Abstract Organic synthesis continues to grow and develop impressively in response to new research challenges at the boundaries of structural complexity, while playing a central role in the industrial activities and applications of the chemical sciences. The International Conferences on Organic Synthesis (ICOS), which have been organized biennially around the world since 1976 under IUPAC sponsorship, faithfully reflect this growth and development. The 16th event in this series (ICOS-16) was held in Mérida, México, from 11 to 15 June 2006. The scientific program included 22 plenary and invited speakers, as well as 36 experts who participated in symposia on medicinal chemistry, organocatalysis, enantioselective synthesis of β-amino acids, organolithium compounds in organic synthesis, organic selenium and tellurium compounds in organic synthesis, and applications of microwaves in organic synthesis. In addition, almost 300 posters covering all aspects of modern organic synthesis were displayed by scientists and research scholars. The strong Latin American participation in this feature of the program, followed by those of European, North American, and Asian delegates, attested to the growing contribution of this region to chemical research in organic synthesis. Overall, the scientific program offered comprehensive and fruitful coverage of organic synthesis from a variety of different perspectives. The Mexican Academy of Sciences and the Mexican Chemical Society (celebrating its 50th Anniversary) featured as cosponsors of ICOS-16 together with IUPAC. This was the second occasion that an IUPAC-sponsored conference has been held in Mexico, the first being the 6th International Symposium on Natural Products Chemistry in Mexico City, in 1969. ICOS-16 attracted almost 500 delegates from 40 countries, mainly those of Latin America, a gratifyingly high proportion of whom were younger scientists. This issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry contains a representative selection of papers based upon lectures delivered at ICOS-16. The theme of synthesis of natural products was covered by M. Brimble (New Zealand), L. C. Dias (Brazil), and C. Gennari (Italy). Different aspects on methodology and control of chemical reactivity were presented by J. Tamariz (Mexico), S. F. Martin (USA), S. Ma (China), and Ph. Renaud (Switzerland). Organic synthesis using phosphorous was covered by R. Réau (France) and C. Nájera (Spain). The broad topic of catalysis was presented by S. Kobayashi (Japan) and C. Crudden (USA). New insights on synthesis using epoxides and aziridines were disclosed by D. Hodgson (UK) and F. McDonald (USA). Organic synthesis is a fascinating field of chemistry that has often been compared with art. The control of regio-, stereo-, and site selectivity demands deep insight into chemical reactivity as well as knowledge of new and old methodology and catalysis, and the ability to combine these creatively in sustainable processes in order to achieve specific objectives. Despite remarkable progress during recent years, efficient synthesis of specific organic compounds with tailored activities and properties will continue to challenge future generations of chemists. Further progress of organic synthesis will be covered during the next conference in this series (ICOS-17), which will take place in Korea during 2008. Thanks are due to members of the ICOS-16 Committees, to all participants, and to authors contributing to this issue. Guillermo Delgado Conference Editor


The authors designed the present study to examine the association between individuals' scores on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE; M. Hojat, J. S. Gonnella, S. Mangione, T. J. Nasca, & M. Magee, 2003; M. Hojat, J. S. Gonnella, T. J. Nasca, S. Mangione, M. Vergare, & M. Magee, 2002; M. Hojat, S. Mangione, T. J. Nasca, M. J. M. Cohen, J. S. Gonnella, J. B. Erdmann, J. J. Veloski, & M. Magee, 2001), a selfreport empathy scale, during medical school and ratings of their empathic behavior made by directors of their residency training programs 3 years later. Participants were 106 physicians. The authors examined the relationships between scores on the JSPE (with 20 Likert-type items) at the beginning of the students' 3rd year of medical school and ratings of their empathic behavior made by directors of their residency training programs. Top scorers on the JSPE in medical school, compared to Bottom scorers, obtained a significantly higher average rating of empathic behavior in residency 3 years later (p < .05, effect size = 0.50). The findings support the long-term predictive validity of the self-report empathy scale, JSPE, despite different methods of evaluations (self-report and supervisors' ratings) and despite a time interval between evaluations (3 years). Because empathy is relevant to prosocial and helping behavior, it is important for investigators to further enhance our understanding of its correlates and outcomes among health professionals.


In the Maoist period, the Chinese socialist state encouraged the genre of "speaking bitterness" in order to give expression to past sufferings and cultivate a class consciousness. In the post-Mao era, scholars have noted how marginalized figures express discontent through public displays of bitterness and how state agents use "speaking bitterness" as a governing strategy for diffusing class antagonism and ensuring stability. The communication of bitterness, however, does not necessarily have an intrinsic or performative relationship with political action; it has a social life beyond political governance. Based on my ethnographic research with rural-urban migrants in Shanghai, this article explores the communication of bitterness as an affective and ethical force situated between speaking and enduring. The ineffable gap between speaking and enduring does not mark passivity, but decenters the speaking subject and opens up a social space for criticism, recognition and hope for a different future.


Genetically modified food," to one person, it sounds like an interesting addition to their normal diet, but to the next person it may seem like a fancy name for poison. In today's society, public opinion is extremely unpredictable. The inconsistencies between scientific explanations of new discoveries and the media· s presentation of the explanations result in public fear of technology, misinformed individuals, and the unpredictable public perceptions. The biotechnology industry has progressed very quickly, often leaving consumers in the dust. Through this study, I hope to begin to bridge the gap. In order to determine specifically what fears, concerns and misconceptions about genetically modified food consumers hold, I conducted a series of four focus groups. During the focus group interviews, participants were asked a series of specific questions that I wrote to create a discussion that would reveal not only their concerns, but also their thought and feelings about genetically modified food. Besides analyzing public comments within a group interview, I also conducted a literature review to identify actual problems that may develop from genetic engineering technology and what is being done to stop their progression. While more consumers were concerned with health related issues, the greater potential for real problems exist in environmental impacts, such as pest resistance and threat to non-target organisms.


This paper investigates the noise sources in a single-ended class D amplifier (SECDA) and suggests corresponding ways to lower the noise. The total output noise could be expressed as a function of the gain and noises from different sources. According to the function, the bias voltage (VB) is a primary noise source, especially for a SECDA with a large gain. A low noise SECDA is obtained by integrating a filter into the SECDA to lower the noise of the VB. The filter utilizes an active resister and an 80 pF capacitance to get a 3 Hz pole. A noise test and fast Fourier transform analysis show that the noise performance of this SECDA is the same as that of a SECDA with an external filter.


An active stylus includes a pen body defining an accommodation chamber and a through hole unit, a control device mounted in the accommodation chamber and including a circuit board capable of outputting a signal to a touch control device of a touch screen being touched by the active stylus and elastic conductive members electrically connected to the circuit board and exposed to the outside of the through hole unit, and a rotating barrel rotatably mounted on the pen body around the through hole unit and including control zones movable with the rotating barrel relative to the pen body to change the contact condition between the elastic conductive members and the pen body for causing the circuit board to output one of a series of control signals to the touch control device in executing a corresponding operating function.


Abnormal uterine bleeding is the major reason for discontinuing long-term progesterone-only contraceptives (LTPOCs). Prior studies demonstrated that endometria exposed to the LTPOC, Norplant, display aberrant angiogenesis, leukocyte infiltration, and hypoxia-associated impaired blood flow. Paradoxically, human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) of these specimens exhibit elevated expression of tissue factor (TF), the primary initiator of hemostasis via thrombin generation. The current study demonstrates that TF levels are also elevated in HESCs that are decidualized after insertion of Mirena, an intrauterine system that releases levonorgestrel directly into the endometrial canal and produces elevated perivascular levels of the proinflammatory and angiognenic cytokine IL-8. Because bleeding, inflammation, and ischemia-associated increased vascular permeability enhance access of plasma factor VII to HESC-expressed TF to generate thrombin, we evaluated the effects of steroids, thrombin, and hypoxia on HESC expression of IL-8. Confluent HESCs were incubated in a serum-containing medium for 7 d with vehicle control or estradiol (E(2)) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The medium was then exchanged for corresponding defined medium with and without thrombin, and the cultures were incubated in parallel for up to 48 h in a standard incubator (normoxia) or a sealed chamber at 0-1% O(2) (hypoxia). Under normoxia, immunoreactive IL-8 levels in the conditioned medium were reduced to one-third of control levels during decidualization with E(2)+MPA (P < 0.05; n = 5). In E(2)+MPA-treated cultures, thrombin (0.1 U/ml to 2.5 U/m) elicited a dose-dependent reversal of this inhibition, elevating IL-8 up to 60-fold (P < 0.05; n = 5) for more than 24 h and steady-state IL-8 mRNA levels by 3-fold for 3 h. The specific inactivator, hirudin, blocked most of the effects of thrombin, whereas TRAP-14, an agonist of the protease-activated receptor for thrombin, enhanced IL-8 output. In the absence of thrombin, hypoxia elevated IL-8 output 5-fold in E(2)+MPA-treated HESCs (P < 0.02, n = 4), with thrombin exerting additive effects. In contrast to its effects in progestin-treated HESCs, hypoxia did not elevate IL-8 output in control cultures. This study suggests that inhibition of IL-8 expression in decidualized HESCs contributes to the antiinflammatory milieu of the luteal phase. However, LTPOC-induced hypoxia and excess thrombin generation enhance IL-8 expression in decidualized HESCs, thereby eliciting aberrant angiogenesis and inflammation that promote the onset of abnormal uterine bleeding.


