Food security and poverty alleviation has remained the primary agenda in the Eastern Africa regional food policies, and Uganda is no exception. Field pests that attack crops are among the greatest threat to increased food production. The subsistence farmers in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) rarely use synthetic pesticides in the field due to the high cost and availability issues. Therefore, some rely on the use of botanical pesticides and other natural methods of pest control. However, this indigenous knowledge (IK) on botanicals has remained largely unexploited with limited regional research and resources committed and these are the premises upon which this ethnobotanical fieldpests management survey was launched and conducted. Most of the respondents were women (59%). The study findings revealed that the major field pests reported by farmers in declining order of importance, included banana weevil, bean fly, cereal stem borers, pod feeders, grain moth, rodents, moths, termites, birds, aphids  and cutworms. The anti-pest plants documented included, Capsicum frutescens,Tagetes spp,  Nicotiana tabacum, Cypressus spp., Tephrosia vogelii,Azadirachta indica, Musa spp, Moringa oleifera, Tithonia diversifolia,  Lantana camara,  Phytollacca dodecandra,  Vernonia amygdalina,  Aloe spp., Eucalyptusspp., Cannabis sativa, Cofea species and  Carica papaya. The study has demonstrated that usage of botanical pesticides in field pest management is normal around Lake Victoria basin for the subsistence farmers since all the 117 respondents had ever tried or used botanical pesticides. We recommend more specialized studies in the usage of the plant-based pesticides to ensure safety and effectiveness that will enhance food security and environment protection. In addition, appropriate recommendations generated on the issues investigated will be advanced as leads for further research, extension and regional industrial endeavors in the LVB.

 Key words: Indigenous knowledge, field pests, pesticide plants, Uganda, Lake Victoria Basin


This research aims to know the influence of the application of a method of teacher centered learning cooperative learning and E-learning againt understanding a student on the learning accounting. The variables examined in this study is teacher centered learning, cooperative learning and understanding a student. This study used a quantitative approach with the collection of data technique using the questionnaire. Sample is all the accounting students semester 6 and 8 had embarked on a course called accounting as many as 200 students .The method of analysis data used in this research was multiple linear regression. Based on the research and discussion done, can be summed up and can be concluded  The application of teacher centered learning cooperative learning and E-learning to depend on the understanding a student on the learning accounting partial and simultaneous


The authors attempt to accomplish four interrelated tasks in this article: (1) to develop a plausible and defensible ap- proach to studying globalization; (2) to define Southeast Asia; (3) to delimit and historicize the globalization process in Southeast Asia; and (4) to describe and analyze the economic performance of South- east Asia over the past 30 years or so, paying particular attention to the region before, during, and after the events of 1997.


Along with the growth of available information on the internet, grows too the number of attacks to the Web systems. The Web applications became a new target to those invaders, due to the popularization of the Web 2.0 and 3.0, as well as the access to the social networks system's API's, the cloud computing models and SaaS. In this context, the identification of an eventual attack to those applications has become an important challenge to the security specialists. This article presents a proposition which uses Semantic Web concepts to the definition of an ontology for the analysis of the security log archives of WEB applications, with the intent of improving the classification of the attacks occurred and identification of the related events.


In space art design, the recognition of expression is of great help to the
 understanding of art. It is very difficult to obtain occlusion expression
 data from robot environment. In particular, it is very challenging to
 recognize the occluded expression. In the case of facial occlusion, it is
 difficult to extract the features of occluded expressions by traditional
 methods. In order to reduce the dependence of expression recognition on
 individuals, this paper proposes a cycle-consistent adversarial network and
 K-SVD dictionary learning method for occluded expression recognition in
 education management under robot environment. Firstly, the new method uses
 the cyclic-consistent generation adversarial network as the skeleton model,
 which can generate the un-occluded expression image without the need of
 paired data sets. Meanwhile, in order to improve the discriminant ability
 and image generation ability of the network, a multi-scale discriminator is
 used to construct the discriminant network. Then, the least squares and
 cyclic sensing loss are used to strengthen the constraints on the network
 model and improve the image quality. By subtracting the error matrix from
 the test sample, a clear image of the expression classification stage can be
 recovered. The clear image samples are decomposed into identity features and
 expression features by using the collaborative representation of two
 dictionaries. Finally, it is classified according to the contribution of
 each expression feature to the joint sparse representation. Experiments
 conducted on CK+, RAF-DB and SFEW datasets, the results show that the
 average accuracy of the new model is 98.44%, 87.12% and 62.17%,
 respectively. Compared with the traditional convolutional neural network
 models and advanced methods, this model effectively improves the accuracy of
 facial recognition in the case of facial occlusion.


Many applications in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) require that sensor observations in a given monitoring area be aggregated in a serial fashion. This demands a routing path to be constructed traversing all sensors in that area, which is also called to linearize the network. In this paper, we present SURF, a Space filling cURve construction scheme for high genus 3D surFace WSNs, yielding a traversal path provably aperiodic (that is, any node is covered at most a constant number of times). SURF first utilizes the hop-count distance function to construct the iso-contour in discrete settings, then it uses the concept of the Reeb graph and the maximum cut set to divide the network into different regions. Finally it conducts a novel serial traversal scheme, enabling the traversal within and between regions. To the best of our knowledge, SURF is the first high genus 3D surface WSNs targeted and pure connectivity-based solution for linearizing the networks. It is fully distributed and highly scalable, requiring a nearly constant storage and communication cost per node in the network. Extensive simulations on several representative networks demonstrate that SURF works well on high genus 3D surface WSNs.


I. INTRODUCTION"If the [Russian] leadership continues to pay only lip service to the issue [of HIV/AIDS]... then the consequences ... will be devastating to... society, to family formation, to the military, to productivity of labor, [and] to continued growth of the gross domestic product."1 Russia faces one of the fastest growing rates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus ("HIV") infection in the world. The HIV epidemic there has been characterized by "explosive outbreaks among vulnerable populations ... ."3 Between 1997 and 2005, the number of officially registered HIV positive individuals in Russia ballooned from 3623 to 327,899.4 While estimates vary, it is likely that one million Russians (over one percent of the population) are infected.5 At the current rate of infection, more than fourteen million Russians could be infected with HIV by the year 2020.6In 1995, the Russian Federation adopted comprehensive legislation prohibiting discrimination based on HIV infection or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ("AIDS").7 Because of the potential for Injecting Drug Users ("IDUs") to act as a bridge to the general population,8 the Russian government has begun to take greater legislative steps to stem the epidemic, and, in 2006, committed greatly increased funds to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.9Yet more than ten years after the passage of comprehensive HIV/AIDS legislation, Russians living with HIV/AIDS continue to face discrimination based on their health status.10 Knowledge that HIV test results will remain confidential may encourage individuals to get tested.11 Conversely, a lack of adequate protection for private health information may discourage individuals from learning their health status and seeking treatment. While Russian law provides protections for health privacywhich may include information related to HIV infection-the parameters of such protections are largely undefined in the law.Given the Russian government's recent dedication to combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, this Comment seeks to identify potential barriers to HIV prevention in Russian law. Part II of this Comment examines how social stigma related to drug use and to HIV infection in Russia has hindered voluntary HIV testing and concludes that additional protections for health status may encourage individuals to seek care.13 Part III contends that because the perceived privacy of health-related information may encourage HTV testing which, in turn, may reduce transmission, Russian law related to HIV/AIDS should contain strong protections for health privacy. Part IV argues that Russian law expressly protects the right to health privacy, but contends that conflict in existing law leaves the parameters of health privacy uncertain. Part V establishes that a lack of clear remedies for violations of health privacy exacerbates the unclear parameters of health privacy protection. Part VI compares Russian laws protecting health privacy to comprehensive health privacy legislation in the United States, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA").14 It concludes that, despite jurisdictional and institutional differences between the United States and Russia, Russian law should, like HIPAA, clarify the statutory right to health privacy, the remedies tied to the violation of that right, and the path to legal redress for the right's infringement.II. SOCIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SPREAD, AND HAVE HINDERED TREATMENT, OF HIV/AIDS IN RUSSIAVarious social factors, including injection drug use, have contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Russia. Against this social background, the Russian government has historically allocated little money to HIV/AIDS care,16 and legislative enactments have impeded treatment of IDUs.17 Yet a recent increase in funding for HIV/AIDS indicates heightened governmental attention to the growing epidemic.18A. Social Factors Have Aided HIV/AIDS Transmission and Impacted Disease ProgressionVarious social factors have impacted HIV transmission and disease progress in Russia. …


Higher earning wives are emerging as a global phenomenon; however, the profiles of higher earning wives and the implications for marital satisfaction remain unknown in Hong Kong. On the basis of a representative household survey of 689 Hong Kong Chinese couples in 2012, this study aimed to explore the profiles of higher earning wives in Hong Kong and examine the effect of wives' income advantage on the couples' marital satisfaction. Results indicated that higher earning wives were clustered into 2 groups. One group of higher earning wives was older, was better educated, held managerial and professional jobs, and lived in high-income families compared with lower earning wives. The other group of higher earning wives was not well educated, held nonprofessional jobs, and lived in low-income families. Higher earning wives reported similar marital satisfaction with lower earning wives as well as their husbands. However, higher earning wives with nonprofessional jobs and from low-income families reported lower life and marital satisfaction than did those with better socioeconomic status. The implications of these findings are discussed.


