
perturbation theoretic analysis into simple rules for constructing
Feynman diagrams for processes to leading order and we thereby
enumerate the 2D and D modes. Using expressions for the terms to
leading order obtained from our theoretical treatment we proceed to
evaluate the Raman matrix element [4] for the Raman 2D mode by
using state-of-the-art electronic [5] and iTO phonon dispersions
[6] fit to ab initio GW calculations. For the first time in the
literature we include the variation of the light-matter and
electron-phonon interaction matrix elements calculated via an ab
initio density functional theory (DFT) calculation under the local
density approximation (LDA) for the electronic wavefunctions. Our
results for the peak structure, position and intensity dependence
are in excellent agreement with experiments [7, 8, 9, 10].
Strikingly, our results show that depending on the combination of
the input (polarizer) and output (analyzer) polarization of the
laser radiation, very different regions of the phonon dispersion
are accessed. This has a direct impact on the dominant electronic
transitions according to the pseudo-momentum conservation condition
satisfied by the scattering of an electron by a phonon ki = kf + q.
Using sample substitution [11] we deconvolve the highly wavelength
dependent response of the spectrometer from the Raman spectra of
graphene suspended on an SiO2 - Si substrate and graphite for the D
and G modes in the visible range. We derive a model that considers
graphene suspended on an arbitrary stratified medium while
sidestepping its problematic ascription as an object of finite
thickness and calculate the absolute Raman response of graphene
(and graphite) via its explicitly frequency independent Raman
matrix element [K'2f10]2 vs. laser frequency. For both graphene and
graphite the [K'2f10]2 per graphene layer vs. laser frequency rises
rapidly for the G mode and less so for the D mode over the visible
range. We find a…


In the past five years an increased interest has been shown in the use of paving bitumens modified with low concentrations of polymers and rubbers for sprayed seals. ARRB Is at present conducting a study aimed at determining the optimum composition and manufacturing conditions of such polymer modified bitumens. An instrument was built to evaluate the relative merits of digestions of scrap rubber in bitumen. A shell sliding plate rheometer was used to provide the basic loading frame which was modified to enable the measurement of elastic strain recovery of a sample after it was subjected to a predetermined strain. This manual describes the function, design and construction of the apparatus. It is intended to be principally an operator and maintenance manual and gives details of the operation, setting up and calibration of the apparatus. Estimates of the 95 per cent confidence limits tested of three specimens of a scrap rubber modified bitumen were plus or minus 0.4 S for the time taken to reach a strain of 1.0 And plus or minus 0.7 Per cent for the elastic recovery of strain (a). The ISBN of the microfiche version is 0 86910 108 0.


Conference on International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development organised by ATSAF e.V., Germany  Willingness to Accept Lockdown in COVID-19 Pandemic and Effect on Livelihood in Southwest Nigeria Temitayo Adenike ADEYEMO Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract Would an individual be willing to die of hunger or from a disease outbreak in Nigeria? This research question came at the premise of the global health crisis induced by COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on the livelihood of individuals. Livelihoods become vulnerable when unable to cope with shocks and the outbreak of COVID19 has been a source of such a shock to the global community and especially to developing economies like Nigeria. The main response to the spread has been the lockdown of economies for certain periods. However, the lockdown may impact on the livelihood of citizens and thus reduce its effectiveness. As a result of the restriction in mobility amid COVID-19, this study used an online survey to generate information on individual's Willingness to Accept (WTA) an economic lockdown as a means of preventing the spread of the virus in Nigeria from 75 lower to middle class individuals. Respondents with vulnerable livelihoods had lower food and nonfood expenditure patterns. Survey analysis showed that up to 61% of the respondents were willing to accept a short period of lockdown, at an estimated WTA of not more than 4 days and income loss of N8, 538.20 (22 USD) per day. Also, the findings showed that individuals who were likely to lose income, with large households, and large food expenditure patterns were less willing to accept a lockdown. Respondents were more willing to use a combination of sanitary and social distancing measures rather than a complete lockdown. Although this online survey was relevant for respondents in the lower to middle class group, it was able to show the vulnerability of livelihood to protracted lockdown response to a disease outbreak. This is a retrospective survey, and the theme of this study may be more evident if an extended survey involving actors in the informal sector was carried out. An extended study will enable an estimation of the Value of Economic Life across different sectors of the Nigerian economy. This will be useful in developing responses to shocks such as this pandemic. The study therefore recommends that socio-economic and livelihood contexts must be taken into consideration when enforcing disease prevention measures, while social protection must be enhanced to reduce the effect of such measures on livelihood.


The development of a catalytic intramolecular "cut-and-sew" transformation between cyclobutanones and alkynes to construct cyclohexenone-fused rings is described herein. The challenge arises from the need for selective coupling at the more sterically hindered proximal position, and can be addressed by using an electron-rich, but less bulky, phosphine ligand. The control experiment and 13 C-labelling study suggest that the reaction may start with cleavage of the less hindered distal C-C bond of cyclobutanones, followed by decarbonylation and CO reinsertion to enable Rh insertion at the more hindered proximal position.


In this paper we present the experimental simulation results of the tidal currents in Cam Ranh bay, Thuy Trieu lagoon area. Finite element method was used here due to the follwing reasons: - The bottom topography of the research area is complex (bay, lagoon), and the boundary conditions are sufficient (the fluid boundary is narrow). - Measured data on the research area are comprehensive, which will enable the comparision with the calculated results. - This model has already been tested in the proposed physical environment. The simulation results of the tidal currents in Cam Ranh bay show that: - There are two typical tidal stages occuring at flood tide phase (tidal currents coming into the bay). Stage 1: The maximum tidal current directions are west-northwestward, maximum velocity of tidal currents reached 103.4 cm/s. Stage II: The peak tidal current directions are mainly north-northeastward, maximum of the peak currents at this stage was decreased by nearly 50% in comparison with stage I, reached 53.4 cm/s. -At ebb tide phase (tidal currents going out the bay), the peak tidal currents are mainly south -southwestward and their velocity may reach up to 129.6 cm/s. The comparison between calculated results and measured data of tidal currents collectedfrom 23 field stations shows that both data agree well with each other. The deviation of velocity between the measured data and maximum calculated data is 2.7 cm/s, average 0.8 cm/s, according to their absolute values. The maximum deviation of current direction is about 9.90, average is 2.60 These compared results are quite good, however they are just initial results. The model will be further developed and improved in the coming time.


Accurate and robust localization is crucial for wireless ad-hoc and sensor networks. Among the localization techniques, component-based methods advance themselves for conquering network sparseness and anchor sparseness. But component-based methods are sensitive to ranging noises, which may cause a huge accumulated error either in component realization or merging process. This paper presents three results for robust component-based localization under ranging noises. (1) For a rigid graph component, a novel method is proposed to evaluate the graph's possible number of flip ambiguities under noises. In particular, graph's \emph{MInimal sepaRators that are neaRly cOllineaR (MIRROR) } is presented as the cause of flip ambiguity, and the number of MIRRORs indicates the possible number of flip ambiguities under noise. (2) Then the sensitivity of a graph's local deforming regarding ranging noises is investigated by perturbation analysis. A novel Ranging Sensitivity Matrix (RSM) is proposed to estimate the node location perturbations due to ranging noises. (3) By evaluating component robustness via the flipping and the local deforming risks, a Robust Component Generation and Realization (RCGR) algorithm is developed, which generates components based on the robustness metrics. RCGR was evaluated by simulations, which showed much better noise resistance and locating accuracy improvements than state-of-the-art of component-based localization algorithms.


The purpose of this study was to develop a knowledge base on factors associated with performance-enhancer usage among female athletes at the high school level in order to identify markers for a future prevention-education program. The study used a pretest-only, between-subjects Likert Scale survey to rank the importance of internal and external pressures that may lead to performance-enhancer usage among this population. Subjects included 122 female athletes from top-ranked sport programs at 7 New Jersey high schools. Descriptive and quantitative statistics were used to analyze the data at a p < .05 significance level. The Chi Square Test of Homogeneity, Spearman Correlation Coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis One-Way ANOVA, and Scheffe Post-Hoc Test were used to analyze associations between the nine survey issues and five levels of importance. Results indicated that subjects rated the pressure to win and self-induced competitive pressures as the two most important factors in leading to performance-enhancer usage. Chi-Square results showed significant differences in the level of importance for each of the nine issues presented, while the Spearman Correlation revealed several correlations among certain issues. The Kruskal-Wallis One-Way ANOVA showed significant differences in ranks when data were grouped by school and sport. Post-Hoc analysis supported findings of the Kruskal-Wallis One-Way ANOVA. This study provided descriptive and quantitative data that added to the existing research. The findings may be used by health educators and athletic coaches for performance-enhancer prevention-education programs.