Two new labels warning of Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Cytotoxicity have been produced by Jencons to help staff comply with safety legislation. The labels in packs of 100 for the MRSA and reels of 500 for the cytotoxic warning. Contact Jencons Scientific Limited, Cherrycourt Way Industrial Estate, Stanbridge Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 8UA.


Purpose of review Multiple arterial grafting has been proposed to improve outcomes after coronary bypass surgery. We sought to define the emerging role of the radial artery as an alternative second arterial graft. Recent findings Despite significant evidence suggesting superiority of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting, utilization in current clinical practice remains low due to concerns about sternal wound infection and conduit length. Recent clinical trials have started to clarify the role of the radial artery in coronary surgery. This conduit provides superior patency to saphenous vein grafts in the setting of high-grade stenosis regardless of the target territory and with minimal harvest site complications. Summary The radial artery is a versatile conduit that provides clinical benefit in a large variety of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Outcomes from ongoing longitudinal clinical trials will further clarify optimal conduit selection strategies.


Students' discipline is critical to the attainment of positive school outcomes. Level of students' discipline depends on whether the principal- as the chief executive of the school- enlists the support of teachers and parents in discipline management. The study hypothesized that an inclusive discipline management approach is more likely to increase teachers' and parental input on discipline management. This may in turn raise the level of discipline. The study investigated and analysed the relationship between principals' management approaches and level of students' discipline in selected public secondary schools in Nyandarua and Laikipia districts, Kenya. Analysis of the relationship was based on school- size. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a sample of 211 teachers, 28 principals and 22 chairpersons of parent- teachers association. Data were analysed using frequency counts and percentages and hypotheses tested using chi- square at 0.05 level of significance. The key findings revealed that principals heading large-sized schools were more inclusive compared to their counterparts in small schools. In addition, level of teachers' and parental input on discipline management increased with increase in school-size. However, the level of students' discipline was negatively related with school-size. These findings have important implications on school management with respect to training of principals and enhancing students' discipline. KEY WORDS: Principal; Management approach; Students' discipline


Background: Switchgrass is an emerging bioenergy crop due to its perennial nature, high biomass yield, and ability to grow in marginal land. The high genetic diversity in switchgrass germplasm can be exploited to capture favorable traits that increase the range of adaptation and biomass yield. Genetic diversity can be explored using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that next-generation sequencing has made possible for high-throughput genotyping. We used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) of genomic fragments resulting from two methylation sensitive restriction enzymes: PstI and MspI . Two bi-parental F1 populations were developed from crosses between lowland B6 and lowland AP13 (AB population), and lowland B6 with upland VS16 genotypes (BV population), with a target number of 298 progenies in each population. Pseudo-testcross strategy was adopted to perform linkage analysis in these populations that are segregating for winter dormancy using single dose markers (SDA): heterozygous in one parent and homozygous in the other parent. We compared the amount of polymorphisms between the two crosses and examined the pattern of segregation distortion based on the SNPs data generated. Results: Two genetic maps were generated for each population, with 2772 markers in AB and 3766 markers in BV. The higher number of markers in the BV population was expected for since the parents originated from different ecotypes and verified to have the highest genetic distance. More segregation distortion was observed in markers located in the telomeric regions where more genes reside. More markers from the AB population exhibited segregation distortion compared to the BV, and the proportion of heterozygous alleles were significantly higher than homozygous alleles in AB population. The linkage maps showed strong collinearity with P. virgatum V5.1 reference genome with a very minimal number of markers originating from different chromosomes. Conclusion: Understanding the extent of segregation distortion in switchgrass crosses is important for the correct inclusion of markers based on their segregation ratio when constructing a linkage map. Switchgrass linkage maps should be a useful resource to dissect beneficial biomass traits linked to SNP markers.


ANDI TAKDIR MAKKULAWU. Development of selection method corn parent inbred lines for parents at hybrid waxy corn tolerant to drought and introgression of opaque-2 (oo) gene by using SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats). Supervisors: HAJRIAL ASWIDINNOOR, TRIKOESOEMANINGTYAS, and JAJAH KOSWARA. The Dissertation study the development of selection method corn parent inbred lines for parents at hybrid waxy corn tolerant to drought and introgression of opaque2 (oo) gene by using SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats). The first experiment was to determine relation of waxy corn genotype kinship based on DNA band pattern by using SSRs marker and correlation among taxonomic distance matrix averages based on morphological performance, and similarity coefficient based on DNA band pattern getting from SSRs marker. The result showed that genetic variance of the tested material was high enough. It was indicated by polymorphism value of 0.62. Dendogram construction based on UPGMA was able to distinguish one genotype to the others. According to genetic similarity, the genotypes could be grouped into three clusters characterized by the genotypes with similar pedigree code with cofenetic correlation coefficient (r) 0.88 categorized good fit for handled waxy corn genotype groups. However, Correlation value between taxonomic distance matrix based on morphological performance and similarity coefficient based on DNA band pattern according to goodness of fit criteria was categorized as very weak. The information could used in selecting the parent and become as one of strategies in hybrid maize breeding program. The second experiment was conducted to estimate combining ability and heterosis value of ten waxy corn genotypes having high amelopectin, tolerance to drought stress environment as parent candidate of hybrid formation. The result indicated that several genotypes having good combining ability value for grain weight character per plant and interval silking anthesis under stress and drought stress environment. Grain weight character per plant on without stress and drought stress environment showed the same combining ability value, while interval silking anthesis on without stress and drought stress environment revealed different combining ability value. This information is important to determine direct or indirect selection method in selecting maize genotypes which tolerant to drought stress environment. The third experiment was conducted to introgress recessive gene opaque-2 mutant from QPM genotypes to waxy corn genotypes by using MAS (Marker Assisted Selection). The result showed that specific SSRs marker phi057 was proved effective and efficient to be used in selecting genotypes of CML141 x PTBC4-7-1BB and CML142 x PTBC4-10-1-BB progenies that were introgressed with homozygote recessive opaque-2 (oo) gene. Selection result utilizing MAS had a tendency to follow relative segregation on every selfing generation and the number of CML141 x PTBC4-7-1-BB and CML142 x PTBC4-10-1-BB progenies were screen with phi057 specific marker. Was identified 57 genotypes of PTBC4-7-1BBo2 and PTBC4-10-1-BBo2 as genetic materials in development of hybrid maize variety having high amilopectin and protein content. The fourth experiment was carried out to obtain information on yield potency and waxy corn genotypes having opaque-2 gene as parent candidate of hybrid variety development. The result showed that the tested genotypes had good specific combining ability value good enough to one of the good testers either with CML144 or CML156 for grain weight character per plant, and grain weight character performance of top crossing 57 genotypes with the two very varied testers. The effect of environment factor was more dominant than genetic factor on crossing with CML154 and the effect of genetic factor was more dominant than environment factor on crossing with CML156. Inbred genotype of MrP-7-1-20BBo2 had specific combining ability with CML154 and potential parent candidate in the program aimed at obtaining high yielding hybrid. Inbred genotype of MrP-10-1-13BBo2 had good specific combining ability with CML154 and CML156 as well as potential as parent candidate in the program aimed at obtaining high yielding hybrid.


Introduction: Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of under-five mortality globally and ranks second among the top 10 priority child health problems in Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended some cost-effective, evidence- based interventions for diarrhoea case management. It is needful to evaluate the current practice in the treatment of diarrhoea in under-fives in health facilities in the country. Objective: To determine the extent to which current treatment practice for diarrhoea in underfives conforms to the WHO recommendation. Method: A clinical audit was conducted between May and June 2013 in 32 health facilities in the Southern Senatorial district of Cross River State, Nigeria. Trained field workers extracted information from patients' case records using a validated audit tool. Treatment was checked as appropriate, inappropriate, wrong or none, based on prescription on patients' case records. Result: Of the 370 case records audited, prescription for diarrhoea was appropriate in 40 (10.8%), inappropriate in 231 (62.4%), wrong in 82 (22.2%) and no prescription was made in 17 (4.6%). Conclusion: Treatment of diarrhoea in under-fives in health facilities in the State is suboptimum. Retraining of health workers on the current WHO and UNICEF treatment guidelines is highly recommended. Keywords: Diarrhoea, Underfives, Health Facilities, Prescription, Clinical Audit


We introduce multigrid Predictive Filter Flow (mgPFF), a framework for unsupervised learning on videos. The mgPFF takes as input a pair of frames and outputs per-pixel filters to warp one frame to the other. Compared to optical flow used for warping frames, mgPFF is more powerful in modeling sub-pixel movement and dealing with corruption (e.g., motion blur). We develop a multigrid coarse-to-fine modeling strategy that avoids the requirement of learning large filters to capture large displacement. This allows us to train an extremely compact model (4.6MB) which operates in a progressive way over multiple resolutions with shared weights. We train mgPFF on unsupervised, free-form videos and show that mgPFF is able to not only estimate long-range flow for frame reconstruction and detect video shot transitions, but also readily amendable for video object segmentation and pose tracking, where it substantially outperforms the published state-of-the-art without bells and whistles. Moreover, owing to mgPFF's nature of per-pixel filter prediction, we have the unique opportunity to visualize how each pixel is evolving during solving these tasks, thus gaining better interpretability.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 specific activator, Alda-1, can alleviate brain injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by inhibiting cell ferroptosis mediated by acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4/glutathione peroxidase 4 (ACSL4/GPx4) pathway in swine.

