Background Dose reduction or stopping of TNF inhibitors (TNFi) appears to be feasible and safe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but may lead to flaring. No factors, including DAS28-CRP, have been found to predict successful dose reduction thus far1. The multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score measures disease activity in RA on a scale of 1–100. Objectives To investigate the predictive value of the MBDA score for clinical outcomes assessed 18 months after initial tapering of TNFi: chance of successful dose reduction or stopping, risk of flaring and risk of radiographic progression. Methods The DRESS (Dose REduction Strategies of Subcutaneous TNFi) study is an 18-month randomised trial that investigated non-inferiority of a dose reduction strategy of adalimumab or etanercept compared with usual care. TNFi dosing was reduced every 3 months until clinical flare (DAS28-CRP increase >1.2 or >0.6 if current DAS28 ≥3.2) or stopping. In case of flare, TNFi was restarted or escalated. Major flare was defined as lasting >3 months. Data and serum were collected every 3 months and at flare visits. X-rays of hands and feet were scored using mSvdH. MBDA scores at BL, 9 and 18 months and change (Δ) from BL to 9 months were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and optimal cut-off MBDA scores evaluated the predictive value of BL MBDA score for: successful dose reduction or stopping at 18 months, occurrence of any clinical flares or major flares, and incidence of radiographic progression (ΔmSvdH >0.5 over 18 months). Results Serum and outcomes were available for 171 of 180 patients. Mean DAS28-CRP at BL was 2.2 (SD 0.7); MBDA score 33.6 (SD 12.3). At 18 months, successful stopping was possible in 19% (95% CI 12-26) of patients, dose reduction in 44% (95% CI 35-54) and no dose reduction in 37% (95% CI 28-45) (Figure 1). Incidence of major flare for the whole study group was 12% (20 of 171 patients). ROC analyses for prediction of successful stopping, dose reduction, major flare and any flare by MBDA score showed non-significant AUROCs. AUROC for major flare by BL MBDA score was significant only in the usual care group (0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.88) and not the dose reduction group. ΔMBDA score from BL to 9 months was not predictive for successful stopping, dose reduction, or occurrence of (major) flare. Radiographic progression occurred in 26% of 167 patients with available data and was not predicted by MBDA score. Conclusions In this TNFi dose reduction study, neither BL MBDA score nor ΔMBDA score from BL to 9 months was predictive for successful dose reduction or stopping; occurrence of (major) flare; or radiographic progression. Of note, BL MBDA score was predictive for flare in patients who received usual care. An explanation could be lack of variation in baseline disease activity with low disease activity in the majority of patients. Confirmation of these results is needed in other tapering studies. References Van Herwaarden et al. Randomised controlled non-inferiority study of disease activity guided dose reduction and withdrawal of adalimumab and etanercept compared to usual care in rheumatoid arthritis. Submitted. Disclosure of Interest C. Bouman: None declared, A. van der Maas: None declared, N. van Herwaarden: None declared, O. Segurado Shareholder of: Myriad Genetics, Inc, Employee of: Crescendo Bioscience, a wholly owned subsidiary of Myriad Genetics, Inc., E. Sasso Shareholder of: Myriad Genetics, Inc, Employee of: Crescendo Bioscience, a wholly owned subsidiary of Myriad Genetics, Inc., F. van den Hoogen: None declared, A. den Broeder: None declared


Message fatigue refers to a state of being exhausted and tired of prolonged exposure to similarly-themed messages (e.g., anti-obesity messages; So, Kim, & Cohen, 2017). This study tests a mediational model that accounts for how one's preexisting fatigue toward anti-obesity messages may contribute to two different types of resistance—reactance and disengagement—toward an incoming anti-obesity message, which, in turn, reduce intention to adopt weight-management behaviors advocated in the message. The proposed model was tested in an experimental study (N = 312) involving a sample of overweight or obese adults in the United States. In the meditational model, reactance significantly mediated the negative effects of message fatigue on intention to adopt only one of four weight-management behaviors promoted in the message. However, inattention, which was an operationalization of disengagement, significantly mediated the negative effects of message fatigue on behavioral intention to adopt all four weight-management behaviors. This study urges future research on message fatigue and resistance to persuasion to consider disengagement with a message as a significant barrier to effective health communication and to devise ways to increase engagement with messages communicating "overtaught" health issues.


I recently accompanied my son Dan to one of his guitar lessons. As I sat in a separate room, I focused on the music he was playing and the beautiful, robust sound that comes from a well-played guitar. Later that night, I woke up around 3 am. I tend to have my best thoughts at this hour. The trouble is I usually roll over and fall back asleep. This time I was still awake an hour later, so I got up and jotted some notes down in my study. I was thinking about the pure, honest sound of a well-played instrument. From there my mind wandered into the realm of high-performance teams and successful projects. (I know this sounds weird, but this is the sort of thing I think about at 3 am. Maybe you have your own weird thoughts around that time.) Consider a team in relation to music. It seems to me that a crack team can achieve a beautiful, perfect unity in the same way that a band of brilliant musicians can when they're in harmony with one another. With more than a little satisfaction I have to admit, I started to think about the great work performed for you by the Knowledge Sharing team, including this magazine you are reading. Over the past two years I personally have received some of my greatest pleasures as the APPL Director from the Knowledge Sharing activities - the Masters Forums, NASA Center visits, ASK Magazine. The Knowledge Sharing team expresses such passion for their work, just like great musicians convey their passion in the music they play. In the case of Knowledge Sharing, there are many factors that have made this so enjoyable (and hopefully worthwhile for NASA). Three ingredients come to mind -- ingredients that have produced a signature sound. First, through the crazy, passionate playing of Alex Laufer, Michelle Collins, Denise Lee, and Todd Post, I always know that something startling and original is going to come out of their activities. This team has consistently done things that are unique and innovative. For me, best of all is that they are always trying to improve on what they've done before. Second, success in any endeavor stems from people who know how to interpret a composition to sound beautiful when played in a different style. For Knowledge Sharing to work, it must be adapted, reinterpreted, shaped and played with at the centers. In this regard, we've been blessed with another crazy, passionate, inspired artist named Claire Smith. Claire has turned Ames Research Center in California into APPL-west. She is so good and committed to what she does that I just refer people to her whenever they have questions about implementing project management development at the field level. Finally, any great effort requires talented people working behind the scenes, the people who formulate a business approach and know how to manage the money so that the music gets heard. I have known many brilliant and creative people with a ton of ideas that never take off due to an inability to work the business. Again, the Knowledge Sharing team has been fortunate to have competent and passionate people, specifically Tony Maturo and his procurement team at Goddard Space Flight Center, to make sure the process is in place to support the effort. This kind of support is every bit as crucial as the activity itself, and the efforts and creativity that go into successful procurement and contracting is a vital ingredient of this successful team.


This paper addresses the problem of obtaining a coherent gain in signal-to-noise ratio by recursively processing blocks of Fourier transform data for detecting the presence of a sinusoidal signal in noise and estimating its frequency. The method described here consists of recursively estimating the change of phase angle of the signal component as successive DFT coefficients are processed and using this estimate to rotate the successive complex coefficients so that the signal components tend to have the same phase, i.e., are aligned. The approach is based upon maximum-likelihood estimation theory. Two different algorithms are presented here for estimating this rate of change of phase: a) an extended Kalman filtering algorithm using the complex DFT coefficients, and b) a linear Kalman filtering algorithm using the phase angle of the DFT coefficients. These algorithms require a fixed memory for their implementation, independent of the number of transforms processed. Computer simulation results are presented to assess the performance of the algorithms.


In recent years, the number of small size wind farm made up with doubly fed induction generators (DFIG) located within the distribution system is rapidly increasing. DFIG can be utilized as the continuous reactive power source to support system voltage control by taking advantage of their reactive power control capability. In this paper, the reactive power output of DFIG wind farm has been considered as the control variables in the reactive power optimization algorithm by considering the reactive power compensation capability of DFIG. The minimization of total system real power loss and voltage deviation are utilized as an objective and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to determine the reactive power output of DFIG wind farm, tap positions of load tap changer transformers (LTC) and numbers of the capacitor banks in the distribution system. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to the 33-node distribution system and the results obtained demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm.


The preparation and crystal structures of fourteen complexes of N,N'-bis(2-pyridyl)aryldiamines with dicarboxylic acids and two complexes with squaric acid are reported. The recognition between the carboxylic acids and the 2-aminopyridine units occurs through the formation of the cyclic R(2)2 (8) hydrogen bond motif, whereas squaric acid creates the analogous R(2)2 (9) motif. In the 1:1 complexes the cyclic motifs generate infinite hydrogen-bonded 1D networks with the alternating component molecules. These networks are further organised into densely packed layers assembled through weaker C-H...O interactions. Analysis of the intermolecular interactions in these complexes led us to the synthesis of N,N'-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,2'-oxybis(aminobenzene) (5) which acts as a tritopic receptor of the carboxylic group and forms exclusively 2:1 complexes with dicarboxylic acids.


Background and Aim. Early assessment of severity in acute pancreatitis (AP) is a key measure to provide rational and effective management. The aim of our study is to determine the prognostic value of interleukins (IL) 6, 8, and 10, soluble receptor for tumor necrosis factor (sTNFr), pancreatic elastase (E1), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as predictors of systemic complications in AP. Patients and Methods. A hundred and fifty patients with confirmed AP were enrolled in the study. The severity of AP was defined according to Atlanta criteria. Measurements of interleukins and sTNFr were performed on the first day of admission. CRP and E1 levels were assessed on admission and after 48 hours. ROC analysis was performed for all parameters. Results. Interleukins and sTNFr significantly differentiated patients with systemic complications from those without. Elevation of IL-6 showed the highest significance as a predictor (P = 0.001). CRP and elastase levels did not differ between mild and severe cases on admission, but reached statistical significance when measured on the third day (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, resp.). Conclusion. Our study confirmed that IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and sTNFr measured on admission, and CRP and pancreatic elastase measured on third day of admission represent valuable prognostic factors of severity and systemic complications of AP.