Participation in a long-distance run, e.g., marathon or ultramarathon, continues to increase. One side effect of long-distance running is excessive inflammation manifested by the rise in inflammatory cytokine levels. We here aimed to elucidate the effects of 10-day ischemic preconditioning (IPC) training on marathon-induced inflammation and to evaluate the role of serum-stored iron in this process. The study involved 19 recreational runners taking part in a marathon. IPC training was performed in the course of four cycles, by inflating and deflating a blood pressure cuff at 5-min intervals (IPC group, n = 10); the control group underwent sham training (n = 9). The levels of inflammatory and others markers (FSTL-1, IL-6, IL-15, leptin, resistin, TIMP-1, OSM, and LIF) were measured before and 24 h after training; and before, immediately after, and 24 h and 7 day after the marathon. The 10-day IPC training increased serum leptin levels. IL-6, IL-10, FLST-1, and resistin levels were increased, while TIMP-1 levels were decreased in all runners after the marathon. The changes were significantly blunted in runners from the IPC group compared with the control group. Baseline serum iron levels correlated with IL-6 and FSTL-1 levels; serum ferritin correlated with IL-6, FSTL-1, and resistin levels after the marathon. Conversely, serum TIMP-1 levels inversely correlated with serum iron levels. Although not evident at baseline, IPC training significantly reduced marathon-induced inflammation. In addition, the reduced responsiveness and attenuation of running-induced inflammation were inversely related to baseline serum iron and ferritin levels.


Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge about neonatal danger signs and associated factors among mothers that gave birth in the last 4 months attending immunization services.Result

The study allowed 432 mothers to participate in the study. The knowledge score of neonatal danger signs was found [32.9% (95% CI: 28.9%, 37%)]. Mothers educated to secondary level were 4.9 times more likely to know about neonatal danger signs [(AOR=4.9, 95% CI: (1.15, 21). Similarly, mothers whose husband educated to college and above [AOR=4.95, 95% CI: (1.15, 21)], and being multipara mother [(AOR=2.59, 95% CI: (1.05, 6.6)], were significantly associated factors of good knowledge of mothers about neonatal danger signs.


Myeloid sarcoma, also commonly termed granulocytic sarcoma or chloroma, is a rare condition involving infiltration of immature myeloid cells in an extramedullary site. Myeloid sarcoma is often related to leukaemia; however, the condition can also occur in association with various myeloproliferative disorders. Although myeloid sarcoma can occur in any body part, involvement of the neoplastic condition in the oral cavity is infrequent with only 37 cases reported in the literature. We will describe two cases of oral myeloid sarcoma observed at The Alfred Hospital's Dental Unit and discuss their presenting features, diagnosis and subsequent management.


Serine proteases have been documented to play key roles in uterine matrix turnover and trophoblastic invasion during implantation. Roles of prostasin serine protease in these processes, however, are currently unclear. The present study was first conducted to investigate the colocalization of prostasin and its cognate serpin, protease nexin-1 (PN-1), in rhesus monkey endometrium and placenta on days 12, 18, and 26 of pregnancy by using in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry. With ISH, expression of prostasin mRNA was intensely localized in the glandular epithelium on days 12 and 18 and in the placental villi, trophoblastic column, trophoblastic shell, and fetal-maternal border on days 18 and 26. With the progress of pregnancy, expression level in the glandular epithelium was significantly decreased, and the accumulation in the placental compartments was further increased. In addition, the stroma and arterioles exhibited modest levels of prostasin signals. However, expression level of PN-1 in these compartments on adjacent sections in the three stages of early pregnancy was weak or below the level of detection. Prostasin protein expression in the endometrium was found to be consistent with the distribution patterns revealed in the ISH experiments. It may be suggested from these results that prostasin is involved in endometrial epithelial morphology establishment, tissue remodeling, and trophoblastic invasion during early pregnancy. The cognate serpin PN-1 was not coordinately expressed along with prostasin, creating a tissue environment favorable for proteolytic activities of prostasin during early pregnancy events.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression increases with tumor progression and is associated with impaired response to chemotherapy and diminished patient survival in many solid and hematopoietic tumor types. Palmitate, the product of FASN enzymatic activity, functions in vital cellular processes including energy metabolism and cell growth, cellular membrane biosynthesis and architecture, and protein localization and function. 3-V Biosciences has discovered and developed a series of potent, selective, orally available, and reversible FASN inhibitors with excellent pharmaceutical properties. Single agent FASN inhibition has been shown to cause anti-tumor activities in preclinical models of human cancer, including inhibition of AKT and mTOR signal transduction, induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and tumor growth inhibition and regression in pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancer xenograft tumor models of human cancer. Current studies are supporting the active clinical development of TVB-2640, 3-V Biosciences' first-in-class FASN inhibitor, as an oncology therapeutic. These studies have multiple objectives: (1) characterizing a wide range of tumor types for responsiveness to FASN inhibition using tumor cell line and Champions TumorGraftTM efficacy models; (2) investigating the benefit of FASN combination therapy with chemotherapeutic or targeted anti-cancer agents; (3) developing biomarkers that characterize efficacy response; and (4) further elucidating the mechanisms of action that emanate from the inhibition of palmitate synthesis and lead to tumor cell apoptosis and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. The results of these investigations show that FASN inhibition causes tumor growth inhibition or regression in diverse tumor types; and moreover, that tumor growth inhibition additivity or synergy is observed when FASN inhibition is combined with chemotherapy agents. Genomics and directed analysis of mRNA, proteins, and lipids following FASN inhibition have identified biomarker candidates and provided insights into the tumor growth inhibition mechanisms of action. For example, genome-wide gene expression analysis shows FASN inhibition to significantly increase the expression of many genes in biosynthetic (sterol, lipid, etc.) and apoptosis pathways while significantly reducing the expression of many genes in cell growth and proliferation pathways (DNA replication, cell cycle progression, mitosis, etc.). These data strongly support the clinical development of TVB-2640 as a first-in-class single and combination oncology therapeutic and are advancing the discovery and validation of biomarkers to inform clinical utility and response.

Citation Format: Timothy S. Heuer, Richard Ventura, Joanna Waszczuk, Kasia Mordec, Julie Lai, Russell Johnson, Lilly Hu, Haiying Cai, Allan Wagman, Douglas Buckley, Stanley T. Parish, Elizabeth Bruckheimer, George Kemble. Efficacy of FASN-selective small molecule inhibitors in preclinical tumor models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1815. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1815


Abstract Abstract The effect of Perkinsus olseni infection on the reproduction ability of clams has been underestimated so far. Although some studies found evidence of reduction of egg production and delay in gonad maturation after infection, the total effect of the infection is still unclear. In this study, Ruditapes decussatus clams from a naïve population were injected with two different doses of P. olseni parasites, a low dose leading to a light infection and a high dose leading to a heavy infection. Clams were maintained during 2 months for maturation, and at the end of the experiment, the spawning was induced, the number of larvae release and mortality were evaluated. During the maturation period, infection level, gonadal stage, condition index, gross biochemical composition and oxidative status of progenitors were evaluated at days 0, 30 and 60 post-injection. The effects of P. olseni infection on clams showed alterations on biochemical parameters, namely lipid peroxidation, a significant mortality and a delayed gonad maturation, with a greater effect in the highly infected individuals. The reproductive capacity of the clams was impaired in both infected groups showing a lower production and a higher mortality rate of larvae. Finally, this study indicates that the production of natural beds with a high prevalence of P. olseni could be compromised by a deregulation of the natural reproduction cycle and a decrease in larvae production by infected animals, probably due to a combination of lower egg production and lower lipid reserves in larvae from infected clams.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines in chronic otitis media. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6 and IL-10 were determined by Western blot analysis of tissue samples obtained during ear surgery. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-6 in cholesteatoma tissues were substantially higher compared to those determined in the granulation tissue. The highest levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 proteins were observed in patients with bone destruction. There were no significant differences in the expression of IL-10 levels in cholesteatoma and normal skin, but in the granulation tissue its level was substantially higher. The level of IL-10 in cholesteatoma tissues inversely correlated with the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, the degree of bone destruction and cholesteatoma invasion. Increased expressions of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-6 in chronic otitis media and a strong positive correlation between these cytokine levels and the degree of bone destruction indicate the destructive behavior of cholesteatoma or granulation tissue.


A method that combines both spatial and frequency compounding is described for measuring attenuation in tissue. The technique applies a reference phantom to account for imaging system dependencies of echo signals. Emphasis is given to local attenuation estimates, to reduce the variance of the attenuation measurements over small regions of interest (ROI) and to enable coarse attenuation imaging. Experiments using a uniform phantom show that the standard deviation of local attenuation estimates within a ROI drops when greater degrees of compounding are applied. Attenuation images of a specially designed phantom containing inclusions with attenuation contrast illustrate the accuracy and precision of the technique.