METHODS
Twenty-two conventional healthy male white swine were divided into Sham group (n = 6), CPR model group (n = 8), and Alda-1 intervention group (CPR+Alda-1 group, n = 8) using a random number table. The swine model of CPR was reproduced by 8 minutes of cardiac arrest induced by ventricular fibrillation through electrical stimulation in the right ventricle followed by 8 minutes of CPR. The Sham group only experienced general preparation. A dose of 0.88 mg/kg of Alda-1 was intravenously injected at 5 minutes after resuscitation in the CPR+Alda-1 group. The same volume of saline was infused in the Sham and CPR model groups. Blood samples were collected from the femoral vein before modeling and 1, 2, 4, 24 hours after resuscitation, and the serum levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100 β protein were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At 24 hours after resuscitation, the status of neurologic function was evaluated by neurological deficit score (NDS). Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed, and brain cortex was harvested to measure iron deposition by Prussian blue staining, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) contents by colorimetry, and ACSL4 and GPx4 protein expressions by Western blotting.

RESULTS
Compared with the Sham group, the serum levels of NSE and S100β after resuscitation were gradually increased over time, and the NDS score was significantly increased, brain cortical iron deposition and MDA content were significantly increased, GSH content and GPx4 protein expression in brain cortical were significantly decreased, and ACSL4 protein expression was significantly increased at 24 hours after resuscitation in the CPR model and CPR+Alda-1 groups, which indicated that cell ferroptosis occurred in the brain cortex, and the ACSL4/GPx4 pathway participated in this process of cell ferroptosis. Compared with the CPR model group, the serum levels of NSE and S100 β starting 2 hours after resuscitation were significantly decreased in the CPR+Alda-1 group [NSE (μg/L): 24.1±2.4 vs. 28.2±2.1, S100 β (ng/L): 2 279±169 vs. 2 620±241, both P < 0.05]; at 24 hours after resuscitation, the NDS score and brain cortical iron deposition and MDA content were significantly decreased [NDS score: 120±44 vs. 207±68, iron deposition: (2.61±0.36)% vs. (6.31±1.66)%, MDA (μmol/g): 2.93±0.30 vs. 3.68±0.29, all P < 0.05], brain cortical GSH content and GPx4 expression in brain cortical was significantly increased [GSH (mg/g): 4.59±0.63 vs. 3.51±0.56, GPx4 protein (GPx4/GAPDH): 0.54±0.14 vs. 0.21±0.08, both P < 0.05], and ACSL4 protein expression was significantly decreased (ACSL4/GAPDH: 0.46±0.08 vs. 0.85±0.13, P < 0.05), which indicated that Alda-1 might alleviate brain cortical cell ferroptosis through regulating ACSL4/GPx4 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS
Alda-1 can reduce brain injury after CPR in swine, which may be related to the inhibition of ACSL4/GPx4 pathway mediated ferroptosis.


In the recent years Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have demonstrated significant progress in generating authentic looking data. In this work we introduce our simple method to exploit the advancements in well established image-based GANs to synthesise single channel time series data. We implement Wasserstein GANs (WGANs) with gradient penalty due to their stability in training to synthesise three different types of data; sinusoidal data, photoplethysmograph (PPG) data and electrocardiograph (ECG) data. The length of the returned time series data is limited only by the image resolution, we use an image size of 64x64 pixels which yields 4096 data points. We present both visual and quantitative evidence that our novel method can successfully generate time series data using image-based GANs.


The objective of this study was to confirm the influences of stress from labor and climate on the formation of the mother-offspring bond in Morada Nova sheep in the first 2 h after delivery or at the moment of the first suckling of the newborn. The data were collected from 80 Morada Nova ewes (25 primiparous and 55 multiparous) and their lambs in 2 periods of the year. On the basis of the average length of parturition and the black globe temperature-humidity index (BGTHI) at the time of the birth, the ewes were grouped into 3 classes corresponding to the length of parturition, classified as short (less than 15 min), medium (between 15 and 30 min), or long (more than 30 min). Similarly, the BGTHI at the moment of birth was classified into 1 of 3 ranges: low (less than 65), intermediate (greater than 65 but less than 80), and high (greater than 80). For the characterization of mother-offspring behavior, evaluations were performed in the first 2 h after birth or until the moment of the first suckling of the newborn. Maternal factors such as maternal grooming, facilitating sucking, frequency of low-pitched bleats, and latency to groom were recorded. For the lamb, attempts to seek the udder, the frequency of low-pitched bleats, latency to first reaction, latency to stand, and latency to suckle were recorded. The lambs were slower (P < 0.05) to stand and suckle when they were born in conditions of a BGTHI below 65. The latencies to stand and suckle were greater (P < 0.05) in newborn lambs born during labor that took more than 30 min. For maternal behaviors, activities such as maternal grooming and the facilitation of suckling were greater (P < 0.05) during the time periods with higher bioclimatic index values. Moreover, the dams cleaned or licked (maternal grooming) the newborns for a lower percentage of time (P < 0.05) when the labor lasted longer than 30 min. From the present study, it can be concluded that newborn Morada Nova lambs are slower to stand and suckle when born under BGTHI conditions below 65. Furthermore, prolonged labor harms the mother-offspring bond, especially in terms of the dam's ability to clean (maternal grooming) her lamb's body and facilitate its first suckling.


Chloroviruses are large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses that infect certain isolates of chlorella-like green algae. They contain up to approximately 400 protein-encoding genes and 16 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. This review summarizes the unexpected finding that many of the chlorovirus genes encode proteins involved in manipulating carbohydrates. These include enzymes involved in making extracellular polysaccharides, such as hyaluronan and chitin, enzymes that make nucleotide sugars, such as GDP-l-fucose and GDP-d-rhamnose and enzymes involved in the synthesis of glycans attached to the virus major capsid proteins. This latter process differs from that of all other glycoprotein containing viruses that traditionally use the host endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi machinery to synthesize and transfer the glycans.


Sodium valproat (VPA) is a commonly used antiepileptic drug in children. It is known to cause a variety of different haematological side effects, including thrombocytopenia, a decrease in plasma fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (VWF)- and factor XIII, impaired platelet aggregation with ADP and Collagen and prolonged PFA-100 closure times. The mechanisms responsible for such a variety of haematological abnormalities are still poorly understood and controversy exists about their clinical relevance and the risk for significant bleeding. We report on 4 children with severe bleeding complications during VPA treatment that had been followed at our institution. A first child with a cerebral malformation and no history of bleeding developed a subdural haematoma during VPA treatment without trauma. Additional studies revealed decreased von Willebrand factor levels that persisted with episodes of severe epistaxis also after VPA was stopped. A second infant suffered from herpes encephalitis with generalised seizures and died from an intracranial bleeding a day after a VPA loading dose was administred. Laboratory studies revealed prolonged PFA100 closure times. A third child with a therapeutic VPA serum-levels developed asymptomatic mild thrombocytopenia (around 100 G/l); unexpectedly in this child a tonsillectomy was complicated with sever diffuse haemorrhage that required red cell transfusion and intensive care treatment. Finally, a forth child who had been on VPA therapy for years causing prolonged PFA100 closure times, developed a large spinal epidural haematoma during epidural anaesthesia three days after urological surgery. This child had received VWF containing factor concentrate preoperatively only. For the bleeding additional VWF containing factor concentrate was given, the catheter was removed and the child recovered completely. Paediatricians, neurologists and anesthesists should be aware of the haemostatic side effects of VPA that can lead to significant bleeding. Before starting VPA therapy, patients should be evaluated for the presence of a congenital bleeding disorder. Preoperatively for any surgical intervention and in case of the occurrence of bleeding symptoms the patients have to be further evaluated for a VPA-induced disorder of the plasmatic haemostasis or an impaired platelet function. Haemostatic side effects of VPA can occur at therapeutic VPA serum levels and are found at any time during the course of VPA treatment. VPA has to be used cautiously in severely ill children and in intensive care patients and the risk of bleeding of any surgical or anesthesiological procedure has to be evaluated. Treatment options for VPA induced haemostatic abnormalities include plasma derived factor concentrates that contain VWF and the use of antifibrinolytic agents. Further studies have to assess the feasibility of standard treatment with the vasopressin analog DDAVP for this group of patients taking into account their high risk for seizures.


Debt financing is expected to improve the quality of corporate governance, but we find, using a large sample of public listed companies (PLCs) from China, that an increase in bank loans increases the size of managerial perks and free cash flows and decreases corporate efficiency. We find that bank lending facilitates managerial exploitation of corporate wealth in government-controlled firms, but constrains managerial agency costs in firms controlled by private owners. We argue that the failure of corporate governance may derive from the shared government ownership of lenders and borrowers, which nurtures soft budget constraints.


Patterns of bipolar or antitropical distributions occur in a diverse array of marine invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant groups in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Available geologic and paleontological evidence does not support vicariance as a process in the creation of these distributions but instead favors biotic interchange between hemispheres. Moreover, the timing of these events suggests several breaches (both northward and southward) of the tropics rather than a single event. The fossil record is extremely important in delimiting potential hypotheses and allowing correlation with vicariance events. The congruence of some interchanges with major regional tectonic activity and others with Pleistocene glaciations is not surprising and argues for a plurality of mechanisms. Extinction of endemic taxa following interchange among marine invertebrates is rare, and none of the antitropical distributions reviewed here suggests that the arrival of a taxon in the adjoining hemisphere resulted in the extinction of an endemic taxon. Instead, interchange and endemic taxa coexist. In contrast to the extinction patterns, the patterns of radiations are extremely diverse with some immigrant taxa undergoing remarkable radiations, whereas other taxa are represented by single species. Temperate nearshore rocky communities in both the northern and southern hemispheres appear to be mosaics of species that share common ancestry (because of interchange), are cosmopolitan, and have independent origins within the region. Although some communities appear to be organized around products of interchange (e.g., kelp forests of California and Chile), only the taxa have immigrated; linkages and interactions between species are independent and locally derived.