We developed a compound-eye-shaped flexible organic image sensor composed of a flexible microlens array and pentacene-based organic photo sensors on a flexible substrate. Sixteen sets of a photo sensor and a microlens were aligned on a flexible film. This device worked as a flexible thin camera zooming in and out by changing its curvature. We took two images with the device on cylinders 80 mm and 40 mm in diameter to demonstrate the zooming-in and out function, respectively.


How to cite this article: Ish P, Kunal S, Sakthivel P. MIS-A after COVID-19: Points to Ponder. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(4):531.


OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate unequivocally that the popular intuitive interpretation of correlations as causal relationships in policy discourses is commonly inadequate? *** METHODOLOGY: To search for causal interpretations of correlations in the alcohol policy discourse, which are usually presented and accepted unquestioned and to show as clearly and unambiguously as possible that the conclusions are not only problematic but definitely unsustainable with convincing examples. *** SIGNIFICANT RESULTS: The tendency to treat correlations of time series as solid prove for causal relationships is very strong when policy interventions are to be evaluated. This is particularly true in the so called "evidence-based" alcohol policy discourse. The presentation provides examples, where causal conclusions seem very convincing and confronts with similar examples where it is easy to grasp these conclusions are not justified. *** CONCLUSIONS: When it comes to causal statements based on observation, competent, critical questioning of these conclusions is indispensable. Paradoxically the desired "pure observation" can only be achieved by deconstructing the immediate perception with an intellectual (analytical) endeavour, i.e. doing an "interpretation" based on knowledge (Kriz et al. 1990). Causal interpretations derived from empirical data must not be interpreted as false logical conclusions but these must be explained as "Gestalt" phenomena, similar to optical illusions, which can hardly be avoided deliberately by recipients. As Michotte (1982) stated: "We experience causality as direct as we experience colours". *** It must be added here that identifying illogical inference based on empirical data does not necessarily mean that the intuitive conclusions are factually wrong. The insight that specific causal inference is wrong only implies that the data under consideration neither prove nor disprove the conjectures these data seem to support and not that these conjectures are wrong - just as a court acquittal for lack of evidence does not imply that the defendant is innocent.


Although not previously well documented, many instances of regional economic integration occur among Third World countries. Joint industrial planning, monetary integration, trade expansion, and investment planning are among the many facets of economic integration discussed in this volume. Integration schemes most likely to contribute to development are difficult to achieve because ultimate success depends on the willingness and ability of the nations involved to negotiate conditions that contribute to the development of the region as a whole and that assure an acceptable distribution of benefits within the region. The variety of theories and practical examples of regional integration plans detailed here document the complexity of integrated plannning and the difficulties in achieving the desired results. This work defines and explores the many factors necessary for understanding the difficulties involved in economic integration and cooperation among developing countries.


The type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), like all retroviruses, contains two copies of the RNA genome as a dimer. A dimer initially forms via a self-complementary sequence in the dimer initiation site (DIS) of the genomic RNA, but that dimer is converted to a mature dimer in a process generally promoted by the viral nucleocapsid (NC) protein. Formation of the mature dimer is correlated with infectivity. Study of genomic dimerization has been facilitated by discovery of short RNA transcripts containing the DIS stem-loop 1 (SL1), which can dimerize spontaneously without any protein factors in vitro as well as via the NC protein. On the basis of the palindromic nature of the apical loop of SL1, a kissing loop model has been proposed. First, a metastable kissing dimer is formed via a loop-loop interaction and then converted into a more stable extended dimer by the NC protein. This dimerization process in vitro is believed to mimic the in vivo RNA maturation. During experimental screening of potential inhibitors, we discovered a small molecule, Lys-Ala-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (KA-AMC), which facilitates the in vitro conversion from kissing dimer to extended dimer. Here we report the structure-activity relationship for KA-AMC for promoting dimer maturation. Guanidino groups and increasing positive charge on the side chain enhance activity. For activity, the charged side chain is preferred on the benzene ring, and O 1 in the coumarin scaffold is essential. NMR studies show that the coumarin derivatives stack with aromatic bases of the RNA. The coumarin derivatives may aid in the investigation of some aspects of dimer maturation and serve as a scaffold for design of maturation inhibitors or of activators of premature maturation, either of which can lead to a potential HIV therapeutic.


Abstract 2655 Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been classified into two distinct molecular subtypes: germinal center B cell–like (GCB), non-germinal centre-like (non-GCB). To improve outcomes for DLBCL patients, it is necessary to identify additional novel targets within GCB and non-GCB classifications to further stratify patients for prognosis and assist in choosing therapy for the individual patient. We have recently demonstrated that STAT3 activation is frequent in the DLBCL tumors, however the exact molecular mechanism(s) of STAT3 activation in DLBCL tumors are not known. Molecular mechanisms such as epigenetic silencing of negative regulators of the STAT3 pathway such as protein tyrosine phosphatase 6 (PTPN6) may contribute to STAT3 activation. We aimed to learn whether PTPN6 was expressed in GCB and non-GCB DLBCL, and if so, how that expression correlated with STAT3 activation and prognosis. We first performed epigenetic studies of PTPN6 in 38 DLBCL tumors and 6 DLBCL cell lines by methylation specific (MSP) PCR and high resolution melting array (HRM) methods. Surprisingly, PTPN6 promoter hypermethylation (0/38) was not detected in patient sample and cell lines by both the methods. Since the MSP PCR technique yields qualitative rather than quantitative data, we next performed pyrosequencing on the 38 DLBCL samples, and found results consistent with the MSP PCR analysis. Our data conclusively demonstrate that PTPN6 hypermethylation is absent in DLBCL tumors. We next sequenced the 600 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site of PTPN6 promoter 2 and 1 in 10 DLBCL tumors. We did not detect any point mutations in the promoter 2 and 1 core regions. Since PTPN6 promoter hypermethylation and mutations were absent in DLBCL tumors, we determined the expression level of the PTPN6 protein in 40 DLBCL tumors by molecular subtype. Formalin fixed paraffin-embedded DLBCL tumor samples were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the determination of molecular subtype using the Hans algorithm and the detection of PTPN6 expression. Using a threshold of ≥30%, 75% (30/40) of cases were PTPN6 positive with various levels of expression: 11 cases had 30–80% of tumor cells staining positive and 19 had >80% of cells PTPN6 positive. PTPN6 expression by IHC was only correlated with higher IPI scores and a trend towards a shorter event free survival (EFS) (p=0.07). Within the 29 GCB tumors 69% (20/29) were PTPN6 positive; 100% (10/10) of non-GCB cases were PTPN6 positive. These data clearly suggest that PTPN6 expression is found in both GCB and non-GCB with the latter being uniformly positive (p=0.03) and PTPN6 negative cases being uniformly GCB. PTPN6 mRNA and protein was detected in all three ABC lines (LY3, Ly10, DHL2). Within the GCB lines (DHL6, Ly1 and Ly19) DHL6 was weakly positive and Ly1 and Ly19 were negative for PTPN6 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, within the GCB group PTPN6 positive cases had inferior EFS as compared to PTPN6 negative cases. In the non-GCB group all cases were PTPN6 positive with an EFS similar to PTPN6 positive GCB cases. The role of PTPN6 in the persistent activation of the STAT3 pathway in DLBCL patients has not been investigated. We hypothesized that tumors with activated STAT3 would have loss of PTPN6. Interestingly, this hypothesis was disproven. Within the 15-pSTAT3 positive cases 12 (80%) were PTPN6 positive. Conversely, 26% (6/23) of the pSTAT3 negative cases were PTPN6 negative. The distribution of pSTAT3 and PTPN6 by IHC in samples was evaluated in both GCB and non-GCB groups. Within the PTPN6+/pSTAT3+ group out of the 12 cases most were non-GCB (8/12; 66%). However, within the PTPN6-/pSTAT3- group all the 5 cases were GCB (5/5; 100%). Survival analysis revealed that the groups with the best EFS were those with PTPN6-/pSTAT3- tumors (n=5); those with PTPN6+/pSTAT3+ group (n=12) had the shortest EFS; and those with PTPN6+/pSTAT3- tumors (n=17) being intermediate between the other groups. In summary, we have demonstrated for the first time that PTPN6 is highly expressed in DLBCL tumors, and a common abnormality in non-GCB subtypes, which is positively correlated with activated STAT3. PTPN6 expression in the DLBCLs is not regulated through SHP1 promoter hypermethylation or point mutations. The finding that SHP1 loss was found only in GCB cases and was especially favorable should be explored further and may provide an important new stratification factor for future DLBCL studies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Human osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor occurring most commonly in adolescents and young adults. Major improvements in disease-free survival have been achieved by implementing a combination therapy consisting of radical surgical resection of the tumor and systemic multi-agent chemotherapy. However, long-term survival remains poor, so novel targeted therapies to improve outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma remains an area of active research. This includes immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, or treatment with nanoparticles. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), a highly reactive (partially) ionized physical state, has been shown to inherit a significant anticancer capacity, leading to a new field in medicine called "plasma oncology." The current article summarizes the potential of CAP in the treatment of human OS and reviews the underlying molecular mode of action.


Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflamed joint derived cytokine mediated high-grade systemic inflammation that enhances cardiovascular metabolic risk and disease in developed populations. Objectives We investigated the potential impact of RA on cardiovascular risk factors including systemic inflammation, atherosclerosis and their relationships in black Africans from a developing population. Methods We evaluated demographic features, adiposity indices, major traditional cardiovascular risk factors, circulating C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 concentrations and ultrasound determined carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in 274 black Africans; 115 had established RA. Data were analyzed in confounder adjusted mixed regression models. Results The body mass index and waist-height ratio were lower in RA compared to non-RA subjects (29.2 (6.6) versus 33.7 (8.0), P<0.0001 and 0.58 (0.09) versus 0.62 (0.1), P=0.0003, respectively). Dyslipidemia was less prevalent in patients with RA (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.54 (0.30 to1.00)); this disparity was no longer significant after further adjustment for reduced adiposity and chloroquine use. RA was also not associated with hypertension, current smoking and diabetes. The number of major traditional risk factors did not differ by RA status (1.1(0.8) versus 1.2(0.9), P=0.7). Circulating C-reactive protein concentrations were similar and serum interleukin-6 concentrations reduced in RA (7.2 (3.1) versus 6.7 (3.1) mg/l, P=0.7 and 3.9 (1.9) versus 6.3 (1.9) pg/ml, P<0.0001, respectively). The cIMT was 0.700 (0.085) and 0.701 (0.111) mm in RA and non-RA subjects, respectively (P=0.7). RA disease activity and severity parameters were consistently unrelated to systemic inflammation, despite the presence of clinically active disease in 82.6% of patients. In all participants, adiposity indices, smoking and converting angiotensin inhibitor non-use were associated with increased systemic inflammation, which related to more atherogenic lipid profiles, and circulating low density lipoprotein concentrations were associated with cIMT (partial R=0.153, P=0.032); RA did not impact on these relationships (interaction P>0.1). Conclusions Among black Africans, patients with established RA experience reduced overall and abdominal adiposity but no enhanced major traditional risk factor and atherosclerosis burden. This study further suggests that an absent interleukin-6 release by inflamed RA joints into the circulation may account for this unaltered cardiovascular disease risk. Acknowledgements This study was supported by a South African Medical Research Council grant and the National Research Foundation. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


To study the mechanisms of hypothermic heart damage the authors analysed changes in the energetic condition and character of restoration of the contractile activity of the rat heart after heart ischemia and hypothermic storage of various duration. In contrast to damage in heat ischemia, the degree of cardiac function disorders after hypothermic storage did not correlate with the degree of the energy disturbances. Addition of 0.5% dimethylsulfoxide to the preservative solution reduced the degree of the functional disorders and increased the admissible duration of hypothermic storage. It is believed that disorders of the function of the heart in storage under low temperature are due to a great measure to the phase transfer of the membrane lipids and impaired intramembrane protein-lipid interrelationships.


Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has become a powerful technique for studying gains and losses of DNA sequences in solid tumors. Importantly, DNA derived from archival tumor tissue is also applicable in CGH analysis. However, DNA isolated from routinely processed, formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue is often degraded, with the bulk of DNA showing fragment sizes of only 400–750 bp. Enzymatic labeling of archival DNA by standard nick translation (NT) decreases DNA size even further, until it becomes too small for CGH (<300 bp). This study presents application in CGH of a commercially available, non‐enzymatic labeling method, called Universal Linkage System (ULS), that leaves the DNA fragment size intact. To compare the effect of chemical labeling of archival DNA by ULS vs. enzymatic by NT on the quality of CGH, DNA derived from 16 tumors was labeled by both ULS and NT. In those cases (n = 8), in which the bulk of DNA had a fragment size of 400–1,000 bp, CGH was successful with ULS‐labeled probes, but not with NT‐labeled probes. In the DNA samples (n = 6) with a fragment size > 1 kb, the intensity of CGH signals was comparable for both ULS‐ and NT‐labeled probes, but CGH with ULS‐labeled samples showed a high, speckled, background, which seriously hampered image analysis. In the remaining two cases, which had evenly distributed DNA fragment sizes (range 250–5,000 bp), CGH was successful with both labeling methods. Using DNA fragment size < 1 kb as a selection criterion for ULS labeling, we were able to obtain good quality CGH of a large panel (n = 77) of a variety of archival solid tumors. We conclude that ULS is an excellent labeling method for performing CGH on small‐fragment‐sized DNA. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 25:301–305, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The quality of cluster result and the learning speed of Self-organizing map (SOM) are dependent on the initialization of weights since the initial values for weight vectors affect the performance of SOM training when applied to clustering. In this paper, improvement of SOM was achieved with the application of the Nguyen-Widrow algorithm to initialize weights. Nguyen-Widrow initialization algorithm is a method for initialization of the weights of neural networks to speed up the training process. Performance of the modified SOM was determined in terms of cluster error rate and the number of iterations to achieve convergence using different datasets and results show that the modified SOM algorithm produces better cluster results and improved training speed compared to traditional SOM.


Organized by anatomic region, each case follows a consistent format and is presented as an unknown diagnosis with brief clinical history, images, description of findings, differentials, diagnosis, and discussion of care. This format simulates the experience of working through a case with an expert consultant, making Musculoskeletal Imaging an ideal resource for sharpening diagnostic skills for those preparing for board examinations or for reinforcing practical knowledge.


Thermal images are used for detection and identification of edges in any object due to varying atmospheric conditions. In this paper, five algorithms, viz, Robert, Sobal, Prewitt, laplacian and Canny edge detection algorithm are discussed and their performances are compared for optimal edge detection. Edge detection play a linchpin role in image analysis and able to solve complex problems, it is an important step to identify object segmentation and help in feature extraction. It basically works on grey level of pixels, it is used to track targets, compress data, recognition of object etc. as it significantly reduces amount of data and filters out useless information while preserving important structural properties. Performance of algorithms is decided in considering accuracy and speed.


Salmonella is a frequent zoonotic foodborne pathogen, with swine and pork meats the most common source of human infection. In Chiang Mai and Lamphun Province in northern Thailand, there has been a high prevalence of salmonellosis for over a decade. Infection is usually with several dominant S. enterica serotypes, including serotypes Rissen and Monophasic Typhimurium. However, several less common serotypes also contribute to disease. Whole genome sequencing of 43 of these less common S. enterica serotypes isolated from the pork production chain through 2011-2014 were used to evaluate their genetic diversity and virulence potential. Salmonella contamination at local retail markets represented cross-contamination from multiple sources, including decontaminated foodstuff. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of host cell adhesion, invasion and intracellular survival for the development of clinical salmonellosis. We screened our dataset for known virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance genes, identifying at least 10 antimicrobial resistance genes in all isolates. These results indicate that these less common S. enterica serotypes also pose a significant public health risk. Our findings support the need for appropriate surveillance of food products going to market to reduce public exposure to highly pathogenic, multi-drug resistant Salmonella. Surveillance throughout the pork production chain would motivate stakeholders to reinforce sanitation standards and help reduce the risk of salmonellosis in humans.


This study proposes a new wide band quadrature coupler structure using a lumped-element technique. The theoretical operating conditions of the proposed structure are also analysed. The operating bandwidth is extended and the phase shift difference error is reduced by introducing two matching frequency points. When the designed centre frequency is 6 GHz, a theoretical calculation shows that the operating bandwidth is 2 GHz and the phase shift error ranges from −5.9 to 1.76°. A coupler with 6 GHz centre frequency is also designed in a 0.13 µm CMOS process and simulated using Cadence Spectre. The active area of the coupler is 560 µm×640 µm. The post-layout simulation shows that the operating bandwidth has strong tolerance to the process variations.


The paper describes an approach to expedite the process of manual annotation of a Hindi dependency treebank which is currently under development. We propose a way by which consistency among a set of manual annotators could be improved. Furthermore, we show that our setup can also prove useful for evaluating when an inexperienced annotator is ready to start participating in the production of the treebank. We test our approach on sample sets of data obtained from an ongoing work on creation of this treebank. The results asserting our proposal are reported in this paper. We report results from a semi-automated approach of dependency annotation experiment. We find out the rate of agreement between annotators using Cohen's Kappa. We also compare results with respect to the total time taken to annotate sample data-sets using a completely manual approach as opposed to a semi-automated approach. It is observed from the results that this semi-automated approach when carried out with experienced and trained human annotators improves the overall quality of treebank annotation and also speeds up the process.


Quality of care research evaluates the "degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge.1 Efforts to better understand, measure and influence surgical quality, however, have often been impeded by a lack of reliable and valid measurements and a failure to control for patient characteristics.2 Expert panels organized by the RAND group and by Cancer Care Ontario have recommended several different quality indicators for prostate cancer surgery.3,4 However, there is very little evidence of the feasibility, reliability and validity of many of the proposed indicators, undermining their application to the quality-of-care process.

Surgical margin status as an indicator of quality for prostate cancer care is an interesting example of this dilemma. The variation in rate of margin positivity in different surgical series is remarkable, most obviously if they reflect surgeon experience from a high volume centre of excellence or from a population-based study.5 Furthermore, using margin status as an indicator of quality is confusing as it is often as much a reflection of case mix or pathological expertise as it is surgical technique. Most authors generally agree that a positive margin has a negative impact on disease outcomes after radical prostatectomy. The strength of its prognostic value, however, may vary depending on postoperative risk status and is uncommonly demonstrated to be predictive of clinical progression, cancer-specific or overall mortality.6,7

With that being said, every surgeon wants to be able to tell the patient postoperatively that "we got it all." The psychological burden of a positive margin, let alone the addition of side effects associated with adjuvant or salvage therapy, should assure our commitment to improving this quality indicator. Sciarra and colleagues, in this issue of CUAJ, report the effect of surgical technique on positive margins in a randomized trial between an open anterograde approach compared to a more standard retrograde open radical prostatectomy.8 In this study the authors describe a possible benefit from the anterograde dissection, starting at the bladder neck and dissecting the lateral and apical aspects of the prostate with a wider surgical view, leading to a beneficial effect on margin status although with greater blood loss. The authors demonstrate an overall low margin positive rate assessed by whole mount sections at pathology, with 14% positive in the anterograde group versus 18% with the routinely performed open procedure.