A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'Does routine topical antimicrobial administration prevent sternal wound infection (SWI) after cardiac surgery? Altogether >238 papers were found using the reported search, of which 11 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Several different antimicrobial agents, dosages and application protocols were found in the literature. Regarding topical vancomycin use, a meta-analysis by Kowalewski et al. demonstrated a 76% risk reduction in any SWI. Collagen-gentamicin sponge application was associated with a 38% risk reduction in SWI in another meta-analysis by Kowalewski et al., which included 4 randomized control trials and >23 000 patients. Lower evidence observational studies found benefit in the use of different regimes, including: combination of vancomycin paste and subcutaneous gentamycin; combined cefazoline and gentamicin spray; isolated cefazolin; bacitracin ointment; and rifampicin irrigation. We conclude that, in light of the body of evidence available, topical antibiotic application prevents SWI, including both superficial and deep SWI. The strongest evidence, derived from 2 meta-analyses, is related to the use of gentamicin-collagen sponges and topical vancomycin. Heterogeneity throughout studies regarding antibiotic agents, dosages, application protocols and SWI definition makes providing general recommendations challenging.


The present work examines the inertial effects on void growth in viscoplastic materials which have been largely neglected in analyses ofdynamic crack growth and spallation phenomena using existing continuum porous material models. The dynamic void growth in porous materials is investigated by analyzing the finite deformation of an elastic/viscoplastic spherical shell under intense hydrostatic tensile loading. Under typical dynamic loading conditions, inertia is found to have a strong stabilizing effect on void growth process and consequently to delay coalescence even when the high rate-sensitivity of materials at very high strain rates is taken into account. Effects of strain hardening and thermal softening are found to be relatively small. Approximate relations are suggested to incorporate inertial effects and rate sensitivity of matrix materials into the porous viscoplastic material constitutive models for dynamic ductile fracture analyses for certain loading conditions.


Background: Little is known about the role of airway inflammation pattern in the formation of cold airway hyperresponsiveness (CAHR).

Aim: to define the role of the pattern of airway inflammation in the patients with bronchial asthma (BA) in the development of CAHR.

Methods: 38 patients with uncontrolled BA were examined. The cell composition in induced sputum was identified a day before the bronchoprovocation by 3-minute isocapnic hyperventilation with cold (-20o) air (IHCA).

Results: Two patterns of bronchial inflammation were identified in the patients. The first is the eosinophil pattern with the predominant number of regulators of allergic reaction which is typical for the allergic BA. The 1st group (14 patients) had the biggest quantity of eosinophils (15.56±1.27%), the less quantity of macrophages (53.1±3.4%) and neutrophils (24.9±3.1%). The second is the neutrophil-macrophage pattern which is typical for the mixed BA. The 2nd group (24 patients) had increase of macrophages (65.3±4.1%), neutrophils (34.4±2.7%) and the decrease of eosinophils (11.46±1.37%) in comparison with the 1st group (p<0.05). The initial level of the asthma control was significantly higher in the 1st group in comparison with the 2nd one: 17.9±0.3 and 14.9±0.2 points ACT, respectively (p<0.001). 79% patients had CAHR in the 2nd group and 29% in the 1st group (p<0.01). The FEV1 drop in response to ICAH was higher in the 2nd group: -18.6±1.39 and -13.1±1.24%, respectively (p<0.01).

Conclusion: The neutrophil-macrophage pattern of bronchial inflammation dominates at the formation of CAHR and the low level of the asthma control.


ABSTRACT We characterized the cellular immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in 12- to 14-month-old BALB/c mice, a model that mimics features of the human disease. Following intranasal administration, the virus replicated in the lungs, with peak titers on day 2 postinfection. Enhanced production of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5) correlated with migration of NK cells, macrophages, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) into the lungs. By day 7, histopathologic evidence of pneumonitis was seen in the lungs when viral clearance occurred. At this time, a second wave of enhanced production of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, gamma interferon [IFN-γ], IL-2, and IL-5), chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5), and receptors (CXCR3, CCR2, and CCR5), was detected in the lungs, associated with an influx of T lymphocytes. Depletion of CD8+ T cells at the time of infection did not affect viral replication or clearance. However, depletion of CD4+ T cells resulted in an enhanced immune-mediated interstitial pneumonitis and delayed clearance of SARS-CoV from the lungs, which was associated with reduced neutralizing antibody and cytokine production and reduced pulmonary recruitment of lymphocytes. Innate defense mechanisms are able to control SARS-CoV infection in the absence of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and antibodies. Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of SARS, demonstrating the important role of CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells in primary SARS-CoV infection in this model.


Ano-genital distance (AGD) is a sexually dimorphic trait that is a well established reproductive toxicity endpoint in animals. In male animals, a shortened AGD is associated with a variety of genital abnormalities including hypospadias and cryptorchidism. Consensus on the anatomical definition of AGD in humans remains to be established and few data exist on the determinants and normal variance in the general population. We implemented a standardized anthropometric protocol to measure AGD, ano-scrotal distance (ASD), and ano-fourchette distance (AFD) in 169 (82 male, 87 female) infants in the University of Washington newborn nursery in 2008. We collected data on the following characteristics: weight, length, and occipital head circumference, race and relevant gestational complications. Using linear regression modelling, we examined AGD/ASD/AFD for sexual dimorphism, normal population variance and predictors of the measurement in infants. The mean male and female AGD measurements were 52.0 mm (SD +/- 5.5) and 37.2 mm (SD +/- 3.7). The mean ASD and AFD were 23.0 mm (SD +/- 3.8) and 15.1 mm (SD +/- 2.9). Weight, length, occipital head circumference and gestational age were associated with AGD (p < 0.05). Weight and length were the most important correlates to AGD. We confirmed previous findings that AGD is a sexually dimorphic measurement that is most strongly predicted by infant weight. The application of this measurement to clinically relevant outcomes remains to be explored in further depth.


An ultra high vacuum atomic force microscope operating in a noncontact mode has been employed to investigate in situ atomic layer deposition (ALD) of HfO2. Tetrakis-di-methyl-amido-Hf and H2O were used as precursors and the deposition process was performed on Si(001)/SiO2 substrate maintained at 230 °C. The relation between the film growth and the root mean square surface roughness was studied after each ALD cycle. The histograms of the initial stages of the ALD process have been compared in terms of the surface height data as a way of characterizing the growth process. Parameter values corresponding to HfO2 layer thickness and coverage were calculated. A detailed analysis of the surface height histograms allowed one to construct a simplified growth model and confirm the completion of the first HfO2 layer after four ALD cycles.


This paper is based on a discrete-event simulation model and reproduces the sewing department of a clothing company involved in the fashion industry. It aims to quantitatively assess the effects of different production configurations on flow time and production capacity. In particular, the production phases of men's jackets are examined. Eight configurations are evaluated, stemming from the combination of two parameters: batch size and number of machines. For each configuration, the flow time, the production capacity and the waiting time are computed. A subsequent Design of Experiment (DoE) analysis has been performed on these configurations, with the aim of identifying significant single and combined effects of the above parameters on the results observed. The goal is to obtain improvements in the production process. The data provided by the simulation is used in order to make a critical analysis of the system production and leads to the formation of proposals for the improvement of the lay-out.


ABSTRACT Dong, D.; Zhu, D.; Ya, H.; Chen, X., and Chen, B., 2019. Typhoon-driven storm jet generation and water level fluctuations near the coast of Guangxi. In: Guido-Aldana, P.A. and Mulahasan, S. (eds.), Advances in Water Resources and Exploration. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 93, pp. 427–435. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Using acoustic Doppler current profiler data from a single station for one year in duration, as well as associated tide level and wind field observational data, the corresponding relationship between westward storm jets and water level fluctuation near the coast of Guangxi during Typhoon Nesat in 2011 is studied. The primary causes of the formation of the westward storm jets near the coast of Guangxi during the typhoon are analyzed. The results show that during the landfall of the typhoon, the surface and bottom current velocities were more than doubled compared to conditions without the typhoon. The maximum residual current speed was more than tripled compared to the normal situation. It is very rare to observe such strong westward storm jets less than 1 km offshore. The generation of strong westward storm jets and water level fluctuation were closely related to the typhoon. Systematic study on the theories of deformation, intensification, and decay of storm jets after the jets entered the coastal bay of Guangxi during the typhoon is of theoretical and practical significance for revealing the characteristics of Guangxi nearshore pollutant transport.


As more resources are directed toward reverse time migration, an accurate velocity model, including strong reflectors, is necessary to form a clear image of the subsurface. This is of particular importance in the vicinity of salt, where singly scattered waves are often not ideal for imaging the salt flanks. This has led to interest in processing doubly scattered waves (also called duplex or prismatic waves) for imaging salt flanks and thus improving the location of salt boundaries in a velocity model. We used doubly scattered waves in a two-pass, one-way method to image salt flanks in a North Sea data set. By working in the one-way framework we were able to separately construct images with singly, doubly, and triply scattered waves. We used a multistep imaging process that includes multiply scattered waves by using an imaged reflector to fix one (or more) of the scattering points, allowing for multiply scattered energy from several reflectors, potentially with poor continuity, to be included without picking each reflector individually. With this method we were able to image the flank of a North Sea salt body.


