Diabetes mellitus can increase the risk of death in COVID-19 by 12 times, according to the portal of the us Centers for disease control and prevention. Coronavirus-infected diabetics are six times more likely to need inpatient treatment, and diabetes is the second most severe complication in COVID-19 after cardiovascular diseases. The state of carbohydrate metabolism in patients with COVID-19 has not been sufficiently studied in clinical studies. Isolated studies indicate that viral infection may be accompanied by an increase in the concentration of glycated hemoglobin in patients with viral pneumonia. To assess the frequency of hyperglycemia and diagnosis of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus in patients with COVID-19 and acute lung damage aged 41–80 years, who were hospitalized in a repurposed infectious diseases hospital in Moscow with a diagnosis of pneumonia. In the observational study analyzed laboratory and clinical diagnostic data of 278 patients who had, according to the anamnesis and the medical conclusions of impaired glucose tolerance and manifested forms of diabetes, including 163 men and 115 women, aged 41–80 years, admitted to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in the period from 12.04.2020 on 10.11.2020 of diagnoses according to ICD-10: U07.1 Coronavirus infection. In the selected groups of patients, the initial and subsequent fasting blood glucose levels were analyzed after 8 hours without food intake on a stationary automatic analyzer and using portable glucose, meters using diagnostic test strips. The concentration of glucose and ketones in the urine was determined by a semi-quantitative method. We evaluated the dynamics of indicators when detecting pathological values of glucose concentration. Glucose levels above 6.4 mmol/l were taken as pathological. In patients aged 41–80 years who were hospitalized with covid-19 infection and pneumonia, fasting hyperglycemia was diagnosed in 31–47%, glucosuria in 1.9–6.1%, ketonuria – 20.4-46.2% of cases, in different age groups. In 16.6–31.3% of cases in patients with covid-19,after treatment and regression of changes in the lungs, normalization of glucose levels was observed, but in 14.8–16.7% of the changes persisted, and in 9–13% of them, after an additional study, newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was diagnosed. Hyperglycemia was significantly more often detected in patients with arterial hypertension of 2–3 degrees of severity and with a tendency to reliability, in patients with obesity of 2–3 degrees. Lipid metabolism disorders (hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia), which are characteristic of changes in carbohydrate metabolism in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes, were significantly more often diagnosed in patients with covid-19 than in the group of patients with acute and chronic lung pathology without proven infection with this virus, but only in the group of patients aged 41–60 years. Covid-19 infection complicated by pneumonia occurs in individuals aged 41–80 years with a high incidence of hyperglycemia and ketonuria. The incidence of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus in such patients is 9–13%.


Ultrasound tomography (UST) scanners allow quantitative images of the human breast's acoustic properties to be derived with potential applications in screening, diagnosis and therapy planning. Time domain full waveform inversion (TD-FWI) is a promising UST image formation technique that fits the parameter fields of a wave physics model by gradient-based optimization. For high resolution 3D UST, it holds three key challenges: firstly, its central building block, the computation of the gradient for a single US measurement, has a restrictively large memory footprint. Secondly, this building block needs to be computed for each of the 103–104 measurements, resulting in a massive parallel computation usually performed on large computational clusters for days. Lastly, the structure of the underlying optimization problem may result in slow progression of the solver and convergence to a local minimum. In this work, we design and evaluate a comprehensive computational strategy to overcome these challenges: firstly, we exploit a gradient computation based on time reversal that dramatically reduces the memory footprint at the expense of one additional wave simulation per source. Secondly, we break the dependence on the number of measurements by using source encoding (SE) to compute stochastic gradient estimates. Also we describe a more accurate, TD-specific SE technique with a finer variance control and use a state-of-the-art stochastic LBFGS method. Lastly, we design an efficient TD multi-grid scheme together with preconditioning to speed up the convergence while avoiding local minima. All components are evaluated in extensive numerical proof-of-concept studies simulating a bowl-shaped 3D UST breast scanner prototype. Finally, we demonstrate that their combination allows us to obtain an accurate 442 × 442 × 222 voxel image with a resolution of 0.5 mm using Matlab on a single GPU within 24 h.


This paper explores findings from an exploratory study on sibling relationships following adoption reunion in adulthood. The qualitative data was gathered through in-depth interviews with 33 adopted adults who were reunited with their birth sibling(s) through an adoption agency in the Republic of Ireland. The findings throw light upon the development of the emotional, often complex, relationships which may emerge when siblings meet for the first time in adult life. Factors influential in facilitating or hindering these post-reunion relationships are discussed. The important insights are then considered in the context of the wider international literature on adoption, search and reunion.


ABSTRACT The most significant feature of meiosis is the recombination process during prophase I. CXXC finger protein 1 (CXXC1) binds to CpG islands and mediates the deposition of H3K4me3 by the SETD1 complex. CXXC1 is also predicted to recruit H3K4me3-marked regions to the chromosome axis for the generation of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the prophase of meiosis. Therefore, we deleted Cxxc1 before the onset of meiosis with Stra8-Cre. The conditional knockout mice were completely sterile with spermatogenesis arrested at MII. Knockout of Cxxc1 led to a decrease in the H3K4me3 level from the pachytene to the MII stage and caused transcriptional disorder. Many spermatogenesis pathway genes were expressed early leading to abnormal acrosome formation in arrested MII cells. In meiotic prophase, deletion of Cxxc1 caused delayed DSB repair and improper crossover formation in cells at the pachytene stage, and more than half of the diplotene cells exhibited precocious homologous chromosome segregation in both male and female meiosis. Cxxc1 deletion also led to a significant decrease of H3K4me3 enrichment at DMC1-binding sites, which might compromise DSB generation. Taken together, our results show that CXXC1 is essential for proper meiotic crossover formation in mice and suggest that CXXC1-mediated H3K4me3 plays an essential role in meiotic prophase of spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Summary: Conditional knockout of Cxxc1 in mouse pre-meiotic germ cells led to a decrease in H3K4me3, dysregulation of crossover formation and meiotic arrest, revealing an essential role for CXXC1 in spermatogenesis and oogenesis.


OBJECTIVE--To follow up and assess the significance of borderline change in cervical smears. DESIGN--Retrospective study of women undergoing routine cervical cytological screening in 1981. SETTING--Avon Cervical Screening Programme, covering 250,000 women in Bristol and Weston super Mare. SUBJECTS--437 women showing borderline cervical changes in 1981 and 437 age matched controls with normal results in 1981. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Cytological progression to high grade dyskaryosis (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III or invasive carcinoma). RESULTS--During follow up ranging from 13 to 106 months 98 of the 437 women (22.4%) with borderline cytological changes on routine cervical cytology screening had a subsequent smear test showing high grade dyskaryosis compared with three of the 437 women (0.9%) in the control group. The risk of progression was greater in women aged 20 to 39 than in those aged 40 and over. Human papillomavirus infection had initially been diagnosed cytologically in 101 of the 437 (23%) women with borderline results. Significantly fewer of these women developed high grade dyskaryosis (13/98 (13%) v 88/339 (26%), p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--Women with borderline smear test results are at increased risk of developing high grade dyskaryosis, particularly if the borderline changes occur without cytological features of human papillomavirus infection. Progression occurs within three years in 50% of cases, although a linearly increasing risk was sustained over the nine years of follow up and was greatest in women aged 20 to 39. Careful follow up of these women is indicated.


It's well known a switched-mode power supply is easily to produce strong electromagnetic radiation emission and fails in EMC test for its RFI exceeding limits between 30MHz-200MHz. Based on asymmetry line antenna theory, a novel far field common mode radiation model, including an equivalent driving source, radiation structure and some key influence factors, is identified and built up for a small flyback power supply. Radiation characteristics of this model are predicted by using Ansoft HFSS and its effectiveness is verified by experiment. In the end, the radiation role of some key factors, such as the length of output cable, CM impedance of AC grid, layout of cable and reflected ground, are studied using simulation in detail.


This paper discusses the real-time aspects of networked control systems' (NCSs) operating environments. An open-loop unstable magnetic-levitation (Maglev) test bed was constructed and used to develop an NCS with a real-time application interface (RTAI) operating environment. A client-server architecture on a local area network (LAN) was developed with the network communication based on the user datagram protocol (UDP). The implementation of an event-driven server and a time-driven client presented in this paper facilitates a simple timing scheme that does not require clock synchronization between the client and the server. A novel prediction scheme involving the multiple-step-ahead generation of control signals is used to maintain system stability in the presence of excessive time delays and packet losses in the communication network. The current system can compensate for up to 20% data-packet losses without losing stability with the Maglev real-time-control test bed in the communication network.


Sampling) project is a long-running project to provide a user-friendly language and environment for Bayesian inference. The first article, by Andrew Thomas and colleagues, describes the BRugs package which provides an R interface to the OpenBUGS engine. The second article by Andrew Thomas describes the BUGS language itself and the design philosophy behind it. Somewhat unusually for an article in R News, this article does not describe any R software, but it is included to highlight some of the differences in the way statistical models are represented in R and OpenBUGS. The issue ends with an article by Jouni Kerman and Andrew Gelman, who give a personal perspective on what the next generation of Bayesian software may look like, and preview some of their own work in this area, notably the rv package for representing simulation-based random variables, and the forthcoming "Universal Markov Chain Sampler" package, Umacs.


