This prospective study, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a theoretical framework, was carried out to identify the determinants of repeat attendance and attendance patterns in organised breast screening. A group of 2657 women filled out a baseline questionnaire, approximately 8 weeks after having been invited for an initial screening in the Dutch Breast Cancer Screening Programme. Data on actual attendance in second and third screening round were subsequently collected. Personal variables such as family history of breast cancer, breast cancer in someone close and fear of breast cancer were not related to repeat attendance. The TPB variables could explain approximately 17% of the variance in attendance in the second and third round. Maintenance behaviour (consistent attendance vs. dropout) was related to the TPB variables, but the amount of variance explained was only 6%. Initiation of behaviour (consistent refusal vs. delayed attendance) also was related to TPB variables, with a substantially higher amount of explained variance than with maintenance behaviour. Results indicate that the TPB variables are more related to the initiation of screening behaviour than to the maintenance of screening behaviour. Implications of these findings for breast cancer screening are discussed.


The present study reports our experience with five renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with brain metastases treated with sunitinib and radiotherapy. All patients had undergone radical nephrectomy. Before treatment with sunitinib, radiotherapy for brain metastases, either by γ‐knife surgery or whole brain radiation, was carried out. After treatment with sunitinib, shrinkage of brain metastases was achieved in all patients with complete response, partial response and stable disease in two, one and two patients, respectively. Although progression of brain metastases occurred in four of the five patients, additional γ‐knife surgery was effective in three patients. Over a 12.5‐month follow up, four patients, including three who maintained their best response, remained alive. The remaining one patient died of disease progression. Despite the observation of several adverse events after treatment with sunitinib, there was no intracerebral hemorrhage in any patient. These findings suggest that sunitinib combined with radiation therapy can be safely carried out in RCC patients with brain metastases and provides a favorable prognosis in these cases. However, considering their frequent progression, it would be important to carry out careful follow up for these patients by focusing on the control of brain metastases.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the element distribution features and syndrome combination laws of coronary heart disease angina.

METHODS
The syndrome database of 2 029 patients with coronary heart disease angina was established to study the syndrome elements and syndrome combination laws.

RESULTS
(1) The syndrome element distribution of coronary heart disease angina was featured as: blood stasis > qi deficiency > phlegm turbid > yin deficiency > phlegm turbid with more warm property > yang deficiency > stagnant qi > phlegm turbid with more cold > cold coagulation. Of them, qi deficiency and blood stasis were the main two syndrome elements, and phlegm turbid with more warm and yin deficiency also occupied important positions. (2) Syndrome combination laws of coronary heart disease angina: three elements syndrome and two elements syndrome were dominant. The combination of sthenia syndrome element and asthenia syndrome element was the most important combination laws. Qi deficiency and blood stasis was the main combination form.

CONCLUSIONS
Qi deficiency, yin deficiency, phlegm turbid, and blood stasis form four key links of its pathogenesis, in which, qi deficiency and blood stasis was the most basic pathogenesis. The syndrome element combination had some laws.


On the basis of the increasing interest for the selection of beverages, this study aimed to evaluate the contents of nutrients and health·functional elements in the beverages. Total 161 beverages that bear nutrition lable (NL) as nutrition table and health·functional elements information were collected and classified to 8 groups. The evaluated nutrients that are obligatory for NL in Korea were total calorie, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and sodium. Presented values showed that milk & yogurt and soy milk are the most wholesome beverages while the total caloric contents also were higher among 8 groups. Sodium contents in soy milk were higher than any other groups. The caloric contents of other beverage groups come mainly from carbohydrate presumably simple sugar. The caloric content of sports drinks is the lowest but the sodium content is variable among products showing the range of 0 - 100 ㎎/100 ㎖. Nonobligatory nutrients for NL frequently expressed are Ca, Fe, vitamin C, folate, and dietary fiber. Their content per serving size does not exceed the tolerable upper intake level, however, habitual multiple intakes of certain product require attention for the prevention of overintakes. Many health·functional elements as catechin, carnitine, polyphenol, and nucleic acids etc were listed in NL without presenting the content and their functions appear to be exaggerated compared to the known scientific evidence.


Obesity has been related to a chronic pro-inflammatory state affecting white adipose tissue (WAT), which has a great impact on carbohydrate, lipid and energy metabolism. In turn, the dysregulation of adipokine secretion derived from the accumulation of excess lipids in adipocytes further contributes to the development of insulin resistance and can be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to determine whether sexual dimorphism found in the systemic insulin sensitivity profile is related to sex differences in a high-fat diet (HFD) response of gonadal WAT at mitochondrial function and inflammatory profile levels. Wistar rats (10 weeks old) of both sexes were fed a control pelleted diet (3 % (w/w) fat; n 8 for each sex) or a HFD (24 % (w/w) fat; n 8 for each sex). Serum insulin sensitivity markers, mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors and the protein content of insulin and adiponectin signalling pathways were analysed, as well as the levels of the main markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, antioxidant defence and oxidative damage. In the present study, the periovarian depot exhibits a greater expandability capacity, along with a lower hypoxic and pro-inflammatory state, without signs of mitochondrial dysfunction or changes in its dynamics. In contrast, epididymal fat has a much more pronounced pro-inflammatory, hypoxic and insulin-resistant profile accompanied by changes in mitochondrial dynamics, probably associated with HFD-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, this explains the worse serum insulin sensitivity profile of male rats.


A 1-V quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO) using subharmonic and injection-locked techniques (SHIL-QVCO) is presented. Instead of using the traditional transformer-coupling LC tank with a large area to implement the quadrature output, we use a frequency-doubled differential pair with an injection-locked method. The proposed QVCO is implemented with a TSMC 0.18- μm 1P6M CMOS process having a 1.4 × 0.67 × mm2 chip area. This QVCO has the advantages of low phase noise and low power consumption. Experimental results show that the QVCO has a phase noise of - 126 dBc/Hz at an offset frequency of 1 MHz and a power consumption of 4.9 mW to achieve a 186 figure of merit. Moreover, a tuning frequency between 2.17 and 2.52 GHz can be obtained with a tuning voltage range of 0-1 V for the IEEE 802.15.4.


This research seeks to improve the fertilizer use efficiency, particularly potassium nutrient, and to minimize any possible dose losses. The improvement was applied by the use of foliar sprays by encapsulated potassium element into biodegradable polymer. The potassium polylactic acid microspheres (K-PLA) were characterized by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).  Piratical size and zeta potential measurements were investigated. Thermal behavior (TGA and DTA) was studied. In capsulation percentage of potassium into PLA microspheres was 4.5 W %. Cumulative release was estimated by inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), the maximum cumulative release was 3.74 % after 12 hours. Washington Navel orange trees treated with uploaded potassium (K 2 O) and loaded potassium (K-PLA) or in their mixture (three times in the year) during two successive seasons 2015 and 2016 in private orchard located at El-Kalubia Governorate to evaluate the dual benefit (yield and fruit quality).  The results showed that, the sole treatments significantly increase yield and fruit quality than control (zero % K formulation). However, K-PLA can stabilize K and can significant improve yield and coloring percentage than uploaded K. Both treatments decrease juice acidity %. Whereas, increase content of total soluble solids and vitamin C especially K-PLA (100 %) and ascending order with applying formulations (75% K 2 O+ 25% K-PLA), (50% K 2 O+ 50% K-PLA) and (25% K 2 O+ 75% K-PLA). It can be recommendation, foliar spray of Washington Navel orange orchards by loaded potassium formulation is promising to improve the dual benefit, providing fertilizers and environmentally safe.


Lost Details Changes in ocean circulation are commonly inferred by differences between the distribution of carbon isotopes in the past and now, but making such comparisons neglects the fact that modern fossil fuel burning has modified the carbon isotopic composition of the ocean. This in turn obscures details about recent mass movement of water. Olsen and Ninnemann (p. 658) correct for this effect in the North Atlantic and show that the natural distribution of carbon isotopes has more detail and is clearly related to water mass distributions. The results change some important ideas about glacial-interglacial ocean variations within the context of modern climate variability. The preanthropogenic distribution of carbon isotopes in the North Atlantic provides a correct baseline for climate studies. The carbon isotopic composition (13C/12C, expressed as δ13C) of fossil foraminifera is the primary tracer used to infer changes in past ocean ventilation, and its variations are interpreted by using the modern oceanic δ13C distribution as a framework. However, the present ocean δ13C distribution is strongly overprinted by isotopically light anthropogenic carbon dioxide. A correction for this oceanic C-13 Suess effect in the North Atlantic (NA) shows that the pristine NA δ13C distribution has a richer and more detailed structure that is more clearly related to water mass distributions. Our results revise some fundamental perceptions regarding glacial-interglacial ocean δ13C differences and allow paleo-δ13C variations to be understood within the context of modern climate variability.


The paper explores the inherent confusion surrounding the existence of design in two foundation areas of the English National Curriculum. We argue that this is a consequence of a fundamental misunderstanding about the nature of art, design and technology. Whereas technology should be considered as a cross-curricular set of skills and knowledge with a variety of technologies applicable to different subject domains, design more properly belongs to the diffuse subject of art with its range of skills, crafts and cultural knowledge bases. We argue that design and technology can learn from the expressive and open-ended processes of art making. If the practice of design is to operate effectively in the classroom then it needs to embrace more exploratory strategies to playing and making. Teachers of all age groups need to foster a greater engagement with sensory materials to enable pupils to create a context for the making of personal meanings. The notion of the teacher practitioner is a key component and the studio practice of artists and designers provides a useful framework in the adoption of such approaches.