A more rigid statistical review of the data might moderate the authors' conclusions that the anterograde dissection is superior given the apparent lack of allowance for repeated measures in the analysis as well as the omission of surgical technique in the multivariate analysis. As the absolute difference in margin rate was only 4 cases between the two groups, it is difficult to validate technique as an independent factor without controlling for the other obvious factors such as stage, grade and PSA. The apparent benefit of margin status with the anterograde approach appeared to be only in those with pT2 tumours (with numerically more positive margins with the anterograde technique in those with capsular penetration). The eventual effect of technique on biochemical recurrence would therefore be important although the paper unfortunately does not describe these outcomes (follow-up is limited). The authors have significant experience with the anterograde approach and it would be of interest to determine if surgeon volume of the two techniques prior to the trial had any effect on outcome. Finally, the rates of incontinence and erectile dysfunction seem inconsistent with other studies using strict and validated measures although no effect of surgical technique is apparent.

Despite these caveats, the authors should be congratulated in completing a randomized study of surgical technique in prostate cancer, an achievement that readers will recognize as noteworthy. This study is relevant in the contemporary debate of minimally invasive (anterograde) versus open (retrograde) approaches to the prostate. Consistent with most other non-randomized series this report appears to confirm that the approach to radical prostatectomy may be less important in margin outcomes as compared to surgeon experience and decision-making as well as the cancer biology. Those surgeons with significant experience with an open retrograde approach need not switch to an anterograde approach based on this data. However, this should not diminish the importance of continually striving for technical proficiency and the ongoing critical practice review that is required to attain optimal quality of care for our patients.


Background and Purpose Ischemic lesion recurrence on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI-LR) is a frequently observed phenomenon after acute ischemic stroke. However, no study has elucidated the impact of DWI-LR on functional outcome. Methods Among a consecutive series of patients who presented with focal symptoms or signs compatible with stroke within 48 hours from the onset over a 50-month period, those who had relevant ischemic lesions on initial DWI and underwent follow-up DWI within 14 days after the onset were enrolled in this study. As outcome variables, the scores on the modified Rankin Disability Scale (mRDS) at 3 months and 1 year were measured prospectively and dichotomized into good (0-2) vs. poor (3-6). When calculating odds ratios (ORs), adjustment was performed for age, previous stroke, initial score on the NIH Stroke Scale, stroke subtype, and IV thrombolysis. Results Among those 786 patients finally enrolled in this study, 221 (28.1%) had DWI-LR. For a poor outcome at 3 months, the crude ORs of any, symptomatic, and asymptomatic DWI-LR were 2.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.96 to 3.72], 10.03 (95% CI, 4.39 to 22.96), and 2.04 (95% CI, 1.44 to 2.88), respectively. With adjustment, the OR of symptomatic DWI-LR was 6.44 (95% CI, 2.50 to 16.57), whereas those of any and asymptomatic DWI-LR lost their statistical significance: 1.44 (95% CI, 0.94 to 2.20) and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.65 to 1.65), respectively. Analyzing with the 1-year outcome produced similar results. Conclusions This study shows that symptomatic early lesion recurrence can affect functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke, whereas an asymptomatic one may not.


Mouse embryos at various stages of development were used to study the relationship of protein kinase activities with normal embryogenesis. Casein kinase II (CKII) activity in developing mouse embryos shows a 3-4-fold activity increase at day 12 of gestation. Together with the CKII activity, increased phosphorylation of a 110-kDa protein is observed. Treatment of the embryo extracts with heparin, a highly specific inhibitor of CKII activity, results in a drastic reduction of the 110-kDa protein phosphorylation indicating that the protein might be a CKII-specific substrate. Rapidly proliferating mouse tumour cells also show an enhanced CKII activity. Here too, a 110-kDa phosphoprotein was the major phosphoryl acceptor. Partial proteolytic digestion shows that both proteins are identical. Other protein kinases tested (cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases) only show a basal level of enzyme activity with minor alterations throughout the different stages of embryogenesis investigated.


We propose a method for achieving both a fast convergence speed and the low orders of adaptive digital filters (ADFs) for subband ADFs. The proposed method is based on the multirate repeating method which uses wasted signals by downsampling. First we show how to apply the multirate repeating method to the standard structure of subband ADFs. Next we consider a new structure of subband ADFs for extending the multirate repeating method. Finally, we show the validity of the proposed method by computer simulations.


Abstract. We present the first comparison of carbon monoxide (CO) measurements performed with a portable laser spectrometer that exploits the optical-feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (OF-CEAS) technique, against a high-performance automated gas chromatograph (GC) with a mercuric oxide reduction gas detector (RGD). First, measurements of atmospheric CO mole fraction were continuously collected in a Paris (France) suburb over 1 week. Both instruments showed an excellent agreement within typically 2 ppb (part per billion in volume), fulfilling the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recommendation for CO inter-laboratory comparison. The compact size and robustness of the OF-CEAS instrument allowed its operation aboard a small aircraft employed for routine tropospheric air analysis over the French Orleans forest area. Direct OF-CEAS real-time CO measurements in tropospheric air were then compared with later analysis of flask samples by the gas chromatograph. Again, a very good agreement was observed. This work establishes that the OF-CEAS laser spectrometer can run unattended at a very high level of sensitivity (


It is an unfortunate truism that relations between the United States and Russia depend a great deal on the interpersona l connection between the two countries. Of course, personalities do not determine foreign policy as much as national interests or even domestic politics do, but they do shape the way national interests are defined and stratagems devised. In this case, the presidents of both countries have a fairly free hand in setting foreign policy, and there are few institutional and social networks between the two countries that could anchor their diplomatic relations on firmer ground. So the relationship between the leaders has been very important.


Introduction The burden of bloodstream infections (BSIs) has been warranted in Ethiopia. Globally, the emergency and raised resistance rate of bacterial antimicrobial resistance is becoming a prominent problem, and it is difficult to treat patients having sepsis. In this review, we aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of bacterial isolates among presumptive patients with bloodstream infections in Ethiopia. Methods A systematic search was performed from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, HINARI, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar electronic databases using PRISMA guidelines. The data analysis was carried out using STATATM version 14 after the records were cleaned and sorted out. Results A total of 26 studies with 8,958 blood specimens and 2,382 culture-positive bacterial isolates were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis derived a pooled culture-positive bacterial prevalence which was 25.78% (95% CI: 21.55–30.01%). The estimated pooled prevalence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolates was 15.50% (95% CI: 12.84–18.15%) and 10.48 % (95% CI: 8.32–12.63%), respectively. The two common Gram-positive bacteria isolated from patients suspected of BSIs were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus with a pooled prevalence of 5.75% (95% CI: 4.58–6.92%) and S. aureus 7.04 % (95% CI: 5.37–8.72%). Similarly, the common Gram-negative bacterial isolates and their estimated pooled prevalence were E. coli 1.69% (95% CI: 1.21–2.16%), Klebsiella species 7.04 % (95% CI: 5.37–8.72%), Pseudomonas species 0.39% (95% CI: 0.08–0.70%), Salmonella species 1.09% (95% CI: 0.79–1.38%), and Streptococcus pyogenes 0.88% (95% CI: 0.54–1.22%). Conclusion The prevalence of bacterial isolates among presumptive patients suspected to BSIs in Ethiopia remains high. Furthermore, we found a remarkable variation in the pathogen distribution across the study setting.


(The role that oral conditions may play as risk factors or indicators for various medical outcomes, including mortality, is not well understood. We have examined the relationship of periodontal disease to mortality from all causes in the VA Dental Longitudinal Study and Normative Aging Study, a prospective cohort study of the determinants of disease in aging men. Subjects were screened for entry into the closed-panel cohort in the mid-1960s, based on good medical health. They are not VA patients. We have used proportional hazards regression models to assess the relationship of periodontal health status at baseline to all-cause mortality over a 25+-year follow-up period. A total of 804 dentate subjects who were alive and medically healthy through their first follow-up exam were used in the analysis; of these, 166 died during subsequent follow-up through December 1996. Survival was calculated in years from baseline exam to death or censoring (most recent study examination date). To define periodontal health status at baseline, we separately used radiographic alveolar bone loss (ABL) (person-level scores of mean whole-mouth % ABL, measured with a Schei ruler using full-mouth series of periapical films) and periodontal clinical probing depths. Covariates included age at baseline, and assessments at baseline of smoking and alcohol use, education, body mass index, serum cholesterol, white blood cell count, blood pressure, family history of heart disease, and number of teeth present. We found that periodontal status at baseline was a significant and independent predictor of mortality in this cohort, while controlling for other recognized predictors in multivariate models. For each 20% increment in mean whole-mouth ABL, the subject's risk of death increased by 51% (RR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.11-2.04). The increase in risk attributable to periodontal status was found to be similar in magnitude to, and independent of that attributable to cigarette smoking in this cohort. While the increased risk due to smoking was 1.52-fold (95% CI = 1.06-2.19), being in the population quintile with highest ABL scores (i.e., worst periodontal status) was associated with a 1.85 fold increase in risk (95% CI = 1.25-2.74) using multivariate analyses. The hypothesis that chronic oral infections, as in periodontitis, may have important systemic sequelae merits further investigation in prospective controlled studies.