From the past decade outlier detection has been in use. Detection of outliers is an emerging topic and is having robust applications in medical sciences and pharmaceutical sciences. Outlier detection is used to detect anomalous behaviour of data. Typical problems in Bioinformatics can be addressed by outlier detection. A computationally fast method for detecting outliers is shown, that is particularly effective in high dimensions. PrCmpOut algorithm make use of simple properties of principal components to detect outliers in the transformed space, leading to significant computational advantages for high dimensional data. This procedure requires considerably less computational time than existing methods for outlier detection. The properties of this estimator (Outlier error rate (FN), Non-Outlier error rate(FP) and computational costs) are analyzed and compared with those of other robust estimators described in the literature through simulation studies. Numerical evidence based Oxazolines and Oxazoles molecular descriptor dataset shows that the proposed method performs well in a variety of situations of practical interest. It is thus a valuable companion to the existing outlier detection methods.


This action research study reports an inquiry based learning process in which fifth graders worked collaboratively by examining a local topic (free school snack) from their school context. Collaborative inquiry was used as a way to promote elementary students' reflections in the EFL classroom drawing on Vygotsky's ideas about learning mediated by social and material contexts (Lee & Smagorinsky, 2000). The EFL curriculum was organized around students' communities and realities as relevant resources for language learning (Sharkey, Clavijo & Ramirez, 2016). Lessons were organized around students' knowledge about the free daily snack that school provides to all children and what they wanted to learn about the topic. In this sense, Dewey's (1997) idea of learning as experience was implemented through an inquiry curriculum with students. Findings suggest that through a classroom project, fifth graders developed inquiry skills and digital, visual, oral, and written literacies while learning together through collaboration. Inquiring in the language classroom evidenced the use of languages (Spanish and English) as the means to learn about meaningful content beyond English grammar lessons. It also led to individual reflections about the challenges of working together as well as about school coexistence understood as the way all the members of an educational community relate to each other.


Do catastrophe bonds increase or decrease the exposure and contribution to systemic risk of the issuing insurance companies? And if such issues influence systemic stability, what design features of the bond and characteristics of the issuing insurer cause catastrophe bond issues to destabilize the financial sector? Contrary to current conjectures of insurance regulators, we find that the contribution of ceding insurers to systemic risk actually decreases significantly after the issue of a catastrophe bond. We empirically confirm that a higher pre-issue leverage, a higher firm valuation and previous cat bond issues all exert a decreasing effect on the issuer's systemic risk contribution.


Receptor-interacting protein (RIP) plays a critical role in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced IkappaB kinase (IKK) activation and subsequent activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB. However, the molecular mechanism by which RIP mediates TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation is not completely defined. In this study, we have found that TAK1 is recruited to the TNF-alpha receptor complex in a RIP-dependent manner following the stimulation of TNF-alpha receptor 1 (TNF-R1). Moreover, a forced recruitment of TAK1 to TNF-R1 in the absence of RIP is sufficient to mediate TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation, indicating that the major function of RIP is to recruit its downstream kinases to the TNF-R1 complex. Interestingly, we also find that TAK1 and MEKK3 form a functional complex, in which TAK1 regulates autophosphorylation of MEKK3. The TAK1-mediated regulation of MEKK3 phosphorylation is dependent on the kinase activity of TAK1. Although TAK1-MEKK3 interaction is not affected by overexpressed TAB1, TAB1 is required for TAK1 activation and subsequent MEKK3 phosphorylation. Together, we conclude that TAK1 is recruited to the TNF-R1 complex via RIP and likely cooperates with MEKK3 to activate NF-kappaB in TNF-alpha signaling.


OBJECTIVE:In order to study cellular dynamicfeatures in carcinoma and premalignancy originated inepithelial tissue. METHODS: The golden hamster pouch premalignant model with dimethylbenzanthracence(DMBA) smeared was established by Salley and detected with flow cytometry(FCM) binding to bromodeoxyuridine(BRDU),30 Syrian golden hamsters were grouped and done contrast study. RESULTS: The cellular lesions were aggravated gradually along with extention of smeared DMBA microstopically,FCM detective results demonstrated that the detective rate of Sporiod cell between contrast and smeared group had significant difference. Even though mild dysplsia presented microscopically FCM detective result and significant difference. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that golden hamster cheek pouch premalignancy has cellular dynamicfeatures of dysplasia.


This chapter discusses the 'decentralized' powers of the European Court of Justice. It looks at two specific constitutional principles that the Court has derived from the general duty of sincere cooperation: the principle of equivalence and the principle of effectiveness. Both principles have led to a significant judicial harmonization of national procedural laws. The chapter then turns to a third incursion into the procedural autonomy of national courts: the liability principle. While the previous two principles relied on the existence of national remedies for the enforcement of European law, this principle establishes a European remedy for proceedings in national courts. An individual can here, under certain conditions, claim compensatory damages resulting from a breach of European law. Importantly, the remedial competence of national courts is confined to national wrongs. They cannot give judgments on 'European' wrongs, as jurisdiction over the latter is—like the power to annul Union law—an exclusive power of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Finally, the chapter explores what happens in areas in which the Union has harmonized the remedial or jurisdictional competences of national courts.


We report the case of a 59‐year‐old woman who presented with several episodes of transient ischemic attack (TIA) caused by pathologically confirmed giant cell arteritis. She continued suffering from TIAs during admission despite immunosuppressant and antithrombotic therapy. Sudden neurological deterioration with paraparesis and cognitive impairment developed. A brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed bilateral watershed ischemic lesions. MR angiography demonstrated severe stenosis of both intracranial internal carotid arteries (ICAs). Angioplasty and stenting on the left ICA were performed, with evident clinical improvement occurring within 24 hours. Endovascular therapy may be an alternative option to treat severe GCA with symptomatic intracranial large vessel disease not responsive to intensive conventional medical treatment.


In the recent years, the scale of online transaction has increased considerably. Subsequently, this has also increased the number of fraud cases, causing billions of dollars losses each year worldwide. Therefore, it has become mandatory to implement mechanisms that are able to assist in fraud detection. In this work, the use of Ensemble Genetic Algorithm is proposed to identify frauds in electronic transactions, more specifically in online credit card operations. A case study, using the dataset containing transactions made by credit cards in September 2013 by European cardholders, is used. This dataset presents transactions that occurred in two days, where we have 492 frauds out of 284,807 transactions. The presented algorithm achieves good performance in fraud detection as compared to the other machine learning algorithms. The results show that the proposed algorithm achieved good classification effectiveness in all tested instances.


Abstract This study aimed to investigate the synergy between transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NP-MSCs) and the underlying mechanism using a serum-free culture system. NP-MSC proliferation and viability were measured using a CCK-8 assay and annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide, respectively. NP-MSCs in micromasses were investigated for differentiation towards nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). SOX-9, collagen-I, collagen-II, aggrecan and decorin expressions were detected by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Matrix deposition was assessed by sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) analysis. Novel chondrogenic and nucleus pulposus (NP) genes were detected to distinguish differentiated cell types. MAPK/ERK and TGF/Smad signaling pathways were also examined. As a result, the synergy between TGF-β3 and IGF-1 enhanced NP-MSC viability, extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis and differentiation towards NPCs, partly through the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Therefore, the synergy between TGF-β3 and IGF-1 ameliorates NP-MSC viability, differentiation and promotes intervertebral disc regeneration.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to characterize the state of literature regarding forcibly displaced persons' sexual and reproductive health in urban areas in low- and middle-income countries. Specific objectives include describing the sexual and reproductive health outcomes among forcibly displaced persons relocating in urban environments.

INTRODUCTION
As a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, and disruptive events, 89.3 million people worldwide were currently forcibly displaced at the end of 2021. Forcibly displaced people face a wide range of sexual and reproductive health challenges in countries of origin, en route to final destinations, and on arrival in host communities. There is a growing urbanization of forcibly displaced persons, yet limited attention on sexual and reproductive health outcomes of urban forcibly displaced persons.

INCLUSION CRITERIA
This review will consider studies that include sexual and/or reproductive health outcomes and needs of forcibly displaced persons within urban environments in low- and middle-income countries. Published and unpublished evidence, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods research, and gray literature will be eligible for inclusion.

METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, IBSS, ASSIA, SSCI, and Global Medicus Index will be searched for English-language articles. Titles and abstracts will be screened against the inclusion criteria, followed by full-text review of potentially eligible studies, which will be independently assessed by 2 reviewers. Eligible articles will be extracted and charted. Results from extracted data will be tabulated and accompanied by a narrative summary to summarize and contextualize the extracted data to describe how the results relate to the review's objectives and question.


The demand for subsea cables and pipelines that transfer marine energy resources onshore has recently increased. Laying these underground after trenching is one engineering method to stabilize exposed subsea cables and pipelines. This experimental study found the optimum conditions for operating two types of waterjet arms mounted on an ROV trencher. A waterjet arm for trenching the seabed was scaled down at a ratio of 1:6, and a comparative analysis was conducted using diverse parameters. The results of this research provide a practical fundamental database to assist in making decisions about the ROV trencher performance in advance.


The Pt-Sn/Al2 O3 catalyst has been successfully commercialized for propane dehydrogenation, but it is still highly desirable to further improve its catalytic performance for maximizing the utilization efficiency of noble metal Pt. Herein, this work demonstrates that doping Nb and Ta into Pt-Sn/Al2 O3 has great impacts on its structure, and significantly improved catalytic performances are achieved in Pt-Sn-X/Al2 O3 (X=Nb and Ta). It is found that the incorporation of Nb and Ta into Pt-Sn/Al2 O3 can promote the dispersion of Pt-Sn particles, which results in Pt-Sn clusters being highly dispersed at the surface of Al2 O3 . Moreover, the presence of Nb and Ta makes the SnOx species less reducible, and thus the Pt-Sn particles become more stable at high temperature. Systematic exploration allows to obtain the optimized Pt-Sn-Nb5.0 /Al2 O3 and Pt-Sn-Ta1.0 /Al2 O3 , and these two catalysts exhibit high initial propane conversion (above 43.8 % and 50.4 %) with propylene selectivity of above 98 %. Most importantly, they show excellent regeneration in propane dehydrogenation, and their catalytic performance can be completely restored by a simple calcination.