We introduce an explicit set of metrics for human activity based on high-density acceleration recordings from a hip-worn tri-axial accelerometer. These metrics are based on two concepts: (i) Time Active, a measure of the length of time when activity is distinguishable from rest and (ii) AI, a measure of the relative amplitude of activity relative to rest. All measurements are normalized (have the same interpretation across subjects and days), easy to explain and implement, and reproducible across platforms and software implementations. Metrics were validated by visual inspection of results and quantitative in-lab replication studies, and by an association study with health outcomes.


Abstract: Genetic parameters of 9 oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.) populations were estimated at a common garden test. Open-pollinated seeds were collected from 16-27 families for each population. The common garden test was established in 2009 using a randomized complete block design in 25 blocks with single tree plot, with each block included 223 families. Breast height diameter, height and crown diameter were measured at the age of five. The purpose of study was to compare the genetic parameters of optimal and marginal populations and to assess the findings for genetic conservation. The study revealed significant variability in all traits evaluated. In variance components, variation among populations was three times higher than that of families. Individual heritability estimates for breast height diameter, height and crown diameter pooled across the whole dataset (marginal and optimal populations) were 0.21 ± 0.04, 0.27 ± 0.04 and 0.11 ± 0.03 and additive genetic coefficients of variation were 13.4%, 9.1% and 7.1%, respectively. Individual heritability estimates for breast height diameter, height and crown diameter in marginal and optimal populations were 0.27 ± 0.10, 0.19 ± 0.08 and 019 ± 0.08 and 0.19 ± 0.04, 0.29 ± 0.05 and 0.09 ± 0.03, respectively. Additive genetic coefficients of variation for breast height diameter, height and crown diameter were 16.7%, 8.3% and 10.8% in marginal and 12.8%, 9.1% and 6.2% in optimal populations, respectively. While breast height diameter and crown diameter were more heritable for marginal populations, height was more heritable for optimal populations. These findings are discussed in terms of genetic conservation of oriental sweet gum.


The effects of acute, subacute and chronic administration of alkaloids atropine and scopolamine, the main constituents of the active principle of Datura stramonium, with toxic properties, were studied in male Albino-Wistar rats. After acute i.p administration of dose 100 mg/kg (1/4 DL 50 ) of total alkaloids to the seeds of D. stramonium , there were no remarkable changes in general appearance and no deaths occurred in any experimental group. 24 h after total alkaloids of seeds, a significant reduction in tissues (liver, spleen and brain) was observed. The red blood cells (RBC), Hematocrit (HCT), Hemoglobin (HGB) and white blood cells (WBC) were significantly higher in the treated groups than the control group. There were no statistical differences in Glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) observed between groups. Histological examination of liver showed no histopathological changes. Subacute study for four weeks showed no resulting mortality or signs of toxicity. The relative weight of kidneys showed a significant decrease, however, these doses of synthetic alkaloids (5.2 mg/kg of atropine and 2.6 mg/kg of scopolamine) produced significant increase of lungs in comparison with the control group. RBC, HBG, HCT and PLT values of control group were significantly higher than those of the treated group. The enzyme activities of GOT, GPT and ALP were significantly increased. The microscopic examination of liver showed normal conservative lobular architecture and necrotic areas. In chronic study, the synthetic alkaloids administered i.p at daily doses 4.2 mg/kg of atropine and 1.6 mg/kg of scopolamine, did not produce death, However the diarrhoea and hypoactivity were observed. The relative weight of liver was significantly less than that of the control group. The haematological analysis revealed a significant decrease in RBC, HCT, HBG and WBC and we observed manifold centrolobular necrotic areas, and blood congestion and dilated central veins in treated groups.


In this work, we present a robust model of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANET) in order to study information spreading on such topologies. Vehicles are moving along the fastest routes between their starting points and their destinations on a map derived from a real urban topology. Vehicles can exchange information through the use of short-range wireless communication devices. The source of information is a roadside unit which provides packets for the nearby vehicles. These agents can carry and forward messages for others. As a result of the data dissemination, the major part of the system becomes informed quite quickly. Presented results include the investigation of information spreading in the system, e.g. the time evolution of the average awareness, the age distribution of information owned by separate vehicles and the statistical properties of time intervals between information exchange events. It has been shown how the effectiveness of this complex system depends on the density of intelligent devices. Scale-free behavior was found by time series analysis. Our computer simulation results can help to design smart-city applications of the future.


As a unique opportunity to promote medical and biological engineering and science (MBES), the Bologna movement has triggered an initiative by the European MBES community to establish their higher education area by harmonizing the educational programs, specifying minimum qualifications, and establishing criteria for an efficient quality control of education, training, and lifelong learning, which is very high on the list of priorities for the EU. The main objective of the current initiatives within MBES is to establish a general European consensus on guidelines for the harmonization and accreditation of high-quality MBES programs and for the certification and continuing education of professionals working in the healthcare systems. Adoption and adherence to these guidelines will allow mobility in education and employment. Implementing the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) for MBES in cooperation with all relevant groups will also further the professional standing of MBES and the competitiveness of European education, industry, and healthcare systems. A survey of the current status of the EHEA for MBES demonstrates that its implementation is steadily progressing and that its impact will benefit the quality of education and training.


Tidal disruption events (TDEs) probe properties of supermassive black holes (SMBHs), their accretion disks, and the surrounding nuclear stellar cluster. Light curves of TDEs are related to orbital properties of stars falling SMBHs. We study the origin, density, and velocity distributions of bound and unbound stars in the nuclear star cluster, which are causing TDEs as a function of their orbital eccentricity $e$ and energy $E$. These quantities determine near the SMBH the ratio of the orbit's pericenter to tidal disruption radii (denoted as penetration factor, $\beta$). We develop an analytical model for the density and velocity distribution of such stars in the cluster, which agrees well with N-body experiments. Our model extends classical models of angular momentum diffusion in the loss cone. We also derive an analytical model for three characteristic eccentricities in the loss cone: the minimum and maximum value for given $\beta$, respectively, and $e_{\rm lcb}$, which represents the orbital eccentricity defining the boundary between empty and full loss cone regimes. With N-body experiments, we show that stars causing TDEs are distributed between these eccentricity limits on the $e-\beta$ plane. Moreover, we find most of the bound stars between $e_{\rm lcb}$ and $e=1$ (i.e., the full loss cone regime), whereas the remaining bound stars are originating from the empty loss cone regime. This is consistent with the loss cone theory. We propose that the $e-\beta$ distribution of stars in a star cluster or galactic nucleus can be a good tool to diagnose whether the stars can cause TDEs.


This work deals with the implementation of social choice rules using dominant strategies for unrestricted preferences. The seminal Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem shows that only few unappealing social choice rules can be implemented unless we assume some restrictions on the preferences or allow monetary transfers. When monetary transfers are allowed and quasi-linear utilities w.r.t. money are assumed, Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) mechanisms were shown to implement any affine-maximizer, and by the work of Roberts, only affine-maximizers can be implemented whenever the type sets of the agents are rich enough.
In this work, we generalize these results and define a new class of preferences: Preferences which are positive-represented by a quasi-linear utility. That is, agents whose preference on a subspace of the outcomes can be modeled using a quasi-linear utility. We show that the characterization of VCG mechanisms as the incentive-compatible mechanisms extends naturally to this domain. Our result follows from a simple reduction to the characterization of VCG mechanisms. Hence, we see our result more as a fuller more correct version of the VCG characterization.
This work also highlights a common misconception in the community attributing the VCG result to the usage of transferable utility. Our result shows that the incentive-compatibility of the VCG mechanisms does not rely on money being a common denominator, but rather on the ability of the designer to fine the agents on a continuous (maybe agent-specific) scale.
We think these two insights, considering the utility as a representation and not as the preference itself (which is common in the economic community) and considering utilities which represent the preference only for the relevant domain, would turn out to fruitful in other domains as well.


The factors that influence the rise time of the photodiode are investigated and analyzed. Using the obtained results, a photodiode based on a high-ohmic silicon of p-type conductivity with a minimized rise time has been developed. The proposed construction. contains a contact on the back of the crystal of a photodiode, which is not continuous, but has a hole. Such a hole is the projection of a photosensitive element on the reverse side of the crystal of a photodiode. The value of the rise time of this photodiode is no more than 9 ns compared to 37 ns in the FD-255 A analogue.


The high bandwidth required by live streaming video greatly limits the number of clients that can be served by a source using unicast. An ef£cient solution is IP-multicast, but it suffers from poor deployment. Applicationlevel multicast is being increasingly recognized as a viable alternative. In this work, we discuss and evaluate a tree-based overlay network called PeerCast that uses clients to forward the stream to their peers. PeerCast is designed as a live-media streaming solution for peer-to-peer systems that are populated by hundreds of autonomous, short-lived nodes. Further, we argue for the need to take end-host behavior into account while evaluating an application-level multicast architecture. An end-host behavior model is proposed that allows us to capture a range of realistic peer behavior. Using this model, we develop robust, yet simple, tree-maintenance policies. Through empirical runs and extensive simulations, we show that PeerCast provides good QoS, which gracefully degrades with the number of clients. We have implemented a PeerCast prototype, which is available for download.