This study evaluates the types of innovation that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) associated in networks develop in order to enjoy competitive benefits offered by those networks. The present study developed qualitative multiple case study of two networks from the supermarket sector, one vertical network and one horizontal network, which operate in southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The results allowed concluding that organizational changes companies had to implement in order to enjoy the benefits they had considered competitive, enabled with their participation in the networks, can be considered organizational innovations. Data analysis revealed that innovations implemented by companies, resulted in other types of innovation, such as other organizational service innovations. It should also be mentioned that the innovation processes showed differences in their form in the two networks studied. In the vertical network, innovation occurred from the top-down. In the horizontal network, innovation occurred from the bottom-up.


A 69-yr-old white female presented to her physician with a 3-yr history of epigastric pain. Gastric biopsies revealed noncaseating granulomas in the mucosa and submucosa. No definite etiological factor could be detected. A diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous gastritis was made. In the past, this condition has prompted surgery. Steroids have also been advocated. Our patient was managed successfully with symptomatic treatment, without the use of steroids or surgical intervention. She remains well 4 yr later.


Tweak It and Freak It A Killer Guide to Making Windows Run Your Way Hundreds of millions of people use Windows every day, and its a safe bet that some of them would not describe themselves as happy campers. Regardless of skill level, most people have something they dislike about Windows, and they often have a whole laundry list of Windows gripes. Why cant Windows do this rather than that? Why does Windows do X instead of Y? Wouldnt it be great if Windows could do Z? Most people think Windows is set in stone, but it isnt! Strip off that veneer and a whole world comes into view, one thats hackable, moddable, tweakable, customizable, and personalizable. This book shows you the tools and technologies that anyone can use to hack almost every aspect of Windows, from startup to shutdown, from the interface to the Internet, from security to scripting. Speed up your tired PC with a fistful of easy-to-do, but oh so powerful tweaks! Tired of looking at the same old Windows day in and day out? So are we! Thats why we show you how to give Windows a makeover! Want to be more productive at work or home? This book is full of productivity tweaks that not only make Windows more fun to use, but also save you tons of time. Create custom backup routines that safeguard your precious data. Tighten the security of your PC and your network to stop would-be thieves in their tracks. Dual-boot Windows XP and Vista on the same machine, or dare we say it, run MacOS on your PC! We wont tell. Paul McFedries is a passionate computer tinkerer and Windows expert. He is the author of more than 60 computer books that have sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. His recent titles include the Sams Publishing books Windows Vista Unleashed, Second Edition, and Windows Home Server Unleashed, and the Que Publishing books Build It. Fix It. Own It. : Networking with Windows Vista, Formulas and Functions with Microsoft Excel 2007, Tricks of the Microsoft Office 2007 Gurus, and Microsoft Access 2007 Forms, Reports, and Queries. Paul is also the proprietor of Word Spy (www.wordspy.com), a website devoted to tracking new words and phrases as they enter the English language. CATEGORY: Windows Operating System COVERS: Windows Vista and XP USER LEVEL: Beginning-Intermediate


A method for coupling single-mode fiber to laser diodes with high efficiency and greatly reduced alignment sensitivities is discussed. It consists of a spherical ruby lens and a single-mode optical fiber up-taper. Using a double-channel planar buried heterostructure (DCPBH) laser, more than 60% of the light from the lens is coupled into a single-mode fiber via the taper. The lateral and axial tolerances of the lens-taper arrangement are reduced by factors of 20 and 1000 times, respectively, compared with laser coupling to a lensed single-mode fiber. These relaxed alignment tolerances have the potential to allow the taper to interface with a hermetically-sealed laser-lens package via a window and a connector on the package exterior. >


Appraisal theories are a prominent approach for the explanation and prediction of emotions. According to these theories, the subjective perception of an emotion results from a series of specific event evaluations. To validate and extend one of the most known representatives of appraisal theory, the Component Process Model by Klaus Scherer, we implemented four computational appraisal models that predicted emotion labels based on prototype similarity calculations. Different weighting algorithms, mapping the models' input to a distinct emotion label, were integrated in the models. We evaluated the plausibility of the models' structure by assessing their predictive power and comparing their performance to a baseline model and a highly predictive machine learning algorithm. Model parameters were estimated from empirical data and validated out-of-sample. All models were notably better than the baseline model and able to explain part of the variance in the emotion labels. The preferred model, yielding a relatively high performance and stable parameter estimations, was able to predict a correct emotion label with an accuracy of 40.2 percent and a correct emotion family with an accuracy of 76.9 percent. The weighting algorithm of this favored model corresponds to the weighting complexity implied by the Component Process Model, but uses differing weighting parameters.


Abstract Quadripartitioned single valued neutrosophic (QSVN) set is a powerful structure where we have four components Truth-T, Falsity-F, Unknown-U and Contradiction-C. And also it generalizes the concept of fuzzy, initutionstic and single valued neutrosophic set. In this paper we have proposed the concept of K-algebras on QSVN, level subset of QSVN and studied some of the results. In addition to this we have also investigated the characteristics of QSVN Ksubalgebras under homomorphism.


Recent document question answering models consist of two key components: the vision encoder, which captures layout and visual elements in images, and a Large Language Model (LLM) that helps contextualize questions to the image and supplements them with external world knowledge to generate accurate answers. However, the relative contributions of the vision encoder and the language model in these tasks remain unclear. This is especially interesting given the effectiveness of instruction-tuned LLMs, which exhibit remarkable adaptability to new tasks. To this end, we explore the following aspects in this work: (1) The efficacy of an LLM-only approach on document question answering tasks (2) strategies for serializing textual information within document images and feeding it directly to an instruction-tuned LLM, thus bypassing the need for an explicit vision encoder (3) thorough quantitative analysis on the feasibility of such an approach. Our comprehensive analysis encompasses six diverse benchmark datasets, utilizing LLMs of varying scales. Our findings reveal that a strategy exclusively reliant on the LLM yields results that are on par with or closely approach state-of-the-art performance across a range of datasets. We posit that this evaluation framework will serve as a guiding resource for selecting appropriate datasets for future research endeavors that emphasize the fundamental importance of layout and image content information.


DNA encoding problem, which has been proved to be an NP hard problem, is a key problem for DNA computing, and usually solved by optimization algorithms. A new efficient genetic algorithm based on cultural algorithm for the design of DNA codewords is presented in this paper. In this hybrid optimization method, to abstract and manage the information efficiently, the conventional genetic algorithm is combined with dual evolutionary frame of cultural algorithm to guide the evolution of population space with the evolutionary information. Simulation results show this method is convenient for users to design and select proper DNA codewords in silicon.


BACKGROUND
Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a useful tool for assessing lung status in critically ill patients, but is not widely applied in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this study was to investigate the use of LUS in Italian ICUs.

METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to 116 ICU representatives belonging to the Italian GiViTI network, participating in a national project on continuous quality of care assessment. The answers to the questionnaire were analyzed with the data collected in the course of said project.

RESULTS
87 ICUs took part in the study. LUS was performed in 94.3% of them, generally by an internal intensivist. The mean number of tests per bed per week was 0.97 (SD, 1.0). A standardized reporting format was present in only 11% of ICUs. LUS was generally used to investigate known or suspected diseases and as a screening tool in only 10%. The number of testes per bed per week was inversely correlated to the number of beds per physician (P<0.001) and to the provider performing the LUS (P<0.001), but not to other structural, organizational or performance data.

CONCLUSIONS
LUS is performed in the majority of ICUs and is generally used to investigate known or suspected diseases. Frequency of use appears to be low and related to selected organizational factors. There is generally no standardized format for reporting LUS findings.


Neuromorphic computing is an efficient way to handle complex tasks such as image recognition and
classification. Hardware implementation of an artificial neural network (ANN) requires arrays of scalable
memory elements to act as artificial synapses. Memristors, which are two-terminal analog memory devices,
are excellent candidates for this application as their tunable resistance could be used to code and store
synaptic weights. We studied metal-organic-metal memristors in which the organic layer is a dense and
robust electro-grafted thin film of redox complexes. The process allows fabricating planar and vertical
junctions, as well as small crossbar arrays. The unipolar devices display non-volatile multi-level
conductivity states with high Rmax/Rmin ratio and two thresholds. We characterized in depth the
characteristics of individual memristors with respect to the targeted synaptic function. We notably showed
that they possess the Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) property (their conductivity evolves as a
function of the time-delay between incoming pulses at both terminals), which is critical for future
applications in neuromorphic circuits based on unsupervised learning. In parallel, we implemented
memristors as synapses in a simple prototype: a mixed circuit with the neuron implemented with
conventional electronics. This ANN is able to learn linearly separable 3-input logic functions through an
iterative supervised learning algorithm inspired by the Widrow-Hoff rule.


In Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) the thickness, structure and morphology of the electrode layer play an important role in the cell performance. This effect becomes particularly significant when the cathode catalyst is based on a non-precious metal due to the higher catalyst loadings required to compensate for the lower catalytic activity when compared to Pt based catalysts. In this study, an iron(III) porphyrin framework material was synthesized and pyrolyzed and its catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was evaluated using rotating disk electrode (RDE) experiments and single cell testing. Single cell performance was evaluated as a function of the electrode catalyst loading (electrode thickness) and oxygen partial pressure. As expected, the ORR kinetic overpotential was the major contributor to the overall voltage loss. However, the mass transport contribution to the voltage loss became more prominent with small increases in the cathode catalyst loading. The observed performance is discussed in the context of structure and morphology of the catalyst layer (CL), analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).