The vestigial wing gene in D. melanogaster is a popular locus used to illustrate classical Mendelian inheritance patterns because the short, crinkled-wing phenotype directed by the vg1 allele is easy to identify. Carolina Biological notes that its stock of vestigial wing flies also has flies with more developed, but still under-developed wings, the more common phenotype being a narrow plank-shaped transparent wing. A line of flies was bred that only displayed the "plank-wing" phenotype. Genetic analysis of the mutant allele, vgpl, showed that it was recessive to the wild-type allele vg+, and mutants displayed variable expressivity. PCR products were generated from all three alleles: the products from wild-type DNA covered the whole gene while products from the mutant DNAs covered about 75% of the gene. The presence of retrotransposon 412 was confirmed in vg1 and also found in vgpl; a reported second large insert in the vg1 remains to be amplified. Sanger DNA sequencing of the first 4,812 bp, beginning 428 bp upstream of the transcription start site revealed allele specific point mutations and small insertions, some specific for each of the vg1 and vgpl alleles. The DNA sequence analysis so far confirmed the partial genetic reversion of the vg1 to a new vgpl allele. When complete, a full DNA sequence analysis should suggest nucleotide changes that cause the new "plank wing" phenotype.This work was funded in part by the Research Challenge Fund through a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Division of Science and Research.


This work describes the architecture and realisation of microelectronic components for a retina implant system that will provide visual sensations to patients suffering from photoreceptor degeneration. Special camera circuitry has been developed for a high dynamic range of more than seven decades of optical resolution corresponding to the performance of the human eye. This image is converted into receptive field data for generation of the stimulation data. The former components are located outside of the eye and are wireless linked to an implanted flexible silicon multielectrode stimulator inside the eye, which generates electrical signals for electrostimulation of the retina. The image sensor and the implantable power and data receiver as well as the stimulator have been fabricated using standard CMOS-technology.


Seventy-three articles related to metabolic syndrome were found in a search through databases dedicated to indexing all literature with original data involving the Malaysian population between years 2000 and 2015. Metabolic syndrome affects 25 to 40% of adult population of Malaysia with the risk increasing with age. Obese children are also at risk. Indian ethnicity has the highest rates, followed by Malay and chinese. It was found that socioeconomics determinants such as living in urban areas, unemployment, lower income, lower education level and shift workers had higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is associated with other medical conditions like cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, erectile dysfunction, polycystic ovarian syndrome and colorectal cancer. Several biomarkers have been determined to be relevant to our local population but their usage in clinical setting needs further research. Literature into effectiveness of management of metabolic syndrome in Malaysia is lacking and the results were only modest. there are several diagnostic criteria available for metabolic syndrome internationally and their individual significant to our local population is not clear. It also makes it difficult to compare results between studies using different criteria. Finally, we could not identify any local study to look at the health economic burden of metabolic syndrome locally.


In mobile ad hoc networks (MANET), nodes usually belong to different authorities and pursue different goals. In order to maximize their own performance, nodes in such networks tend to be selfish and are not willing to forward packets for benefit of others. Meanwhile, some nodes may behave maliciously and try to disrupt the network through wasting other nodes resources in a very large scale. In this article, we present a reputation-based attack resistant cooperation stimulation (RACS) system which ensures that damage caused by malicious nodes can be bounded and cooperation among the selfish nodes can be enforced. Mathematical analyses of the system as well as the simulation results have confirmed effectiveness of our proposed system. RACS is completely self-organizing and distributed. It does not require any tamper-proof hardware or central management policy.


Context. An R Coronae Borealis (RCB) star is a rare type of supergiant star that is increasingly suspected to be the evolved merger product of two white dwarfs. Lately, many RCBs have been found distributed in a thin disk structure embedded inside the Galactic bulge. This unexpectedly high density may provide additional insight into the nature and age of RCB stars. Aims. We apply and test a new technique to find RCB stars based on their particular infrared emission due to circumstellar shell. We attempt to demonstrate that RCB stars can be identified without performing a light curve analysis, which would simplified the search outside optically monitored fields. Methods. We selected RCB candidates based on their near-infrared excess and on their particular mid-infrared shells emission, using photometric data from the 2MASS and Spitzer/GLIMPSE surveys. Each candidates OGLE light curves were then visually inspected and we selected for spectroscopy follow-up those that underwent large and rapid declines. Results. We discover two new R Coronae Borealis stars, but also indicate four new possible candidates. We emphasize that all of the 7 known RCB stars located in both the Spitzer/GLIMPSE and OGLE-III fields were also re-discovered, which illustrates the high efficiency of our analysis. Conclusions. The proposed new technique to find RCB stars has been successful. It can now be extended to larger areas, in particular where the interstellar extinction is too high to be monitored by optical microlensing surveys, such as the inner part of the Galactic bulge.


* Abbreviations:
 ABC — : Active Bacterial Core surveillance
 EOS — : early-onset neonatal sepsis
 GBS — : group B streptococcus
 IAP — : intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis

Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) remains a feared cause of severe illness and death among infants of all birthweights and gestational ages, with particular impact among preterm infants. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigators have studied the changing epidemiology of invasive EOS for several decades. The Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) network, a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state health departments, and universities, was established in 1995 to address emerging infectious diseases of public health importance, including infections due to major neonatal pathogens.1,2 ABCs data are remarkable because of the geographic distribution and size of the population-based network, laboratory-based identification of cases, linked epidemiologic and laboratory data, and surveillance over many years. In this issue of Pediatrics , Schrag and colleagues3 present ABCs data on the epidemiology of early-onset neonatal sepsis collected over a recent 10-year period, with special attention to group B streptococcal (GBS) and Escherichia coli infections.

Invasive GBS infection among neonates, identified in the 1960s,4 emerged as the most common cause of EOS, with high risk of morbidity and mortality. National guidelines …

Address correspondence to Barbara J. Stoll, MD, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St, MSB G.150, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: barbara.j.stoll{at}uth.tmc.edu


A single isolated parietal bone from the Fort Sill deposit of Oklahoma is described. It has a well-developed upper temporal opening, resembling that of the primitive South African diapsids. The parietal is compared with that of Araeoscelis and Youngopsis. Based on comparison with this parietal and the configuration of the rear skull table of millerosaurs and romeriids, the bone usually identified as tabular in younginids is designated the supratemporal. The Fort Sill parietal may belong to a form structurally, if not phylogenetically, intermediate between primitive captorhinomorphs and eosuchians.


After green revolution chemical fertilizers has been used at a great extent in all the crops which decrease the fertility and profile of the soil. Due to various side effects of chemical fertilizers, use of organic fertilizers is an alternative method for the improvement of crop production and maintenance of soil fertility. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of chemical fertilizer and organic manure on the growth of soybean crop. A total of ten different treatments of both organic manure and chemical fertilizer were used. The various parameters - seed germination, seedling survival, root length and shoot length and seedling height was measured in the present investigation. The results revealed that germination percentage showed increment in nearly all the treatments as compared to the control sets except at highest dose of NPK fertilizer which showed little decrease in germination percentage and was found maximum (97.33%) at optimum dose of vermicompost. The results also showed that survival rate was higher in all treatments than control except at the highest dose of NPK fertilizer in which the survival rate was found minimum (74.38%).Also the root length and seedling height was maximum at the optimum dose of Vermicompost (20%) treated plants and was found minimum in the highest dose (300gm) of NPK fertilizer. The results revealed that the chemical fertilizers at higher doses have deleterious effects on plant growth and development. Organic manures at very high doses checks plant growth but vermicompost had no side effects even at higher doses. Key w ords: Vermicompost, NPK, FYM, Soybean, Germination


Amaranthus dubius, Vigna unguiculata, and Cucurbita pepo are traditionally used to manage obesity in Kenya but lack scientific validation to support their use. The aim of this study was to determine the antiobesity activity of methanolic leaf extracts of these plants in progesterone-induced obese mice. The activity of the methanolic leaf extracts was orally bioscreened in progesterone-induced obese mice at 200 mg/kg/bw and 400 mg/kg/bw. Body mass index was calculated once per week for four weeks and blood samples were obtained at the end of the experiment for lipid profile analysis. Antiobesity activities of the extracts were compared with the controls. Leaf extracts of A. dubius, C. pepo, and V. unguiculata, at dose concentrations of 200 mg/kgbw and 400 mg/kgbw, showed significant effects on body mass index (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the three extracts on lipid parameter profiles (p > 0.05). The present study showed high food intake in the negative control group as compared with normal control, positive control, and treatment groups. These extracts contained various phytochemicals such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids and therefore validate use of aforementioned plants in the suppression of obesity and their use for management of obesity is recommended.


Although the morphology of the pathognomonic Reed–Sternberg cells of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) was described over a century ago, it was not until recently that their origin from B lymphocytes was recognised. The demonstration that a proportion of cases of HL harbour the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and that its genome is monoclonal in these tumours suggests that the virus contributes to the development of HL in some cases. This review summarises current knowledge of the pathogenesis of HL with particular emphasis on the association with EBV.


