Background and Importance. Chondromyxoid fibromas are rare tumors of cartilaginous origin typically found in long bones. They usually present during the second and third decades of life. In this case report, we describe the case of a 60-year-old male who presented with back pain and was later found to have a sacral mass. Further immunohistochemical analysis determined that the mass was a chondromyxoid fibroma. Clinical Presentation. A 60-year-old male presented with worsening lower back pain over the course of 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a destructive mass centered at S4 with heterogeneous enhancement. The patient underwent an S3-to-Co1 laminectomy for gross total resection of the tumor. Histology demonstrated a biphasic, lobulated appearance, characteristic of a chondromyxoid fibroma. The tissue stained faintly positive for multicytokeratin, and it was negative for markers S-100 protein and brachyury, indicating that it was not a chordoma. Conclusion. Only 8 cases have documented sacral chondromyxoid fibroma. As these are exceedingly rare tumors, especially within the sacral spine, the differential diagnosis includes other malignant tumors more likely to be found in the spine, particularly chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Immunohistochemistry and histology are essential in making a definitive diagnosis. This case provides a comprehensive illustration of the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and immunohistochemistry of sacral chondromyxoid fibroma.


A field experiment was conducted on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) at the Agricultural University of Athens during the growing summer season 2017 to evaluate the effects of biocyclic humus soil on plant growth, yield as well as chemical constituents and quality parameters. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications of three treatments (untreated, inorganic fertilizer and biocyclic humus soil). A two-leaf cutting was placed into the treated soil to make a sweet potato plant. The highest sweet potato yield was obtained by using biocyclic humus soil with average total yield (35.6 t/ha) and average marketable yield (24.3 t/ha). There were no statistically significant differences between the treatments for the compression (Max Load 0.622-0.780 kN) and the penetration (Max Load 0.0439-0.0447 kN) tests on sweet potato tubers. Furthermore, measurements were implemented for the total nitrogen content of tubers with no statistical significant differences between treatments. The big difference in yield between sweet potato grown in humus soil and sweet potato treated conventionally probably is related to the fact that the structure of soil which is a clay loam soil was too compact for the cultivation of sweet potato, a disadvantage which has been compensated by using humus soil as substrate while substituting soil.


Given that managing schools to attain expected goals is becoming challenging in the present competitive society, it becomes paramount that collaborations, especially with a highly innovative group of people are encouraged. In the light of this, the purpose of this study is to investigate the extent of School-Based Management Committees' (SBMCs) involvement in public secondary school administration in Abuja. A descriptive survey design was used for the study, and 3 research questions were answered in relation to the 3 research objectives of the study. The population of the study was 460 respondents, and a sample size of 250 respondents was drawn through proportionate random and convenience sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Arithmetic mean was employed in analyzing the research questions. The result revealed among others, that the school-based management committees play a passive role in planning in public secondary schools in Abuja. It was concluded that for schools to effectively meet the academic need of the Abuja community, their collaborations with the SBMCs have to be very active and productive. To this end, SBMCs need to become more committed to collaborating and helping the schools in terms of planning, staffing and monitoring.


Using on-farm triadic comparisons of technologies (tricot) for crowdsourcing participatory variety
selection is a new citizen–science methodology for agriculture. Developed by Bioversity International
as part of a programme known as Seeds for Needs, it allows large numbers of farmers to test different
technologies on their farms. Farmers receive packages of seeds with a different combination of
three different varieties, randomly selected from a large and diverse set of varieties to be tested.
They submit their feedback in simple format, ranking the 'best / middle / worst' of each package
for different traits. These farmer-generated data are then combined with environmental and
socioeconomic data and analyzed with specific, novel statistical methods for ranking. Based on
a review of several years of crowdsourcing experience in countries around the world, this report
summarizes the different features and contributions of the tricot methodology to improve the
functionality of seed systems.


In this work semi-experimental and theoretical equilibrium geometries of 10 sulfur-containing organic molecules, as well as 4 oxygenated ones, are determined by means of a computational protocol based on density functional theory. The results collected in the present paper further enhance our online database of accurate semi-experimental equilibrium molecular geometries, adding 13 new molecules containing up to 8 atoms, for 12 of which the first semi-experimental equilibrium structure is reported, to the best of our knowledge. We focus in particular on sulfur-containing compounds, aiming both to provide new accurate data on some rather important chemical moieties, only marginally represented in the literature of the field, and to examine the structural features of carbon-sulfur bonds in the light of the previously presented linear regression approach. The structural changes issuing from substitution of oxygen by sulfur are discussed to get deeper insights on how modifications in electronic structure and nuclear potential can affect equilibrium geometries. With respect to our previous works, we perform non-linear constrained optimizations of equilibrium SE structures with a new general and user-friendly software under development in our group with updated definition of useful statistical indicators.


The article provides a general theoretical description of the origins of legal anomalies, as it allows to analyze in detail their forms, to identify the most common of them, to analyze the causes and ways to overcome them. It is confirmed that legal anomalies are a complex social phenomenon that is closely linked to the legal consciousness of a person and is determined by various negative processes in society. The historical preconditions for the emergence of legal anomalies in Ukraine are studied; special attention is paid to legal nihilism and idealism. The first type of anomaly that dates back to the times of Kievan Rus is legal nihilism. With the development of the state, the factors and the forms of manifestation that contribute to it change, but legal nihilism itself does not disappear. In Soviet times, there are manifestations of legal idealism, which is due to historical reasons. It is noted that the main objective factor in the occurrence of legal anomalies is the historical inheritance of disrespect for the law by lots of subjects since the Soviet era. The author emphasizes that the occurrence of legal anomalies is influenced by political, legal, organizational and managerial, moral and psychological and other factors. The main causes of legal anomalies are the low level of legal culture, instability of legal acts, ineffectiveness and illiteracy of legal acts, disorder of legislation, its inconsistency and instability.


Background: Cancer patients experience cachexia which is characterized by extensive skeletal muscle wasting that worsens the quality of life and increases mortality. However, there are no approved treatments that can effectively counteract cancer cachexia. Prior research has focused on the changes within the muscle tissue but little is known about the role of the muscle vasculature in mediating cancer cachexia. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are essential for maintaining tissue perfusion, nutrient supply and preventing inappropriate transmigration of immune cells into the tissue. We therefore hypothesized that endothelial dysfunction in the skeletal muscle results in the development of cachexia in cancer. The transcriptional co-activator PGC1α (peroxisome proliferation activator receptor-γ coactivator1-α) regulates endothelial health. Methods and Results: To evaluate whether skeletal muscle EC-PGC1α is modulated in the setting of malignancy, we isolated muscle ECs from control and melanoma bearing mice at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after melanoma implantation. PGC1α expression was significantly decreased in mECs of melanoma bearing mice from early stage (1 week) compared with control mice. Thus, we generated an EC-specific inducible PGC1α deletion mouse model (ECΔPGC1α) to investigate the mechanistic role of EC-PGC1α in cancer cachexia in vivo. Interestingly, vascular density and muscle area were significantly decreased in the gastrocnemius (GC) of ECΔPGC1α mice compared with ECWT mice using an innovative tissue clearing and high-resolution 3D-tissue imaging system. Tumor bearing ECWT mice had decreased GC mass and weight compared with no tumor mice by enhancing cachexia marker genes, MuRF1 and Atrogin1. The tumor bearing ECΔPGC1α mice had further decreased muscle mass and weight, and grip strength than tumor bearing ECWT mice. We assessed the role of EC-PGC1α in the regulation of capillary function in vivo, and observed that ECΔPGC1α mice demonstrated significantly greater vascular leak than ECWT mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that the presence of melanoma suppresses PGC1α expression in the skeletal muscle endothelium. Endothelial PGC1α, in turn, is essential for maintaining the integrity of the skeletal muscle vascular barrier. Our study suggests that restoring muscle endothelial dysfunction could be a novel therapeutic approach to prevent or reverse cancer cachexia. Citation Format: Young-Mee Kim, Georgina Mancinelli, Paul Grippo, Jalees Rehman. Cancer cachexia is mediated by the suppression of PGC1-alpha expression in the skeletal muscle vasculature [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2595.


Photothermal spectroscopy of gases is explored using optical detection of the thermal expansion of the gas through the use of photorefractive dynamic holography. The photorefractive effect in bismuth silicon oxide is exploited to demodulate the optical phase shift of a signal beam traversing a gaseous environment and coincident with a tunable chopped excitation beam. Molecular absorption at the excitation wavelength produces heat that causes local expansion and subsequent acoustic wave radiation. A test cell, although unnecessary for this technique that can perform measurements in a containerless or open environment, was used to provide known gas mixtures to be tested. A model of the photoacoustic absorption and the optical phase detection process has been developed at low frequencies, where the process can be approximated as photothermal expansion. Measurement and modeling results are presented that illustrate the ability of the method to detect water vapor and hydrogen fluoride concentrations in nitrogen atmosphere backgrounds near 800 nm, currently producing sensitivities in the 20 to 1000 ppm range. The effects of buffer gas concentrations, excitation frequencies, and the ability to measure temporal changes of trace gas concentrations are illustrated. Limitations of the technique and methods for extending to ppb sensitivities with infrared excitation are also discussed.