The current clinicopathologic study for evaluation of superficial bladder cancer still has limitations in predicting the true behavior of recurrence. To determine the high-risk recurrence factors, we studied the influence of Ki-67, c-erbB-2, p53 and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) expression. Samples were obtained from 33 pTa and 46pT1 diagnosed bladder cancer patients with a mean follow-up of 48.7 +/- 30.6 months. The contingency table method, Kaplan-Meier curve and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the association among the immunohistochemical factors expression, clinicopathologic parameters with tumor recurrence. Stage pT1 tumors, sessile tumors and large tumors (> 3 cm) showed a significantly high recurrence rate (p = 0.0158, p = 0.0162, p = 0.0001 respectively). Tumors with overexpression of Ki-67, c-erbB-2 and p53 were more likely to recur (p = 0.0035, p = 0.0027, p = 0.0076 respectively), MRP expression was not associated with recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that large tumors and high Ki-67 expression were independent indicators of recurrence. On the other hand, in tumors less than 1 cm, recurrence was significantly correlated with overexpression of Ki-67 and p53. High Ki-67 expression could discriminate higher recurrence cases in grade 2, pT1 and single tumors. The c-erbB-2 overexpression was more frequently associated with recurrence in sessile tumors, large tumors, multiple and grade 1 tumors. The p53 overexpression also predicted a higher risk of recurrence in pTa tumors. These data demonstrated that the use of proliferative related proteins yields significant prognostic information in addition to clinicopathological factors, high Ki-67 expression is a reliable indicator of recurrence. A combination rather than any factor alone could more accurately predict tumor recurrence.


In this study, the authors compared four multimedia learning arrangements differing in instructional approach on effectiveness and efficiency for learning: (a) hypermedia learning, (b) observational learning, (c) self-explanation–based learning, and (d) inquiry learning. The approaches all advocate learners' active attitude toward the learning material but show differences in the specific learning processes they intend to foster. Learning results were measured on different types of knowledge: conceptual, intuitive, procedural, and situational. The outcomes show that the two approaches asking learners to generate (parts of) the subject matter (either by self-explanations or by conducting experiments) led to better performance on all types of knowledge. However, results also show that emphasis on generating subject matter by the learner resulted in less efficient learning.


This article describes new strategies in teaching reading skills to primary school students based on the finding of Early Grade Reading Assessment instruments implemented in primary schools in Serang Banten, Indonesia. The authors describe the obtained results of the students' skills in reading components. For example, we illustrate the proposed technique of teaching reading to primary school students. Our method shows that improvement in the students' reading ability is moderate; the children are less able to recognize words; meaningless words are still hard to spell; and the students can understand the story well. The new strategy's effectiveness in evaluation is confirmed by calculating how the students recognize letters with a low reading speed of about 2.24 minutes for 100 letters . They could read 30 meaningful words in 3 minutes, but when reading something meaningless the students only read difficult 15 words in 15 minutes. General student reading was good at 86 percent, with only a few students who could not read the text. The students could understand 78 percent of the content of the reading by listening to the story and retelling the story orally. The children who were guided by parents or brothers or sisters had better reading skills. Another finding pertained to the availability of reading books besides textbooks for their reading sources. The new research results develop the students' reading skills and can be used for developing the strategies in teaching student reading skills.


After discovering that numerous turkey flocks experiencing rhinotracheitis in Brittany, France, had antibodies against chlamydia, laboratory studies were conducted to determine whether chlamydia and/or viruses would explain the respiratory disease observed. Although both lentogenic paramyxoviruses of type 1 (Newcastle disease virus) and Chlamydia psittaci were isolated, it was concluded, based on epidemiologic and other laboratory findings, that C. psittaci was the primary cause of the disease.


Increasing the optical range of target detection and recognition continues to be an area of great interest in the ocean environment. Light attenuation limits radiative and information transfer for image formation in water. In this paper, the authors briefly review current methods of imaging and then describe a variation of the spatial interferometric technique that relies upon projected spatial gratings with subsequent detection against a coherent return signal for the purpose of noise reduction and image enhancement. A model is developed that simulates the projected structured illumination through turbid water to a target and its return to a detector. The model shows an unstructured backscatter superimposed upon a structured return signal. The model has been extended to predict what a camera would actually see, so that various noise-reduction schemes can be modeled. Finally, some water-tank tests are presented, validating original hypothesis and model predictions. The method is advantageous in not requiring temporal synchronization between reference and signal beams and may use a continuous illumination source. Spatial coherency of the beam allows for the detection of the direct return, while scattered light appears as a noncoherent noise term.


We consider a setting in which two potential buyers, one with a prior toehold and one without, compete in a takeover modelled as an ascending auction with participating costs. The toeholder is more aggressive during the takeover process because she is also a seller of her own shares. The non-toeholder anticipates this extra-aggressiveness of the toeholder. Thus, the non-toeholder is deterred from participating unless he has a high valuation for the target company. This leads to large inefficiency losses. For many configurations, expected target returns are first increasing then decreasing in the size of the toehold. JEL Classification: D44, G32, G34.


A photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected power conditioning system with the function of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is presented in the paper. It can not only realize photovoltaic generation, but also has full function of shunt active power filter (APF). In addition, it can act as UPS when instantly power interruption occurs. The instantaneous reactive power theory is employed in harmonics current detecting and signal synthesis algorithm of reference current. The proposed control strategy has two control modes (Grid connection mode and UPS mode) which can switch to each other automatically. A dual instantaneous loop control strategy is applied to UPS mode so as to obtain fast responses. The whole system is constructed and simulated in Matlab / Simulink environment. The power qualities under different conditions are given and compared. By analysis of the simulation results, it is shown that the proposed system is feasible and practical.


In the past few years the importance of coronal seal following root canal therapy has been emphasised. Adhesive restorative materials have been used, considering their good bond strength and their sealing ability. In this study, the sealing ability of resin modified glass ionomer has been compared with composite resin used with fifth generation bonding agent (in vitro), using methylene blue dye penetration method. Resin modified glass ionomer showed greater leakage than composite resin, although it was not statistically significant. Further studies are needed to asses the sealing efficacy in clinical situations.


The proliferation of Web 2.0 social networking tools enables the creation of new open teaching and learning spaces. However the adoption of open social networks to encourage collaborative work around Open Educational Resources (OER) is a more recent phenomenon. This paper investigates the use of an open social forum associated with OER to facilitate informal and formal online activity between learners and teachers. The two participants who are lecturers are familiar with the use of closed and password protected online environments.

The developing role of the educator in open social networks is investigated through actual use of OER and open forums for informal learning and the lecturers' attitudes towards use for formal learning are explored. The findings suggest that one lecturer wanted to consider using open environments for formal learning and one lecturer did not. Although the findings in the main are positive, there is a suggestion that facilitative techniques (both human and activity based) need to be further developed to support and sustain learning communication with OER and associated open forums. This paper gives initial feedback about expected and actual usage of OER and open forums for co-operative and collaborative learning.


Two new mononuclear Fe(II) complexes, [FeL1(NCBH3)2] (1) and [FeL2(CN)2]·3H2O (2) (L1 = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine, L2 = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N'-(2-pyridylmethylene)-1,2-ethanediamine) were synthesized from the same starting solution under different atmospheric conditions. Complex 1 was isolated under an N2 atmosphere with an expected molecular structure, namely a tetradentate L1 ligand and two NCBH3(-) co-ligands wrapping an iron(ii) ion. It exhibits a gradual spin crossover centered around 355 K, as confirmed by X-ray crystallography, magnetic, DSC and Mössbauer studies. Complex 2 was isolated in the presence of air. One of the secondary amine groups in L1 undergoes an in situ oxidative dehydrogenation, forming a new monoimine asymmetric ligand L2. Besides, a CN(-) co-ligand is also in situ generated from NCBH3(-) during the reaction. The strong ligand field strength imposed by CN(-) and L2 stabilizes 2 in the LS state. Solvent water molecules in complex 2 are hydrogen bonded into a well-defined 1D water chain. 2 shows a proton conductivity of 8.9 × 10(-5) S cm(-1) at 55 °C and 95% relative humidity.


Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is a dual control mode of ventilation, which uses a closed loop control technique. This mode delivers controlled, time triggered and time cycled breaths when a patient is not breathing. If the patient has spontaneous breaths, it delivers flow cycled breaths and allows the patient to trigger and breathe spontaneously, either in between the controlled breaths or fully spontaneously. This mode is pressure limited for control, assist control and spontaneous breath. The pressure will vary depending on the target tidal volume and uses autoflow throughout the cycle. IntelliVent(R) is a closed loop mode of ventilation, an advance over the ASV mode where the ventilator automatically adjusts settings and optimises ventilation depending on the target settings and physiological information from the patient.


