Plants are constantly exposed to environmental fluctuations, that may occur in a single day or over longer periods. In many cases abiotic stresses are transient and recurrent, impacting how plants respond in subsequent adverse conditions. Adaptation mechanisms may occur at physiological, biochemical and molecular level, modifying transcriptional response, regulatory proteins, epigenetic marks or metabolites. Here we aimed to uncover the different strategies that rice uses to respond to recurrent stress. We tested varieties with contrasting behavior towards salinity (tolerance or sensitivity) and imposed salt stress (150 mM NaCl) during 48 h at vegetative and/or reproductive stages. After 48 h of stress in reproductive stage, leaves and roots were harvested separately or otherwise the plants were submitted to a 24 h recovery, prior to sample harvesting. Plants submitted to a recurrent stress responded differently from those suffering a single stress event. In the case of the sensitive genotype, recurrent stress led to lower Na/K ratio in roots and lower hydrogen peroxide accumulation and lipid peroxidation in leaves, but maintenance of global DNA methylation levels. In the tolerant genotype, recurrent stress did neither affect the Na/K ratio nor the stomatal conductance, although the levels of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide accumulation were lower, as also observed for global levels of DNA methylation. Our work demonstrates that a short pre-exposure to salt stress may improve rice tolerance to subsequent stress, trough biochemical, physiological and epigenetic processes, with more significant changes visible in the tolerant genotype. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


The current development of robotics and A.I. poses new challenges for the lawgiver as well for jurisprudence, because humans and robots interact more and more each day, in an increasing number of fields. This essay analyzes the interplay between technological innovation in robotics and its legal implications dealing with the tort liability system.
The rules on responsibility must face certain technological features of the new generation of robots, such as autonomy and self learning and adaptative abilities. The European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2017 with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics focuses on this problem and sets new proposals to overcome supposed legislative gaps.
However, one crucial question is if traditional assumptions of the legal system can satisfactorily delineate the responsibility.


In this paper, we present a surrogate-based multi-objective evolutionary optimization approach to optimize airfoil aerodynamic designs. Our approach makes use of multiple surrogate models which operate in parallel with the aim of combining their features when solving a costly multi-objective optimization problem. The proposed approach is used to solve five multiobjective airfoil aerodynamic optimization problems. We compare the performance of a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm with surrogates with respect to the same approach without using surrogates. Our preliminary results indicate that our proposal can achieve a substantial reduction in the number of objective function evaluations, which has obvious advantages for dealing with expensive objective functions such as those involved in aeronautical optimization problems.


PRESENT DAY TECHNIQUES FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCES (IA), IN PARTICULAR EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS AND INTELLIGENT AGENTS, CAN BE USED TO MODEL MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SYSTEM, INCLUDING FINANCIAL MARKETS. A ELEMENTS, SUCH AS EVOLUTIONARY COMPUTATION AND ARTIFICIAL AGENTS. THE RESULTS ""AN ARTIFICIAL FINANCIAL MARKET (AFM)- CAN SERVE AS A USEFUL ""LABORATORY"" FOR STUDYING THE BEHAVIOR OF REAL FINANCIAL MARKETS. IN THE PRESENT WORK WE PRESENT A NEW AFM, DESING WITH THE OBJETIVE OF INCLUDING ELEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY NEGLECTED IN OTHER MODELS, SUCH AS DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS FOR THE MAKERS WHO HAVE THE TASK OF PROVIDING MARKET LIQUIDITY. THE RESULTS WE PRESENT IN THIS ARTICLE INCLUDE: THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS, O


Since the beginning of the Ukrainian War, ASPHER has been mobilized to provide its best contribution to the search for an immediate and long-term response. The reason for this strong mobilization is that the present war represents a risk of the greatest magnitude to European Health and, inherently, to Public Health in the countries covered by ASPHER.

Efforts have been made in providing scientific and technical advice related to Public Health to reinforce closer cooperation between Schools of Public Health, in particular between those in peripheral countries to the theatre of military operations, and theoretical training, given the near absence of an educational offer from Schools of Public Health (SPH) in this area of knowledge. A Public Health War Roadmap is also under construction.

This article is essentially the closing speech of the Gdansk Meeting promoted by ASPHER together with the local School of Public Health, which seeks to express ASPHER's position on the war in Ukraine and what, in its opinion, should be done by the SPH.


This study examines whether the fluvial flood defense system of Korea is appropriate for risk reduction. Using spatial socioeconomic data and remote sensing, we estimated the potential economic damage that can be caused by the flooding of local streams and rivers along the Nakdong River (the longest river in Korea). For the analysis, a river risk map including return periods (50, 80, 100, and 200 years) and spatial inventories (residential, agricultural, industrial assets, and human lives) was employed to determine flood-prone areas and assess the damage within the inundation areas. A quantitative flood analysis was conducted using an object-based method to estimate the expected annual damage. We then compared the estimated damage for each tributary within the designed return periods and found no correlation. Numerous tributaries with low-defense targets were considered high-risk, while those with high-defense targets were assessed as low-risk. The dataset used in this study covered four damage categories. Among them, flood damage to residential assets appeared to have the highest value, whereas flood damage to industrial assets had the lowest value. The results demonstrate that the Korean government needs to tailor its flood defense policy based on quantitative risk assessments to effectively manage flood risks, especially given the increasing risk of climate change.


This review article describes recent developments in microfluidics, with special emphasis on disposable plastic devices. Included is an overview of the common methods used in the fabrication of polymer microfluidic systems, including replica and injection molding, embossing, and laser ablation. Also described are the different methods by which on-chip operations--such as the pumping and valving of fluid flow, the mixing of different reagents, and the separation and detection of different chemical species--have been implemented in a microfluidic format. Finally, a few select biotechnological applications of microfluidics are presented to illustrate both the utility of this technology and its potential for development in the future.


In cluster analyses, setting the scale parameter which is implicitly related to the complexity of the data distribution is an important issue; different scale values lead to different results and hence cause different interpretation. In this study, we discuss a framework of multi-scale clustering, where clustering is done with multiple scale values and then the obtained results are compiled into a visually appropriate form to observe overall structures of the clusters. For such purpose, a brick view method is proposed in this study. The construction of a brick view diagram consists of a reindexing procedure of clusters obtained with various scale values and a sorting procedure of samples so as to minimize the distortion defined based on the multiple clustering results. Although some popular clustering methods, such as K-means, spherical K-means, and hierarchical clustering, have been used within the multi-scale framework, we introduce mean-shift clustering based on the kernel density estimation for directional data. We evaluate our approach and existing hierarchical clustering by using an artificial data set and a real data set of gene expression profiles. The results show global structures of distributions can be observed well and in a stable manner, in the brick view diagram.


Human colon cancers commonly harbor loss of function mutations in APC, a repressor of the canonical WNT pathway, thus leading to hyperactive WNT-TCF signaling. Re-establishment of Apc function in mice, engineered to conditionally repress Apc through RNAi, resolve the intestinal tumors formed due to hyperactivated Wnt-Tcf signaling. These and other results have prompted the search for specific WNT pathway antagonists as therapeutics for clinically problematic human colon cancers and associated metastases, which remain largely incurable. This widely accepted view seems at odds with a number of findings using patient-derived material: Canonical TCF targets are repressed, instead of being hyperactivated, in advanced colon cancers, and repression of TCF function does not generally result in tumor regression in xenografts. The results of a number of genetic mouse studies have also suggested that canonical WNT-TCF signaling drives metastases, but direct in vivo tests are lacking, and, surprisingly, TCF repression can enhance directly seeded metastatic growth. Here we have addressed the abilities of enhanced and blocked WNT-TCF signaling to alter tumor growth and distant metastases using xenografts of advanced human colon cancers in mice. We find that endogenous WNT-TCF signaling is mostly anti-metastatic since downregulation of TCF function with dnTCF generally enhances metastatic spread. Consistently, elevating the level of WNT signaling, by increasing the levels of WNT ligands, is not generally pro-metastatic. Our present and previous data reveal a heterogeneous response to modulating WNT-TCF signaling in human cancer cells. Nevertheless, the findings that a fraction of colon cancers tested require WNT-TCF signaling for tumor growth but all respond to repressed signaling by increasing metastases beg for a reevaluation of the goal of blocking WNT-TCF signaling to universally treat colon cancers. Our data suggest that WNT-TCF blockade may be effective in inhibiting tumor growth in only a subset of cases but will generally boost metastases.


The dynamism of modern business conditions, as well as increasing competition, call for companies to change their usual ways of doing business and communicating with consumers. Therefore, today's direct marketing industry is experiencing explosive growth, as more and more companies include these activities in their communication mix. Many companies benefit from the development and usage of direct marketing, but at the same time, its growing usage led to numerous problems for companies as well as for the consumers. Direct marketing, advanced information technologies and Internet, on whose use it is more and more based, caused a number of legal and ethical questions without precedent. One of the issues that is making consumers more and more worried is concerning the privacy of their personal data and information which is being collected by a large number of companies. In addition, consumers are often not aware of this data collecting, which is adding even more gravity to this problem. The remainder of this paper will point to the necessity and great importance of careful and responsible use of consumer's personal data by direct marketers, with the aim of build long-term partnership relationships between the two. In addition, special attention will be paid to major problems that consumers face today in the field of data protection, as well as to the efforts committed in order to bring these problems to a minimum by getting consumers more involved in making decisions about usage of their personal data and information.


