The extraordinary climbing ability of geckos is partially attributed to the fine structure of their toe pads, which contain arrays consisting of thousands of micrometer-sized stalks (setae) that are in turn terminated by millions of fingerlike pads (spatulae) having nanoscale dimensions. Using a surface forces apparatus (SFA), we have investigated the dynamic sliding characteristics of setal arrays subjected to various loading, unloading, and shearing conditions at different angles. Setal arrays were glued onto silica substrates and, once installed into the SFA, brought toward a polymeric substrate surface and then sheared. Lateral shearing of the arrays was initiated along both the "gripping" and "releasing" directions of the setae on the foot pads. We find that the anisotropic microstructure of the setal arrays gives rise to quite different adhesive and tribological properties when sliding along these two directions, depending also on the angle that the setae subtend with respect to the surface. Thus, dragging the setal arrays along the gripping direction leads to strong adhesion and friction forces (as required during contact and attachment), whereas when shearing along the releasing direction, both forces fall to almost zero (as desired during rapid detachment). The results and analysis provide new insights into the biomechanics of adhesion and friction forces in animals, the coupling between these two forces, and the specialized structures that allow them to optimize these forces along different directions during movement. Our results also have practical implications and criteria for designing reversible and responsive adhesives and articulated robotic mechanisms.


We define a normalized Weyl-type ⋆-product on general Kähler manifolds. Expanding this product perturbatively we show that the cumbersome term, which appears in a Berezin-type product, does not appear at least in the first order of h̄. This means a normalization factor, which is introduced by Reshetikhin and Takhtajan for a Berezin-type product, is unnecessary for our Weyl-type product at that order.


This paper presents the results obtained in the simulation of neutral particle fluxes of deuterium and tritium, emitted by ITER-FEAT plasma along the major radius in the middle plane of the torus. The electron capture in collisions with He+ ions is taken into account as a mechanism of hydrogen ion neutralization in addition to the resonant charge exchange with background neutrals. The simulation shows that 150 keV D0 and T0 atoms are emitted from the plasma core and the flux values are high enough to enable nd/nt measurement in the plasma core with required accuracy and time resolution.


Given that there are over 80,000 educational apps in the Apple store alone (Apple, 2017), teachers need clear guidance on choosing the most useful tools possible. The purpose of this paper is to provide an evidence-based framework for selecting and evaluating math apps used in elementary school settings. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, five app types (instructive, practice-based, constructive, productive, game-based) will be discussed in detail. Next, eight characteristics (learning value, content quality, learning goals, usability, engagement, challenge level, feedback, and collaboration) for evaluating the quality of math apps will be described. Finally, the role of the teacher in integrating math apps into the classroom will be explained.


In this paper the behavior and the relationship between hydrostatic collapse pressure and diametrically opposed radial compressive force for pipelines were analyzed. This study presents an introduction of a research work aimed to assess the pipeline collapse pressure based on the radial collapse force.Initially the hydrostatic collapse pressure is analyzed, for pipes with different diameter to wall thickness ratio (D/t) and ovalities, using classical assessment (DNV method) and numerical models (FE). Then, the compressive radial force is also analyzed using numerical models validated by a small-scale ring specimen test. After that, the relationship between hydrostatic collapse pressure and compressive radial force is discussed. These first results show that the radial force is a quadratic function of the collapse pressure.Copyright © 2014 by ASME


Electric cell–substrate impedance sensing exhibits a real-time and label-free feature to monitor the response of cells stimulated by various biochemical and mechanical signals. Alterations in the currents passing through the cell–electrode system characterize the impedance variations of cells. The impedance responses of HeLa cells under distinct chemotherapy drugs combine the effects of cell proliferation and cell–substrate adhesion. Optimal interdigitated electrodes were selected to explore the impedance responses of HeLa cells. Measurements of impedance of cells in response to three widely used chemotherapy drugs in clinical practice, namely cisplatin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, were performed. The results demonstrated that distinct impedance responses of HeLa cells to drugs were exhibited and a decrease in measured impedance was observed after drug treatment, accompanied by alterations in the distribution and intensity of the adhesion-related protein vinculin and the rate of cell proliferation. The link between the impedance profiles of HeLa cells and their biological functions was developed based on the circuit model. This study demonstrated the weights of cell proliferation and adhesion of HeLa cells under the treatments of DDP, DOX, and 5-FU, resulted in distinct impedance responses of cells, providing an impedance-based evaluation methodology for cervical cancer treatment.


During hemostasis the zymogen factor X (FX) is converted into its enzymatically active form factor Xa by the intrinsic FX-activating complex. This complex consists of the protease factor IXa (FIXa) that assembles, together with its cofactor, factor VIIIa, on a phospholipid surface. We have studied the functional properties of a FIXa-specific monoclonal antibody, 224AE3, which has the potential to enhance intrinsic FX activation. Binding of the antibody to FIXa improved the catalytic properties of the intrinsic FX-activating complex in two ways: (i) factor VIIIa bound to the FIXa-antibody complex with a more than 18-fold higher affinity than to FIXa, and (ii) the turnover number (kcat) of the enzyme complex increased 2- to 3-fold whereas the Km for FX remained unaffected. The ability of 224AE3 to increase the FXa-generation potential (called the "booster effect") was confirmed in factor VIII (FVIII)-depleted plasma, which was supplemented with different amounts of recombinant FVIII. In the presence of antibody 224AE3 the coagulant activity was increased 2-fold at physiological FVIII concentration and up to 15-fold at low FVIII concentrations. The booster effect that we describe demonstrates the ability of antibodies to function as an additional cofactor in an enzymatic reaction and might open up a new principle for improving the treatment of hemophilia.


Rare disasters become increasingly important for understanding asset pricing, and the spirit of capitalism has been successful in explaining various issues in economic growth, savings behavior, and asset pricing. However, pervious studies don't reveal the connection of these two ideas. This paper tries to fill the gap in the literature and demonstrates the similarities in consumption decision making and savings behavior implied by models of rare disasters and spirit of capitalism, and analyzes interesting implications of this connection in asset pricing.


The study of free oscillations of a homogeneous liquid under gravity in rotating rectangular basins of uniform depth is undertaken from both theoretical and experimental considerations. The theoretical study is in the framework of the quasistatic equations. It is also assumed that the curvature of the free surface can be ignored. Numerical computations for the frequencies and modal structures were carried out for several of the slowest antisymmetric and symmetric modes in a square basin and in a rectangular basin of two-to-one dimension ratio, without any restriction on the angular speed of rotation of the basin. These computations are in agreement with a numerical value obtained many years ago by Taylor, and also with several values found by Corkan & Doodson. They exhibit the typical frequency-splitting associated with certain multiplets in the zero-rotation spectrum. Further, the theoretical calculations indicate that the slopes of the curves of frequency versus speed of rotation change sign for some of the modes in rectangular geometry. Such behaviour is not present in circular basins. Negative modes are found to be 'unstable' in the sense of Corkan & Doodson; that is, they are transformed into positive modes for sufficiently high rotation. Calculations were also made for the slowest longitudinal oscillations in highly elongated basins to demonstrate the decreasing importance of rotation on the frequencies of these modes. Experimental work was carried out in a flat-bottomed square tank for the slowest positively and negatively propagating antisymmetric modes and the slowest positively propagating symmetric mode. Good agreement was found between theory and experiment.


This article reviews recent fabrication methods for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates with a focus on advanced nanoarchitecture based on noble metals with special nanospaces (round tips, gaps, and porous spaces), nanolayered 2D materials, including hybridization with metallic nanostructures (NSs), and the contemporary repertoire of nanoarchitecturing with organic molecules. The use of SERS for multidisciplinary applications has been extensively investigated because the considerably enhanced signal intensity enables the detection of a very small number of molecules with molecular fingerprints. Nanoarchitecture strategies for the design of new NSs play a vital role in developing SERS substrates. In this review, recent achievements with respect to the special morphology of metallic NSs are discussed, and future directions are outlined for the development of available NSs with reproducible preparation and well-controlled nanoarchitecture. Nanolayered 2D materials are proposed for SERS applications as an alternative to the noble metals. The modern solutions to existing limitations for their applications are described together with the state-of-the-art in bio/environmental SERS sensing using 2D materials-based composites. To complement the existing toolbox of plasmonic inorganic NSs, hybridization with organic molecules is proposed to improve the stability of NSs and selectivity of SERS sensing by hybridizing with small or large organic molecules.


Quantum Hoare logic allows us to reason about quantum programs. We present an extension of quantum Hoare logic that introduces "ghost variables" to extend the expressive power of pre-/postconditions. Ghost variables are variables that do not actually occur in the program and are allowed to have arbitrary quantum states (in a sense, they are existentially quantified), and be entangled with program variables. Ghost variables allow us to express properties such as the distribution of a program variable or the fact that a variable has classical content. And as a case study, we show how quantum Hoare logic with ghost variables can be used to prove the security of the quantum one-time pad.


The quality of X-ray picture depends on various operational factors starting from storage and loading of films upto the end product i.e., X-ray picture presented for reading. This article discusses some of the operational problems faced in maintaining the quality of the X-ray picture and how to overcome them. Factors that influence the quality are 1) Equipment with proper controls 2) developing time -6minutes developing time at 20° c is ideal for MMR. 3) good quality of developer 4) use of safe light which should be kept 1 meter away from tank 5) processing of film with standard timer with a margin of +1mt and 6) use of timer and thermometer (10°-30°). It is observed that in many institutions and hospitals accessories like dark room timer and thermometer are not available and films are developed by inspection method. (i) By observing time and temperature control with the use of dark room timer which rings at a set time and a dark room thermometer, we are sure of the final quality of X-ray picture. (ii) Avoid the inspection method of viewing the film which carries active developer chemicals on the film during development. This method of development reduces the quality of X-ray picture. (iii) Regular use of dark room timer, dark room thermometer in the dark room ensures a good quality of X-ray picture and thus avoids retake which means cost, time, waste of man power and additional radiation exposure.