Shed cells or disrupted parts of the biofilm may enter the circulation causing serious and very hard to treat biofilm-associated infections. The activity of antimicrobial agents against the shed cells/ disrupted biofilms is largely unknown. Methods: We studied the in vitro susceptibility of intact and disrupted biofilms of thirty clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant and methicillin–susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis to vancomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid and compared it to that of the suspended (planktonic) cells. Results: Bacteria in the disrupted biofilms were as resistant as those in the intact biofilms at the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics. At higher concentrations, bacteria in the disrupted biofilms were significantly (P < 0.001) less resistant than those in the intact biofilms but more resistant than the planktonic cells. Quinupristin/dalfopristin showed the best activity against cells of the disrupted biofilms at concentrations above MICs and vancomycin, at 500 and 1,000 µg/ ml, was significantly more active against the biofilms of MRSA and S. epidermidis Conclusion: The difficulty of treating biofilm-associated infections may be attributed not only to the difficulty of eradicating the biofilm focus but also to the lack of susceptibility of cells disrupted from the biofilm to antimicrobial agents.


RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Literature have showed inconclusive or contradictory results regarding medication review services effectiveness in optimizing process indicators. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the process indicators of a medication review service between pharmacists and physicians.

METHOD
This quasi-experimental study was conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 with patients who were receiving care in a medication review service in a teaching hospital in northeastern Brazil. The main process indicators were number of pharmaceutical consultations; identification and resolution of drug-related problems (DRP) and pharmaceutical interventions that were classified according to type and degree of acceptance. Descriptive statistics were used to report data. The statistical significance of the association between variables was evaluated using the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test. The 95% confidence interval was considered, and differences were deemed statistically significant if P ≤ .05.

RESULTS
A total of 146 patients attended the medication review service. The number of consultations per patient ranged from one to five (2.1 ± 1.1). The service identified 366 DRP, most of which were indication (67.5%). Patients who had four to five pharmaceutical consultations were 1.14 times more likely to have their DRP identified (χ2 = 33.83, P < .0001). Of the DRP identified, 183 (42.33%) were resolved. Patients who had between one and two pharmaceutical consultations were 1.22 times more likely not to have their DRP resolved compared with the group with more than three consultations (χ2 = 3.44, P < .05). Of the 173 pharmaceutical interventions made to the medical students and physicians, the majority (98.7%) was accepted.

CONCLUSION
The collaborative medication review service optimized the process indicators. Drug-related problems identification and resolution required more than three pharmaceutical consultations. Most of the pharmaceutical interventions were accepted by prescribers. Thus, collaborative medication review services may be fundamental to the construction of more effective and safe health systems.


Anifowose Abstract — Impact significance determination is one key task required of all EIA undertakings. A major issue in EIA analysis is the subjectivity resulting in, inconsistencies in experts' and stakeholders' judgment. However, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) can serve as a check for inconsistencies and tool for aggregation of the different experts' and stakeholders' opinions on impact assessment. This study investigated the integration of AHP into EIA impact significance determination to assess the effect of consistency and inconsistency in stakeholder judgments. A case study to investigate an application of the proposed method in a major oil pipeline's replacement project is presented. It was observed that the opinions of both experts and stakeholders were uniform on some impacts such as land use, water contamination and an increase in the cost of health services, representing 18.75% of all the identified impacts. Conversely, there were differences in opinions on other impacts revealing what could be a cause of serious disagreement between the company and the community. It was also observed that, although consistency in judgment is critical, it is not always very easy to obtain when dealing with many stakeholders. This integration demonstrated the ability of AHP to serve as an excellent decision aid for managers during environmental impact assessment. This could also help authorities prioritise risk management plan and allocate resources optimally when dealing with identified impacts of a


Efforts to improve engine cooling efficiency by usage of heat exchanger as well as research on cooling fluids composition and properties are well described. Studies on heat exchangers are focused mainly on their durability properties, while cooling fluids development is lately concentrating on nanofluids. In this paper physicochemical properties changes of diluted glycol-based cooling fluid in a long-term durability test of vehicle heat exchanger, were investigated. Following parameters were measured: density of coolant, pH value, elements content in coolant, and reserve alkalinity. Above mentioned analyses were performed on samples collected both in the beginning and periodically after every 500 hours of durability test which lasted for 3000 hours in total. The performed study leads to conclusion that interaction of cooling fluid with material of heat exchanger and changes in glycol composition during long-lasting durability test allows to determine aging effect of applied glycol solution on heat exchanger wear.


RNA viruses have limited coding capacity and must therefore successfully subvert cellular processes to facilitate their replication. A fundamental challenge faced by both viruses and their hosts is the ability to achieve the correct folding and assembly of their proteome while avoiding misfolding and aggregation. In cells, this process is facilitated by numerous chaperone systems together with a large number of co-chaperones. In this work, we set out to define the chaperones and co-chaperones involved in the replication of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Using an RNAi screen, we identify multiple members of cellular protein folding networks whose knockdown alters RSV replication. The reduced number of chaperones and co-chaperones identified in this work can facilitate the unmasking of specific chaperone subnetworks required for distinct steps of the RSV life cycle and identifies new potential targets for antiviral therapy. Indeed, we show that the pharmacological inhibition of one of the genes identified in the RNAi screen, valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97), can impede the replication of RSV by interfering with the infection cycle at multiple steps.


Climate change will alter concurrently many environmental factors that exert control over oceanic phytoplankton. Recent laboratory culture work, shipboard experiments, and field surveys reveal many remaining unknowns about the bottom‐up controls for five globally important algal groups. Increasing uncertainties exist, respectively, for picocyanobacteria, diatoms, Phaeocystis spp., N2‐fixing cyanobacteria, and coccolithophores. This missing information about current environmental controls will hinder progress in modeling how these phytoplankton will be influenced by climate change. A review of conceptual approaches used to elucidate the relationship between environmental controls and phytoplankton dominance, from Margalef's mandala to functional traits, uncovered limitations regarding their application to climate‐change scenarios. For example, these previous approaches have insufficient scope or dimensions to take into account the confounding effects of synergistic and antagonistic interactions of multiple environmental change variables. A new approach is needed that considers all of the different environmental properties altered by climate change and their interactions while at the same time permitting a subset of the most significant controls for a specific phytoplankton group to be isolated and evaluated in factorial matrix perturbation experiments. We advocate three new interlinked approaches, including environmental clusters that incorporate all factors (temperature, CO2, light, nutrients, and trace metals), which both exert control over present‐day floristics and will be altered by climate change. By carefully linking a holistic conceptual approach to a reductionist experimental design, the future responses of open‐ocean phytoplankton groups to a complex, rapidly changing environment can be better predicted.


Through multidimensional scaling three factors—potential subject harm, use of manipulative illegitimate procedures, and the ratio between benefits and risks— were identified as the key characteristics associated with moral judgments of social psychological studies. Individuals who endorsed different ethical ideologies, however, differed in their emphasis of these factors. Situationists emphasized risks relative to benefits and the potential for subject harm. Absolutists based their judgments on costs created for participating subjects and the riskiness of the procedures. Subjectivists' judgments were associated with the harmfulness, legitimacy, and invasiveness of the procedures. Exceptionists emphasized the consequentially of the research, as well as scientific legitimacy, magnitude of costs, and deception. These findings are in general consistent with a taxonomy of ethical ideologies based on individual differences in relativism and idealism and have implications for current debates concerning the ethics of social psychological research.


Background Mass flexion-extension co-excitation patterns during walking are often seen as a consequence of stroke, but there is limited understanding of the specific contributions of different descending motor pathways toward their control. The corticospinal tract is a major descending motor pathway influencing the production of normal sequential muscle coactivation patterns for skilled movements. However, control of walking is also influenced by non-corticospinal pathways such as the corticoreticulospinal pathway that possibly contribute toward mass flexion-extension co-excitation patterns during walking. The current study sought to investigate the associations between damage to corticospinal (CST) and corticoreticular (CRP) motor pathways following stroke and the presence of mass flexion-extension patterns during walking as evaluated using module analysis. Methods Seventeen healthy controls and 44 stroke survivors were included in the study. We used non-negative matrix factorization for module analysis of paretic leg electromyographic activity. We typically have observed four modules during walking in healthy individuals. Stroke survivors often have less independently timed modules, for example two-modules presented as mass flexion-extension pattern. We used diffusion tensor imaging-based analysis where streamlines connecting regions of interest between the cortex and brainstem were computed to evaluate CST and CRP integrity. We also used a coarse classification tree analysis to evaluate the relative CST and CRP contribution toward module control. Results Interhemispheric CST asymmetry was associated with worse lower extremity Fugl-Meyer score (p = 0.023), propulsion symmetry (p = 0.016), and fewer modules (p = 0.028). Interhemispheric CRP asymmetry was associated with worse lower extremity Fugl-Meyer score (p = 0.009), Dynamic gait index (p = 0.035), Six-minute walk test (p = 0.020), Berg balance scale (p = 0.048), self-selected walking speed (p = 0.041), and propulsion symmetry (p = 0.001). The classification tree model reveled that substantial ipsilesional CRP or CST damage leads to a two-module pattern and poor walking ability with a trend toward increased compensatory contralesional CRP based control. Conclusion Both CST and CRP are involved with control of modules during walking and damage to both may lead to greater reliance on the contralesional CRP, which may contribute to a two-module pattern and be associated with worse walking performance.


AIM
The aim of this paper was to explore nurses' stress experiences of working under the current health care system in Taiwan (the context) using a qualitative approach.