The present study describes for the first time some biological aspects (size composition, sex ratio, length-weight relationship and condition factor) of Ponticola constructor (Caucasian goby) inhabiting Borçka Dam Lake and its tributaries from the lower Çoruh River Basin located in the northeastern Türkiye Fish samples were caught from June 2017 to May 2018 by using trammel nets with various mesh sizes and by pulsed DC electrofishing device. A total of 145 Caucasian goby (78 females and 67 males) ranging from 6.8 cm to 13.4 cm TL were sampled during the study. The sex ratio of female to male was calculated as 1.16:1.00 which did not deviate from the expected ratio of 1:1 (χ² = 0.834, p˃0.05). The total length-weight relationships were determined as W= 0.016TL2.896 (r2=0.995, P˂0.05) for females, as W= 0.018TL2.841 (r2=0.993, P˂0.05) for males and as W= 0.017TL2.856 (r2=0.994, P˂0.05) for combined sex with the b-values were significantly different from isometric growth (b=3) indicating negative allometric growth of Caucasian goby for all sexes (Pauly's t- test, P˂0.05). The regression analysis revealed that the coefficient of determination was r2>0.99 showing a highly significant correlation between total length and weight. The differences in slopes (b values) of the LWR were statistically significant for both sexes (ANCOVA, P


Effective data routing is one of the crucial themes for energy-efficient communication in wireless sensor networks (WSN). In the WSN research domain, fuzzy approaches are in most cases superior to well-defined methodologies, especially where boundaries between clusters are unclear. For this reason, a significant number of studies have recently proposed fuzzy-based solutions for the problems encountered in WSNs. Rule-based fuzzy systems are part of these widespread fuzzy-based solutions that often involve some field experts for identification and derivation of fuzzy rules as well as fuzzy membership functions; thus, a considerable amount of time is devoted to the realization of the final system. Nevertheless, it is almost impossible or not feasible to realize a fuzzy system with an optimality property. In this study, we utilize the modified clonal selection algorithm (CLONALG-M) to improve the performance of rule-based fuzzy routing algorithms. Although previous studies have been devoted to fuzzy optimization in general, to the best of our knowledge, improving the efficiency of rule-based fuzzy routing algorithms has not yet been considered. For this reason, CLONALG-M is applied to determine the approximate form of the output membership functions that improve the overall performance of fuzzy routing algorithms, whose rule base and shapes of membership functions are initially known. Experimental analysis and evaluations of the approach used in this study are performed on selected fuzzy rule-based routing algorithms and the obtained results verify that our approach performs and scales well to improve fuzzy routing performance.


In an increasingly digitally connected world, social networks have become a large factor in news consumption, discussion and staying connected to friends. This thesis aims to give an overview over how this new platform has been a vector for the conduction of disinformation campaigns. Beyond the prime example possible Russian disinformation in the U.S. from 2015 to 2017 and its efficacy, further candidates as well as the historical context, technical aspects and the public response are touched upon. The U.S. election of 2016 is evidently a well-documented example of an election targeted by a large-scale disinformation campaign conducted through social media. Indications exist that campaigns are also being conducted in other political contexts (France, 2017) and with contexts extending into economics. This thesis also finds that more research is needed to systematically detect and investigate disinformation campaigns, especially in order to measure and contain their real-world impact.


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

3D cell culture models are currently of great interest to the bioscience community. This is most notable in the cancer biology area, where a growing body of evidence suggests that more relevant and translational observations can be made by testing compounds in a physiological relevant 3D model compared to a 2D model. In this study, we take a kinetic, live-cell imaging approach to measure the growth or shrinkage of non-adherent tumor spheroids using Ultra Low Attachment (ULA) 96-well and 384-well microtiter plates (Corning®). These round-bottomed, hydrogel coated plates facilitate the formation of spheroids by promoting self-adherence as opposed to adherence to the plate surface. In a single cell type, monoculture model, A549 lung epithelial carcinoma cells developed into single spheroid structures in each well of 96 and 384-well plates within 48-96 hours in culture. In both plate types, the resulting spheroid size, ranging from 330 µm - 600 µm, was proportional to the number of cells (1K - 5K cells per well). Post formation, spheroids remained untreated or were subjected to three test agents, staurosporine, oxaliplatin or cycloheximide. The increase or decrease in spheroid size was monitored over 3 - 10 days using the IncuCyte™ ZOOM Live Content Imaging system. Using the red fluorescent channel, spheroid growth was analyzed using fluorescent area and intensity metrics. Whereas staurosporine and oxaliplatin significantly decreased spheroid size at high concentrations, cycloheximide treatment resulted in a cytostatic response, effectively inhibiting spheroid growth in a concentration dependent manner, while not reducing total spheroid area at any tested concentration. Interestingly, in side-by-side comparisons of kinetic 2D and 3D assays, we observed a significant, 10-fold (one log) shift in the pharmacology of cycloheximide. In a 3D co-culture breast cancer model, this study also illustrates the effect of Lapatinib on SK-BR-3 cells grown in the presence of mammary derived stromal cells (fibroblasts). Together, this study describes a kinetic, live-cell approach to measuring spheroid size over time, illustrates a differential response of cycloheximide in a 3D system compared to identically treated cells grown in a 2D monolayer, and details a complex co-culture method for elucidating the effect of Lapatinib in a physiologically relevant 3D model of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Kalpana Patel, Belinda O'Clair, Tim O'Callaghan, Daniel M. Appledorn, Derek Trezise. A 3D culture model for screening of cancer therapeutics. [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 4295. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4295


The new generation is fascinated by the overwhelming exposition of media. Today, media is performing powerful role in the mental growth and emotional development of children. At the very first stage of cognitive development, children copy the words and expressions used in their surroundings. Cartoons and language used in them directly affect cognitive and linguistic development of children. The present study dissects the linguistic patterns and ideologies used in cartoons shown in Pakistani media. It further attempts to overlook the impact of linguistic features of cartoons on language learning propensities of children. The study adopted mixed method research design by following qual-quan approach. The linguistic analysis of the cartoons was done qualitatively whereas its impact on children's language was measured through quantitative way. 100 students and 100 teachers were selected to determine the sample by applying random sampling technique. Self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The collected data shows that cartoons are source of education, entertainment and information for children. Children can improve their language competencies by watching cartoon. However, students were found using many Hindi words in their daily conversation. Linguistic benefits of cartoon language collide with the cultural threats faced by a large number of parents. The findings of the study recommend that children should be shown level oriented and culturally specific cartoons so that students may get maximum linguistic benefits from them.


The experiment investigated the effect of the diffe rent dietary levels of the mineral premix based on phosphate frittes with chelated bio elements on the weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and economic efficiency of t he Brown fattening steers. The animals were assigned to 3 experimental groups: gro up 1 with 0.1%, group 2 with 0.5% and group 3 with 1% chelated mineral premix in the compound feed next to the corn silage (basal diet). The ingested feeds w ere similar among the 3 groups, both for the bulk feed (free access) and for the co mpound feed (CF) as such or as dry matter. Group 1 had an intake of 9.43 kg, group 2 had 9.37 kg and group 3 had 9.42 kg/steer/day, which represents 6.65; 7.71 and 6.72 kg total DM/steer/day. The similar feed intakes produced similar gains: 1348 g in group 1, 1368 g in group 2 and 1347 g /steer/day in group 3, the differences n ot being statistically significant (P > 0.05). No significant differences were documented in the dry matter, energy and protein intake for the retention of one kg body wei ght. The use of the dietary chelated mineral premix in different proportions (0 .1, 0.5 and 1%) given to fattening steers was economically efficient only for the 0.1% rate of inclusion.


Our country is paying more and more attention to ecological issues. How to put ecological sustainable development in real life is a key problem. This article discusses the significance of integrating ecological sustainable development and college ideological political courses. Therefore, an experiment was designed to analyse the model of ecology and other courses. The final experiment showed the following: (1) The ecological sustainable development model can be well integrated into the students in their courses. Students can freely choose to study some quality assurance thought courses and reinforce their spiritual level. The mentality of this model can also self-optimize to solve students' troubles in choosing courses and consider the level of students intimately. (2) According to the experimental data of the figures and tables, it is concluded that the form "other professional courses" at my country is still very serious, and the popularization of ideological and political courses is not common, so it is a little troublesome to carry out work, but our system model is very characteristic. With its help, we have obtained the effect of the integration of ecological sustainable development and students' curriculum. The state has vigorously provided economic support for their development. Under their influence, students have gradually maintained their awareness of protecting the environment. Socioeconomic and environmental conditions are also improving. However, in the future, the times will change, and we will continue to update the system model to adapt to more challenges.


Background USPIO is a contrast agent for MRI that can generate T2W images with low signal intensities. After subcutaneous or intravenous injection of USPIO, normal lymph node tissues uptake these nano-particles, but tumor cells do not. Thus, tumor metastasis can be detected using this contrast agent. Objective The aim of this study was to access the feasibility of USPIO enhanced MRI for the detection of cervical lymph node metastasis in a pyriform sinus carcinoma animal model and to investigate the ability of USPIO to enhance images of cervical lymph node metastases. Methods and Findings Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into tumor and inflammatory groups, and each group contained 10 rabbits. In the inflammatory group, a 0.5 ml egg yolk emulsion was injected into the sub-mandibular muscle of the rabbits to induce an inflammatory reaction in their cervical lymph nodes. In the tumor group, a VX2 tumor tissue suspension was transplanted into the pyriform sinus sub-mucosa of the rabbits using direct laryngoscope. Four weeks after the tumor or egg yolk injection, MRIs were performed before and after USPIO injection to observe the imaging enhancement features of USPIO. After that, a histo-pathological analysis was performed for all rabbits. We found the metastatic lymph nodes had no signal reduced intensity or irregular signal reduced intensity on T2-weighted image by using USPIO enhancement. In the tumor group,the sensitivity and specificity of plain MRI were 57.6% and 60.7%. The corresponding values of USPIO-enhanced MRl were 96.1% and 85.7%. (P<0.05) Conclusion The features and the extent of the lymph node metastases corresponded to those observed on USPIO-enhanced MR images. USPIO-enhanced MRI is useful for the detection and estimation of lymph node metastasis in this cervical carcinoma animal model.


Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma often experience relapse, the cause of poor survival statistics. Relapse occurs following the three main types of treatment, surgery with or without post-operative (chemo)radiotherapy, or chemoradiation (containing cisplatin). Cancer relapse can result from (i) outgrowth of residual tumour cells, sometimes with a number too small to be detected by routine histopathology or (ii) development of another carcinoma in a field of pre-neoplastic cells that has remained after treatment of the primary carcinoma. At this moment, clinical staging is not enough to identify patients who will develop relapse and who need tailored treatment. This review describes the latest knowledge of mechanisms of cancer relapse, addresses the biomarkers of potential interest detectable in the tissue of the tumour or its surgical margins and discusses three biomarkers, human papillomavirus, TP53 and epidermal growth receptor in more detail. Once a marker panel has been established, treatment should be focussed on the patients at risk of relapse by improved tailoring of existing treatment modalities. Also, the implementation of more targeting therapies based on the characteristics of the discovered markers should lead to better survival rates.


Upper Paleozoic glacially related sandstones of the Itarar Group constitute thick and complex hydrocarbon reservoirs in the intracratonic Paran Basin of southern Brazil. Because these sandstones were deposited in both glacial and nonglacial environments, they show a high degree of variability in facies. In this article, we analyze outcrop and shallow well data to describe facies heterogeneities and their reservoir-quality implications. A regional subsurface sequence-stratigraphic framework was built, based on both strike- and dip-oriented well-to-well correlations. A well-exposed sandstone succession correlative with the main reservoir interval in the subsurface was selected in the eastern part of the basin. The Vila Velha sandstone comprises an up to 100-m (328-ft)-thick, unconformity-bounded, sand-rich succession composed of four stacked facies assemblages. Vertical facies succession shows a transition from glacial and glaciomarine to periglacial shallow-marine and nearshore settings, which define a retrogradational-progradational succession. Channel-mouth bars and wave-modified shoreline sandstones in the progradational section contain stratigraphically predictable reservoir-quality lithofacies. In subsurface, gas-bearing sandstone intervals with the same well-log response occur below unconformities, which control the overall reservoir geometry.


We revisit the possibility of a Dirac fermion dark matter candidate in the light of current b(.)-> sl(+)l(-) anomalies by investigating a minimal extension of the Standard Model with a horizontal U(1)' local symmetry. Dark matter stability is protected by a remnant Z(2) symmetry arising after spontaneous symmetry breaking of U(1)'. The associated Z' gauge boson can accommodate current hints of new physics in b(.)-> sl(+)l(-)l decays, and acts as a vector portal between dark matter and the visible sector. We find that the model is severely constrained by a combination of precision measurements at flavor factories, LHC searches for dilepton resonances, as well as direct and indirect dark matter searches. Despite this, viable regions of the parameter space accommodating the observed dark matter relic abundance and the b(.)-> sl(+)l(-) anomalies still persist for dark matter and Z' masses in the TeV range.


Unilateral lumbar traction has been theorized to be superior to bilateral lumbar traction in certain cases. Many patients who cannot tolerate bilateral lumbar traction are comfortable with this method. It enables the physical therapist to administer lumbar traction to patients with protective scoliosis who would otherwise be unable to tolerate treatment. Although the theory behind the treatment seems sound, very little unilateral lumbar traction is used clinically because of problems with patient positioning and adaptability of available equipment. This paper described a technique of effectively administering unilateral lumbar traction. The technique involves a heavy-duty lumbar traction harness, with bilateral pelvic straps, that can be used for conventional lumbar traction. It is constructed in such a way that when only one side of the pelvic harness is coupled to the traction source, a stronger force is transferred to that side of the spine. Although separation occurs on both sides of the spine, greater separation and stretching is achieved on the side of the pull.


Background Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic, inflammatory, chronic, autoimmune disease that predominantly affects the joints.1 In the last decade new drugs have been introduced, including biological drugs that act on different targets implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease.2 Within this group of drugs is tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized monoclonal antibody anti IL-6r, key cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of RA and the disease activity.3 TCZ use has been associated with abnormalities in transaminases (AST, ALT).2 Objectives To determine the frequency of transaminases abnormalities in patients with RA treated with TCZ in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Methods We performed a longitudinal, observational, prospective study. The records of patients diagnosed with RA who fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria and ACR/EULAR 2010, which use biological therapy with TCZ in HDPB and HFMP in July 2013 until August 2014 were reviewed. All patients signed informed consent. We reviewed a total of 56 records from which we selected patients who had at least 2 follow-up visits after the start of treatment (40 patients) taking into account the transaminases baseline values to compare changes. Visits were conducted every three months, mild and moderate levels were considered between (>1xUI/L, >2xUI/L) and severe (>3xUI/L) over the normal value. The patients whose records were found incomplete during the first 3 visits were excluded. The frequency of continuous variables was analyzed using the SPSS statistical program (V20.x86). Results Of 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 45% (18) elevated transaminases levels. For AST elevations 33.3% (6) elevated from mild to moderate, only 5.6% (1) severely and 61.1% (11) did not alter the levels. As for ALT, 50% (9) presented increased mild to moderate, 5.6% (1) course with severe elevation and the remaining 44.4% (8) did not alter the normal parameters. On the third visit 50% (9) presented elevated AST from mild to moderate, not severe elevations were reported and 50% (9) remained within normal parameters. Elevations of ALT were higher during the third visit in 72.2% (13) of mild to moderate, only 5.6% (1) course with severe elevation and 22.2% (4) was found within normal values. Of the 18 patients who were enrolled with alterations, 83.33% (15) were using simultaneously therapy with sDMARD. Conclusions The results of monitoring of a population of Dominican Republic showed that treatment with TCZ was associated with increased levels of transaminases. References Ann Rheum Dis 2014; 73:1607-1615. Ann Rheum Dis 2010; 69:88-96. Reumatol Clin.2011, 6 (S3). S29-S32. Disclosure of Interest None declared


One of the most relevant public health issues among pediatric injuries concerns foreign body (FB) aspiration. The risk perception of choking hazards (CH) and risk perception, in general, are complex multifactorial problems that play a significant role in defining protective behavior. Risk prevention policies should take this aspect into account. A lack of scientific knowledge of FB injury risk perception may be evidenced in Brazil and other newly developed countries. This study aims to characterize the differences and peculiarities in risk perception of CH between Italian and Brazilian populations. The risk perception among adults in Italy and Brazil between September and October 2017 was investigated in a survey. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis was carried out to identify the latent components characterizing the risk perception in Italian and Brazilian population samples. The most relevant dimension characterizing risk perception is the "Professional–educational status and the related perception of Risk" (13% of factorial inertia). The Italians identify batteries and magnets as the most dangerous choking risks (20% of responses). On the other hand, Brazilian people, mainly manual laborers (22%) with secondary or primary education (94%), perceive coins as the most dangerous items (30% of responses, p < 0.001). Socio-economic issues characterize the subjective risk perception of Italian and Brazilian survey respondents. In this framework, data-driven prevention strategies could be helpful to tailor intervention strategies to the cultural context to which they are addressed.


The extent to which inequalities in educational outcomes persist in modern Ireland has been the subject of much debate. This paper investigates whether the rapid expansion in educational participation rates over the 1980s and early 1990s has led to a reduction in social class and gender inequalities. Using data from the annual surveys of school leavers conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute, analyses highlight marked changes in female educational participation, particularly in the third-level sector, but a remarkable persistence in class inequalities in educational attainment. Contrary to findings based on other sources (Clancy, 1995), no reduction in socio-economic inequalities is apparent in access to third-level education.


An autonomous robot that is able to physically guide humans through narrow and cluttered spaces could be a big boon to the visually-impaired. Most prior robotic guiding systems are based on wheeled platforms with large bases with actuated rigid guiding canes. The large bases and the actuated arms limit these prior approaches from operating in narrow and cluttered environments. We propose a method that introduces a quadrupedal robot with a leash to enable the robot-guidinghuman system to change its intrinsic dimension (by letting the leash go slack) in order to fit into narrow spaces. We propose a hybrid physical Human Robot Interaction model that involves leash tension to describe the dynamical relationship in the robot-guiding-human system. This hybrid model is utilized in a mixed-integer programming problem to develop a reactive planner that is able to utilize slack-taut switching to guide a blind-folded person to safely travel in a confined space. The proposed leash-guided robot framework is deployed on a Mini Cheetah quadrupedal robot and validated in experiments (Video 1)


Intelligibility measurement is one criterion for the assessment of the severity of speech disorders especially of dysarthric persons. Rate control, usually rate reduction, is used with many dysarthric speakers to improve their intelligibility. The purpose of this study is to compare how change intelligibility of speech produced by cerebral palsic speakers according to three speaking conditions. Speech samples were collected from 10 adults with cerebral palsy were asked to speak under three speaking conditions-(1) naturally(control), (2) more slowly(rate control), (3) louder and accurately(clear speech). In a perception test, after listening to the speech samples, a group of three judges were to write down whatever they heard. The result showed that total cerebral palsic subjects were divided into two subgroups according to their intelligibility according to three speaking conditions. Some subjects showed that speech intelligibility increased greatly if asked to speak 'louder and more accurately'. and the others showed no difference of intelligibility according to the speaking conditions. This study suggested that it would be useful clinically to find out the best instruction to improve intelligibility suitable for each speaker with cerebral palsy.


Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer. In the United States it is second leading cause of cancer related deaths in men. PCa is often treated via radical prostatectomy (RP). However, 15–30% of the patients develop biochemical recurrence (i.e. increased serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels). Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a secreted cytokine found over expressed in patients with recurrence-free survival after RP. In our study, we aim to determine the role of IL-15 in PCa using in vitro and in vivo models, and gene expression analysis. PC3 (androgen-independent) and 22RV1 (androgen-dependent) cell lines were treated with IL-15 at 0.0013 ng/mL and 0.1 ng/mL. Tumor growth was evaluated using an orthotopic xenograft model. The anterior prostate lobes of SCID mice were injected with 250,000 22RV1 cells and IL-15 was administered bi-weekly with intraperitoneal (IP) injections during 4 weeks. Tumor tissue was collected for immunohistochemical and gene expression analysis. To study changes in gene expression, we looked at "Tumor Metastasis" and "PI3K pathway" using commercially available PCR arrays. In addition, we employed a microarray approach using the Affymetrix Hugene 2.0 ST array chip followed by analysis with Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) software. In vitro studies showed that IL-15 decreased PCa cell motility at both concentrations. In vivo studies showed that IL-15 increased neutrophil infiltration, and the expression of adiponectin, desmin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-sma) in the tumor tissue. Angiogenesis analysis, using CD31 immunohistochemistry, showed that IL-15 decreased the number of blood vessels. Gene expression analysis identified Cancer, Cell Death, Immune Response and Lipid Metabolism as the major diseases and functions altered in tumors treated with IL-15. This suggests that IL-15 causes inflammation and changes in stroma that can promote decreased tumor cell proliferation.


Accurate calculations of vibrational states in singly and doubly substituted ozone molecules are carried out, up to dissociation threshold. Analysis of these spectra reveals noticeable deviations from the statistical factor of 2 for the ratio between the number of states in asymmetric and symmetric ozone molecules. It is found that, for the lower energy parts of spectra, the ratio is less than 2 in the singly substituted ozone molecules, but it is more than 2 in the doubly substituted ozone molecules. However, the upper parts of spectra, just below dissociation thresholds, exhibit a different behavior. In this energy range, the singly and doubly substituted ozone molecules behave similar, with the ratio of states in asymmetric and symmetric ozone molecules being more than 2 in both cases. This property may contribute to an explanation of the mysterious η-effect in the ozone forming reaction that favors the formation of the asymmetric ozone molecules.


Abstract Pediatric intramedullary spinal cord tumors are rare and account for 3% to 6% of all central nervous system tumors. Astrocytomas are infiltrating neoplasms, and they predominate in the pediatric population. We report a case of an intramedullary spinal cord astrocytoma in a 5-year-old boy with nonspecific mid-back pain for 3 months. Physical examination revealed clonus, thoracolumbar tenderness, and pain with sitting straight leg raises. An urgent magnetic resonance imaging showed an intramedullary tumor in the mid-thoracic cord, confirmed by surgical excision. The physician should maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating the pediatric patient who presents with unexplained and persistent back pain. Associated findings, including nocturnal pain and neurological symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying pathology such as a tumor. Early detection, prompt treatment, and proper post surgical management will often lead to improved outcomes in patients.


Radome induced boresight errors are defined in terms of antenna difference port to sum port voltage ratios. The antenna port voltages are derived using the reaction integral for the case of a planar waveguide slot array in the presence of a dielectric radome. Radome transmission uses planar slab results. Both the antenna reflection and the radome shadow contribution are taken into account. Although only linear copolarized comparisons are presented here, the analysis is kept arbitrary with respect to incident and seeker antenna polarizations. Measurements include a line source experiment that tests the antenna model sensitivity to geometry. A simple distributed source experiment, in the form of a planar slab radome with thickness corrugation, tests the influence of transmission through varying wall thickness. Effects of curvature are assessed with an offset hemisphere radome and finally a series of tangent ogive radome comparisons verify the limits of the analysis. A trend for the yaw errors to be less accurate than the pitch errors is consistently noted for the tangent ogive radomes, and this behavior is discussed.


D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate synthase (EC 220.127.116.11; MIPS) is an isomerase that catalyzes the conversion of glucose-6-phosphate to Dmyo-inositol-3-phosphate, a sole synthetic source of myo-inositol. Phytic acid (myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate) which is the principal storage form of phosphorus (60-80%) in plant seeds, is further generated by a stepwise phosphorylation of myo-inositol. Poorly digested by monogastrics, phytic acid, chelates essential mineral cations and proteins; thereby, reducing their bioavailability and hence classified as an anti-nutrient. In soybean, the transcripts encoding MIPS1 isoform are expressed early during the cotyledonary stage of seed development to function in phytic acid biosynthesis. In the present study, we report the cloning and molecular characterization of the MIPS1 gene from developing seeds of soybean (GmMIPS1). A full-length GmMIPS1 cDNA (Glycine max cv. Pusa 16) of 1,791bp revealed an ORF of 1,533 bp predicting 510 amino acids. In silico analysis further revealed its striking homology (80-99%) at both the nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequence levels; with other plant MIPS, particularly with the dicots, Vigna radiata and Phaseolu svulgare. The protein sequence analysis of the predicted GmMIPS1 cDNA indicated the absence of a signal peptide in the N-terminal region. To validate the expression of the GmMIPS1 coding gene, nucleotide sequence residues from 131 to 1,556 bp were amplified by high fidelity PCR and fused in frame to a 19 amino acid N-terminal region of 6X His-tag in expression vector pET-28a (+). The E.coli cell strain BL21 (DE3) transformed with the recombinant plasmid resulted in the production of a 52 kDa fusion protein under optimized induction and expression conditions as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Results of the present study demonstrated that down-regulation of GmMIPS1 using a seed specific promoter can be targeted as a great potential for developing of low-phytate soybean without affecting the critical aspects of inositol metabolism in other tissues of the plant.


Abstract Cambrothyra ampulliformis Qian and Zhang, 1983, is a jar- or vase-shaped fossil known from the Lower Cambrian of Shaanxi and Hubei provinces, China. It has been interpreted as a protistan test or cyst or a metazoan sclerite. A large collection of specimens from the Xihaoping Member of the Dengying Formation in southern Shaanxi Province permits its detailed redescription. These fossils are highly variable in shape but this variation is continuous and does not support the current recognition of multiple species for this material. They were originally hollow with a restricted basal foramen and a calcareous wall probably composed of fibrous aragonite. All of these features support the identification of Cambrothyra as sclerites of a coeloscleritophoran, a problematic group of Cambrian scleritome-bearing metazoans. Furthermore, the walls of Cambrothyra sclerites contain numerous pores, a feature shared with other coeloscleritophorans. Cambrothyra resembles chancelloriids in particular due to the shared presence of a verruculose texture around the foramen and the absence of mirror-image pairs of asymmetric sclerites. However, unlike chancelloriids, which have rosette-like compound sclerites, the scleritome of Cambrothyra was dominated by isolated sclerites, with only a few pairs and clusters of sclerites and twin sclerites. Consequently, we hypothesize that Cambrothyra forms a clade with other chancelloriids, but represents a basal lineage that plesiomorphically retained isolated sclerites. The morphology of Cambrothyra sclerites, which shares features with both chancelloriids and halkieriids, thus supports the hypothesis that all coeloscleritophorans form a natural group.


The interference principle of wave guide propagation is applied to the derivation of the period equations for a number of problems involving both elastic and liquid strata. In the case of undamped steady state propagation in a solid or liquid stratum two arbitrarily chosen points at the same depth must be indistinguishable on an amplitude basis. This well known principle combined with the knowledge of the reflection coefficients enables us to derive in a few simple steps the period equations for a number of multilayer cases which heretofore had been avoided on account of algebraic difficulties. The period equations obtained by this method exhibit a singular simplicity and unity of form. As a consequence of this one may distinguish formally the M1 and M2 waves discovered by Sezawa and understand their physical significance.


Research on Tontemboan deixis is focused on describing the form and function of deixis. This type of research is qualitative by using descriptive methods, especially in collecting data, describing data scientifically, and producing linguistic rules in a linguistic manner. Most of the data used for analysis needs are taken from the field through informants and data from the library is taken from books and available research results that are used to complement the data. Data collection techniques used direct observation techniques, tapping records, notes, and interviews. For data analysis, the inductive method was used to obtain results which indicated that in terms of deixis forms could be morphemes, words and phrases. The form of morpheme is found in the possessive form. The form of a phrase appears on the deixis which states the past time (kawi? makasa 'day before yesterday') and the future time (wo?ndo ang kadouan 'the day after tomorrow', ang kateluan ngando 'two days after tomorrow', the speed of ngando 'three days after tomorrow'). Some forms of deixis have free variations, such as the time markers for the coming time for the word ngando mei 'two days after tomorrow' and the time for ngando mei / epat ngando mei 'three days after tomorrow' and the personal markers for the third pronent sera / sela / seila 'they', which the shapes are interchangeable. Unless the form of sera / sela / seila 'they' is indicated by speakers who are in the area of the makela? I use the word seila 'they'. In terms of function, deixis has a function according to the type of deixis. In the Tontemboan language there is only one form of deixis which refers to him being male and her being female. Deixis which shows the place or space there are 3 deixis, namely ambi? 'here', am bitu 'there' and asyianonge 'there'. The Tontemboan language recognizes an exclusive form of cami 'we' and an inclusive form of 'our'. Starting from Frei's hypothesis, the cultural link with the Tontemboan language deixis can provide an overview of the extent of the existing cultural levels.