Background: According to earlier studies, except during the neonatal period, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) are the most common causes of both illness and mortality in children under five, who average three to six episodes of ARIs annually regardless of where they live or what their economic situation is. This study aimed to determine the associations of healthy behavior and environment with acute respiratory infection in Jepara, Central Java. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mororejo village, Mororejo, Jepara, Central Java, from January to February 2018. A sample of 210 families were selected for this study. The dependent variable was ARIs. The independent variables were health behavior and environmental factors. The data were collected by questionnaire. Data on ARIs were taken from medical record. Crude (bivariate) analysis was carried out to show association with prevalence ratio (PR) used as a measure of association and chi square to show statistical significance. Results: Incidence of ARIs was associated with smoking (PR= 1.44; CI= 1.10 to 1.88; p= 0.014), poor ventilation (PR= 1.78; CI= 1.12 to 2.83; p= 0.015), and crowded dwelling (PR= 3.61; CI= 1.37 to 9.50; p= 0.009). The associations of ARIs with washing hand, garbage disposal, bin ownership, floor cleaning, room light, and poultry ownership, were statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Incidence of ARI is associated with smoking, poor ventilation, and crowded dwelling.


Mycotoxin enniatin B (ENN B) is a secondary metabolism product by Fusarium fungi. It is a well-known antibacterial, antihelmintic, antifungal, herbicidal, and insecticidal compound. It has been found as a contaminant in several food commodities, particularly in cereal grains, co-occurring also with other mycotoxins. The primary mechanism of action of ENN B is mainly due to its ionophoric characteristics, but the exact mechanism is still unclear. In the last two decades, it has been a topic of great interest since its potent mammalian cytotoxic activity was demonstrated in several mammalian cell lines. Moreover, the co-exposure in vitro with other mycotoxins enhances its toxic potential through synergic effects, depending on the concentrations tested. Despite its clear cytotoxic effect, European Food Safety Authority stated that acute exposure to ENNs, such as ENN B, does not indicate concern for human health, but a concern might be the chronic exposure. However, given the lack of relevant toxicity data, no firm conclusion could be drawn and a risk assessment was not possible. In fact, very few studies have been carried out in vivo and, in these studies, no adverse effects were observed. So, research on toxicological effects induced by ENN B is still on-going. Recently, some studies are dealing with new advances regarding ENN B. This review summarizes the information on biochemical and biological activity of ENN B, focusing on toxicological aspects and on the latest advances in research on ENN B.


" ABSTRACT """"""""""""""""""""""" The starting point of this article is the notion of landscapes as intra-active places for dwelling and becoming. Informed by feminist and material ecocritical theory, it aims to make visible a connection between vegetation, water, dirt, affect, and subjects in literary texts. Against a comparative backdrop of the work of the French philosopher and writer Simone de Beauvoir, the article looks at the relationship between humans and nature in contemporary Swedish literature. The analyses explore three fictional young women's experiences of being-innature in three novels: Hanna Nordenhök's Det vita huset i Simpang (The White House in Simpang) (2013), Sara Stridsberg's Happy Sally (2004) and Mare Kandre's Bübins unge (Bübin's kid) (1987). The purpose is to investigate how literary texts can depict and convey experiences of sensuality, embodiment, and belonging within landscapes as something meaningful in terms of the subject's continuous process of becoming. It is argued that the novels articulate intimate and tactile bonds between the young women and the organic en vironment that combine creation and destruction, sometimes resembling notions of love.


Fractal dimension is proposed as a useful parameter for characterizing the irregular fragmentation within a rock mass leading to a new empirical rock quality chart and classification. A new algorithm is developed which can be easily implemented provided that intact length measurements are available along a borehole core or scanline on fresh cut rock surfaces. During the application of the algorithm, total recoverable intact length and their number are calculated for a given set of reference lengths. In general, the total recoverable intact length decreases as longer reference lengths are considered and their plot on arithmetic paper yields a line with negative slope. This plot is referred to as the Rock Quality Chart (RQC) and the slope of the regression straight line is adopted as the rock quality index. The smaller the slope, the better becomes the rock quality. It is also possible to obtain probable maximum block sizes from a relevant RQC. On the other hand, the plot of reference lengths versus their number along a scanline also yields a straight line but on log-log paper with negative slope, S. Accordingly, the fractal dimension, D, for the scanline concerned is defined as 1-S. The significance of the fractal dimension in rock quality descriptions is explained in detail. Both concepts of rock quality charts and fractal dimensions are applied to some scanline measurements already available in the literature.


Composite replacement of the aortic root and aortic valve is a valid surgical strategy in a case of annuloaortic ectasia. However, valve-sparing root replacement procedures have become the gold standard in cases with a morphologically intact or at least repairable aortic valve, and offer several advantages compared to conventional replacement techniques. Above all, the David procedure has become established as a well-known valve-sparing root replacement strategy with excellent short- and long-term outcomes, and it has been further applied to additional patient populations with characteristics like a bicuspid aortic valve or in the setting of acute type A aortic dissection. This narrative review offers an overview of the indications as well as the surgical steps of the T. David V procedure, and highlights important key points regarding the surgical feasibility and criteria of patient selection for valve-sparing root replacement.


At l1arion Bay, a well marked line of high abandoned cliffs cut in basalt, sandstone and dolerite is found. In front of these cliffs is a wide sandy platform. A compact 1coffee rock' B horizon is a characteristic feature of the deposit. Elsewhere, a deposit of weathered basalt gravels occurs. The age of the deposits is thought to be Pleistocene but their origin is controversial. A spit almost closes off a shallow lagoon behind which extensive development of salt marshes has taken place. The morphology of the spit is thought not to require a Postglacial fall in sea level. Trend-surface mapping of sedimentary parameters of the beach sand reveals the pattern of spatial variation to be complex and temporal variation to be minimal., The pattern of variation appears to be predominantly caused by the carbonate fraction.


During normal differentiation, lens fiber cells lose their nuclei, mitochondria, and other membrane‐bound organelles. In the present study, a slice preparation of the embryonic chicken lens was used with laser scanning confocal microscopy to study the spatial and temporal patterns of organelle breakdown during embryonic development. At all stages examined, mitochondria in lens epithelial cells were present in perinuclear clusters. In contrast, early in development, lens fiber cells contained extremely elongated mitochondria (>100 μm) that were distributed throughout the cytoplasm and oriented along the long axis of the cells. By the 8th day of embryonic development (E8), the mitochondria in the central fiber cells began to fragment. At the same time, the nuclei in these cells became smaller and more spherical. By E10, mitochondrial staining in the central fibers became punctate. Electron microscopy of this region revealed swollen mitochondria with disrupted cristae. By E12, cells in the central region of the lens lacked mitochondria and nuclei. The loss of nuclei and mitochondria from a given cell was coincident and abrupt (2–4 hr), occurring in a previously unsuspected domain situated about 300 μm from the anterior surface of the lens. A cytoskeletal component, actin, persisted in the central cells indicating that organelle degradation represents a selective process and not simply the global degradation of supramolecular structures. Throughout embryonic development, the organelle‐free region grew at approximately the same rate as the lens and, by the time of hatching, had expanded to match the diameter of the pupil. The present results suggest that the embryonic lens will be a useful model system with which to study mechanisms of organelle degradation. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Active listening (AL) is a communication technique frequently used in counselling. This study explored the feasibility of implementing a ward-based AL intervention for patients by chaplaincy volunteers in the UK National Health Service. Seven focus groups (n=47) included healthcare researchers, lecturers, nurses, patients, AL tutors, active listeners volunteers and chaplaincy volunteers. Acceptability and perceived effectiveness of a patient/volunteer listener intervention were explored. Analysis followed the framework approach. Four themes emerged: (a) Listening as a wellbeing generator; (b) Benefits of AL delivered by volunteers; (c) Spirituality and public perceptions of hospital chaplaincy; (d) Challenges of structured communication techniques in acute care. Participants reported positive attitudes towards the introduction of AL provided by volunteers in acute wards. They shared a common belief that when people are listened to, wellbeing improves through control, choice and empowerment. Patients' acceptability of the intervention increased if it was delivered by volunteers.


Clinical use of defibrase (DF), a fibrinolytic agent from venom of Agkistrodon acutus, was investigated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Patients with AMI were randomized to tow groups, one receiving conventional therapy and DF, the other a control group having conventional treatment only. The patients in the DF group received intravenous DF 0.05 u or 0.075 u/kg over 1 hour immediately after the attack and 0.025 u/kg over 4 hours on the 5 th and 10 th day. The control patients received conventional therapy only. Of the patients randomized, 21 had coronary angiography and left ventriculography. Recanalization was seen in 10 of the 10 patients treated with DF, while only in 3 of the 11 patients in the control group. LVEF in the DF group was higher than that in the control group (61% vs 50%). However the difference was not significant. In the DF group, two patients developed petechia and blood oozing at the site of intravenous injection and one patient developed gum bleeding; all patients had transient thrombocytopnia, which returned to normal within 5 days. There was no intracranial hemorrhage, gross hematuria or hematemesis. In conclusion, DF possess thrombolytic as well as anticoagulant effects with minor bleeding complication. Early infusion of DF yields high patency rate and shows a trend toward preservation of LV function.


