The issue of the equivalence of the ways in which electric and magnetic effects can each be seen as relativistic consequences of the other is discussed. It is shown that, in contrast to the electric case, no satisfactory non-relativistic theory of magnetism alone can be given. From this it is argued that the usual view that magnetic forces can be seen as a relativistic consequence of electric ones is sound whereas its converse is not. Résumé. La question si on peut voir les champs électrique et magnétique également comme effets relativiste est débattue. Il est demontré que, au contaire du cas électrique, une théorie non-relativiste n'exist pas pour le champ magnétique seul et donc on ne peut pas voir le champ électrique comme un effet relativiste. In a recent paper in this journal, Jefimenko (1996) has argued that the commonly held view that magnetic forces are relativistic consequences of electric ones is not unique. This relationship, it is argued, can be reversed, so that electric forces are seen as a relativistic consequence of magnetic ones. In this argument, Ampere's law for the magnetic field is taken as a starting point to `deduce' the existence of the electric field in a very similar way to the more familiar `deductions' of the magnetic field that start from Coulomb's law. For any claim of equivalence between these different deductions to be justified requires first of all that their starting points be equally well founded in some non-relativistic limits of Maxwell's equations where, in each case, one type of force appears alone. Such a limit does exist for the electric case but not it would seem for the magnetic one. The electric limit is described by the in vacuo field equations and the Lorentz force, , acting on a test charge, q, caused by the local electric field, E: The electric field given by (1) is a manifestly Galilean invariant since the electric charge density and the operator Del are both invariants. Equations (1) simply describe a field that is due to the instantaneous action at a distance of other charges and is dependent only on the positions of these charges relative to the test charge. Consequently, the force in (2) is also a Galilean invariant as it must be for consistency with the principles of Newtonian mechanics. Equations (1) and (2) are therefore a self-consistent, non-relativistic, description of a pure electric force. They form a quasistatic approximation to electromagnetism that is in fact much used in situations where electric charges are slowly moving and there are no conduction currents (e.g. atomic physics). Because of this, relativistic generalizations of Coulomb's law that lead to magnetic forces are well founded, even though some extra assumptions are needed to make the magnetic generalization rigorous (see Jackson 1975). Although the electric limit exists and is well known, it does not seem possible to give a corresponding magnetic limit that describes self-consistently a non-relativistic pure magnetic force. The use of Ampere's law, as in equation (1) of Jefimenko (1996), amounts to adopting the equations of magnetostatics which are given in vacuo by However, unlike equations (1), equations (3) are not acceptable as general field equations since they are not Galilean invariant (nor do they ensure the conservation of electric charge). The lack of Galilean invariance can be seen by considering a Galilean transformation to a different inertial reference frame when the electric current density in (3) becomes where u is the relative velocity of the primed reference frame. It can be seen that equations (3) are only invariant under such a transformation if they are augmented to include a displacement current term. Augmenting (3) in this way introduces reference to the electric field and so destroys the desired pure magnetic character of the equations. It might be thought that the above difficulty can be evaded by taking equations (3) to apply only when there is no electric charge density, so that J is then due only to conduction currents and satisfies the condition Div . Then J and B both become Galilean invariants. However, even allowing such an artifice still leaves problems with the transformation properties of the Lorentz force, , given by The velocity of the test charge, v, is defined with respect to some inertial reference frame and is not therefore Galilean invariant. Equation (5) cannot therefore be a general expression for the magnetic Lorentz force if this force is to be Galilean invariant. At best, equation (5) could apply only in some special preferred reference frame. In some other reference frame, where the test charge has velocity , it assumes the form Clearly the force in the form given by (6) cannot be interpreted as a purely magnetic one. The second term in (6) is independent of the test particle velocity and so it has the character of an electric force. These observations lead to the conclusion that there is no non-relativistic theory of purely magnetic forces from which the existence of electric forces could be inferred by a relativistic generalization. In fact the inability to give such a non-relativistic theory means that, starting from magnetic phenomena, it could be argued that considerations of Galilean invariance alone are sufficient to infer the existence of complementary electric phenomena. References Jackson J D 1975 Classical Electrodynamics 2nd edn (New York: Wiley) pp 578 - 81 Jefimenko O D 1996 Eur. J. Phys. 17 180 - 2


The 39 papers in Part I of this special issue focus on the applications of ferroelectrics. The issue seeks to address the current state of the field by providing an overview of the fundamental materials science required to advance the discipline, as well as detailed papers on the applications of ferroelectric materials.


In this paper, the effect of soil ionization due to lightning strike on wind turbine grounding electrodes is investigated. The developed ionization model is validated and subsequently used to investigate the influence of several parameters on the phenomenon studied, namely, the soil type, the electrode type and the crest value of the impulse current. All simulations are performed using EMTP computer program.


In this work, we study two species of predator with two species of prey model, where the two species of prey live in two diverse habitats and have the ability to group-defense. Only one of the two predators tends to switch between the habitats. The mathematical model has at most 13 possible equilibrium points, one of which is the point of origin, two are axial, tow are interior points and the others are boundary points. The model with , where n is the switching index, is discussed regarding the boundedness of its solutions and the local stability of its equilibrium points. In addition, a basin of attraction was created for the interior point. Finally, three numerical examples were given to support the theoretical results.


Seaweeds are potentially excellent sources of highly bioactive materials that could represent useful leads in the alleviation of salinity stress. The effects of presoaking wheat grains in water extract of Ulva lactuca on growth, some enzymatic activities, and protein pattern of salinized plants were investigated in this study. Algal presoaking of grains demonstrated a highly significant enhancement in the percentage of seed germination and growth parameters. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased with increasing the algal extract concentration while activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) was decreased with increasing concentration of algal extract more than 1% (w/v). The protein pattern of wheat seedling showed 12 newly formed bands as result of algal extract treatments compared with control. The bioactive components in U. lactuca extract such as ascorbic acid, betaine, glutathione, and proline could potentially participate in the alleviation of salinity stress. Therefore, algal presoaking is proved to be an effective technique to improve the growth of wheat seedlings under salt stress conditions.


2. The consumption of this seed was first used by ancient Aztec warriors to promote good health, energy, and physical stamina 3. Eicosapentaenoic acid and which other kind of essential fatty acid are found in deep-sea, cold-water fish (abbr) 6. Powerful agents the body produces to help manage inflammatory response 9. Along with fish oil, this is considered to be a key source of Omega-3 fatty acids 10. In addition to cardiovascular support, may also benefit mood, stiff joints, inflammation 11. FDA approved a qualified health claim for Omega-3 stating that it may reduce the risk of this disease. Down 1. Pharmacologically active plant compounds that occur naturally in flax seeds 4. A unique type of Omega-3 found in Flax (abbr) 5. To properly repair itself from oxidative damage, the body needs a generous supply of these fats 6. Molecular distillation is a __________ process to eliminate contamination and heavy metals in fish oil 7. You can find close to three grams of Omega-3s in this nut 8. Despite the bodys inability to make them on its own, the body must have them in order to remain healthy (abbr) Essential Fatty Acids


SUMMARY The flow structures produced by the hydromedusae Sarsia tubulosa and Aequorea victoria are examined using direct numerical simulation and Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS). Body motion of each hydromedusa is digitized and input to a CFD program. Sarsia tubulosa uses a jetting type of propulsion, emitting a single, strong, fast-moving vortex ring during each swimming cycle while a secondary vortex of opposite rotation remains trapped within the subumbrellar region. The ejected vortex is highly energetic and moves away from the hydromedusa very rapidly. Conversely, A. victoria, a paddling type hydromedusa, is found to draw fluid from the upper bell surface and eject this fluid in pairs of counter-rotating, slow-moving vortices near the bell margins. Unlike S. tubulosa, both vortices are ejected during the swimming cycle of A. victoria and linger in the tentacle region. In fact, we find that A. victoria and S. tubulosa swim with Strouhal numbers of 1.1 and 0.1, respectively. This means that vortices produced by A. victoria remain in the tentacle region roughly 10 times as long as those produced by S. tubulosa, which presents an excellent feeding opportunity during swimming for A. victoria. Finally, we examine the pressure on the interior bell surface of both hydromedusae and the velocity profile in the wake. We find that S. tubulosa produces very uniform pressure on the interior of the bell as well as a very uniform jet velocity across the velar opening. This type of swimming can be well approximated by a slug model, but A. victoria creates more complicated pressure and velocity profiles. We are also able to estimate the power output of S. tubulosa and find good agreement with other hydromedusan power outputs. All results are based on numerical simulations of the swimming jellyfish.


a NMBD to facilitate emergency intubation in 83% of patients. This makes us wonder whether the authors believe that it is in some way virtuous for residents to avoid their use. An inexperienced anesthetist could conclude that he or she might be criticized for giving an NMBD, which raises the awful prospect of a patient perishing while the anesthetist hesitates. Of course there are patients to whom it is unwise to give an NMBD, but these are mainly those to whom it is unwise to give any sedative drug, plus those with allergies or certain neuromuscular diseases. However, when general anesthesia has been induced we believe that it is more dangerous to inhibit trainees from using NMBDs than to encourage them to use them if they think it might help. In airway management under general anesthesia, NMBDs are much more often the answer than the problem.