We described 663 unanticipated monitored circulatory events in 247 high-risk surgical patients by simultaneous invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic and oxygen transport monitoring systems. Unanticipated monitored events were defined as sudden reductions (>20%) in cardiac index (CI), Pao2, Sao2, transcutaneous Po2 (Ptco2), and Ptco2/Pao2 index, or decreases to the lower limits of satisfactory values, specifically: Pao2 <70 torr, Sao2 <95%, Ptco2 <50 torr, and Ptco2/Pao2 <0.6. Essentially, monitored events are the small variations superimposed on the overall physiologic patterns that describe the entire course of critical illnesses. Monitored events are described by their baseline values just before each event, at the nadir of the event, and at the recovery from the event. To simplify presentation of complex changes in many variables, the circulatory changes were evaluated in terms of cardiac, pulmonary, and peripheral perfusion functions.Common patterns of these monitored events and the incidence of these patterns in high-risk surgical patients were described. Before the unanticipated monitored event, there were normal or increased heart, lung, and perfusion functions in about three fourths of the events. At the nadir, cardiac functions decreased in about two thirds, perfusion decreased in over half, and lung function fell in only one quarter of the events. Recovery occurred with increased cardiac function in two thirds, improved perfusion in over half, and increased lung function in less than one fifth of these monitored events. Noninvasive and invasive hemodynamic and oxygen transport variables were measured simultaneously to evaluate compensatory and decompensatory patterns. The data provide an information base for criteria that may be used to develop therapeutic decision rules for noninvasive monitoring systems.


Localization is a crucial service for various applications in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Although most researches assume stationary nodes, sensor mobility can enrich the application scenarios. Existing dynamic localization approaches require high seed density or incur a large communication overhead. In order to address these problems, we propose an efficient rang-free localization algorithm, EUL, which utilizes the relationship between neighboring nodes to estimate their possible location boundaries. Our algorithm not only allows all the nodes to remain static or move freely but also reduces the dependence on seeds, which achieves a uniform energy distribution to address the excessive energy drain around seeds and lengthen the network lifetime. We have evaluated EUL together with other major dynamic localization approaches. Simulation results show that EUL outperforms existing approaches in terms of accuracy under many different mobility conditions.


An exercise to standardise glove use across three hospitals uncovered incorrect use of gloves in clinical practice. It also found that a wide range of gloves were being used for different purposes and procured at different costs. This paper explores the reasons and looks at strategies to streamline practice and achieve trust-wide standardisation and cost savings


Introduction Low back pain (LBP) is the most common ailment in patients with lumbar spine osteoarthritis (OA). There are many methods to treat LBP, such as manual therapy, osteopathy, massage, physical exercise, and physical therapy. The most effective of these are manual therapy and exercises combined with physical procedures, such as whole body cryotherapy (WBCT). Whole body cryotherapy can induce various hormonal adaptations in patients with OA. This is probably the body's reaction to cold and stress. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of WBCT on β-endorphins, cortisol and adrenaline release, as well as on LBP in patients with OA of the lumbar spine. Material and methods The study group consisted of 30 patients with lumbar spine OA who underwent a series of WBCT combined with therapeutic exercises. Before and after the therapy each patient was examined using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and blood samples were collected for laboratory determinations (ELISA). Results After WBCT, the decrease in LBP measured by VAS was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The mean value of blood β-endorphin level increased after the therapy but the difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.10). The mean value of the plasma level of cortisol after treatment increased and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0009). The plasma level of adrenalin after treatment increased slightly, but the difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.08). Conclusions Whole body cryotherapy combined with therapeutic exercises had a positive effect on LBP reduction in patients with OA. On the basis of these changes, processes that take place in the nervous and endocrine systems are a response to the stimuli of cold and stress. The mechanism of action of extremely low temperatures on the human body is still not fully understood.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

In a search for novel agents that boost the anti-neoplastic effects of polo-like kinase 1(PLK1) inhibitor volasertib, we found that a sepantronium and volasertib combination at the nano mole concentration potently inhibited growth of various non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines than either drug alone in vitro. Combination use of volasertib with sepantronium inhibited adaptation of cells to polo arrest. Addition of sepantronium to volasertib prevented accumulation of survivin and cyclin B protein at a concentration causing no appreciable survivin down regulation. Sepantronium, was originally developed as a survivin inhibitor. However, sepantronium induced cell cycle arrest from G1 or G2/M phase. Further studies demonstrated DNA damage of cancer cells when they are treated with sepantronium, which is evidenced by induction of phospho-gammaH2AX. In line with induction of a DNA damage response in cancer cells, known DNA damage response sensors and transducers ATM, ATR, CHK1, CHK2, p53 are phosphorylated following drug treatment. Meanwhile, expression of CDKN1A, BAX and XRCC5 are induced at the mRNA level as determined by quantitative real time PCR. A single cell electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) of cells treated with sepantronium revealed severe DNA strand breaks. M-phase arrest does not increase the lethality of DNA damage by sepantronium as compared to G1 phase arrest. Knock down of survivin did not cause DNA damage. Hence, sepantronium is a DNA damaging agent that synergizes with volasertib and down- regulation of survivin is likely the consequence of DNA damage induced by sepantronium.

Citation Format: Mei Hong, Mingqiang Ren, Jeane Silva, Zhonglin Hao. Sepantronium is a DNA damaging agent that potentiates PLK1 inhibitor volasertib. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 817. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-817


In tropical, low‐fertility soils, crop yields are dependent on soil carbon, and cropping systems under no‐till can increase soil C stocks. Plant residues supplied by cover crops in no‐till systems may improve aggregate stability and soil carbon, which may be further increased with the introduction of a legume in the cropping system. This research studied the effects of cover crops in rotation with soybean under no‐till on soil carbon and nitrogen, in Botucatu, Brazil, for 3 yr. The cover crops were millet (Penninsetum americanum Leek), cober crop (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), grown in the spring. Fallow without cover crops was used as a control. Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) were grown in fall–winter and summer, respectively. Generally, cover crops increased soil carbon contents, but soil N was only increased by sunn hemp in the particulate organic C fraction. An increase in the labile carbon fraction in the topsoil layers was closely related to cover crop root development. Fallow in spring should not be recommended in degraded soils with lowcarbon stock. Labile‐fractioned soil organic carbon and total carbon levels are more efficiently increased by grasses than by legumes in the short term, and grasses cropped in spring increase soil C/N ratio. Conversely, the introduction of a legume (sunn hemp) maintained a more stable C/N ratio, that is around 10, which would be more effective in increasing soil C in the long term.


We extend a method (E. Cances and L.R. Scott, SIAM J. Math. Anal., 50, 2018, 381--410) to compute more terms in the asymptotic expansion of the van der Waals attraction between two hydrogen atoms. These terms are obtained by solving a set of modified Slater-Kirkwood partial differential equations. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by numerical simulations and comparison with other methods from the literature. It is also shown that the scattering states of the hydrogen atom, that are the states associated with the continuous spectrum of the Hamiltonian, have a major contribution to the C$_6$ coefficient of the van der Waals expansion.


Social media use has grown exponentially within my lifetime. One area in particular that has utilized its growth is humanitarian aid. I am interested in the effect social media can have on the awareness of small organizations with a humanitarian mission. In order to research the impact of social media as an information and communication technology for development, I will be traveling to Southeast Asia and volunteering in several local organizations. I will be asking four main questions to attempt and create a successful, overarching social media campaign for humanitarian organizations: 1. What are the overall functions social media can provide for the organization, and how can these functions be expanded to further the awareness and impact of humanitarian operations? 2. How successful is social media in accomplishing the mission of the local organizations? How could the organization use social media more effectively? 3. Who is the target audience of the social media and how is the audience affected by the social media presence? Are there any organizational connections, and how do these connections influence the use of social media? 4. What are the legal regulations surrounding the use of social media by an organization, and does this impact those the organization is trying to care for? To answer these questions, I will be using other similarly sized organizations with a higher emphasis on social media technology as a benchmark, looking at their use of social media for recruiting, funding, and awareness of the overall mission. I will be using academic articles published as part of the Information and Communications Technologies for Development manifesto to become aware of different ways organizations use social media and the most recent and effective ways to ensure that their missions are met with the support of social media. Aside from academic research, I will be working closely with small-scale humanitarian organizations in Southeast Asia to compare their use of social media to other similar organizations, measure the success of their social media use, and ultimately critique the current social media strategies in order to improve methods to utilize social media to its full potential.