This paper presents the first long term (1960–89) data set on both muskox Ovibos moschatus density and weather parameters in north and northeast Greenland The muskoxen appear to have expenenced a 25 yr favourable period from the early 1960 'ies to the mid 1980' ies, in which density increased and reached a maximum level The population minimum around 1960 probably represents a long term minimum, following a long, generally unfavourable period between 1940–60 Variation in the local population trends from the southern parts of the muskox distribution m northeast Greenland to the northeast parts, can be divided into three geographical areas (72°–75°N, 75°–77°30 'N, and north of 79°30' N), where density dependent and density independent factors affecting muskox populations are apparently different Regional population stability does not increase towards the north Two density independent (abiotic) factors seem to be of prime importance in determining the muskox population density and distribution in northeast Greenland 1) the amount of winter precipitation affects the distribution of muskoxen negatively, inducing local migrations, but does not have a direct negative effect on large scale variation in density,11) ablation (i.e melting of the upper snow layer) and concomitant ice crust formation in winter have a highly negative effect on muskox density in the southern range, but not in the northern range The two abiotic factors, which show a considerable variation from north to south, are statistically independent and seem to be triggered by different weather conditions The predictions that follow from a climatic model both with respect to the direct influence of abiotic factors on muskox density and the indirect influence of climatic fluctuation, are not fully supported by the data presented here


We consider the problem of state-feedback stabilization for a class of sandwich systems, consisting of two linear systems connected in cascade via a saturation. In particular, we present design methodologies for constructing semiglobally and globally stabilizing controllers for such systems when the input is itself subject to saturation. The design is carried out under a set of assumptions that are proven to be both necessary and sufficient. The presented design methodologies are extensions of classical low-gain design methodologies developed for stabilizing linear systems subject to input saturation. The methodologies can be further extended to multilayer sandwich systems, consisting of an arbitrary number of cascaded linear systems with saturations sandwiched between them.


In 2015, Sweden introduced inner border control. Five years later, the 'temporary' controls remain. Their increasing permanence raises urgent questions about the logics that undergird the exercise of biopolitical border security and the relationship between intent and practices on the ground. Drawing on in-depth interviews with Swedish border guards and fieldwork conducted at Hyllie Station—the first station en route from Denmark—this article contributes original ethnographic research on the sparsely researched Swedish border control and the work routines of Swedish border professionals. The central theoretical contribution of the article is the consideration of how discretion and a range of mundane factors complicate the realisation of biopolitics. The article further contributes to the scholarship on everyday bordering practices with methodological reflections on the importance of studying the 'unspectacular' border sites and a firm reminder that not all borders have turned into semi-automated, smart data borders. Overall, the article argues that the border control at Hyllie functions according to a 'leaky' (Marr 2012: 84) biopolitics; not a monolithic performance of overarching state objectives, but one assembled ad hoc, constrained by resource availability and shaped by the discretion exercised by border officers.


Objective Previous studies have shown that low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), visceral obesity and low muscle mass may share pathophysiological mechanisms, such as insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. In this study, we investigated whether low CRF is associated with low muscle mass, visceral obesity, and visceral obesity combined with low muscle mass. Research Design and Methods The associations between CRF and low muscle mass and combined low muscle mass and visceral obesity were examined in 298 apparently healthy adults aged 20–70 years. Low muscle mass was defined using a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) that was calculated using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Visceral obesity was defined as a visceral fat area (VFA) exceeding 100 cm2 in women and 130 cm2 in men. We classified the participants into 4 low muscle mass/visceral obesity groups according to SMI and VFA. CRF was measured using a cycle ergometer test. Results CRF level correlated positively with SMI and negatively with VFA. Individuals with low muscle mass had lower CRF values than those without low muscle mass. After adjustment for age, sex, lifestyle factors, and markers for insulin resistance and inflammation, participants in the lowest quartile of CRF had an odds ratio (OR) for low muscle mass of 4.98 compared with those in the highest quartile (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19–12.99; P for trend = 0.001) and an OR for combined low muscle mass and visceral obesity of 31.46 (95% CI = 4.31–229.68; P for trend = 0.001). Conclusions Individuals with lower CRF exhibited increased risk of low muscle mass and combined low muscle mass and visceral obesity. These results suggest that low CRF may be a potential indicator for low muscle mass and combined low muscle mass and visceral obesity in Korean adults.


Seyfe Lake is one of the most important wetlands of Turkey and it is classified among "first-class wetland areas" according to international criteria. The protection of the lake is assured at an international level after its inclusion in the Ramsar Agreement in 1994. Because of wrong water management practices and drought, Seyfe Lake has shrunk since 2004 in terms of both the area and the length of duration as wetland. In 2006, the government started to grant agricultural subsidies for decreasing water usage in agricultural activities around the lake. Fifty-four agricultural enterprises in Seyfe, Gumuskumbet, Yazikinik and Eski Doganli villages, which are located around the Lake, were taken under the scope of the research. The data derived from the surveys conducted in these enterprises were assessed so that the impact of the agricultural activity in the region on the wetland is revealed. Irrigated farming activities in the region declined because of subsidies granted after 2006 and the wetland perception of producers in the region started to change towards a protective approach. Ninety-two point six percent of the producers leave space between parcels for sustaining natural life and 28.3% of the producers sow more seeds considering the birds living in the region. However, as these producers are not adequately informed about the use of fertilizers and pesticides, they adjust the amount they use according to the money available.


The research of adjuvant surgical to promote the healing is a challenge. A lot of processes were done especially the PRF (platelet rich fibrin ) that owes its action to its slow polymerisation which permits to pick up the growth factors inside the fibrin mesh. These factors and due to a slow release, permit a local stimulation of the healing time as well. Nowdays, with the use of the PRF, the oral surgery undergoes a lot of controversies. The clinical observations are in advance in regard to the scientific evidence. In spite of the encouraging results, research are to be deepen to get a complet scientific validity.


Incremental doses of alfentanil and propofol were given to anaesthetized healthy patients undergoing routine orthopaedic surgery. Ventilation was recorded by respiratory inductance plethysmography and analysed by microcomputer. Alfentanil affected primarily expiratory time. The onset of effect lasted 82 s (range 25-173 s); offset was exponential, with a half-life of 146 s (range 62-260 s). Alfentanil also reduced tidal volume, but the effect was less obvious and less consistent. Propofol affected primarily tidal volume. The onset of effect lasted 34 s (range 17-69 s); offset was linear, with a time to 50% recovery of 92 s (range 47-161 s). Propofol had little effect on expiratory time. The drugs had little effect on inspiratory time. Three patients showed periods when the distribution of expiratory times was bimodal; the mechanism for this is unknown.


This paper presents the development of a front-end converter and its control for a battery powered switched-reluctance motor (SRM) drive. In motoring mode, the converter is operated as a dc-dc boost converter to establish dynamically boostable and well-regulated dc-link voltage from battery. The digital control schemes of boost converter and motor drive are implemented using a common digital signal processor. A proper voltage boosting feedback controller is designed to effectively enhance the SRM winding current and speed dynamic responses. Then the robust speed control performance is achieved by the proposed control scheme consisting of robust disturbance feedforward control and variable-structure system control. In addition, an effective regenerative braking control scheme for SRM is developed. In idle charging mode, the proposed front-end converter is arranged to act as a buck-type switch-mode rectifier (SMR) for charging the battery with good line power quality. Four diodes embedded in the SRM converter and the two motor phase winding inductances are employed to form the necessary constituted components of the SMR. The circuit and controller designs are presented, and good charging power conditioning performance is demonstrated experimentally.


The experimental novels of William S. Burroughs approach the idea of community from a functionalist perspective. For Burroughs, any form of organized communal life must be understood as "an artifact designed for a purpose." Throughout his career, Burroughs opposed "control societies" that exploit the many to empower the few with alternative "partisan" formations that strive to realize the evolutionary potential of the human species. But to appreciate fully Burroughs's vision of both control societies and their revolutionary counterparts, readers need to familiarize themselves with the complex "mythology" that the novels embody. This mythology both diagnoses the reason for humanity's "fall" into control, and suggests the remedy by which it can wrest itself free. Burroughs constructs this remedy – the purpose of the revolutionary community – as a kind of "apocatastasis," a concept that has had divergent applications in both "pagan" and Christian metaphysics. Burroughs exploits various elements of both applications to produce a unique theological-political notion that contemporary enlightenment thinking would do well to incorporate into its critical arsenal.


Background. Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary artery still represents
 one of the most challenging lesion subset in field of interventional
 cardiology. Considering the complexity and increased risk posed by the
 retrograde approach, it is most often performed after a failed antegrade
 approach. Methods. We present a series of cases dedicated to the retrograde
 approach as a special technique for the treatment of chronic total coronary
 artery occlusion. All cases have some special characteristics that are today
 part of a dedicated portfolio in every cath lab. Results. In our series of
 cases all of three percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with retrograde
 approach finished with successful recanalization of CTO with different
 strategy and supported with rotational atherectomy (RA) or intravascular
 ultrasound (IVUS). Conclusion. In cases where there is the presence of
 interventional collaterals, as well as when the anterograde approach is very
 difficult, the retrograde approach can increase the success rate of
 procedures. The retrograde approach requires a long learning curve as well
 as very skilled and experienced operators who are able to perform the
 procedure independently.


Configurational and conformational isomerism in the bisdehydro[15]annulenones were studied in CDCl3 and CF3CO2D–CD2Cl2 solutions by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The 7,12-dimethyl compound with the initial "all-E" configuration isomerized in both media at ambient temperature to give an equilibrium mixture of isomers but the trimethyl derivatives retained their original configuration under the similar conditions. The charge distribution in the deuterated species was discussed on the basis of the 13C NMR spectra.