Presented here is a cell-suspension model for positive selection using thymocytes from αβ-TCR (H-2Db-restricted) transgenic mice specific to the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) on a nonselecting MHC background (H-2d or TAP-1 –/–), cocultured with freshly isolated adult thymus stromal cells of the selecting MHC type. The thymic stromal cells alone induced positive selection of functional CD4-CD8+ cells whose kinetics and efficiency were enhanced by nominal peptide. Fibroblasts expressing the selecting MHC alone did not induce positive selection; however, together with nonselecting stroma and nominal peptide, there was inefficient positive. These results suggest multiple signaling in positive selection with selection events able to occur on multiple-cell types. The ease with which this model can be manipulated should greatly facilitate the resolution of the mechanisms of positive selection in normal and pathological states.


Objective: The aim of present study is to analyze clinical and laboratory features of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)-associated trigeminal neuropathy (TN). Methods: Clinical records of 12 cases of MCTD complicated with TN diagnosed in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2008 to October 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The present study included 12 cases, 1 males and 11 females, average age was(40±13)years. TN was developed before the diagosis of MCTD in 1 case. TN and MCTD were occurred simutaneously in 1 case. Raynaud phenomenon (12 cases), arthritis (10cases), edema of fingers (9cases), myositis (6 cases), and pulmonary involvement (11cases) were main cinical feature of MCTD-associate TN. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) and high titer anti-U1-RNP antibody could be detected in serum of all patients. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and creatine kinase were found in serum of 7cases and 5cases, respectively. Blink reflex tests were positive in 6 cases. Neurological symptoms improve slowly without any progress by using glucocorticoid combined immunosuppressants or intravenous gamma globulin. Conclusions: TN is often associted with actived MCTD. Positive ANA and anti-U1-RNP antibody were common in MCTD-associated TN. Blink reflex test is essential to diagnose MCTD-associated TN. Intensive treatment of MCTD contributes to control the progress of TN.


In a 3-year experiment, we compared the fertilizer efficiency of sigmoidal releasing-type coated urea (CUS) and linear releasing-type coated urea (CUL) to that of readily available urea (RU). CUS and CUL were applied once in April, whereas RU was applied once in June and again in August. Nitrogen (N) release from CUS started from June to July and most of the N was released before August. The rate of N release in CUL plots was nearly constant between April and August. Herbage yield (HY) and N uptake between July and September increased stably in CUS plots in 2006 and 2008 and in CUL plots in 2008. HY and N uptake in RU plots increased at all sampling times after fertilizer application except in September in 2007. The HY and N uptake trend in 2007 differed to that in 2006 and 2008, due to unusually high temperature and low precipitation in the summer. The stability of seasonal herbage productivity was evaluated using F-tests for equality of variances of HY from May to September. Variances in CUS and CUL plots were not significantly different from those in RU plots. The annual and 3-year HY and N uptake in CUS and CUL plots were higher than those in RU plots. The annual mean N recovery rate was high in CUS (0.74–1.22) and CUL plots (0.84–1.27), as compared to that in RU plots (0.63–0.91). The 3-year mean recovery rate was estimated to be almost '1' in CUS and CUL plots. This indicates that nearly all the N supplied by the fertilizer was taken up by herbage in the CUS and CUL plots. The superiority between CUS and CUL in terms of maximizing HY and N uptake was not clear; however, single application of CUS or CUL was more efficient for the herbage productivity than split application of RU.


Indentant technology is using for classification of mechanical quality ceramic materials in
relatively wide measurement. Using indentant methods, which was a long life to use for classification
hardness of different type materials, was recently broadened to determination broken tenacity KIC,
broken energy gF in normal and temperature rise, creep behavior, fatigue responses and next
important quality of ceramic materials. This article is dealing with method and calculation of determination broken tenacity KIC


The chemical nature of aluminium soaps can be studied with great advantage by making use of the reaction between aluminium alkoxides and fatty acids in organic solvents. The heat of the reaction was measured as a function of fatty acid added, and this showed that not more than two fatty-acid molecules react with each Al(OR)3 molecule. Even with water, not more than two molecules reacted with each A1(OR)8 molecule. The resulting soaps were analyzed for aluminium and fatty acid, and this confirmed the conclusions drawn from the heat of reaction. The product of aqueous metathesis between an alkali metal soap and an aluminium salt appears to be an adsorption complex of the fatty acid upon hydrated alumina; combination occurs during the drying process. From the above studies a polymeric formula for aluminium soaps has been suggested, based upon sixfold co-ordination aluminium-oxygen octahedra. When these octahedra join through an apex a cli-soap results, when through an edge, a mono-soap. A combination of these results in intermediate values. Some preliminary infra-red measurements of aluminium mono- and di-soaps appear to be consistent with these conclusions. The phenomenon of peptization of aluminium soaps by organic compounds such as alcohols, phenols, amines, etc., is discussed in terms of the above formulation. The physical nature of aluminium soaps in organic solvents has been explored by means of viscosity and streaming birefringence. In very dilute solutions in benzene it appears that the soap units approach molecular dispersion; with increasing concentration the rapid increase in specific viscosity indicates strong intermolecular attraction and the formation of fibrillar aggregates. With the more concentrated solutions (1 to 2 %) simultaneous streaming birefringence and viscosity measurements were made in a coaxial cylinder apparatus, and the effect of peptizers and precipitants determined. It was concluded that the soap molecules are aggregated in solution with the fatty-acid groups extended laterally with respect to the chain. Some solutions were initially birefringent, due to the influence of the walls upon the aggregation.


De qi is an important traditional acupuncture term used to describe the connection between acupuncture needles and the energy pathways of the body. The concept is discussed in the earliest Chinese medical texts, but details of de qi phenomenon, which may include the acupuncturist's and/or the patient's experiences, were only fully described in the recent hundred years. In this paper, we will trace de qi historically as an evolving concept, and review the literature assessing acupuncture needle sensations, and the relationship between acupuncture-induced de qi and therapeutic effect. Thereafter, we will introduce the MGH Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS), a rubric designed to measure sensations evoked by acupuncture stimulation as perceived by the patient alone, and discuss some alternative statistical methods for analyzing the results of this questionnaire. We believe widespread use of this scale, or others like it, and investigations of the correlations between de qi and therapeutic effect will lead to greater precision in acupuncture research and enhance our understanding of acupuncture treatment.


Abstract Objective. To describe the characteristics and outcome of fetuses with Turner syndrome reported to a national congenital anomalies register. Methods. All cases with a diagnosis of Turner syndrome reported to Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service for Wales (CARIS) between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2007 were included. The cases were grouped in five categories based on their outcomes: fetal loss (FL), termination of pregnancy (TOP), live birth (LB), and postnatal (PN) detection and comparison was undertaken between the groups. Results. One hundred twenty-four cases were reported during the study period. The prevalence of Turner syndrome was 1 in 4901 live female births. Seventy-four percent had 45 X karyotype while the rest had some form of Mosaic Turner karyotype. Pregnancy was terminated in 66% of antenatally diagnosed cases. FL and TOP groups had 92% and 87%, respectively, of 45 X karyotype – far greater than in the LB and PN groups. Increased nuchal thickness was the commonest anomaly noted in antenatal ultrasound and was a predictor for 45 X karyotype, FL, and termination. Conclusion. Termination was the most common outcome of fetuses diagnosed antenatally with Turner syndrome. This has modified the natural history of Turner syndrome particularly in cases with Mosaic karyotype.


Eight unrestrained macaques were observed for 2 hours following either two oral doses of yohimbine (0.2 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg) or placebo administration. Four of the subjects were normally reared and four subjects had early maternal and social deprivation. In the normal subjects, yohimbine, at both doses, produced increased tension and enervation and decreased species-typical "normal" behaviors. In deprivation-reared subjects, low-dose yohimbine produced reductions in tension and enervation, and increases in "normal" behaviors. High doses of yohimbine diminished behavioral score differences between groups. The prominent increases in enervation observed in normally reared subjects suggests that yohimbine is not unequivocally anxiogenic. Moreover, early social deprivation may alter the pattern of response to yohimbine, perhaps as a result of aberrant neurodevelopment. This study reflects the role of experiential factors in determining patterns of affective response to putative anxiogenic agents.


The freshwater Siberian prawn, Exopalaemon modestus (Heller 1862, Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae), was likely introduced into the San Francisco Estuary in the late 1990s. Since the ini- tial collection in 2000, E. modestus spread rapidly throughout the estuary and into upstream areas, and is now the most common caridean shrimp in the upper estuary, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. We summarized data collected from 2000 to 2011 by several long-term monitoring projects, spe- cial studies, and the public concerning E. modestus in California. Although some specific ecological effects of this introduced species have been documented, broader effects are largely unknown. E. modestus is likely to expand its distribution within the estuary and watershed and become established in other fresh- water areas of California.