Background

Academic institutions are well-poised to conduct knowledge translation (KT) but face many barriers, particularly in low resource settings where the need is greatest. Assessing the readiness of academic institutions to conduct KT can help our understanding of these barriers. However, limited research has been conducted to understand influencers of readiness for KT in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and there are no tools for KT readiness assessment designed for LMIC contexts. This paper describes the development of a tool for assessing organizational readiness to conduct KT among academic institutions in LMICs.
Methods

A literature review and stakeholder consultation process was conducted to identify constructs and items relevant for assessing KT readiness in LMICs. These were face validated with LMIC stakeholders and organized into a questionnaire measured on a Likert scale. A quantitative survey was conducted and the questionnaire distributed to faculty based at 6 LMIC academic institutions, as well as members of a global knowledge-to-action thematic working group. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify underlying dimensions of a tool for assessing institutional readiness to conduct KT.
Results

A total of 111 respondents with varied KT experiences from 10 LMICs (including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, DR Congo, India, Indonesia, Nigeria) were included in the analysis. We selected five factors and 23 items, with factor loadings ranging from 0.40 to 0.77. The five factors include 1) institutional climate, 2) organization change efficacy, 3) prioritization and cosmopolitanism, 4) self-efficacy, and 5) financial resources. These five factors accounted for 69% of the total variance, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.78, 0.73, 0.62, 0.68, and 0.52, respectively.
Conclusions

This study identify a tool for assessing readiness of LMIC academic institutions to conduct KT, and unique opportunities for building capacity among academic institutions for KT. The organizational focus of these factors underscores the need for strategies that address organizational systems and structures in addition to individual knowledge, skills, and tools. Future research will be conducted to understand determinants of these factors and develop a comprehensive set of capacity building strategies responsive to academic institutions in LMICs.


Introduction: Femoral vessel catheterization is used in neonatal intensive care units for various neonatal health conditions. The present study is to find out the variations in the branching pattern of femoral artery in new born babies which could increase the risk of complications. Materials and Methods: 10 full term dead embalmed fetuses were collected from the Department of Anatomy. Total 20 lower limbs were dissected. Results: Out of 20 extremities 9 showed variations and 11 were normal. Variations observed were – common truck for superficial circumflex femoral and superficial external pudendal arteries, medial; circumflex femoral artery from femoral artery, common point of origin of medial and lateral circumflex femoral and profunda femoris artery and double femoral artery. Conclusion: The variations found in this study may be helpful to the neonatal and pediatric surgeons while dealing with femoral vessel catheterization.


BACKGROUND: Sacral colpopexy is an effective, durable repair for women with apical vaginal or uterovaginal prolapse. There are few reports of serious complications diagnosed in the remote postoperative period. CASE: A 74-year-old woman presented 8 years after undergoing posthysterectomy abdominal sacral colpopexy using polypropylene mesh. Posterior vaginal mesh erosion had been diagnosed several months before presentation. She suffered severe infectious complications including an infected thrombus in the inferior vena cava, sacral osteomyelitis, and a complex abscess with presacral and epidural components. Surgical exploration revealed an abscess cavity surrounding the mesh. CONCLUSION: Although minor complications commonly occur after sacral colpopexy using abdominal mesh, serious and rare postoperative infectious complications may occur years postoperatively.


The effect of temperature on the survival of salmonellas in activated sludge was examined. The results showed that the Salmonella destruction rates increased in line with increasing temperature of the mixed liquor from 5° to 25°C, whereas at 30°C the rate declined markedly. This is most probably due to inactivation of ciliate protozoa at the higher temperature resulting in increased survival of the
pathogens. The slow reduction in the number of salmonellas at 30°C may be the result of nutrient starvation, in addition to other possible mechanisms such as the lytic action of bacterial viruses.


The automaticity of the pulmonary vein myocardium is known to be the major cause of atrial fibrillation. We examined the involvement of angiotensin II in the automatic activity of isolated guinea pig pulmonary vein preparations. In tissue preparations, application of angiotensin II induced an automatic contractile activity; this effect was mimicked by angiotensin I and blocked by losartan, but not by PD123,319 or carvedilol. In cardiomyocytes, application of angiotensin II induced an increase in the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks and the generation of Ca2+ transients; these effects were inhibited by losartan or xestospongin C. In tissue preparations, angiotensin II caused membrane potential oscillations, which lead to repetitive generation of action potentials. Angiotensin II increased the diastolic depolarization slope of the spontaneous or evoked action potentials. These effects of angiotensin II were inhibited by SEA0400. In tissue preparations showing spontaneous firing of action potentials, losartan, xestospongin C or SEA0400 decreased the slope of the diastolic depolarization and inhibited the firing of action potentials. In conclusion, in the guinea pig pulmonary vein myocardium, angiotensin II induces the generation of automatic activity through activation of the IP3 receptor and the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger.


How does complexity affect people's reaction to tax changes? To answer this question, we conduct an experiment in which subjects work for a piece rate and face taxes. One treatment features a simple tax system, the other a complex one. Subjects' economic incentives are identical across treatments. We introduce the same sequence of additional taxes in both treatments. Subjects in the complex treatment underreact to new taxes; some ignore new taxes entirely. The underreaction is stronger for subjects with lower cognitive ability. Contrary to predictions from models of rational inattention, subjects are equally likely to ignore large or small incentive changes (JEL D14, H24, H31)


The rainfall available in the watershed is key factor for determining the availability of water to fulfill the different demand mainly for agriculture, hydropower water supply, industry, etc. A watershed is that contributes runoff water to a common point Runoff is one of the important hydrologic variables used in most of the water resource applications. Runoff is the total surface flow from a given drainage area. Rainfall duration, intensity and aerial distribution influence the rate and volume of runoff. Watershed characteristics such as slope, shape and size, cover of soil and duration of rainfall have a direct effect on the peak flow and volume of runoff from any area (Chandler and Walker, 1998). Rainfall and runoff are significant constitute the sources of water for recharge of ground water in the watershed. Estimation of runoff in a watershed is very important to manage the water resources efficiently. Most of the part of the Marathwada region is comes under assured rainfall zone. The region receives mean annual rainfall of 880 mm. Rainfall in uncertain and erratic in this region and sometimes suffers from severe droughts. The rainfall data for Aurangabad, Parbhani and Nanded stations were collected from the Agro-meteorological station under VNMKV, Parbhani. Runoff was estimated using SCS curve number method considering the all parameters like soil type, vegetation etc. The rainfall runoff relationship was worked out for further planning of small water harvesting structures like farm ponds. The runoff potential for Aurangabad, Parbhani and Nanded station is found to be 20.07 %, 28.31 % and 31.69 % respectively, indicating a good scope for rainwater harvesting and thereby, many more rainwater harvesting structures can be constructed based on site specific conditions. A relation between rainfall and runoff for Aurangabad, Parbhani and Nanded stations were worked out as Y = 0.301X - 55.711 ( R2 value - 0.75), Y = 0.4043X - 88.882 (R2 value - 0.8687) and Y = 0.6018X - 209.2 (R2 value -0.9575) respectively. The linear rainfall-runoff relation obtained can be used for finding out runoff corresponding to any rainfall occurring in the area. The rainfall runoff relationship will be useful for determination of rainwater harvesting potential and its reuse for enhancing production potential of various rainfed crops.


One of coal mining's earliest systems for warning of the presence of methane gas, the canary in the coal mine, though low-tech, was extremely effective and rather easy to read: if the bird died, miners had to get out of the shaft. Today, the search for means to monitor for signs of danger continues. At an annual checkup, one could be given a whole battery of tests, each checking for the presence or absence of biological molecules that can be used to warn of potential health threats. These kinds of tests usually need not be done more than once a year, but for some health conditions, such as diabetes, daily monitoring by the patient or his or her caregivers is required. In such cases, sensors need to work rapidly, be easy to use and relatively painless, and provide accurate results. Given the need for such monitoring, sensor technology development has been of keen interest to the medical community for several decades.

For blood-glucose monitoring, recent technologies that show a great deal of promise include the use of electrochemical or optical means to detect glucose. At this stage, however, accuracy remains an issue for both. For optical measures, there are problems with chemicals that have properties similar to those of glucose and thus result in false positive signals. For electrochemical methods, the measurement is based on the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen peroxide that is produced when glucose is enzymatically broken down. The oxidation or reduction of chemicals other than hydrogen peroxide at the fixed electrode potential of this sensor, however, can generate false readings. A third means for biochemical detection uses a magnetoelastic sensor system whereby a sensor is coated with a pH-responsive polymer, which swells or shrinks depending on the surrounding pH. In response to a magnetic field, this coated sensor produces vibrations at a frequency related to the size of the sensor. Craig Grimes and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University have now applied this technology to detecting glucose levels and have developed a wireless, remote means to assess glucose concentration in solution (1).

Two key features of this sensor are its inexpensive nature and its ease of production. Grimes told the JCI, "The sensor material — you can buy it on a reel, like tape-recording media, and it literally costs about $250 a kilometer." The sensor is coated with the pH-sensitive polymer followed by the enzymes or chemicals required to detect the biomolecule of interest. For glucose monitoring, a layer of glucose oxidase is used. Then, in the presence of glucose, glucose oxidation produces gluconic acid, causing the polymer to shrink. The biosensor has a linear response at concentrations between 1-10 mmol/l glucose with a detection limit of 0.6 mmol/l.

Another feature of this system — that it is wireless — means that the sensor could be implanted subcutaneously, and glucose levels could be read remotely. This could be done using a detection device no bigger than a wristwatch and would require the capabilities of the sensor reader that Grimes and colleagues have already laid out, although it would have to be reduced to the size of a single chip. "It would cost you about $12,000 to do that," Grimes stated. "Then once you have it on a chip, that chip can easily be put into a wristwatch. If you were doing any kinds of economies of scale, it would [cost something like] a Timex Triathlon watch, which is pretty sophisticated and costs maybe $25 or so."