The article deals with the role of the cover in the economy of the book. During this period, when book sales moved exclusively online, the cover had an even more important role. Is the cover a business card of the book? Does it focus on the message of the book, like the title of the book? Can the cover sell the book or not? The phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover" is wellknown. And yet we must not underestimate the importance of design even in the case of a book. Sometimes it is the cover that can determine us to purchase a book or on the contrary, not to give importance to a particular publication. Romanian artists Viorel Simulov and Luminița Penișoară, members of the Union of Fine Artists in Romania, signed hundreds of covers and illustrations for books, they try to clarify how important the design of the cover is in the success of a book. Font, size of the letter, styling, all these elements attract us and influence the buyer's decision. They come with atmosphere and colour, just as the voice in the spoken language or in ads. In fact, the book cover acts like a commercial, and all the rules of an ad can be applied to the book cover too. So, beyond words, commercials use images, page settings, colours. These additional elements carry out signification that can strengthen or contradict the meaning of words. We can also use the principles of advertising when creating the book cover. The paper presents some important elements to take into account when it comes to the cover of a book. My work is based on the experience of several cover designers, who present their point of view on the subject. With two of them, Viorel Simulov, and Luminiţa Penișoară, I discussed at length, face to face, în a series of interviews. I have synthesized their opinion in this work. Then, because I see the cover as a well-made advertisement, I analyzed this iconic level of the cover, following the theoretical principles of the iconic level in the advertisements. At the end I presented the results of the 2021 contest initiated in Romania, by Dreamstime agency, regarding the best cover of the year.


Abstract. Eiselt's pond turtle (Emys orbicularis eiselti) was described in 1998, based on only 4 museum specimens collected in the 1960s and 1970s. Its distribution range has been massively reduced by large-scale drainage measures and only little suitable habitat remains near the Turkish–Syrian border. During 20-yr-long fieldwork we could locate only 18 individuals of this subspecies. We estimate the number of surviving Eiselt's pond turtles to be less than 100 mature individuals in the wild. The distribution range (area of occupancy) in the Amik Maraş Rift Valley shrank from originally 11,612 km2 to only 206 km2 at present (approx. 2%), qualifying E. o. eiselti as a Critically Endangered taxon. Without immediate conservation measures and the strict protection of the remaining habitat, the subspecies will soon be extinct.


The adaptive algorithms used for acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) have to provide (1) high convergence rates and good tracking capabilities, since the acoustic environments imply very long and time-variant echo paths, and (2) low misadjustment and robustness against background noise variations and double-talk. In this context, the affine projection algorithm (APA) and different versions of it are very attractive choices for AEC. However, an APA with a constant step-size parameter has to compromise between the performance criteria (1) and (2). Therefore, a variable step-size APA (VSS-APA) represents a more reliable solution. In this paper, we propose a VSS-APA derived in the context of AEC. Most of the APAs aim to cancel p (i.e., projection order) previous a posteriori errors at every step of the algorithm. The proposed VSS-APA aims to recover the near-end signal within the error signal of the adaptive filter. Consequently, it is robust against near-end signal variations (including double-talk). This algorithm does not require any a priori information about the acoustic environment, so that it is easy to control in practice. The simulation results indicate the good performance of the proposed algorithm as compared to other members of the APA family.


We calculate neutrino-induced fission cross sections for selected nuclei with Z=84-92. We show that these reactions populate the daughter nucleus at excitation energies where shell effects are significantly washed out, effectively reducing the fission barrier. If the r process occurs in the presence of a strong neutrino fluence, and electron neutrino average energies are sufficiently high, perhaps as a result of matter-enhanced neutrino flavor transformation, then neutrino-induced fission could lead to significant alteration in the r-process flow in slow outflow scenarios.


The paradigmatic bases, which sustain traditional western psychological interpretative efforts, need not be just a footnote to Plato. In this paper we introduce the Talmudic interpretative perspective, which we use to point at some weaknesses we identify in contemporary research imaginings. While the empiricist approach may be traced to Plato and the interpretative and the critical approaches may be traced to Heraclitus, we argue that the Talmudic approach is a differentiated and unique perspective that, because of its non-epistemic nature, its dialogical character, and its recognition of two intermingled levels of interpretation, can make an important contribution to new ways of thinking about understanding and meaning in research.


Cardiac remodelling with interstitial fibrosis in renal failure, which so far is only poorly understood on the molecular level, was investigated in the rat model by a global gene expression profiling analysis. Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to subtotal nephrectomy (SNX) or sham operation (sham) and followed for 2 and 12 weeks, respectively. Heart-specific gene expression profiling, with RZPD Rat Unigene-1 cDNA arrays containing about 27 000 gene and EST sequences revealed substantial changes in gene expression in SNX compared to sham animals. Motor protein genes, growth and differentiation markers, and extracellular matrix genes were upregulated in SNX rats. Obviously, not only genes involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but also genes involved in the expansion of non-vascular interstitial tissue are activated very early in animals with renal failure. Together with earlier findings in the SNX model, the present data suggest the hypothesis that the local renin–angiotensin system (RAS) may be activated by at least two pathways: (a) via second messengers and Gproteins (short-term signalling); and (b) via motor proteins, actins and integrins (longterm signalling). The study documents that complex hybridization analysis yields reproducible and promising results of patterns of gene activation pointing to signalling pathways involved in cardiac remodelling in renal failure. The complete array data are available via http://www.rzpd.de/cgi-bin/services/exp/viewExpressionData.pl.cgi


A probe system for measurement of ureteric flow velocity and ureter cross section area is described. The flow velocity transducer is placed at the tip of a conventional 4-F ureteric catheter. The cross section transducer consists of two circular electrodes at an interval of 4 mm, mounted on the catheter just behind the flow velocity transducer. In vitro calibration established voltage as a function of flow velocity according to Kings law. Stability was excellent (0-point drift less than 1%/hour). Response time for flow rise was 0.02 second, and for flow fall 1.0 second. Variations of the ambient temperature at constant flow showed a margin of error in flow determination of 10 to 15%/1 degrees C temperature variation. In vitro calibration of the cross section transducer established linear correlation between voltage and tube diameter, but limited by the actual interelectrode interval. Probe displacement from tube axis gave an error of up to 10%. In vivo studies were made in anaesthetized pigs. The probe did not affect ureter peristalsis. Flow velocities ranged from 0 to 5 cm/second and ureter cross sectional areas between 0 and 0.2 cm2. Further developments in the measuring system are discussed.


The present work analyses different parameters of end milling to minimize the surface roughness for AISI D2 steel. D2 Steel is generally used for stamping or forming dies, punches, forming rolls, knives, slitters, shear blades, tools, scrap choppers, tyre shredders etc. Surface roughness is one of the main indices that determines the quality of machined products and is influenced by various cutting parameters. In machining operations, achieving desired surface quality by optimization of machining parameters, is a challenging job. In case of mating components the surface roughness become more essential and is influenced by the cutting parameters, because, these quality structures are highly correlated and are expected to be influenced directly or indirectly by the direct effect of process parameters or their interactive effects (i.e. on process environment). In this work, the effects of selected process parameters on surface roughness and subsequent setting of parameters with the levels have been accomplished by Taguchi's parameter design approach. The experiments have been performed as per the combination of levels of different process parameters suggested by L9 orthogonal array. Experimental investigation of the end milling of AISI D2 steel with carbide tool by varying feed, speed and depth of cut and the surface roughness has been measured using surface roughness tester. Analyses of variance have been performed for mean and signal-to-noise ratio to estimate the contribution of the different process parameters on the process. Keywords—D2 Steel, Orthogonal Array, Optimization, Surface Roughness, Taguchi Methodology.


The existing tag-based systems offer search results with low accuracy, as they provide search results through a single tag matching by using content-tagged tags. Because users do not consider correlations and priorities between tags upon content tagging, the content and relevant information that the tags have are not efficiently offered. In this context, this study suggests a cluster-based tag ranking and search system using tag similarity to solve the problems mentioned above. Through such a system, the existing single tag matching problem can be solved.


This study demonstrated fiber-optic-based life cycle monitoring of an L-shaped carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) part. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors were embedded in the corner of the L-shaped specimen during the laminate lay-up process, and was then utilized to monitor the local strain change during the cure process, the demolding, the assembly, and a subsequent bending test. FBG spectral changes induced were comprehensively presented and discussed from the viewpoint of the mechanical and thermal deformation of the specimen. Internal state of the L-shaped part was successfully monitored throughout its life, confirming effectiveness of life cycle monitoring by embedded fiber-optic-based sensors for developing highly-reliable composite structures.