The objectives of the study was To find out to what extent does the design of story book in English match the preschoolers' language development, to find out how story book in English designed to cope with the Pre-schoolers, to find out the reason why  story book in English designed as it was for pre-Schoolers. The study was research and development. The existing story book was Moo's Smelly Jumper from David Brown. There were several uncommon words, and the book was not intended in indicators K-13 Curricullum.  The researcher wanted to develop a new story book in English for Preschoolers in Medan based on the position of EFL in Indonesia and the preschoolers' language development in English. The story book was about my pets and me. The researcher develop 6 of pets, cat, rabbit, fish, bird, dog, and rooster. The researcher create the uncommon words to be common word to the preschoolers by presenting the explanation of picture of the object, and the function of the object. the story book was intended to the indicator in K-13 Curricullum. The findings of the study showed that (1)  The findings of the existing story book the total score in general were "2" (the criteria was partially met). And then, preschoolers' language development, namely 80% matched with Slobin's theory in Semantic, 76% in Grammatic and 72% preschoolers in Phonology. (2). Based on the validation of the book by the experts, the book got some the revision in the content and in the layout. Finally the book would be : The content : Included the learning outcome, the text was intended to achieve the indicator of K-13 curricullum, namely preschoolers are able to love the pets such as rabbit, cat, dog, birds, and roooster. The layout : the size of page number was not too big, the background was colorfull to attrack The preschoolers' attention. The series book of "Gunggung is my Dog, Brave Rooster, Miaw the Cheerfull cat, Bird's sad whistle, and Missing Fish  " had been design to achieved the standard competence which was written in syllabus kemendikbud no 37, "the preschoolers can love the God's living things" where the theme was "Pets" in the first semester.  Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the book was appropriate for Preschoolers in Medan. some suggestion were directed to To teacher of Preschool in Medan supposed giving more attention to the preschoolers' language development in Medan in doing story telling by using a story book in English, to other researcher, it was suggested that this reseach could be further expanded, elaborated, and explored in other field in ordet to contribute the development, especially in story book, and to all the readers, it was suggested to use this research as the reference for other research in educational research and Development.Keywords : develop, story book, PreSchoolers,


There is free rotation about the carbon-to-carbon single bonds (C–C) in alkanes. In contrast, the structure of alkenes requires that the carbon atoms of a double bond and the two atoms bonded to each carbon atom all lie in a single plane, and that each doubly bonded carbon atom lies in the center of a triangle. This part of the molecule's structure is rigid; rotation about doubly bonded carbon atoms is not possible without rupturing the bond. Look at the two chlorinated hydrocarbons in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\).


SUSTAINABILITY LIABILITY: EFFECTS OF PRODUCT-SPECIFIC FACTORS ON CONSUMERS EVALUATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS Leila Kamal-Abyaneh Advisor: University of Guelph, 2016 Dr. Towhidul Islam Previous research suggests that people positively associate green products with gentleness, and negatively associate them with strength. These findings were shown to be the reason why people prefer a gentle green product more than a strong green product. However, the mechanisms are yet to be explored. Two within-subject experiments designed to study the effects of benefit congruity and attribute centrality on sustainable product preference and perceived functional performance. It was found that benefit congruity could result in different preferences towards green products. Specifically, when the benefit offered by product category is congruent with greenness (i.e., when the product is gentle), the preference is higher than when the benefit is incongruent (i.e., when the product is strong). The results show that this effect is mediated through perceived functional performance. In fact, people believe that a congruent green product performs functionally better than an incongruent one, which would result in higher preference towards the congruent green product rather than the incongruent version. This thesis also suggests that centrality of the green attribute is a major factor that can intensify the effect of benefit congruity on sustainable product preference. Finally, the exploratory analysis found that benefit congruity also influences the product preference through perceived greenness, and this mediation is intensified when the sustainable attribute is central. These findings contribute to different aspects of consumer phycology and behavioral literature, as well as offer substantial implications for marketing in the domain of sustainable products.


Late survival rates were compared and analysed for 1070 patients undergoing repair of ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA, n = 364, mean age 70.0 years, male:female ratio 5.6:1) and non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA, n = 706, mean age 66.6 years, male: female ratio 5.4:1) between January 1970 and July 1992 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. There was a statistically significant difference in survival rates between the RAAA and AAA groups during the first three months after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Operative mortality rates were 7.4% for electively repaired abdominal aortic aneurysms and 48.7% for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. For 3-month postoperative survivors there existed no statistically significant difference in late survival rates, nor did these rates differ from those of an age- and sex-matched population. Five-year survival rates for 3-month postoperative survivors were 60% in the RAAA group and 67% in the AAA group. Median survival time was 5.7 years and 7.5 years, respectively. Coronary artery disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and renal insufficiency statistically significantly reduced late survival rates after 3 months post-surgery for non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, whereas these risk factors did not alter late prognosis after successful repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Cerebrovascular disease reduced late survival rates both in AAA (median survival time 6.3 years) and RAAA group (median survival time 4.9 years). Of late deaths 41% were caused by coronary artery disease in the AAA group and 38% in the RAAA group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Sargassum thunbergii (Mertens ex Roth) Kuntze (ST) is a brown alga rich in indole-2-carboxaldehyde. This study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of ethanol extract from ST in in vitro and in vivo models. In 3T3-L1 cells, ST extract significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes while lowering adipogenic genes (C/epba and Pparg) and enhancing metabolic sensors (Ampk, Sirt1), thermogenic genes (Pgc-1a, Ucp1), and proteins (p-AMPK/AMPK and UCP1). During animal investigation, mice were administered a chow diet, a high-fat diet (HF), or an HF diet supplemented with ST extract (at dosages of 150 and 300 mg/kg bw per day) for 8 weeks (n = 10/group). ST extract administration decreased weight gain, white adipose tissue weight, LDL-cholesterol, and serum leptin levels while improving glucose intolerance. In addition, ST extract increased the expression of Ampk and Sirt1 in adipose tissue and in the liver, as well as p-AMPK/AMPK ratio in the liver, compared to HF-fed mice. The abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the feces increased in response to ST extract administration, although levels of Romboutsia ilealis decreased compared with those in HF-fed mice. ST extract could prevent obesity in HF-fed mice via the modulation of AMPK activation and gut microbiota composition.


Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the third-most common cause of maternal death in the United States and it is still the first prevalent cause of maternal death in developing countries. Active prevention of haemorrhage with an uterotonic or other new drugs leads to a decrease in postpartum vaginal haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to compare anti-haemorrhagic effect of Tranexamic acid (TXA) and Misoprostol for PPH. Patients and Methods: In a double-blinded randomised control clinical trial, 200 women were included after Caesarean or natural vaginal delivery with abnormal PPH. They were divided into two equal intervention and control groups. Effect of intravenous TXA and Misoprostol for postpartum haemorrhage was examined. Results: The mean age of patients was 26.7 ± 6.5 years which ranged from 14 to 43 years. The sonographic gestational age in the group treated with TXA was 37.7 ± 3.4 weeks and it was 37.4 ± 3.3 weeks for the other group (P = 0.44). The haemorrhage in the TXA and Misoprostol groups was 1.2 ± 0.33 litres and 1.18 ± 0.47 litres, respectively (P = 0.79). The haemoglobin levels after 6-12 hours of labour, in TXA group was more than that of the Misoprostol group, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.22 and P = 0.21, respectively). Conclusion: Regarding to the superior results in Misoprostol group in one hand and lack of significant differences between two groups in haemorrhage during labour, post-partum haemoglobin level and discharge haemoglobin level, we can state that Misoprostol has no specific preferences to TXA, but more studies with greater population are needed.


Mobile agent offers a new programming paradigm in which a program can move from one node to another node in a network. Since data as well as code move at the same time, security issue becomes more important than traditional RPC system. To overcome the security hurdles, this paper presents a new model based on existing Aglets architecture. A new service agent along with a policy file is incorporated with the existing Aglets architecture. This novel service agent which controls & co-ordinates all communication between the agent and the platform provides an extra layer of security by a set of API. This extra layer of security in Aglets will enhance the overall security of the platform.


Using 3D finite element method (FEM) modelling, the present work investigates the coupling effect between two finite superconductors through a resistive matrix. This effect, related to the finite length of the conductors, is typically three-dimensional and cannot be analysed by the widely utilized 2D models. Superconductors are modelled with the nonlinear power-law E = Ec(J/Jc)n, which has been implemented in the FEM software. The main focus is to demonstrate the feasibility of such calculations and to establish the correlation between the coupling effect and the aspect ratio of the conductor cross-section, in order to extend the existing theory, which is only precise for superconductors of infinite slabs, fully penetrated by the magnetic field. The effect of other parameters such as the conductor length and the gap between the superconducting filaments is also considered. The latter is a parameter which does not feature in the approximate theories.


To unambiguously diagnose the detailed physical mechanisms and the evolutionary status of high-mass star-forming regions (HMSFRs), we have performed 0.4" ($\sim1000$ AU) resolution observations towards NGC7538S and IRS1, using the Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI). This paper presents a joint analysis of the 1.37 mm continuum emission and the line intensity of 15 molecular species. Assuming local thermal equilibrium, we derived molecular column densities and molecular abundances for each internal gas substructure which is spatially resolved. These derived quantities are compared with a suite of 1-D gas-grain models.
NGC7538S is resolved into at least three dense gas condensations. Despite the comparable continuum intensity of these condensations, their differing molecular line emission is suggestive of an overall chemical evolutionary trend from the northeast to the southeast. Since these condensations are embedded within the same parent gas core, their differing chemical properties are the most likely due to the different warm-up histories, rather than the different dynamic timescales. Despite remaining spatially unresolved, in IRS1 we detect abundant complex organic molecules, indicating that IRS1 is the most chemically evolved hot molecular core presented here. We observe a continuum that is dominated by absorption features with at least three strong emission lines, potentially from $\rm CH_3OH$. The $\rm CH_3OH$ lines which are purely in emission have higher excitation than the ones showing purely absorption. Potential reasons for that difference are discussed.
This is the first comprehensive comparison of observations of the high-mass cores NGC7538S and IRS1 and a chemical model. We have found that different chemical evolutionary stages can coexist in the same natal gas core. Our achievement illustrates the strength of chemical analysis for understanding HMSFRs.