Originally Grimes did not intend to design a glucose sensor; that was something a post-doctoral fellow suggested doing. He initially set out with an eye toward developing hazardous bioagent sensors. "Typically in a bio event," Grimes said, "you have no idea what you are looking for. You don't know what it is, and so most techniques are very specific for one target and money begins to be an issue. So what I had thought was . . . you can make an array of five or ten or fifteen of these sensors just as cheaply as one, and the same set of electronics can monitor multiple sensors just as easily as one. George Whitesides at Harvard had developed this really elegant means where you could effectively just print, using an inkjet printer, biorecognition chemistry on surfaces very easily," Grimes added. "So, my vision was [to create] an array of surface-acoustic wave sensors for a dime that you can functionalize . . . then you can collect a sample, then pop in your sensor [array], and 'boom,' simultaneously test for a lot of different agents, from proteins to pathogens."

In fact, Grimes and colleagues have already begun doing just that, focusing on a list of bioagents that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has indicated it would like the means to detect and quantify. To detect each of these bioagents, the sensor is coated with an immunorecognition and enzyme-amplification system that works along the same principle as that used in a standard ELISA. So far, Grimes and colleagues have been able to detect ricin, Staphylococcus enterococcus B, and E. coli 157. "We have gone through very small protein biotoxins up through pathogens using the same sensor platform," Grimes noted. He believes the system could be used for the complete list.

From the perspective of both individual health issues, such as blood-glucose monitoring, and broader population protection from biohazards, the stage of this particular detection platform is set, but for the future, Grimes notes, especially to begin in vivo testing of the glucose biosensor, additional funding is required to move to the next level.


Pre-recorded animation is the best way to reproduce detailed and natural human movements. However, in interactive animations we need techniques to modify the avatar movement in a feasible way. This research combines pre-recorded and physics-based animation to simulate the movement of the body when it is perturbed by external forces. The main results of this work are the possibility of separately animating different parts of the body and to obtain the reaction to forces that last long intervals of time.


The ever persistent effort of nature unassisted to return successive progeny more and more to a normal constitution by combating interceding infections and other adverse influences, is an old and well known fact, especially well known in the course of syphilis. In congenital syphilis this phenomenon has been observed and studied mainly from the somatic viewpoint. The marked improvement in physical condition of each succeeding child born to a syphilitic parent over the preceding one is a matter of every day obstetric experience. From observations on the psyche of congenital syphilitics, and a comparison of mental reactions in children nearer and farther removed from the source of infection, one is convinced that there is a similar progressive degradation of the syphilis toxin affecting the brain cells. It has been the custom1in the neurosyphilis clinic of the Psychopathic Department of the Boston State Hospital and other psychopathic hospitals2


The prevalence of increased anterior atlanto-odontoid distance (AAOD), a risk factor for spinal cord compression, and degenerative disease of the cervical spine (DDCS) in a population of institutionalized adults with Down's syndrome (DS) was determined and compared with age- and sex-matched 'normals' presenting to a hospital emergency department. Radiographs of the cervical spines of 99 adults with DS and 198 'normals' were compared using a standardized rating scale. The prevalence of an AAOD of 3 mm or greater, the threshold of risk from the literature, was 8% for DS cases and 2% for controls (P < 0.01). The mean AAOD for DS cases was 2.0 +/- 1 mm and for controls 1.5 +/- 0.5 mm (P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between AAOD and age of DS cases. The prevalence of any degree of DDCS among the DS cases was 64%, the controls 39% (P < 0.001); for moderate or severe DDCS the prevalence among DS cases was 45%, controls 12% (P < 0.001). The prevalence of DDCS increased with age in both groups, but the severity of DDCS was significantly increased with age in both groups, but the severity of DDCS was significantly greater for DS individuals in all age groups. The levels of the cervical spine affected ranged from C2 to C6; the most commonly affected level was C5-C6. While DS adults are at increased theoretical risk for spinal cord compression due to increased AAOD, its clinical significance would appear to be small and to decline with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Introduction The GOLD strategy standardizes the diagnostic and treatment approaches for patients (pts) with COPD, whilst recent findings point out poor adherence to these guidelines(1). The aim of this study is to characterize patient pharmacological treatment pathways, with a particular focus on GOLD 2011 guidelines(2), in two cohorts which differ in frequency of exacerbation history (frequent: ≥2 and non-frequent: up to 1 exacerbation). Method This 3-year, observational, longitudinal, prospective and multicentre Italian study (FPFV May 2013) will enroll pts with COPD in two cohorts (1:1) according to the history of exacerbations, into frequent and non-frequent exacerbators. This study has 1 enrollment and 6 follow up visits, and is including pts aged ≥40 yrs with diagnosis of COPD (GOLD 2011) and smoking history of ≥10 pack-yrs. The primary objective is to describe the therapeutic approach in the 2 cohorts of pts with COPD during 3-year observation. Secondary outcomes are to evaluate, in the 2 cohorts, changes in COPD treatment management, clinical outcomes (CAT questionnaire, respiratory function and exacerbations), treatment persistence, cost of illness and aspects related to gender differences on therapeutic approach, comorbidities, symptoms and treatment compliance. Conclusion This is one of the largest real word evidence trials on the whole COPD patient population conducted in Italy tailored to describe the treatment pathways in two different cohorts according to exacerbation rate, as per GOLD 2011. Reference (1) Asche CV. Int J COPD 2012; 7:201-9, (2) GOLD 2011. http://www.goldcopd.com


bears, and she threads her way through the illustrations as the text describes the bears' range, anatomy, feeding, and cub-raising habits. This has some similarities to Nicola Davies' science picture books such as Big Blue Whale (BCCB 10/97) or Saxby's Big Red Kangaroo (BCCB 3/15), though those books had parallel texts while here there's only one single narrative explaining the polar bear's world and customs. It's the captivating art that will really lure audiences anyway: sweeps of watercolor touched with pencil give texture and depth to the Arctic whiteness, and dramatic compositions (in one image, a view down an inky ice lead draws the eye to where the distant polar bear waits above the shadowy figure of a seal) provide a you-arethere feeling; occasional diagrammatic touches add information but never break the artistic flow. The framing device of the little girl is conceptually superfluous (if artistically useful), but the book brings the world of the polar bear close and shimmering, and it will engage both existing fans and Arctic newbies. DS


This paper proposes a model to calculate statistical gate-delay variation caused by intra-chip and inter-chip variabilities. The variation of each gate delay directly influences the variation of circuit delay, so it is important to characterize each gate-delay variation accurately. Our model characterizes the gate delay by transistor characteristics. Every transistor in a gate affects the transient characteristics of the gate, so it is indispensable to consider the intra-gate variability for the modeling of gate-delay variation. This effect is not captured in a statistical delay analysis reported so far. Our model characterizes a statistical gate-delay variation using a response surface method (RSM) and represents the intra-gate variability with a few parameters. We evaluate the accuracy of our model, and we show some simulated results of a circuit delay variation.


Due to Global Financial Crisis of 2008, the scenario of financial markets has changed dramatically. It appears that everybody is looking at his bottom line when it comes to banking and financial services. They want to utilize their scare resources in the best possible way to protect them and their hard earned money. Financial Institutions are entering in the new business areas due to many mergers and acquisitions taking place in this sector. They are offering more diverse services now in a bid to retain the existing customers. The business organizations are looking at ways and means to streamline their business and to cut down the processing charges. On the other hand customers are looking online access to avail faster and more efficient ways of doing business.The Commercial Banks in India are the highly trusted organizations for customers. They have very successfully adopted many changes in their functioning. Now, there is a high degree of competition among the banks, especially after globalization and entry of more Private and Foreign banks. But the banks will have to adopt a full-fledged marketing strategy to ensure customer satisfaction for its survival and growth. Marketing scope prevailing in banking sector is being considered under the service marketing framework in this new business approach. The transition from one phase to another has largely been influenced by the dynamics of three critical factors – the players, the playing fields and the regulator.This paper examines and measures the quality of services provided by the Commercial Banks in India. Now the expectation of the customers is very high and the commercial banks in India will also have to adopt the service marketing concepts in their day to day working for their survival and growth.


Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are intercellular messengers with epigenetic potential since they can shuttle microRNA (miRNA). EVs and miRNA play a role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection immunopathogenesis. Chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation during HIV infection despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) comorbidities in people living with HIV (PLWH). Analysis of plasma EVs and their miRNA content may be useful as immune activation or inflammatory biomarkers in PLWH receiving ART. In this study, we hypothesized that the number, size, and miRNA of large and small EVs could reflect immune activation associated with an elevated CD8 T-cell count or a low CD4/CD8 ratio in PLWH. Methods: Plasma EVs subtype purified from PLWH and uninfected controls were sized using dynamic light scattering and quantified using flow cytometry and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. Expression of mature miRNAs miR-92, miR-155, miR-223 was measured by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in EVs and leucocytes. Results: HIV infection induces increased production of small EVs in plasma. EV subtypes were differentially enriched in miR-92, miR-155, and miR-223. Positive correlations between CD8 T-cell count and large EVs abundance and small EVs AChE activity were observed. CD4/CD8 ratio was negatively correlated with small EV AChE activity, and miRNA-155 level per small EV was negatively correlated with CD8 T-cell count. Conclusions: These findings suggest that quantifying large or small EVs and profiling miRNA content per EV might provide new functional biomarkers of immune activation and inflammation.


Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication with significant morbidity and mortality. The popularity of endoscopic treatment (Endo-SPONGE) is increasing for distally located colorectal pouch-anal anastomotic leakages. This was a retrospective study of 15 cases involving the application of the Endo-SPONGE for anastomotic leakage following proctectomy between May 2009 and May 2014. Of the 15 cases, lower anterior resection occurred in 12 cases (80%), and pouch-anal anastomosis in 3 cases (18%). In 8 patients (55%), the endosponge was applied during the early term, and in 7 patients (45%) during the late term. The average number of applications was 2.2 (range, 1 to 5). Treatment was discontinued due to the progression of pelvic sepsis in 2 patients and due to bleeding in 1 patient. Lumen integrity was achieved in 12 cases. Lumen integrity after anastomotic leakages can be preserved by endoluminal vacuum therapy, which permits the closure of the stoma without requiring reconstructive surgery.


We present the first optical photometry of the counterpart to the candidate intermediate polar RX J0153.3+7446. This reveals an optical pulse period of 2333±5 s. Reanalysis of the previously published ROSAT X-ray data reveals that the true X-ray pulse period is probably 1974±30 s, rather than the 1414 s previously reported. Given that the previously noted orbital period of the system is 3.94 h, we are able to identify the X-ray pulse period with the white dwarf spin period and the optical pulse period with the rotation period of the white dwarf in the binary reference frame, as commonly seen in other intermediate polars. We thus confirm that RX J0153.3+7446 is indeed a typical intermediate polar.


Chapter 1: Introduction This Chapter provides an introduction to the study of reactive intermediates and the specialised techniques which have been developed in order to study these extremely short lived species. In particular, it provides an overview of ultrafast Time Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy (TRIR). This key technique underpins a large amount of the work presented in this Thesis as well as a description of the apparatus and methods used across the other Chapters of this Thesis.
Chapter 2: Ultrafast TRIR studies of rhenium complexes of thioether substituted hexaazatrinapthylene ligands
The excited states and photophysical properties of mono, bi and trinuclear (Re(CO)3Cl) complexes of the 2,3,8,9,1314-hexa (octyl-thioether)-1,6,7,12,13,18-hexaazatrinapthylene ligand (HATN-S(C8H17)6) have been investigated using ultrafast TRIR spectroscopy. These measurements are supported by theoretical calculations and resonance Raman spectroscopic investigations of these compounds. The position and the intensity of the (CO) bands of the photoexcited species directly report on the electron transfer/distribution in the excited state. In all cases the observed product bands were blue shifted compared to the parent, this is consistent with electron transfer away from the metal centre. The observed shift for the thioether substituted HATN complexes studied here was smaller than that reported for the analogous HATN-Me6 complexes, indicating reduced electron transfer upon excitation. Red shifted product bands corresponding to "spectator" metal centres were also observed for the bi and trinuclear species, these bands were shifted by approximately the same amount as for the HATN-Me6 species, indicating a similar reduction of the HATN core upon excitation. These results are consistent with the formation of a dual charge transfer ILCT/MLCT excited state involving electron donation from both a metal centre and the thioether moieties upon excitation.
Chapter 3: Ultrafast TRIR studies of rhenium and platinum complexes of Pyridyl-1,2,3-Triazole and related ligands
The excited states and photophysics of a series of substituted rhenium and platinum complexes that contain a 2-pyridyl-1,2-3-triazole ligand, an easily modified analogue of the common 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy)ligand, have been studied by TRIR spectroscopy. The compounds are found to be analogous of similar complexes with bpy, exhibiting MLCT or MLLCT exicted states (in the case of the (Re(CO)3X) and (Pt(CCHPh)2) complexes respectively). Changing the substitution of the triazole ring has little effect on the excited state band positions, this is attributed to the insulating effect of the triazole moiety. Complexes substituted with conjugated phenyl groups on the triazole ring exhibit greatly increased excited state lifetimes than those substituted with non-conjugated benzyl groups. This is attributed to the rigid rotor effect. The addition of an electron donating triphenylamine group to the pyridyl moiety results in the observation of ILCT states.
Chapter 4: Towards long lived alkane and noble gas complexes from cationic piano stool complexes in the fluorous phase
The synthesis and characterisation of a series of cationic transition metal tricarbonyl half sandwich complexes solubilised in perfluoroalkane solvents by means of the weakly coordinating, fluorous solubilising anion tetrakis(3,5-bis(perfluorohexyl)phenyl)borate (BArF64) is described. These complexes were photolysed in perfluoroalkane solutions doped with methane, heptane and xenon and followed by ultrafast TRIR spectroscopy with the aim of generating long-lived organometallic alkane and noble gas complexes suitable for study by NMR at room temperature. While no organometallic alkane or noble gas complexes were observed, several novel transition metal-BArF64 zwitterionic species are generated upon photolysis. These species are the result of -2 binding of one of the aryl moieties of the BArF64 anion to the vacant coordination sites generated following photoejection of a carbonyl ligand. While highly reactive they are long lived and appear to be permanent photoproducts. In the case of the rhenium complex an additional product band assigned as a dimeric species is also observed.
Chapter 5: Towards the synthesis of fluorous phase soluble cationic piano stool complexes. The synthesis of fluorous tagged cationic transition metal tricarbonyl complexes is explored with the eventual aim of performing fluorous phase TRIR experiments utilising the more weakly coordinating (but less solubilising) anion tetrakis(perfluoro-tert-butoxy)aluminate in place of the previously studied BArF64 anion. Several routes to perfluoroalkyl arene ligands are explored and evaluated, as is the use of different lengths of alkyl spacer to insulate the ligand binding site from the strong electron withdrawing effects of the perfluoroalkyl moiety. This process lead to the synthesis of the new complexes [(m-(3-(perfluorooctyl)-propyl)n-benzene)manganesetricarbonyl] hexafluorophosphate for n =1-3. These compounds are soluble in the fluorous phase despite their charge. The use of the m-(3-(perfluorooctyl)-propyl)n-benzene ligand to solubilise complexes of rhenium and rhodium was also attempted. The addition of methyl groups to the ring was explored as a route to additional steric bulk and a more electron rich, strongly binding ligand. In addition to arenes, the fluorous tagging of other ligand systems was also investigated, including cyclopentadienyl and tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane.


Some unusual and interesting structural geometries have been recognized on seismic lines recorded in the United Kingdom sector of the southern Permian basin of the North Sea. They seem to be the result of diapirism at the northern edge of the (Upper Permian) Zechstein salt basin, and involve the preservation of a 75 km (47 mi) long prism of a younger Mesozoic sequence replaced elsewhere by the widespread Jurassic/Cretaceous late Kimmerian unconformity. It is suggested that the diapiric features described are due to the movement of salt toward the basin edge having been dammed by a change in facies from basinal halite to shelf lithologies over a short distance.


Aims: Alcohol is one of the leading causes of ill health and premature death in the world. Several studies indicate that working life might influence employees' alcohol consumption and drinking patterns. The aim of this study was to explore work-related drinking situations, with a special focus on answering who initiates and organises these situations. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured group interviews in six Norwegian companies from the private (n=4) and public sectors (n=2), employing a total of 3850 employees. The informants (n=43) were representatives from management and local unions, safety officers, advisers from the social insurance office and human-resource personnel, health, safety and environment personnel, and members from the occupational environment committee. Both qualitative and quantitative content analyses were applied in the analyses of the material. Results: Three different initiators and organisers were discovered: the employer, employees and external organisers. External organisers included customers, suppliers, collaborators, sponsors, subcontractors, different unions and employers' organisations. The employer organised more than half of the situations; external organisers were responsible for more than a quarter. The differences between companies were mostly due to the extent of external organisers. Conclusions: The employer initiates and organises most situations for work-related alcohol use. However, exposure to such situations seems to depend on how many external relations the company has. These aspects should be taken into account when workplace health-promotion initiatives are planned.


The complete seating of full coronal restorations during cementation is hindered by the inability of cement to flow from the internal surface of the crown, and possible binding of the crown on the tooth. Perforation venting is an effective technique to allow full seating but requires repair of the perforation. Provision of space between the crown and the tooth for cement flow is also an effective technique, and does not require repair of a perforation. Such spacing is commonly achieved with die spacer, and has the added possibility of decreasing crown deformation during cementation by diminishing binding between the crown and the tooth. A disclosing agent is effective in aiding complete seating by identifying areas of binding. These areas can subsequently be adjusted, which will allow more complete seating. The placement of an appropriate amount of cement in the crown or on the preparation is an important addition to cementation technique.


Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a heterogeneous group of disorders, the majority of which are idiopathic. Cardiac manifestations, particularly eosinophilic myocarditis and endomyocardial fibrosis, are a typical course of morbidity and mortality in hypereosinophilic syndrome. We present a case of a patient with asthma and idiopathic eosinophilia who presented with dyspnea and edema. Cardiac ultrasonography showed pericardial effusion and reduced left ventricular motion, which persisted despite heart failure therapy, although pulmonary congestion improved. The peripheral blood eosinophil count was markedly elevated four days after admission, even though eosinophilia was not present at admission. Parasitic disease, autoimmune disease, and drug-induced cardiomyopathy were excluded as possibilities. A high dose of steroid therapy was started due to eosinophilic myocarditis. Cardiac function improved soon after therapy, along with a reduction in eosinophils. Upon retrospective examination, cardiomegaly and low voltage were observed, along with an elevation in the eosinophil count 15 months before admission. Monitoring chest radiography and electrocardiograms according to fluctuations in eosinophils may enable early detection and treatment of cardiac involvement in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome, as demonstrated by this case.