A new experimental evaluation of the quenching factor for nuclear recoils in NaI[Tl] is described. Systematics affecting previous measurements are addressed by careful characterization of the emission spectrum of the neutron source, use of a small scintillator coupled to an ultra-bialkali high quantum efficiency photomultiplier, and evaluation of non-linearities in the electron recoil response via Compton scattering. A trend towards a rapidly diminishing quenching factor with decreasing sodium recoil energy is revealed. Additionally, no evidence for crystal lattice channeling of low-energy recoiling ions is found in a scintillator of known crystallographic orientation. A discussion on how these findings affect dark matter searches employing NaI[Tl] (e.g., DAMA/LIBRA) is offered.


The social network analysis (SNA) is an approach that can be applied as a complement to other analysis (such as statistical) in order to obtain other valuable information. The social network analysis has been used in several initiatives showing that it is an approach that can contribute in building the semantic web. Within the project Technologies Applied to Electronics Teaching (TAEE) there are biannual conferences (it has been organized since 1996) and have accumulated a significant amount of data resulting from the conferences held. All of this information constitutes a data source that should be exploited and that can provide meaningful information. In this document we describe, how to social network analysis has been used on data sources generated by user communities, in order to obtain some semantic artifacts, like ontologies. Also describes how to was applied the social network analysis and its metrics on the information generated in the TAEE congresses to answer a set of questions (What are the relationships and the level of cohesion of the different organizations (at the level of Spain and across continents) involved in TAEE? How have evolutioned the thematics covered in the conference?, What are the new ontological additions in technology over the years?, and How have evolutioned the thematics in the research and studies related to teaching electronics?) formulated by the organizers of the congresses and that through other approaches would have been a large task and complicated. The answers to the questions can provide us important information about the behavior and characteristics of the elements present in TAEE conferences, furthermore being an element for making decisions on future initiatives with the same style of TAEE.


The development of novel dielectric materials with reliable dielectric properties and low-temperature processibility is crucial to manufacturing flexible and high-performance organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) for next-generation roll-to-roll organic electronics. Here, we investigate the solution-based fabrication of high-k aluminum oxide (Al2O3) thin films for high-performance OTFTs. Nanocluster-based Al2O3 films fabricated by highly energetic photochemical activation, which allows low-temperature processing, are compared to the conventional nitrate-based Al2O3 films. A wide array of spectroscopic and surface analyses show that ultralow-temperature photochemical activation (<60 °C) induces the decomposition of chemical impurities and causes the densification of the metal-oxide film, resulting in a highly dense high-k Al2O3 dielectric layer from Al-13 nanocluster-based solutions. The fabricated nanocluster-based Al2O3 films exhibit a low leakage current density (<10−7 A/cm2) at 2 MV/cm and high dielectric breakdown strength (>6 MV/cm). Using this dielectric layer, precisely aligned microrod-shaped 2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno [3,2-b][1] benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) single-crystal OTFTs were fabricated via solvent vapor annealing and photochemical patterning of the sacrificial layer.


The purpose of the current study was to analyze the long-term oncologic and functional results and complications associated with limb-sparing surgery and endoprosthetic reconstruction for 23 patients with osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus. There was one Stage IIA lesion, 18 Stage IIB lesions, and four Stage III lesions in this study group. Twenty-two patients were treated with an extraarticular resection that included the deltoid and rotator cuff and one patient was treated with an intraarticular resection that spared the shoulder abductors. In all these patients, the proximal humerus was reconstructed with a cemented endoprosthetic replacement that was stabilized via a technique of static suspension (Dacron tapes) and dynamic suspension (muscle transfers). At latest followup (median, 10 years), 15 patients (65%) were alive without evidence of disease. There were no local recurrences. Prosthetic survival was 100% for the 15 survivors. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society upper extremity functional score ranged from 24 to 27 (80%–90%). All shoulders were stable and pain-free. Elbow and hand function were preserved in all patients. The most common complication was a transient neurapraxia (n = 8). En bloc extraarticular resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction is a safe and reliable method of limb-sparing surgery for patients with high-grade extracompartmental osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus.


The problem of hunger is increasing. in general, we agree on that -- but our agreement ceases when we consider appropriate definitions, approaches, and solutions to global scarcity of food. This book emphasizes that the world's food problems are technically, biologically, socially, politically, economically, and morally complex. Early chapters set out alternative conceptions of the world food problem and explore the major variables and assumptions of each. Subsequent chapters compare and contrast modern agriculture with traditional and subsistence forms of agriculture as biological systems. A fourfold classification of nations into food-sufficient and food-deficient and rich and poor precedes a discussion of political, economic, and cultural aspects of food policies in the United States, Europe, and selected less-developed nations. The book also considers the prospects for scientific and technological developments as partial solutions to global scarcity of food and makes guarded recommendations, reaffirming the complexity of the issues involved in world hunger.


Abstract. Image-based virtual reality (VR) is a virtual space generated with panoramic images projected onto a primitive model. In imagebased VR, realistic VR scenes can be generated with lower rendering cost, and network data can be described as relationships among VR scenes. The camera network data are generated manually or by an automated procedure using camera position and rotation data. When panoramic images are acquired in indoor environments, network data should be generated without Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) positioning data. Thus, we focused on image-based VR generation using a panoramic camera in indoor environments. We propose a methodology to automate network data generation using panoramic images for an image-based VR space. We verified and evaluated our methodology through five experiments in indoor environments, including a corridor, elevator hall, room, and stairs. We confirmed that our methodology can automatically reconstruct network data using panoramic images for image-based VR in indoor environments without GNSS position data.


Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for treatment of symptomatic fibroids in Hong Kong Chinese women. Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent UAE between June 2005 and December 2013 in a regional hospital in Hong Kong was performed. All patients had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after UAE. Uterine and fibroid volumes were calculated from MRI scans to assess radiological improvement. Symptoms including abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, urinary frequency, and abdominal distension were recorded. Results: A total of 61 patients were assessed. The technical success rate was 98% with only one failure. Therapeutic hysterectomy or myomectomy was performed in 13%. The mean uterine volume decreased from 897.5 ml to 608.4 ml (32.2% reduction). The mean volume of the largest fibroid decreased from 258.7 ml to 169.9 ml (34.3% reduction). Symptomatic improvement was achieved for abnormal uterine bleeding (85%), dysmenorrhoea (86%), and urinary frequency (82%). There was an improvement in mean haemoglobin level from 100 g/l to 119 g/l and also a decreased number of patients using transamin following UAE from 72% (44/61) to 44% (22/50). Minor complications including fever, urinary tract infection, vaginal discharge, and post-embolisation syndrome occurred in a minority of patients. Three women developed permanent amenorrhoea after UAE. Fibroid expulsion occurred in three patients within 3 months of UAE without the need for hospitalisation. Conclusion: Local data support the application of UAE as a safe and effective treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids. A high clinical success rate and fibroid volume reduction can be achieved.


Many species in the genus Populus and their hybrids are economically valuable, fast growing, short rotation woody trees for producing wood, fiber, and biofuels, as well as sequestering atmospheric carbon in large plantations and agroforestry settings. Industrial facilities to produce liquid transportation fuels from Poplar feedstock are currently being built in the USA. Populus ilicifolia locally known as Tana River Poplar is the only species in the Populus genus that falls within the tropics. It occurs in river valleys of Tana, Athi and Ewaso Nyiro in Kenya. P. ilicifolia is an endangered species threatened by massive felling by humans, floods and destruction by large herbivores. As such the species populations have become decimated to IUCN vulnerable status. Unlike its relatives in Americas, Europe and Asia, P. ilicifolia has received very little attention for utilization and conservation. Incorporating this species into on-going tree improvement and genomics research on temperate Populus species is expected to have tremendous economic and scientific benefits to Kenya. Genetic diversity studies using DNA markers have become very crucial in the conservation of tree species that are endangered. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic variation and heterozygosity of four Populus populations from Kenya and show the genetic relatedness between Kenyan P. ilicifolia and Poplar reference samples from USA by employing Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) with the aim of providing important information for improvement and in situ/ex situ conservation of this species. Leaf samples were collected from three locations along the species natural ranges (i.e. Athi, Ewaso Nyiro and Tana Rivers), Muguga KEFRI (planted) and 10 reference samples from the USA were provided. Six AFLP primer combinations that provided clear and polymorphic bands were used for the analysis. Fragments were resolved using capillary electrophoresis (ABI 3730 DNA analyzer). A sum total 521 bands in the range of 100500 base pairs were produced. GenALEx 6.5 was used to reveal the partitioning of variation within and among the populations. Genetic diversity estimates were computed using TFPGA software. The percentage polymorphic loci results were lowest in Ewaso Nyiro population recording 23.80% and Athi population 65.26% which was the highest among the three natural populations. The average Heterozygosity across the populations was between 0.09 and 0.4. According to AMOVA results, there was more genetic variation partitioning within population 60% (P<0.001) than among populations 40% (P<0.001) thus there was a significant variation between populations genetically. UPGMA clustering in form of a dendogram showed two clusters in accordance with their geographical origin where Tana, Athi and Ewaso Nyiro populations clustered together as opposed to the reference samples and KEFRI population. The study showed that Athi population is more diverse than any other Kenyan population and can be used for improvement studies, domestication and conservation of P. ilicifolia.


Liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome) was substituted for doxorubicin in the CHOP regimen, aiming to reduce toxicity and maintain or improve efficacy in elderly patients. Eligibility criteria included: age ≥60 years; previously untreated aggressive non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and performance status (PS) 0–2. Treatment was cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (maximum 2 mg), and DaunoXome 100 mg/m2 iv on day 1, prednisolone 100 mg po on days 1–5 and G-CSF 5 µg/kg/day sc, for 6–8 cycles. For the 51 patients, median age was 70 years (range 60–88), 94% had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 55% were high-intermediate or high-risk according to the age-adjusted international prognostic index. A mean of 6 cycles was delivered, with dose reductions of DaunoXome in 8.3% of cycles. The combined CR and CRu rate was 65.2%, survival was 566 days and 5-year survival 35%. Three deaths occurred during treatment and may have been related to COP-X. Only 4 (7.8%) of the remaining patients had ≥10% reduction in LVEF. However, 35% of patients were hospitalised during treatment, mostly for febrile neutropenia. The response rate to COP-X was similar to that expected with CHOP, with low cardiac toxicity. The high rate of infectious complications suggests that the DaunoXome dose used may be too high for this patient group. These results support further investigation of this regimen in patients with aggressive NHL.


Current recommendations for maintaining quality of sugar snap peas in storage include low temperatures, but not modified atmospheres (MA). However, sugar snap peas may be unintentionally exposed to MA when shipped in 'bag in box' bulk packaging, or intentionally exposed when used as a component in fresh-cut vegetable trays. The aim of this research was to determine the tolerance of sugar peas to MA. Two experiments were conducted in which sugar snap peas ('Super Sugar Snap') were stored at 5°C for up to 21 days in air, 3% O2 + 7, 12 or 18% CO2, or 10% O2 + 12% CO2. Overall, storage in air resulted in the best quality based on subjective (overall visual quality, discoloration, aroma, decay) and objective measurements (sugar, ethanol, acetaldehyde, ammonia). The 3% O2 with 12 or 18% CO2 resulted in visible damage (discoloration) to the peas after 9 to 12 days. This was associated with changes in color (increased darkness, loss of greenness), and substantial increases in ammonia, ethanol and acetaldehyde; all indicative of stress. Quality changes in peas stored in 3% O2 + 7% CO2 or 10% O2 + 12% CO2 were intermediate between the stressful atmospheres and air. Further tests showed that peas ('Sugar Snap') maintained good quality at 5°C in air, 3% O2, 3% O2 + 6% CO2 or 10% O2 + 12% CO2 atmospheres for 18 days. Best quality was maintained in air at 0°C for over 21 days. At 5°C for 18 days, some MA combinations provided slight benefit over air storage, and importantly did not result in increased concentrations of stress indicators. If peas have to be in MAP with other fresh-cut vegetables, the 3% O2 + 6% CO2 or 10% O2 + 12% CO2 atmospheres are probably the better options.


This article combines quantitative and qualitative analysis to investigate the reporting of the Taliban conflict in Pakistan media and finds the coverage escalatory and elitist from the peace journalism perspective. While the security-related aspects of the conflict are highlighted, the problems of victims are ignored. The data for this study were collected through content analysis, discourse analysis and interviews with conflict reporters and analysts. The key findings of this study are quite consistent with the existing peace journalism scholarship that in conflict where national interests are involved, media become nationalistic and patriotic, leaving behind the considerations of quality and good journalism.


Procollagen-induced platelet aggregation, platelet retention (Hellem II), and platelet factor 3 availability (PF-3) were determinded in a group of healthy volunteers,acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) treated patients and in uraemic patients. ASA ingestion did not influence platelet retention and PF-3 availability. Uraemic patients had apronounced decrease in platelet aggregation and retention and PF-3 availability revealed inconsistent alterations. The relevance of the tests and the benefit of an ASA treatment for prophylaxis of thrombosis in Climino fistulae are discussed.


This paper proposes a solution based on forward error recovery, oriented towards providing dependability of composite Web services. While exploiting their possible support for fault tolerance (e.g., transactional support at the level of each service), the proposed solution has no impact on the autonomy of the individual Web services, our solution lies in system structuring in terms of co-operative atomic actions that have a well-defined behavior, both in the absence and in the presence of service failures. More specifically, we define the notion of Web Service Composition Action (WSCA), based on the Coordinated Atomic Action concept, which allows structuring composite Web services in terms of dependable actions. Fault tolerance can then be obtained as an emergent property of the aggregation of several potentially non-dependable services. We further introduce a framework enabling the development of composite Web services based on WSCAs, consisting of an XML-based language for the specification of WSCAs.


The indication from deep inelastic electron scattering experiments at SLAC that Bjorken scaling may really hold has motivated an extension of the hypotheses of current algebra to what may be called light-cone current algebra.


The quantitative forecast of precipitation requires a probabilistic background particularly with regard to forecast lead times of more than 3 days. As only ensemble simulations can provide useful information of the underlying probability density function, we built a new ensemble forecasting system (GME-EFS) based on the GMEmodel of the GermanMeteorological Service (DWD). For the generation of appropriate initial ensemble perturbations we chose the breeding technique developed by TOTH and KALNAY (1993, 1997), which develops perturbations by estimating the regions of largest model error induced uncertainty. This method is applied and tested in the framework of quasi-operational forecasts for a three month period in 2007. The performance of the resulting ensemble forecasts are compared to the operational ensemble prediction systems ECMWF EPS and NCEP GFS by means of ensemble spread of free atmosphere parameters (geopotential and temperature) and ensemble skill of precipitation forecasting. This comparison indicates that the GME ensemble forecasting system (GME-EFS) provides reasonable forecasts with spread skill score comparable to that of the NCEP GFS. An analysis with the continuous ranked probability score exhibits a lack of resolution for the GME forecasts compared to the operational ensembles. However, with significant enhancements during the 3 month test period, the first results of our work with the GME-EFS indicate possibilities for further development as well as the potential for later operational usage.


Vibrating-reed measurements of the flexural resonances of thin cantilevered samples of polycrystalline Nb foils and quasi-two-dimensional ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{2}$ single crystals reveal extended regions of temperature T and magnetic field H for reversible flux-line (FL) motion when the long reed dimension is perpendicular to the applied field. An ``irreversibility line,'' defined by the peak temperature of the reciprocal quality factor, is found to be frequency (mode)-independent for resonant frequencies 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{2}$f5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{4}$ Hz, implying that the time scale of FL pinning is extremely T and H dependent. We conclude that observation of an extended region of magnetic reversibility is not restricted to high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ or extremely anisotropic materials, and depends upon the geometric aspects of samples with respect to the applied field direction.


The present paper focuses on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using with different leaf extract concentrations of Vitex negundo. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence and zeta potential techniques. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the surface plasmon resonance absorption peak at 423 nm in UV-vis absorption spectra of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates flavonoids as a potential reduced agents. Field emission scanning electron microscopy shows the synthesized silver nanoparticles are in spherical shape. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy shows the strong peak belongs to silver, and it confirms the formation of Ag NPs. X-ray diffraction spectra of synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibit they are in face centered cubic crystalline structure. The photoluminescence spectra of synthesized silver nanoparticles show their emission peak at 489-481 nm and the emission intensity is proportional to the different concentrations of leaf extract. The spherical shaped silver nanoparticles are observed by atomic force microscopy technique. The zeta potential value is observed at -13.5 mV, which shows the synthesized silver nanoparticles are incipient instability. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles is studied using the disc diffusion method, which indicates that both Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms have been affected by the silver nanoparticles. The observed antibacterial activity could be find important applications in medicine, biology and industry.


Sir The report in BJS was our preliminary experience, and has now been confirmed in a larger group of patients. In addition, we have found CEIOUS useful for differentiating liver nodules found during surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis and in guiding the surgeon's hand during liver dissection1. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) did indeed temporarily withdraw approval for SonoVue but, as specified, this was for its cardiac use only. The risks are now better defined and caution should be used in patients with severe cardiac disease. This may have particular relevance for outpatients. Patients admitted for liver surgery have routine evaluation of anaesthetic, respiratory and cardiac risks; moreover they have real-time monitoring during the surgical procedure. These considerations make the intra-operative use of Sonovue safe in clinical practice. G. Torzilli Istituto Clinico Humanitas, University of Milan, Milan, Italy DOI: 10.1002/bjs.4925


: It was shown on hepatocytes and erythrocytes of irradiated rats that the administration of taurine into the incubation medium reduced the release of potassium ions from cells.