Background Trans-Rectal UltraSound (TRUS) has proved to be an accurate procedure comparable to that of Fluoro-cystography (FC) to assess vesicourethral anastomosis after radical prostatectomy, with the advantages of lower costs, no radiation exposure and no dependence on the radiology department. Methods 60 Video Laparoscopic Radical Prostactomies (VLRP) were performed at our institution between September 2008 and January 2010. All patients underwent anatomosis assessment on postoperative day 6 with TRUS (Aloka A7 US ma-chine with endorectal end-fire probe). 200 ml of sterile saline was manually instilled into the bladder by an assistant, while TRUS visualization of anastomosis was carried out by an urologist. The test was considered positive if any expanding anechoic shadow developed beside the anastomosis. In case of negative test the catheter was removed. In case of positive test the catheter was left in place and reassessment was performed every 5–7 days with both TRUS and FC, until negative result. Results At the initial TRUS assessment we had 4 positive and 56 negative tests. Three out of the four patients with a positive test had a second assessment on p.o. day 14, which gave a negative result. The 4th positive case had a positive second assessment on p.o. day 14 and a third negative one on p.o. day 21. In a total of 20 assessments both TRUS and FC were performed. The results of the two procedures were always in accordance. Conclusions We have introduced TRUS assessment of vesicourethral anastomosis after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy as a routine procedure in our department. We are planning a comparative study, using FC as the gold standard, for validation purposes.


By Jack Buehler, Industrial Design; Andrea Ticknor, Industrial Design; Ben Merk, Enginering Advisor: Francis Russel
 Presentation ID: AM_ATRIUM30
 Abstract: This interdisciplinary team design project was carried out during the spring semester of 2019 as a part of the UC Forward Inquiry to Innovation Class. Student teams collaborated with the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden to produce and test animal enrichment prototypes for use in the exhibits of fours species at the Zoo, including Malayan Tigers, Giraffes, Little Penguins, and the Rhinoceros Hornbill. Teamwork included researching species behavior, best practices in animal enrichment and animal exhibit design. Applied research included prototype design and fabrication and behavior observation of the prototypes in use by the animals. Enrichment opportunities for animals in captivity are intended to promote cognitive and physical development for the animal as well as to enhance the Zoo visitor's comprehension of animal behavior. Our project was designed for the giraffe at the zoo. The product is a timed, feeder box that holds multiple compartments of food, rotating throughout the day to prolong the feeding and stimulation for the animals.


The uptake of pyrimidines and their derivatives into Candida glabrata and Candida albicans was measured using a novel technique in which the cells were rapidly separated from their suspending medium by centrifugation through a layer of an inert oil. The uptake of [14C]cytosine was linear for 30 s for all concentrations of pyrimidine tested. In C. glabrata but not C. albicans cytosine transport was mediated by both a high affinity (Km 0.8 +/- 0.1 microM), low capacity [V 40 +/- 4 pmol (microliters cell water)-1 s-1] and a low affinity [Km 240 +/- 35 microM], high capacity system [V 770 +/- 170 pmol (microliters cell water)-1 s-1]. The cytosine permease in C. glabrata was specific for cytosine and 5-fluorocytosine. In C. albicans there was only one cytosine transport system [Km 2.4 +/- 0.3 microM; V 50 +/- 4 pmol (microliters cell water)-1 s-1]; this system also transported adenine, guanine and hypoxanthine. Differences in nucleoside transport were also observed for C. glabrata and C. albicans, with the uridine permease in C. glabrata transporting only uridine and 5-fluorouridine whereas cytidine and adenosine were also transported by the uridine permease in C. albicans. Studies on the effect of nucleoside analogues on uridine transport in C. glabrata demonstrated the importance of the sugar moiety in determining the specificity of transport, with a hydroxyl residue on C-2 being apparently essential for transport.


Searching the literature is easier than ever with the advent of CD-ROM. Cost effective and simple to use, this technology is being used for clinical patient management as well as health care administration. For the materiel manager, literature searches can provide additional information, and access to research and other data to assist in making objective, informed, defensible purchasing decisions.


Introduction: Anatomy of kidney is of growing importance with increased number of transplantation and surgical procedures. This study shows a variation of renal vein. Aims and Objectives: To explore the renal vasculature. Materials and Methods: 30 cadavers were dissected as a part of UG and PG Course. The anomalies are observed as a part of routine dissection. Result: two of the30 cadavers had shown accessory renal veins. Discussion: In two dissected specimens of male cadaver, two renal veins parallel to each other was observed in a position antero-inferior to right renal artery. One vein emerged from upper portion of renal hilum, while the other emerged from lower portion of hilum. The two veins drained separately into inferior venacava and neither of them received any tributaries. Conclusion: Detailed knowledge of anatomy and anomalies of renal vein is necessary for urologists, vascular surgeons and radiologists for performing angiography prior to surgical interventions in the retroperitoneal space avoids complications especially with regard to kidney transplantation[8].


Mythology and folklore have long been important means for promoting literacy in human societies. This study aimed at validating a mythology and folklore module and evaluating its effectiveness in teaching the subject of mythology and folklore. This was in response to inadequate learning resources in teaching literature and to address the call for effective instructional materials. The study used comparative-experimental research design. The results revealed that the developed module consisted of excellent contents, relevance and mechanics as evaluated by experts in the area. The module was also assessed by the students as highly acceptable, valid, reliable, and usable. Third Year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) major in English students for School Year 2015-2016 were the participants of this study. The students were divided into control and experimental groups. The groupings were based on their GPA during the previous semester. While the experimental group utilized the developed module, the control group did not. The test instruments were the different exercises given every after the topics which lasted for one hour every session. Based on the results, the performance of the college students in literature in experimental group had improved from poor to excellent achievement whereas the control group had relatively improved from poor to fair achievement. Hence, it is recommended that the module be used in similar contexts particularly in learning mythology and folklore.


ALDH+ H1975 lung adenocarcinoma stem cells (LSCs) are a rare cell population identified in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). LSCs can self-renew, drive tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and recurrence and are also the predominant cause of poor prognosis due to their intrinsic resistance to drugs and chemotherapy. Consequently, LSCs are a promising target for LUAD therapy. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), exert many significant regulatory functions in the pathogenesis of human cancers, showing the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that underlie lung carcinogenesis. Nonetheless, research on many known transcripts and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) has already generated new information. Unknown biomarkers in ncRNAs and systematic and comprehensive interrelation with unknown ncRNAs and mRNAs may provide further insights into the biology of LUAD. Herein, a set of novel ncRNAs that include miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs were identified, and differentially expressed patterns of ncRNAs and mRNAs in LSCs and ALDH-H1975 LUAD tumor cells (LTCs) were obtained using stringent bioinformatics pipelines. Through a meta-analysis of the identified landscapes, novel competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks were constructed to reveal the potential molecular mechanisms that regulate the hallmarks of LSCs and LTCs. This study presents a summary of novel ncRNAs and the fundamental roles of differentially expressed ncRNAs implicated in the activity of LSCs and LTCs. In addition, the study also provides a comprehensive resource for the future identification of diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic biomarkers in LUAD.


The effects of histatins on coaggregation between Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 and Streptococcus mitis ATCC 9811 were investigated by using a turbidimetric assay. The coaggregation activity was significantly inhibited by histatins 5 and 8 and strongly by lysozyme. Tritium-labeled histatin 8 bound to P. gingivalis cells but not to S. mitis cells.


The Basin and Range Province of the western United States and northern Mexico is often cited as a classic example of a wide rift. It is also a region where metamorphic core complexes such as the ones observed in the Aegean region are observed. On the other hand, the eastern arm (Kenya rift) of the East African rift is considered to be the classic example of a continental rift, which is by some definitions narrow. In this paper, these two features are briefly compared in terms of crustal structure and associated manifestations of extension.


Arterial hypertension is the main preventable cause of cardiovascular disease and all causes of death worldwide, and also ranks second among the most important causes of chronic kidney disease after diabetes. An important factor contributing to the increase in blood pressure is obesity. Being overweight raises blood pressure and accounts for 65-75% of the initial hypertension, which is the main cause of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. The aim of the work was to study renal function in patients with arterial hypertension, depending on the nutritional status of patients. Materials and methods. A prospective study included 47 stable outpatients with stage II arterial hypertension (left ventricular hypertrophy) of the 1st to 3rd degree, (24 women and 23 men), the average age was 55.7 (8.9) years. The mean disease duration was 14 (3.2) years. The control group included 28 relatively healthy people without arterial hypertension (15 women and 9 men), the average age was 56.0 (6.6) years. All patients were evaluated for complaints, medical history, smoking status, physical examination with anthropometric indicators (height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference), heart rate and blood pressure. The risk of cardiovascular events was also determined in accordance with the SCORE scale. The nutritional status was evaluated based on bioimpedancemetry data (Omron analyzer) with determination of the percentage of total fat, muscle mass and visceral fat. To determine the functional state of the kidneys, the level of total protein in blood serum, creatinine and albumin in the urine was determined, with the determination of the albumin creatinine ratio in a single portion of urine, the glomerular filtration rate were calculated. Results and conclusions. In patients with arterial hypertension, a change in nutritional status was detected in the form of an increase in the amount of total adipose tissue against a background of a decrease in muscle tissue pool, with the development of sarcopenia in combination with obesity. Also, patients developed hypertensive nephropathy. It was found that the BMI is not informative enough to determine nutritional status, but requires the use of bioimpedancemetry to determine the percentage of total fat, visceral fat and muscle mass.