Summary tendinitis is most familiar in its common site at the shoulder and is considered to be a degenerative disease. In this report, we present a case of tibialis posterior dysfunction stage I associated with chronic tendinitis and tendon calcifications. Due to failure of conservative treatment surgical removal of the calcifications was performed. On follow-up examination the patient was pain-free and showed full range of motion in her left ankle and subtalar joint. The aetiology of the calcification is discussed. In symptomatic calcifying tendinitis of the tibialis posterior tendon which does not respond to conservative treatment, surgical excision of the calcific material and tendon reconstruction may be successful in relieving the symptoms and prevent further tendon degeneration.


Background: Various risk stratification systems have been developed in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), based mainly on patients undergoing procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass. Objective: To assess the validity and applicability of the Parsonnet score, the EuroSCORE, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) system, and the UK CABG Bayes model in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) in the UK. Methods: Data on 2223 patients who underwent OPCAB in eight cardiac surgical centres were collected. Predicted mortality risk scores were calculated using the four systems and compared with observed mortality. Calibration was assessed by the Hosmer–Lemeshow (HL) test. Discrimination was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area. Results: 30 of 2223 patients (1.3%) died in hospital. For the Parsonnet score the HL test was significant (p < 0.001) and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) area was 0.74. For the EuroSCORE the HL test was also significant (p = 0.008) and the ROC area was 0.75. For the ACC/AHA system the HL test was non-significant (p = 0.7) and the ROC area was 0.75. For the UK CABG Bayes model the HL test was also non-significant (p = 0.3) and the ROC area was 0.81. Conclusions: The UK CABG Bayes model is reasonably well calibrated and provides good discrimination when applied to OPCAB patients in the UK. Among the other three systems, the ACC/AHA system is well calibrated but its discrimination power was less than for the UK CABG Bayes model. These data suggest that the UK CABG Bayes model could be an appropriate risk stratification system to use for patients undergoing OPCAB in the UK.


SBDD-Structure Based Drug Discovery is a vital tool for 'In silico' (pseudo-Latin term for in-silicon that refers to huge use of silicon in processor chips as an expression to mean computer simulation) study in medicine. It is a fast and cost-efficient drug discovery and optimization technique and has been proven to be more efficient than conservational techniques since it aims to recognize the molecular basis of a sickness and utilizes the understanding of 3-dimensional structure of the genetic target to design an efficient drug. In this paper we will focus on the virtual screening of Hinokitiol (β-Thujaplicin Copper Chelate docked docked against the profusion structure of 2019-nCoV Spike Glycoprotein with a Single Receptor-Binding domain to study and examine the action of Hinokitiol Copper Chelate as an anti-viral drug against the Spike Glycoprotein of nCoV-2019.


Synagogues are not only places of worship. They are also regarded as "places of remembrance" and as symbols of identity. The history of Jews in the suburbs has not been much studied up to now. Yet, many Jewish communities have flourished all around Paris. In Livry-Gargan, Aulnay-sous-Bois, Le Raincy, La Varenne, Ashkenazim design and construct fine buildings. The relationship with their neigbourhood often is excellent and the inaugural ceremonies serve as opportunities for patriotic speeches. The history of those four synagogues underlines the actual equality and the freedom of cult that exist inside the Republic.


Cardiovascular diseases have attracted our full attention not only because they are the main cause of mortality and morbidity in many countries but also because the therapy for and cure of these maladies are among the major challenges of the medicine in the 21st century [...].


In two experiments with fully-grown albino rats (Wistar strain) the energetic utilization of glucose, sunflower oil and casein in the maintenance metabolism was determined under thermoneutral conditions of keeping the animals. The relative requirement of metabolizable energy for maintenance was, with either glucose, sunflower oil or casein being the sole energy source of the feed, in experiment 1 100:105:133 and in experiment 2 100:102:135. The absolute values of the maintenance requirement of metabolizable energy were in experiment 1 347 +/- 26, 364 +/- 61 and 460 +/- 33 resp., and in experiment 2 330 +/- 11, 337 +/- 21 and 446 +/- 27 kJ/kg LW 0.75 resp. The results are discussed in connection with the efficiency of ATP synthesis (metabolizable energy/mol ATP gain) in the oxidative decomposition of nutrients.


Indium tribromide catalyzes efficiently the aminolysis of activated aziridines with aromatic amines under mild reaction conditions to afford the corresponding vicinal-diamines in high yields with high selectivity.


Abstract Gerbera hieracioides (Kunth) Zardini of the Gerbera-complex (Mutisieae, Asteraceae/Compositae) is distributed in Ecuador and Peru. This perennial herb was first named as Onoseris hieracioides Kunth and was later recognised as Trichocline hieracioides (Kunth) Ferreyra. Now it is generally treated as Gerbera hieracioides (Kunth) Zardini but it has never been included in any section of Gerbera. In this study, the position of Gerbera hieracioides is assessed based on morphology and a molecular phylogeny that includes G. hieracioides and 28 other species from the Gerbera-complex. Morphologically, G. hieracioides bears leaves with the adaxial epidermal surface without stomates but with soft thin trichomes, bracteate scapes, trimorphic capitula and inner ray florets with the corolla shorter than the style. These characters suggest that the species is most closely related to Chaptalia rather than to Gerbera or Trichocline. Furthermore, the phylogenetic results based on two nuclear (ITS and ETS) and two chloroplast (trnL–trnF and trnL–rpl32) sequences strongly support the placement of G. hieracioides nested within Chaptalia. As both morphological characters and the molecular phylogenetic results support the transfer of G. hieracioides to Chaptalia, this enigmatic taxon is recognised as Chaptalia hieracioides (Kunth) X.-D. Xu & W. Zheng.


The vertical-objective-based ellipsometric microscope (VEM) is presented which can be used for real-time visualization of nm-thick lubricant films with high lateral resolution. The performance of hard disk drives (HDDs) depends on the dynamics of the nm-thick liquid lubricant films due to decrease of head-disk gap to 2 to 3 nm. The contact or near-contact head disk interface is needed to increase the recording intensity. However, meniscus formation or lubricant pick-up will occur. Therefore, real-time visualization of shearing nm-thick liquid lubricant films plays an important role in the analysis of these phenomena. However, the current VEM can not provide this contact or near-contact situation due to the short working distance (WD) of the high magnification objective lens. In this report, we propose a backside illuminated VEM, whose illumination system and objective lenses are set on the opposite of the sliding probe to solve this problem, and the feasibility of the method is discussed.


ABSTRACT In this article, I investigate preschool children's participation in organised activities. Current political and academic debates consider informal education as a prime vehicle for potentially diminishing social class inequalities in educational outcomes before school entry. However, studies point to unequal participation rates between social classes, which means the activities might actually aggravate existing disparities. Various explanations have been offered for this social class gap. Some scholars argue that material resources play a pivotal role, while others say that culture is the decisive factor. This study uses the kindergarten cohort of the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) to test how far these two dimensions contribute to social class differences in preschool children's participation in organised activities. My analysis shows that both dimensions are important determinants of children's participation in organised activities. However, occupational characteristics also have a considerable effect, which suggests shortcomings in the current scholarly discussion.


Objective: To investigate: (1) orthodontists' training experience in the psychological assessment of orthognathic patients and their wish for training/further training; (2) the availability of psychological support, referral patterns and outcomes after referral; (3) and adverse incidents prompting orthodontists to refer patients for psychological assessment. Design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: A 25-item questionnaire was designed to investigate the above mentioned aims. After a pilot study, the questionnaire was distributed to all members of the Consultant Orthodontist Group, British Orthodontic Society. Results: Based on a 29.1% response rate (n = 102), 76.5% of respondents had undertaken training in identifying orthognathic patients who may benefit from psychological assessment. However, 90.2% favoured further training. All respondents believed that some orthognathic patients would benefit from referral; however, 31.3% of units referred no patients at all, mostly due to limited/no access (66.7%). Most referrals (68.9%) were to psychiatrists/psychologists with dentofacial deformity expertise, with 28.9% of units having such services onsite (14 different units). Psychological referrals had potentially useful outcomes, with 36.4% of respondents sometimes changing treatment plans following referral. Clinical incidents were experienced by 35.1% of respondents, prompting referral of patients for psychological assessment; such incidents included patient suicides (n = 4). Conclusion: Most respondents had trained in psychological assessment of orthognathic patients; however there was a large demand for further training. Clinicians value the psychological services available; however, limited availability may affect referrals for some respondents. Adverse incidents are of real concern and highlight the need to ensure that training and resources are provided to support orthognathic patients and teams.


To provide the accurate thermal rating of overhead power lines is required to consider the conductor temperature depending on a variety of weather factors. New types of conductors, such as overhead insulation-covered conductors are widely used in electrical networks. Wellknown IEEE 738 and CIGRE standards calculate the bare overhead conductors only and are not applicable for thermal rating of overhead insulation-covered conductors. Numerical methods are able to calculate the insulated conductors, but have many drawbacks, such as the difficulty of modeling and low computation speed. The authors propose an analytical mathematical model to determine the thermal rating both overhead insulation-covered and bare conductors. Results of temperature calculation and active power losses calculation for overhead insulation-covered and bare conductors with the same cross section at selected weather conditions and changes in load current have been presented. Neglect of insulation can lead to errors in calculating of temperature up to 30%. 