Background According to the ECDC, there are 1 24 000 cases of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and 3700 attributable deaths per year in Europe. In our hospital, an antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) was implemented in 2015 with a multidisciplinary team. This preliminary study showed that only 23% of the prescriptions were initially in agreement with the international recommendations. A 30% rate of CDI relapse was observed. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the acculturation of prescribers to recommendations on the management of CDI 2 years' after an ASP. Material and methods From November 2017 to September 2018 an observational study was held in a 1500-bed university hospital. Analysis by the pharmacy of all prescriptions as well as criteria of severity and risk factors of recurrence, were extracted from patients' files and biological laboratory results. In the case of non-compliance with the recommendations of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), pharmacists intervened within 24 hours after the availability of laboratory results. Ten-day and 8 week follow-up of all patients was implemented to evaluate the recovery and relapse rate. Results Fifty-one patients were included during this period (median age 59 years; sex ratio M/F=0.88). According to the ESCMID criteria, 78.5% of patients had risk factors of recurrence of those 66.6% of severe comorbidity and 23.5% of immunosuppression. 13.7% of cases had criteria of severity with 25.3% of death at 2 months. Risk factors of recurrence included in 49% of cases antibiotic therapies, 41.2% of proton pump inhibitors and 21.6% of transit inhibitors. This study also shows that 70.6% of prescriptions agreed with the ESCMID recommendations. Fourteen pharmaceutical interventions were realised and revealed 93% prescriber acceptance. Patient follow-up showed 95% of recovery at 10 days and 15% of relapse. Conclusion This study shows an acculturation of prescribers to recommendations even long after the realisation of ASP. These actions made it possible to reach a good recovery rate and reduce the relapse rate. The multidisciplinary approach and the direct follow-up of prescribers by the pharmacy team is necessary to the success of good management of CDI. References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.


Within this paper, we advise a maturing-aware multiplier design having a novel adaptive hold logic (AHL) circuit. The multiplier has the capacity to provide greater throughput with the variable latency and may adjust the AHL circuit to mitigate performance degradation that is a result of the maturing effect. An identical phenomenon, positive bias temperature instability, takes place when an nMOS transistor is under positive bias. Both effects degrade transistor speed, as well as in the lengthy term; the machine may fail because of timing violations. Therefore, you should design reliable high-performance multipliers. The variable-latency design divides the circuit into a double edged sword: shorter pathways and longer pathways. Shorter pathways can execute properly in a single cycle, whereas longer pathways need two cycles to complete. These research designs could lessen the timing waste of traditional circuits to enhance performance, but they didn't think about the aging effect and may not adjust themselves throughout the runtime. Digital multipliers are some of the most important arithmetic functional units. The general performance of those systems depends upon the throughput from the multiplier. Meanwhile, the negative bias temperature instability effect takes place when a pMOS transistor is under negative bias (Vgs = -Vdd), growing the brink current from the pMOS transistor, and reducing multiplier speed. Furthermore, the suggested architecture does apply to some column- or row-bypassing multiplier.


A mechanism for asymmetric transport which is based on parity-time-symmetric nonlinearities is presented. We show that in contrast to the case of conservative nonlinearities, an increase of the complementary conductance strength leads to a simultaneous increase of asymmetry and transmittance intensity. We experimentally demonstrate the phenomenon using a pair of coupled Van der Pol oscillators as a reference system, each with complementary anharmonic gain and loss conductances, connected to transmission lines. An equivalent optical setup is also proposed.


In this paper, an atmospheric plasma jet with long flame has been developed. The plasma jet is covered with a cylindrical glass container, where the inner volume is purged by the working gas. The flame of N2 plasma jet has been elongated to about 200 mm, while the conventional plasma jet has a flame of only 10-20-mm length. It has been confirmed that the long-flame plasma jet can modify polymer film with a work distance of over 200 mm. This plasma-jet device could be applicable for treating and cleaning objects having deep channels or large structures and could be used in the wider application fields.


This paper explores the writer.s choice of language and linguistic techniques which are effective in passing across his message.Itdiscusses the stylistic rudiments Rotimi uses in realising the play.The stylistic features  include:diction, sentence types,code-mixing, Nigerianisms, punctuation marks, figures of speech, use of music or songs and the use of gestures. The main theoretical thrust is style as an individual in which all other facets of style rally round. This is what Middleton (32) calls 'the idiosyncrasy of expression by which we recognise a writer...' Leech and Short (11) see it as "...the linguistic habits of a particular writer... "Ola Rotimi uses language (through literature) as aninstrument of national cohesion especiallyin a pluralistic culture and multi-linguistic environment.


The drug fenofibrate has received major attention as a novel medical treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other diabetes-induced microvascular complications. This interest stems from two recent large, well-designed clinical trials that demonstrated large reductions in the progression of DR and the need for laser intervention, in addition to a reduction in renal and neurological outcomes, in patients with type 2 diabetes. In both trials, the greatest benefit on DR progression was observed in those patients with DR at baseline. Originally considered a lipid-modifying drug, it now appears that multiple mechanisms may underpin the benefit of fenofibrate on diabetic microvascular end points. Fenofibrate regulates the expression of many different genes, with a range of beneficial effects on lipid control, inflammation, angiogenesis, and cell apoptosis. These factors are believed to be important in the development of DR regardless of the underlying diabetes etiology. Cell experiments have demonstrated improved survival of retinal endothelial and pigment epithelial cells in conjunction with reduced stress signaling under diabetic conditions. Further, fenofibrate improves retinal outcomes in rodent models of diabetes and retinal neovascularization. Given the results of these preclinical studies, further clinical trials are needed to establish the benefits of fenofibrate in other forms of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes. In DR management, fenofibrate could be a useful adjunctive treatment to modifiable risk factor control and regular ophthalmic review. Its incorporation into clinical practice should be continually revised as more information becomes available.


Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the benefits of preventive care, many patients with CHD fail to receive and adhere to the guideline recommendations, inclufding lifestyle advice and evidence-based cardiovascular medication. Prevention programmes such as cardiac rehabilitation can improve adherence to these recommendations and therefore, reduce hospitalisation and mortality, and improve quality of life. However, such programmes are under-utilised due to a number of barriers. These barriers can be overcome with the use of mobile technologies to deliver healthcare, called mHealth. In this review, we discuss the potential use of mHealth in a variety of medical conditions and we highlight some promising applications in CHD prevention.


In this study, a mechanical model for tunnels excavated in a non-uniform stress field is developed. A new strain-softening model simultaneously considers the weakening of cohesion and internal friction angle is proposed. Then, an analytical solution for the post-peak region radii, stresses, and displacements is deduced. Taking a tunnel in Taoyuan coal mine as an engineering example, the post-peak region radii, surface displacement, and stresses distribution are determined. The effects of the horizontal-to-vertical stress ratio, intermediate principal stress, residual cohesion, and residual internal friction angle on tunnel deformations are discussed. The results show that the post-peak region radii and stresses distribution around the tunnel varies with direction due to the non-uniform stress field. The post-peak region radii and surface displacement are larger with consideration of intermediate principal stress. Tunnels surrounded by rock masses with a higher residual cohesion and internal friction angle experience lower post-peak region radii and surface displacement.


A computer simulation was performed to determine the design criteria for a spacelab refrigerator/freezer using the test results of a vapor compression refrigerator/freezer which flew on STS-4 without problem. It has been established to have a vapor Reynolds number over 3000 at a vapor quality of 0.2 to maintain annular boiling in the evaporator and for the condenser to have a vapor Reynolds number over 15000 at its inlet to maintain annular condensation. These two constraints will virtually eliminate the effect of gravity on the performance of the refrigerator/freezer. These results are being used to build a refrigerator/freezer which will fly in Spacelab-4 scheduled for launch in December 1985.


This book is a collection of 49 published papers dealing with behaviour management of the severely retarded. The editors have compiled recently developed behavioural approaches in a logical sequence, starting from rudimentary self-help skills training to control social skills development. The first section presents a positive perspective of achieving basic self-help skills through an educational training program, and challenges the unscrutinized concepts of normalization and deinstitutionalization for the severely retarded. Section II, being the major component ofthis book, provides samples of successful behavioural approaches to problems of feeding, grooming, toileting, abuse abatement, and sensorimotor upgrading. Section III deals with problems of communication, play skills, social skills and reducing of stereotyped movements. The importance of early stimulating in language development is emphasized, and Piaget's concept of intelligence has been applied in a language training program. Section IV presents five articles defend ing the positive aspects of institutional care. The authors contend that an improved institutional environment armed with advanced behaviour modification programs has an important role to play in the future plans for the care of the severely retarded. Section V which describes things that do not work is perhaps an important one because it reflects the editors' awareness of the limitation of their treatment modality. Although this is not an easy book for physicians to read, it is a valuable reference book outlining the most recent advancements in the care of the retarded. It covers matters of everyday concern to the caretakers and provides basic information essential to the welfare and well-being of many deprived individuals. In view of the increasing emphasis on non-professional management for the retarded, the important contributions made by the many authors of this book clearly warrant more recognition. However, there are areas of shortcoming. Since the title is dedicated to the management of the severely retarded, one would expect some concern about the medical conditions of this population. This is because the medical status often influences the course, application, and outcome of most non-medical approaches. Even if one could argue with those who adopt the disputable concepts such as adjustment reaction and personality disorder and development lag, one still has to face the fact that over half of the severely retarded are either epileptic or suffer from severe emotional disorders, and these conditions demand systematic neuropsychiatric intervention before the administration of almost any management program. For example, a disturbed epileptic is unlikely to be settled on a training program while receiving multiple drugs several times a day without a critical assessment. Unless these clinical realities are fully recognized and properly handled, we may find that many more programs will not work. But when the real mother, psychiatry, is still turning her back on her own child, how can anyone blame the foster parents for their incomprehensiveness in trying to take. care of the forgotton "Cinderella" of our discipline (I).