The response of aged CD4 T cells to vaccines is less than that of young T cells resulting in ineffectiveness of many current vaccines and contributing to the greater susceptibility of the aged to new infections. We find that activation of DC by TLR ligands (*DC), used as APC for naive CD4 T cells, induces their production of high levels of IL-6 that improve aged CD4 T expansion, cytokine production and survival. Importantly, this enhances their ability to differentiate into T follicular helper cells that promote long-term B cell responses and sustained antibody production, a key to vaccine-induced immunity. The enhanced helper function of aged CD4 T cells is lost if the *DC cannot make IL-6, while effects of *DC on young CD4 T cells are not IL-6 dependent. This suggests that loss of responsiveness to IL-6 is central to the aged defects of CD4 T cells. We find that in vitro IL-6 signaling of the aged is blunted such that the dose of IL-6 required to achieve a particular level of IL-6R internalization and phosphorylation of STAT3 is higher in the aged vs. young naïve CD4 T cells. Clearly, the ability of aged CD4 T cells to respond to the strong *DC-mediated IL-6 signal during their interaction is still intact and can restore their function to that comparable to young cells. This *DC-based vaccine strategy to localize pro-inflammatory cytokines to the Ag-specific CD4 T cells, also avoids counterproductive and often-dangerous bystander effects of adjuvants given systemically.


Current COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire globe. While there was no vaccine neither any specific treatment, investigational use of convalescent plasma has been explored in clinical trials. A prospective multicenter study of convalescent plasma was conducted. Donors were tested for total Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) and RT-PCR for COVID-19. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to detect semi-quantitative and quantitative IgG anti-SARS-COV-2 antibodies. IgG Immunofluorescence-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) was used to recheck seronegative donors. A total of 400 donors were enrolled. Twelve donors were SARS-CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR. Nine of 12 donors had developed SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, while in 3 donors antibodies were not developed. A total of 70 donors (17.5%) were deferred due to seronegative status; 64 (16%) of them did not develop antibodies when plasma collection was planned. The IgG semiquantitative ELISA was positive in 282 and quantitative in 284 of 330 donors with a mean value of >1:160 and 44.10±39.22 IU/ml respectively. A total of 116 (29%) donors did not show IgG humoral response to COVID-19 even 28 days from the onset of illness. Subsequently, LFIA method was able to detect IgG antibodies in 20 of 48 (41.6%) seronegative donors and in 20 of 34 (58.8%) ECLIA positive ELISA negative donors. Viral RNA detection in recovered asymptomatic patients with concomitant IgG antibodies indicates recovery. Inability to detect antibodies by different testing kits may be due to their different antigenic targets or sensitivity. Significance of a positive COVID-19 RT-PCR in asymptomatic recovered patients is yet to be determined.


We present a new approach to convergence rate results for variational regularization. Avoiding Bregman distances and using image space approximation rates as source conditions we prove a nearly minimax theorem showing that the modulus of continuity is an upper bound on the reconstruction error up to a constant. Applied to Besov space regularization we obtain convergence rate results for 0, 2, q- and 0, p, p-penalties without restrictions on p, q ∈ (1, ∞). Finally we prove equivalence of Hölder-type variational source conditions, bounds on the defect of the Tikhonov functional, and image space approximation rates.


Young children write to learn the alphabetic code, take notes to help them remember, and provide meaningful text to others. These are cognitively and linguistically complex processes. Reciprocal relationships among the development of writing, the purposes of writing, and the learners of interest impact instructional approaches and student outcomes. Teachers can increase success when they provide explicit and systematic self-regulation and writing instruction, view children as collaborators in the process, provide scaffolding that gradually shifts the responsibility to the children, and adapt instruction to meet the abilities and interests of the children. Effective instructional practices for young children with disabilities or who are at risk, are presented, for example, scaffolded writing, the use of graphic organizers, and self-regulated strategy development.


Rewilding is discussed here as a relatively new but contested discourse and practice in Europe. Rewilding represents an additional, entrepreneurial and somewhat bold strategy in biodiversity conservation, which aims for a return to more natural processes in places that have predominantly become shaped by human interventions. By allowing more space for nature to do its 'own' work, prominent organizations like Rewilding Europe propose to experiment with forms of passive management after initial interventions have secured basic conditions for 'natural' processes to re-occur in pilot areas across Europe. This approach is considered promising for local conservation initiatives and nature entrepreneurs (e.g. ecotourism), yet challenges traditional land use practices – including traditional biodiversity policies – in the light of the unforeseeable outcomes of rewilding experiments.


The intelligent transportation system has generated a strong need for the development of intelligent camera systems to meet the requirements of sophisticated applications, such as electronic toll collection (ETC), traffic violation detection and automatic parking lot control. In order to achieve the highest levels of accuracy in detection, these cameras must have high speed electronic shutters, high resolution, high frame rate, and communication capabilities. A progressive scan interline transfer CCD camera, with its high speed electronic shutter and resolution capabilities, provides the basic functions to meet the requirements of a traffic camera system. Unlike most industrial video imaging applications, traffic cameras must deal with harsh environmental conditions and an extremely wide range of light. Optical character recognition is a critical function of a modern traffic camera system, with detection and accuracy heavily dependent on the camera function. In order to operate under demanding conditions, communication and functional optimization is implemented to control cameras from a roadside computer. The camera operates with a shutter speed faster than 1/2000 sec. to capture highway traffic both day and night. Consequently camera gain, pedestal level, shutter speed and gamma functions are controlled by a look-up table containing various parameters based on environmental conditions, particularly lighting. Lighting conditions are studied carefully, to focus only on the critical license plate surface. A unique light sensor permits accurate reading under a variety of conditions, such as a sunny day, evening, twilight, storms, etc. These camera systems are being deployed successfully in major ETC projects throughout the world.


This article investigates how different strategies used by interviewers when recording interviewer observations relate to observation accuracy. Before conducting interviews in a refreshment sample of the general population for the German PASS panel study, interviewers were asked to observe one key target variable of the study -- whether a household is at risk of poverty or not -- for all sampled households. In addition, interviewers recorded what strategies they had used to make their observations. For responding households, we assessed the accuracy of the observation by comparing it to an actual survey measure of poverty risk. Separate multilevel regression models attempting to explain the observed interviewer variance in observation accuracy for two types of households (those at risk and not at risk of poverty) using case-level strategies and aggregate interviewer tendencies reveal unique strategies that result in more accurate observations for each type of household. An aggregate fixed-effects model then reveals strategies that prove to be effective regardless of the type of household when accounting for unobserved interviewer heterogeneity.


Very deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) yield state of the art results on a wide variety of visual recognition problems. A number of state of the the art methods for image recognition are based on networks with well over 100 layers and the performance vs. depth trend is moving towards networks in excess of 1000 layers. In such extremely deep architectures the vanishing or exploding gradient problem becomes a key issue. Recent evidence also indicates that convolutional networks could benefit from an interface to explicitly constructed memory mechanisms interacting with a CNN feature processing hierarchy. Correspondingly, we propose and evaluate a memory mechanism enhanced convolutional neural network architecture based on augmenting convolutional residual networks with a long short term memory mechanism. We refer to this as a convolutional residual memory network. To the best of our knowledge this approach can yield state of the art performance on the CIFAR-100 benchmark and compares well with other state of the art techniques on the CIFAR-10 and SVHN benchmarks. This is achieved using networks with more breadth, much less depth and much less overall computation relative to comparable deep ResNets without the memory mechanism. Our experiments and analysis explore the importance of the memory mechanism, network depth, breadth, and predictive performance.


In this study, filler material and %25, 50, 75 and 100 volume ratio waste marble dust which can be used in place of filler material, added to 300 and 350 dosages concrete obtained by adding glass fibre in four diffferent ratios. Splitting tensile strength, compressive strength, porosity and ultrasonic pulse velocity of obtained sample is detected. Approximate estimation of splitting tensile strength performed via selecting dosages, amount of aggregate, fibre ratio, marble dust ratio, porosity, ultrasonic pulse velocity and splitting tensile strength as an input of Artificial Neural Network (ANN). As a result of this study, developed ANN model compared with the obtained experimental values and it was detected that results match with each other.


Introduction: Chronic daily headache (CDH) represents a temporal profile of headache (15+ days/month; 4+ hours/day; >6 months). We report the first comprehensive and largest levetiracetam (LEV) trial in CDH. Methods: A 27-week, multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over, phase III B study assessed efficacy of a target of 3 g/day LEV of 6 placebo tablets/day in CDH. Primary efficacy was headache-free rate (HFR) while secondary parameters were loss of diagnostic criteria; severity; duration; disability; associated features; pain; and quality of life. Results: Ninety-six patients were recruited (baseline HFR 10.4 ± 14.6%; median 0%). At onset of history 73 (74.1%) had migraine +/− aura and 35 (36.5%) had tension-type headache (TTH). Over the six months preceding recruitment 54 (56.3%) had migraine and 42 (43.8%) had TTH. Headache history was 22.6 ± 15.0 years (median 20.0). Eighty-eight received placebo and 89 received LEV with >80 receiving stable dose in either arm. LEV achieved 3.9% increased HFR over placebo, showing a trend but not significance. There was 9.9% increase in loss of CDH diagnostic criteria re: headache days/month for LEV over placebo (p = .0325), reduced disability (p = .0487) and reduced pain severity for LEV (p = .0162). The Short-Form Quality of Life assessment instrument (SF-36) showed impaired mental health on LEV (p = .001). Discussion: These findings conflict with reports of LEV efficacy, mandating placebo control in headache trials. Primary efficacy equated to one extra headache-free day/month with reduced disability and pain intensity. Mental health was reduced on LEV. The 10% loss of diagnostic criteria, decreased intensity and disability suggest a subpopulation with CDH where LEV remains a therapeutic option.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of saturated fatty acid (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) diets on ethanol pharmacokinetics. Hepatic ADH and plasma carnitines were also evaluated as possible indicators of the mechanism involved.