Using a simpler calculation scheme, we have investigated the surface penetration barriers and bulk diffusion barriers for oxygen in the simple metals Al,Be,Ca,Mg,Zn and their oxides. The results show that the values of the barriers depend on the crystal structure of the material and on the ability of the lattice to relax during the incorporation process. By comparing the theoretical values of the barriers with the experimental ones, we found that the agreement is basically good.


Abstract This study aims to examine the long-term performance of post-Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) based on the motive's category. This study also examines whether the governance at firm-level and country-level affects the relationship between motives and long-term performance of M&A. This study uses a sample of 301 completed M&A transactions of Asian companies in 11 countries from 2002 to 2012 and analyses the data using the cross-sectional moderated regression method. This study measures and categorizes M&A motives into synergy and agency categories using two alternate ways, which first using the stock market reaction data of acquirer and target at the M&A announcement period estimated by applying an event study methodology, and the second using the combination of the stock market reaction data and some accounting variables through logistic regression analysis. This study finds that synergy-motivated M&A results in significantly higher long-term performance post-M&A than agency-motivated M&A. It also proves that the positive effect of M&A motives on the long-term performance post-M&A is significantly higher when companies have better firm-level governance quality, but a similar result cannot be proved for country-level governance. This study provides a cross-country M&A study in the Asian region that has an essential role in global M&A activity in recent years. Considering the possibility of changes in company structure and environment post-M&A, this study contributes to provides an insight related to the role of the governance quality post-M&A as a monitoring tool in the realization of M&A predicted gain that can improve M&A performance.


Rotation of the Earth is a quite involved process. Deep knowledge of certain areas of physics is indispensable for its understanding and researching. It is necessary to clarify the physics of rigid bodies' rotation because the usage of terms precession and nutation by experts in geosciences are generally not correct, sometimes confused. In physics nutation is the motion of a free gyroscope, and precession is the motion of a heavy one. The torque of an external force causes the precession of a heavy gyroscope, but nutation is a motion of a free gyroscope, if its rotation has not started around its symmetry axis. While the cause of precession of a rotating body always arises from the effect of external mass sources, nutation is exclusively a function of the intrinsic mass distribution of the rotating body. After discussing some important aspects of rotational mechanics (motion of a free and a heavy gyroscope), the Earth's nutation and certain elements of Earth's precession (normal precession, lunisolar precession, planetary precession, disturbing precession) are defined and discussed. A new terminology is proposed, e.g. disturbing precession instead of the widely spread deceptive expression of astronomical nutation.


In this empirically-driven, practice oriented research, the rural water sector in sub-Saharan Africa is examined from a systems perspective. In the face of rapidly changing and uncertain futures, the need for policy makers and practitioners to identify and respond to the multiple, seemingly intractable problems that give rise to stagnating water services levels despite decades of national and international efforts to achieve universal water service coverage, has never been more pressing. The aim of the research is to establish a way to consistently conceptualise the dynamics among actors in multi-level, multi-actor socio-technical systems, involved in the implementation of national policies and strategies to deliver nationally determined water service levels. The domain of inquiry is rural water services in the Republic of Uganda. It was conducted under the auspices of the Triple-S action research programme in which the researcher took part as a team member in the period 2008-2014. This study seeks practical, actionable insights into the extent to which the complexity sciences, and in specific agent-based modelling, can provide a useful policy analysis and planning approach for examining promising policy, technological and learning mechanisms for achieving universal water services in a given context.


Aim: To assess and compare efficacy and safety of medical thoracoscopic lung biopsy with transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) for diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.

Material and methods: 59 patients with restriction on spirometry (Mean FVC -1.41 litres), exertional dyspnoea and interstitial pattern on HRCT (non classical for UIP) underwent lung biopsy using medical thoracoscopy.31 patients with comparable clinical profiles subjected to bronchoscopy and TBLB were used as controls.

Results: (Study group) Overall diagnostic yield was 98.3%. UIP (59.3%) was most frequent histopathological pattern.There were no intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications.Eventual complications included (in 19 patients) air leaks and prolonged ICD drainage (10), Delayed wound healing (3) and need for ventilatilatory support (5). Average duration of ICD was 4.81 days and average length of hospital stay was 6 days.There were 5 deaths within 1 month of the procedure (1 attributed to ischemic heart disease and Left ventricular failure,two to nosocomial pneumonia, two to unknown cause post discharge). Prolonged prior steroid use was single important factor associated with increased incidence of complications (14/23 complications in patients steroids vs. 5/36 complications in patients off steroids) (p<0.05).In the control group conclusive diagnosis was reached in 3/31 cases (1Sarcoidosis,1 DIP,1 BOOP). Pneumothorax needing intercostal drainage was encountered in 2 cases.

Conclusions: 1. Medical thoracoscopic Lung biopsy has higher diagnostic yield than TBLB. (98.1% vs 9.7%) (p<0.0001). 2. Prolonged prior steroid use is associated with increased incidence of complications (p<0.05).


Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in tissue remodeling during normal physiological situations and pathological implications such as tumor invasion and metastasis. MMP inhibitors were screened from extracts of medicinal herbs by an enzymatic assay using the MMP-14 catalytic domain. Among samples tested, a methanol extract of the root of Dalbergia odorifera T. CHEN (Leguminosae) showed the strongest inhibitory activity. The inhibitory component was purified through fractionation methods and identified as fisetin, abundant in many fruits and vegetables. In addition to inhibition of MMP-14, fisetin inhibits MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-9, more efficiently than a naturally occurring MMP inhibitor tetracycline. Fisetin dose-dependently inhibits proliferation of fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs), MMP-14-mediated activation of proMMP-2 in HT-1080 cells, invasiveness of HT-1080 cells, and in vitro tube formation of HUVECs. Therefore, fisetin could be valuable as a chemopreventive agent against cancer and a lead compound for development of therapeutic MMP inhibitors.


Cloud computing has been widely deployed. The virtual machines (VMs) are created in servers upon the requests from users and they are deleted from the servers after the rental time expires. This is called dynamic workload condition. VMs should be consolidated into the servers to reduce the number of servers running VMs. Servers that do not have any VMs should be changed to sleep mode to reduce energy consumption. Therefore, VM scheduling which selects servers to run VMs has to find servers to place VMs and has to migrate servers under this dynamic workload condition. However, migration also consumes energy, so the number of migrations should be limited to save energy. In this paper, a VM scheduling method called Energy-Aware Scheduling Updating (ESU) which reduces total energy consumption in the data center is purposed. It chooses servers to create VMs. In addition, it updates the locations of VMs when changes occur while it limits the number of migrations to reduce energy consumption. The performance is of ESU is evaluated by computer simulation. The results show that ESU has a better performance considering energy consumption among the protocols used in comparison.


Reaching the ambitious European energy and climate goals asks the heating and cooling (H&C) sector for a drastic reduction in energy consumption and a significant increase of production from renewable energy sources (RES). Nowadays in Europe half of the energy consumption is used for H&C, and 84% of this energy is still generated from fossil fuels while only 16% is generated from RES. The Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) technology can play a strategic role, increasing the efficiency of H&C systems and strengthening the flexibility of the whole energy system. This study presents a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) designed to include the GSHP into the energy strategy and spatial planning process. The model integrates legal, technical, environmental, and economic constraints at the local/regional scale. The SDSS allows to compare scenarios with different technological solutions, also relating them to different energy, environmental and financial targets. The proposed SDSS is applied in a case study i.e. Valle d'Aosta, a small Italian alpine region. The spatial unit of analysis is the single building; where the information at the building level was not available, data from the Italian National Statistics Institute at the census tract scale has been integrated for filling the knowledge gap. The aim of this model is to support decision-makers in fostering sustainable energy plans targeted to improve both energy production from RES and energy renovation of the existing building stock. The research output can have a key impact in the H&C field helping to increase the knowledge of the GSHP technology and to enhance its integration into energy plans and strategies. In addition, it can contribute to reduce CO2 emissions in the energy production sector. Finally, the research aims to develop a broader approach towards the energy transition of cities and regions starting from local settings.


Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is an emerging pandemic, paralleling the worldwide increase in obesity and diabetes mellitus. DKD is now the most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease and is associated with an excessive risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. DKD is a consequence of systemic endothelial dysfunction. The endothelial-dependent cytoprotective coagulation protease activated protein C (aPC) ameliorates glomerular damage in DKD, in part by reducing mitochondrial ROS generation in glomerular cells. Whether aPC reduces mitochondrial ROS generation in the tubular compartment remains unknown. Here, we conducted expression profiling of kidneys in diabetic mice (wild-type and mice with increased plasma levels of aPC, APChigh mice). The top induced pathways were related to metabolism and in particular to oxidoreductase activity. In tubular cells, aPC maintained the expression of genes related to the electron transport chain, PGC1-α expression, and mitochondrial mass. These effects were associated with reduced mitochondrial ROS generation. Likewise, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and sterile inflammation, which are known to be linked to excess ROS generation in DKD, were reduced in diabetic APChigh mice. Thus, aPC reduces mitochondrial ROS generation in tubular cells and dampens the associated renal sterile inflammation. These studies support approaches harnessing the cytoprotective effects of aPC in DKD.


Pseudo feedback is a commonly used technique to improve information retrieval performance. It assumes a few top-ranked documents to be relevant, and learns from them to improve the retrieval accuracy. A serious problem is that the performance is often very sensitive to the number of pseudo feedback documents. In this poster, we address this problem in a language modeling framework. We propose a novel two-stage mixture model, which is less sensitive to the number of pseudo feedback documents than an effective existing feedback model. The new model can tolerate a more flexible setting of the number of pseudo feedback documents without the danger of losing much retrieval accuracy.