BACKGROUND
Although most global health care institutions have been changing in response to the economic contraction, there is a deficit of information in understanding the changes of the ecology of the health care system in Taiwan from nurses' perspectives.

DESIGN
Grounded theory.

METHODS
A grounded theory approach was used to collect the data from a sample of 28 critical care nurses from seven hospitals in Taiwan. Data were analysed using a multi-step analytic procedure, based on the approaches of Glaser, Chesler and Strauss and Corbin.

FINDINGS
The health care system changes were found to increase critical care nurses' occupational stress and work dilemmas. For the purpose of this study, the two categories that emerged in the 'context' component of the paradigm model are investigated. They were: hospital reorganisation and cultural burden of the nurse's role.

CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicated that hospital organisational changes and people's own belief of the nurse's role were recognised as the environmental pressures which increase critical care nurses' occupational stress. Cultural background may play an important role in influencing nurses' work atmosphere and their ways of being seen.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Critical care nurses perceived that their hospitals were under huge demands due to the changes in health care policies; these had subsequently caused them a high level of occupational stress. Beliefs in the embedded culture were also identified as significant factors in causing nurses' role stress. These findings could enhance the knowledge of critical care nurses' occupational stress and identify the most appropriate stress management skills available to them. Findings will add to the understanding of Chinese nurses who may work globally.


beta-Amyloid peptide (A beta), the main constituent of senile plaques and diffuse amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's diseased brain, was shown to initiate the development of oxidative stress in neuronal cell cultures. Toxic lots of A beta form free radical species in aqueous solution. It was proposed that A beta-derived free radicals can directly damage cell proteins via oxidative modification. Recently we reported that synthetic A beta can interact with glutamine synthetase (GS) and induce inactivation of this enzyme. In the present study we present the evidence that toxic A beta(25-35) induces the oxidation of pure GS in vitro. It was found that inactivation of GS by A beta, as well as the oxidation of GS by metal-catalyzed oxidation system, is accompanied by an increase of protein carbonyl content. As it was reported previously by our laboratory, radicalization of A beta is not iron or peroxide-dependent. Our present observations consistently show that toxic A beta does not need iron or peroxide to oxidize GS. However, treatment of GS with the peptide, iron and peroxide together significantly stimulates the protein carbonyl formation. Here we report also that A beta(25-35) induces carbonyl formation in BSA. Our results demonstrate that beta-peptide, as well as other free radical generators, induces carbonyl formation when brought into contact with different proteins.


Extremely large telescopes (ELTs) provide an opportunity to observe surface inhomogeneities for ultracool objects including M dwarfs, brown dwarfs (BDs), and gas giant planets via Doppler imaging and spectrophotometry techniques. These inhomogeneities can be caused by star spots, clouds, and vortices. Star spots and associated stellar flares play a significant role in habitability, either stifling life or catalyzing abiogenesis depending on the emission frequency, magnitude, and orientation. Clouds and vortices may be the source of spectral and photometric variability observed at the L/T transition of BDs and are expected in gas giant exoplanets. We develop a versatile analytical framework to model and infer surface inhomogeneities that can be applied to both spectroscopic and photometric data. This model is validated against a slew of numerical simulations. Using archival spectroscopic and photometric data, we infer starspot parameters (location, size, and contrast) and generate global surface maps for Luhman 16B (an early T dwarf and one of our solar system's nearest neighbors at a distance of ≈2 pc). We confirm previous findings that Luhman 16B's atmosphere is inhomogeneous with time-varying features. In addition, we provide tentative evidence of longer timescale atmospheric structures such as dark equatorial and bright midlatitude to polar spots. These findings are discussed in the context of atmospheric circulation and dynamics for ultracool dwarfs. Our analytical model will be valuable in assessing the feasibility of using ELTs to study surface inhomogeneities of gas giant exoplanets and other ultracool objects.


This paper investigates the guaranteed cost control of chaos problem in permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) via Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy method approach. Based on Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a state feedback controller is proposed to stabilize the PMSM systems. An illustrative example is provided to verify the validity of the results developed in this paper.


The research is to find out and analyze the contribution of Original income Equalization Funds against the region and the financial performance of local Government Counties and the city of se-West Java province.
Hypothesis testing in this study using multiple regression analysis (Multiple Regression) on the grounds that its independent variable more than one. This analysis is used to determine the relationship between financial performance areas with independent variables (the original Revenue Equalization Fund and regional). To know the influence between independent variables with the performance levels of local government then performed testing of hypothesis testing research on the variables with the determination coefficient and t-test.
Linear regression analysis of the barganda equation KKPD = 1.452 + 0, 561PAD – 0, 171DP + e. Whereas determinasinya coefficients (R2) of 25.3%. based on the research results obtained the conclusion that Equalization Fund of PAD effect partially against the financial performance of local government.


In this paper, computational approach for pseudo-immunological specificity investigation of acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPSA), acrylic acid and itaconic acid to a molecule of melamine was developed based on DFT-calculations at the level of theory Rw97XD / 6-31G (d). It should be noted that improving of the ligand-selectivity of "artificial receptor" is an important step in order to achieve sensors with high selectivity. The results of computational experiments show that among the considered monomers AMPSA is most suitable for further synthesis of "artificial receptor" for melamine, as formed the strongest complex with melamine. Conducted theoretical research can be the basis for developing a sensor for melamine, which due to the presence of "artificial receptor" of AMPSA will provide a high selectivity of detection.


Introduction: nosocomial infections are those acquired as a consequence of hospital care, which is the main complication of hospitalized patients. Objective: to characterize newborn patients with nosocomial infections clinical and epidemiologically. Material and method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional research was carried out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Abel Santamaria Cuadrado General University Hospital from January to December 2014. The target group was comprised of 1189 hospitalized newborn; the sample included 61 patients with nosocomial infections. Weight, sex, gestational age, admission-stay, days with ventilation, catheterization, parenteral nutrition, presentation ways, type of germens and mortality rate were the variables studied. Results: 57.4% of the patients were male, low weight (70.5%) and 75.4% preterm. Pneumeonia associated with ventilation (52.9%), ventilation reached the highest staying. Central venous catheter used for more than 14 days was associated with infection (52.6%), as well as those with parenteral nutrition more than 7 days (81.4%), hospital admission-stay higher than 10 days 57.4%. The most frequent way of presentation was bloodstream infection (52.5%) and the germen Coagulase - negative staphylococci prevailed (42.6%). Mortality rate reached 3.3%. Conclusions: the incidence of nosocomial infections was high related to the extension of hospital-stay, central catheterization, mechanical ventilation and parenteral nutrition. The most frequent way of presentation was bloodstream infection; coagulase - negative staphylococcus was most of the time isolated. Mortality rate showed a low prevalence.


Expressions of p53 protein and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were immunohistochemically investigated in 111 patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) in order to evaluate their co-expression in relation to lymph node metastases (LNM), tumor size and clinicopathologic stage. In PTC, positive staining for p53 in dewaxed sections was present in nuclei or cytoplasm, or in both, whereas surface linear or cytoplasmic staining for EGFR was observed with varying degrees of extent and intensity. Positive reaction (more than 10% of tumor cells positive) was observed in 65 cases (58. 5%) for p53, and in 87 cases (78.4%) for EGFR. A significant correlation was found between p53 protein and EGFR overexpressions (p<0.01). Notably, p53-positive cases always exhibited positive staining for EGFR. Forty-four patients (39.6%) exhibited concomitant LNM, most of whom had both p53 and EGFR expression in primary foci. Statistical analysis revealed that co-expression of p53 protein and EGFR was significantly correlated with LNM, tumor size and clinicopathologic stage, but no correlation was found between their co-expression and age or sex. Our findings suggest that overexpression of p53 protein or EGFR in PTC tends to be associated with a high frequency of LNM, increased tumor size and advanced clinicopathologic stage, and that co-expression of both p53 protein and EGFR may predispose to growth and progression of PTC. Our findings also suggest that p53 protein and EGFR expressions may be clinicopathologic and prognostic indicators of PTC.


Dynamic range definitions for conventional photographic films emphasize the primary noise mechanisms of such films, namely grain noise. Dynamic range is redefined and noise mechanisms are discussed for photochromic and other grainless films. Measurements indicate peak signal-to-noise ratios in excess of 60 dB for photochromic memories.


Modification of the enzyme alginate lyase (AL) with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was attempted for the degradation and removal of alginate biofilms in infectious diseases. The modification of AL with PEG was attempted with three kinds of N-succinimidyl succinate PEG (SS-PEG), which differed in molecular weight (i.e., 2000, 5000 and 12,000 Da). The conjugation of PEG to free amino groups on AL was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography. Quantification of residual free amino groups revealed that PEG modification progressed further with a higher pH and a larger molar ratio of SS-PEG to AL. The reproducibility of the reaction was fairly good. The enzyme activity decreased with increasing PEG modification but the immunoreactivity toward anti-AL antibodies, as evaluated by an ELISA method, was much more remarkably reduced. The immunoreactivity was more reduced by the conjugated PEG with the larger molecular weight. In the reaction with PEG of molecular weight 12,000 Da, we obtained PEG-modified AL retaining approximately 40% enzyme activity but only 0.5% of the immunoreactivity of native AL.