METHODS
Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed modified AIN76 diets containing 10% coconut oil (SFA) or corn oil (UFA) for 120 days. A single dose (3 g/kg bw) of ethanol (13% solution) was orally administered using a gastric canula on day 30, 90, 105 and 120. Tail vein blood samples were collected at various intervals following ethanol dose and were analyzed for blood-ethanol concentration (BEC). In an analogous trial rats were given these diets for 70 days and blood samples were collected on day 35 and 63 for triglycerides, cholesterol and carnitine determination. The animals were killed on day 70 to collect liver for ADH determination.

RESULTS
Compared to the UFA group, the SFA group exhibited significantly higher BEC, larger area under the curve, longer half-life of ethanol, and lower rates of ethanol elimination. Plasma carnitines were also higher in the SFA vs UFA group. However, hepatic ADH activity was not different between the groups.

CONCLUSION
Dietary SFA protects liver from alcohol injury by retarding ethanol metabolism, and carnitine may be involved.


The present study examined specific aspects of individuals' personal strivings as mediators, and religious tradition as a moderator, of the relationship between intrinsic religiousness and mental health. In a sample of 268 university students, the negative relationship between intrinsic religiousness and hostility was mediated by the degree of sanctification within individuals' strivings. The relationships between intrinsic religiousness and both anxiety and depression were moderated by religious tradition, with Catholics' intrinsic religiousness significantly associated with greater anxiety and depression but Protestants' intrinsic religiousness not significantly associated with either of these mental health variables. Implications of these results for future research on religiousness are discussed.


As the media grows more ruthless, the role of public relations has become increasingly complex and critical. Savvy businesspeople know that how a company conveys and maintains its image has never been more important - or more challenging. "The Handbook of Strategic Public Relations & Integrated Communications" is the definitive guide for communications professionals. Featuring the expertise of the world's foremost public relations and marketing authorities, it is the first book of its kind to combine the art and science of marketing, public relations and communications in one single resource. An indispensable reference guide to the best practices in every industry, this handbook features more than 40 information-packed chapters authored by the best minds in the business and covers cutting-edge tips, topics and techniques such as: Crisis management; Marketing public relations; Client-agency relationships; Environmental public relations; High-tech PR; And more!


Objectives Transferred emergency general surgery (EGS) patients experience worse outcomes than directly admitted patients. Improving communication during transfers may improve patient care. We sought to understand the nature of and challenges to communication between referring (RP) and accepting (AP) providers transferring EGS patients from the transfer center nurse's (TCN) perspective. Methods Guided by the Relational Coordination Framework, we interviewed 17 TCNs at an academic medical center regarding (in)efficient and (in)effective communication between RPs and APs. In-person interviews were recorded, transcribed, and managed in NVivo. Four researchers developed a codebook, cocoded transcripts, and met regularly to build consensus and discuss emergent themes. We used data matrices to perform constant comparisons and arrive at higher-level concepts. Results Challenges to ideal communication centered on the appropriateness and completeness of information, efficiency of the conversation, and degree of consensus. Transfer center nurses described that RPs provided incomplete information because of a lack of necessary infrastructure, personnel, or technical knowledge; competing clinical demands; or a fear of the transfer request being rejected. Inefficient communication resulted from RPs being unfamiliar with the information APs expected and the lack of a structured process to share information. Communication also failed when providers disagreed about the necessity of the transfer. Accepting providers diffused tension and facilitated communication by embracing the role of a "coach," negotiating "wait-and-see" agreements, and providing explanations of why transfers were unnecessary. Conclusions Transfer center nurses described numerous challenges to provider communication. Opportunities for improvement include sharing appropriate and complete information, ensuring efficient communication, and reaching consensus about the course of action.


The Wave Glider, a wave-powered unmanned maritime vehicle (UMV), represents a novel and unique approach to persistent ocean presence. Wave Gliders harvest the abundant energy contained in ocean waves to provide essentially limitless propulsion. The Wave Glider can operate as a vessel, covering long distances in the ocean, or as a station-keeping platform. Wave Gliders have demonstrated long open-ocean transits and extended deployments of up to one year. The High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) is an autonomous data logging system optimized for long-term, broad-band marine mammal monitoring. The HARP system includes low-power electronics, high-speed data sampling, large capacity data storage, and batteries for self-contained power. In addition to housing the data logger, a hydrophone was designed to be towed behind the Wave Glider. Together, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Liquid Robotics combined these two technologies to demonstrate a new approach to marine mammal monitoring. Providing a mobile, long-endurance and fully connected platform for acoustic monitoring, the Wave Glider with HARP enables new scientific results and improved economics. Over a series of engineering and scientific evaluations, the HARP system has proven effective for monitoring marine mammals when deployed on the Wave Glider. In this paper, we give an overview of the Wave Glider platform and integrated HARP system, and present results from the extensive engineering sea trials conducted with several prototype and production versions of the vehicle and data logger.


This study primarily aimed to investigate the combined effects of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) sequences on the regenerative processes in atrophied animal muscles. Thirty male New Zealand rabbits, aged 12 weeks, were divided into five groups: normal saline (Group 1), PDRN (Group 2), ESWT (Group 3), PDRN injection before ESWT (Group 4), and PDRN injection after ESWT (Group 5). After 2 weeks of cast immobilization, the respective treatments were administered to the atrophied calf muscles. Radial ESWT was performed twice weekly. Calf circumference, tibial nerve compound muscle action potential (CMAP), and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle thickness after 2 weeks of treatment were evaluated. Histological and immunohistochemical staining, as well as Western blot analysis, were conducted 2 weeks post-treatment. Staining intensity and extent were assessed using semi-quantitative scores. Groups 4 and 5 demonstrated significantly greater calf muscle circumference, GCM muscle thickness, tibial nerve CMAP, and GCM muscle fiber cross-sectional area (type I, type II, and total) than the remaining three groups (p < 0.05), while they did not differ significantly in these parameters. Groups 2 and 3 showed higher values for all the mentioned parameters than Group 1 (p < 0.05). Group 4 had the greatest ratio of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in the GCM muscle fibers compared to the other four groups (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis revealed significantly higher expression of angiogenesis cytokines in Groups 4 and 5 than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The combination of ESWT and PDRN injection demonstrated superior regenerative efficacy for atrophied calf muscle tissue in rabbit models compared to these techniques alone or saline. In particular, administering ESWT after PDRN injection yielded the most favorable outcomes in specific parameters.


The aim of this study was to develop a framework in which the cost-effectiveness of new imaging technologies could be evaluated using data from other countries, while assessing the impact that any differences between the study populations and Australia may have upon the results. Publications reporting the cost-effectiveness or therapeutic impact of positron emission tomography (PET) were re-worked using Australian cost structures. PET was assigned a cost of $950. The effects of potential differences between the populations studied and the Australian population were evaluated by applying sensitivity analysis to those publications that describe decision tree methodology. The parameters included in the sensitivity analysis were disease prevalence and specificity of PET. The Australian cost savings per patient examined by PET were $505.50-$912.41 for investigation of solitary pulmonary nodules, $34.65-$360.03 for lung cancer staging, $550.08 for axillary staging of breast cancer, $230.75-$2301.27 for assessment of recurrent colorectal cancer and $300.24-$2069.65 for assessment of myocardial viability. Significant differences in disease prevalence and PET specificity could occur while the cost-effectiveness of PET was preserved. Decision tree sensitivity analysis can demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic imaging modalities in Australia and provides indications that PET is cost-effective for a range of clinical indications.


Growing demand for sustainable products has led to increased interest in the use of paperboard as a structural material. Paperboard products are almost exclusively manufactured by embossing, pulp molding, and bending processes. Other well-known forming methods, such as deep or stretch drawing, are only rarely applied to paperboard. This is primarily ascribed to the lack of knowledge concerning the process design and limits when paperboard is employed. In the present work, the applicability of well-established design strategies and characterization methods for metals to paperboard is investigated. Therefore, forming limit diagrams for paperboard are determined in a first step. Additionally, significant material parameters are identified in order to describe the material influence upon the forming limit. Furthermore, the influence of a hydrostatic counter pressure onto the forming limit is investigated. To predict the forming behaviour of a complex formed paperboard demonstration part, a numerical model of a hydroforming process is set up, executed, and validated.


Boccaccio's Trattatello in laude di Dante is notoriously unreliable as an historical biography of the poet. Much of what is doubtful in the Trattatello has been blamed on simple misinformation, the influence of literary convention, the misreading of Dante's works, or pure invention on the part of the author. Especially susceptible to objection has been the Trattatello's representation of Dante's personal character. Leonardo Bruni, the first to offer an assessment, found Boccaccio's portrayal of Dante distorted and inadequate, and Bruni's pronouncement established an interpretative commonplace from which critical opinion has never been entirely free: "It seemed to me that our Boccaccio … described the life and manners of so sublime a poet just as though he were writing the Filocolo, or the Filostrato, or the Fiammetta, for he is all full of love and sighs and burning tears, as though the man had been born into this world merely to turn up in those ten days … related in the Centonovelle [Decameron]."