Cancer is caused by the accumulation of both genetic and epigenetic changes. Promoter hypermethylation is one of the major epigenetic changes that cause gene inactivation. Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of CpG islands associated with tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) can lead to transcriptional silencing and result in tumorigenesis. The genomic regions with hypermethylation status may possess novel candidate TSGs. We used a microarray-based epigenome-wide methylation analysis called differential methylation hybridization (DMH) to identify the regions of hypermethylation and a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-chip analysis to identify the regions of condensed or open chromatin in 20 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and several lung cell lines, and have successfully detected several cancer subtypeand stage-specific hypermethylated genes. They may serve as biomarkers for the early detection or prognosis prediction of lung cancer. Using DMH, we identified promoter hypermethylation of the COL14A1 (collagen, type XIV, alpha 1) gene, which has cell anti-proliferative activity and plays a role in cell quiescence and differentiation. Using ChIP-on-chip, COL14A1 promoter region was shown to be in compact chromatin structure in cancer cell lines. In addition, we found that 60.4% of 48 NSCLC patients showed COL14A1 promoter hypermethylation and coincided with low mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, COL14A1 promoter hypermethylation was significantly associated with late stage lung cancer patients. In conclusion, our study provides the evidence that hypermethylation of specific genes are involved in lung tumor initiation or progression and may serve as tumor biomarkers.


Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), also known as self-driving cars, driverless cars, or robot cars, can perceive their environment and drive safely with little or no human inputs. Under the support of engineering, information science, anthropology, AVs have developed rapidly at the technical level, demonstrating to reduce human error operations and lessening road usage to save time. In the future, users will always be more released from driving tasks Self-driving vehicles can be more advantageous and feasible in public transportation than in private ones. Therefore, shared buses and logistics vehicles have been trial operation in various countries nowadays. Moreover, this technology will enable road traffic for people who cannot drive due to various physical and cognitive impairments. Therefore, inclusivity is often cited as one of the main reasons for promoting user acceptance of this technology, and it is fundamental in its application. Inclusive design can be achieved by identifying and addressing as many barriers to the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) as possible, focusing on human factors inside and outside the self-driving vehicle. It can enable groups with different needs to interact comfortably with the AVs and the traffic environment. Specifically, within a shared autonomous vehicle, we focus on transferring vehicle control between multiple users, reducing human error, and improving system availability. In addition, for many non-driving-related tasks (NDRT) derived from the gradual improvement of autonomous driving, the design of interactive devices and processes suitable for different groups and their cognition, the usability and comfort of the system will be improved, as well as the user experience. Concerning the scenes outside the vehicle, the impact of different types of external HMIs on the user experience of other user groups (e.g., young, old, cognitive, or physical disabilities, Etc.) attracted more attention from scholars. At the same time, communication channels and interfaces established between users and AVs will become more prominent on an inclusive basis. Consequently, HMI is essential for functional and inclusive driving automation, guaranteeing an efficient and satisfactory interaction between the automated system and different users.This paper provides an overview of the HMI challenges in shared driving automation from an inclusive design perspective, summarizing existing research on the role of HMIs in shared autonomous vehicles. The authors identified the fundamental changes in the way the user interacts with the car in shared autonomous vehicles using a systematic literature review including the following four steps: 1) identification of purposes and research questions of the literature review 2) definition of a literature search strategy by identifying a combination of sequential and iterative search queries; 3) analyze the retrieved articles compiling a concept matrix for each of them. As a result, relevant literature related to the research topic was selected; 4) identifying research gaps and inconsistent research results to make tacit domain meta-knowledge explicit. The paper will contain the analysis and discussion of the obtained data. Finally, the paper will discuss the future challenges for promoting a deeper exploration of inclusivity of HMIs for autonomous vehicles, also proposing the research avenues practical to increase the user's acceptance of this technology.


Consumers often pursue goals that lack specific end states, such as goals to lose as much weight as possible or to pay off as much debt as possible. Yet despite considerable interest in the consequences of setting nonspecific (vs. specific) goals, how goal specificity affects motivation throughout goal pursuit is less well understood. The current research explores the role of reference points in shaping goal specificity's effects. We propose that goal specificity alters what reference point consumers spontaneously adopt during goal pursuit: for specific goals, the end state tends to be more salient, but for nonspecific goals, the initial state should be more salient. Five studies investigate how this difference in focal reference points shapes (1) the relationship between goal progress and motivation, (2) when (i.e., at what level of goal progress) goal specificity produces the greatest difference in motivation, and (3) the underlying process driving these effects. Our findings advance understanding of the relationship between goal specificity, goal progress, and motivation, and in doing so, underscore the critical role that reference points play in goal-directed behavior. In addition, the findings offer practical insight into how best to set important financial, health, and other consumer goals to enhance motivation.


Pre-eclampsia (P-EC) is a major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Despite intensive
research, its aetiology remains poorly understood. However, underlying maternal cardiovascular risk factors are
thought to be implicated. Changes in the maternal vasculature and coagulation profile may predispose women
with P-EC to subsequent adverse cardiovascular consequences. Here we investigate the relationship between
circulating levels of haemostatic factors and inflammatory cytokines in women with a previous history of P-EC.
The participents included 26 women who had had P-EC within the last three years and were more than 6 months
postpartum and 14 age-matched healthy women with no past history of P-EC. Blood was collected and assayed for
plasma IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-10, Tissue Factor (TF) and TF-Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI), using Enzyme-Linked
Immunosorbent Assays.
Individually, plasma TF, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels increased in the P-EC group compared with their normal
counterparts, whereas plasma TFPI and TNF-α level were reduced. Plasma TF/TFPI ratios and IL-10 values
were significantly increased in the P-EC group compared with controls (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). There were
positive and significant correlations between TFPI and IL-10 (r= 0.5; p<0.01) and TF/TFPI ratio and IL-10 (r=
0.31; p<0.041), and between IL-6 and TNF-α (r=0.71; p<0.001) and IL-6 and IL-10 (r=0.42; p<0.01).
In conclusion, our results suggest the presence of elevated inflammatory cytokines and an imbalance of the
haemostatic system in women with a past-history of P-EC, which may contribute to the known increased risk of
cardiovascular disease in these women later in life.


In the second middle of the XVI century lived in Arnedillo Juan and Francisco Somovilla, booths "maesse". The names of his wives were Anna Garcia and Iomar de Oña. The brothers of Juan and Anna were Mardia, Diego baptised on 20 of june of 1566, and Iñigo. Juan Somovilla passes away on 22 of December of 1574. His brother made the testament. We think that Juan was the surgeon that we contracted by Felipe II, instead of Francisco. Francisco Díaz talked about Arnedillo, as an important thermal baths in the treatment of the kidney diseases, in his text. If Arnedillo was a centre of treatment of urinary disease, the Somovilla family could learn here the surgery of bladder litiasis.


Microcrystalline Si1-xGex (x∼0.8) films have been deposited by magnetron sputtering on SiO2 substrates. Crystallinity was evaluated by spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman scattering, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Detailed investigation of the deposition behavior revealed that crystalline phase begins to form at 300 °C, which roughly corresponds to half of the melting temperature of the material. At 300 °C, crystallinity changes with thickness, i.e., crystallinity improves as thickness increases. It was found out that this change in the crystallinity is not due to the heat up of the substrate, but is an essential phenomenon. At 350 °C, on the other hand, crystalline phase is formed almost from the beginning of the deposition. However, surface (<100 nm) crystallinity of the 300 °C sample is higher compared with 350 °C sample when the film thickness is more than 500 nm. Substrate bias effect was also investigated. Crystallinity of 300 °C sample improves while that of 350 °C sample degrades when RF bias power is applied to the substrate.


The aim of this study is to explore how interpretive communities based on gender and social class interpret advertisements. By distinguishing between open and closed text advertisements on one hand and by considering audience as active viewers of marketing communication on the other, this research explores, the symbolic meanings that are drawn by people when consuming an advertisement.

A reader-response/reception theory approach was adopted, because it offers insights into the relationship between language, meaning and consumption, while it also emphasizes the meanings that consumers draw from advertisements. Moreover in depth interviews' method has been selected for the data collection, since it gives us the opportunity to capture the rich and complex interplay between elements of the advertisement and consumer responses, by exploring how print advertisements are being individually decoded.

Findings of the in-depth interviews indicate that people of different genders and from different social classes do interpret print advertisements in different ways. The main themes that emerged during the data analysis are the following:
i. Male participants approach the advertisement in a descriptive way.
ii. Male participants concentrate on the parts of the advertisement and attempt
to solve the puzzle.
iii. Female participants approach the advertisement in an interpretive way.
iv. Female participants look into the whole of the advertisement and use it as a
stimulus to think, imagine and create fantasies.
v. Working class participants approach advertisements in an implicit way.
vi. Middle social class participants approach advertisements in an explicit way.