In this study, the additive manufacturing technique has been utilized to fabricate air-water heat exchangers for the application of thermoelectric power plants. Additive manufacturing is a powerful fabrication method that has enabled fabrication of complex geometries that are either challenging or impossible to fabricate based on conventional techniques. Three manifold-microchannel heat exchangers with different interior designs were fabricated by additive manufacturing and from stainless steel. The heat exchangers were tested at different air flow rates and different inlet water temperatures. One heat exchanger was designed and fabricated based on an original design of the manifold-microchannel heat exchanger. Two other heat exchangers were designed with some modifications compared to the original design. In one modified heat exchanger, cylindrical pin arrays were considered on air manifold walls in order to enhance air disturbance, and thus, increase heat transfer between water and air. The second modified heat exchanger contained same pins and also had microchannels in the perpendicular orientation compared to the original design in the outlet manifolds. This design modification was done in order to reduce air-side pressure drop in the heat exchanger. The heat transfer characteristics along with air-side pressure drop were measured and compared with the original design of the manifold-microchannel heat exchanger. Results indicated that the heat flow rate, convection heat transfer coefficient, and pressure drop did not significantly change in modified heat exchangers. For air Reynolds number between around 800 and 4,000, the heat flow rates obtained in the original heat exchanger (type A) and for 50° C water inlet temperature were between 63.9 and 228 W for the lowest and the highest air flow rates, respectively. For the same inlet water temperature, these heat flow rates were between 64.2 and 211 W for the lowest and the highest air flow rates and in one of the modified heat exchangers (type B), respectively. Similarly, while the highest air-side pressure drop in the original heat exchanger was 3458 Pa, this property was measured at 3525 (type B) and 3884 (type C) for the two modified heat exchangers.


Company web sites support a plethora of customer-oriented activities. While web designers should adhere to evolving web design standards, another dimension of effective web design involves better understanding users' perceptions and motivation regarding their web site experiences. As such, this research examines differences in user perceptions and motivation across different web-based tasks to better understand what drives a user's intention to revisit a web site. A within-subject experimental design was used to test individual intention to return and reuse a web site. Results demonstrate that the primary driver of intention to return to a web site varies based on the type of task performed.


The article summarizes key insights from four laboratory experiments to study renewable resource management. The commons problem, which is widely held to be the cause of mismanagement of common renewable resources, was ruled out by the design of the experiments. Still the participants overinvested and overutilized their resources. The explanation offered is systematic misperceptions of stocks and flows and of nonlinearities. The heuristics that people apply are intendedly rational for static, flow resources, but not for dynamic, stock resources. Simplifying and reframing the management problem, by focusing on net growth rates, is suggested as a means to foster the use of more appropriate heuristics. Copyright  2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Background and purpose Long-COVID describes the long-term effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In long-COVID patients, neuropsychological alterations are frequently reported symptoms. Research points to medial temporal lobe dysfunction and its association with anosmia in long-COVID patients. This study aims to investigate the acquisition and consolidation of declarative and procedural memory in long-COVID patients and to explore whether anosmia is related to these dissociated memory functions. Methods Forty-two long-COVID participants and 30 controls (C) were recruited. The sample of long-COVID patients was divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of anosmia, group A and group NA, respectively. Objective performance in verbal declarative memory (Paired-Associate Learning, PAL), procedural memory (Mirror Tracing Test, MTT), general cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale), psychomotor speed, and incidental learning (Digit Symbol Substitution Test) were assessed and compared among the A, NA, and C groups. Long-term retention of PAL and MTT were assessed 24 h after acquisition. Results Lower scores in general cognition, psychomotor speed, and sustained attention were found in A and NA compared with C. However, incidental learning, both cue-guided and free-recalled, was diminished in group A compared with C, with no differences with group NA. General cognition and incidental learning were related to declarative memory function exclusively in long-COVID groups. Long-COVID groups presented lower long-term retention of verbal declarative memory than controls in recall tests but no differences in recognition tests. No group differences were found in the acquisition of procedural memory. However, long-term retention of this memory was worse in group A as compared to the NA and C groups, respectively, when errors and time of execution were considered. Conclusion Findings support that consolidation of both procedural and declarative memories is more affected than the acquisition of these memories in long-COVID patients, who are also more vulnerable to deficits in delayed recall than in recognition of declarative memories. Deficits in the consolidation of procedural memory and immediate recall of declarative information are especially relevant in long-COVID participants with anosmia. This indicates that anosmia in COVID-19 could be associated with a long-term dysfunction of the limbic system.


Despite the assumption that the bulk of marine "shelf" mud is deposited by gradual fallout from suspension in quiet water, modern muddy shelves and their associated rivers show that they are dominated by hyperpycnal fluid mud. This has not been widely applied to the interpretation of ancient sedimentary shale successions. We analyze several ancient Cretaceous prodelta shelf systems and their associated river deposits. Paleodischarge estimates of trunk rivers show that they fall within the predicted limits of rivers that are capable of generating hyperpycnal plumes. The associated prodeltaic mudstones match modern hyperpycnite facies models, and suggest a correspondingly hyperpycnal character. Physical sedimentary structures include diffusely stratified beds that show both normal and inverse grading (Fig. 1), indicating sustained flows that waxed and waned. They also display low intensities of bioturbation (Fig. 2), which reflect the high physical and chemical stresses of hyperpycnal environments. Hyperpycnal conditions are ameliorated by the fact that these rivers were relatively small, dirty systems that drained an active orogenic belt during humid temperate to subtropical "greenhouse" conditions. During sustained periods of flooding, such as during monsoons, the initial river flood may lower salinities within the inshore area, effectively "prepping" the area and allowing subsequent floods to become hyperpycnal much more easily. Although shelf slopes were too low to allow long-run-out hyperpycnal flows, the storm-dominated nature of the seaway likely allowed fluid mud to be transported for significant distances across and along the paleo-shelf. Prodelta hyperpycnites form leaner, gas-prone source rocks, prone to the generation of overpressure, versus more slowly deposited, organic-rich, anoxic laminites and condensed-section shales.


The New Mexico Elder Health Survey was designed to compare health and health-related issues in the Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW) men and women, age ≥ 65 years, residing in Bernalillo County (Albuquerque), New Mexico. Equal numbers of the four ethnic/gender groups were randomly selected from the HCFA (Medicare) rolls and recruited as paid volunteers for a home interview and 4-hour interview/examination. The participants were questioned about the presence/absence of UI with specific questions used to characterize the presence of stress incontinence (SI), urge incontinence or overactive bladder (OAB), and overflow incontinence (OI). The prevalence of all forms of UI was much higher in women than in men (34% vs 15%) so men and women were examined separately and level of education influenced prevalence rates so regression analyses were utilized to adjust rates for these variables (adjusted OR for differences between all men and women was 2.96, p value < .0001). The prevalence rates of UI for Hispanic and NHW men (13.7% vs 17.3%) were not statistically different. The prevalence rates for Hispanic and NHW women (28.6% vs 39.3%) were significantly lower for Hispanic women and this was due to a lower prevalence of OAB (12.0% vs 20.1%, OR = 0.49 adjusted for age and education, p = .03). Other variables that significantly influenced prevalence rates of UI included diabetes (men only), abnormalities in activities of daily living (ADL) (men and women), obesity (BMI > 30) (women only), and multiple coexisting morbidities (3+ medical conditions) (men and women). Variables that did not reach levels of statistical significance included hysterectomy, use of hormone replacement therapy and vaginal dryness in women, low cognitive scores (MMSE ≤ 25), and depression (GDS ≥ 6). The primary difference in prevalence of UI between Hispanic and NHW participants was that fewer Hispanic women had symptoms of OAB than NHW women.


Many RNA molecules possess complicated secondary structure critical to their function. Mutations in double-helical regions of RNA may disrupt Watson–Crick (WC) interactions causing structure destabilization or even complete loss of function. Such disruption can be compensated by another mutation restoring base pairing, as has been shown for mRNA, rRNA and tRNA. Here, we investigate the evolution of intrinsic transcription terminators between closely related strains of Bacillus cereus. While the terminator structure is maintained by strong natural selection, as evidenced by the low frequency of disrupting mutations, we observe multiple instances of pairs of disrupting-compensating mutations in RNA structure stems. Such two-step switches between different WC pairs occur very fast, consistent with the low fitness conferred by the intermediate non-WC variant. Still, they are not instantaneous, and probably involve transient fixation of the intermediate variant. The GU wobble pair is the most frequent intermediate, and remains fixed longer than other intermediates, consistent with its less disruptive effect on the RNA structure. Double switches involving non-GU intermediates are more frequent at the ends of RNA stems, probably because they are associated with smaller fitness loss. Together, these results show that the fitness landscape of bacterial transcription terminators is rather rugged, but that the fitness valleys associated with unpaired stem nucleotides are rather shallow, facilitating evolution.


The morphology and carbohydrate histochemistry of ten teleostean intestines are compared. Although there is an absence of regional differentiation seen in higher vertebrates, specializations in some species occur in the form of intestinal swellings, pyloric ceca and recta, the latter separated by a valve. The intestinal lumen is lined by a simple columnar epithelium interspersed with goblet cells; multicellular intestinal glands are absent. Thick basement membranes seen in centrarchids and Perca flavescens closely resemble the stratum compactum found in the lamina propria of esocids. Granular cells, which vary in number from species to species, are often seen in the mucosa and submucosa but less frequently in the muscularis. In species with intestino‐rectal valves, a rectum is easily defined by the abrupt appearance of lower mucosal folds, more goblet cells and a thicker muscularis. In the remaining species the above features appear gradually in the distal intestine. Goblet cells show species variations in localization of epithelial mucosubstances, which in broad terms are recognized as sulfomucins, sialomucins and neutral mucosubstances. In both proximal and distal intestines the majority of goblet cells contain sialomucin although small amounts of sulfomucin are also often present. In species without intestino‐rectal valves, no changes in carbohydrates occur between proximal and distal intestines. The possible significance of the heterogeneous character of digestive tract mucosubstances is discussed.