1 A mass spectrometric method originally used in red blood cells was applied to suspensions of isolated colonocytes and intact colonic epithelium to measure the exchange of 18O between HCO3−, CO2 and H2O to determine intracellular carbonic anhydrase activity (Ai) and membrane bicarbonate permeability (P). 2 In suspensions of isolated guinea‐pig colon epithelial cells, colonocytes, we found significantly higher values of Ai and P for cells derived from the proximal colon than for cells from the distal colon. In the case of Ai, this confirms earlier reports. 3 When the 18O exchange process was observed across the mucosal (apical) side of intact colon mucosa, the estimated values of Ai were identical to those obtained for isolated colonocytes, for both the proximal and the distal part of the colon. This is considered to be strong evidence that this method can be applied to a layer of intact epithelium as well as to cell suspensions. 4 The values of P obtained from the apical side of intact colon mucosa were 6 times higher than those estimated from measurements with isolated colonocytes. This indicates that the basolateral membrane of colon epithelium, which participates in the 18O exchange process in isolated colonocytes but not in the 18O exchange process across the apical side of intact mucosa, has a markedly lower bicarbonate permeability than the apical membrane. 5 When the 18O exchange process was observed across the serosal (basolateral) side of intact colon mucosa, the P values, as expected, were low compared with the apical side of intact mucosa. However, rather unexpectedly, the Ai values derived from these measurements were 2–3 times lower than those obtained with isolated colonocytes. It appears possible that the latter finding is an artifact due to the submucosal tissue markedly slowing down CO2 diffusion from the bathing medium into the epithelial cells, thus causing an apparent fall in Ai. 6 A i decreased and P increased with increasing temperature, as expected, when studied on the mucosal side of intact colon. This provides additional support for the validity of the method.


One of the major concerns of Muslims living as a minority in a Western secular
society is the education of their children. For the early Muslim settlers in Australia there
was no formal option, apart from teaching about the faith at home or in the mosque.
The first substantial Muslim emigration to Australia came with organised migration
from Turkey in the late 1960s and after 1975 with Lebanese families escaping civil war
in their homeland. Most of the new arrivals were preoccupied with finding work. Only
later, as mosques and prayer halls were established and community associations formed,
was there a chance to start formalising proposals for some kind of Islamic education
for their children. Until then, most of the children went to state schools, apart from a
few middle class professional families who could afford to send their children to private
schools, with the girls often being sent to single-sex Catholic schools. Since the first two Islamic schools were opened in Australia in 1983, two questions
have come to the fore. Firstly, for Muslims, there is the question of what constitutes
an appropriate 'Islamic' education, while for more (sometimes) hostile elements of the
wider Australian community, do these schools simply further divide Muslim children
from other Australian children and are they promoting what they perceive as unAustralian
values?


A stereoscopic display system based on a wavelength-multiplexed and time-multiplexed technique is introduced. The system includes white LEDs, complementary multiband bandpass filters, 30 double-side-lit light guide bars, and a liquid crystal display panel, as well as a pair of complementary multiband bandpass filter glasses. The LEDs are divided into two groups, and each group is covered with a kind of complementary multiband bandpass filter. They can be controlled by the driving circuit and work in the scanning mode in synchronization with the liquid crystal display panel, as the liquid crystal display panel displaying the left and right images frame by frame. The backlight for the left and right images is sampled by complementary multiband bandpass filter1 and complementary multiband bandpass filter2, respectively, and can only pass through the corresponding glass lens, realizing channel separation. A prototype based on this principle was set up and experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of the system. Double-side-lit backlight with light guide bars ensures the uniformity of the backlight while using fewer LEDs, and therefore reducing power consumption. Brightness through complementary multiband bandpass filter1 and complementary multiband bandpass filter2 is about 50.5 nits and 55.5 nits, respectively. It is demonstrated in our system that the scanning backlight with 30 light guide bars is capable of reducing cross talk to 2.2%. Furthermore, the resolution in the wavelength-multiplexed 3D mode is the same as the physical resolution of the liquid crystal display panel.


We report the detection, from the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) data, of phosphorus in the atmospheres of GD71 and two similar DA white dwarfs. This is the first detection of a trace metal in the photosphere of the spectrophotometric standard star GD71. Collectively, these objects represent the coolest DA white dwarfs in which photospheric phosphorus has been observed. We use a grid of homogeneous non-local thermodynamic equilibrium synthetic spectra to measure abundances of [P/H] =− 8.57 +0.09 , −8.70 +0.23 and −8.36 +0.14 in GD71, RE J1918+595 and RE J0605−482 respectively. At the observed level we find that phosphorus has no significant impact on the overall energy distribution of GD71. We explore possible mechanisms responsible for the presence of this element in these stars, concluding that the most likely is an interplay between radiative levitation and gravitational settling, possibly modified by weak mass loss. Ke yw ords: stars: abundances ‐ stars: individual: GD71 ‐ white dwarfs.


Humans perform everyday tasks using a combination of locomotion and manipulation skills. Building a system that can handle both skills is essential to creating virtual humans. We present a physically-simulated human capable of solving box rearrangement tasks, which requires a combination of both skills. We propose a hierarchical control architecture, where each level solves the task at a different level of abstraction, and the result is a physics-based simulated virtual human capable of rearranging boxes in a cluttered environment. The control architecture integrates a planner, diffusion models, and physics-based motion imitation of sparse motion clips using deep reinforcement learning. Boxes can vary in size, weight, shape, and placement height. Code and trained control policies are provided.


In this paper, we propose a new fast Hough transform to improve the processing time and line detection of Hough transform that is widely used in various vision systems. First, for the fast processing time, we reduce the number of features by using multi-statistical methods and also reduce the dimension of angle through six separate directions. Next, for improving the line detection, we effectively detect the lines of various directions by designing the line detection method which detects line in proportion to the number of features in six separate directions. The proposed method was evaluated with previous methods and obtained the excellent results. The processing time was improved in about 20% to 50% and line detection was performed better in various directions than conventional methods with experimental images.


Developing inhibitory stimulus control over repetitive behavior minimizes the social and learning disruptions caused by this behavior while allowing individuals to continue to access this source of reinforcement at nonproblematic times. These procedures involve allowing repetitive behaviors to occur in some stimulus conditions (S+) and blocking the repetitive behavior in order to disrupt the response–reinforcer relation in other stimulus conditions (S-) such that the onset of the S- period results in rapid and sustained reductions in repetitive behavior. However, the demonstration of stimulus control exerted by the S- has often been confounded with participants' exposure to programmed reductive contingencies (i.e., behavior is reduced due to direct contact with contingencies rather than the programmed antecedent stimuli). The current study both developed and demonstrated the suppressive effects of S- presentation upon repetitive behavior with two children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. These demonstration techniques involved (a) introducing the S- into novel environments without the programmed contingencies that we used to establish discriminative control, (b) evaluating the reductive effects of programmed contingencies with and without the associated discriminative stimuli, and (c) evaluating latencies to the onset of repetitive behavior given S+ and S- presentations.


The economic effects of information differentiation attracted much scholarly attention in the second half of the 20th century. These studies mostly dealt with the impact of differentiation strategies on market structure and the competitive environment. In recent years, however, despite the rapid development of modern technologies used for promotion and communication with consumers and the emergence of new opportunities for using differentiation strategies in competition, there has been a decline in interest in this issue. This article discusses how information advantages of firms are formed and analyzes the influence of differentiation tools on restraints of competition and limitations on entry. The article assesses the influence of information, reputation, and consumer loyalty asymmetry factors on entry barriers and shows the relationship between the level of strategic investment in advertising and market concentration parameters. These factors should be analyzed in order to improve antitrust policies. At the same time, alternative views on the potential of information differentiation as an entry barrier are presented such as the positive impact of the information contained in advertising on the elasticity of demand, consumer awareness, and competition. It is shown that competition agencies should be especially careful when intervening in the advertising strategies of firms. The article also discusses the impact of digitalization processes on modern tools and methods of information differentiation as well as the corresponding entry barriers.


This study aims to evaluate and to compare three different approaches of cataract surgery to patients with previous radial keratotomy (RK), and to analyze the mechanical properties of the cornea after cataract surgery. Three groups of patients, each one including 8 eyes of patients with 16 RK incisions. The first group includes eyes with the first cataract incision superiorly, the second group in the temporal area, the third group in temporal area and a precautionary stabilizing suture across the RK incision adjacent to the main tunnel. In the first group intraoperative dehiscence occurred in three eyes (37.5%): it required immediate application of a suture. In the second group dehiscence occurred intraoperatively in two radial scars (20%): it required immediate application of a suture. In the third group, no intraoperative dehiscences were observed. The stabilizing suture of the RK incision works safer, with a lower risk of dehiscences and less post-operative astigmatism.


Surface doping by atomically dispersed heteroatoms has become one of the most promising strategies for facilitating the catalytic activity of non-noble transition metals to replace platinum-based catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the underlying mechanism for the atomically dispersed heteroatoms to modulate the electronic structure and the HER activity of a metal surface is still ambiguous. Moreover, the active catalytic region is limited by the small fraction of doped atoms, and the remaining basal surface is inactivated. Here, we demonstrate that the nitrogen doping is atomically dispersed on the palladium surface, which can achieve the near-thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption and promote the HER activity of the basal surface. The theoretical modeling reveals that the dispersed nitrogen atoms attract electrons from palladium and downdrift the d-band center for accelerating the hydrogen desorption. Our work offers understandings of atomically dispersed nitrogen doping on the surface of transition metals and paves the way for a further optimization of nonprecious-metal HER electrocatalysts.