Background. Chaperone proteins nucleolin (NCL, or C23) and nucleophosmin (NPM, or B23) regulate key cell functions. The most tumors are characterized by over-expression of these proteins, especially in cell nuclei and on the сell surface, as NCL. Differential expression of NCL/NPM in tumor and normal cells is the basis of selective cytotoxicity of cationic peptides – expected ligands for these proteins. Objective. Analysis of the interactions between nucleolin and some peptides with high nonspecific toxicity for tumor cells. Materials and methods. The interaction of 4 previously characterized cationic peptides with nucleolin dimer was analyzed by pair molecular docking using Maestro 11 program. Results and conclusion. It is shown that these peptides can associate with receptor nucleolin molecules, forming energy-stable complexes. In the active centre of NCL molecule were found, at least, 7 positions of amino acids, which bind to the tested peptides at a high frequency (43–100 %). This indicates the conservative structure of dimer NCL, its stable binding to peptide ligands and the possibility of design the optimal structure of cationic peptides that induce tumor cell death due to competing binding to the target proteins.


Costs are in all aspects of each company. Some of the most noticeable costs of business are the costs associated with storage, transportation and distribution the products of the company. In this case a significant impact on reducing these costs is to use the services of logistics centers, specializing in trading all kinds of goods. The purpose of this article is to show how the transfer of logistical supplies from the distribution center logistics contributes to a significant reduction in costs incurred by the company and streamline its operation.


The perfect tutorial for C programmers wanting to take their skills to the next level! Designed to be the follow-up tutorial to the successful Teach Yourself C in 21 Days.-- Uses lots of visual elements such as shaded syntax boxes, notes boxes, and line-by-line descriptions of the program examples-- Introduces carefully planned series of lessons, quizzes, exercises, and workshops to motivate and reinforce learning


This study assessed the usability of the smartphone app, named "Raabta" from the perspective of pregnant women at high risk of preeclampsia to improve the Raabta app for future implementation. Think-aloud and task-completion techniques were used with a purposive sample of 14 pregnant women at high risk of preeclampsia. The sessions were audio-recorded and later professionally transcribed for thematic analysis. The study generated learnings associated with four themes: improving the clarity of instructions, messaging, and terminology; accessibility for non-tech savvy and illiterate Urdu users; enhancing visuals and icons for user engagement; and simplifying navigation and functionality. Overall, user feedback emphasized the importance of enhancing the clarity of instructions, messaging, and terminology within the Raabta app. Voice messages and visuals were valued by users, particularly among the non-tech savvy and illiterate Urdu users, as they enhance accessibility and enable independent monitoring. Suggestions were made to enhance user engagement through visual improvements such as enhanced graphics and culturally aligned color schemes. Lastly, users highlighted the need for improved navigation both between screens and within screens to enhance the overall user experience. The Raabta app prototype will be modified based on the feedback of the users to address the unique needs of diverse groups.


Light microscopy has undergone a revolution with the advent of super‐resolution microscopy methods that can surpass the diffraction limit. These methods have generated much enthusiasm, in particular with regards to the new possibilities they offer for biological imaging. The recent years have seen a great advancement both in terms of new technological developments and exciting biological applications. Here, we review some of the important milestones in the field and highlight some recent biological applications. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:502–509, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Two-photon polymerization (TPP)-based 3D printing technology utilizes the two-photon absorption process of near-infrared radiation, enabling the fabrication of micro- and nano-scale three-dimensional structures with extremely high resolution. It has been widely applied in scientific fields closely related to living organisms, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biosensors. Nevertheless, the existing photoresist materials have poor mechanical tunability and are hardly able to be doped with functional materials, resulting in constraints on the preparation of functional devices with micro–nano structures. In this paper, TPP printable polymer formulas with good mechanical tunability, high resolution, strong functional scalability, and excellent biocompatibility are proposed, by using the synergistic effects of a hydroxyl group-containing photocurable resin prepolymer, UV acrylate monomer, long-chain hydrophilic crosslinking monomer and photo-initiator. This can ensure the printability and help to improve the flexibility of the printed polymer, thereby solving the problem the photosensitive materials suitable for two-photon 3D printing in previous research had in balancing the formability and flexibility. The results of nanoindenter analysis showed that the Young's modulus of the printed structure can be adjusted between 0.3 GPa and 1.43 GPa, realizing mechanical tunability. Also, complex structures, such as micro-scaffold structures and high aspect ratio hollow microneedles were printed to explore the structural stability as well as the feasibility of biodevice application. Meanwhile, the proposed polymer formula can be functionalized to be conductive by doping with functional nanomaterial MXene. Finally, the biocompatibility of the proposed polymer formula was studied by culturing with human normal lung epithelial cells. The results indicated a good potential for biodevice applications.


The film and video-game industries' rapidly increasing demand for realistic virtual characters is pushing for the development of fast and efficient character animation techniques. The use of motion capture has become an industry standard. While motion capture systems allow the production of high fidelity full-body motions, in most cases, the complex finger movements are later animated manually. Several methods have been suggested to automatically synthesize finger motions. An overview can be found in Wheatland et al. [WWS∗15]. Most of these methods either do not consider interactions and collisions or are computationally intensive.


The sexual difference of calcium-binding protein regucalcin mRNA expression in the liver of rats was investigated by Northern blot analysis. Liver regucalcin cDNA (0.9 kb of open reading frame) was used as a probe. The analysis of total RNAs extracted from various tissues of rats indicated that regucalcin mRNA was present primarily in the liver with a size of 1.8 kb. Hepatic regucalcin mRNA was expressed in male rats more than in females. This sexual difference was also seen in aged rats (50 weeks old), although the expression was decreased with increasing age. Ovariectomy did not cause a significant alteration in hepatic regucalcin mRNA levels. The subcutaneous administration of 17beta-estradiol (0.2 mg/100 g body weight) in ovariectomized rats did not cause an appreciable increase in hepatic mRNA levels. The results demonstrate that regucalcin mRNA expression in rat liver is based on sex, and that this difference may not be related to estrogen.


An essential approach for in vivo chemical monitoring is to use sampling probes coupled with analytical methods; however, this method traditionally has limited spatial and temporal resolution. To address this problem, we developed an analytical system that combines microfabricated push-pull sampling probes with droplet-based microfluidics. The microfabricated probe provides spatial resolution approximately 1000-fold better than that of common microdialysis probes. Microfabrication also facilitated integration of an extra channel into the probe for microinjection. We created microfluidic devices and interfaces that allowed manipulation of nanoliter droplet samples collected from the microfabricated probe at intervals of a few seconds. Use of droplet-based microfluidics prevented broadening of collected zones, yielding 6 s temporal resolution at 100 nL/min perfusion rates. Resulting droplets were analyzed by direct infusion nanoelectrospray ionization (nESI) mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of glutamine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, and acetylcholine. Use of low infusion rates that enabled nESI (50 nL/min) was critical to allowing detection in the complex samples. Addition of 13C-labeled internal standards to the droplet samples was used for improved quantification. Utility of the overall system was demonstrated by monitoring dynamic chemical changes evoked by microinjection of high potassium concentrations into the brain of live rats. The results showed stimulated neurochemical release with rise times of 15 s. This work demonstrates the potential of coupling microfabricated sampling probes to droplet-based mass spectrometric assays for studying chemical dynamics in a complex microenvironment at high spatiotemporal resolution.


Running a randomized algorithm on a subsampled dataset instead of the entire dataset amplifies differential privacy guarantees. In this work, in a federated setting, we consider random participation of the clients in addition to subsampling their local datasets. Since such random participation of the clients creates correlation among the samples of the same client in their subsampling, we analyze the corresponding privacy amplification via non-uniform subsampling. We show that when the size of the local datasets is small, the privacy guarantees via random participation is close to those of the centralized setting, in which the entire dataset is located in a single host and subsampled. On the other hand, when the local datasets are large, observing the output of the algorithm may disclose the identities of the sampled clients with high confidence. Our analysis reveals that, even in this case, privacy guarantees via random participation outperform those via only local subsampling.


Abstract Membrane proteins have always presented technical challenges for structural studies because of their requirement for a lipid environment. Multiple approaches exist including X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy that can give significant insights into their structure and function. However, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is unique in that it offers the possibility of determining the structures of unmodified membrane proteins in their native environment of phospholipid bilayers under physiological conditions. Furthermore, NMR enables the characterization of the structure and dynamics of backbone and side chain sites of the proteins alone and in complexes with both small molecules and other biopolymers. The learning curve has been steep for the field as most initial studies were performed under non-native environments using modified proteins until ultimately progress in both techniques and instrumentation led to the possibility of examining unmodified membrane proteins in phospholipid bilayers under physiological conditions. This review aims to provide an overview of the development and application of NMR to membrane proteins. It highlights some of the most significant structural milestones that have been reached by NMR spectroscopy of membrane proteins, especially those accomplished with the proteins in phospholipid bilayer environments where they function.


Abstract This retrospective study evaluated gestational and delivery-related characteristics focusing on women aged 35 and above (≥ 35 years). Data were collected on maternal (n = 8,407) and newborn records during a 4-year admission period (2008–11) at the County Emergency Hospital, Tîrgu-Mureş, Romania. The prevalence of preterm deliveries increased in all age groups, from 19.5% to 27.8% (p = 0.006) in mothers ≥ 35 years. Twinning rate showed a highly significant increase, being 2.6% in 2008 and 9.5% in 2011 (p = 0.005), while caesarean delivery incidence increased from 46.3% to 51.0% in women aged ≥ 35. Our study revealed a highly significant decrease of mean gestational age and mean fetal weight, as well as a higher incidence of comorbidities and pregnancy-related complications in those aged ≥ 35 years. We assume that comorbidities, maternal and fetal indications to perform caesarean section (CS), in the more mature age group, were a main determinant of the elective or iatrogenic preterm deliveries, which might have contributed to further complications; moreover, previous CSs were likely a promoting factor for further CSs.