The sea quark contributions to the nucleon electromagnetic form factors of the up, down and strange quarks are studied with the nonlocal chiral effective Lagrangian. Both octet and decuplet intermediate states are included in the one loop calculations. Compared with the strange quark form factors, although their signs are the same, the absolute value of the light quark form factors are much larger. For both the electric and magnetic form factors, the contribution of the d quark is larger than of the u quark. The current lattice simulations of the light sea quark form factors are in between our results for the u and d quarks.


The management of patent ductus arteriosus is controversial, and there are diverse approaches to treatment, ranging from very conservative management through to early and aggressive securing of ductus closure, either pharmacologically or surgically. This lack of consensus on best management reflects a paucity of high quality randomised controlled trials, with many published studies focusing on establishing points of treatment, rather than looking for benefits of intervention over more conservative management. Despite this lack of good evidence views on ductus management can be entrenched, with accompanying loss of equipoise. This review looks at our current situation with regard to ductus arteriosus management and the need for good quality trials especially in the light of other published studies, concerning postnatal steroids, caffeine and oxygen which have demonstrated unexpected benefits – or sometimes unexpected harm – from long-familiar drugs.


In this study the effect of diets supplemented with extracts of oregano and/or rosemary (Origanum vulgare L. and/or Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on lipid metabolism, antioxidant status and sensory perceptions in meat was investigated in fattening pig. Eighty pigs were divided into five dietary groups (n.16/each identified as: control, C; 2: foil, F; 3: foil + 0.2% oregano, O; 4: foil + 0, 2% rosemary, R and 5: foil + 0.1% + 0.1% oregano, rosemary, OR). Blood samples were drawn from jugular vein after about 15 days of adaptation to the new diet and at the end of the finishing period (160 kg) Samples were used to determine the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, β-hydroxy-butyrate, free fatty acids, the total antioxidant power and reactive metabolites oxygen. Sensory analysis was carried out on meat samples with the test 'Duo-Trio Test' and Ordering test on the basis of Preference (ISO 8587:2006). Integration with phyto derivates did not result in significant changes in the blood parameters investigated, while from the point of view of sensory analysis, the presence of oregano was somehow 'felt' so that the group of pigs supplemented with oregano have always been recognized as different from the control in terms of texture and flavor.


Few studies have examined the effect of the weak mineralocorticoids corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone on the pathogenesis of hypertension in Cushing's disease. Therefore we measured plasma levels of these mineralocorticoids together with plasma aldosterone, plasma renin activity and the aldosterone secretion rate in 12 patients with Cushing's disease and in seven patients with essential hypertension. Plasma levels of aldosterone, corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone and the aldosterone secretion rate were similar in both groups of patients. Plasma renin activity, determined after 4 h of ambulation, was significantly higher in Cushing's disease than in essential hypertension. We conclude that it is unlikely that either aldosterone or the weak mineralocorticoids corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone play a specific role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in Cushing's disease.


Interferon Regulatory Factor 8 (IRF8) is required for development, maturation and expression of anti-microbial defenses of myeloid cells. BXH2 mice harbor a severely hypomorphic allele at Irf8 (Irf8R294C) that causes susceptibility to infection with intracellular pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We report that BXH2 are completely resistant to the development of cerebral malaria (ECM) following Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection. Comparative transcriptional profiling of brain RNA as well as chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) was used to identify IRF8-regulated genes whose expression is associated with pathological acute neuroinflammation. Genes increased by infection were strongly enriched for IRF8 binding sites, suggesting that IRF8 acts as a transcriptional activator in inflammatory programs. These lists were enriched for myeloid-specific pathways, including interferon responses, antigen presentation and Th1 polarizing cytokines. We show that inactivation of several of these downstream target genes (including the Irf8 transcription partner Irf1) confers protection against ECM. ECM-resistance in Irf8 and Irf1 mutants is associated with impaired myeloid and lymphoid cells function, including production of IL12p40 and IFNγ. We note strong overlap between genes bound and regulated by IRF8 during ECM and genes regulated in the lungs of M. tuberculosis infected mice. This IRF8-dependent network contains several genes recently identified as risk factors in acute and chronic human inflammatory conditions. We report a common core of IRF8-bound genes forming a critical inflammatory host-response network.


Space Time Block Codes (STBCs) from orthogonal designs have attracted significant interest in recent years. However, with the growing demand for higher capacity schemes, the multiantenna transmission techniques must support and achieve higher symbol transmission rates. In this article, we focus on three and four transmit antenna schemes. For over two decades, STBC schemes for three and four transmit antennas that achieve a very high symbol transmission rate while being orthogonal, fully diverse, delay-efficient, and with very low decoding complexity have not been achieved. The schemes proposed so far trades off orthogonality, delay, diversity, or decoding complexity while achieving rate or vice-versa. This work is first of its kind to solve this problem while fulfilling all the desired properties.
In this work, we carefully study the various aspects that must be considered in designing higher symbol transmission rate STBCs. The proposed designs, hereby referred to as, Jagannath schemes - for 4 x 3 and 4 x 4 configurations are orthogonal, achieve full diversity, and support a symbol transmission rate of 2 symbols/s/Hz. The design methodology follows a coding gain maximization approach. The low decoding complexity procedure to decode the proposed transmission schemes are proposed as well as extensively evaluated in simulations under diverse settings. The performance of proposed schemes are empirically compared to two state-of-the-art schemes; ACIOD and Jafarkhani. Jagannath 4 x 3 was shown to outperform ACIOD by ~12 dB while Jagannath 4 x 4 exhibited a ~7 dB superior performance in contrast to Jafarkhani at 4 bpcu. This motivates the adoption of Jagannath schemes in tactical and commercial communication systems to effectively double the throughput or to extend the


We use the point-particle effective field theory (PPEFT) framework to describe particle-conversion mediated by a flavour-changing coupling to a point-particle. We do this for a toy model of two non-relativistic scalars coupled to the same point-particle, on which there is a flavour-violating coupling. It is found that the point-particle couplings all must be renormalized with respect to a radial cut-off near the origin, and it is an invariant of the flow of the flavour-changing coupling that is directly related to particle-changing cross-sections. At the same time, we find an interesting dependence of those cross-sections on the ratio k_out/k_in of the outgoing and incoming momenta, which can lead to a 1/k_in enhancement in certain regimes. We further connect this model to the case of a single-particle non-self-adjoint (absorptive) PPEFT, as well as to a PPEFT of a single particle coupled to a two-state nucleus. These results could be relevant for future calculations of any more complicated reactions, such as nucleus-induced electron-muon conversions, monopole catalysis of baryon number violation, as well as nuclear transfer reactions.


Deep image prior (DIP) serves as a good inductive bias for diverse inverse problems. Among them, denoising is known to be particularly challenging for the DIP due to noise fitting with the requirement of an early stopping. To address the issue, we first analyze the DIP by the notion of effective degrees of freedom (DF) to monitor the optimization progress and propose a principled stopping criterion before fitting to noise without access of a paired ground truth image for Gaussian noise. We also propose the 'stochastic temporal ensemble (STE)' method for incorporating techniques to further improve DIP's performance for denoising. We additionally extend our method to Poisson noise. Our empirical validations show that given a single noisy image, our method denoises the image while preserving rich textual details. Further, our approach outperforms prior arts in LPIPS by large margins with comparable PSNR and SSIM on seven different datasets.


Case-based problem-solving systems rely on similarity assessment to select stored cases whose solutions are easily adaptable to fit current problems. However, widely-used similarity assessment strategies, such as evaluation of semantic similarity, can be poor predictors of adaptability. As a result, systems may select cases that are difficult or impossible for them to adapt, even when easily adaptable cases are available in memory. This paper presents a new similarity assessment approach which couples similarity judgments directly to a case library containing the system's adaptation knowledge. It examines this approach in the context of a case-based planning system that learns both new plans and new adaptations. Empirical tests of alternative similarity assessment strategies show that this approach enables better case selection and increases the benefits accrued from learned adaptations.


Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with an impaired immune system. The virus itself can cause transitory but significant immunosuppression in immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised infected individuals. Besides immunosuppression, HCMV infected patients often develop other signs of immune dysfunction, such as autoimmune phenomena. The aim of this thesis was to analyze the immunological dysfunctions observed in HCMV-infected patients and to further examine the underlying mechanisms of these immunological abnormalities. In our first study, we observed the presence of anti-endothelial cell, anti-smooth muscle cell and anti-nuclear autoantibodies in the sera of 43% of liver transplant recipients undergoing an acute HCMV infection and we found a correlation between the appearance of these autoantibodies and the presence of high amounts of virus in the blood. A strategy that may be effective for the virus in inducing general immunomodulation is subverting the function of cells that play a key role in the generation of both the innate and the adaptive immunity, i.e. dendritic cells (DC). It has been shown that HCMV inhibits DC functions in vitro. We examined the effect of HCMV on DC functions in vitro and in vivo. We compared myeloid DC (MDC) obtained from heart transplant patients undergoing an acute HCMV infection with MDC from HCMV-negative transplant recipients. We found an impaired immunophenotype in immature MDC and a reduction in the ability of mature MDC to stimulate an allogenic T cell response in cells obtained from patients undergoing an active HCMV infection. Similar results were observed in immunocompetent individuals undergoing a symptomatic HCMV infection (i.e., HCMV mononucleosis), who are not subjected to immunosuppressive therapy. Mature DC obtained from patients with HCMV mononucleosis were inefficient in stimulating proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes. We also analyzed the pattern of cyto-chemokines secreted by DC obtained from HCMVinfected patients and observed a pro-inflammatory profile. We therefore concluded that HCMV impairs the MDC immunophenotype and functions during infection in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. These strategies may assist the virus to interfere with early functions of the host immune system and may lead to immunosuppression. The peculiar trafficking properties of DC is a key event in the early host response to pathogens and may also be targeted by the virus to hamper DC functions. We therefore examined the viral effect on DC migration in response to inflammatory chemokines upon HCMV infection in vitro. HCMV inhibited the migration of immature MDC in response to inflammatory chemokines by 95% at 1 day after infection. HCMV infection significantly reduced the cell-surface expression of CCR1 and CCR5, but left expression of the lymphoid chemokine receptor CCR7 unchanged. HCMV infection also induced secretion of the inflammatory chemokines CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5 and neutralizing antibodies specific for these chemokines reduced the effects of HCMV on chemokine receptor expression and DC migration. We therefore suggest that HCMV may downregulate the chemokine receptor expression on DC by inducing the secretion of inflammatory chemokines and thereby hamper DC migration. The interference of HCMV with the migratory ability of DC may prevent DC trafficking in vivo and contribute to immune suppression in infected individuals. Finally, we examined the effects of HCMV on the recently discovered plasmacytoid DC (PDC) in an in vitro model of infection. Through the production of type I IFN PDC exert a dual role in antiviral responses by directly inhibiting viral replication and by determining the initiation and regulation of downstream B cell and T cell responses. Although HCMV only infected 1-3% of PDC, we observed viral induced activation of PDC that resulted in secretion of high amounts of IFN-α through engagement of TLR9. PDC interaction with HCMV resulted in opposite downstream effects for B cell and T cell subsets. HCMV-activated PDC secreted soluble factors that stimulated B cell activation and proliferation and we suggest that B cell hyperactivation may contribute to the development of humoral autoimmunity, as was observed in the first study of this thesis. Conversely, HCMV inhibited the allostimulatory ability of PDC, leading to depressed proliferation of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. Subverting the immunostimulatory ability of these potent antigen presenting cells may considerably support a condition of immunosuppression. In conclusion, a viral attack on cells that are crucial in initiation and orchestration of innate and adaptive immune responses such as the DC, may result as an effective strategy for the virus to escape the host immune response. A side effect of this strategy may be the induction of significant immunosuppression and the generation of autoimmune phenomena in HCMV-infected patients. 5 8_Avhandling.SV 05-10-20 23.22 Sida 5


Background and Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that degrade extracellular matrix components and that have been implicated in a wide range of pathological processes including tumor metastasis. Although many small-molecule MMP inhibitors have been developed, there are some problems related to specificity and side effects. In addition, recent studies have shown that several MMPs have nonproteolytic and tumor-suppressing functions depending upon the stage of cancer progression. Thus, much work remains for the elucidation of each MMP function and the development of new MMP inhibitors. Small-molecule microarrays represent a powerful new platform for facilitating target-based screens. Thousands of small molecules are arrayed on a slide glass and used to screen for protein-small molecule interactions in a high-throughput manner. We have developed unique photo-cross-linked chemical arrays, which enable the immobilization of a variety of small molecules on a solid support in a functional group-independent manner using a photoaffinity reaction. In this study, we screened MMP-9 inhibitors using the photo-cross-linked chemical arrays. Methods and Results: The array slides with compounds of the RIKEN NPDepo chemical library were probed sequentially with His-Myc-tagged human recombinant MMP-9, anti-His antibody, and a Cy5-labeled secondary antibody, and then scanned with a microarray scanner. The fluorescence signals from two slides treated with and without His-Myc-tagged MMP-9 were quantified. We obtained 27 hit compounds among 24,275 compounds; 2 of the identified compounds (isoxazole compound NPDK-1 and naphthofluorescein) inhibited MMP-9 enzyme activity in vitro. We further explored 17 analogs of NPDK-1 and found that NPDK-18 showed the strongest inhibitory activity against MMP-9, with an IC50 value of 3.8 μM. NPDK-18 inhibited the enzyme activities of MMP-2, MMP-12 and MMP-13, as well as MMP-9 and MMP-9/ΔHemopexin, with almost identical potency, but showed no inhibition against MMP-1 and MMP-7. The biological potency of NPDK-18 was confirmed in a wound-healing scratch assay, where NPDK-18 significantly inhibited cell migration of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells with no cell toxicity at 10 μM. Conclusion: These results suggest that NPDK-18 is a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor. Our study has shown that the photo-cross-linked chemical arrays are useful for high-throughput drug screening. Citation Format: Makoto Kawatani, Yasumitsu Kondoh, Kaori Honda, Tomomi Sekine, Hiroyuki Osada. Chemical array screen identifies a novel MMP inhibitor NPDK-18 that suppresses tumor cell migration. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr B131.


Corporations today collect data at an unprecedented and accelerating scale, making the need to run queries on large datasets increasingly important. Technologies such as columnar block-based data organization and compression have become standard practice in most commercial database systems. However, the problem of best assigning records to data blocks on storage is still open. For example, today's systems usually partition data by arrival time into row groups, or range/hash partition the data based on selected fields. For a given workload, however, such techniques are unable to optimize for the important metric of the number of blocks accessed by a query. This metric directly relates to the I/O cost, and therefore performance, of most analytical queries. Further, they are unable to exploit additional available storage to drive this metric down further. In this paper, we propose a new framework called a query-data routing tree, or qd-tree, to address this problem, and propose two algorithms for their construction based on greedy and deep reinforcement learning techniques. Experiments over benchmark and real workloads show that a qd-tree can provide physical speedups of more than an order of magnitude compared to current blocking schemes, and can reach within 2X of the lower bound for data skipping based on selectivity, while providing complete semantic descriptions of created blocks.


We have investigated the low-temperature resistance behavior and the magnetoresistance of single-domain cobalt wires of 400 μm length, 2 μm width and thicknesses between 5 nm and 32 nm. A logarithmic resistance increase is observed for temperatures T < 15 K which is consistently explained as originating from enhanced electron-electron interactions (EEI) in two dimensions rather than from weak electron localization (WEL). The results are confirmed for both platinum-capped and un-capped cobalt wires of various thicknesses. Our experimental results are compared with recent theoretical predictions for 2-dimensional ferromagnetic systems.


The contribution of assembled phonology in reading English was examined in the lexical decision task by comparing two markers: regularity effects and phonological priming. Strategic control was assessed by manipulating the phonological lexicality of the foils: Experiment 1 used legal nonwords, whereas Experiment 2 used pseudohomophones. Replicating existing findings, null regularity effects were obtained in the presence of legal nonwords. Modest regularity effects, in accuracy only, were observed with pseudohomophone foils. In contrast, phonological priming effects emerged in each of the experiments, regardless of the presence of regularity effects. Assembled phonology thus constrains reading under conditions that strongly discourage its use. However, regularity effects are not necessary evidence for its presence. The dissociation of regularity and phonological priming effects is discussed in terms of the two-cycles model.


In order to make choices that lead to our well-being, we need discernment and understanding to determine the conditions that bring about positive outcomes and the awareness to recognize them in order to act in ways that are congruent with our well-being. This is a paper exploring the context of teaching undergraduates to understand the expression of their own desires in markets. In this paper, I will describe an exercise that illustrates the concepts of Tibor Scitovsky's work on well-being. Students experience the concepts outlined by Scitovsky and come to understand them more deeply through engaging with practices that allow them to directly experience the embedded ideas. In addition, once they see the benefits from closely watching their experience, they become more curious about cultivating attention and begin to inquire more deeply into the nature of their desires and actions.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of DINESERV model on the level of customer satisfaction as the mediator on consumer re-patronage behavioural intentions in fast food restaurant industry. The study will focus on the undergraduate of UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA (UUM) in Kedah. Specifically, this study intends to identify the link between the dimensions that occur in the DINESERV model which include the service quality, food quality, and restaurant environment with the consumer re-patronage behavioural which mediated by customer satisfaction. A total of 400 sets of questionnaire were distributed to undergraduate respondents in UUM. The data was
examined and analysed by using the 'Statistical Package for Social Sciences' SPSS version 22. A sample size of 377 respondents were collected which then analysed with descriptive analysis, validity analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, simple linear analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis approach. Collectively, the results showed that the service quality, food quality, and dining environment were able to influence on the level of customer satisfaction. However, individual analysis using the multiple regression analysis showed that the food quality has significant negative relationship with customer satisfaction. However, service quality and dining environment presented a positive relationship with customer satisfaction by using the multiple regression analysis. In addition, in this study, customer satisfaction was tested as the mediating variable. Customer satisfaction nowadays plays an important role in success of every business venture whether for a product or a service. This applied the Baron and Kenny (1986) hierarchical regression analysis in examining the mediation in this study which is customer satisfaction. The findings of this research showed that the customer satisfaction is full mediator of the relationship between service quality, food quality and consumer re-patronize behavioural but customer satisfaction become the partial mediating role in the relationship between dining environment and consumer re-patronage behavioural


Abstract Most German states have recently reduced the duration of university preparatory schooling from 13 to 12 years without changing the graduation requirements. We use nationwide data on high school graduates and the different timing of reform introduction in the federal states to identify the effects on post-secondary education decisions and to evaluate potential effect mechanisms. The results show that university enrolment of female students decreased in the first year after graduation in all analyzed states, whereas participation in voluntary service or staying abroad increased. Furthermore, students from non-academic families are more affected than students from an academic family background.