Katherine Mansfield is a prominent modernist writer.The Garden Party is one of important short stories she wrote in1921.The story is full of musicality.What's more,the phonation,stress and intonation of words make the passage possess consis-tency with the growth of Laura's inner heart,that is from excitement,hesitation to peaceful after realization.


This study examines current and forthcoming measures related to the exchange of data and
information in EU Justice and Home Affairs policies, with a focus on the 'smart borders'
initiative. It argues that there is no reversibility in the growing reliance on such schemes and
asks whether current and forthcoming proposals are necessary and original. It outlines the main
challenges raised by the proposals, including issues related to the right to data protection, but
also to privacy and non-discrimination.


Abstract 4285

Background: The prognostic value of geriatric assessment variables in older adults with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is not known.

Objective: To determine the relation between baseline geriatric assessment and survival in older patients with AML.

Methods: We aimed to prospectively enroll all consecutive patients with AML ≥ 65 years of age who presented to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between 2006–2011. Patients completed the EORTC-30 quality of life questionnaire at their initial visit, prior to receiving chemotherapy. We evaluated questions corresponding to geriatric domains including physical, social and cognitive functions, psychological state, nutrition and pain. We extracted patient demographics and clinico-pathologic data from medical records. Baseline Comorbidity score was calculated using the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI). We used Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate survival.

Results: 101 patients with AML ≥ 65 consented to be followed and were available for analysis. Median age was 72 years (range: 65–90) and most patients were white (98%), male (62%) and had a performance status of 1 or less (79%). Only 38% of patients had more than one comorbidity, and only 3 patients required help with activities of daily living. The majority of patients (78%) received treatment. Of those treated, 45% underwent induction chemotherapy and 44% received decitabine or azacitidine. The one-year overall survival of the group was 37.4 % ±5.0% and the one-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 39.0 % ±5.1%. Survival varied substantially based on treatment type ([Figure 1][1]). Self-reported difficulty with strenuous activity ([Figure 2][2]) and presence of pain were associated with decreased survival. On multivariate analysis, age at diagnosis >72 years vs. ≤ 72 years (Hazard Ratio [HR]=1.75; 95%CI 1.05 to 2.91), cytogenetic risk group (adverse vs. intermediate and favorable); HR=1.99; 95% CI 1.21 to 3.26), secondary vs. de novo AML (HR=1.61; 95% CI 1.00 to 2.62), comorbidity score >1 vs. ≤1 (HR=1.84; 95%CI 1.10 to 3.07), more vs. less difficulty with strenuous activity (HR=1.74; 95%CI 1.05 to 2.89), and pain more vs. less often (HR=2.16; 95% CI 1.17 to 3.98) were independent prognostic factors for worse survival. When we limited the analysis to the 80 patients with ECOG PS ≤1, difficulty with strenuous activities, pain, and comorbidity remained independent predictors for survival.

Conclusions: In this highly selected population of older patients with AML, we found that geriatric assessment variables were independent prognostic factors for survival, even among patients with the best performance status. Our results support the use of geriatric assessment to more accurately predict prognosis in the older AML patient population.

![Figure 1:][3]

Figure 1:
Kaplan Meier Plot of Survival by Initial Treatment

![Figure 2:][3]

Figure 2:
Kaplan-Meier Plot of Survival by Difficulty with Strenuous Activity

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

 [1]: #F1
 [2]: #F2
 [3]: pending:yes


Background: Several studies analyze how surgical delay affects patients with hip fracture. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of surgical delay and demographic characteristics in patients with hip fracture who had delays longer than 24 hours from admission to hospital. Methods: Quantitative retrospective register study of 484 patients was consecutively included during the period November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2011 in the University Hospital in Lund (Sweden). Results: A frequency of 29.4% had a surgical delay longer than 24 hours. The main reasons for delays to surgery were lack of theatre facilities (54%), medical unstable patient (16%) and anticoagulant treatment (10%). Of all patients, 69% (n = 332) were women and 31% (n = 151) were men. The mean age for women were 83.6 (CI 83-85) vs. 79 (CI 77-81) for men, respectively. The most common type of hip fracture was displaced cervical hip fracture (39%, n = 188) with a majority of fractures in male patients. In total, women suffered hip fractures to a greater extent than men (69% vs. 31%, p = 0.016), but no relationship was found with respect to the fracture type and age (p = 0.358). Conclusion: The main result demonstrated that delays longer than 24 hours were due to lack of theatre facilities. Further researches have to be done in order to investigate whether lack of theatre facilities depends on improper operation planning and/or on lack of medical staff.


k-RP*s is a new data structure for scalable multicomputer files with multi-attribute (k-d) keys. We discuss the k-RP*s file evolution and search algorithms. Performance analysis shows that a k-RP*s file can be much larger and orders of magnitude faster than a traditional k-d file. The speed-up is especially important for range and partial match searches that are often impractical with traditional k-d files. This opens up a new perspective for many applications.


1. In the ordinary treatment of logic the field of discussion is strictly limited to premises of a non-numerical character, numerically definite data being rigidly excluded. The statistician obtains no help from ordinary logic towards solving even the simplest problems, e. g ., the deduction of inferences from data of the type " x percent, of A's are B, y percent, of A's are C," or the inferring of association between B and C from known associations of A with B and with C. It is now more than half a century since De Morgan, in the chapter "On the Numerically Definite Syllogism," of his 'Formal Logic' (1847), laid the foundations of a theory of strictly quantitative logic. Substituting the modified notation of Jevons, employed by me in a recent paper, for De Morgan's own notation, his Theorem may be expressed in the form "if (AB) + (AC) > (A), (BC) must be at least equal to the difference (AB) + (AC) —(A)." For if, e. g ., we imagine (A) boxes, into which we deal a certain number (viz., (AB)) of cards marked (B), one into each box, leaving only (A) — (AB) unoccupied boxes, and then proceed to deal into the remaining boxes cards marked C, one into each; some of these must fall into boxes already occupied by a B if their number exceed (A) — (AB). From similar simple reasoning De Morgan derived the complete conditions of consistence for (AB), (AC), and (BC). He does not, however, consider the case of more than three attributes, and the whole discussion is rendered very lengthy owing to his standpoint being still that of the older logicians.


Homeobox genes (HOX genes) have been implicated in many tumors. As a member of HOX genes, HOXB5 is overexpressed in bladder cancer and contributes to the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells. However, functions of HOXB5 in retinoblastoma remain elusive. In this study, we found that HOXB5 expression is upregulated in retinoblastoma cell lines and tissues. Overexpression of HOXB5 promoted retinoblastoma cell migration and invasion, but knockdown of HOXB5 suppressed the migration and invasion. Moreover, HOXB5 induced the activation of ERK1/2 and upregulated the production of MMP-3 and MMP-13. In addition, ERK1/2 pathway was required for HOXB5-mediated retinoblastoma cell migration and invasion. Taken together, our study suggests that HOXB5 promotes the migration and invasion of retinoblastoma cells by inducing the activation of ERK1/2 and increasing the production of MMP-3 and MMP-13. Therefore, HOXB5 may represent an effective target for treatment of retinoblastoma.


This paper presents the study and analysis on Butterworth Low Pass filter, to discover the filter's order effect on the ideal filter approximation. Theoretically, as the numbers of order increased, the filter will approximate ideal filter characteristics. The challenges are; by increasing the filter's order, it will increase the circuit complexity and the cost. In order to reduce the circuit complexity, the Sallen-Key topology has been selected since the topology requires fewer components. This paper also presents the techniques and issues that should be considered while designing the schematic and layout of the filter.


This thesis will begin by sketching a brief history of neoliberal governmentality in relation to the contemporary university before showing how this interconnectivity legitimizes itself inside an institutional framework where the university's role shifts away from the guardianship of national culture to the production of biopolitically charged bodies enmeshed in the rhetoric of excellence. I argue for a rereading of the development of urbanization that is contemporaneous with the increased practice of a long-term neoliberal university planning for potential growth whose stakeholders would include the university, the city and the corporation. The imminantization of capital in the "digital economy" collapses traditional notions of space-time and in the shift from national culture to biopolitically charged studentship there is a shift away from a labour power that produces capital to a new type of human capital; I argue against sociologists of education and in favour of the concept of thought as alienation.


In this study, place of Turkey in The World Heritage List and the potential of a cultural heritage which is in the Tentative List to be nominated for the World Heritage List is examined. First of all, the criteria which are prepared by the UNESCO and World Heritage Committee are considered and heritage in Turkey and the studies on this subject are investigated. Then, Vespasianus-Titus Tunnel is examined according to information and data which are obtained from trips to the region and compared with similar examples according to their qualities. As the Vespasianus Titus Tunnel built during the Roman period is one of the most unique remains because of its relation with the ancient city of Selecuia Pieria and distinguished engineering features, it is in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Therefore it is one of the unique examples of Roman period and a peculiar structure being survived until today without any damage. Its acceptance to the World Heritage List and conservation will be beneficial not only for Turkey but also for humanity and universality of heritage.


Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by psychiatric changes, cognitive disonance and motoric dysfunctions. The mutation responsible for this fatal disease is an abnormally expanded polyQ repeat within the gene encoding the huntingtin (htt) protein. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure available to stop disease progression. Numerous drugs have been developed to produce benefits in this disease, however, preclinical tests are required for confirmation of their effectiveness in treating HD. There are different animal models, each model with its own advantages and limitations, but there is still a huge demand for large animal models for testing the possibilities of HD therapies. As the extensive neuroanatomical and physiological studies indicate, a close similarity of the miniature pig brain to the human brain exists in term of neurochemical and neurotransmitter repertoire. Hence we chose this model for the generation of a transgenic model of HD. Lentiviral constructs encoding N terminal truncated (548aa) htt with 145 polyQ repeats under the control of human HD promoter were microinjected into the one cell stage embryos. The offspring born after embryo transfer were genotyped and one female piglet was transgenic. Both mutant htt incorporation into genome and its mRNA expression were proved using PCR. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of the mutant htt protein. The transgenic gilt was mated with its brother to produce F1 generation. Three of eight newborn piglets are transgenic. The suitable and publicly acceptable large animal model of HD that can serve to validate the efficacy of treatment approaches targeted to modulate HD was generated. Mutant htt gene incorporated into porcine genome is not only transcribed into mRNA but is also expressed at the protein level. HD transgenic miniature gilt successfully conceived and delivered eight healthy offsprings. Three male piglets are transgenic in the litter.


Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immune deposits (PGNMID) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) with monoclonal gammopathy (MG) are kidney diseases related to monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). Rituximab or combination of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone have been used with variable success but no clinical trial has been performed up to now. In this phase 2 trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of daratumumab (an anti-CD38 plasma therapy) in patients with PGNMID and C3G with MG. The primary objective was safety and tolerability of daratumumab. The secondary objective was the response rate to daratumumab. Response was defined by complete remission (CR) (proteinuria <500 mg/d and no more than 10% drop in eGFR) or partial remission (PR) (50% reduction in proteinuria with no more than 30% drop in eGFR) at 6 and 12 months. Daratumumab was administered intravenously at a dose of 16mg/kg once weekly for 8 weeks followed by once every other week for an additional 8 doses. Twelve patients were recruited. There was only one patient with C3G with MG recruited and one patient with PGNMID did not finish the first infusion of daratumumab. Both were excluded from evaluation of the secondary objective. The patient with C3G was excluded as later it was noted that the disease was not triggered by the MG but rather due to activation of her alternative complement pathway due to high-risk allele for complement Factor H (CFH) and C3. Mean age was 51.2 ± 22.6 (18-87) years. All patients were White and 5 were male. For the primary objective, there were five serious adverse events (SAE). Two were serious infections that occurred in the patient with C3G with MG. At the time of these infections, patient was receiving additional immunosuppression with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone. One was a febrile episode attributed to a virus that resolved with stopping additional immunosuppression, and another was an episode of C. difficile colitis that resolved following treatment. There were 3 episodes of uncomplicated UTI that resolved following antibiotic therapy and one episode of URI that required no treatment. The other two SAE were eye chemosis and headache in the same patient that resolved. Last SAE was an episode of acute closed angle glaucoma that occurred 45 min into the 1st infusion. This patient was withdrawn from the study. The most common side effect was infusion related reaction (with first infusion) that included cough, congestion, and throat irritation that resolved by the end of the infusion. There were no grade 3 or 4 anemia, thrombocytopenia or leukopenia. At 6 months, 2 patients achieved CR, 6 achieved PR and 2 had no response (NR). At 12 months, the 2 patients who had NR had entered PR and 2 additional patients that had achieved PR entered CR, but 3 patients relapsed (1 from CR and 2 from PR group). Overall, at 12 months, 3 patients achieved CR, 5 achieved PR and 2 had NR (due to relapse). The median 24hr baseline urinary protein declined from 4346 mg (3245 - 7943) to 702 mg (435 - 3057), at 6 months (p=0.001) and 1264 mg (463 - 3645) at 12 months (p = 0.004). There was also significant improvement in serum albumin, hemoglobin, total and LDL cholesterol, and complement 3 levels from baseline to 12 months follow-up (Table 1). Estimated GFR remained unchanged from 61.1 ± 31.9 to 65.0 ± 31.7 at 12 months (p=0.4). In this trial, daratumumab has shown to be safe and well tolerated. Daratumumab was also shown to be effective in reducing the proteinuria dramatically in patients with PGNMID secondary to MGRS along with stabilization of renal function. In conclusion, this is the first clinical trial of daratumumab in patients with MGRS and the promising results deserves further study.

 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

 Daratumumab - off label use for treatment of PGNMID


Introduction: The white-lipped peccary is a highly social species that forms large, cohesive groups of 10 to over 300 individuals. They are vulnerable to human presence and habitat fragmentation because they require large extensions of undisturbed forest with sufficient availability of food to maintain their biological requirements. This species has disappeared in 84% of its historic range in Guatemala. In Guatemala, the only place containing a viable population of white-lipped peccary is the Maya Biosphere Reserve although it is possible that residual populations exist in Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge, Laguna Lachua National Park and Maya Mountains Biosphere Reserve. The specific objectives of this study were to describe the size and composition of white-lipped peccary groups in Mirador-Rio Azul National Park, a protected area within the Maya Biosphere Reserve, and describe their daily activity patterns at waterholes using camera traps and direct observations. Methods: For analysis with camera traps we used photo-captures of white-lipped peccary obtained in a Rapid Ecological Assessment conducted in Mirador-Rio Azul National Park in 2004. In addition, as part of this study, in 2006 we studied 12 waterholes, from April 22 to May 25. In 2007 direct observations were also made on waterholes from 8:00 at 17:00 during the months of February to May 2007 (dry season), and opportunistic encounters occurred on roads during June to January (rainy season). When a group was observed we recorded the date, time, number of newborns, juveniles and adults. Results: In 2007 we recorded 11 groups of white-lipped peccary, five in waterholes and six in roads totaling 344 individuals. The estimated average of groups during the dry season in the Mirador-Rio Azul National Park, was larger compared with Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and Corcovado National Park although these differences were not statistically significant (U = 9, P = 0.08, U = 31.5, P = 0.63). Group composition included 94.2 % adults, 3.8 % juveniles, and 2 % newborns. The groups visited waterholes more frequently between 8:00 and 12:00 . Discussion and conclutions: The average group size of white-lipped peccary reported during the dry season in Mirador-Rio Azul National Park is larger than the estimates reported in studies at the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. This may be due to the moderate level of conservation within the Mirador-Rio Azul National Park, high connectivity to protected areas of Mexico and Belize, and high availability of water for the presence of the Rio Azul, which provides surface water availability, even during the dry season. White-lipped peccaries visited waterholes mainly during the day, registering two peaks of visits between 8:00 and 12:00 . It is necessary to increase the protection in the Mirador-Rio Azul National Park, especially at the borders with Mexico and Belize, and coordinate actions should be implemented in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala to preserve the natural heritage of these protected areas.


Chemokine receptor cxcr4 and its ligand cxcl12 have evolved two paralogs in the teleost lineage. In this study, we have identified four duplicated cxcr4 and cxcl12 genes from hexaploid gibel carp, Carassius gibelio, respectively. Cgcxcr4bs and Cgcxcl12as were dynamically and differentially expressed in immune-related tissues, and significantly up-regulated in head kidney and spleen after crucian carp herpesvirus (CaHV) infection. Blocking Cxcr4/Cxcl12 axis by injecting AMD3100 brought more severe bleeding symptom and lower survival rate in CaHV-infected fish. AMD3100 treatment also suppressed the up-regulation of key antiviral genes in head kidney and spleen, and resulted in more acute replication of CaHV in vivo. Consistently, the similar suppression of up-regulated expression of key antiviral genes were also observed in CAB cells treated by AMD3100 after poly(I:C) stimulation. Finally, MAPK3 and JAK/STAT were identified as the possible pathways that CgCxcr4s and CgCxcl12s participate in to promote the antiviral response in vitro.


This study aimed at determining risk factors for perioperative mortality for patients undergoing partial left ventriculectomy. Fourteen patients with end-stage congestive heart failure underwent partial ventriculectomy at our institution from February, 1995 to October, 1997. Mean age was 48+/-11 years, symptoms duration 44+/-34 months, New York Heart Association symptoms score 4+/-0, systolic blood pressure 97.69+/-20.06 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 65.38+/-13.91 mmHg, heart rate 91+/-15 beats/min, furosemide daily dose 121.66+/-96.65 mg and captopril daily dose 68.75+/-76.76 mg. Seven (50%) patients needed inotropic support for hemodynamic stabilization. On echocardiography, left ventricular diastolic dimension was 81.71+/-11.92 mm. Left ventricular ejection fraction determined by radionuclide ventriculography or echocardiography was 16.71+/-5.13. At heart catheterization, mean right atrial pressure was 12.50+/-7.72 mmHg, mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 23.60+/-7.79 mmHg, and mean pulmonary artery pressure 34.10+/-12.81 mmHg. Twelve patients had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and two patients had a globally dilated heart with single vessel coronary artery disease. Aneurysmectomy, mitral valve surgery or coronary artery bypass surgery were not performed in any patient. Four (28%) patients died: three in the operating theatre and one from low output syndrome 2 days after surgery. The proportion of patients operated on with cardiogenic shock was four (100%) in nonsurvivors and 0% in survivors (P=0.001). Inotropic support was necessary in three (30%) survivors and in four (100%) nonsurvivors (P=0.06). Thus, preoperative hemodynamic instability may be associated with perioperative mortality after partial left ventriculectomy.