The dynamics of social events happening in large metropolitan areas are extremely complex. Location-based user generated data could be an exceptionally rich source of information about events, however the vastness and the heterogeneity of such information makes it almost impossible for city managers to have a comprehensive view. Some events are planned and advertised only among restricted communities, for many it is problematic to estimate the number of attendees, and in general it is very difficult to have information about citizen mobility in areas nearby or where events happen. In this paper, we describe EXSED, an interactive intelligent tool to support the visual exploration of social events dynamics along the spatial, temporal and organizational dimensions. Major functionalities include: (i) studying events that are either officially/unofficially planned and with global/local scope; (ii) extract discussion topics for an event and investigate their temporal and spatial profile; (iii) estimate event attendees and correlate their mobility patterns with the event evolution. We present preliminary results of a field study with officials from Dublin City Council (Ireland), who evaluated our tool on real world user-generated tweeter data and events in the city.


A recent high angular resolution extinction map toward the most opaque molecular globule, Globule 2, in the Coalsack Nebula revealed that it contains a strong central ring of dust column density. This ring represents a region of high density and pressure that is likely a transient and possibly turbulent structure. Dynamical models suggest that the ring has formed as a result of a sudden increase in external pressure which is driving a compression wave into the Globule. Here we combine the extinction measurements with a detailed study of the C18O (1–0) molecular line profiles toward Globule 2 in order to investigate the overall kinematics and, in doing so, test this dynamical model. We find that the ring corresponds to an enhancement in the C18O nonthermal velocity dispersion and nonthermal pressure. We observe a velocity gradient across the Globule that appears to trace two distinct systematic subsonic velocity flows that happen to converge within the ring. We suggest, therefore, that the ring has formed as two subsonic flows of turbulent gas merge within the Globule. The fact that the outer layers of the Globule appear stable against collapse, and yet there is no centrally condensed core, suggests that the Globule may be evolving from the outside in and has yet to stabilize, confirming its youth.


Usage of passive intelligent surface (PIS) is emerging as a low-cost green alternative to massive antenna systems for realizing high energy beamforming (EB) gains. To maximize its realistic utility, we present a novel channel estimation (CE) protocol for PIS-assisted energy transfer (PET) from a multiantenna power beacon (PB) to a single-antenna energy harvesting (EH) user. Noting the practical limitations of PIS and EH user, all computations are carried out at PB having required active components and radio resources. Using these estimates, near-optimal analytical active and passive EB designs are respectively derived for PB and PIS, that enable efficient PET over a longer duration of coherence block. Nontrivial design insights on relative significance of array size at PIS and PB are also provided. Numerical results validating theoretical claims against the existing benchmarks demonstrate that with sufficient passive elements at PIS, we can achieve desired EB gain with reduced active array size at PB.


On behalf of the International African Institute, I would like to welcome you all to this year's Lugard Lecture. The Institute established the lecture in 1948 in honour of its founding chairman, Lord Lugard. A few years ago, the Council had a lively debate on whether to change the name of the lecture given Lord Lugard's colonial ties. While there were divergent views, the Council came to the conclusion that it was important not to try to erase our ancestors or our history but to acknowledge the past, face its dark side, and engage it critically to advance new perspectives, new ways of understanding ourselves and the world around us. Indeed, over the years, distinguished scholars developing innovative and cutting-edge research and analysis in the field of African Studies have delivered remarkable Lugard lectures on a variety of topics addressing critical challenges of our time. And it is with great pleasure that I introduce you today to my fellow countryman and colleague, Professor Elísio Macamo, as the 2017 Lugard lecturer. Elísio, meu irmão, e' de facto um grande prazer apresentar-te nesta ocasião tão especial. Born in the city of Xai-Xai in Southern Mozambique, Professor Macamo studied in Maputo where he concluded a diploma in language and translation, and then proceeded to earning an MA degree in translation and interpreting from Salford University in the UK, and another MA in sociology and social policy from the University of North London. He then continued his graduate studies in Germany, receiving a PhD and a 'Habilitation' in sociology from the University of Bayreuth in 1997 and 2009 respectively. Professor Macamo's distinguished scholarship made him rise through the ranks and he is currently Director of the African Studies Centre, and Head of the Department of Social Sciences in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Basel. Before joining the University of Basel, he taught development sociology at Bayreuth and was one of the founding members of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies. Moreover, Elísio Macamo has been a visiting professor at universities in Germany, Portugal, Mozambique, South Africa and Brazil, and a member of several academic bodies, including the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), the German and Swiss Associations of African Studies as well as the International African Institute. He is also co-editor of the African Sociological Review and theRevista Angolana de Sociologia, amongst others. Elísio's outstanding contributions to academia are seen in his extensive publications. Drawing inspiration from


Strong collaborations are critical to successful youth transitions. Preparing students with disabilities for life after high school requires extensive partnerships within and beyond the school. However, transition educators often struggle to meaningfully engage the people and programs that exist within their local community. A community conversation event is a practical, fun, and effective way for districts to capture fresh perspectives and identify innovative, local solutions to persistent challenges in transition education. The purpose of this article is to highlight the key steps for planning for a community conversation, implementing the event, and using information gathered to inform improvements to transition programming. We draw from our work supporting 10 Tennessee school districts who hosted their own community conversations to reflect upon and improve their transition practices. We provide resources, materials, and tips for school districts to implement a successful event that leads to improvements in transition programming and student outcomes.


The purpose of the study is to study whether management accounting and control systems (MACS) and intellectual capital (IC) reflect the sustainability competitive advantage (SCA) of the companies concerned. Where a greater focus on open innovation occurs, it may require a different emphasis on management accounting practices compared to companies where they do not feature strongly. It is assumed to be important that management recognise and act on this in order to improve firms' sustainability competitive advantage. This study is expected to show that the level of open innovation (OI), as expected to be a major source of corporate competitive advantage, influences the practice of management accounting and control systems and intellectual capital. Whilst the literatures place considerable attention on (close) innovation purposes, far less attention has been given so far to the implications of open innovation for managerial accounting practice. This research addresses this omission. The methodology of this study is a literature review.


Human dimensions (HD) of wildlife management is a young field of enquiry which develops in several different directions and deals with various topics. Despite it is possible that popular research topics exist in HD studies, there is no proper research that identifies their role and importance. Besides, there is lack of knowledge on HD studies' worldwide distribution and research trends per different world regions. The aim of this research was to provide knowledge on current role and characteristics of Human dimensions in wildlife management by analyzing four parameters:  (1) proportion of HD studies, (2) current popular research topics in HD studies, (3) distribution of HD studies per world regions and (4) priorities in HD studies per world regions. For the purpose of this article, three journals such as The Journal of Wildlife Management (JWM), Human Dimensions of Wildlife (HDW) and European Journal of Wildlife Research (EJWR), which originate from North America and Europe, retrospectively, were analyzed for the period 2007-2012. Results of this preliminary work show that the proportion of HD studies, in the JWM and EJWR journals, was low, only 2.6%. Analysis of all three journals identified research topics like Large carnivores (15.07%); Wildlife conservation (13.88%); Wildlife management issues (13.88%); and Human-wildlife conflict (13.16%), as the most popular. A geographically biased manuscript distribution was evidenced as well as different popular research topics per world regions


Trust has been a long triggering construct for scholars across various disciplines. While individual level trust has been extensively dealt with by scholars in psychology; trust among strategic partners has been analyzed in extant research by strategy scholars. In the cross section of the two disciplines, organizational behavior researchers have shown attempts to link individual level trust to organizations. This paper is an effort to evaluate the trust in organization construct. Following this core objective, we aimed to combine trust in organization to perceived success of organizational level innovation. Yet, we content that readiness level of employees for change will be a mediator between trust in organization and perception of success of organizational level innovation. Qualitative insights from depth interviews allowed us to revise our model and advocate on methodological suggestions for further research avenues.


The measurement of electron densities using interferometry and refraction measurements in plasmas with cross-sections where the electron density contours are concentric ellipses is examined. Transforms are found for both interferometrically deduced optical path-length differences and refraction angle data obtained from elliptical cross-section plasmas, which in the limit of small amounts of refraction adjust the data to values which appear as if they were obtained from equivalent circular cross-section plasmas. The transformed data can be inverted to give electron densities using standard techniques developed for circular cross-section plasmas (e.g. Abel inversion). To check the accuracy of the transforms for moderate to large amounts of refraction (>or=0.1 rad), refraction of light in elliptical cross-section plasmas is examined using numerical ray tracing.


The objectives of this research are to propose a Bayesian model for spatial time series analysis, to apply the proposed model to forecast a monthly rubber yield in Southern provinces of Thailand, and to compare the performance of the proposed model with the classical Holt-Winters Additive Exponential smoothing. The proposed model is a linear mixed model (LMM) with spatial effects which follow a conditional autoregressive model (CAR). Dummy variables are used for seasonal effects. A Bayesian method is used for parameter estimation. The estimated monthly yields are used for the monthly rubber yield forecasting. The dependent variables are the rubber yield in each month of each province. The data are secondary data at a provincial level. The factors considered are spatial effects, heterogeneity effects, and seasonal effects. The results show that the factors influencing on the amount of rubber yields are, spatial, heterogeneity, and seasonal effects. The proposed model is proper and forecast accurately. Using the mean absolute error (MAE), the proposed model has a better performance compared to the classical Holt-Winters Additive Exponential smoothing in both model fitting and model validating. The proposed model should be the first consideration for spatial time series forecasting.