Micro/nano structures, especially those in one dimensional, such as nano wires, are commonly used building blocks for the bottom-up assembly of electronic, photonic or mechanical devices. However, their fabrications are generally limited to the expensive equipments and methods capable of only working in an extremely small space. A big challenge facing the current scientific society is to overcome this barrier and build up a bridge between the macroscopic manipulation/observation and the fabrication in small world. Here, we proposed a new conceptual fabrication method, which can easily be implemented to synthesize, etch and construct micro or nano structures through manipulating the large scale bubbles composed of specific chemical compounds. The core of the method lies in the chemical reaction occurring at the interfaces between two or more soap bubbles. A surprisingly unique virtue of the bubble is that it can have a rather large diameter however an extremely small membrane thickness, whose smallest size even reaches nano scale. Therefore, the chemical reaction and synthesis occurred in the common boundary of such contacting bubbles would lead to products with very small size. Most important of all, all these were achieved via a much easy and straightforward way. To better understand the physical picture of the new method, the principle and mechanism for the bubble based fabrication process were interpreted. Several fundamental equations for characterizing the bubbles were proposed and preliminarily discussed. As the first trial to demonstrate the new concept, several typical micro structures were successfully fabricated in our lab. Particularly, a micro wire which can be used as tiny temperature sensor was made and tested. Being flexible, easily controllable and observable, environmentally friend and extremely low in cost, the present method is expected to be a significant technical route for making micro/nano structures in the near future. It also indicated for the first time that blowing soap bubbles means not just funny but also opens a new world for micro/nano fabrication.Copyright © 2007 by ASME


Tuberculosis (TB) is a global problem and the spread of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) TB, defined as resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, is a formidable challenge for control programs. There are no widely accepted standard regimens for the treatment of MDR-TB. However, a considerable proportion of cases can be cured with a regimen containing both first-line and second-line drugs. In order to prevent the development of resistance to drugs already in use and also to try to develop a standard regimen, there is need to look for new drugs. This review is prepared to show results on the anti-TB activity of -lactam antibiotics. -Lactams are among the oldest drugs with little or no side effects. Both in vitro studies and clinical data indicate that -lactams have a promising activity for use in the management of MDR-TB. More studies are required to define the interaction of -lactams with other first-line and second-line drugs, and to clearly show the clinical usefulness in the management of MDR-TB.
(Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2000, 14(3): 269-276)


Powder morphology evolution of recycled U3O8 according to the thermal treatments has been studied. The defective UO2 pellets are oxidized to U3O8 powders at a conventional temperature of 350 or 450°C in air. Those powders are pressed into green pellets and then sintered at 1,500 and 1,730°C in H2 gas flow. Final reoxidized U3O8 powers are obtained by reoxidizing those sintered pellets at 450°C in air. This paper shows that the reoxidized U3O8 powder morphology and the BET surface areas are greatly dependent on the density of sintered UO2 pellets before reoxidation. Reoxidized U3O8 powders are added to virgin UO2 powders to fabricate UO2 pellets and the effect of such addition on the UO2 pellet properties is investigated. The reoxidized U3O8 powders having a certain range of BET surface area significantly promote the grain growth of UO2 pellets.


Background Urolithiasis is common worldwide and can predispose to urinary tract infections and renal failure. We aimed to explore the global, regional, and national burden of urolithiasis between 1990 and 2019, stratified by sex, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Methods From 1990 to 2019, data on the number of incident cases of urolithiasis, associated deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were extracted from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The trends for the incidence rate, mortality, and DALYs were evaluated using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs). Results The incidence of urolithiasis increased by 48.57%, from 77.78 million incident cases in 1990 to 115.55 million in 2019, while its age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) decreased. The ASIR increased slightly in the low SDI regions (EAPC = 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24–0.43), while ASIRs in other SDI regions decreased. The incidence of urolithiasis by age presented a unimodal distribution, with the peak observed in patients aged between 50 years and 70 years. Urolithiasis-related mortality and DALYs also increased over time. Yet, the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) decreased by 2.05% (95% CI, −2.25% to −1.85%) per year, and the annual age-standardized DALY rate decreased by 1.77% (95% CI, −1.92% to −1.63%). The mortality and DALYs increased with age. The incidence, mortality, and DALYs were greater in males than those in females. The burden of urolithiasis showed obvious differences in its regional distribution over the past three decades. Conclusion From 1990 to 2019, ASIR, ASDR, and age-standardized DALY rate of urolithiasis have decreased. Yet, particularly significant differences exist in the geographic, age, and sex distribution. Thus, medical resources should be rationally allocated and adjusted according to the geographic and demographic distribution of urolithiasis.


Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are sulfated glycans capable of regulating various biological and medical functions. Heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate and hyaluronan are the principal classes of GAGs found in animals. Although GAGs are all composed of disaccharide repeating building blocks, the sulfation patterns and the composing alternating monosaccharides vary among classes. Interestingly, GAGs from marine organisms can present structures clearly distinct from terrestrial animals even considering the same class of GAG. The holothurian fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, the dermatan sulfates with distinct sulfation patterns extracted from ascidian species, the sulfated glucuronic acid-containing heparan sulfate isolated from the gastropode Nodipecten nodosum, and the hybrid heparin/heparan sulfate molecule obtained from the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei are some typical examples. Besides being a rich source of structurally unique GAGs, the sea is also a wealthy environment of GAG-resembling sulfated glycans. Examples of these mimetics are the sulfated fucans and sulfated galactans found in brown, red and green algae, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. For adequate visualization, representations of all discussed molecules are given in both Haworth projections and 3D models.


The aim of this paper is to introduce a software system for learning English vocabulary. It is a multiuser and multi-platform system, designed on effective learning principles and available for use on the Internet. It provides graphical displays of goals for the student to attain, and of the results that have been achieved. It also offers the instructor a simple means of preparing and editing exercises and modifying them according to pedagogical needs. The system, still at an evolutionary stage, was implemented for an assignment in English courses at a Japanese university for two semesters, and has proved to be an effective tool in teaching second-language vocabulary while a rigorous assessment remains to be made.


Background and Objectives: An essential part of occupational stress management is identifying target groups and developing a wellbeing program that tailors interventions to the specific needs of the target groups. This study aims to explore whether psychosocial risk determinants and organizational intervention objects differ across employees' groups based on sociodemographic factors in a Lithuanian public primary healthcare institution. Methods: All 690 health workers of the institution were invited to participate (response rate 68%) in a cross-sectional survey between February and March 2017. The questionnaire contained items related to sociodemographic factors (gender, age, job seniority, education, and occupation), 14 psychosocial risk determinants, and 10 organisational intervention objects. Results: The results of the study showed that differences by gender were not statistically significant except for one organisational intervention object (work–life balance). Only a few organisational intervention objects (justice of reward, matching to the job demand, and variety of tasks) had mean rank scores differing statistically across age and job seniority groups. Five organisational intervention objects (work–life balance, variety of tasks, communication, manager feedback, and stress management training) had mean rank scores differing statistically across education groups, and all organisational intervention objects (except stress management training) had mean rank scores differing statistically across occupational groups. Regarding psychosocial risk determinants, excessive work pace had mean rank scores differing statistically across age and job seniority groups. Four (overtime, unclear role, conflicting roles, and being under-skilled) and six psychosocial risk determinants (work overload, overtime, tight deadlines, unclear role, being under-skilled, and responsibility) had mean scores differing statistically across education and occupational groups, respectively. Statistical significance was considered with p-value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Conclusions: The findings showed that different psychosocial risk determinants and organizational interventional objects were emphasized by different sociodemographic groups in the institution, but they did not impact groups in the same measure. Therefore, it is crucial to start by determining the risk group's specific needs before developing and implementing stress management programs.


This paper exploits the concept of stabilization techniques to improve the behaviour of mixed linear/linear simplicial elements (triangles and tetrahedra) in incompressible or nearly incompressible situations. Elasto‐J2‐plastic constitutive behaviour has been considered with linear and exponential softening. Two different stabilization methods are used to attain global stability of the corresponding discrete finite element formulation. Implementation and computational aspects are also discussed, showing that a robust application of the proposed formulation is feasible. Numerical examples show that the formulation derived is free of volumetric locking and spurious oscillations of the pressure. The results obtained do not suffer from spurious mesh‐size or mesh‐bias dependence, comparing very favourably with those obtained with the standard, non‐stabilized, approaches. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


BACKGROUND
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is considered the best measure of kidney function, but repeated assessment is not feasible in most research studies.

STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional study of 1,433 participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study (ie, the GFR subcohort) to derive an internal GFR estimating equation using a split-sample approach.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
Adults from 7 US metropolitan areas with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease; 48% had diabetes and 37% were black.

INDEX TEST
CRIC GFR estimating equation.

REFERENCE TEST OR OUTCOME
Urinary (125)I-iothalamate clearance testing (measured GFR [mGFR]).

OTHER MEASUREMENTS
Laboratory measures, including serum creatinine and cystatin C, and anthropometrics.

RESULTS
In the validation data set, the model that included serum creatinine level, serum cystatin C level, age, sex, and race was the most parsimonious and similarly predictive of mGFR compared with a model additionally including bioelectrical impedance analysis phase angle, CRIC clinical center, and 24-hour urinary creatinine excretion. Specifically, root mean square errors for the separate models were 0.207 versus 0.202, respectively. Performance of the CRIC GFR estimating equation was most accurate for the subgroups of younger participants, men, nonblacks, non-Hispanics, those without diabetes, those with body mass index <30 kg/m(2), those with higher 24-hour urine creatinine excretion, those with lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, and those with higher mGFRs.

LIMITATIONS
Urinary clearance of (125)I-iothalamate is an imperfect measure of true GFR; cystatin C level is not standardized to certified reference material; lack of external validation; small sample sizes limit analyses of subgroup-specific predictors.

CONCLUSIONS
The CRIC GFR estimating equation predicts mGFR accurately in the CRIC cohort using serum creatinine and cystatin C levels, age, sex, and race. Its performance was best in younger and healthier participants.