Abstract Autogenous rib cartilage graft procedure for microtia reconstruction has been adopted as the most standardized current method. But calcification would make it difficult for cartilage harvesting and ear framework sculpting. The objective of this study was to explore the rate, degree, and pattern of rib cartilage calcification in microtia and to guide rib cartilage harvesting and the optimal timing of auricular reconstruction. A retrospective study was performed with the imaging data from 320 consecutive patients who received a preoperative 3-dimensional chest computed tomography (CT). Overall, calcification rate of cartilages in female patients was higher than male's (P < 0.05). In 6 to 15 years group, calcification rates of male and female had a similar rate, while female's were higher than male's in other 3 groups. Furthermore, the moderate-to-severe calcification rate was higher in female than in male patients (P < 0.001). Therefore, girls who are over 15 years should be paid more attention regarding the possibility of moderate-to-severe calcification; these patients should take CT examinations if necessary. Calcification rate of the youngest group (6–15 years) was the lowest of all groups, while other 3 groups showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). So merely the age increasing is not the contradiction for cartilage harvesting, as long as the authors effectively evaluate the condition of rib cartilage before operation. Rib cartilages serve as the key material in auricular framework sculpting and determine the feasibility and outcomes of the surgery. So CT examinations for preoperative evaluation of rib cartilage could be a useful method for planning microtia reconstruction.


When measuring the surface segregation towards the vacuum in films of an asymmetric blend of deuterated polystyrene (dPS) and poly(styrene-4-co-bromostyrene) (PBrxS) (NdPS : NPBrxS = 3.76) a jump in the surface excess z* of dPS was observed when the binodal of the blend was approached from the one-phase region. This jump can be interpreted as surface phase transition, if gradient terms are included in the bare surface free energy FS of the blend. Such gradient terms have been recently proposed in theoretical work on polymer blends and surfaces.


Currently, solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is considered a reproducible,
flexible, and low-cost synthesis method for the preparation of nanomaterials. A new trend in the
SCS method is the use of less polluting fuels, such as starch. The use of starch as fuel in SCS is very
interesting for green chemistry, as it is renewable and has several advantages, including its abundance,
low-cost, and non-toxicity.

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the SCS method using starch as fuel. The
main advantages of using starch as fuel will be illustrated with a wide variety of examples,
highlighting its impact on the preparation of nanomaterials for energy and environmental
applications.

 In a combustion reaction using starch as fuel, several positive effects are expected, such
as non-violent propagation, combustion with the production of non-toxic gases (mainly CO2 and
H2O), and development of pores during the release of gases. For example, several macroporous metal
oxide foams were prepared using the SCS method, through an appropriate combination of urea and
starch fuels. With this approach, it is possible to control the structure, lattice defects, crystallite size,
specific surface area, porosity, and other characteristics of the synthetized nanomaterial. For
example, by combining starch with other fuels, it is possible to control the concentration of lattice
defects in metal oxides and modify the optical properties of these materials. These properties are of
fundamental importance for the performance of these materials and their subsequent application in
electrodes, electrocatalysts, and photocatalysts in the areas of energy and environment.


Renewable nanocellulose materials received increased attention owing to their small dimensions, high specific surface area, high mechanical characteristics, biocompatibility, and compostability. Nanocellulose coatings are among many interesting applications of these materials to functionalize different by composition and structure surfaces, including plastics, polymer coatings, and textiles with broader applications from food packaging to smart textiles. Variations in porosity and thickness of nanocellulose coatings are used to adjust a load of functional molecules and particles into the coatings, their permeability, and filtration properties. Mechanical stability of nanocellulose coatings in a wet and dry state are critical characteristics for many applications. In this work, nanofibrillated and nanocrystalline cellulose coatings deposited on the surface of polymer films and textiles made of cellulose, polyester, and nylon are studied using atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, and T-peel adhesion tests. Methods to improve coatings' adhesion and stability using physical and chemical cross-linking with added polymers and polycarboxylic acids are analyzed in this study. The paper reports on the effect of the substrate structure and ability of nanocellulose particles to intercalate into the substrate on the coating adhesion.


From November 1995 to May 2002, the authors studied 59 children with suspected primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Samples of ciliated respiratory epithelium were obtained by nasal brushing from 44 patients and by biopsy of bronchial mucosa from 15 patients. Thirty-four/Fifty-nine samples were suitable to obtain a quali-quantitative evaluation of ultrastructural ciliary abnormalities. Many ciliary and axoneme alterations were described. This study revealed that quantitative and qualitative ultrastructural assessment of respiratory epithelial cilia plays an important role in the differentiation between primary, secondary, and borderline ciliary abnormalities. Early diagnosis of PCD with appropriate clinical follow-up and treatment is important to prevent irreversible lung tissue damage, namely bronchiectasis.


Plasma levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) were measured in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal disorders and chronic renal failure to investigate the clinical significance of plasma CRH. The mean plasma CRH level in normal subjects (N = 26) was 1.64 +/- 0.43 pmol/l (normal range 0.77-2.5 pmol/l). Four of six patients with hypothalamic disorders receiving hydrocortisone supplementation had a low plasma CRH level. Two of six patients with Sheehan's syndrome had a low plasma CRH level whereas one patient had a high plasma CRH level. Two patients with Cushing's syndrome had a low plasma CRH level whereas two patients with Cushing's disease had a normal plasma CRH level. Six of 19 patients receiving prednisolone therapy had a low plasma CRH level. The mean plasma CRH level in this group was 0.97 +/- 0.34 pmol/l, which is significantly lower than that in the normal group. In this group, significant correlation was seen between plasma CRH and adrenocorticotropin levels. Eleven of 21 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis had a high plasma CRH level. Just after hemodialysis the plasma CRH levels decreased in 15 of 20 patients, while plasma adrenocorticotropin and cortisol levels increased in 13 of 19 patients and in 15 of 20 patients, respectively. Immunoreactive CRH in plasma measured both before and after hemodialysis eluted similarly on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. These results suggest that the plasma CRH level is at least partially suppressed by a chronically elevated plasma glucocorticoid level and that CRH in plasma is partially removed by hemodialysis.


A novel fast algorithm of polarimetric image simulation for SAR observation over comprehensive terrain scene is developed based on the mapping and projection principles. It incorporates penetrable and impenetrable objects, volumetric and surface scatterers in the imaging space with the extinction, attenuation, shadowing and multiple scattering effects. Scattering of the vegetation canopy is modeled as a layer of random non-spherical particles by using the vector radiative transfer model. Scattering from the ground surface and building objects is calculated by using the IEM rough surface model. As an example, the polarimetric SAR images for a virtual terrain scene, composed by tree canopies, farmland, buildings, rough land surface, hills and rivers, are simulated.


Narcissism has been shown to have a positive and significant impact on uses of microblog services and features for self-presentation (SP). Little is known with regard to whether and how narcissism and valence of online SP could jointly influence the gratifications of microblog uses. This study explores how narcissism influences the uses and gratifications of Weibo via positive and negative SP. Results from a survey of Weibo users in China suggest that narcissism generates positive effect on both gratification sought (GS) and gratification obtained (GO). GS fully mediates the effect of narcissism on GO. Moreover, positive SP plays a mediating role between GS and GO, while negative SP does not. The mediation mechanisms within narcissism, the valence of SP, GS, and GO suggest that differentiating the gratification processes could help us better understand uses and gratification of microblog services.


This paper describes an automatic algorithm of meaning negotiation that enables semantic interoperability between local overlapping and heterogeneous ontologies. Rather than reconciling differences between heterogeneous ontologies, this algorithm searches for mappings between concepts of different ontologies. The algorithm is composed of three main steps: (i) computing the linguistic meaning of the label occurring in the ontologies via natural language processing, (ii) contextualization of such a linguistic meaning by considering the context, i.e. the ontologies, where a label occurs; (iii) comparing contextualized linguistic meaning of two ontologies in in order to find a possible matching between them.


Quite a few groups have turned their attention to using commercially available InGaAs/InP APDs, originally developed for optical communication applications, as SPADs for photon counting at 1300 nm and 1550 nm. This research has turned out to be quite fruitful, and there are many applications emerging in optical metrology (optical time-domain reflectometry) in eye-safe range finding and in future quantum technologies, where databits are encoded on individual photons. This article describes the status of these commercially available InGaAs/InP APDs used as single-photon counters in the telecom wavelength region of 1550 nm.


In existing deadbeat control techniques for single-phase UPS inverters, the pulse width of the inverter output voltage is limited by the computation time of the controlling processor. This limits the utilisation of the DC source voltage and slows the response of the control system. A deadbeat control technique is presented which eliminates these limitations by allowing the application of the newly computed pulse width with time delay. During this delay, the previously applied pulse width is preserved until it is updated by the new pulse width. This method requires the use of a load-dependent reference function for the inverter output voltage. However, the error in the load voltage caused by using a fixed reference function is shown to be negligible. Computer simulations are performed to verify the theoretical results and for comparison with existing methods. Experimental results are also presented to support the theoretical considerations.


In order to remain tractable, mhany reliability models do not include the states and transitions necessary to represent fault/error-handling details. Instead, the effectiveness of fault/ error-handling mechanisms is represented by the use of instantaneous coverage probabilities. This paper investigates the effect of the error introduced by the assumption of instantaneous coverage probabilities on the predictions of the reliability model, and it shows that the reliability estimates thus obtained are lower bounds on the reliability estimates of the composite model with embedded fault/error-handling states and transitions. The paper also discusses the choice of the calculation method for the instantaneous coverage probabilities and defines a near-coincident-fault coverage model that yields conservative instantaneous coverage probabilities.


In 1979 the author of this article was hired to write for Successful Farming, a national magazine founded in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1902. This led to a privileged, front-row-seat perspective on the lead-up to the 1980s Farm Crisis, the depth of the financial turmoil, and its devastating aftermath on rural America. This article highlights the trajectory of the 1980s Farm Crisis, and reveals how her coverage documented the impact on farmers, as well as the efforts of support groups, farm organizations, and the US government to stabilize farms and farmers, and to keep families on their land. The financial repercussions are noted, but the focus is the emotional toll of the crisis, including stress, depression, suicide, divorce, dysfunctional family relationships, rural social problems, and how the Farm Crisis frayed the fabric of rural communities.