The incidence of fetal growth restriction is variable, being known that is more frequent in resource-limited countries. The mechanism of fetal growth restriction is considered to be multifactorial, resulting from a combination of maternal, placental and fetal factors, the uteroplacental insufficiency being the dominant cause. Our purpose in this study was to determine the impact and the incidence of various maternal factors encountered among cases with fetal growth restriction delivered at term. The studied parameters were: the birth weight, the sex of the newborn, the way of delivery, the Apgar score at one minute, the maternal age, the maternal gestation and parity, the presence of presentation dystocia, the pregnancy monitoring by specialist, the presence of infectious factor, the presence of abnormal placental insertion or umbilical cord abnormalities, the status of the fetus and the presence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia. Results. During the 3-year period of the study, there were registered 12987 births in our hospital. The incidence of newborns with low birth weight at term was 1.5%. The average weight at birth was 2302 grams, with the lowest value 1750 grams, and the female fetuses were more affected (57.6%). The incidence of placental condition within the studied group was only 2%; also, the pregnancy-induced hypertension was present only in 6% of cases. Conclusion. Fetal growth restriction requires an accurate diagnosis with a clear distinction of constitutional small fetuses from the abnormal small ones. Ultrasound monitorization is mandatory for the diagnosis and the assessment of the fetal status


Identifying the relations between chemicals and proteins is an important text mining task. BioCreative VII track 1 DrugProt task aims to promote the development and evaluation of systems that can automatically detect relations between chemical compounds/drugs and genes/proteins in PubMed abstracts. In this paper, we describe our submission, which is an ensemble system, including multiple BERT-based language models. We combine the outputs of individual models using majority voting and multilayer perceptron. Our system obtained 0.7708 in precision and 0.7770 in recall, for an F1 score of 0.7739, demonstrating the effectiveness of using ensembles of BERT-based language models for automatically detecting relations between chemicals and proteins. Our code is available at https://github.com/bionlplab/drugprot_bcvii.


Conscious sedation is recommended, together with behaviour management techniques, to facilitate treatment of dental fear or dental phobia patients. In this article the authors focus on inhalation sedation by means of nitrous oxide. The procedures and indications are explained and illustrated with clinical cases. On the strength of the literature and their own experience the authors reach the conclusion that Inhalation sedation is a kind of pharmacological behaviour management and an important additional tool to increase patient cooperation. Inhalation sedation can only be performed by trained practitioners under internationally accepted safety conditions. Inhalation sedation has a future in Belgium providing the appropriate law is adapted. This technique deserves a place in the dental curriculum.


The product of the Escherichia coli aidB gene is homologous to human isovaleryl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase (IVD), an enzyme involved in the breakdown of the amino acid leucine. The aidB gene is not expressed constitutively, but its transcription is induced via distinct mechanisms in response to: (i) exposure to alkylating agents; (ii) acetate at a slightly acidic pH; and (iii) anoxia. Induction by alkylating agents is mediated by the transcriptional activator Ada, in its methylated form (meAda); the other forms of induction are Ada independent and require σs, the alternative σs factor mainly expressed during the stationary phase of bacterial growth. In this report we show that, in the absence of any transcriptional factor, aidB is efficiently transcribed in vitro by the σs, but not by the σ70, form of RNA polymerase holoenzyme. In the presence of meAda, levels of transcription by both forms of RNA polymerase are significantly increased. However, σs ‐dependent transcription of aidB is inhibited both in vitro and in vivo by binding of the transcriptional regulator Lrp (leucine responsive protein) to the aidB promoter region (PaidB)‐ Lrp acts as a specific repressor for σs ‐dependent transcription of aidB. Leucine counteracts Lrp binding to PaidB as does binding to PaidB of meAda, which causes Lrp to dissociate from the promoter. The physiological significance of aidB transcription regulation is discussed.


1 Two studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of H1- and H2-receptor blocking agents on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in non-asthmatic subjects. 2 The H2-receptor blocker cimetidine administered orally had no effect on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction on any of the subjects tested. In three of four subjects, the H1-receptor blocker, chlorpheniramine given orally, inhibited the effect of the histamine in the lung. 3 The effects of intravenous chlorpheniramine and cimetidine, both alone and in combination, upon histamine-induced bronchoconstriction, were also studied. Chlorpheniramine inhibited the effect of the histamine and this was significantly dose related. This was not so with cimetidine and there was no evidence that the dose response curve to chlorpheniramine was affected by the additional administration of cimetidine. 4 The results show that histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in non-asthmatic subjects is not mediated by H2-receptors, but it is likely that H1-receptors are involved.


This article is devoted to the phenomena of exchange of euphemistic and dysphemic units in the process of literary translation on the example of the Uzbek and Russian languages, which analyzes some of the causes of these problems. In it, euphemisms and dysphemisms occupy places on both sides of the synonymous row, and their place on the axis of the positive and negative poles is illustrated by examples. It is also argued that synonymous euphemisms have a hierarchy in their composition and that euphemistic units that were previously tabooed have turned into dysphemisms. The author emphasizes the importance of the skill of a translator who understands the mental culture and tries to preserve the spirit of the source language in the target language. Key words: euphemism, dysphemism, literary translation, speech situation, seme, source language, target language, taboo, synonymous row, change


The task of establishing the authenticity of document details, primarily signatures and handwritten notes by their executor, becomes relevant in connection with the development of copying and reproduction equipment and printing devices associated with software and computer tools that allow editing original images or copying and change the content of records made on behalf of other persons and pass them off as genuine.
Traditional methods of forging a technical signature are becoming increasingly obsolete, and there is a growing need for the development of new methods and technologies for protection against forgery.
One such technology is the reproduction of signatures using reproductions, which are produced using a plotter that uses a ballpoint pen as a printing device.
This technology makes it possible to reproduce signatures with high accuracy and quality and to convey small signs of any handwritten object, which, in turn, makes it extremely difficult for an expert to establish the fact and method of its technical imitation. In connection with the use of modern techniques for reproducing handwritten objects, publications on this topic began to appear in the scientific literature, but these works are clearly not enough.
This fact arouses interest in a deeper study of the problems of using new technologies for the forgery of documents, including from experts who conduct forensic examinations in this field and need scientific development of methods of performing handwriting objects using new technical means.
The result of the presented review was practical recommendations that allow us to discover a new technique of reproduction of signatures, namely, the technology of reproduction of a signature with the help of reproduction, which is carried out with the help of a plotter. The developed recommendations can be used by forensic experts in the field of technical forensic examination of documents and will prevent possible expert errors.


Gender dysphoria is a new entity introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder V to address the distress of the previously labeled gender identity disorder patients. It is less commonly seen in natal females, often starting in their childhood. Adults and adolescent natal females with early-onset gender dysphoria are almost always gynephilic. This case report is presented to discuss the interesting evolution of the symptoms in gender dysphoria case with difficulties in adjusting to the assigned sexual role, relationship problems, morbid jealousy, and severe depressive features with suicidal ideations.


With growing attention on global environmental and climate change, geoscience has experienced rapid change and development in the last three decades. Many new data, methods and modeling techniques have been developed and applied in various aspects of geoscience. The chapters collected in this book present an excellent profile of the current state of various data, analysis methods and modeling techniques, and demonstrate their applications from hydrology, geology and paleogeomorphology, to geophysics, environmental and climate change. The wide range methods and techniques covered in the book include information systems and technology, global position system (GPS), digital sediment core image analysis, fuzzy set theory for hydrology, spatial interpolation, spectral analysis of geophysical data, GIS-based hydrological models, high resolution geological models, 3D sedimentology, change detection from remote sensing, etc. most chapters focus on studies of a particular method or technique.


Background: Compressive myelopathy is a broad term that refers to spinal cord involvement of multiple etiologies. It is the term used to describe the spinal cord compression either from outside or within the cord itself. In contrast to plain radiograph MRI is considered a better imaging modality to assess soft tissue of spine and spinal cord abnormalities like traumatic myelopathy, spinal tumors and spinal infections. Many of these diseases are potentially reversible if they are recognized on time. Hence the importance of recognizing the significance of MRI lies on an early and accurate diagnosis. Keeping this in view, study was aimed to evaluate the causes of compressive myelopathy with their characterization by MRI. Materials and Methods: A descriptive hospital-based study was conducted by purposive sampling. Fifty clinically suspected cases of compressive myelopathy were investigated with MRI. Results: Most common cause for compressive myelopathy in our study was spinal trauma (50%) followed by spinal infection (28%). Extradural compressive lesions (90%) were the most common cause for compressive myelopathy. MRI detected cord changes in 88% of cases with cord compression and also assessed the integrity of spinal cord, intervertebral discs and ligament after acute spinal trauma. Conclusion: Patients with suspected Compressive myelopathies could be benefited with evaluation by MRI, as it is highly accurate and sensitive non-invasive modality for characterizing and identifying the underlying etiology, as well as associated features. Thus, helps in stating the long-term


The results of radiation monitoring data and migration pathway analysis of water bodies within areas affected by the 1986 Chernobyl accident provide a unique opportunity for decision-makers working in other extensively contaminated regions to optimize their approaches to surface and groundwater protection. Most engineering measures within the Chernobyl 30-km exclusion zone were focused on preventing secondary contamination of surface and groundwater from entering the Pripyat River and the Kiev Reservoir. However, implementation of these measures required huge financial and human resources. Therefore, lessons about post-accidental water protection activities can be learned from the Chernobyl example.


A new on-chip detection circuit is proposed for electrical fast transient (EFT) protection design in a display system. For microelectronic products, electrical transient disturbances often cause upset or frozen states under the IEC test standard. The output signal of the proposed detection circuit can be used as a firmware index to execute system automatic recovery operations and to release the EFT-induced locked states in display panels. The circuit function to detect positive or negative electrical transients has been investigated in HSPICE simulation and verified in silicon chip. The experimental results have confirmed successful circuit performance under EFT tests. With hardware/firmware co-design, the immunity of a display system against electrical transient disturbance has been significantly improved.