In 1981 the Association of American Medical Colleges created a panel on the General Professional Education of the Physician (GPEP) in response to the concern that physicians of today are not responding to the total well-being and needs of patients and their families. The panel assessed the current approaches to the education of physicians and concluded that, with new technical advances and the changing face of medicine, our present system of general professional education will be outdated and inadequate without new approaches to learning and teaching. In addition, mounting pressures have been exerted on most faculty to produce research, to generate increasing patient revenues through practice plans, and to actively participate in residency training, with less emphasis on student education. Therefore, the medical student has the responsibility to independently learn the majority of medical information, since faculty and residents are available to teach for only a limited amount of time.


Thank you for reading differential algebraic systems analytical aspects and circuit applications. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search hundreds times for their chosen novels like this differential algebraic systems analytical aspects and circuit applications, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they cope with some malicious bugs inside their desktop computer.


The recent development of linear position-sensitive detectors for neutrons and X-rays leads to the possibility of large improvements in the efficiency of data collection in single-crystal diffractometers. In order to take advantage of the properties of a linear position-sensitive detector it is desirable to use a diffraction geometry which causes the diffracted beams from many different reflecting planes to lie in a common plane. A design for a diffractometer utilizing the flat-cone geometry is described, and the relevant mathematical formulas are summarized. An instrument using this design has been constructed as a modification to an existing four-circle diffractometer and is now operating. Practical details of its construction, of the collection and handling of data, and of data rates are discussed.


Over the last ten years the environmental concerns associated with the military activities have increased due to legislation pressure and an increasing awareness to the environmental issues. Such situation has leaded the defence industry and the Armed Forces to seek for a tool to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with ammunitions. Some methodologies have been applied to evaluate the environmental impacts and rank the different alternatives from an environmental point of view. Examples of those methodologies are the POEMS methodology (UK) and the MIDAS (USA), although the results delivered by these methodologies are very broad and the assessment of eventual environmental benefits from different production, use or disposal alternatives are difficult to evaluate.


This paper attempts to show that the unit of translation, even though it has long been used by both translators and theorists, is not a very fruitful concept when it comes to describing the translation process. The way in which it has been defined up to now is either too restrictive to be valid or too broad to be manageable. It will appear that it is much more productive to consider translation from a hermeneutic point of view on the basis of both the working unit of translation (the portion of source text which is being processed at a particular time) and the complexity of the factors involved in the process. The notion of hermeneutic halo will be proposed as a useful tool in this context. Combined with the working unit of translation, it helps describe the translation process and is a means of accounting for the great variety of translations a single original can lead to.


The uptake and metabolism of T3 and rT3 was studied in human liver-derived HepG2 cells. The results showed a saturable, time-dependent, and ouabain-sensitive increase in nuclear bound T3. The effects of ouabain (0.5 mmol/L) and unlabeled T3 (10 nmol/L and 10 mumol/L) were much more pronounced at the nuclear level, suggesting the presence of a nonspecific component in total cellular binding. Nuclear binding of rT3 remained below the detection limit in all experiments. Comparison of rT3 metabolism in HepG2 cells and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes showed an approximately 10-fold lower iodide production in HepG2 cells. Iodide production was decreased in the presence of ouabain and almost absent in the presence of propylthiouracil (100 mumol/L). Our data confirmed the presence of a carrier-mediated uptake system for both T3 and rT3. Metabolism data indicated functional type I deiodinase activity in HepG2 cells, the presence of glucuronidating enzymes, and the absence of thyroid hormone sulfotransferase activity. Based on these data, we propose that HepG2 cells provide an appropriate model for thyroid hormone handling by human liver. In addition, we suggest that in human liver sulfation of thyroid hormone, and therefore deiodination of T3 is of only minor importance.


An immunoelectron microscopic technique using protein A-gold as a specific marker was used for precise intracellular localization of eosinophil granule proteins. Eosinophils from healthy individuals were isolated in metrizamide gradients. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) were clearly located in the matrix of the large crystalloid-containing granules. In addition, ECP was probably present in the small granules of eosinophils. Major basic protein (MBP) was present in the crystalloid structure of specific granules. This method can be applied in studies of eosinophil degranulation to trace the release of biological effector molecules.


We present the results of a search for galaxy alignments in 12 galaxy clusters at z > 0.5, a statistically complete subset of the very X-ray luminous clusters from the MAssive Cluster Survey (MACS). Using high-quality images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) that render measurement errors negligible, we find no radial galaxy alignments within 500 kpc of the cluster centres for a sample of 545 spectroscopically confirmed cluster members. A mild but statistically insignificant trend favouring radial alignments is observed within a radius of 200 kpc and traced to galaxies on the cluster red sequence. Our results for massive clusters at z > 0.5 are in stark contrast to the findings of previous studies which find highly significant radial alignments of galaxies in nearby clusters at z∼ 0.1 out to at least half the virial radius using imaging data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The discrepancy becomes even more startling if radial alignment becomes more prevalent at decreasing cluster-centric distance, as suggested by both ours and previous work. We investigate and discuss potential causes for the disparity between our findings based on HST images of clusters at z > 0.5 and those obtained using ground-based images of systems at z∼ 0.1. We conclude that the most likely explanation is either dramatic evolution with redshift (in the sense that radial alignments are less pronounced in dynamically younger systems) or the presence of systematic biases in the analysis of SDSS imaging data that cause at least partly spurious alignment signals.


Past research suggests that individuals with discrepant low self-esteem (low explicit and high implicit self-esteem) may hold themselves against higher standards and judge themselves more critically when they fall short of those standards (Zeigler-Hill & Terry, 2007). We postulated that for discrepant low self-esteem individuals, self-awareness would activate their stringent standards and the fact that they have failed to meet those standards, thereby increasing negative affect. In this study, 144 participants completed implicit and explicit self-esteem measures, and half were then made to be self-aware by completing a task with a mirror in front of them for 3 minutes. We found that self-awareness increased negative affect among discrepant low self-esteem participants.


Combustion processes of wood pellets in hot cross flows have been studied on the basis of a series of unsteady simulations. Results show that the pellet ignition occurs with a cross flow temperature higher than 600°C. The locus of the ignition point changes depending on the free stream temperature, while combustion of char occurs throughout the pellet for all investigated temperatures. The total combustion time in addition to the time required for volatile materials to decrease occurs more rapidly with inlet temperature changes from 600°C to 700°C than that from 700°C to 800°C.


In the last 20 years, there has been substantial increase in the number of academic studies based on Ottoman tahrir registers. In this period, the thesis written in the departments of (Ottoman) History were to a great extent on the tahrir registers. By means of these MA and PhD studies there appeared considerable databank on the social and economic history of the Ottoman Empire. They provided exceptional information on issues such as urban history, agriculture, taxation, population and the custom of the empire. Despite such positive aspects of these studies, there are some deficiencies as well. The tahrir registers contain unrefined heaps of data that are not systematically classified and there are frequent repetitions. When the tahrir studies were put together, they would include all aspects of Ottoman Empire. But since there is not any specific system or method, it becomes quite difficult to combine these studies. This paper intends to point out the deficiencies of these studies and gives a bibliography of tahrir studies. TAL‹D, 1(1), 2003, E. Afyoncu 286


eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is data exchange format for representation data in Web based system. XML is used by many organizations for e-commerce and internet based applications such as online shopping, digital library, and electronic devices and so on. XML data is not sufficient to analyze on the Web. So XML is required to systematically analyze by industrial organizations to enable enhanced decision making. On the other hand, Data Warehouses are used by the most of the organizations for analyzing large data on their business. Conversion of XML schema and Data Warehouse schema has emerged as a continuous research area. This paper proposes a hierarchical design framework conversion of XML schema into the various Data Warehouse schema based on ROLAP. In this paper, we describe an automatic approach to support this conversion process. Our approach is based on the source of data that are XML schema and conforming XML document for designing Data Warehouse. We define more than one Data Warehouse schemas from the given XML schema using the Schema Graph has been proposed in the conversion process.


Microanalysis tools and techniques are often required to identify and characterize the root cause of paint adhesion failures in passenger cars and trucks. In the examples presented, different types of light microscopes, including polarized, interference contrast, fluorescence, and infrared, and various spectroscopy methods were used to reveal paint formulation abnormalities and sources of contamination that were found to be the cause of paint adhesion failures occurring on polymer-based parts and between paint layers.


Vaccines have proven to be the most cost-efficient and reasonable way to fight and exterminate virulent pathogens. Vaccines can be designed using a variety of platforms including inactivated/attenuated pathogen or subunits of it. The most recent COVID mRNA vaccines have employed nucleic acid sequences for the antigen of interest to combat the pandemic. Different vaccine platforms have been chosen for different licensed vaccines which all have shown their ability to induce durable immune responses and protection. In addition to platforms, different adjuvants have been used to strengthen the immunogenicity of vaccines. Among the delivery routes, intramuscular injection has been the most common for vaccination. In this review, we present a historical overview of the integrated consideration of vaccine platforms, adjuvants, and delivery routes in the success of vaccine development. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each choice in the efficacy of vaccine development.


Sixty patients with spinal cord injury were examined to assess major depression during the in-hospital period and at 3− and 6-month follow-up. Thirteen patients had depression during the initial in-hospital evaluation (acute onset depression) and eight had depression first diagnosed at either 3− or 6-month follow-up (delayed onset depression). Acute onset depression was related to the severity of impairment and premorbid history of psychiatric disorder, suggesting a psychological reaction to impairment or premorbid vulnerability as a possible mechanism for developing depression. Delayed onset depression was not related to severity of physical impariment but was associated with more rostral spinal injury, suggesting the possibility that neurophysiological response to injury more proximal to the brain may play a role in delayed onset depression. These data aslo suggest that the etiologyand pathophysiology of these two types of depression may be different.