Big data technologies like Hadoop, NoSQL, Messaging Queues etc. helps in BigData analytics, drive business growth and to take right decisions in time. These Big Data environments are very dynamic and complex; they require performance validation, root cause analysis, and tuning to ensure success. In this paper we talk about how we can analyse and test the performance of these systems. We present the important factors in a big data that are primary candidates for performance testing like data ingestion capacity and throughput, data processing capacity, simulation of expected usage, map reduce jobs and so on and suggest measures to improve performance of bigdata


The purpose of this study is to characterize the heart rate variability (HRV) signal in the frequency domain by using wavelet and cosine packets. Here, the authors introduce the adapted wavelet transform methods to analyze heart-rate fluctuations. These methods were chosen because the components in the signals can be analyzed and quantified at different scales, e.g., long windows can be used for the low-frequency component while short-time windows can be used for high-frequency components. In this study, adaptive wavelet transform methods are applied to the HRV obtained from normal subjects. A comparison is made on the same data base with results based on the short-term Fourier transform method.


This study aims to shed light on how to foster a welfare-enhancing policy regime for financial consumer protection (FCP), mainly through a literature and institutional survey on three pillars of FCP policy-financial education, ex ante (or before point of sale) FCP measures, and ex post policy instruments. To that end, we first conceptualize the typical behavioral patterns in the demand- and supply-side of the financial markets, to be tamed through an FCP policy regime, and also attempt to reflect the ramifications of the on-going global trend of digital transformation. As to the first pillar, most of the literature claims that no consensus exists as to the goal of financial education (FE), one that is clear, specific, and measurable enough to guide empirical endeavor to gauge its effectiveness. On this issue, we suggest three dimensions of financial capability as possible targets of measuring the effectiveness of FE – knowledge dimension, choice and decision dimension, and outcome dimension, and discuss a possible testing strategy. Another issue stressed is that, given the inherent complexities in most financial products, the second letter "E," i.e., pedagogy and timing, should be given a higher weight than the first one "F," i.e., contents, in designing a FE strategy. In the supply-side, three sets of policy instruments are discussed as the key FCP elements: that is, the self-regulation mechanisms such as code of conduct, and training and certification programs for business ethics; the behavioral principles along with rules and regulations to ensure fair and ethical consumer treatment (FECT); and, internal governance structure to align FECT with incentives of employees of financial institutions. In addition, dispute resolution mechanism along with the legal responsibility of service providers if and when FECT is violated are also discussed. Using the key findings, we develop a template, or a checklist, by interacting the key behavioral patterns to be tamed with the FCP policy instruments, and suggest a set of indicators based on the matrix developed to be used for international comparison.


tion may increase the carrier rate. as it does not mention if the cases were Schick-tested or the results of the swabs checked by viruilence tests. It is important to realize when discuissing car-riers that normally about 1 P0 to 5" of the child population are carriers. and julst before an outbreak of diphtheria the percentage may rise to 15°' or 200%. A large number of those who harbour the organism tempor,arily are no danger to others, but are developing their own immunity. Some immunized children relapse to the Schick-positive state within a few years. Most competent authorities will agree that active immunization against diphtheria can control it. In times like the present the Government should make it compulsory.-I am, etc., Gor-seinon, Swansea. Nov. 22. G. E. DONOVAN.


Adenovirus encodes multiple gene products that regulate proapoptotic cellular responses to viral infection mediated by both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The E3-10.4K and 14.5K gene products are known to modulate the death receptor Fas. In this study, we demonstrate that an additional viral E3 protein, 6.7K, functions in the specific modulation of the two death receptors for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). The 6.7K protein is expressed on the cell surface and forms a complex with the 10.4K and 14.5K proteins, and this complex is sufficient to induce down-modulation of TRAIL receptor-1 and -2 from the cell surface and reverse the sensitivity of infected cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Down-modulation of TRAIL-R2 by the E3 complex is dependent on the cytoplasmic tail of the receptor, but the death domain alone is not sufficient. These results identify a mechanism for viral modulation of TRAIL receptor-mediated apoptosis and suggest the E3 protein complex has evolved to regulate the signaling of selected cytokine receptors.


A new variant of the effective pomeron exchange model is proposed for the description of the correlation, observed in pp and pp̄ collisions at center-of-mass energy from SPS to LHC, between mean transverse momentum and charged particles multiplicity. The model is based on the ReggeGribov approach. Smooth logarithmic growth with the collision energy was established for the parameter k, the mean rapidity density of charged particles produced by a single string. It was obtained in the model by the fitting of the available experimental data on charged particles rapidity density in pp and pp̄ collisions. The main effect of the model, a gradual onset of string collectivity with the growth of collision energy, is accounted by a free parameter β that is responsible in an effective way for the string fusion phenomenon. Another free parameter, t, is used to define string tension. We extract parameters β and t from the available experimental results on 〈pt〉multiplicity correlation at nucleon collision energy √ s from 17 GeV to 7 TeV. Smooth dependence of both β and t on energy allows to make predictions for the correlation behavior at the collision energy of 14 TeV. The indications to the string interaction effects in high multiplicity events in pp collisions at the LHC energies are also discussed.


CIE colorimetry was standardised 65 years ago to describe colorimetric properties of signal lights. The first real application of CIE colorimetry occurred, however, in the textile and coating industries to describe colour matches between sample and reference. Thus also the experiments conducted to achieve a uniform colour scale diagram were performed by using material samples usually illuminated by a daylight simulator. Such experiments led to the recommendations for the CIELAB and CIELUV colour spaces. It has been a misinterpretation that CIELUV is more useful for self-luminous objects, derived from the fact that CIELUV has a chromaticity diagram and CIELAB has non. In recent years much effort has been invested to obtain a colour appearance model to be able to describe not only colour matches but also the appearance of colours, both as material samples and in order to be reproduced on colour displays. The three fundamental questions in this respect are: • Are the standard colour matching functions (cmf's) representative of average human colour vision? • What is the proper description of chromatic adaptation? • What are the auspices of a CIE colour appearance model? A number of CIE Technical Committees are working on the different aspects of these questions. The paper presents a short review of the questions raised and, as far as feasible, will outline likely answers.


Background Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, known as statins, are widely used for primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Besides its lipid lowering properties, simvastatin has various anti-inflammatory effects. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess whether simvastatin modulates the effects of IL-17, an emerging actor in atherosclerosis. Methods The effect of simvastatin was assessed in HUVEC cells treated by IL-17 (100 ng/ml) alone or combined with TNFα (1 ng/ml), with or without mevalonate, a specific inhibitor of simvastatin. The effect of simvastatin on IL-17-induced cytokine or chemokine expression was assessed at the mRNA level using qRT-PCR or protein level by ELISA. Its effect on the IL-17-induced pro-thrombotic state and cell invasion was assessed using a lumiaggregometer and a matrigel assay, respectively. Results Simvastatin decreased IL-17-induced IL-6, IL-8, CX3CL-1, RANTES mRNA and CX3CL-1 and CCL-20 production. Simvastatin restored the level of IL-33 mRNA which was decreased by IL-17. Simvastatin reduced the expression of IL-17-induced pro-thrombotic genes such as tissue factor. Simvastatin restored the level of platelet aggregation to normal levels. Simvastatin enhanced the expression of CD39 and thrombomodulin mRNA initially reduced by IL-17 and TNFα combination. Simvastatin suppressed IL-17-induced EC invasion. All these effects were reversed by the addition of mevalonate. Finally, simvastatin had an additive effect with infliximab to decrease the effect of the combination of IL-17 and TNFα on IL-6 mRNA expression. Conclusion These results indicate that simvastatin inhibits the pro-inflammatory, thrombotic and pro-aggregation effects of IL-17 on vessels. They provide a new understanding of the beneficial effects of statins in blood vessel inflammation.


Objective: To determine if combining intermittent cervical traction with conventional physical therapy methods is more effective than using conventional approaches alone in the improvement of the grip strength and treatment of the patients with unilateral cervical 7 (C7) radiculopathy. Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT). Setting: An outpatient physical therapy clinic, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Iran. Patients: A sample of convenience of 30 patients with unilateral C7 radiculopathy participated in this study. Patients were assigned randomly to a control (N=15, mean age=46.939 ±5.32) and an experimental group (N=15, mean age=47.53 ±5.6). Interventions: Electrotherapyu/exercise treatment for control group and combined cervical traction and electrotherapyu/exercise for experimental group. Ten physical therapy sessions, three times a week for each group. Main outcome measures: Grip strength as an appropriate objective parameter was measured before treatment and after 5 and 10 treatment sessions. Results: Statistical analysis (paired t-test) revealed significant increase in grip strength after 10 treatment sessions in control (p<0.01) and experimental group (p<0.01) compared with pretreatment score. In the ANCOVA, controlling for pretest scores, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the after 10 treatment sessions grip score (p=0.65). However, the change in grip strength after five sessions was significantly greater for the experimental group than for the control group (P=0.04). Conclusions: The application of cervical traction combined with electrotherapy and exercise produced an immediate improvement in the hand grip function in patients with cervical radiculopathy.