ABSTRACT Objectives: We sought to assess the relationship between stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) before radioactive iodine therapy (RIT), and the dynamic risk stratification 1 year after treatment, and to establish the utility of the sTg as a predictor of response to therapy in these patients. A retrospective chart review of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who underwent RIT after surgery and were followed for at least 1 year, was carried out. Subjects and methods: Patients were classified according to the dynamic risk stratification 1 year after initial treatment. The sTg values before RIT were compared among the groups. ROC curve analysis was performed. Results: Fifty-six patients were enrolled (mean age 44.7 ± 14.4 years, 80.7% had papillary carcinoma). Patients with excellent response had sTg = 2.1 ± 3.3 ng/mL, those with indeterminate response had sTg = 8.2 ± 9.2 ng/mL and those with incomplete response had sTg = 22.4 ± 28.3 ng/mL before RIT (p = 0.01). There was a difference in sTg between excellent and incomplete response groups (p = 0.009) while no difference was found between indeterminate and either excellent or incomplete groups. The ROC curve showed an area under the curve of 0.779 assuming a sTg value of 3.75 ng/mL. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the higher the sTg before RIT, the greater the likelihood of an incomplete response to initial treatment. A sTg cut-off of 3.75 ng/mL was found to be a good predictor of response to initial treatment in patients with DTC.


Heat stress occurs when a dairy cow's internal heat load is greater than her capacity to lose unwanted heat to the environment. Effects of heat stress include: increased respiration rate, increased water intake, increased sweating, decreased dry matter intake, slower rate of feed passage, decreased blood flow to internal organs, decreased milk production, and poor reproductive performance. Lower milk production and reproductive performance cause economic losses to dairy producers. The ordered priorities for reducing heat are: increasing water availability; providing shade in the housing areas (both dry and lactating cows) and holding pen; reducing walking distance to the parlor; reducing time in the holding pen; improving holding pen ventilation and freestall ventilation; adding cooling for the holding pen and exit lane; cooling close-up cows (3 wk before calving); cooling housing for fresh and earlylactation cows; and cooling housing for midand late-lactation cows.


Cooperative learning is a student-centered learning technique that can be considered a learning strategy for improving student performance both intellectually and in soft skill acquisition. Changesin curriculum structure in vocational institutions, because of the TVET transformation in 2012, have had an unforeseen influence on teaching and learning, whereas in the prior framework, a detailed teaching guideline was supplied compared to the latest structure. Teachers with inadequate knowledge and experience in learning strategies struggled to execute the new curriculum structure due to the lack of depth in these recent curriculum structure. This may be seen in the case of construction drawing subjects, where there were originally 14 main topics but now there are just four. Thus, the goal of this research is to help these teachers by offering a guideline for creating lesson plans that use a cooperative learning strategy. The aim of this paper is to identify and highlight the important component in the creation of a lesson plan using cooperative learning. For this investigation, the fuzzy Delphi technique was used. The main instrument for this study is a questionnaire survey that was developed utilizing a construct identified through literature and the results of a previous needs analysis. A total of 15 expert panels were chosen as the sample, which included university lecturers, vocational college instructors, officers from the Ministry of Education's Technical and Vocational Training Division, and industry representatives. The data was analyzed with the help of Microsoft Excel FDM. Visual skills, Cooperative Student Team Achievement Division (STAD), Power Point, and demonstrations components have been recognized as the major component to include in the lesson plan based on the analysis. With these components identified, a good lesson plan guideline for the next phase of this study can be constructed. It is envisaged that the development of such guidelines would help to elevate the practice of teaching and learning to the next level.


Objective: To assess the quantification of use of antibiotics and to find out empiric antibiotic regimen practiced for neonatal sepsis in rural tertiary health care centre. Methods: A hospital, record based cross-sectional study was conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) at tertiary care hospital located in western Maharashtra, India. The study was planned during the year 2011-12 among 84 neonates with sepsis. Data were collected by using proforma includes demographic details, antibiotic prescriptions and relevant information. Results: Among the total 84 neonates, max, 60.71% had a history of term delivery. The proportion of early and late onset of sepsis was 47.61% and 52.38% for which total 18 antibiotics were used of which max, 88.88% were injectables. Amikacin was used in max, 78.57% neonates followed by cefotaxime, 45.23% and ampicillin, 35.71% in single or combination form respectively. Amikacin was used for max; 929 d followed by cefotaxime, 523 d and ampicillin 331 d respectively. Antibiotics used in single, double and multiple regimens were 19.04%, 46.42% and 34.52% respectively. Empiric antibiotic regimens practiced were cefotaxim+amikacin and cefotaxim+ampicillin, of which max, 80% patients were treated with the cefotaxim+amikacin antibiotic regimen. Out of 84 neonates max, 70% were improved at the time of discharge. Conclusion: Neonatal sepsis was well treated by cefotaxim+amikacin empirical injectable regimen with maximum survival.


T4 polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (Pnkp) exemplifies a family of bifunctional enzymes with 5′-kinase and 3′-phosphatase activities that function in nucleic acid repair. The N-terminal kinase domain belongs to the P-loop phosphotransferase superfamily. The kinase is distinguished by a tunnel-like active site with separate entrances on opposite sides of the protein for the NTP phosphate donor and a 5′-OH single-stranded oligonucleotide phosphate acceptor. Here, we probed by mutagenesis the roles of individual amino acids that comprise the acceptor binding site. We thereby identified Glu57 as an important residue, by virtue of its participation in a salt bridge network with two catalytic residues identified previously: Arg38, which binds the 3′-phosphate of the terminal 5′-OH nucleotide, and the putative general base Asp35 that contacts the nucleophilic 5′-OH group. The 5′-OH nucleoside fits into a pocket lined by aliphatic amino acids (Val131, Pro132 and Val135) that make van der Waals contacts to the nucleobase. Whereas subtraction of these contacts by single alanine substitutions for Val131 or Val135 and glycine for Pro132 had modest effects on kinase activity, the introduction of bulkier phenylalanines for Val131 and Val135 were deleterious, especially V131F, which severely impeded both substrate binding (increasing Km by 15-fold) and catalysis (decreasing kcat by 300-fold).


Tests of pulmonary mechanical function provide information about the state of the lungs, both airways and parenchyma. This information can be extracted from measurements made in experimental animals, especially the combined determination of pulmonary resistance and dynamic compliance. This report discusses the rationale upon which effects of an intervention on the lung periphery can be distinguished from those on more central airways. Further, practical considerations involved in making these measurements are discussed.


The present work tracks some of the most well-known thinkers on love in the Western philosophical tradition, where various theories emerge, conflict, converge, and fade away. Given that many questions about its nature have persisted for centuries, love's identity appears unsettled. Due to its unresolved identity, love might be best understood as a paradox existing between its resistance to definition and yet commonly recognized and experienced. The other central thread stemming from these philosophers of love is how the history of its theorizing constructed a restrictive notion that commonly excluded women from the experience. Offering a natural rebuttal to the history of exclusion promoted by these prominent thinkers is bell hooks' notion of an expansive and healing love that possessed the capacity to realize more fulfilling relationships and a compassionate society. This paper concludes with thoughts on love's liberatory nature, its capacity to create personal meaning, and its identity as a paradox without attempting to define it.


Research in pursuit of an effective response to the demands for a sustainable architecture has lead towards the conception of a Renewable, Adaptive, Recyclable and Environmental (R.A.R.E.) building typology. The term R.A.R.E. expresses issues that have assumed central importance in the current architectural debate. This paper establishes the principles of the typology, drawing on the contents and pedagogical methods applied in a building technology academic course, at fourth year level. The R.A.R.E methodology is presented to and explored by students in the search for a definition of an innovative architecture, which is both progressive and sustainable. The unit is structured into eight subjects: Sustainable Site & Climate Analysis; Flexible & Adaptive Structural Systems; Renewable & Environmental Building Materials; Modular Building Systems; Innovative Building Envelope Systems; Renewable & Non-conventional Energy Systems; Innovative Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Systems; Water Collection & Storage Systems. Through a holistic and integrated approach, the unit presents a comprehensive overview of these 'Sustainable Building Categories', so that the students can produce a guide towards the design requirements of a Renewable, Adaptive, Recyclable and Environmental (R.A.R.E.) Architecture.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the psychosocial adjustment of survivors of massive pediatric burn injuries, the change in adjustment across time, and the impact on parents.

BACKGROUND
Patients/parents were assessed at regular intervals postburn using standardized tests of adjustment. Patients who could not be included in standardized longitudinal assessments were administered questionnaires by mail/telephone.

METHODS
The Child Behavior Checklist, the Teacher Report Form, the Youth Self Report Form, and the Parenting Stress Index were utilized to assess adjustment.

RESULTS
On all objective measures, the group of survivors and their parents were within normal limits. Adjustment neither improved nor deteriorated over time.