This paper presents a study concerning the isotopic fingerprint (18O and 13C) of some wines prepared from relevant Romanian grape varieties (e.g. Feteasca Alba (FA), Feteasca Regala (FR) and Cabernet Sauvignon (CS)) obtained in different vintage years (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008). These wines were obtained from different vineyards having a significant role in the wine market: Cotesti, Tohani, Stefanesti, Aiud, Cotnari, Bucium, Murfatlar, Bujoru, Dragasani and Valea Calugareasca. Several observations related to the dependence of isotope ratios on geographical origin and climatic conditions were drawn. The authentic wines obtained from the FA grape variety from six different vineyards showed δ18O values in the range of+3.28 (Cotesti region – 45 °38′N/27 °04′E) to−2.60 ‰ (Aiud region – 46 °19′N/23 °45′E). The δ13C values were very similar for all the samples with an average of about−26 ‰. The difference between the δ18O values was due to the different climatic zones, which have an influence on the δ18O values of wine water. For the wine variety CS obtained from the Dealu Mare–Tohani vineyard, production years 2003 and 2004, a greater difference in the δ18O values of wine water ranging from 1.89 (in 2004) to 5.35 ‰ (in 2003) was noted. This difference is explained by the different mean annual temperatures in 2003 and 2004.


The present study deals with usage of words in advertising and their influence on it. The differences in abilities between written and spoken language are demonstrated, likewise the different impact of media on consumers is determined. This study provides the most important rules for writing a good advertising text. The analysis explores the usage of these rules by three selected mobile phone operators. The analytic part of this work shows, that the operators use mainly the same aspects of verbal manipulation; yet it is possible to find significant differences in the whole approach to their advertising strategies. The results of this study suggest that advertisement should include well-considered linguistic figures to be able to capture intent of potential customers.


This is your first book of art. Grab it, hold it, flip through the pages, turn it upside down...there's no limit to what you can make with it. What can you see? Scribbles and splodges, shapes and letters, signs and lines. Now you're the artist: mix and match the patterns and paintings by simply turning the pages. Use your creativity and your imagination, and most importantly, have fun while finding out what you can create with this book! From the New York Times bestselling author of Press Here comes The Big Book of Art. This interactive book encourages children to mix and match hundreds of colours, shapes and patterns and to use their imagination to create art. It leaves plenty of room for kids to add their own stories and serves as a tool they can use in expressing themselves. Sure to delight children and parents alike, The Big Book of Art will make learning fun and exciting for everyone involved.


A development of deformation textures was examined in ferritic-austenitic duplex type steel subjected to cold-rolling within the range up to 90% of reduction by applying different rolling schedules. The investigations included X-ray phase analysis, texture measurements and microstructure observations by means of light microscopy. The experimental results indicate at the occurrence of strong initial textures in both component phases after preliminary thermo-mechanical treatment. Formation of the ferrite-austenite banded structure in the course of rolling along with the stability of major texture components, related by Bain orientation relationship, exert considerable effect on the development of the ferrite and austenite rolling textures.


Problem Statement: The most important part of identity exploration for emerging adults is love. Establishing healthy intimate relationships support the process of identity exploration. In addition to the positive and negative factors that affect romantic relationships, the concept of quality is also very important in these romantic relationships. According to studies carried out, when the quality of a relationship is positive, their subjective well-beings are also positive. Identity exploration, and also leading a happy life, is also important for emerging adults, which may be supported by means of having a quality of romantic relationship and needs satisfied by it. Purpose of the Study: The objective of this study is to investigate the mediator role of need satisfaction between romantic relationship quality and subjective well-being of emerging adults. To this end, three hypotheses have been developed: a) There is a positive relationship between satisfaction of needs and subjective well-being in emerging adults. b) There is a positive relationship between romantic relationship quality and subjective well-being in emerging adults. c) Need satisfaction plays a statistically significant mediator role in the relationship between subjective well-being and romantic relationships qualities of in emerging adults. Method: The dependent variable of the study is subjective well-being and the independent variables are needed satisfaction and quality of romantic relationships. A structural equation model has been used in order to test


The field of Critical Disability Studies (CDS) includes a diverse range of methodologies for the ethical re-evaluation of literary texts. CDS has a growing relationship with Romanticism, addressing themes such as sublime aesthetics and poetic symbolism. A major function of CDS is the re-reading of texts in terms authors' lived experience of disability, and the social environments in which they produced. To that extent, CDS is a continuation of the process of re-historicizing Romantic literature. Complementary to the historicizing function, a range of more conceptual theories continues to impact on Romantic studies, opening up new possibilities for reading and scholarship. This article attempts to provide a critical overview of this ongoing work, and a sense of its diverse and at times contradictory nature. Concepts and theories for discussion include disability aesthetics, deformity, metaphor, and the Romantic fragment. The article includes a close analysis of Byron's poem "Prometheus", which connects revolutionary myth with ideas of pain and silence, demonstrating the fundamental contribution made by ideas of disability to literary Romanticism. CDS can help to disrupt the canonical and institutional nature of Romanticism, and to include dissident voices—not only the witness of the non-normatively embodied, but of difference in general.


Ophiofuranones A and B, metabolites of the fungus Ophiosphaerella korrae, were synthesized in 16 steps and 12%/22% yield. The stereogenic centers were established by Sharpless dihydroxylations and epoxidation, the 1,3-dienes via Wittig or HWE olefinations. The rings were closed through Knoevenagel-type condensation and lactonization. The ophiofuranones proved nontoxic at relevant concentrations against tumor cells, fibroblasts, and various bacteria and fungi. Ophiofuranone A and the monocyclic precursors 4 were weakly active against microbial biofilms.


We investigated tissue staining for Bcl-2 and Bax proteins, which regulate apoptosis, as indicators of chemotherapeutic effect in patients with gastric cancer. In 23 patients with gastric carcinoma biopsy specimens were obtained endoscopically prior to chemotherapy and stained immunohistochemically with anti-Bcl-2 and anti-Bax antibodies. Patients then were treated with continuous infusion of 5-FU and cisplatin. No correlation was seen between chemotherapeutic effect and Bcl-2 or Bax alone. However, among the Bax-positive cases, the patients with Bcl-2-positive tumors were significantly more chemoresistant (p = 0.036) and had worse prognoses (p = 0.008) than Bcl-2-negative cases. Therefore, immunohistochemical staining for Bcl-2 protein may predict chemotherapeutic efficacy or guide specific therapeutic choices in treating Bax-positive tumors.


Architecture studio begins with varied muses. The studio brief brings a device to analyze — a site, precedent, artwork, ecology, or form-finding operation. Among them is a common moment, the leap from analysis to design, with a concept. It is a complex moment for the beginning design student, with intuition and iteration, with foundering and maybe some luck. Some students harbor preconceptions about form and space. Here are three form-finding pedagogies (4-8 week) for bridging the gap between prompt and concept, rapidly.


The studies of characteristics of cold-adapted enzymes have become a growing interest for researchers as these enzymes have a range of structural properties that confer a high level of flexibility, low-activation enthalpy, low-substrate affinity, and high specific activity at low temperatures compared to thermostable homologs. These
features can be extremely useful in various applications such as detergent additives, textile and food industry, and bioremediation. These enzymes are both innovative and invaluable. Therefore, due to these important applications, a cold adapted esterase from family II of bacterial classification (GDSL family) was chosen to clone, purify and characterize.
In current study, a novel cold-adapted GDSL esterase was isolated from Photobacterium sp. strain J15. The open reading frame (ORF) of the GDSL esterase J15 was 1044 bp in length coding for 347 amino acids with 19 amino acid residues predicted as signal peptide. The mature GDSL esterase gene was amplified by PCR and then cloned into pET-32b(+) expression vector and expressed as a His-tagged
fusion protein. Due to three Leu, one Arg, and one Ile rare codons in the GDSL esterase, the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli strain Rosettagami(DE3)pLysS expression host to enhance the expression of the GDSL esterase.
To optimize over-expression of GDSL esterase J15, parameters such as inducer, temperature and induction time were taken into consideration. A final esterase activity of 4.318 U/ml was detected when the recombinant E. coli culture was induced with 0.1 mM IPTG at 20 °C for 16 h.
The His-tagged recombinant GDSL esterase was purified in two steps chromatography; affinity chromatography using Cobalt Sepharose resin and ion exchange (IEX) chromatography using Q-Sepharose resin. After the first purification step, Trx-tag was removed from the recombinant GDSL esterase using thrombin. The protein yield from the first purification step and the final step was 57.4% and 38.5%, respectively. The purified GDSL esterase is highly active at 20 °C and pH 8. It has a half-life of 5 h at 10 °C. The activity of the enzyme was increased when added with
Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Fe3+, Tween-20, Tween-60, Tween-80, Triton-100, DTT and β- mercaptoethanol. However, SDS, EDTA and PMSF inhibited the enzyme activity. In addition, the enzyme activity was increased when 1.5 M of NaCl was added to the enzyme preparation. Gene analysis of GDSL esterase showed that GDSL esterase J15 is belonged to the members of SGNH hydrolase superfamily with 31% identity with Fischerella sp. JSC-11. In the predicted model of GDSL esterase, Ser31, Asp321, and His324 were situated in close proximity, most probably representing the active site of the enzyme. Therefore, the study of the GDSL esterase J15 revealed that the enzyme is a novel cold-adapted esterase from family II with high specific activity at low temperature and other specific characteristics.