Education is the foundation of our society. The most important investment we can make collectively and individually is in education. Rural education is of utmost importance to enhance and develop the livelihood of rural people indirectly. But the face of education in rural parts of the country has to be considered for a serious check-up with children failing to receive a good quality of education. This is one of the reasons to drivestudents away from attending their schools. The education system in rural areas is information based rather than a practical oriented, which is a major setback for the economic growth of the nation. The prominent crises that hold back rural schools are the lack of smart learning technology and no proper access to laboratory equipment for the students. Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the finest technologies that can be utilized for education development as it amplifies the learning process.Marker-based AR android application can help by over-laying audiovisuals, computer graphics, 3-D graphical models' representation, the contextual information of concept's procedures, processes, working, functions and its usage directly over the manuals which make the subject more understandable and comprehensive, thus enhances the student's knowledge. The utilization of AR technology in the field of education will prove to be a great positive societal impact essentially for rural school students. It sets a path for learning all the concepts smartly and efficiently. AR-based learning can create an impact because there is no need for the internet. The mobile application also helps to improve the student's self-learning skills. In this paper, some concepts from biology and physics are considered, the graphical models, functionality and working are displayed in AR with the help of Maya 3D, Unity 3D.


In making treatment decisions, psychiatrists, like other medical professionals, must adhere to rules of ethical medical conduct. They may also need to negotiate the legalities associated with detention and treatment against a patient's wishes. The growth in guidance produced by organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has added further complexity. Practitioners are increasingly required to consider cost-effectiveness in their treatment decisions and this can appear to conflict with the principles of medical ethics. With particular reference to mental healthcare, this article attempts to answer two questions: Is economic evaluation unethical? And are the methods of economic evaluation unsound for the purpose of achieving an ethical distribution of resources?


BACKGROUND
The posthemodialysis plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been proposed as an index for an adequate fluid state in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We investigated the effect of fluid removal during HD on the interaction between intravascular volume and the vasoactive hormones ANP, vasopressin, adrenaline, noradrenaline, renin and aldosterone in 16 HD patients. Intravascular volume was examined with the 131I-labeled albumin method for blood volume (BV) and ultrasound for measurement of inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD).

RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in BV, IVCD and ANP, but not in the other vasoactive hormones. Based on BV and IVCD measurements, the predialysis plasma ANP levels in the normovolemic and hypovolemic patients were significantly higher than in the hypervolemic patients. There was no significant difference between the postdialysis ANP levels in the hypervolemic and normovolemic patients and no significant correlations between ANP and BV and IVCD, respectively, but postdialysis ANP correlated significantly with the ultrafiltration rate (r = -0.51, p < 0.05), noradrenaline (r = 0.54, p < 0.05) and change in vasopressin (r = -0.50, p < 0.05). There were also correlations between ANP and age before HD (r = 0.50, p < 0.05) and after HD (r = 0.70, p < 0.0025).

CONCLUSION
We conclude that the usefulness of the plasma ANP level for assessment of the fluid state in HD patients is limited, since age and other factors than those directly related to volume influence the concentration of ANP.


Biogenic amines have been used as chemical indicators of fermented foods. So far, several chromatography methods have been developed to detect biogenic amines in foods. However, few methods have identified these compound in domestic cheese. We analyzed the biogenic amines (histamine dihydrochloride, tyramine hydrochloride, β-phenylethylamine hydrochloride, putrescine dihydrochloride, cadaverine, spermidine, tryptamine hydrochloride, ethanolamine hydrochloride and butylamine) in cheese by using HPLC. The calibration curves of the biogenic amines were found to be linear over the concentration range of 10-50 ppm with a correlation coefficient of above 0.99. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the biogenic amines in the given order were 3.7 and 11.3 ppm, 3.4 and 10.4ppm, 3.4 and 10.3 ppm, 4.0 and 12.2 ppm, 3.4 and 10.4 ppm, 3.4 and 10.5 ppm, 3.5 and 10.7 ppm, 4.1 and 12.5 ppm, and 3.4 and 10.4 ppm, respectively. Recovery rates of the biogenic amines in the given order were 112, 104, 93, 108, 91, 102, 101, and 92%, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that HPLC is a suitable method for the determination of biogenic amines, thereby indicating its potential application in the quality control of aging cheese.


We present a new approach to vortex methods using quaternionic analysis in order to
represent Navier Stokes equations only depending on vorticity as a quaternionic
variable. There are great computational advantages on doing that as well as more
accurate approximation. This approach also allows a more natural use of several
computational tools as wavelets, particularly what is called quaternionic
multiresollution analysis. Several computational results are shown.


Multi-temporal InSAR (MTI) applications pose challenges related to the availability of coherent scattering from the ground surface, the complexity of the ground deformations, atmospheric artifacts, and visibility problems related to ground elevation. Nowadays, several satellite missions are available providing interferometric SAR data at different wavelengths, spatial resolutions, and revisit time. A new and interesting opportunity is provided by Sentinel-1, which has a spatial resolution comparable to that of previous ESA C-band sensors, and revisit times improved by up to 6 days. According to these different SAR space-borne missions, the present work discusses current and future opportunities of MTI applications in terms of ground instability monitoring. Issues related to coherent target detection, mean velocity precision, and product geo-location are addressed through a simple theoretical model assuming backscattering mechanisms related to point scatterers. The paper also presents an example of a multi-sensor ground instability investigation over Lesina Marina, a village in Southern Italy lying over a gypsum diapir, where a hydration process, involving the underlying anhydride, causes a smooth uplift and the formation of scattered sinkholes. More than 20 years of MTI SAR data have been processed, coming from both legacy ERS and ENVISAT missions, and latest-generation RADARSAT-2, COSMO-SkyMed, and Sentinel-1A sensors. Results confirm the presence of a rather steady uplift process, with limited to null variations throughout the whole monitored time-period.


Changes in dryland temperature and precipitation are essential components of dryland climate change. This study applies the use of the monthly reanalysis data product of ERA5, which has a spatial resolution of 0.25°, to investigate the changes in the dryland climate between 1979 and 2018. The result revealed warming and drying of the drylands in recent decades, most notably in the current decade. The general global dryland temperature and precipitation increased and decreased significantly (0.01 significance level) at the rate of 0.032°C·year−1 and 0.074 mm·month−1·year−1, respectively, in the last 40 years. Although precipitation generally decreased over the drylands, summer precipitation increased over southern Africa and Australia as well as northern Africa and south Asia dryland areas. Variation in the warming rate over the dryland zones at different periods was also observed. The semiarid and dry subhumid warmed continually from the first decade (0.02°C·year−1 and 0.017°C·year−1) to the fourth decade (0.077°C·year−1 and 0.065°C·year−1, respectively), while the hyperarid warmed at a slower rate in the last two decades compared to the prior decades. More intense warming was also observed in the areas where precipitation decreased, suggesting the effect of reduced evaporative cooling. These changes have implications on the dryland environment, such as aridity changes, which could affect the sustainable development of the areas through the corresponding impact on the ecosystem.


A completely scalable lumped-circuit model for horizontal and vertical HALL devices is presented therein that can be efficiently implemented in SPICE-like EDA simulators. The model has been employed for the quantitative analysis of: a) geometrical, b) temperature, and c) field-dependent mobility effects, as well as for d) the dynamic response and e) the noise behavior of several HALL sensors. A series of experimental data is presented along with simulation results.


Abstract Eight southern African seaweeds (5 Phaeophyta, 2 Rhodophyta and 1 Chlorophyta), previously shown to exhibit antibacterial activity, were analysed to assess the distribution of antibacterial activity in extracts from selected portions of their thalli. Seaweeds were separated into meristem and thallus (stipe, meristem and blade in the case of members of the Laminariales), milled, extracted and tested for antibacterial activity against ten Gram positive and Gram negative food-associated bacteria by agar diffusion. Extracts of the intercalary meristem of Ecklonia radiata showed significantly greater (P < 0.1) antibacterial activity than corresponding blade and stipe extracts, whereas Laminaria pallida showed a uniform distribution of antimicrobial activity throughout its thallus against all test bacteria. For seaweeds showing apical growth, the antibacterial activity of meristem extracts was either significantly greater (P < 0.1) or equal to that of thallus extracts. Thallus extracts never exhibited greater antibacterial activity than meristem extracts.