Non-dispersive transient currents in non-homogeneous films with a single discrete trap level have been calculated, the non-homogeneity consisting in spatial variations of trap depths or the presence of constant built-in electric fields in the limit cases of shallow and deep traps. Both kinds of spatial non-homogeneity may result in identical shapes of transients. Methods for determination of the spatial variations of trap depth and internal built-in electric field on the basis of experimental data are discussed.


Bone marrow transplantation plays an essential role in the successful treatment of both juvenile and adult chronic myelogenous leukemia. Recently, it has been reported that conditioning with high doses of busulfan can successfully replace total body irradiation (TBI), in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia as well as adult chronic myelogenous leukemia. We report here the case of a 29-month-old boy with juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML) transplanted with HLA-identical bone marrow after conditioning with busulfan, etoposide and cyclophosphamide. Successful engraftment was followed by early relapse on day 67. A second HLA-identical transplant was performed following myeloablative treatment with TBI. Engraftment was once again successful and the patient remains free of disease more than 24 months after transplantation. We conclude that busulfan is insufficient in eradicating JCML and that TBI is required prior to transplantation.


Today two main innovative determinants influence China's position in the race to global leadership in artificial intelligence. The aim of the research was to assess Chinese innovative potential according to two criteria: artificial intelligence talents and hardware base. The analysis has provided a conclusive answer to the question about the prospects of China to achieve the position of a scientific and technological superpower. The presented data shows that global competition in artificial intelligence has toughened and there is a certain lag in the competence of Chinese talents and in the development of breakthrough microelectronic technologies. However, the dynamics of the Chinese artificial intelligence sector growth and the Big Government legal actions indicate that the changes may come very soon. Due to the growing uncertainty and technological confrontation between main innovative and technology competitors, the victory in the global race for China's artificial intelligence sector may not take place.


Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/MET signaling is implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and possesses therapeutic value for various types of cancer. However, inhibition of MET alone has been demonstrated to have limited efficacy. The present study examined the combined inhibition of MET and SRC kinase activity in colon cancer cells. Furthermore, the role of the HGF/MET pathway in ligand-dependent and -independent activation was demonstrated. The single inhibition of MET by knockdown small interfering RNA or inhibitor indicated a limited anti-viability effects without inhibiting the basal phosphorylation levels of SRC, protein kinase B (AKT) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In view of the strong association between MET and SRC identified by direct regulation, growth factor-induced MET activation was suppressed by pretreatment with the SRC inhibitor, dasatinib, and downstream phosphorylation of AKT and ERK partially decreased, which suggested that SRC activation was essential for ligand-dependent and -independent activation of MET. Considering that both the activation of MET and SRC was required in ligand-dependent and -independent MET activation, the antitumor effect of concurrent inhibition of MET and SRC was examined, and it was demonstrated that combination treatment exerted increased viability inhibition and apoptosis enhancement in mutant and wild type RAS colon cancer cells. Therefore, combinational inhibition of MET and SRC may be a promising strategy for the treatment of CRC.


The paper presents a report on the performance evaluation of a newly developed smart logistics system (SLS). Field tests were conducted in Spain, Germany, and Sweden. The evaluation focused on the performance of a smart box tool (used to capture information during biomass transport) and a web-based information platform (used to monitor the flow of agricultural pruning from farms to end users and associated information flow). The tests were performed following a product usability testing approach, considering both qualitative and quantitative parameters. The detailed performance evaluation included the following: systematic analysis of 41 recordable parameters (stored in a spreadsheet database), analysis of feedback and problems encountered during the tests, and overall quality analysis applying the product quality model adapted from ISO/IEC FDIS 9126-1 standard. The data recording and storage and the capability to support product traceability and supply chain management were found to be very satisfactory, while assembly of smart box components (mainly the associated cables), data transferring intervals, and manageability could be improved. From the data retrieved during test activities, in more than 95% of the parameters within 41 columns, the expected values were displayed correctly. Some errors were observed, which might have been caused mainly by barriers that could hinder proper data recording and transfer from the smart box to the central database. These problems can be counteracted and the performance of the SLS can be improved so that it can be upgraded to be a marketable tool that can promote sustainable biomass-to-energy value chains.


Honey is a solution with high viscosity and most types of honey exhibit Newtonian behavior. However, some types show non-Newtonian features (thixotropy or dilatancy), which exerts influence on processing of the honey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rheological properties of honey from Eucalyptus spp. The investigated samples of eucalypt honey originating from Italy or Australia were analyzed by the following methods: melissopalynological analysis, color on the Pfund scale, optical activity, water content and electrolytic conductivity. Rheological tests were carried out on a highly accurate device. The dependence of apparent viscosity on temperature and time was measured, and hysteresis loop tests were run. The dependence of shear rate on shear stress was described in accordance with the Herschel-Bulkley mathematical model. The rheological tests revealed the following: all samples exhibited non-Newtonian behavior and all were determined as thixotropic fluids. These results are discussed in relation to previous findings on the dilatant behavior of eucalypt honey.

Practical Applications
Knowledge of rheological properties of foodstuff is important for handling, processing and storing. The description of flow properties can indirectly offer information about the structure of the tested liquid. Most honeys behave as Newtonian fluids. However, there are exceptions such as heather or manuka honey. Eucalypt honey is also among these exceptions. Studies dealing with rheological properties of eucalypt honey are more than 60-years old. This study focused on rheological behavior of this type of honey and revised current knowledge.


In recent years, interest in the exploration and development of deepwater areas has greatly increased. For example, tracts in water depths exceeding 7,500 ft have been successfully drilled in the Gulf of Mexico. Although significant amounts of hydrocarbon resources are believed to be present in deep-water areas, current and anticipated hydrocarbon prices affect whether or not such resources are economically recoverable. Minimum economic field sizes (MEFS) needed to offset exploration, development, and transportation costs of the deep-water areas were calculated using three main considerations: (1) geologic (pay thickness, area, porosity, water saturation, and presence of oil or gas), (2) engineering (costs, scheduling, production rates and decline, and oil-gas ratio), and (3) economic (price, price growth, discount rate, and tax effects). Monte Carlo analysis was used for input data generation, and the probabilistic resource estimation offshore (PRESTO) model was used to determine the resources. Economic drilling depths (EDD) at various water depths derived from MEFS based on $18 and $30/bbl oil price indicate a large portion of resources remain between the high and low case depth limits. The rate of decrease of EDD with increasing water depth increases significantly beyond the 800-ft water depth. Even at $30/bbl of oil, the EDDmore » at 3,000 ft water depth is only 7,000 ft subsea. Although areas at depths of 1,000-1,300 ft can be explored and developed economically while the oil price is $18/bbl, current technology requires a price of more than $30/bbl for depths beyond 3,000 ft to be economical.« less


Background: Post-extraction tooth socket generally can be cured without
problems even it has a large open wound. Wound healing is sequences where
cellular components and biochemical responses affecting the injured tissue. The
sequences are inflammation phase, proliferative phase, and remodeling phase.
The use of medicaments that trigger wound healing process post-extraction has
been proven clinically to reduce the likelihood of complications and expected to
accelerate wound healing. Bilimbi fruit (Averrhoa bilimbi) is an Indonesian
traditional fruit that has been scientifically proven to has many medicinal
benefits. Bilimbi fruit contains flavonoid, saponin, and tannin that can accelerate
the wound healing process. Purpose: To acknowledge the efficiency of bilimbi
fruit extract towards the number of fibroblasts in post-extraction socket
histologically. Methods: Bilimbi fruit extract are made with three different
concentration, 10%, 20%, and 40%, then, mixed with CMC-Na, becoming a gel
preparations. Cavia cobaya's insisive tooth was extracted, and then applied the
gel preparations upon the socket. On third day post-extraction, the experimental
animals are decapitated. Its jaw is taken as samples to make a histological
preparations. The preparations are divided into three visual fields, and then
observed to count the number of fibroblasts. Results: The gel of bilimbi fruit
extract has an efficiency to increase the number of fibroblasts in a post-extraction
socket of Cavia cobaya. Conclusion: Bilimbi fruit extract is effective to accelerate
the process of wound healing in Cavia cobaya tooth socket post-extraction by
increasing fibriblast proliferation at the 40% concentration of the extract


A low-income country, Ethiopia has made impressive progress in improving health outcomes. The Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation reported that Ethiopia has achieved Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, three years ahead of target, with under-5 mortality at 68 per 1,000 live births in 2012. Significant challenges remain, however, with the maternal mortality ratio at 420 out of 100,000 live births. The government has introduced a three-tier public health care delivery system to deliver essential health services and ensure referral linkages, with level three as specialized hospitals (one per 3.5 million 5 million population), level two as general hospitals (one per 1 million 1.5 million), level one as primary hospitals (one per 60,000 100,000) with satellite health centers (one per 15,000 25,000) and health posts (one per 3,000 5,000). One initiative contributing greatly toward universal health coverage (UHC) is the Health Extension Program (HEP) that provides free primary care services at health posts and communities. The country is at its early stage initiating insurance schemes to provide financial protection for its citizens: Social Health Insurance (SHI) for formal sector employees and Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) for rural residents and informal sector employees. Public facilities are expected to provide exempted services for free, and there is a fee-waiver system for the poor.


Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles were used to build an academic-community partnership to address lung cancer disparities in the Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network (HSIDN), which includes 7 community coalitions in the southernmost 16 counties in Illinois. These counties are rural and medically underserved, and compared to IL as a whole, experience notably higher rates of smoking (27.1% vs. 16.9%), and lung cancer incidence (87.8 vs. 72.6/100,000) and mortality (66.8 vs. 54.4/100,000). By involving community members in all aspects of the research process and data dissemination, health disparity factors are more effectively identified and addressed. Our goal was to translate epidemiological data into community-specific lung cancer and behavioral risk factor "mini-reports" which could be used at the local level for education, resource allocation, and targeted intervention development. Methods: The partnership included an academic medical institution, a governmental agency, two community partners, and the HSIDN. Three work groups formed as part of the partnership infrastructure and two were vital in the development of these mini reports. The data work group (DWG) included members from the academic and governmental agency partners and was responsible for creating the reports. The CBPR work group included academic and community partners and was invaluable in providing feedback on report content, structure and intended audience suitability. Initial draft reports were based upon input from a partnership summit and DWG discussions. Draft report feedback tools were distributed to all coalition leaders in the HSIDN to assess content, display, motivation to action, and cultural appropriateness. The partnership9s steering committee also provided feedback to refine the mini-reports for use at the community level. Results: The DWG finalized two mini reports, both of which compared coalition-specific data to IL as a whole. The first report described the local cancer burden and included cancer incidence, mortality, survival by stage, population demographics, and lung cancer risk factors (e.g. smoking rates). The second report characterized the at-risk populations (e.g. veterans, those below poverty level) within the coalitions and included smoking rates by gender, youth smoking rates, and data on the effect of statewide smoke free laws on smoking rates and attitudes. Both reports used a mix of narrative text, bullet points, graphs, tables, and graphics. Feedback from the HSIDN coalition leaders indicated the reports effectively described the cancer burden and the content, relevancy, and usefulness of the reports was appropriate. HSIDN leaders noted a wide range of future uses for these reports. Discussion: These mini-reports translated epidemiological data for use at the community level for educational and other purposes. HSIDN use the reports for development of strategic planning, input in state-required community health plans, implementation of smoke-free initiatives, and grant writing. The creation process can serve as a template for other academic-community partnerships aiming to address cancer disparities using CBPR principles. The partnership successfully developed a series of coalition level reports to describe the local lung cancer burden and characterize risk factors to help coalitions create interventions to address disparities. The process of report creation, refinement and local dissemination was successful due to engagement of all partners (academic, government and community) and utilization of their expertise to ensure the reports could be used effectively in their communities. This in turn contributes to partnership sustainability by establishing trust for future efforts. Citation Format: Georgia Mueller, Whitney Zahnd, Kyle Garner, Ruth Heitkamp, Wiley Jenkins, Michael Boehler, Diane Land, David Steward. The "Mini-Report": Use of CBPR to create a practical tool to address lung cancer disparities in rural communities. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A40. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A40


Campylobacter jejuni is a food-borne pathogen that causes diarrheal diseases in humans and animals. Still unknown mechanisms allow the cells to overcome significant stresses despite the absence of several traditional stress response genes. C. jejuni is problematic because of its ability to adapt and survive in various conditions of extraintestinal environment, common to food production and supply chain. The authors demonstrated that preliminary exposure to 25 °C did not influence the heat resistance of C. jejuni cells at 55 °C. In addition, changes of morphology, culturability and viability were noticeable for fed and starved cultures exposed to low temperature and oxidative stresses. All physiology changes were influenced by starvation and, to a lesser extent, by other stresses. Starvation was the most significant factor in C. jejuni survival, coccoid cell formation and especially culturability. Temperature downshift, oxidative stress and starvation, usually in combination with other factors, can trigger transition of bacteria to a viable but nonculturable state. Results showed substantial variability in responses to stresses applied, indicating no correlation between low temperature and oxidative stress response of campylobacters. Understanding of microbial physiology after exposure to various stresses is essential for food safety.


Development of high performance membranes requires deep insights about the various design, fabrication and operational parameters involved in the process. In the present study, the influence of input parameters such as active fiber length, feed temperature, feed composition and feed pressure is investigated to analyze the efficiency of the mathematical models developed for the separation of O2/N2 mixtures in an asymmetric hollow fiber membrane permeator. In addition, the effect of various non-idealities on the membrane performance are studied, individually. Results reveal that in contrast to pressure, temperature changes have no influential effects on the concentrations of O2 and N2 at permeate and retentate streams. The influence of feed composition on the product purities is more significant compared to active fiber length. Moreover, analysis of non-ideal effects indicates that pressure changes and concentration polarization are the most significant non-idealities among the effects. Results of this investigation can effectively be used for having a comprehensive overview about the impact of influential parameters and non-ideal effects on the membrane performance for O2/N2 separation application.


Clobetasol, be ABSTRACT Indiscriminate use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the coronavirus-19 pandemic has led to adverse effects on the skin across the globe. We present the case of a 12-years-old child, who developed a skin rash on the dorsal aspect of the hands with over-application of 70% isopropyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer. On examination, inflamed dark-colored skin with itching was noticed. Based on the history and examination, a diagnosis of "Isopropyl alcohol-based sanitizer-induced irritant contact dermatitis" was made. The application of offending sanitizer was immediately stopped. An improvement was seen 2 weeks after the application of topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines. No re-challenge was subjected to the child. The Naranjo causality assessment score of six suggested probable association of adverse effect with the use of 70% isopropyl alcohol. It can be concluded that alcohol-based hand sanitization to be reserved for outdoor use, whereas only soap and water should be promoted to be used at home for sanitizing hands. The risk of adverse reactions can be minimized by following the manufacturer's instructions and reducing the frequency of use of single hygiene products.


Development Projects and programs have frequently appeal to images and in particular to photography in diverse textual registers and virtual spaces: technical reports, illustrating NGOs websites, passbooks and report cover, brochures for donors, among other things. If in some of this registers images appear subsidized to a main text, in other they occupy a prominent place in development narrations. It was this aspect precisely that called my attention to examine a photographic corpus arranged in albums that register the implementation process of a development program intended for indigenous people in northern Argentina: to find out in its pages a development visual narrative. The photo albums under analysis were produced during the implementation of "Componente de Attention a la Población Indígena" between 1999 and 2005. The photographic images appear with all their creative potential and load with an interpretation about the development world. They invite us to reflect upon the marginal place of photography in the development field.


We report the occurrence of an invasive thymoma following a median sternotomy with removal of a normal involuted thymus in a patient with myasthenia gravis and stress the prompt reevaluation of post-thymectomy patients who have an initial good response and then deteriorate.


Coinfection with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to development of systemic inflammation associated with increased risk for liver, kidney and cardiovascular diseases, as well as higher mortality from AIDS-associated and non-AIDS-associated illnesses. To a large extent, systemic inflammation is controlled by regulatory T lymphocytes, a subset of CD4+ T cells. While expressing various functional molecules, regulatory CD4+T cells limit functional activity of immunocytes and prevent the development of excessive inflammatory reactions and autoimmune diseases. At the same time, there are no available data in literature concerning the sizes of certain functionally active regulatory CD4+T cell subsets in HIV/HCV coinfected patients. Our aim was to estimate the size of functional pool of the regulatory CD4+T lymphocytes in HIV/ HCV coinfected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Two groups of HIV-positive patients were examined: 1) HIV/HCV coinfected subjects (n = 21); 2) HIV mono-infected patients (n = 22). The control group included voluntary blood donors without HIV and HCV infections (n = 23). Regulatory CD4+T lymphocytes were identified by multicolor flow cytometry based on the expression of the following markers: CD3, CD4, CD25, CD127, and FoxP3. Functional subsets of regulatory CD4+T cells were discerned by the expression of CD39, GARP, LAP, and CD71 molecules. Relative and absolute counts of suppressor CD4+T lymphocytes were calculated for each subset. TGF-1 concentrations in blood plasma were determined with ELISA technique.
Absolute counts of regulatory CD4+T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of HIV/HCV coinfected patients proved to be twice lower than in healthy subjects, while being not accompanied by a decrease in relative frequency of these cells. Despite their deficiency, the number of functionally active CD39-positive,
GARP/LAP-positive, and CD71-positive suppressor cells in HIV/HCV coinfected persons remained at the level found in HIV-monoinfected and healthy people. The frequency of functionally active regulatory CD4+T lymphocytes was increased in HIV/HCV coinfected patients compared with HIV-monoinfected (CD39+, GARP+LAP+) and healthy (CD39+, GARP+LAP+, CD71+) subjects.
In HIV/HCV coinfected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy, the pool of regulatory CD4+T lymphocytes is rich in cells possessing high suppressive capacity. However, the absolute number of functionally active regulatory CD4+T cells remain at the level corresponding to healthy individuals, thus, apparently, is not sufficient to control the systemic inflammation developing in HIV/HCV coinfection.


The aim of the study was to verify the effect of financial freedom on the market performance of companies in Brazil and Italy, by using a descriptive methodology given the aim to document procedures as well as to address the problem from a quantitative approach. The sample comprised 47 Brazilian companies and 29 Italian companies, which presented all the necessary information to carry out the study. The period of analysis corresponded to the years 2010 to 2013. As statistical techniques, we used a  descriptive analysis and panel data applied in 5 regression equations. It was observed that the financial slack has a greater impact on the market performance of Italian companies, than on Brazilian companies. It was noted that the positive effect of the financial slack in Brazil's business scenario contributed to the increase of the market-to-book, but on the Italian scenario the opposite effect was observed. Thus, it was deduced that the effect of financial freedom on market performance depends on the environment in which firms are inserted.