CONCLUSION
Children who survive massive burn injuries can achieve positive psychosocial adaptation.


The research presented in this thesis explores methods for rendering realistic virtual content in mixed reality applications. Rendering content for mixed reality presents unique challenges, as it is critical that the virtual content is not only realistic, but also consistent with its real surroundings. This thesis is concerned with methods to achieve this goal, focusing on those which require minimal prior information about the real scene and work in real time. In particular, methods are presented which address two problems in this area. The first problem is correct handling of occlusion between virtual and real objects. When adding virtual content to a real scene, it is challenging to determine where real objects should occlude the added virtual content. An approach was developed to combine the noisy colour and depth outputs of RGBD cameras to determine accurate real-virtual occlusions. A method was also developed to quantitatively assess the quality of such approaches. The second problem is capturing a detailed lighting model of a real environment quickly, and updating it in real time. The appearance of objects is greatly dependent on the surrounding lighting environment, so a detailed lighting model is invaluable when attempting to render realistic virtual content into the scene. A number of novel approaches to capture this lighting information and use it are developed, and applications for these approaches are also explored, including rendering virtual objects which reflect the changing real world around them. In contrast to previous approaches which require external light probes or infer lighting indirectly from the real scene, the presented approaches use a self-contained two-camera system and use the extra information to infer the lighting at the virtual object location.


The hallmark symptom of sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength without the loss of overall body weight. Sarcopenia patients are likely to have worse clinical outcomes and higher mortality than do healthy individuals. The sarcopenia population shows an annual increase of ~0.8% in the population after age 50, and the prevalence rate is rapidly increasing with the recent worldwide aging trend. Based on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, a global classification of disease published by the World Health Organization, issued the disease code (M62.84) given to sarcopenia in 2016. Therefore, it is expected that the study of sarcopenia will be further activated based on the classification of disease codes in the aging society. Several epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have looked at the correlation between the prevalence of sarcopenia and several environmental factors. In addition, studies using cell lines and rodents have been done to understand the biological mechanism of sarcopenia. Laboratory rodent models are widely applicable in sarcopenia studies because of the advantages of time savings, cost saving, and various analytical applications that could not be used for human subjects. The rodent models that can be applied to the sarcopenia research are diverse, but a simple and fast method that can cause atrophy or aging is preferred. Therefore, we will introduce various methods of inducing muscular atrophy in rodent models to be applied to the study of sarcopenia.


In the search for alternatives to conventional Pt electrocatalysts, we have synthesized ultrathin, ternary PtRuFe nanowires (NW), possessing different chemical compositions in order to probe their CO tolerance as well as electrochemical activity as a function of composition for both (i) the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and (ii) the formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR). As-prepared 'multifunctional' ternary NW catalysts exhibited both higher MOR and FAOR activity as compared with mono-metallic Pt NWs, binary Pt7Ru3 and Pt7Fe3 NWs, and commercial catalyst control samples. In terms of synthetic novelty, we utilized a sustainably mild, ambient wet-synthesis method never previously applied to the fabrication of crystalline, pure ternary systems in order to fabricate ultrathin, homogeneous alloy PtRuFe NWs with a range of controlled compositions. These NWs were subsequently characterized using a suite of techniques including XRD, TEM, SAED, and EDAX in order to verify not only the incorporation of Ru and Fe into the Pt lattice but also their chemical homogeneity, morphology, as well as physical structure and integrity. Lastly, these NWs were electrochemically tested in order to deduce the appropriateness of conventional explanations such as (i) the bi-functional mechanism as well as (ii) the ligand effect to account for our MOR and FAOR reaction data. Specifically, methanol oxidation appears to be predominantly influenced by the Ru content, whereas formic acid oxidation is primarily impacted by the corresponding Fe content within the ternary metal alloy catalyst itself.


Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article: Fig S1. Different modulation of P-ERK1/2 between Sorafenib and Dasatinib in AML cells. Please note: Wiley-Blackwell are not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting materials supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.


Abstract: This article analyzes the problem of complicity in wrongdoing in the case of healthcare practitioners (and in particular Roman Catholic ones) who refuse to perform abortions, but who are nonetheless required to facilitate abortions by informing their patients about this option and by referring them to a willing colleague. Although this solution is widely supported in the literature and is also widely represented in much legislation, the argument here is that it fails to both (1) safeguard the well-being of the patients, and (2) protect the moral integrity of healthcare practitioners. Finally, the article proposes a new solution to this problem that is based on a desirable ratio of conscientious objectors to non-conscientious objectors in a hospital or in a given geographic area.


Abstract

 System L is a major transport system for cellular uptake of neutral amino acids. Among system L transporters, L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is responsible for the nutrient uptake in cancer cells, whereas L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2) is a transporter for non-cancer cells. In this study, we have established HEK293 cell lines stably expressing high levels of human LAT1 and LAT2 forming heterodimers with native human 4F2hc of the cells. We have found that l-[14C]alanine is an appropriate substrate to examine the function of LAT2, whereas l-[14C]leucine is used for LAT1. By using l-[14C]alanine on LAT2, we have for the first time directly evaluated the function of human LAT2 expressed in mammalian cells and obtained its reliable kinetics. Using α-alkyl amino acids including α-methyl-alanine and α-ethyl-l-alanine, we have demonstrated that α-alkyl groups interfere with the interaction with LAT2. These cell lines with higher practical advantages would be useful for screening and analyzing compounds to develop LAT1-specific drugs that can be used for cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. The strategy that we took to establish the cell lines would also be applicable to the other heterodimeric transporters with important therapeutic implications.


This article presents a model for conceptualising learner involvement in online environments. It takes as its starting point the emerging approach to service-user engagement in public-sector change in the United Kingdom. This is focused upon civic inclusion and empowered decision making. In turn this personalisation is related to issues surrounding information literacy and access to technology, in order to frame a structure for legitimate participation in e-environments. However, a key question is whether more controlled, academic environments can be activated for use by learners, and if so, what types of participative involvement are created and valued. Thus, a model for participation is developed, which captures how academic teams can move towards partnership and co-ownership with students. This focuses upon building an e-learning approach that is responsive and inclusive, and which has a 'free-ranging' structure that demands the legitimate participation of learners as co-owners of its environmental definition. The evaluation uses an action research-based approach to assess how academic staff can work with students to activate meaningful online spaces.


The academic literature is robust in terms of how organizations can improve its innovation, sales and new product development processes as well as its marketing management program. Yet very little has been written on the methods in which organizations can cultivate and develop future marketing leaders. With this as a background, the purpose of this research is twofold. It will first link the overlap that exists between the Deming Philosophy of Management with specific marketing management frameworks within the literature. It will then analyze principles within Deming's 14 Points and how essential they are in creating future marketing executives. The goal of this exploratory study is to illustrate the importance of the Deming Philosophy of Management when creating the marketing executive of the future.


A novel molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was constructed for the sensitive detection of quercetin (Qu) based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and graphene (GR). The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which were applied as the molecular recognition element, were prepared by electropolymerization using Qu as a template and pyrrole as a monomer. The fabrication conditions that affect the performance of the sensor, such as PH, pyrrole concentration, scan rate and scan cycles, were investigated. The sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under the optimized conditions, the sensor offered an excellent response for Qu, the linear response range was 1.0 × 10−9 to 1.0 × 10−6 mol L−1 (R = 0.9998) with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10−10 mol L−1. Moreover, the proposed sensor possessed good selectivity and stability, providing a promising tool for practical applications.


Forest resources contribute significantly to the Kenyan economy. However, due to pressures exerted by the growing population, this scarce resource is seriously endangered. In particular, the Kakamega Forest has experienced serious degradation in the past, though some restoration efforts have also been put in place. In this research, we utilise time series Landsat imagery to characterise the changes and capture the trends in land cover changes. Three epochs are utilised, namely, 1986, 1995 and 2005. Pre-processing involved georeferencing and radiometric corrections. As a first step the time series imageries were evaluated via a threshold analysis distinguishing between 'forest' and 'non-forest'. Subsequently, a supervised multispectral classification was performed distinguishing various land cover classes. Ground truthing for the historical imagery was done using aerial photographs, topographic maps and site visits. Actual land cover verification was based on amateur photographs taken in 1999 from an aircraft, and ground observations in 2008. For classification the maximumlikelihood decision rule was applied considering bands 3, 4, 5, 7 plus 7/2 for thematic mapper (TM)/enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) imagery and 1, 2, 3 and 4 for Multi-spectral scanner (MSS) data, respectively. The classification results form a solid basis for a consistent and detailed evaluation of forest history between 1986 and 2005. Analysis results presented include graphs and pie charts of change in land cover class areas over time as well as such allowing for true change detection with transitions between the different classes. In this study, maximum likelihood supervised classification change detection techniques were applied to Landsat images acquired in 1986, 1995 and 2005 respectively. To map land cover changes in kakamega forest, a supervised classification was carried out on the six reflective bands for the three images individually with the aid of ground truthing data. Changes among different land cover classes were assessed. During the study period, a very severe land cover change had taken place as a result of agricultural and settlement. These changes in land cover led to vegetation degradation. The effects of restoration efforts are also captured in the research findings.