The research implication of this study lies in capturing how interpretive communities interpret advertisements and analysing the symbolic meanings that are drawn by them. The managerial contribution includes suggestions for the search and formation of more successfully targeted messages, in order to be successfully communicated to multiple target groups.


A novel exsolution process was used to fabricate complex all-oxide nanocomposite cathodes for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells (PCFCs). The nanocomposite cathodes with La0.5Ba0.5Co1/3Mn1/3Fe1/3O3−δ-BaZr1−zYzO3−δ nominal composition were prepared from a single-phase precursor via an oxidation-driven exsolution mechanism. The exsolution process results in a highly nanostructured and intimately interconnected percolating network of the two final phases, one proton conducting (BaZr1−zYzO3−δ) and one mixed oxygen ion and electron conducting (La0.5Ba0.5Co1/3Mn1/3Fe1/3O3−δ), yielding excellent cathode performance. The cathode powder is synthesized as a single-phase cubic precursor by a modified Pechini route followed by annealing at 700 °C in N2. The precursor phase is exsolved into two cubic perovskite phases by further heat treatment in air. The phase composition and chemical composition of the two phases were confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The electrical conductivity of the composites was measured and the electrochemical performance was determined by impedance spectroscopy of symmetrical cells using BaZr0.9Y0.1O2.95 as electrolyte. Our results establish the potential of this exsolution method where a large number of different cations can be used to design composite cathodes. The La0.5Ba0.5Co1/3Mn1/3Fe1/3O3−δ-BaZr0.9Y0.1O2.95 composite cathode shows the best performance of 0.44 Ω∙cm2 at 600 °C in 3% moist synthetic air.


The one‐electron states responsible for hole transport in the high‐mobility semicrystalline polymer PBTTT are investigated using a combination of large‐scale electronic structure calculations (with the DFTB method) and classical molecular dynamics simulations. The validity of the structural model is established by comparison with the available data from crystallography, including the paracrystallinity parameter. The localization characteristics of the states at the edge of the valence band, their geometry, and their time evolution clearly indicate the characteristics of PBTTT that are at the origin of its improved mobility: i) the orbitals become very rapidly delocalized within few tens of eV from the valence band edge, that is, the density of trap states is low and the mobility edge is very close to the valence band edge; ii) a very large delocalization of states across chains is observed; iii) the traps, determined by local distortions of the chain, have a typical lifetime of less than 0.1 ns, that is, the conformational changes of the polymer due to its thermal fluctuations are sufficient to induce a detrapping of the charge carrier and the traps are "self‐healing".


The discovery in 1988 of endothelin-1 (ET-1) by Yanagisawa and colleagues in Japan represented a landmark in the field of cardiovascular research.1 A combination of molecular and pharmacological approaches revealed ET-1 as the most powerful vasoconstrictor yet identified in biological systems. Since its discovery, a great deal of effort has been made towards gaining a better understanding of the key roles—developmental, physiological, and pathological—played by this peptide, particularly with regard to the cardiovascular system. In this review, we will describe current knowledge on the endothelin system and focus on the cardiovascular effects of ET-1 and its antagonism. We will review the evidence for the two therapeutic areas mainly investigated, pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure, as well as outline its important role in hypertension, renal dysfunction, and atherosclerosis.

### Endothelin synthesis and clearance

The endothelin family consists of three closely related peptides, ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3, each 21 amino acids in length and derived from separate genes. ET-1[1–21] is the main isoform produced in the cardiovascular system and about which most is known; ET-2 is mainly produced within the kidney and intestine, whereas ET-3 is predominantly found within the central nervous system (tables 1 and 2). However, the roles of ET-2 and ET-3, except in embryonic development, remain unclear.

View this table:

 Table 1
 Sites of production of ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3

View this table:

 Table 2
 Classification of endothelin receptors

ET-1 is not stored and released but instead generated in response to a range of stimuli, which vary between different tissues (fig 1).2 It is generated mainly in endothelial cells of blood vessels and requires several processing steps before the mature peptide is formed (fig 1). The final step in the ET-1 pathway involves cleavage of the 38 amino acid "big ET-1" by the highly selective membrane bound metalloproteinase, endothelin converting enzyme (ECE-1). ECE independent pathways of ET-1 formation have also …


We propose an analytical model to estimate the synthesized view quality in 3D video. The model relates errors in the depth images to the synthesis quality, taking into account texture image characteristics, texture image quality, and the rendering process. Especially, we decompose the synthesis distortion into texture-error induced distortion and depth-error induced distortion. We analyze the depth-error induced distortion using an approach combining frequency and spatial domain techniques. Experiment results with video sequences and coding/rendering tools used in MPEG 3DV activities show that our analytical model can accurately estimate the synthesis noise power. Thus, the model can be used to estimate the rendering quality for different system designs.


Richard F. Figure 1 shows a human eye without its aqueous circulation. The cornea is thickened, the anterior chamber is absent, the iris is partly atrophic, and the lens is cataractous. The picture serves as a reminder of the dependency of the health of the eye on the continuous supply of aqueous humor that circulates through its chambers. It is surprising that it was not known until recently that aqueous humor was formed continuously and drained.


This article addresses the subject of the fundamental workings of the cell. The essential mechanisms that underlie life are discussed and explained as succinctly as intelligibility will allow and the basic principles of molecular and cell biology detailed. In preparing this article I have made reference not only to standard works but also to the most recent research. In the article I attempt to provide both the surgical and medical head and neck oncologist with the basic insights into fundamental oncology necessary to understand and treat the clinical conditions that are head and neck cancer. In addition I hope it will facilitate the understanding of the various evolving novel treatment strategies.


In recent years, the calculation of the first non-vanishing order of the metric 2-point function or graviton propagator in a semiclassical limit has evolved as a standard test for the credibility of a proposed spin foam model. The existing results of spinfoam graviton propagator rely heavily on the so-called double scaling limit where spins $j$ are large and the Barbero-Immirzi parameter $\gamma$ is small such that the area $A\propto j\gamma$ is approximately constant. However, it seems that this double scaling limit is bound to break down in models including a cosmological constant. We explore this in detail for the recently proposed model by Haggard, Han, Kaminski and Riello and discuss alternative definitions of a graviton propagator, in which the double scaling limit can be avoided.


An efficient and convergent solid-phase strategy for the total synthesis of All- E solanesol is described. This method features avoidance of iterative and difficult purifications comparing with solution-phase synthesis and is suitable for the preparation of other oligoprenols.


The likelihood for the parameters of a generalized linear mixed model involves an integral which may be of very high dimension. Because of this intractability, many approximations to the likelihood have been proposed, but all can fail when the model is sparse, in that there is only a small amount of information available on each random effect. The sequential reduction method described in this paper exploits the dependence structure of the posterior distribution of the random effects to reduce substantially the cost of finding an accurate approximation to the likelihood in models with sparse structure.


This study investigates the effects of IT service failures on market values of companies that announce their IT service failures. To measure the effects of IT service failures on stock prices of the responsible companies, we examine the stock price changes before and after IT service failure announcements. The results show that the stock price reactions to IT service failure announcements are negative. In addition, it finds that the stock prices of the responsible companies react to various types of IT service failures differently.


Study Design. Retrospective radiographic and chart review. Objective. To examine the relationship between lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) range of motion (ROM) and clinical outcome at 8.6-year follow-up. Summary of Background Data. There are no studies on the relationship between TDR motion and clinical outcomes. Methods. We reviewed 38 patients who underwent 1 or 2-level TDR implantation with 51 TDR. Flexion-extension ROM was measured on lateral radiographs. Clinical outcomes were measured at 8.6 years by modified Stauffer-Coventry scores, Oswestry Disability Questionnaires (ODQ), and subjective ratings of back pain, leg pain, and disability. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to determine if ROM was correlated with clinical outcome. Patients were divided into 2 groups by motion (≤5° and >5°). Statistical differences in outcome were sought. Results. Spearman rank correlation coefficient revealed weak-to-moderate but statistically significant associations between ROM and outcome for postoperative back pain (r = −0.35, P = 0.034), ODQ (r = −0.33, P = 0.046), and modified Stauffer-Coventry scores (r = 0.42, P = 0.0095). Patients with motion of >5° had superior outcomes in ODQ (mean difference 12.6 points, P = 0.026) and Stauffer-Coventry scores (mean difference 2.2 points, P = 0.015). Conclusions. The radiographic ROM at 8.6-year follow-up was positively correlated with several outcomes measures. Patients with motion >5° had clinically modest but statistically better outcomes in ODQ and modifiedStauffer-Coventry scores. Longer follow-ups will be necessary to measure fully the impact of TDR ROM on outcome.