Background and Aim: During the last decades, reproduction performances declined dramatically worldwide, but little is known concerning the involvement of oxidative stress as a causative factor. Oxidative stress may act at different levels, with negative impacts on cell membrane integrity and other active molecules with potential subsequent effects on reproduction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the oxidative stress status in cows according to their reproductive performances. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood concentration of two oxidative stress biomarkers, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and other biochemical parameters (glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, total proteins, calcium, urea, creatinine, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) were determined in 40 healthy cows. Body condition score (BCS), calving to first service interval (FSI), calving to conception interval (CCI), and the number of service per conception (SPC) were simultaneously recorded for each cow. Results: Concerning FSI, three groups were established: Group 1 (from 44 to 60 days), Group 2 (from 60 to 70 days), and Group 3 (from 70 to 80 days). For CCI, two groups were considered: Group 1 (<110 days) and Group 2 (>110 days). MDA showed significant high values only in cows with the lowest BCS (1.5) compared to cows with BCS note of 2.5 and 3.5. No significant difference was observed in cows oxidative stress status (MDA and GST) according to reproductive performances (FSI, CCI, and SPC) in all studied groups. Conclusion: The results revealed relatively altered oxidative stress status in cows with abnormal reproductive performances; however, no significant difference was recorded whatever the considered reproductive parameter.


The analysis of linked faults (LFs), which are faults that influence the behavior of each other, such that masking can occur, has proven to be a source for new memory tests, characterized by an increased fault coverage. However, many newly reported fault models have not been investigated from the point-of-view of LFs. This paper presents a complete analysis of LFs, based on the concept of fault primitives, such that the whole space of LFs is investigated and accounted for and validated. Some simulated defective circuits, showing linked-fault behavior, will be also presented. The paper establishes detection conditions along with new tests to detect each fault class. The tests are merged into a single test March SL detecting all considered LFs. Preliminary test results, based on Intel advanced caches, show that its fault coverage is high as compared with all other traditional tests and that it detects some unique faults; this makes March SL very attractive industrially.


The process of product development in the health sector, especially pharmaceuticals, goes through a series of precise procedures due to its directrelevance to human life. The opinion of patients or users of a particular drugcan be relied upon in this development process, as the patients convey their experience with the drugs through their opinion. The social media field provides many datasets related to drugs through knowing the user's ratingand opinion on a drug after using it. In this work, a dataset is used that includes the user's rating and review on the drug, for the purpose of classifying the user's opinions (reviews) whether they are positive ornegative. The proposed method in this article includes two phases. The first phase is to use the Global vectors for word representation model for converting texts into the vector of embedded words. As for the second stage, the deep neural network (Bidirectional longshort-termmemory) is employedin the classification of reviews. The user's rating is used as a ground truth inevaluating the classification results. The proposed method present sencouraging results, as the classification results are evaluated through threecriteria, namely Precision, Recall and F-score, whose obtained values equal(0.9543, 0.9597and0.9558), respectively. The classification results of theproposed method are compared to a number of classifiers, and it was noticed that the results of the proposed method exceed those of the alternative classifiers.


The role of the audit committee in corporate governance is the subject of increasing public and regulatory interest. We focus on one frequently noted function of the audit committee: auditor selection. We argue that independent and active audit committee members demand a high level of audit quality because of concerns about monetary or reputational losses that may result from lawsuits or SEC sanction. Auditors who specialize in the client's industry are expected to provide a higher level of audit quality than do nonspecialists. Thus, we predict that firms with audit committees that are both independent and active are more likely to employ an industry‐specialist auditor. We find that firms with audit committees that do not include employees and that meet at least twice per year are more likely to use specialists. This study contributes to our understanding of audit committee functions and provides evidence that industry specialization is an important element of auditor selection.


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis affecting 0.5-1.0% of the general population worldwide and although RA is properly considered a disease of the joints, it can cause a variety of extra-articular manifestations. This study was performed to find out any discrepancy in fracture risk estimates with and without bone mineral density (BMD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. This observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Rheumatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh from July 2013 to July 2015. Total 65 consecutive patients with RA fulfilling ACR/EULAR criteria aged 40-90 year were recruited. Ten year fracture risk of these patients was evaluated by the FRAX score with and without BMD and differences were observed. FRAX score without BMD revealed that major fracture risk was low in 58(89.2%) patients, moderate in 7(10.8%) patients but re-estimation with BMD revealed that 55(84.6%) patients remained in low risk group, 8(12.3%) patients in moderate risk group and 2(3.1%) patients went to the high risk group. In case of hip fracture risk without BMD, risk was low in 58(89.2%) patients, high in 7(10.8%) patients; but with BMD, 50(76.9%) patients remained in low risk group but risk of 15(23.1%) patients became high. Almost all the high risk patients (93.3%) were ≥55 years of age. Increasing age, female sex, disease duration and use of steroid were positively correlated with increased FRAX score where as high BMI and high BMD were associated with low FRAX score. But in multivariate analysis it was found that only relation with age was at statistically significant level. Significant numbers of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have high risk of fracture especially hip fracture. The mean of FRAX score increased in both major & hip osteoporotic fracture risk after adding BMD. More than half of the patients above fifty five years or more had high risk of fracture. So, BMD should be done in patients aged more than fifty five.


Lately, the forest surface was reduced from about 19 million hectares, as it was in the distant past, to 6.4 million hectares, while the Romanian geographical environment is increasingly subject to natural and anthropogenic harzards. Regarding the distribution of the forests by main landforms, there is a major imbalance, were is noticed a striking deficit of woodlands in the plains. Given the unbalanced distribution of the green coverage of Romania, in the context of climate changes, the authorspoint out that is of great importance to establish protective forest curtains. The authors highlight the need of reconstruction of the country's land patrimony, mainly through reforestation, by establishing more protective forest curtains. Thus, we consider that the need and desirability of setting the forest protective curtains on the Romania's surface, are two particularly important factors in the sustainable development of the rural communities, for which RDP 2014-2020, through the funds allocated for the Measure M8 105 mil. Euro, is helping to achieve these objectives.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the focused abdominal CT scan [FACT] in clinically equivocal cases of acute appendicitis in paediatric population.

METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Aga Khan Hospital, from August 2007 to November 2008. A total of 84 patients (42 males & 42 females) with clinically equivocal signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis referred to radiology department for CT evaluation were studied. CT findings were compared with histopathology and clinical follow-up.

RESULTS
The sensitivity of focused CT for acute appendicitis was 91%; specificity was 69% and accuracy of 76% while PPV and NPV were 58%, 94% respectively.

CONCLUSION
Focused unenhanced CT is a quick, accurate and non invasive modality for the assessment of clinically equivocal cases of acute appendicitis for ruling out patients and reducing negative appendectomies.


Protein cargoes that contain a classic nuclear localization signal (NLS) are transported into the nucleus through binding to a heterodimeric receptor comprised of importin/karyopherin α and β. An evolutionarily conserved auto-inhibitory sequence within the N-terminal importin β binding (IBB) domain of importin α regulates NLS-cargo binding to the NLS binding pocket on importin α. In this study, we have used site-directed mutagenesis coupled with in vitro binding assays and in vivo analyses to investigate the intramolecular interaction of the N-terminal IBB domain and the NLS binding pocket of Saccharomyces cerevisiae importin α, Srp1p. We find that mutations within the IBB domain that decrease the binding affinity of the auto-inhibitory sequence for the NLS binding pocket impact importin α function in vivo. In addition, the severity of the in vivo phenotype is directly correlated to the reduction of auto-inhibition measured in vitro, suggesting that the in vivo phenotypes are directly related to the loss of auto-inhibitory function. We exploit a conditional auto-inhibitory mutant, srp1–55, to study the in vivo functional overlap between the N-terminal IBB domain of importin α and other factors implicated in NLS-cargo release, Cse1p and Nup2p. We propose that the N-terminal IBB domain of importin α and Cse1p function together in NLS-cargo release, whereas Nup2p contributes to cargo release/importin α recycling through a distinct mechanism.


The ideal method of temporary abdominal closure (TAC) should allow rapid closure, easy maintenance, and wound repair with minimal tissue damage. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare open abdomen outcomes between patients managed with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), and patients managed with other methods of TAC, when septic abdomen is present. Two groups of patients with septic open abdomen: 27 treated with VAC versus 31 treated with other techniques of TAC. We studied open abdomen duration, number of dressing changes, re-exploration rate, successful abdominal closure rate, overall mortality, and development of enteroatmospheric fistulas. The VAC device demonstrated its superiority concerning open abdomen duration (P < 0.001), number of dressing changes (P < 0.001), re-exploration rate (P < 0.002), successful abdominal closure rate (P < 0.0001), and development of enteroatmospheric fistulas (P < 0.00001). Compared with other methods of TAC, our experience with the VAC device demonstrated its advantages concerning clinical feasibility. The high rates of direct fascia closure with an acceptable rate of ventral hernias are further benefits of this technique.


In The Widdow Ranter (1690) and Oroonoko (1688), Aphra Behn grafts Amerindian representational systems onto a Royalist world-view, suggesting that they can reinvigorate a culture tainted by the Interregnum and the political turmoil that plagues the Stuarts' reign. Interconnecting disparate cultural systems and even narrative forms, she condenses a constellation of worldviews on both sides of the Atlantic and warns that English settlements risk their own way of life when they practice cultural hegemony.