When we speak about communication it is imperative to consider it as being cultural — it draws on ways we have learned to speak and give nonverbal messages. We do not always communicate the same way from day to day, since there are factors like context, individual personality, and mood interact usually with the variety of cultural influences we have internalized that influence our choices. Communication is meant to be interactive, so an important influence on its effectiveness is the relationship we have with others. Do they hear and understand what we are trying to say? Are they listening well? Are we listening well in response? Do their responses show that they understand the words and the meanings behind the words we have chosen? Is the mood positive and receptive? Is there trust between them and us? Are there differences that relate to ineffective communication, divergent goals or interests, or fundamentally different ways of seeing the world? The answers to these questions will give us some clues about the effectiveness of our communication and the ease with which we may be able to move through conflict.


Abstract In this paper, authors propose an overview of feedforward-feedback learning control systems that can be adapted for human errors prediction. A State of the Art in existing approaches for machines of feedback and/or feedforward learning control systems is presented and a synthesis relevant for prediction purposes is detailed. The possible application for learning systems based on human errors applied to Human Machine System (HMS) is then identified. A feedforward-feedback learning system applied to car driving simulation in order to predict intentional human errors is proposed. The paper concludes on relevant perspectives for feedforward-feedback learning systems to predict human errors and to increase HMS resilience facing unplanned disruptions in transportation.


Race, ethnicity and language influence health care delivery and satisfaction with treatment in many disease states including chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this review, HCV epidemiology and current standard of care is reviewed. The influence of race, ethnicity and language on screening, work-up and initiation of HCV antiviral treatment is evaluated. Acknowledging that these factors do influence health care quality and taking steps to improve communication (e.g. translated written documents; use of reliable, trained translators in the clinic setting) will facilitate the delivery of an equivalent level of care to all patients living with HCV.


Male rats from moderately selenium-deficient dams were fed a Torula yeast-based, selenium-deficient diet for 7 weeks, with or without added supplements of sodium selenite (0.2 ppm selenium) and cadmium chloride (50 ppm cadmium) in the drinking water. Cadmium caused about 10% body-weight loss in selenium-deficient, as well as in supplemented rats. Glutathione peroxidase activity in liver 105,000 g supernatant and in erythrocyte hemolysate from selenium-deficient rats was about 1% and 3%, respectively, of that in supplemented rats. A cadmium-induced decrease of glutathione peroxidase activity was found in erythrocyte and liver preparations from selenium-supplemented rats, while cadmium caused an increase of the liver activity in selenium deficiency. Selenium deficiency per se caused a significant decrease of cytochrome P-450 content, while cadmium treatment did not modify further the content of this enzyme. NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was not changed by selenium regimen or cadmium treatment, while cytochrome b5 was increased on cadmium treatment of the supplemented rat. The microsomal metabolism of N,N-dimethylaniline showed a decrease of the cytochrome P-450-dependent C-oxygenation in selenium-deficient groups. Cadmium treatment had no further significant effect. The flavin-containing monooxygenase, which performs N-oxygenation of N,N-dimethylaniline, was decreased significantly by cadmium treatment in selenium deficiency. Selenium deficiency seems thus to be connected with higher susceptibility to cadmium-induced impairments of liver detoxication functions, although progressive accumulation of cadmium in the liver appears to produce only modest effects.


This paper derives rigorous results pertaining to the validity of the far-field approximation for scattering from randomly rough, perfectly conducting surfaces having arbitrary statistics. The methodology employs the stochastic Fourier transform of the current induced on the infinite surface by either a bounded or unbounded incident plane wave. The results are general in that no approximate simplifying forms for the current are employed. Exact expressions are obtained for the mean and variance of the scattered field for unbounded illumination, and they are compared to the far-field approximations to illustrate how the latter simplifications fail in this limit. Some of the pitfalls of the far-field approximation in the case of beam illumination are discussed. When the incident plane wave is bounded, the conventional far-field form for the mean scattered field can be rigorously derived for arbitrary surfaces provided the cross-sectional area of the incident beam is large in comparison to the square of the electromagnetic wavelength. The conventional far-field result for the variance of the scattered field is shown to require the additional stipulation that the cross-sectional area of the incident beam contain many decorrelation intervals of the surface roughness. The results obtained herein are important because they hold for arbitrary surface statistics. Whereas they appear to duplicate previous results, it must be remembered that the earlier results were only valid for a special class of surface statistics, i.e., surfaces for which single scattering theory holds.


In this era of cost accountability and containment, scheduling issues have increasing importance. The authors monitored the readiness of patients in one institution for morning therapy appointments. The purpose of the study, which lasted for a period of 5 days, was to obtain an accurate picture of patient readiness for therapy and to determine whether nurses were able to have patients ready for therapy on time.


Objective
To explore the anatomy and clinical application of stepladder V-Y advanced flaps based on the lateral calcaneal artery perforator.

Methods
Twenty-four lower extremities from 12 adult cadavers were dissected to investigate the perforators emerging along the lateral edge of the achilles tendon, in terms of amount and distribution, relative to the tip of the lateral malleolus. Based on the anatomical findings, stepladder V-Y advanced flaps, based on the perforator(s) of the lateral calcaneal artery (LCA) or the peroneal artery (PA), were used for reconstruction of lower-posterior heel defects in 22 cases.

Results
Twenty-four lower extremities from 12 adult cadavers were successfully dissected. The peroneal artery continued to be the lateral calcaneal artery at the level of (6.0±1.4) cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. Both of them have the perforators distributed to the skin in the achilles tendon area. In the space from the tip of the lateral malleolus to 8.0 cm and above, a total of 71 perforators with diameter larger than 0.5 mm were found in all extremities. Among them, 9%(7/71) were originated from peroneal artery, and 91%(64/71) were the lateral calcaneal artery. In the 22 cases of clinical application, the pedicle of flaps were used, based on the perforator of lateral calcaneal artery and (or) peroneal artery. The size of flaps ranged from 3.5 cm×9.0 cm to 5.0 cm×10.0 cm.There were 3 cases of skin necrosis at the tip of the flap, which were healed after dressing change. The other flaps had completely survived, and the wound healed in the first stage. Follow-up last for 8-24 months after operation. All patients had well recovery of ankle flexion, extension and appearance. They were able to weight-bearing walk, with natural gait. The texture and sensation of the flaps were similar to that of the surrounding skin. There were few obvious scar or contracture deformity. The functional recovery was satisfied.

Conclusions
The blood supply in the achilles tendon region is mainly from the lateral calcaneal artery, and partly from the peroneal artery. Stepladder V-Y advanced flap based on the lateral calcaneal artery perforator can be used with reliable blood supply and sensation reconstruction, which is a good choice to repair small to medial wounds in heel area.

Key words:
Surgical flap; Soft tissue injuries; Perforator flap; Lateral calcaneal artery


Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae) used in traditional medicine of Iraq and itis one of the most famous medicinal plants. The most bacteria pathogen is resistance for synthesis antibiotic drugs resulting from abuse uses of the patient or produce resistance strains for microorganism therefor,  the aim of this search is the effect antibacterial of seed alcoholic extract of peganum harmala  on some Gram negative bacteria pathogen. Methods: The broth serial  dilution assay method determined the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of seed methanolic extract of Peganum harmala   were tested for antibacterial effect against bacterial isolates (salmonlla enteric , klebsiela pneumonia multidrugresitant E. Coli and highly resist E.coli), used phytochemical analysis of seed mathanolic extrac of peganumharmala. Result: showed good antibacterial activity against strain  Salmonella enteric and Klebsella pneumonia, were MBC at concentration (25 mg/ml) and no effect of low concentration of MIC. The MBC value against strain multidrugresistant Escherichia coli, was at concentration (3.125 mg/ml) and MIC at (25 and 12.5 mg/ml), while MBC of highly resist Escherichia coli was in (12.5mg/ml) and MIC value at 50 mg/ml compared with standard antibiotics synthesis. Phytochemical analysis of component seed methanolic extract of peganumharmala showed presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids and steroids.


The haemodynamic effects of intravenous verapamil at rest, during hypoxaemia, and during progressive exercise were evaluated in 10 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Verapamil produced significant decreases in the peak heart rate and systemic blood pressure during exercise but exercise capacity and pulmonary gas exchange at exhaustion were unaffected. There were no significant changes in pulmonary artery pressure or total pulmonary vascular resistance during exercise or during the breathing of either air or a hypoxic gas mixture at rest. No clinically useful benefit was found with verapamil in the dosage used in this group of patients and the value of calcium antagonists in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease requires further clarification.


Typical human-scaled considerations of thermodynamic states depend primarily on the core of associated speed or other relevant distributions, because the wings of those distributions are so improbable that they cannot contribute significantly to averages. However, for long timescale regimes (slow time), previous papers have shown otherwise. Fluctuating local equilibrium systems have been proven to have distributions with non-Gaussian tails demanding more careful treatment. That has not been needed in traditional statistical mechanics. The resulting non-Gaussian distributions do not admit notions such as temperature; that is, a global temperature is not defined even if local regimes have meaningful temperatures. A fluctuating local thermodynamic equilibrium implies that any local detector is exposed to sequences of local states which collectively induce the non-Gaussian forms. This paper shows why tail behavior is observationally challenging, how the convolutions that produce non-Gaussian behavior are directly linked to time-coarse graining, how a fluctuating local equilibrium system does not need to have a collective temperature, and how truncating the tails in the convolution probability density function (PDF) produces even more non-Gaussian behaviors.


We generalize the concept of separable dual-space Gaussian pseudopotentials to the relativistic case. This allows us to construct this type of pseudopotential for the whole Periodic Table, and we present a complete table of pseudopotential parameters for all the elements from H to Rn. The relativistic version of this pseudopotential retains all the advantages of its nonrelativistic version. It is separable by construction, it is optimal for integration on a real-space grid, it is highly accurate, and, due to its analytic form, it can be specified by a very small number of parameters. The accuracy of the pseudopotential is illustrated by an extensive series of molecular calculations.