The Omo archaeological sites in southern Ethiopia, dated to some 2.3 million years ago, provide some of the earliest evidence for tool use by hominids. In recent years we have witnessed the appearance of a new paradigm based on data from sites such as Gona and West Turkana; rather than as having clumsily experimented with a new technology, the early tool makers are seen as having recognized the principles of conchoidal fracture and having had the knowledge and technical skills required for knapping. The Omo sites are situated in a chronological range similar to those of Gona, Hadar, West Turkana, and Kanjera and should contribute significantly to the debate on the nature of early technologies. This paper presents the first review of the Omo lithic collections in decades and attempts to place these assemblages in context in the framework of Pliocene archaeology.


This paper discussed effective marketing of library and information services in the digital age. It focused on librarians marketing themselves and library services which require the application of ICT through web 2.0 tools; these include WhatsApp, email, face book, You-tube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telephone, etc to reach out to their clientele in order to satisfy their information needs. The study adopted a conceptual review based on previous research. It x-rays the need to market LIS to increase usage, whether onsite or remote for sustainable development. There were some challenges such as ignorance among librarians, lack of ICT infrastructure, lack of awareness of the public in their right to information, lack of fund and lack of training and retraining of library staff. However, some strategies, implications and recommendations were proffered. It was concluded that effective marketing be used to promote access to library and information services as a panacea towards sustainable Nigerian libraries in the digital age.
Keywords: Marketingt, Library, Information Information services, Digital Agev


Background: Upazila health complex (UHC) is the first referral health facility at primary level of health care delivery system in the country. Rural people attend the UHCs to meet their health care needs and demands. But accessibility of the rural people to the UHCs is still not up to the mark. Objective: This study was conducted to assess accessibility of rural people to health care services of UHC. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study, which was conducted at the Kaliakair UHC of Gazipur district in Bangladesh during the period from January to December 2016. The study included 300 rural adults, who were selected systemically. Data were collected by face-to-face interview with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Prior to data collection, informed written consent was taken from each participant. Results: The study revealed that males (51.3%) and females (48.7%) were very close in proportion with mean age of 35.73(±11.74) years. More than three fourth (77.3%) were married and 31.3% had primary education while 28.7% were illiterate. One third was housewives; average family size was 5.43 (±2.54) and average monthly family income was Tk.13920 (±10290.75). Around half of the participants choose the UHC for effective treatment and due to close distance from their residence while one third for low cost treatment and free of cost treatment. Around half of them didn"t find any display board at the UHC. More than three fourth (82.0%) regarded doctor"s behavior as "Good" while behavior of supporting staff was regarded "Good" by 66.0% participants. About half of the participants went to the UHC by rickshaw and 32.0% on foot. Average waiting time was 23.99 (±15.07) minutes to get access to treatment. Off all, 62.0% got full course of prescribed drugs but majority (71.3%) didn"t get access to advised laboratory facility. Most (82.7%) could not be admitted in the hospital due to insufficient bed (24.2%) and inadequate treatment facility (22.6%), manpower (62.8%) and drug supply. Overall accessibility to UHC was "good" (21.3%) followed by "average" (31.3%) and "poor" (47.3%). It was found that females (53.3%) had significantly (p<0.05) poor accessibility to the UHC services than their counterpart males (41.1%). On the contrary, young adults, elderly, illiterate and primary education groups had significantly (p<0.05) "poor" accessibility to UHC services. Higher education (42.9% Masters and 36.4% Graduates) group had significantly "good" accessibility. More than half (53.1%) of the service holders and majority (60.0%) of higher income (Tk.30001-50000) group had had "average" and "good" accessibility respectively, which is statistically significant (p<0.05). Barriers to accessibility included long waiting time (67.0%), inadequate drug supply (62.0%), limited laboratory facility (40.0%), inadequate manpower (37.9%) and poor cooperation of the staff (32.0%) and communication (18.4%). Conclusion: To improve accessibility of the rural people to the health care services of the UHC, associated problems must be overcome by effective measures and program interventions. JOPSOM 2019; 38 (2): 30-37


Background: Adjuvant five-year treatment with aromatase inhibitors is standard for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. However, aromatase inhibitor-related adverse events including joint symptoms and vasomotor symptoms have a strong impact on patients9 quality of life and sometimes result in treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study is to determine risk factors for discontinuation of endocrine therapy in Japanese postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant anastrozole in a prospective cohort study based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Patients and Methods: A total of 391 postmenopausal Japanese women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and treated with adjuvant anastrozole were enrolled from 28 centers in this prospective cohort study (SAVS-JP, UMIN000002455). PROs assessment was obtained at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months which included joint and vasomotor symptoms. Long-term adherence of anastrozole was obtained form 364 out of 391 patients (median follow-up: 44 months, range: 5-105months). We analyzed the relationship of discontinuation of anastrozole with joint and vasomotor symptoms induced by treatment, and patients' characteristics. Results: Among 364 patients, 64 (17.6%) discontinued, 297 (81.6%) are ongoing and 3 (0.8%) have completed five-year anastrozole treatment. The reasons for discontinuation were recurrence: 20 (31.3%), secondary malignancies: 5 (7.8%), death from non-breast cancer: 1 (1.6%) and adverse events: 38 (59.4%). These 38 patients who stopped treatment caused by adverse events were compared with other 323 patients. Joint and vasomotor symptoms were categorized into grade 0 (no symptom or no change from baseline), grade 1+2 (mild+moderate) and grade 3 (severe). Grades of joint symptoms were significantly associated with discontinuation of anastrozole (Grade 0: 9.7%, grade 1+2: 7.8%, grade 3: 25.0%, p=0.02). Patients with longer time after menopause (16 years or longer) were significantly higher frequency of discontinuation as compared with shorter time after menopause (0-15years) (14.9% vs 8.0%, p=0.04). Univariate analysis revealed that grade 3 joint symptoms (odds ratio: 3.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-10.04, p=0.01) and longer time after menopause (OR: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.01-4.00, p=0.04) were significant risk factors for discontinuation. By multivariate analysis, both grade 3 joint symptoms and long time after menopause were independently associated with discontinuation. Conclusion: In the present study, we have identified that grade 3 joint symptoms and longer time after menopause were risk factors for discontinuation of adjuvant anastrozole. These data might give us useful information for counseling in patients with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors for postmenopausal Japanese women. Citation Format: Chiyomi Egawa, Shintaro Takao, Kazuhiko Yamagami, Masaru Miyashita, Masashi Baba, Shigetoshi Ichii, Muneharu Konishi, Yuichiro Kikawa, Junya Minohata, Toshitaka Okuno, Keisuke Miyauchi, Kazuyuki Wakita, Hirofumi Suwa, Takashi Hashimoto, Masayuki Nishino, Takashi Matsumoto, Toshiharu Hidaka, Yutaka Konishi, Yoko Sakoda, Akihiro Miya, Masahiro Kishimoto, Hidefumi Nishikawa, Seishi Kono, Ikuo Kokufu, Isao Sakita, Koushiro Kitatsuji, Koushi Oh, Yasuo Miyoshi. Factors influencing on discontinuation of adjuvant anastrozole in postmenopausal Japanese breast cancer patients: Results from a prospective multicenter cohort study of patient-reported outcomes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-12-04.


The diameter and size-distribution of Ni nanoparticles prepared by the decomposition of [bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel(0)] organometallic precursor dissolved in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium N-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide ionic liquids depend on the length of the alkyl side-chain of the imidazolium ring. The increase of the organization range order of the ionic liquid that increases with that of the alkyl side-chain (from n-butyl to n-hexadecyl) induces the formation of nanoparticles with a smaller diameter and size-distribution. The cubic fcc Ni nanoparticles with 4.9 +/- 0.9 to 5.9 +/- 1.4 nm in mean diameter and monomodal size-distribution thus prepared are probably composed of a small cap layer of NiO around a core of Ni metal. The contribution of the oxide layer also depends on the medium i.e. the metal oxide ratio increases in salts containing four to eight carbons on their side-chains and then decreases as the number of carbons increases. The Ni nanoparticles dispersed in the ionic liquids are active catalysts for the hydrogenation of olefins under relatively mild reaction conditions.