Paraserianthes falcataria are fast growing trees in the tropical and has many benefits economically. In order to avoid seeds of Paraserianthes falcataria not decrease the quality of seeds during storage. Seed treatment is necessary to keep the seeds able to survive until the time of planting by using Piper betle Linn. leaf as an antiseptic and disinfectant. The purpose of this study to determine the effect of submursion seeds in water Piper betle Linn. leaf on the quality of seed germination and to know the optimum time to submursion seeds in water  Piper betle Linn. leaf to maintain the quality of seeds Paraserianthes falcataria . This research was conducted by using completely randomized design (CRD), which consists of 4 treatments and 4 replications. Treatment consists of: P10 = Submursion seeds Paraserianthes falcataria use Piper betle Linn. leaf water for 10 minutes; P20 = Submursion seeds Paraserianthes falcataria use Piper betle Linn. leaf water for 20 minutes; P30 = Submursion seeds Paraserianthes falcataria use Piper betle Linn. leaf water for 30 minutes; P40 = Submursion seeds Paraserianthes falcataria use Piper betle Linn. leaf water for 40 minutes. Research has shown that submursion seeds with water Piper betle Linn. leaf is able to improve the quality of seeds Paraserianthes falcataria during storage and the optimal time of submursion seeds for 30 minutes is the best treatment on seed germination percentage (62%), speed seed germinated (3.05 days), and increase seedling height (6.44 cm). Keywords :  Paraserianthes falcataria, Piper betle Linn. , Seed q uality .


We analyze impulsive systems with independent and identically distributed intervals between transitions. Our approach involves the derivation of novel results for Volterra integral equations with positive kernel. We highlight several applications of these results, and show that when applied to the analysis of impulsive systems they allow us to (i) provide necessary and sufficient conditions for mean square stability, stochastic stability and mean exponential stability, which can be equivalently tested in terms of a matrix eigenvalue computation, an LMI feasibility problem, and a Nyquist criterion condition; (ii) assess performance of the impulsive system by computing a second moment Lyapunov exponent. The applicability of our results is illustrated in a benchmark problem considering networked control systems with stochastically spaced transmissions, for which we can guarantee stability for inter-sampling times roughly twice as large as in previous papers.


In 1986 president Ronald Reagan passed the largest immigration bill in American history. He granted amnesty to nearly three million undocumented immigrants, but many still considered this immigration bill to be a failure. The 1986 Amnesty Act, more properly known as the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), was supposed to secure the border, crack down on businesses that continued to hire undocumented immigrants and put an end to illegal immigration here in the United States. It failed to deliver on its promises. Many undocumented immigrants became legal citizen, however the border was never secured, business continued to hire undocumented immigrants and it did not put an end to illegal immigration here in the United States. Consequently, now, 27 years later the American undocumented immigrant population has more than tripled with an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country. And once again, the growing Latino voice has forced immigration reform back to the political forefront. But with many still remembering vividly how the last immigration bill played out, it sparks the question, what's going to be different this time? This peace seeks to investigate the differences between the 1986 Amnesty Act and the proposed immigration bill of today and its likely hood of success.


The intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide or bleomycin to BALB/c mice resulted in lung cell damage followed by cellular proliferation, which was quantitated by measuring the increase in thymidine incorporation into pulmonary DNA. We have previously shown that administration of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene produces lung damage that can be potentiated by both hyperoxia and thoracic X-irradiation. In the present study we show that hyperoxic exposure also potentiates bleomycin- and cyclophosphamide-induced acute lung damage. However, thoracic X-irradiation does not potentiate bleomycin- and cyclophosphamide-induced lung toxicity.


Every society provides a unique soil for a health-care programmer to build upon. Indian society is similarly unique in factors such as social mindset, prevalent beliefs and customs. These factors should not be given a passive glance and should be explored carefully giving an adequate weight to each factor's background and its progress to the present status in contemporary dental practice. Only a careful scientific analysis of society is therefore the need of the hour for oral health-care programmers.


Examination of Landsat imagery of the bed of the last North American (Laurentide) Ice Sheet has revealed a previously undetected pattern of glacial streamlining. Superimposed, cross-cutting, sub-parallel sets of glacial lineations of the order of 2-50 km in length are found to be widespread. They are assumed to reflect successive phases of sustained ice flow, revealing major changes in the geometry of ice sheet flow. Using six scales of remotely sensed imagery to map the lineations, and establish their cross-cutting relationships, permits relative ages of continent-wide ice flow phases to be determined. Comparison of the principal ice flow sets with established stratigraphies suggests that the inferred shifts in ice flow occurred during the last (Wisconsinan) glacial cycle. The configuration of ice flow indicates that ice divides migrated by the order of a thousand kilometres. The evolution of the Laurentide Ice Sheet through the Wisconsinan is reconstructed. There is evidence that during the Early Wisconsinan, ice sheet formation in Keewatin may have been independent of that in Labrador-Quebec, and that these two ice masses coalesced to form a major Early Wisconsinan ice sheet. The palaeo-ice flow evidence indicates that this ice sheet configuration consisted of a trans-Laurentide divide aligned NW-SE across Hudson Bay. Subsequently, the western sector decayed whilst the eastern dome remained stable (Middle Wisconsinan). An ice dispersal centre in the west reformed and fused with the eastern ice mass to form the Late Wisconsinan Ice Sheet. Decay of this ice sheet is well known from existing analyses. The probability of strong coupling between ice sheet topography and atmospheric circulation suggests that the major changes in Laurentide Ice Sheet geometry must have been associated with large-scale atmospheric circulation changes. The corollary is that the high mobility of mid-latitude ice sheets may help explain the non-linear response of glacial climates to the insolation changes produced by external forcing.


The modern education environment is changing rapidly, as is the technology that is being utilized for educational purposes. Emerging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud computing, and virtual reality (VR) are reshaping education systems and creating new ways to digitalize and modernize education for a new generation of learners. In this paper, a structural design of an adaptable virtual reality system for education is proposed for distance learning and educational support of higher education courses, aiming to increase the degree of interactivity and informational feedback between students and the virtual environment, as well as provide multiple means of interconnectivity, student learning progress analysis, and communication between multiple users to work simultaneously.


A foam dispensing gun having a handle strip (11) of the gun body (10). Gun body having two passages (12, 13), divided into a front portion and a rear passage through the intermediate chamber. In the rear portion of each interior passage has a hose coupling and a one-way duckbill valve (25), the valve member (31) through the front and rear passage. The needle valve has a conical valve member (35) with direct access to the front end of the gun body (40) is a conical valve seat (37) mating. The trigger lever (51) mounted in the cavity for rotation, and connected to the valve member to open and close the valve. By lugs (72) engaging therewith and the resilient arms (71) projecting from the gun body about the gun body having a mixing chamber attached to the end (66) and a discharge outlet (67) using a primary nozzle (65).


Many batch processes can be considered as a class of control affine nonlinear systems. In this paper, a novel adaptive learning approach for batch process modeling is developed. By introducing dynamic error transfer factor associated with mean squared error and using extended recursive least squares approach, the proposed approach can offer an effective fuzzy T-S predication model, resolve the conflicting problem of convergence speed and osciallation existed in recursive least squares method. The proposed modeling scheme is illustrated on a semi-batch reactor, and simulation results show its effectiveness and accuracy.


The asymmetrical inheritance of plasmid DNA, as well as other cellular components, has been shown to be involved in replicative aging. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, there is an ongoing debate regarding the mechanisms underlying this important asymmetry. Currently proposed models suggest it is established via diffusion, but differ on whether a diffusion barrier is necessary or not. However, no study so far incorporated key aspects to segregation, such as dynamic morphology changes throughout anaphase or plasmids size. Here, we determine the distinct effects and contributions of individual cellular variability, plasmid volume and moving boundaries in the asymmetric segregation of plasmids. We do this by measuring cellular nuclear geometries and plasmid diffusion rates with confocal microscopy, subsequently incorporating this data into a growing domain stochastic spatial simulator. Our modelling and simulations confirms that plasmid asymmetrical inheritance does not require an active barrier to diffusion, and provides a full analysis on plasmid size effects.


The UK confidential enquiry into maternal deaths identified poor management of medical problems in pregnancy to be a contributory factor to a large proportion of indirect maternal deaths. Maternal (obstetric) medicine is an exciting subspecialty that encompasses caring for both women with pre-existing medical conditions who become pregnant, as well as those who develop medical conditions in pregnancy. Obstetrics and gynaecology trainees have some exposure to maternal medicine through their core curriculum and can then complete an advanced training skills module, subspecialise in maternal–fetal medicine or take time out to complete the Royal College of Physicians membership examination. Physician training has limited exposure to medical problems in pregnancy and has therefore prompted expansion of the obstetric physician role to ensure physicians with adequate expertise attend joint physician–obstetrician clinics. This article describes the role of an obstetric physician in the UK and the different career pathways available to physicians and obstetricians interested in maternal medicine.


BACKGROUND/AIMS
The effect of itopride hydrochloride or ranitidine on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of functional dyspepsia is not well known. Our aim was to assess the HRQoL before and after administration of itopride hydrochloride or ranitidine in patients with functional dyspepsia.

METHODOLOGY
A total of 18 functional dyspepsia patients (12 women, 6 men; mean age 52.5 y.o.) were enrolled. We determined the HRQoL using two different inquiry systems: the 36 item short form of the Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire (SF-36) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The HRQoL was determined before administration of drug, and two, four, and eight weeks after administration of drug.

RESULTS
After administration of itopride hydrochloride, the SF-36 mental health scale and GSRS indigestion syndrome score and constipation syndrome score were significantly improved compared to before administration (p < 0.05). After the administration of ranitidine, the GSRS reflux syndrome score was significantly improved compared to before administration (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Itopride hydrochloride would be useful for the treatment of dysmotility-type functional dyspepsia, whereas ranitidine would be beneficial for ulcer-type functional dyspepsia.