Recently, it was demonstrated that generalized entropies of order α offer novel and important opportunities to quantify the similarity of symbol sequences where α is a free parameter. Varying this parameter makes it possible to magnify differences between different texts at specific scales of the corresponding word frequency spectrum. For the analysis of the statistical properties of natural languages, this is especially interesting, because textual data are characterized by Zipf's law, i.e., there are very few word types that occur very often (e.g., function words expressing grammatical relationships) and many word types with a very low frequency (e.g., content words carrying most of the meaning of a sentence). Here, this approach is systematically and empirically studied by analyzing the lexical dynamics of the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel (consisting of approximately 365,000 articles and 237,000,000 words that were published between 1947 and 2017). We show that, analogous to most other measures in quantitative linguistics, similarity measures based on generalized entropies depend heavily on the sample size (i.e., text length). We argue that this makes it difficult to quantify lexical dynamics and language change and show that standard sampling approaches do not solve this problem. We discuss the consequences of the results for the statistical analysis of languages.


A strategy suggested by Stackelberg for static economic competition is considered and extended to the case of dynamic games with biased information pattern. This strategy is reasonable when one of the players knows only his own cost function but the other player knows both cost functions. As with Nash strategies for nonzero-sum dynamic games open-loop and feedback Stackelberg strategies for dynamic games could lead to different solutions, a phenomenon which does not occur in optimum control problems. Necessary conditions for open-loop Stackelberg strategies are presented. Dynamic programming is used to define feedback Stackelberg strategies for discrete-time games. A simple resource allocation example illustrates the solution concept.


This article aims to study emotion metaphors found in a selection of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and compare them with conventional modern metaphors from current dictionaries and other sources, in order to find out whether mediaeval emotional metaphorical concepts have survived to the present day and, if so, what changes can be perceived in them. The study is based on the cognitive theory of metaphor, as developed by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson (1980) in Metaphors We Live By .


PurposeThis work affords a practical checklist that specifies the civil engineering trades-related hazards and offers a safety indicator to identify the safety level of a construction project concerning the hazards of the civil engineering trades.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology depends on reviewing the archival works, visiting the construction sites, utilizing the direct observation and preliminary hazard analysis methods and conducting semistructured interviews to pinpoint and validate the checklist of the civil engineering trades-related hazards. Additionally, a questionnaire-based survey with the rank sum weight technique has been employed to assemble and analyze the data required to build the safety indicator.FindingsRelying upon the used methodology, 70 hazards under the trades of general environment, earth, demolition, excavation, concrete, dewatering, waterproofing insulation and scaffolding have been pinpointed and validated. This is in addition to the safety level indicator of the civil engineering trades-related hazards (SLICETH), which indicates high viability during its validation in five national and international projects.Originality/valueThe value of this work lies in its ability to tackle the gap existing in the safety management knowledge regarding the notion of the hazards of the civil engineering trades and their influences on the safety performance of the construction projects. As a result, it offers a complete knowledge to the academics and the practitioners for confronting the negative impacts of the civil engineering trades-related hazards. Consequently, it helps in enhancing the safety performance level in the sites of the construction projects.


The aim of this study was the use of the hurdle technology for preparing a sweet product (SPT) of tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea) and assess its storage stability. SPT was prepared at the fruit natural pH (3.72), lowering the water activity (aw) (0.901) by adding sucrose and sodium benzoate (0.1%) as antimicrobial. SPT was stored under refrigeration (4 °C) conditions protected from light and it was analyzed every third day for 60 days. Physicochemical (color, aw, pH, and titratable acidity as citric acid), antioxidant (antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and anthocyanins), and microbiological (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, molds, and yeasts), were determined. SPT was mixed with plain yogurt to evaluate the overall sensory acceptance during storage. The evaluation took place every seventh day during 49 days. The storage time had no effect neither on aw, pH or acidity of the SPT. It was observed an increase in the net change of color (0 to 4.9) and a decrease in total phenolic compounds (1.213-0.816 mg gallic acid/g SPT), total monomeric anthocyanins (0.910-0.611 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/g SPT g), and antioxidant capacity (5.816-3.576 µmole Trolox/g SPT). The aerobic mesophilic bacteria ( 0.05) during storage. DOI: 10.17268/sci.agropecu.2013.02.02


Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can differentiate and proliferate in response to hematopoietic stress (e.g., myelosuppression, infections, and allergic reactions), thereby ensuring a well‐regulated supply of mature and immature hematopoietic cells within the circulation and prompt adjustment of blood cell levels within normal ranges. The recovery of tissues and organs from hematopoietic stress (e.g., myelosuppression or ionizing irradiation) is dependent on two cell types: resident HSCs which repopulate the bone marrow (BM) cavity, and stromal cells. BM regeneration critically depends on the release of soluble factors from cells such as stromal cells, a process regulated by proteases. Two proteolytic systems, the fibrinolytic system and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), have recently been shown to be involved in this process (Heissig B, 2007, Cell Stem Cell 1: 658–670). The plasminogen/plasmin system is mostly recognized for its fibrinolytic activity, but it is also involved in processes such as cell invasion, chemotaxis, growth factor activity modulation, and tissue remodeling. This review focuses on the role of plasmin and its activators as key players in controlling the hematopoietic stress response after myelosuppression (hematopoietic regeneration). Aspects of plasmin regulation, especially regulation of its ability to activate MMPs and the functional consequences of this enzyme activation, such as plasmin‐mediated release of biologically relevant cytokines from the matrix and cell surfaces, will be discussed. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 521–525, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Background: β-cell dysfunction is a hallmark feature of diabetes mellitus. G protein a-subunit (Gsa) mediates receptor-stimulated intracellular cAMP production In β cells in order to increase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, cell proliferation and survival. Growing interest in urinary metabolome has emerged as many drugs aim to improve outcomes by targeting kidney function. Given clinical significance of the Gsa pathway, we aimed to study changes of urinary metabolome as a result of Gsa deficiency. Methods: Mice with Gsα deficiency limited to β cells (Gsa βcell-/-) were generated by mating Gsα-floxed mice with MIPcreERT mice in order to directly examine Gsα/cAMP signaling role in β cells, in a similar method to Xie et.al. Urine was collected from (Gsa βcell-/-) mice and controls and stored at -80C until processed for non-targeted metabolomics using GCMS. Results: In a small cohort, 17 metabolites were significantly altered between the two groups (P Conclusion: Gsa pathway deficiency in β cells produced a model of diabetes with unique metabolome. Studying changes of urine metabolome after treatment with antiglycemics in the future might highlight the drugs renal impact in the setting of Gsa deficiency. Disclosure A. Ilaiwy: None. M. Capozzi: None. J.L. Brown: None. D. D'Alessio: Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Consultant; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics. Research Support; Self; Ansh Labs, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. J. Campbell: Research Support; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk Inc. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.


Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Limited is India's largest construction conglomerate. L&T's expertise is harnessed to execute high value projects that demand adherence to stringent timelines in a scenario where disparate disciplines of engineering are required to be coordinated on a critical path. However, no company can acquire such a feat without systematic management of its human resource. An investigation on the human resource management practices in orienting L&T's success can help to identify some of the ethical human resource practices, especially in the context of Indian market. Accordingly, a welldesigned employee satisfaction survey was conducted for assessment of the HRM practices being followed in L&T. Unlike other companies, L&T aims to meet the long-term needs of its employees rather than short-term needs. There were however few areas of concerns, such as yearly appraisal system and equality to treat the employees. It is postulated that the inequality to treat the male and female employees is primarily a typical stereotype due to the fact that construction is conventionally believed to be a male dominant activity. A periodic survey intended to provide 360° feedback system can help to avoid such irregularities. This study is thus expected to provide healthy practices of HRM to nurture the young talents of India. This may help them to evaluate their decisions by analyzing the complex relationship between HRM practices and output of an organization.


I have just completed teaching two sections of 6.011 (Elementary Network Theory). One of the topics covered was synthesis of active filters by the "method of unilateral 2-ports". The explanation of this technique by the lecturer, John Kassakian, is of interest to those of us studying problem solving and the evolution of expertise. The evolution of the method of unilateral 2-ports seems to fit beautifully into the paradigm of synthesis of the solution to a problem by debugging of an almost-right plan. Of course, skill is acquired by incorporating the results of debugging, as we expect. Work reported herein was conducted at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology research program supported in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense and monitored by the Office of Naval Research under Contract Number N00014-70-A-0362-0005. Working Papers are informal papers intended for internal use.


Acute pancreatitis remains a major concern of urgent surgery. The aim of the research was to study the results of the use of step-up combined surgical treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The aim of the research was to study the results of the surgical treatment of 72 patients with severe extensive unlimited pancreatic necrosis. The surgical treatment for severe acute pancreatitis may consist of several steps. The first step is the drainage of the sterile or infected nidi of pancreatic necrosis under ultrasound guidance. The second step includes laparotomy and/or lumbotomy with stepped necrosectomy and debridement (in case of an ineffective first step). The combination of the minimally invasive treatment with «open» surgery can improve the treatment outcomes in the patients with unlimited forms of severe acute pancreatitis.