The early CT findings of cerebral infarction include an obscuration of the lentiform nucleus, slight decrease in tissue attenuation, and effacement of the cortical sulci. Dense middle cerebral artery (MCA) sign is an early marker of thromboembolic occlusion of MCA. A novel adaptive partial median filter can improve detection of slightly hypoattenuated areas. Z-score mapping based on a voxel-by-voxel analysis can also help evaluate hypoattenuation areas. Perfusion CT can provide information about brain perfusion, which permits differentiation between ischemic penumbra and irreversibly damaged brain tissue. CT angiography can help detect occlusive or severely stenosed vessels, with collateral pathway via leptomeningeal anastomosis. Potential usefulness of 320-row detector CT in evaluating ischemic cerebrovascular disease is also described.


Erosion of rocky coasts spontaneously creates irregular seashores. But the geometrical irregularity, in turn, damps the sea waves, decreasing the average wave amplitude. There may then exist a mutual self-stabilization of the wave amplitude together with the irregular morphology of the coast. A simple model of such stabilization is studied. It leads, through a complex dynamics of the earth-sea interface, to the appearance of a stationary fractal seacoast with a dimension close to 4/3. Fractal geometry here plays the role of a morphological attractor directly related to percolation geometry.


We propose a high-speed 3-D object detection method that can recognize the position and pose of objects in complicated scenes consisting of randomly stacked objects. The method's main feature is that a set of distinctive 3-D vector pairs, each of which consists of three different 3-D points, is used for matching objects with an acquired range image. Such distinctive vector pairs represent the local shape of an object, and are extracted by calculating the occurrence probability of each 3-D vector pair in a model object. A vector pair with a low occurrence probability means that it is distinctive not only in a model but also in an acquired image. Therefore, the method is expected to avoid false matching even if there are similar objects around the target object. It also substantially reduces processing time because the number of vector pairs is much smaller than all the data points of the object model. Experiments confirm that in comparison with the Spin Image method, the proposed method is about 60 times faster and increases the recognition success rate from 62.0% to 94.6%.


The purpose of this chapter is to discuss techniques for analyzing and controlling the electrical performance characteristics of permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines (PMSMs) based on electrical equivalent circuit models for the machine derived in the synchronously rotating reference frame. Representation of the d- and q -axes components of the key machine variables as complex vectors provides a powerful means of graphically illustrating the amplitudes and spatial orientations of these key variables in the machine. This complex-plane representation of the machine-phase currents will be used to investigate the performance limits of the machine at high speeds when operating from a source that is restricted by maximum voltage and current limits.


The ConVid - Behavior Survey was conducted in Brazil from April 24 to May 24, 2020, aiming to investigate changes in lifestyles and health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we present the conception and methodology of the research. We used a cross-sectional study using an Internet questionnaire, with questions validated in previous health surveys. The sampling method "virtual snowball" was used, as well as post-stratification procedures. The results related to chronic non-communicable diseases and pre-pandemic lifestyles were compared with estimates from the 2013 Brazilian National Health Survey and 2019 Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey. The total sample was 45,161 people. After data weighing, the sample distributions of demographic variables were similar to population variables. Only people with a low schooling level were underrepresented. The comparison with the previous results showed similarity in most estimates: recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables (22.1%), recommended physical activity (35.2%), tobacco smoking habit (12.3%), frequent and abusive alcohol consumption (6.7%), obesity (21.2%), self-reported prevalence of hypertension (18.6%), diabetes (7.1%), and heart disease (4.4%). The online survey made it possible to know the population's health conditions during the pandemic. The similarity of the indicators with those obtained in traditional research allowed the validation of the mean estimates. Studies are needed to investigate how the endogenous effects of virtual social networks can be considered when estimating variance.


A study of industrial buying behaviour is concerned with examining a number of central issues which arise in business to business marketing. While conceptually very similar to consumer buying behaviour, an examination of industrial buying behaviour is concerned with a number of additional dimensions which are discussed below. In this study industrial buying is examined from the perspective of the state‐sponsored sector of industry in Ireland. Many of the state‐sponsored companies in Ireland are straightforward trading enterprises which differ from large private firms only in their shareholding and control. However, because of the control element exercised by the public authorities, state‐sponsored companies tend to resemble the public sector in their buying activities. On the other hand their need to meet commercial criteria places them in the private sector arena. Because they have to operate under two very different sets of criteria it is likely that their buying behaviour would differ somewhat from the buying behaviour observed in the public sector and the private sector. For the purposes of this study seven trading companies in the state‐sponsored sector representative of a number of industries including power and fuel, transportation, food and manufactured goods and communications were examined.


SUMMARY Susac syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder first described as a classic triad (encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and sensorineural hearing loss) in 1979 by renowned physician John O. Susac, has been an advancing area of clinical interest and scientific research over the last several decades. This comprehensive review aims to succinctly highlight the breadth and detail of this enigmatic disease, with a primary focus on otologic manifestations. Topics discussed include epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnoses, classification schema, laboratory investigations, characteristic audiometric findings, high-yield radiographic imaging, temporal bone histopathology, treatment strategies and overall prognosis.


Abstract In this work, we report the effect of sandwiching of Au nanosheets on the structural and electrical properties of ZnSe thin films. The ZnSe films which are grown by the thermal evaporation technique onto glass and yttrium thin film substrates exhibit lattice deformation accompanied with lattice constant extension, grain size reduction and increased defect density upon Au nanosandwiching. The temperature dependent direct current conductivity analysis has shown that the 70 nm thick Au layers successfully increased the electrical conductivity by three orders of magnitude without causing degeneracy. On the other hand, the alternating current conductivity studies in the frequency domain of 10 MHz to 1800 MHz have shown that the alternating current conduction in ZnSe is dominated by both of quantum mechanical tunneling and correlated barrier hopping of electrons over the energy barriers formed at the grain boundaries. The Au nanosheets are observed to increase the density of localized states near Fermi level and reduce the average hopping energy by ~5 times. The conductivity, capacitance, impedance and reflection coefficient spectral analyses have shown that the nanosandwiching of Au between two layers of ZnSe makes the zinc selenide more appropriate for electronic applications and for applications which need microwave cavities.


Current sensor technologies provide an abundance of sensed data in a variety of bands and formats. However, rather than providing the intended improvements in situational awareness for military and civil infrastructures, these sensor systems tend to deluge users with huge data sets that hide the data of interest within the shear volume of detailed output. Additionally, these sensor systems are generally independent, forcing human operators to locate, integrate and correlate the data across multiple systems. Emerging concepts in sensor technologies suggest that a networked, collaborative approach to sensing may provide superior performance in situational awareness. This approach shows the promise of improving collected data accessibility to human users, as well as automating correlation and corroboration of collected data across multiple bands and sensor modalities. This paper explores basic networked sensor concepts and presents notional architectures for constructing and operating networks of sensors.


Organoleptic properties of flaxseed oil deteriorate during storage due to methionine oxidation in its major cyclolinopeptides. Cyclolinopeptide E was previously identified as being responsible for the manifestation of bitter taste with flaxseed oil ageing. We developed a chromatographic procedure to monitor the oxidation of major cyclic peptides in flaxseed oil. We also used liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and high-efficiency core-shell reversed-phase sorbents to study the separation of cyclolinopeptides in detail. The Kinetex(TM) family of stationary phases (C8, C18, phenyl-hexyl) was tested, along with the standard porous Luna(TM) C18(2) media. We found that only the phenyl-hexyl stationary phase allows for complete resolution of major cyclolinopeptides, thus permitting direct UV monitoring of degree of conversion for cyclolinopeptide B into C and L into E. We also report, for the first time, a significant effect of peak splitting for some methionine S-oxide (Mso) containing cyclolinopeptides, which most likely appear due to diastereomerization. This results in poor separation efficiency for cyclolinopeptides F, G, and E, and gives baseline resolution of diastereomeric pairs for cyclolinopeptides I and P. Thus, a single oxidation of cyclolinopeptide N yields three distinct chromatographic peaks corresponding to cyclolinopeptide T (cyclo-MsoLMPFFWV, reported for the first time) and pair of cyclolinopeptide I (cyclo-MLMsoPFFWV) diastereomers.


A method using nuclear resonant scattering of gamma-rays from a vapour phase 65ZnI2 source is described. A NaI:Tl crystal detector coupled to a photomultiplier is used and the output is amplified and the signals analysed in a 512 channel multichannel analyser.