Effects of nutritional conditions and insertion direction of the tryptophan synthase (TSase) gene into a plasmid vector on the plasmid stability and the production of TSase in high cell concentration cultures were examined using recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli K12 IFO 3301) harboring pBR322trpAB(1) (the TSase gene was inserted at the EcoRI site of pBR322 in the clockwise direction) and pBR322trpAB(2) (counterclockwise direction). As to the effects of the insertion direction, the cells harboring pBR322trpAB(2) were slightly lower in the growth rate and the plasmid stability than those harboring pBR322trpAB(1). However, the former was higher in the productivity of TSase and the final cell concentration attained than the latter. On the other hand, the addition of organic nutrients, especially yeast extract, to TK-25 medium was very effective to improve the plasmid stability. Among the components of yeast extract, L-glutamic acid was found to be effective to improve both the plasmid stability and the production of TSase. When 1 g/l of L-glutamic acid was added to TK-25 medium, a mineral synthetic medium developed for a high concentration culture, 115g (dry basis)/l of recombinant cells were obtained in 14 hr and the expression of TSase was maintained at 240-300 U/mg-protein during the cultivation.


the rice paper processing at the household level using the Upflow sludge blanket filtration (USBF) model. The research team set up the experiment at the laboratory level with a capacity of 108 l/day. After 12 days of activation, the activated sludge reached: microbial density 2.8x10 11 CFU/ml, sludge volume SV30 380 ml/l, sludge volume index SVI 116.6 ml/g with tested parameters including DO=2.5; pH=7; COD=1,000 mg/l, and testing duration of 16 hours. The treating performance was relatively high with total suspended solids TSS, COD, and BOD 5 of 72, 91, and 95%, respectively. The quality of treated wastewater met the standards in Column B, the Vietnamese National Regulation for Industrial Wastewater Quality (QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT).


Focus in this article is placed on the areas of application of nuclear medicine methods, the existing structure of the nuclear medicine market in the world and the scope of implementation of these methods into practice of the Russian health care. Some criteria for selecting the regions and medical institutions to be taking part in the implementation of the national program on the development of nuclear medicine are determined. The existing experience is pooled and the conclusions drawn by experts on the challenges and opportunities of training highly qualified non-medical specialists for nuclear medicine are given.


ABSTRACT The editors have furnished readers with a complete version of Benjamin Rush's lectures on the mind. These classes were delivered by Rush at the University of Pennsylvania between 1791 and his death in 1813. They formed part of the so-called Institutes of Medicine, an exposition of medical principles articulating both the human physiology and pathology that governed health and disease.The volume is provided with a general introduction containing a brief biographical sketch of Rush, the man and teacher, followed by an essay on the 18th-century Institutes of Medicine tradition and their relationship to psychology. While including mental faculties and operations in these lectures, Rush recognized the impossibility of explaining them neurophysiologically. According to the editors, he was a follower of David Hartley (1705-1757), the English philosopher and physician who founded associational psychology. A perceptive commentary on the unity and peculiarity of Rush's thought that embraced Christianity, republicanism, morality, and


Charge-transfer (CT) is an important binding force in the formation of intermolecular complexes, and there have been a variety of theoretical models proposed to quantify this effect. These approaches, which typically rely on a definition of a "CT-free" state based on a partition of the system, sometimes yield significantly different results for a given intermolecular complex. Two widely used definitions of the "CT-free" state, the absolutely localized molecular orbitals (ALMO) method (where only on-fragment orbital mixings are permitted) and the constrained density functional theory (CDFT) approach (where fragment electron populations are fixed), are carefully examined in this work. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and the regularized symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) are also briefly considered. Results for the ALMO and CDFT definitions of CT are compared on a broad range of model systems, including hydrogen-bonding systems, borane complexes, metal-carbonyl complexes, and complexes formed by water and metal cations. For most of these systems, CDFT yields a much smaller equilibrium CT energy compared to that given by the ALMO-based definition. This is mainly because the CDFT population constraint does not fully inhibit CT, which means that the CDFT "CT-free" state is in fact CT-contaminated. Examples of this contamination include (i) matching forward and backward donation (e.g., formic acid dimer) and (ii) unidirectional CT without changing fragment populations. The magnitude of the latter effect is quantified in systems such as the water dimer by employing a 3-space density constraint in addition to the orbital constraint. Furthermore, by means of the adiabatic EDA, it is shown that several observable effects of CT, such as the "pyramidalization" of the planar BH3 molecule upon the complexation with Lewis bases, already appear on the "CT-free" CDFT surface. These results reveal the essential distinctions between the ALMO and CDFT definitions of CT and suggest that the former is more consistent with accepted understanding of the role of CT in intermolecular binding.


When travellers return from malaria-endemic areas and present to hospital with fever, microscopy of blood smears remains the leading method to verify a suspected diagnosis of malaria. Additional laboratory abnormalities may, however, also be indicative of acute malaria infection. We monitored prospectively a group of patients with imported Plasmodium falciparum (n =28) or P. vivax/P. ovale (n =12) infection, respectively, and assessed haemoglobin, leucocytes, thrombocytes, C-reactive protein, coagulation factor II-VII-X, lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin during 7 d of admission and weekly until d 28. For comparison, admission values of a group of febrile patients with suspected malaria, but with negative blood slides, were also assessed (n =66). The thrombocyte, leucocyte counts and coagulation factor II-VII-X were significantly lower in the malaria group compared to the non-malaria group, whereas the C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin were significantly higher in the malaria group. The differences were particularly strong with falciparum malaria. By contrast, haemoglobin levels were not affected. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the role of a few commonly analysed laboratory parameters, in particular thrombocyte counts, in guiding the clinician managing a returning traveller with fever.


A study on seasonal migration of the tropical honeybee, Apis dorsata was conducted in the protected habitat of the Bogor Botanic Garden, West Jawa, Indonesia by monitoring the arrivals and departures of colonies of the honeybee. The colonies arrived in the garden during both the higher mean monthly rainfall and the lower number of rainy days per month and departed during the time of increasing the number of both total monthly rainfall and monthly rainy days. During their stay in the garden, the colonies occupied a certain location and host plant patches. Their duration of stay in the garden was variable. It was 77%, 9% and 4% of the colonies developed, stable and decreased their colony member, respectively. The colonies (23%) performed reproduction by reproducing new queens. Early arriving colonies stayed in very long periods and reproduced colony fission.


In this study, four metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) were prepared using a simple, low-cost, and high-efficiency technique utilizing simple carboxylic acids (1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid and terephthalic acid) and metal salts (copper(II) acetate tetrahydrate and cobalt(II) acetate tetrahydrate) and microwave-assisted ball milling. The MOFs were characterized by infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry. They were investigated for use as adsorbents for the adsorption of Congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of MOF-2—synthesized from trimesic acid and cobalt(II) acetate tetrahydrate—was the highest, reaching 85.54% after 300 min. Electrostatic and π–π stacking interactions are thought to play an important role in the adsorption of CR onto the MOFs. This MOF material reported in this work demonstrates a superior dye adsorption capacity when compared to other adsorbents.


Development of a complicated technical problem encompasses different successive decisions that are based on techical analysis and engineering judgment. In each of these steps, somedegree of non-determinism is inevitable. The paper discusses different types of non-deterministic parameters that may be relevant in different stages of engineering analysis. The entire cycle of development of a product is considered, and it is shown that the relevance of methods isdifferent in different stages of the development cycle. A classification of different types of non-deterministic properties is presented. Based on the nature of these different classes of model properties, it is discussed to what degree each of these fits in the framework of either a probabilistic or a non-probabilistic concept.The availability of realistic data in an appropriate format is another issue that should be taken into account. A validated probabilistic representation is usually only possible after an extensive campaign of data acquisition has been conducted, or at least after suffcient data have been collected to allow for a reliable estimation of a statistical model. A study of scientific literature shows that validated information is not always available. A general conclusion is that probabilistic methods are applicable in later stages of development, when a suffciently large database of product data has been gathered. Probabilistic approaches are perfectly suited for conditions when the product is already in service. Possibilistic analysis on the other hand is best suited for application in cases when the data set about the product at hand is still incomplete.


The genus Dysphania belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is known for its many health benefits. Therefore, it is commonly available worldwide and includes more than 47 species, five species have been mainly reported, and D. ambrosioides has been one of the most widely used plants for thousands of years as a remedy for a wide range of ailments. In recent investigations, the essential oils of the genus Dysphania have been examined for their antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral properties related to specific components such as terpenoid compounds that exhibit pharmacological activity. Moreover, some of Dysphania's compounds show a toxicological effect. Therefore, the objective of the study was to provide EO chemical composition and pharmacological data of the genus Dysphania. Graphical Abstract


In developing countries, health seeking behaviours and health care services utilization patterns have been studied and the determinants have been classified in physical, socio-economic, cultural and political contexts. This paper is based on a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on the relationship of factors affecting health service utilization and the focus has been on Pakistan. For this purpose, National Health Survey (NHS) of Pakistan, conducted in 1990-1994, has been critically reviewed. The review reveals specific behaviours following gender differences, socio-cultural milieu, disease patterns, household economics etc. Thus it becomes imperative to design evidence based policies by developing the understanding of health behaviours and health care utilization trends and to give enough credence to all determinants in the background. Health sector reforms therefore necessitate developing mechanisms to deliver more need based and quality services, considering thoughtfully users' concerns and perspectives. The advent of decentralization in Pakistan provides a unique opportunity for tackling multi-faceted issues by multisectoral approaches.