The research activities of the Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort, from its inception in 1908 until recent times are reviewed in this first article of a series on nematode epidemiology of sheep and cattle. While the taxonomic and certain biological aspects of the subject and the testing of anthelmintic compounds have been well covered on the whole in various parts of the country, the testing of control methods under field conditions has largely been neglected. It is suggested that all known methods of integrated worm control should be scrutinized and the most promising methods be tested under practical farming conditions in the country to reduce our dependence on anthelmintic compounds for worm control. Furthermore, unless we are able to employ the available anthelmintics to better advantage and thus reduce the tempo of selection for resistance, the situation may well develop where highly effective remedies are no longer available for worm control.


We propose a content based image retrieval system based on object extraction through image segmentation. A general and powerful multiscale segmentation algorithm automates the segmentation process, the output of which is assigned novel colour and texture descriptors which are both efficient and effective. Query strategies consisting of a semi-automated and a fully automated mode are developed which are shown to produce good results. We then show the superiority of our approach over the global histogram approach which proves that the ability to access images at the level of objects is essential for CBIR.


antara Abstract. We study the Fubini property of ideals on ! and prove that the Solecki's ideal S is critical for this property in the Katetov order. We show that a well-known F -ideal is critical for Hausdor ultrafilters in the Katetov order, and by investigating the position of this ideal in the Katetov order, we show some of the known properties of this class of ultrafilters, including the Fubini property.


Introduction. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative nonmotile,
 encapsulated bacterium. It is a significant opportunistic pathogen,
 especially in hospital conditions, where most multidrug- resistant strains
 are present. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of
 hospital infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and the incidence of
 antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, routinely
 isolated from patients at the Clinical of Infectious Diseases of the
 Clinical Center of Vojvodina, in the period from January 1, 2013 to December
 31, 2017. Material and Methods. A retrospective study included 1.647
 patients with a diagnosis of infectious diseases of bacterial etiology
 treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Center of
 Vojvodina. The analysis of primo-isolates from patient material (blood,
 urine, cerebrospinal fluid, wound/decubitus and throat cultures) was
 performed to examine the incidence of infections caused by Klebsiella
 pneumoniae and its antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics. Results. During
 the five-year study period, 93 primo-isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were
 isolated from urine cultures 52/272 (19.1%), throat swabs 13/108 (12%),
 wound swabs 12/120 (10.0%), blood cultures 13/285 (4.6%) and one isolate
 from the liver 1/47 (2.1%). Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates showed the
 highest sensitivity to tigecycline and colistin (100%). During the study,
 Klebsiella pneumoniae showed resistance to carbapenem in up to 100%,
 depending on isolates and the year of study. Conclusion. Klebsiella
 pneumoniae is a common cause of nosocomial infections. It is sensitive only
 to tigecycline and colistin (100%), and its resistance to carbapenems and
 other antibiotics is a major health concern.


Abstract A group of homochiral imidazolium salts bearing hydrophobic camphor derived moiety and ester or amide functional group were synthesized and characterized. The novel imidazolium bromides were tested as antimicrobial and antifungal agents and their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated and compared to clinically used benzalkonium bromide (BAB) and carbethopendecinium bromide. The MIC values of amide derivatives 2a and 2b were slightly smaller than those for BAB, indicating their good activity. None of the prepared salts was more effective than carbethopendecinium bromide. The biocidal efficacy of amide derivatives was much higher compared to the ester analogues.


The continuous expansion of the Thai economy over several years has put the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) on alert to the more careful planning of the power operation, expansion and development of power technology. Demand for power both quantity and quality are increasing as customer operation becomes more sensitive to fluctuation and disruption. It is necessary for EGAT to improve power system reliability in order to meet all customer demand, both quantity and quality, which contributes to the nation's investment. The author discusses the electrical demand, generation development, transmission development, and operational control.


1. This study establishes the presence of UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity for non-steroidal as well as steroidal substrates, in cultured human B-lymphocytes. Glucuronidation of alpha-naphthol and testosterone was demonstrated in homogenates of two cell lines, SN1006 and RPMI-1788, and that of phenolphthalein, 4-methylumbelliferone, p-nitrophenol and estradiol in the cell line with the higher glucuronyltransferase activity, SN1006. 2. Kinetic studies of testosterone glucuronidation in homogenates of both cell lines revealed a similarity in the behaviour of glucuronyltransferase of these cells. Thus, comparable apparent Km values for UDPGA (0.63 mM) and for testosterone (14 microgram) were observed, although apparent maximal velocities, Vmax, differed several-fold (3.0 versus 0.55 pmol/10(6) cells per min, in SN1006 and RPMI-1788 cells, respectively). 3. Kinetic studies of glucuronidation of testosterone, estradiol, phenolphthalein, alpha-naphthol, 4-methylumbelliferone, and p-nitrophenol yielded comparable apparent Km values for UDPGA (0.56-0.67 mM), suggesting that the same, or similar, glucuronyltransferase(s) catalyse(s) glucuronidation of this wide range of substrates in lymphocytes. This was reinforced by the observation of competitive inhibition of testosterone glucuronidation by alpha-naphthol (Ki 0.25mM), 4-methylumbelliferone (Ki 0.8mM) and p-nitrophenol (Ki 0.8 mM). Thus, lymphocyte glucuronyltransferase activity with a broad substrate specificity, for steroidal and non-steroidal aglycones, is indicated.


Although households' general preference for low-density residential environments is well documented in the literature, little research in geography and urban planning has explicitly investigated how many and which households experience a state of mismatch in terms of land-use patterns between their preferred residential neighborhood type and the type of neighborhood where they currently reside. Using data from 1358 commuters living in three communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, in this study we find that nearly a quarter of the residents live in a neighborhood type that does not match their land-use related preferences. The results of an investigation of the determinants of such dissonance are consistent with existing knowledge about residential preferences. It is shown that single suburban dwellers and large households and families in the city are more likely to be mismatched, or experience higher levels of mismatch in terms of neighborhood type. Further, the extent of mismatch is clearly related to automobile orientation, as well as to lifestyles and personality traits. The results suggest that policies aiming to attract a diverse market to neotraditional, high-density neighborhoods may not be as effective as decisionmakers and planners hope. If a broad range of households is artificially attracted to such new developments (for example, through providing financial advantages or other policy incentives), this might on average result in lower levels of residential satisfaction, higher residential mobility, lower sense of community, and enduring auto dependency. On the other hand, it is encouraging to see that there is also a substantial proportion of suburban dwellers preferring high-density environments. Relaxation of land-use laws in existing suburban communities might be successful in reducing residential neighborhood type dissonance for these types of suburban dwellers, but perhaps at the cost of increasing dissonance for the suburbanites preferring lower densities. It would be valuable to investigate whether there is a mix of densities and uses that would optimally satisfy both types of preferences.


This research aims to analyze the occurrence of structure shifts in grammatical complexity and voice change in Frank Baum's The Marvelous Land Of Oz and its translated version. This research also aims to analyze the reason of the occurrence of that structure shifts and the impact of those structure shifts on transferring messages from the source language to the target language. This study is in bilingual translation which includesEnglish text as the source language and Bahasa Indonesiatext as the target language.
This research is adescriptive qualitative research. The data of structure shift taken from the English-Indonesian translation The Marvelous Land of Oz. The instruments of this research are the researcher and the data sheets. The discussion of this research is based on the frequency of the occurrence of the grammatical complexity change and the voice change.
The result of the research shows that there are many data which contain structure shifts in the two versions of the novel. The most frequency of structureshifts are in grammatical complexity change which constitute78 cases from the total number of 107data.The occurrences of voice shiftare8 cases. There are 21 data which bring about grammatical complexity change and voice shift all together. Among those type of structure shift, the grammatical complexity change is most frequently used by the translator. It is because the grammatical systems between the source language and the target language are different. Then, the data which are collected are analyzed into meaning equivalence. The meaning equivalence is categorized into equivalent (complete, increased, and decreased) and non- equivalent (different). There are 52 data of complete, 9 data of increased, 43 data of decreased, and 3 data of different meaning. It means that the messages of the source language are transferred as equally as possible in the target language. From the explanations, it can conclude that shift are used to make appropriate, to get clearer and natural translation.


Implementation of privacy preservation of data on cloud storage is tedious and complex. Cloud is a third party on – demand service to hold data for a specific period. There is no assurance from the cloud storage providers about the security of data. It is necessary to provide some security to data. Cryptographic algorithms are required to provide security to the data on cloud. The aim of the research is to develop a method which combines Artificial Neural Network and Three fish algorithm for the secured transaction of images. Images are large in size and more sensitive comparing to normal text. The proposed method provides security to image with low computation cost comparing to existing methods. The research is implemented in privacy and public clouds. The generated results prove the proposed research is more efficient in terms of compression ratio, mean square error, normalized absolute error, time, and space efficiency.


Embedded systems are omnipresent in our daily lives and rapidly gaining more and more importance, with performance improvements and technological evolutions in several directions. One of the most promising directions of evolution is in their interconnection. Already today there is a broad variety of use cases for interconnected embedded systems (automobiles, airplanes, automated production halls, etc.) and the most cutting edge examples demand the distributed embedded systems to tightly couple their operation. As a direct result of this tight coupling, stringent requirements on the underlying communication network immediately arise. The Internet-of-Things (IoT) as a discipline and movement to systematically connect distributed embedded systems on large or even Internet-like scales, promises a new generation of systems and system-of-systems. In order to also enable tight coupling of embedded systems in the IoT, there is a need for deterministic communication channels with predictable and low communication latency and jitter. In this paper we discuss how synchronous deterministic channels can be developed for the IoT by application of the time-triggered communication paradigm and other technology standards currently under development.