1 Abstract—Commercial hydroxyapatite (HA) was reinforced by adding 2, 5, and 10 wt % of 28.5%CaO-28.5%P2O5-38%Na2 O5%CaF2 based glass and then sintered. Although HA shows good biocompatibility with the human body, its applications are limited to non load-bearing areas and coatings due to its poor mechanical properties. These mechanical properties can be improved substantially with addition of glass ceramics by sintering. In this study, the effects of sintering hydroxyapatite with above specified phosphate glass additions are quantified. Each composition was sintered over a range of temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction were used to characterize the microstructure and phases of the composites. The density, microhardness, and compressive strength were measured using Archimedes Principle, Vickers Microhardness Tester (at 0.98 N), and Instron Universal Testing Machine (cross speed of 0.5 mm/min) respectively. These results were used to indicate which composition provided suitable material for use in hard tissue replacement. Composites containing 10 wt % glass additions formed dense HA/TCP (tricalcium phosphate) composite materials possessing good compressive strength and hardness than HA. In-vitro bioactivity was assessed by evaluating changes in pH and Ca 2+ ion concentration of SBF-simulated body fluid on immersion of these composites in it for two weeks.


Background: People with chronic diseases may experience poor cognitive functioning associated with advanced age, progression of disease, or other comorbid chronic conditions. Empirical evidence of this phenomenon is limited despite the clinical relevance of cognitive decline and associated adverse outcomes such as poor physical functioning. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine cognitive functioning in the domains of memory, attention, and executive function and its association with functional capacity in a sample of community-dwelling adults with a spectrum of chronic diseases. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of community-dwelling adults with chronic diseases, including hypertension (58.9%), diabetes mellitus (DM; 20.0%), and dyslipidemia (14.4%). Participants' mean age was 64.1 ± 11.2 years, and 48.9% were male. Ninety persons completed the face-to-face interviews, which evaluated cognitive functioning in the domains of memory, attention, and executive function using neuropsychological tests and the physical well-being test, which measured functional capacity using the Duke Activity Status Index. Results: Compared with those with other chronic diseases, our sample with hypertension and DM had significantly more memory loss and poorer executive function. These significant differences were nullified when adjusting for age, gender, and education. Approximately one third had functional limitations (n = 29, 32.2%), using a cutoff point of 35 or less (Duke Activity Status Index). Memory loss (delayed recall, b = 1.5, p = .016) and poor executive function (Trail Making Test Part A, b = −0.2, p < .001) were predicting factors of functional decline, independent of age, gender, education, and comorbidity. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Cognitive function, particularly memory and executive function, was poorer among chronically ill Korean adults in the community with hypertension or DM than their counterparts. Functional decline was worse in the presence of memory loss and poor executive function. Studies examining the mechanism by which overall functioning is impacted by cognitive decline and its relevance to functional declines in a larger representative sample are warranted.


Financial processes may possess long memory and their probability densities may display heavy tails. Many models have been developed to deal with this tail behaviour, which reflects the jumps in the sample paths. On the other hand, the presence of long memory, which contradicts the efficient market hypothesis, is still an issue for further debates. These difficulties present challenges with the problems of memory detection and modelling the co-presence of long memory and heavy tails. This PhD project aims to respond to these challenges. The first part aims to detect memory in a large number of financial time series on stock prices and exchange rates using their scaling properties. Since financial time series often exhibit stochastic trends, a common form of nonstationarity, strong trends in the data can lead to false detection of memory. We will take advantage of a technique known as multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) that can systematically eliminate trends of different orders. This method is based on the identification of scaling of the q-th-order moments and is a generalisation of the standard detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) which uses only the second moment; that is, q = 2. We also consider the rescaled range R/S analysis and the periodogram method to detect memory in financial time series and compare their results with the MF-DFA. An interesting finding is that short memory is detected for stock prices of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) and long memory is found present in the time series of two exchange rates, namely the French franc and the Deutsche mark. Electricity price series of the five states of Australia are also found to possess long memory. For these electricity price series, heavy tails are also pronounced in their probability densities. The second part of the thesis develops models to represent short-memory and longmemory financial processes as detected in Part I. These models take the form of continuous-time AR(∞) -type equations whose kernel is the Laplace transform of a finite Borel measure. By imposing appropriate conditions on this measure, short memory or long memory in the dynamics of the solution will result. A specific form of the models, which has a good MA(∞) -type representation, is presented for the short memory case. Parameter estimation of this type of models is performed via least squares, and the models are applied to the stock prices in the AMEX, which have been established in Part I to possess short memory. By selecting the kernel in the continuous-time AR(∞) -type equations to have the form of Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative, we obtain a fractional stochastic differential equation driven by Brownian motion. This type of equations is used to represent financial processes with long memory, whose dynamics is described by the fractional derivative in the equation. These models are estimated via quasi-likelihood, namely via a continuoustime version of the Gauss-Whittle method. The models are applied to the exchange rates and the electricity prices of Part I with the aim of confirming their possible long-range dependence established by MF-DFA. The third part of the thesis provides an application of the results established in Parts I and II to characterise and classify financial markets. We will pay attention to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), the NASDAQ Stock Exchange (NASDAQ) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The parameters from MF-DFA and those of the short-memory AR(∞) -type models will be employed in this classification. We propose the Fisher discriminant algorithm to find a classifier in the two and three-dimensional spaces of data sets and then provide cross-validation to verify discriminant accuracies. This classification is useful for understanding and predicting the behaviour of different processes within the same market. The fourth part of the thesis investigates the heavy-tailed behaviour of financial processes which may also possess long memory. We consider fractional stochastic differential equations driven by stable noise to model financial processes such as electricity prices. The long memory of electricity prices is represented by a fractional derivative, while the stable noise input models their non-Gaussianity via the tails of their probability density. A method using the empirical densities and MF-DFA will be provided to estimate all the parameters of the model and simulate sample paths of the equation. The method is then applied to analyse daily spot prices for five states of Australia. Comparison with the results obtained from the R/S analysis, periodogram method and MF-DFA are provided. The results from fractional SDEs agree with those from MF-DFA, which are based on multifractal scaling, while those from the periodograms, which are based on the second order, seem to underestimate the long memory dynamics of the process. This highlights the need and usefulness of fractal methods in modelling non-Gaussian financial processes with long memory.


Genetic defects in aldosterone biosynthesis and action affect blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis. Aldosterone synthase deficiency, salt-wasting forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and adrenal hypoplasia congenita all cause aldosterone deficiency, signs of which include hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypovolemia, elevated plasma renin activity, and sometimes shock and death. Conversely, the inappropriate regulation of aldosterone synthesis seen in glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperaldosteronism may cause hypokalemia, suppressed plasma renin activity, and hypertension. Similar problems occur when the normal ligand specificity of the aldosterone receptor is lost, as in the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess due to 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency. The effects of aldosterone are mediated largely through activation of the epithelial sodium channel, and inactivating or activating mutations of this channel leads to signs of mineralocorticoid deficiency or excess, termed pseudohypoaldosteronism and Liddle's syndrome, respectively.


According to the characteristics of the food transport system, RFID technology is integrated in the AGV automatic guided vehicle system in the food warehousing. The node RFID oriented method is chosen and the RFID note positioning function is used to realize more types and over horizon identification loading, handling and automatic storage function that improves the system flexibility through the design of tag oriented system.


A highly efficient one-step photocyanation reaction of pyrene was shown to proceed in oil-in-water emulsion systems. As a typical example, photoirradiation of pyrene in the presence of 1,4-dicyanobenzene and NaCN in a benzonitrile/water mixture (1/100, vol %) under vigorous stirring gave 1-cyanopyrene in a conversion yield of 83%, while an analogous reaction in an acetonitrile/water mixture (9/1, vol %) yielded this product in 61% yield. We evaluated the quantum yield of photocyanation in the oil-in-water emulsion system to be 0.17. Under optimum conditions, the quantum yield was improved to 0.68. Characteristics and possible mechanisms of the photocyanation reaction are discussed in detail.


This study examines the level of efficiency of the indirect taxes administration system. The level of efficiency was analysed through the trends of the costrevenue ratio; arrears-revenue ratio; and revenue detected-collected ratio. Further investigation was carried out to see whether the Malaysian indirect tax system has all the characteristics of a good tax system as perceived by the taxpayers based on the tenets proposed by the Institute Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW). The result of the study revealed that the Malaysian Customs Department has been collecting less indirect taxes revenue each year as compared to the costs incurred in the process of acquiring the revenue. An analysis on the ratio of total arrears to total revenue collected also indicated that uncollected indirect tax revenues is on the increasing trend. It shows that the rate of increase in the amount of overdue taxes is more than the amount of revenue collected each year. It was also revealed that on the average, only 60% of the revenue loss detected could be recovered for the period 1995 to 2001. The trend of collection has been rather stable even though the revenue detected had increased. Regarding the characteristics of a good tax system, based on the respondents surveyed, there are mixed responses for each characteristic as perceived by the taxpayers. The findings revealed that there is an existence of a good legislation under the tax system and the tax system is constant and regularly reviewed. However, they had disagreed that the present system is certain and simple; proper consultation has been made before any new legislation is issued; and that the overall system is fair. From all the characteristics suggested, the taxpayers ranked "statutory" as the highest and "proper consultation" as the lowest.