Examination under anesthesia, particularly in children, is a common practice in ophthalmology. It may yield valuable information as to the cause and management regimen of the condition under study. The proper equipment should be available to the clinician to expedite the examination. Rapid and useful information thus obtained can justify the risk and expense incurred when this modality is used. Efficient use of the equipment is essential to yield the best examination.


The presence of small amounts of circulating DNA in plasma was demonstrated 60 years ago. Since then, cell-free DNA has been tested for quantity, fragmentation pattern and tumor-specific sequences in patients with various malignancies. The introduction of improved detection methods showed that all these alterations are regularly detectable in many cancer patients and the investigation of cell-free DNA may provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information. Herein, we review the recent findings on cell-free DNA alterations in patients with prostate cancer and discuss its diagnostic and prognostic potential.


Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 (ANP) are synthetic derivatives of glutamine, isoglutamine, and phenylacetic acid. In 1993, a phase II clinical trial program began according to protocols based on the initial protocol, BT-06, which was transferred from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Protocol BT-09 was designed for different types of primary brain tumors in adults that were not curable by standard treatment. The study was designed as a single arm, two-stage, phase II trial of ANP as a monotherapy in a high-risk, poor-prognosis population. The total number of registered subjects was 40. The majority of patients were diagnosed with high-grade tumors (N = 33). In this group, 12 patients carried diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and 11 patients of glioblastoma. In the group of low-grade tumors (N = 7), there were 6 cases of low-grade glioma, and 1 neurocytoma grade 2. A group of 12 patients did not receive any prior treatment, 12 patients had surgical resection only, 5 patients received radiation therapy (RT) only, and 11 patients received both RT and chemotherapy. The median duration of ANP was 16.6 weeks. The median dosage of A10 was 7.16 g/kg/d and AS2-1 was 0.27 g/kg/d. Responses were accessed by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective responses (OR) in all patients were 22.5% and in the AA group were 41.7% of patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) in the AA group was 5.4 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 12.7 months and OS at 1 and 2 years was 54.5% and 45.5% correspondingly. The treatment was well-tolerated with reversible grade 3 and 4 toxicities in 35% of all patients (N = 40). In conclusion, the study reached efficacy endpoint and ANP was well-tolerated and compared favorably to the current treatment of AA.


The KSU CRYEBIS is a CRY ogenic Electron Beam Ion Source located on a high voltage platform, dedicated to the exploration of the physics of the highly-charged, low-energy ions. This paper summarizes the research accomplished by our users over the last three years. It discusses the experiences encountered in the operation and production over the last three years. The major improvements accomplished over the last three years and the present capabilities are also described. The paper ends with a discussion of the user facility, the available techniques and equipment.


To implicate histamine and its receptors in feed intake and nutrient transport, White Leghorn cockerels of the same age and body weight were grouped randomly into six groups. The first group was injected intraperitoneally with histamine (30mg/kg/body weight) for five consecutive days (equally 3 times within 24h). Similarly the second group was treated with H1-receptor blocker at the rate of 60mg/kg body weight; the third was with histamine on priming with H1 blocker as above; the fourth was with H2 blocker at the rate of H1; the fifth was with histamine primed with H2 blocker as above; and the sixth was sham-treated control. Histamine suppressed feed intake (P<0.05). A significant recovery in feed intake was noticed with the priming of H2 blocker. Food passage time also reduced significantly with the administration of histamine and this was significantly checked with the priming of both H1 and H2 blockers. The uptake calcium (Ca++) and phosphorus values at 15, 30 or 45 minutes post-infusion stages did not differ between histamine and control groups. However, both H1 and H2-receptors blockers priming to histamine or even alone H2 blocker improved the uptake of Ca++ (P<0.05) at all stages compared to histamine or control group. But in case of phosphorus, priming of H1 blocker with histamine failed to show any significant effect whereas H2 blocker priming to histamine reduced the uptake at all stages. Glucose uptake was significantly (P<0.05) greater in histamine-treated group at all stages as compared to control but priming of either H1 or H2 blockers to histamine failed to show significant change. In brief, histamine reduces feed intake, feed passage time but improves glucose uptake, and predominantly the H2 blocker reversed the feed suppression but both H1 and H2 inhibitors reduced feed passage time, and also improved Ca++ uptake.


"Precision agriculture" was a favorite buzzword in agricultural discussions in the 1990s. Proponents of precision agriculture note its promises are twofold: economic benefits for the producer and environmental benefits for society. These benefits are to be achieved by improving the efficiency of input use, based on data obtained with global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies. Although fulfillment of these promises has been mixed to date, it appears that "precision agriculture" will continue in the agriculture vernacular into the 21st century. In this article, we propose another sense of the term, and argue that precision agriculture, or at least long strides in that direction, is possible short of these highly complex methods and capital investments, through integrated crop management (ICM). As practiced by the producer and/or provided by independent crop consultants, ICM is one alternative to providing information-intensive management on the farm, and has proven efficiency of input use. That is, the promise of economic and environmental benefits holds true in a manner that makes it possible for any producer to implement "precision agriculture." Using data from users and nonusers of independent crop consultants implementing ICM, this study reveals that several economic and environmental benefits are gained from the information and management recommendations provided by consultants. Pest and nutrient management recommendations have led to decreases in pesticide and commercial fertilizer use. For the majority of users, these input reductions have resulted in an increase in profits since hiring a consultant. Users attributed changes in total cost of production to their consultant's effectiveness, and some reported receiving double or greater return for every dollar invested in consultant services. The results confirm the important role that Iowa's independent crop consultants could play in agricultural production and environmental protection through their promotion of ICM activities. However, the scarcity of consultants in Iowa, and possibly elsewhere, presents a challenge within the industry. Addressing this issue may help in contributing to rural development, economic benefit for the producer, and environmental benefit for all of society.


In recent years, there have been enormous research efforts to improve the performance of lasers emitting around 3 µm mainly because of their potential applications in medicine. The erbium-doped ZBLAN fiber is a promising candidate for the construction of a compact and efficient all-solid-state laser emitting on the transition at 2.7 µm. However, a high excitation density with the consequences of pump excited-state absorption (ESA) can lead to output-power saturation in the fiber laser. This saturation was overcome in a cascade lasing regime and 150 mW of output power was achieved under Ti:sapphire pumping at 791 nm.
Here, we investigate experimentally a theoretical proposal to scale the output power of the Er3+ 2.7-µm fiber laser to the 1-W region: Ground-state bleaching, large excitation of the Er3+ 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 laser levels, and consequent ESA losses are avoided by an active reduction of the excitation density due to a Forster-Dexter-type energy transfer from the Er3+ 4I13/2 lower laser level to the 3F3 level of a Pr3+ codopant and subsequent fast multiphonon relaxation of the Pr3+ ion. With concentrations of 35000 ppm mol. Er3+ and 3000 ppm mol. Pr3+, the Er3+ 4I13/2 lifetime in ZBLAN is quenched from 8.7 ms to less than 300 µs.
Utilizing this approach, we demonstrate 1.7 W of output power in a near transverse-fundamental mode and 17% slope efficiency at 2.71 µm from an erbium ZBLAN fiber pumped at 790 nm by 22 W from a diode source. This result represents more than an order-of-magnitude improvement in output power over previous work. The double-clad fiber consisted of a circular core of 15 µm diameter and a rectangular inner cladding of 100×200 µm2. Since also ESA from the 4I11/2 upper laser level is avoided due to the threshold condition for the laser levels, further power scaling seems possible by pumping at 980 nm directly into 4I11/2.


Smart tourism can provide high-quality and convenient services for different tourists, and tourism itinerary planning system can simplify tourists' tourism preparation. In order to improve the limitation of the recommendation dimension of traditional travel planning system, this paper designs amixed user interest model on the premise of traditional user interest modeling and combines various attributes of scenic spots to form personalized recommendation of scenic spots. *en, it uses heuristic travel planning cost-effective method to construct the corresponding travel planning system for travel planning. In terms of the accuracy rate of travel planning recommendation, the accuracy rate of multidimensional hybrid travel recommendation algorithm is 0.984, and the missing rate is 0. When the travel cost and travel time are the same and the number of scenic spots is 20–30, the memory occupation of MH algorithm is only 1/2 of that of TM algorithm. *e results show that the multidimensional hybrid travel recommendation algorithm can improve the personalized travel planning of users and the travel time efficiency ratio. *e results of this study have a certain reference value in improving user satisfaction with the travel planning system and reducing user interaction.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the spatial distribution of mortality due to motorcycle accidents in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil.

METHODS
A population-based ecological study using data on mortality in motorcycle accidents from 01/01/2000 to 31/12/2005. The analysis units were the municipalities. For the spatial distribution analysis, an average mortality rate was calculated, using deaths from motorcycle accidents recorded in the Mortality Information System as the numerator, and as the denominator the population of the mid-period. Spatial analysis techniques, mortality smoothing coefficient estimate by the local empirical Bayesian method and Moran scatterplot, applied to the digital cartographic base of Pernambuco were used.

RESULTS
The average mortality rate for motorcycle accidents in Pernambuco was 3.47 per 100 thousand inhabitants. Of the 185 municipalities, 16 were part of five clusters identified with average mortality rates ranging from 5.66 to 11.66 per 100 thousand inhabitants, and were considered critical areas. Three clusters are located in the area known as sertão and two in the agreste of the state.

CONCLUSIONS
The risk of dying from a motorcycle accident is greater in conglomerate areas outside the metropolitan axis, and intervention measures should consider the economic, social and cultural contexts.