This study examines the strategies of madrasa headmasters in improving the quality of Islamic Education and the facilitating and hindering factors as well as the solutions of the headmaster's strategies in improving the quality of Islamic Education in Madrasah Tsanawiyah. This study used descriptive qualitative and research design using a case study approach. The data were collected using observation, interview, and documentation techniques. Data analysis techniques through data reduction analysis, data presentation, and data verification which ended with checking the validity of the data. The results showed that: 1) The strategy employed by the madrasah headmaster in improving the quality of Islamic Education begins with an analysis of the internal and external environment of the madrasa which includes strengths and weaknesses, as well as the threats and opportunities. Head of Madrasah TsanawiyahAlkhairaatSibalaya always builds harmony in the organization, for example, being able to place personnel appropriately and influence his subordinates in human relationships which are covered by authority situations, enforce discipline to all madrasa personnel, and empower teachers to improve their competency and evaluate by involving relevant and professional related parties.2) The supporting factors are harmonious cooperation with subordinates as well as the conducive and comfortable situation and conditions of the madrasa. Meanwhile, inhibiting factors are the lack of teachers' discipline and lack of community response to send their children to madrasas.


Background and Objective: The University is one of the most important educational levels for students, which is associated with multiple psychological disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate depression, anxiety and stress in students of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in 2017. Material and Methods: In this analytical-cross sectional study, the statistical population of study included all students studying at Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The required sample size was randomized in a multistage, proportional to the number of students in each field of study. In this research, a standard questionnaire called the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 and descriptive statistics and inferential statistics software such as evaluation of Chi-square test, correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The findings of this study indicate that, the prevalence of different degrees of depression, anxiety and stress among students was 17.4%, 21.2%, 11.9%, respectively and also, the prevalence of depression and stress in female was higher than male and so, was not significantly difference between age, sex, marital status, housing status, field of study and stress, anxiety, depression. Conclusion: Education at university is associated with a decline in quality of life due to stress, anxiety and depression. A society that thinks to improve its health and future generations, should to plan to improve the mental health.


Well-ordered layered, elongated hexagonal α-titanium phosphate (α-TiP) nanoplates were synthesized in supercritical ethanol without any template. The morphologies and structures of elongated hexagonal α-TiP nanoplates were controlled by temperature. The possible growth mechanism of the novel α-TiP structure was also proposed on the basis of powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.


A double Yukawa (DY) potential, fitted on the carbon - carbon (CC) van der Waals (vdW) Lennard-Jones 12,6 (LJ) potential and integrated on two facing spheres, yields another DY function, whose parameters are simply related to those of the original CC LJ. We exploit this fact to obtain a new analytic expression of the DY type that describes the high-temperature physical interactions between molecules in good agreement with the well-known Girifalco potential, which was obtained from the direct spherical integration of the LJ potential. The main advantage of having a DY pair potential comes from the fact that analytic expressions of thermodynamic functions can be obtained within the Percus - Yevick approximation of the Ornstein - Zernike equation. As an example, an analytic expression of the Helmholz free energy is derived, and the double tangent construction on its vdW loop allows the determination of the liquid - vapour coexistence line and an estimation of the critical parameters ( K, ). This is in good agreement with the results predicted from various other theories with the Girifalco potential.


This paper is concerned with large-scale localisation at city scales with monocular cameras. Our primary motivation lies with the development of autonomous road vehicles - an application domain in which low-cost sensing is particularly important. Here we present a method for localising against a textured 3-dimensional prior mesh using a monocular camera. We first present a system for generating and texturing the prior using a LIDAR scanner and camera. We then describe how we can localise against that prior with a single camera, using an information-theoretic measure of image similarity. This process requires dealing with the distortions induced by a wide-angle camera. We present and justify an interesting approach to this issue in which we distort the prior map into the image rather than vice-versa. Finally we explain how the general purpose computation functionality of a modern GPU is particularly apt for our task, allowing us to run the system in real time. We present results showing centimetre-level localisation accuracy through a city over six kilometres.


BACKGROUND
Social support is an important moderator of poor well-being outcomes for nurses engaged in emotional labour with patients; however, the most effective support for renal nurses is not well understood compared with other specialties.

OBJECTIVES
To identify patterns and themes in how renal nurses and two other specialties engage with patients' emotional expressions, express their own emotion and access and provide support for emotional expenditure.

METHOD
Renal, emergency and palliative care nurses from Perth, Western Australia, were interviewed.

RESULTS
Renal nurses engage in significant amounts of emotional labour with patients, and identify co-workers as the most important source of support due to their availability and a sense of shared experience. However, comparative analysis showed that renal nurses do not recognise their emotional expenditure as readily and have less certainty of co-worker support.

CONCLUSIONS
Because their high levels of emotional engagement with patients are mostly positive, renal nurses are less prepared than other nurses to manage difficult emotional situations. As co-worker support is highly valued, organisations should train renal nurses specifically to support one another.


This thesis is a study on upper mantle shear velocity structure beneath the Gulf of California. Surface wave interstation dispersion data were measured in the Gulf of California area and vicinity to obtain a 3-D shear velocity structure of the upper mantle. This work has particular significance for understanding the tectonic evolution history in this region and the potential processes that control lithospheric rupture and the initiation of seafloor spreading in the Gulf of California. The NARS-Baja project is designed as a passive seismic experiment to explore the mantle beneath the Gulf of California region. This thesis presents the results on the upper mantle structure beneath the Gulf of California from surface wave dispersion analysis. The study contains three aspects: the Rayleigh wave phase velocity structure with azimuthal anisotropy in the Gulf of California region; a shear velocity model of Gulf of California and its vicinity inferred from Rayleigh wave dispersion data; the radially anisotropic shear wave velocity model inferred from Love and Rayleigh wave dispersion . The seismic models of the upper mantle beneath the Gulf of California and surrounding regions show some interesting features. The average shear-velocity structure has a strong low-velocity zone beneath a thin lid. The average phase velocity data are even suggestive of lower velocities than the global average down into the transition zone. The low velocities at asthenospheric depths are indicative of fluids and/or melt. A striking feature of our seismic models is a relatively high shear-velocity anomaly beneath the central-southern gulf extending from a depth of roughly 120 to 160 km. This anomaly is interpreted as a remnant of a subducted Farallon microplate fragment . There is no evidence for such a slab remnant beneath the northern part of the gulf, in agreement with the tectonic interpretation of the region. We therefore interpret this region as having a slab window, similar to the area at the mouth of the gulf. Additional evidence on the upper mantle structure is obtained from anisotropy. An along-rift-axis variation is observed in the azimuthally anisotropic phase velocity maps of the fundamental mode Rayleigh waves, as well as in the radially anisotropic structure . The obtained upper mantle structure sheds light onto the interior of this dynamic plate boundary developing area. Our new tectonic interpretation of evolution the Gulf of California is based upon tectonic reconstructions, volcanic evidence, and our seismic interpretation of a stalled slab remnant. In our model, the development of the slab window beneath the North American lithosphere and pre-existing fracture zones in the subducting plate are essential in the tectonic evolution. The details of the subduction dynamics and the plate boundary relocation can therefore be largely be attributed to pre-existing weak features in the plates. Ridges and fracture zones of the subducted plate can determine tearing and fracturing of the slab, whereas faults and extended back-arc basins in the overriding plate can be essential to the plate boundary relocation.


This paper introduces a generalized framework for positioning mobile nodes in a wireless network. The transformation of the range data measured between pairs of network nodes into a spatial position is a very challenging task if the range measurements are distorted. Typical distortions in wireless ranging systems are caused by an imperfect clock synchronization or by multipath reflection. The positioning method proposed in this paper overcomes problems of the traditional circular or hyperbolic methods and allows for the detection and elimination of distorted measurements. The positioning is done in a non-Markovian manner, which is an advantage over other available methods, especially the Kalman-based positioning methods, since linear assumptions in the dynamics are avoided. Another advantage of the proposed method is that the two tasks positioning and smoothing are carried out separately. Hence, smoothing of the position data, e.g. by means of a Kalman filter, is possible without the well documented problems in conventional methods induced by the usually applied simplifying assumptions of linear dynamics. The very good performance of the presented approach is demonstrated by real life results obtained in industrial environments.