Building predictive models for robust and accurate prediction of stock prices and stock price movement is a challenging research problem to solve. The well-known efficient market hypothesis believes in the impossibility of accurate prediction of future stock prices in an efficient stock market as the stock prices are assumed to be purely stochastic. However, numerous works proposed by researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to predict future stock prices with a high level of precision using sophisticated algorithms, model architectures, and the selection of appropriate variables in the models. This chapter proposes a collection of predictive regression models built on deep learning architecture for robust and precise prediction of the future prices of a stock listed in the diversified sectors in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. The Metastock tool is used to download the historical stock prices over a period of two years (2013–2014) at 5 minutes intervals. While the records for the first year are used to train the models, the testing is carried out using the remaining records. The design approaches of all the models and their performance results are presented in detail. The models are also compared based on their execution time and accuracy of prediction.


The choice and management of an exchange rate regime is a critical aspect of economic management to safeguard competitiveness, macroeconomic stability, and sustainable development. But rather, the country has continued to be at disadvantage in terms of macroeconomic performances as the different regimes have been accompanied by instability and uncertainties, hence the need for the present study to examine the relationship between exchange rate regimes and output growth in Nigeria in different periods from 1970 to 2014. The study employs the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to estimate economic growth equation as a result of endogennity problem. In contrast with previous findings, ours study strongly suggest that exchange rate regimes indeed matter in terms of real economic performance in Nigeria as the results reveal that deregulated exchange rate regime spur economic growth in Nigeria as against the whole period and fixed exchange rate regime. All in all, the findings suggest that fixed exchange rates constrain the performance of the Nigerian economy as real exchange rate depicts inverse relationship with economic growth during the whole period and period of fixed exchange regime. It is against this background, that we recommend the sustainability of the regime of exchange rate liberalization that has been in operation from 1986 Keywords: Exchange Rate, Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy, Economic Growth, Endogeneity JEL Codes: D51, E52, E62, O4, and C26


It was shown some time ago that a magnetic field penetrates a triplet non-chiral superconductor described by the (three-dimensional) vector order parameter as an array of magnetic skyrmions, a texture carrying two units of magnetic flux. Magnetic skyrmions do not have a normal core in contrast to Abrikosov vortices. The spectrum of Andreev midgap states of this coreless topological defect in p-wave isotropic superconductors with single parabolic band is calculated. It is shown that a magnetic field can be used to tune the Andreev state energy precisely to zero (these states are not topologically protected). They can be further stabilized and manipulated by pinning of the skyrmions on columnar defects or nanoholes. In contrast to Majorana modes in chiral p-wave superconductor, the tunneling between ZES within neighboring skyrmions is prohibited due to their high angular momentum. Experimental signatures of these states are discussed.


Introduction: Psychological health is important to old patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after prostatic surgery. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the effect of personalized preoperative education in the reduction of perioperative anxiety in old BPH patients after prostatic surgery. Methods: Senior patients (≥65 years) admitted with a diagnosis of BPH and scheduled for initial transurethral resection of the prostate from January 1, 2017 to November 30, 2019 were retrieved. Patients in the preoperatively educated group completed the Chinese version of generalized anxiety disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) form to evaluate their anxiety level at admission and 14 days clinical visits after individual preoperative education. Patients in the control group completed GAD-7 forms but did not receive personalized preoperative education. Patients in both groups discussed their disease with physicians during clinic visits and after admission, and were given an informed consent about their treatment plans. Results: Seven hundred and twenty-four patients were retrieved, including 312 patients who received preoperative education and 412 patients who did not. There were significantly lower postoperative GAD-7 score and fewer moderate to severe postoperative anxiety patients in the preoperatively educated group (p < 0.01). Patients with education above secondary education level had less perioperative anxiety. Conclusion: Personalized education incorporated with shared valuable physiological and psychological experience and expectations dealing with BPH, in comparison to traditional uniformed patient education and informed consent before surgery, may reduce perioperative anxiety more efficiently in BPH patients. A higher educational level helps patients reduce perioperative anxiety before and after their personalized preoperative education.


It is anticipated that there will be 37,170 new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in the United States this year, resulting in approximately 33,370 deaths from the disease. Approximately 40% of these patients will present with locally advanced, non-metastatic disease. Treatment regimens that incorporate conventional radiation therapy for local tumor control, and chemotherapy to prevent distant failure in this metastasis-prone malignancy, are the current standard of care. A number of clinical studies have been undertaken to establish the optimal definitive chemoradiation treatment in this setting. Other potential treatment strategies include chemoradiation incorporating novel chemotherapeutic agents, intraoperative radiation therapy, brachytherapy, and the integration of combined therapies that utilize targeted molecular agents. This review summarizes the current status, controversies, and future prospects for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.


Described is the expansion of an existing and operational ocean observatory known as CYCOFOS (Cyprus Coastal Ocean Forecasting and Observing System), with a network of tsunami detection sensors. The expanded network will serve as the prototype Tsunami Warning and Early Response system of Cyprus (TWERC). The potential in Cyprus for extensive onshore destruction from a seismically generated tsunami is significant. Currently, the state of the art in tsunami detection is achieved with bottom pressure recorders (BPRs). One alternate approach utilizes GPS to measure vertical displacements of a buoy moored near shore in conjunction with fixed differential beacons on shore. More recently, algorithms have been developed that enable a GPS-equipped buoy to accurately detect a tsunami without the need of a nearby shore-based differential reference beacon, thereby extending the range of its moored distance to perhaps hundreds of kilometers from shore, providing more time to issue a warning. The existing CYCOFOS buoy provides a unique platform to evaluate this technique since it is capable of supporting both the conventional BPRs on the seafloor while simultaneously operating the GPS suite at the surface. The GPS-only method portends to improve the ability of coastal nations to protect their citizens from devastating tsunami through both reduction in complexity and cost compared with current techniques. This is particularly vital to the populations of developing countries. Detecting a tsunami is of practical use only if that information can be conveyed rapidly to the coastal inhabitants, and they know immediately what to do. Therefore, the TWERC project will also develop the framework for the capacity building required to alert the coastal population as well as develop and test a preliminary plan for educating both the resident and visitor population of Cyprus and the government decision makers who must implement the plan. The TWERC is aligned with the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean Tsunami Warning System (NEAMTWS).


Consumption levels on mangrove leaves and propagules are well known worldwide, but information on fruit herbivory is still missing. We assess herein herbivory levels on attached fruits of Rhizophora mangle in three mangroves with different degrees of structural complexity in Paranaguá Bay (South Brazil). Consumption levels were estimated through a new quantitative methodology using volumetric differences between intact and damaged fruits. Besides deeper tissue damage, fruits also presented surface lesions, which were visually estimated. Consumption levels on fruits were usually very low and did not relate to local mangrove structural complexity. However, our results still suggest that herbivory processes on fruits must be quantitatively investigated to avoid underestimations of herbivory as an important path for organic matter flux in mangroves. Fruits are locally consumed not only by tree-dwelling crabs and insects, as previously recognized, but also by birds, which may play a more significant role in mangrove herbivory.


Abstract This study examines the effect of community service arrangements on secondary school students in Hong Kong under the Other Learning Experiences (OLE) component of the New Senior Secondary (NSS) Curriculum. Previous literature has indicated the importance of arrangements and modes of volunteer services on the positive experiences of individual volunteers. A total of 1,046 secondary school students from seven schools in Hong Kong were recruited to participate in a self-administered survey; they were split into two groups – students from schools providing relatively structured service programs, and students from schools providing relatively unstructured service programs. The results of bivariate analyses showed that students from the schools that provided structured service programs tended to score higher in their future volunteering intention, sense of responsibility, and satisfaction with volunteering. The multivariate analyses showed that after controlling for age, gender, and class of the students, previous volunteer experience was positively correlated to volunteer satisfaction, level of responsibility, and intention to volunteer in future. On the other hand, friends' modeling was positively correlated to both volunteer satisfaction and level of responsibility. The type of volunteer service was not correlated to either of the dependent variables. Those making service arrangements for school personnel, volunteer managers, and social workers are thus advised to take note of the advantage of ensuring the retention of volunteers and their service sustainability for the enhancement of their satisfaction, sense of responsibility, and volunteering intention, as well as the role of peers in facilitating volunteers in becoming more productive from volunteering.


Indolethylamine-N-methyltransferase (INMT) is a methyltransferase downregulated in lung cancer, meningioma, and prostate cancer; however, its role and mechanism in prostate cancer remain unclear. By analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-PRAD, we found that the expression of INMT in prostate cancer was lower than that of adjacent non-cancerous prostate tissues and was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis Gleason score, PSA expression, and survival. Combined with the GSE46602 cohorts for pathway enrichment analysis, we found that INMT was involved in regulating the MAPK, TGFβ, and Wnt signaling pathways. After overexpression of INMT in prostate cancer cell lines 22Rv1 and PC-3, we found an effect of INMT on these tumor signal pathways; overexpression of INMT inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and promoted apoptosis. Using the ESTIMATE algorithm, we found that with the increase of INMT expression, immune and stromal scores in the tumor microenvironment increased, immune response intensity increased, and tumor purity decreased. The difference in INMT expression affected the proportion of several immune cells. According to PRISM and CTRP2.0, the potential therapeutic agents associated with the INMT expression subgroup in TCGA were predicted. The area under the curve (AUC) values of 26 compounds positively correlated with the expression of INMT, while the AUC values of 14 compounds were negatively correlated with the expression of INMT. These findings suggest that INMT may affect prostate cancer's occurrence, development, and drug sensitivity via various tumor signaling pathways and tumor microenvironments.


Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in glioma are often responsible for relapse and resistance to therapy. The purpose of the present study was to confirm the self-renewal and migration inhibitory effects of tetrandrine (Tet), which is a compound extracted from the dried root of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore, toward glioma stem-like cells (GSLCs) and to examine the associated molecular mechanisms. Using a neurosphere culture technique, we enriched the GSLC population from the human glioblastoma cell lines U87 and U251. Cells were analyzed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), western blotting, flow cytometry, transwell assay and immunofluorescence staining. GSLCs displayed properties of neural stem cells, including elevated expression of the cancer stem cell marker ALDH1 and β-catenin. We found that Tet treatment decreased sphere formation in GSLCs in a dose-dependent manner using tumor spheroid formation assay. The GSK3β inhibitor BIO maintained sphere formation and migration capacity in GSLCs, whereas the β-catenin/TCF transcription inhibitor ICG-001 decreased sphere formation and the migration capacity of GSLCs. The proportion of apoptotic GSLCs also increased in response to ICG-001 treatment. These results indicate that β-catenin activity is vital in maintaining neural stem cell traits of GSLCs. Tet inhibits cell viability, neurosphere formation and migration of GSLCs in vitro. Importantly, Tet treatment significantly repressed the nuclear translocation and expression of β-catenin and induced apoptosis in GSLCs, as indicated in part by the upregulation of Bax, the cleavage of PARP and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The present study demonstrates that the inhibition of β-catenin in CSCs by Tet could be an effective strategy for the treatment of glioma.


About 500 million people suffer from malaria leading to death in 2-3 million cases every year, of which about 1 million are children. Horstman et al., 1985, and Weber et al., 1991, demonstrated an acute renal failure as a well-described complication of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in nonimmune adults and a major contributor to their mortality. In children, renal failure, though not very common, has become a rising issue leading to death. This study aims at determining the incidence of renal complication in malaria cases reported in children of Odisha. 108 cases of malaria who were admitted to Department of Paediatrics, SCB Medical College and Hospital and Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, Cuttack, Odisha, India during the period from July 2006 to November 2008 were included in the prospective study. Extensive investigations were carried out to check for renal involvement in these cases. 50.9% of cases showed some form of renal involvement, most of which were recorded in age group of 5–10 years. Overall, males had a higher incidence than females. 62.7% of total cases infected with P. falciparum showed renal involvement though mixed infections with both P. falciparum and P. vivax had 100% renal involvement.


Package holidays are the main modes of outbound travel in many Asian countries and regions, especially in mainland China. This paper considers competition strategies in a tourism supply chain (TSC) network consisting of three sectors – theme parks, accommodation providers, and tour operators (TOs). They are involved in producing and providing package holidays which are substitutable to each other. TOs are responsible for assembling and retailing package holidays. Two competition strategies commonly used in the tourism market are compared. They are quantity competition and price competition. From the perspective of game theory, these two types of competition strategies are modelled as the Cournot game and the Bertrand game, respectively. In this paper, enterprises within the same sector of the TSC play simultaneous games while sequential games are played between sectors. A series of sensitivity analyses are conducted to explore: (1) the differences between the impacts of quantity and price competitions on the individual sectors and the TSC network as a whole, and (2) the rational reactions of a sector to the changes made by other sectors under different competition strategies. Results from this theoretical study could help TSC decision and policy makers in identifying appropriate pricing and capacity strategies.


Lactobacillus acidophilus, like many other bacteria, harbors a surface layer consisting of a protein (S(A)-protein) of 43 kDa. S(A)-protein could be readily extracted and crystallized in vitro into large crystalline patches on lipid monolayers with a net negative charge but not on lipids with a net neutral charge. Reconstruction of the S-layer from crystals grown on dioleoylphosphatidylserine indicated an oblique lattice with unit cell dimensions (a=118 A; b=53 A, and gamma=102 degrees ) resembling those determined for the S-layer of Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 12046. Sequence comparison of S(A)-protein with S-proteins from L. helveticus, Lactobacillus crispatus and the S-proteins encoded by the silent S-protein genes from L. acidophilus and L. crispatus suggested the presence of two domains, one comprising the N-terminal two-thirds (SAN), and another made up of the C-terminal one-third (SAC) of S(A)-protein. The sequence of the N-terminal domains is variable, while that of the C-terminal domain is highly conserved in the S-proteins of these organisms and contains a tandem repeat. Proteolytic digestion of S(A)-protein showed that SAN was protease-resistant, suggesting a compact structure. SAC was rapidly degraded by proteases and therefore probably has a more accessible structure. DNA sequences encoding SAN or Green Fluorescent Protein fused to SAC (GFP-SAC) were efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli. Purified SAN could crystallize into mono and multi-layered crystals with the same lattice parameters as those found for authentic S(A)-protein. A calculated S(A)-protein minus SAN density-difference map revealed the probable location, in projection, of the SAC domain, which is missing from the truncated SAN peptide. The GFP-SAC fusion product was shown to bind to the surface of L. acidophilus, L. helveticus and L. crispatus cells from which the S-layer had been removed, but not to non-stripped cells or to Lactobacillus casei.


From May 5 to May 10 the Sixth International Congress of Otolaryngology was held in Washington, D. C., under the eminent leadership of Arthur Proetz, St. Louis, President, and Paul Holinger, Chicago, Secretary-General, with the assistance of a committee composed of prominent American otolaryngologists. The Congress was attended by some two thousand delegates from nearly every country in the world. There were two hundred scientific papers read and discussed, seventeen scientific exhibits, television shows of surgical operations and techniques, elaborate moving picture, or cinema, programs, and a host of commercial exhibits. The Sixth Congress was most successful, and was even blessed by good weather. The First Congress was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1928, under the presidency of Schmiegelow, with subsequent ones in Madrid, Berlin, London, and Amsterdam, this being the first in America, although in 1912 there was held in Boston the Ninth International Congress of Otology under the


Today's available theories for hot crack formation are based on the fact that hot cracks are formed in the presence of liquid films in the interdendritic areas or at the grain boundaries, which are exposed to tensile stress. Copper is well known to cause hot shortness in steels. In order to study how the liquid embrittles the material, high-temperature tensile tests were performed at two strain rates during the penetration of liquid copper into Fe-10%Ni. The penetration distance was measured in samples that were exposed to strain without fracturing. The ductility (area reduction), strain and ultimate tensile stress were determined. Microprobe analysis was performed on the fractured samples. The transition temperature of ductility was found at 1400-1450degreesC without copper penetration whereas it occurred at 1025-1078degreesC during the penetration of copper, i.e. copper starts to embrittle at a temperature below its melting point. The microprobe measurements showed that the diffusion rate of copper into Fe-10%Ni was enhanced when the lattice was strained. The results are discussed in terms of a new theory concerning vacancy formation and condensation as the dominating mechanism for hot crack formation during solidification.


HIV infection and its associated chronic immune activation alter T cell homeostasis leading to CD4 T cell depletion and CD8 T cell expansion. The mechanisms behind these outcomes are not totally defined and only partially explained by the direct cytopathic effect of the virus. We established a murine model of immunpoathogenesis in which adoptive T cell transfer into lymphopenic hosts chronically treated with IFN-α leads to CD4 T cell depletion and CD8 T cell expansion, recapitulating the alteration of the T cell pools observed in HIV infected patients. In these conditions, CD4 T cells undergoing IL-7/lymphopenia induced-proliferation upregulate their level of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) resulting in enhanced CD4 T cell responsiveness to IFN-α. In this setting, CD4 T cell depletion resulted from an indirect effect of IFN-α driven inflammatory environment, since animals with IFNAR deficient T cells underwent the same degree of CD4 T cell depletion than wild type animals. In contrast, direct IFN-α signaling through IFNAR on CD8 T cells was necessary for their expansion induced by chronic exposure to Type-I IFN under lymphopenic conditions. These findings suggest that direct and indirect effects of IFN-α signaling may play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Further analysis of this pathway may contribute to the development of new strategies to reverse the dysregulation of the T cell pools seen in patients with HIV infection.


This paper describes a through‐process modelling on a microstructural level of the production of a coated turbine blade, including its in‐service properties and degradation, accompanied by the actual production and testing of a CMSX‐4 single crystal turbine blade dummy. The following steps are dealt with by modelling and experiment: solidification of the blade alloy during casting, microstructural changes during homogenization and aging heat treatments, chemical vapour deposition of an Al2O3 diffusion barrier coating, physical vapour deposition (sputtering) of a (Ni,Co)CrAlY bond coat, atmospheric plasma spraying of an Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 thermal barrier coating and microstructural changes and development of critical stresses at in‐service conditions. This work forms a part of the Collaborative Research Centre 370 (SFB 370) "Integrative materials modelling".