The aim of this study was to determine the gene effect of Growth Hormone (GH) on divergent selection of Japanese quail. Quails were grouped into high weight (Q-H), low weight (Q-L) and random weight (Q- R) females as a treatment for divergent selection. Parameter phenotype observed in each generation is the weight at four weeks of age and egg production at ten weeks of age for five generations. The results showed that the dominance level on body weight of Q-L was incomplete dominance, Q-R was over dominance and Q-H was lack of dominance. While the dominance level on egg production of Q-L and Q-H were over dominance and Q-R was lack of dominance. The gene effect of GH on body weight of Q-H is 1.53 times greater than the Q-L and 12.37 times greater when compared with Q-R. Whereas the gene effect of GH on egg production of Q-H is 1.53 times greater than the Q-L but only 4 times greater when compared with Q-R. Should be developed that to increase the low-weight (Q-L) is in the BB genotype and the high weight (Q-H) is in the AA genotype groups. Otherwise, to increase the low-weight (Q-L) and high-egg production are in the AA and BB genotypes and the high weight (Q-H) and low-egg production are in the AA and AB genotypes groups


The purpose of the study was to screen the effects of formulation factors on the in vitro release profile of diclofenac sodium from matrix pellets compressed into multiple unit pellet system (MUPS) tablets using design of experiment (DOE). Extended release of diclofenac sodium was accomplished using Carbopol 71G as matrix substance. According to Fractional Factorial Design FFD 2(3-1) four formulations of diclofenac sodium MUPS matrix tablets were prepared. The process of direct pelletization and subsequently compression of the pellets into tablets was applied in order to investigate a different approach in formulation of matrix systems and to achieve a better control of the process factors over the principal response - the release of the drug. The investigated factors were X1-the percentage of polymer Carbopol 71G, X2-crushing strength of the tablet and X3-different batches of the diclofenac sodium. In vitro dissolution time profiles at 6 different sampling times were chosen as responses. Results of drug release studies indicated that drug release rates vary between different formulations, with a range of 1 to 8 h to complete dissolution. The most important impact on the drug release had factor X1-the percentage of polymer Carbopol 71G. The polymer percentage is suggested as release regulator for diclofenac sodium release from MUPS matrix tablets. All other investigated factors had no significant influence on the release profile of diclofenac sodium.


Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Western women. Risk stratification of women can aid surveillance for and prevention of breast cancer. However, the value of genetic profiling in risk stratification has been widely debated. Early studies were based on risk profiles generated from only a few genetic variants, while recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the identification of many more loci. We investigated the value of using 77 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in breast cancer susceptibility loci identified to date for risk stratification of women both with and without a family history of breast cancer. Methods: We tested for all possible pair-wise multiplicative SNP interactions between 77 SNPs using 46,450 cases and 42,599 controls of European origin in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) using logistic regression analyses. A subset of 33,673 cases and 33,381 controls from studies not selected for family history was used to construct a polygenic risk score (PRS) based on the 77 SNPs. Estimates of the relative risk for breast cancer by levels of the PRS and population-based breast cancer incidence and mortality rates were used to derive absolute risks of developing breast cancer for percentiles of the PRS. Results: There was no strong evidence for multiplicative interaction between any particular SNP pair, but there was a suggestion of a larger number of observed significant interactions over those expected by chance. Women in the highest 1% of the PRS score had a three-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer compared with women in the middle quintile (40-60thpctile)(OR=3.36 95%CI:2.95-3.83). The corresponding relative risks for PRSs derived separately for ER-positive and ER-negative disease were 3.73 95%CI:3.24-4.30 and 2.80 95%CI: 2.26-3.46, respectively. The OR for family history (1 or more first degree relatives with breast cancer) was slightly attenuated, from 1.85 to 1.74, after adjusting for the PRS, consistent with the estimated fraction (∼14%) of the familial relative risk explained by the 77 SNPs under a multiplicative polygenetic model of inheritance. The combined effects of PRS and family history of breast cancer were consistent with a multiplicative model (P-interaction=0.34). The 10-year absolute risk of breast cancer for a 50 year old woman without family history of breast cancer ranged from 0.70 % for women in the lowest 1% of the PRS, 2.4% for the middle quintile, to 7.1 % for the highest 1% of the PRS. For a 50 year old woman with a family history, the corresponding risk ranged from 1.2%, 4.0% and 11.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The PRS provides good discrimination of breast cancer risk across women without a family history of breast cancer, and can also be used to further refine the genetic risk among women with a family history. The observed level of risk discrimination could be useful to inform targeted screening or prevention strategies. Citation Format: Nasim Mavaddat, Paul Pharoah, Per Hall, Douglas Easton, Montserrat Garcia-Closas, for the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. Genetic risk stratification for breast cancer based on a polygenic risk score and family history. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2567. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2567 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.


The purpose of study was to analyze and identify the competencies that can predict the performance of the Special Committee Members of Regional People's Representative Assembly, District of Konawe. The approach of this study was qualitative focuses on four areas of competence, which consist of competence, professional competence, political competence and ethical competence. Data collected included primary and secondary data. The informants determined by purposive technique of data collection are interviews, observation, and study documents. Spradley follow the model of data analysis that includes descriptive observation, analysis domain, focused observation, taxonomic analysis, observation elected componential analysis and thematic analysis. The results showed that legislators actually have competence, professionalism, and ethics not as expected or better yet, with the exception of political competence that is already good, to be able to perform well. This study presents empirical evidence to the theoretical model of a public manager's competence Virtanen (1982). The model can predict the value and instrumental competencies that consist of competence, professional competence, political competence and ethical competence affect the performance of public managers. In general, the findings of this study support this argument. Performance of Special Committee of People's Representative Assembly, district of Konawe that has not been good is consistent with state legislators whose competence is also not good. Implications of these findings was that the study of the science of public management competencies in the future needs to include the development of a theoretical framework that optimizes the performance of public sector organizations are political structures in the region include environmental conditions such as human security and moral incentives.


Abstract In a sample of 273 adult women and their families, we examined the effects of women's psychopathology history, their social support, their husbands' and children's symptomatology, family stress, and neighborhood environment on their alcohol problems, antisocial behavior, and depression over a 12-year period during their 30s and early 40s. Women's alcohol problems and antisocial behavior decreased but their depression symptoms increased over time. Women's disorder history and their partners' parallel symptomatology were associated with their symptoms. For women's antisocial behavior, their own history of alcoholism and their partners' alcohol problems were also significant risk factors. Higher levels of social support were associated with lower levels of depression in women. Children's externalizing behavior was positively correlated with their mothers' alcohol problems and antisocial behavior, whereas children's internalizing behavior was positively correlated with their mothers' depression. Neighborhood residential instability was associated with higher levels of alcoholic and depressive symptomatology in women. Intervention efforts might target women with young children by improving social support, educational or professional training opportunity, access to family counseling, and neighborhood environment.


Eragrostis tef is an important cereal crop in Ethiopia with excellent storage properties, high–quality food, and the unique ability to thrive in extreme environmental conditions. However, the application of advanced molecular tools for breeding and conservation of these species is extremely limited. Therefore, developing chloroplast genome resources and high-resolution molecular markers are valuable to E. tef population and biogeographic studies. In the current study, we assembled and compared the complete plastomes of 32 E. tef accessions. The size of the plastomes ranged from 134,349 to 134,437 bp with similar GC content (∼38.3%). Genomes annotations revealed 112 individual genes, including 77 protein-coding, 31 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes. Comparison of E. tef plastomes revealed a low degree of intraspecific sequence variations and no structural differentiations. Furthermore, we found 34 polymorphic sites (13 cpSSRs, 12 InDels, and 9 SNPs) that can be used as valuable DNA barcodes. Among them, the majority (88%) of the polymorphic sites were identified in the noncoding genomic regions. Nonsynonymous (ka) and synonymous (ks) substitution analysis showed that all PCGs were under purifying selection (ka/ks <1). The phylogenetic analyses of the whole plastomes and polymorphic region sequences were able to distinguish the accession from the southern population, indicating its potential to be used as a super-barcode. In conclusion, the newly generated plastomes and polymorphic markers developed here could be a useful genomic resource in molecular breeding, population genetics and the biogeographical study of E. tef.


Abstract The distortions present in an electron diffraction pattern can be classified into two categories: one is radially invariant and the other is angularly invariant. We report a method to compensate these displacements undergone by diffraction features promoted by any kind of artifacts generated in parallel beam electron diffraction conditions. This approach is not aimed at quantifying these distortions but only intends to aid in the measurement of lattice parameters of crystals with a significant increase of accuracy and precision as compared to previous approaches. It is based on statistical estimations of the relative positions between diffraction rings and/or spots after performing a transformation of the digitalized patterns to polar coordinates. The analytical method is based on fitting a Gaussian type profile to intensity distributions. This makes it possible to determine the lattice parameters of a polycrystal or single crystal with relative errors smaller than 0.1% for diffractograms acquired in photographic films and below 0.01% for those collected in imaging plates.


AbstractThis paper formulates a vision for leadership based on integrity in business, banking, government and politics. It proposes a tripartite response to the current grave difficulties affecting international finance and markets: a renewal of values and virtues, acceptance of the centrality of the human person, and appropriate recourse to key principles of Catholic social teaching, as articulated in Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. By considering Ireland's "Celtic Tiger" period, particularly the actions of the Anglo Irish Bank, we show how failures in leadership and integrity at all levels of Irish society, including business, politics, government, public sector and church, have eroded trust and damaged the reputation of key institutions. The paper presents plain suggestions for civic leaders on how putting people first can help restore trust, reputation, integrity and professionalism at local and global levels.


Author(s): de Munck, Victor | Abstract: Three questions that should be answered in order to understand the reason for writing and the potential importance of this and other studies in this special issue of World Cultures are: What is a cultural model? Why is it important to understand farmer's cultural models of nature? Are there cultural models of nature particular to farmers? This paper attempts answers with emphasis to view cultural model of nature in terms of a functional relationship between nature and farmer. I regard this perspective as an important one because cultural models must be used in real life and studied as such if they are supposed to be anything but butterfly collections for academic discussion. I hope to show that in using their cultural models, farmers draw upon other cultural models that exist at different levels of abstraction and as part of social identities and particular contexts.