Thiamine (vitamin B1) - as a cofactor of several enzymes incl.
transketolase (TKT) - participates in the regulation of glucose
metabolism. Experimental evidence has shown thiamine
disturbances in diabetes are potentially involved in the
development and progression of diabetic microvascular
complications since non-oxidative branch of pentose phosphate
pathway (PPP) with TKT as a key enzyme supposedly plays a
protective role. Data are lacking whether similar abnormalities
may also play a role in the development of gestational diabetes
mellitus (GDM). One of the consequences of thiamine deficiency
might be accelerated formation of Advanced Glycation End
products (AGEs). AGEs are traditionally considered as a result
of long-term dysregulation of glucose homeostasis, however
detailed kinetic studies indicate a prompt reflexion of glucose
metabolism, therefore GDM should be an ideal phenotype to study
acute changes. We aimed to determine plasma thiamine levels,
erythrocyte thiamine diphosphate (TDP) levels (both by HPLC)
transketolase activity (using kinetic method) and thiamine
effect in pregnant women with and without GDM. Furthermore
carboxymethyllysine (CML), the dominant form of AGEs in plasma,
was determined by ELISA to find out a possible correlation with
glucose metabolism and thiamine parameters. A total of 182
pregnant women (105 had GDM, 77 had physiologic pregnancy) were
included in the study. Samples of peripheral blood were taken
from each participant between 24th and 30th week of pregnancy
and from 6 weeks to 12 months postpartum. Significant
differences in plasma thiamine levels, erythrocyte TDP and TKT
activity between GDM and physiologic pregnancy group were found
in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P=0.01, P<0.001 and P=0.02,
respectively, Mann-Whitney test) while no significant
differences were found postpartum (all three P0.05,
Mann-Whitney test). Plasma CML levels were significantly higher
in GDM compared to normal pregnancy in 2nd trimester (P=0.02
resp., Mann-Whitney test). Plasma thiamine as well as CML
levels in 2nd trimester significantly inversely correlated with
pre-gestational BMI (P<0.05, Spearman) but not with age or
glycaemias during oGTT test. In conclusion, we found
statistically significant increase of plasma CML levels in
pregnant women with GDM in the 2nd trimester of gravidity
without concomitant alteration of parameters of thiamine
metabolism. Therefore activity of PPP does not seem to play a
protective role against the formation of AGEs. The relevance of
their increased levels for both mother and child warrants
further investigation. Supported by IGA MZ CR grant, no.
NT11405


Abstract Countering the calls for more centralized public decision-making and unified command-and-control administration, we show how fragmented authority can foster collective action to mount an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To this aim, we use a conceptual framework that integrates emergency management and political economic theory and provide several examples to illustrate how public and private actors in Germany met the challenges of the pandemic with coordinated, cooperative, and collaborative action. The motivational, strategic, and structural solutions we identify in this research offer to scholars and practitioners insight into the design of resilient public health systems.


This paper is devoted to the substantiation of a criterion for the quasisymmetric conjugacy of an arbitrary group of homeomorphisms of the real line to a group of affine transformations (the Ahlfors problem). In a criterion suggested by Hinkkanen the constants in the definition of a quasisymmetric homeomorphism were assumed to be uniformly bounded for all elements of the group. Subsequently, for orientation-preserving groups this author put forward a more relaxed criterion, in which one assumes only the uniform boundedness of constants for each cyclic subgroup. In the present paper this relaxed criterion is proved for an arbitrary group of line homeomorphisms, which do not necessarily preserve the orientation.


In March 2004, we resected a giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma and the transverse colon, spleen and left kidney in a 58-year-old woman. In July, recurrence was detected in the right pelvis and left upper abdomen; therefore, we resected the tumor. In September 2004, computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple recurrences in the right lower abdomen, left upper abdomen, front of the left lobe of the liver, and at the back of the stomach. In October 2004, we started mesna, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine therapy (MAID); however, after 1 course, the disease progressed, and the patient developed edema in the bilateral legs due to inferior vena cava (IVC) compression. In November 2004, we started weekly paclitaxel therapy (100 mg/m(2), once a week for 3 weeks followed by 1 drug-free week). CT revealed no change as a result of chemotherapy; however, IVC compression had improved, and leg edema had decreased. In August 2005, chemotherapy was stopped; therefore,the patient's condition worsened. She died in September 2005. We performed weekly paclitaxel therapy for the patient with recurrent liposarcoma. This improved her symptoms and quality of life (QOL). Therefore,we consider weekly paclitaxel therapy to be effective for liposarcoma treatment.


Human and animal cell cultures were evaluated for their susceptibility to two environmental toxins found as contaminants in human food supplies: aflatoxin B1, a hepatotoxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, and saxitoxin, a paralytic neurotoxin produced by the marine dinoflagellate Gonyaulax catenella. Both toxins cause food poisoning in humans and other animals. The acute cytotoxicity of both toxins was measured and compared by inhibition of cell growth and by progressive cytopathogenicity resulting in cell destruction. Aflatoxin B1 was cytotoxic to all of the 11 primary kidney cultures derived from susceptible animals. The cell growth inhibition 10% values (TD10) ranged from 0.02 to 6.0 micrograms/ml: mouse (TD10 = 0.02 micrograms), guinea pig (0.03 micrograms), rat (0.07 micrograms), hamster (0.16 micrograms), monkey (0.1 microgram), human (0.7-1.5 micrograms), chick (0.05 micrograms), and duck (6.0 micrograms). The corresponding TD50 levels were about 10 times higher concentrations and caused cell destruction within 2 d. Saxitoxin did not induce cytotoxicity manifestations in cultures derived from susceptible species--mouse kidney, human carcinoma HeLa line, chick embryo, and goldfish fin (CAR) cell line--at high concentration levels up to 5 micrograms/ml. When the same toxin preparation at only 1 microgram was injected into mice, the animals died immediately. The results indicate that animal cell cultures are useful for studies of general cytotoxins that affect common essential metabolism but cannot be used to detect environmental toxins that cause toxic manifestations by an interference with specific physiological functions of organ systems.


Toxic chemicals in the environment can cause a wide range of neurological disease. High-dose exposures to environmental neurotoxicants have produced encephalopathy in children ingesting chips of lead-based paint, blindness in persons who ingested methanol, blindness and ataxia in persons who consumed organic mercury, spinal cord degeneration and peripheral neuropathy in persons exposed to tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP), and Parkinsonism in persons exposed to MPTP or to manganese. Environmental neurotoxicants have also been shown to produce a wide range of subclinical neurotoxic effects, including reduction in intelligence, impairment in reasoning ability, shortening of attention span, and alternation of behavior. The first step in the prevention of environmental neurotoxicity is to test chemicals for their toxic potential. More than 70,000 chemicals are currently in commerce. However, except for pharmaceuticals, fewer than 10% of these chemicals have been tested for neurotoxicity. A logical approach to neurotoxicologic assessment of chemical substances will build on and extend currently available test systems. It will have a tiered structure. The first or screening tier will consist of tests to measure obvious structural and functional changes, often a functional observational battery. Subsequent levels of testing will be guided by the results of initial screening. Toxicologic testing must be supplemented by epidemiologic surveillance of populations exposed to known and suspect neurotoxicants. Screening programs in these populations designed to detect excessive absorption of a neurotoxic agent or subclinical neurological dysfunction can be useful in identifying affected individuals before severe disability occurs.


Two children with congenital hypotrichosis are described. Both presented with persistent short, fine hair since birth. Evidence is provided that the short hair observed in these patients is due to a short anagen phase of the hair cycle, with a normal rate of hair growth. Shortening of the anagen phase of the scalp hair cycle leads to a decrease in the maximal hair length and an increase in the number of hairs in telogen, resulting in an increase in hair shedding. Scanning electron microscopy showed a widely spaced cuticular pattern, a finding typically seen in hair of thin calibre. One patient had affected family members with an apparently autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. The disorder appears to resolve spontaneously during puberty and adulthood.


After the initial outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China, the disease spreads rapidly across the whole world. It is observed that there is a rampant rise in the rate of infection in spite of best possible precautionary measures taken into consideration against Corona. As there is no scientifically validated full proofed medicine against COVID-19 till date, the only possible way is prevention against this infection by improving self-immunity, mass immunisation and controlling non-communicable diseases, if suffered from. Another possible way from the prevention from this deadly virus is development of herd immunity, but the process takes time and can be fatal for people with higher age groups and with co-morbidities. Yoga, an Indian way of mind-body purification, has been reported to improve functionality of human physiological systems and to prevent diseases. It is also observed that yoga, being a low to moderate intensity physical activity, breathing maneuvers and meditation, can also be performed by any person irrespective of age, with maximum benefit and having less stress in the vital organs during the practice. Therefore, a yoga package for improving immunity and other physical and physiological capacities and mental function to prevent Corona like disease has been formulated on the basis of knowledge from traditional yogic literature and evidence from available research publications on yoga. The yoga package might be beneficial across all age groups for improving health and wellbeing in this pandemic situation.


The uncertainties in the version 5 Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) precipitation retrievals are evaluated via comparison with the radar–radiometer (so-called "Combined") retrievals between 40°S and 40°N. Results show the precipitation estimates are close (~7% GMI overestimation) globally. However, some specific regions, such as central Africa, the Amazon, the Himalayan region, and the tropical eastern Pacific, show a large overestimation (up to 50%) in GMI retrievals when compared to Combined retrievals. The uncertainties are further evaluated based on precipitation system properties, such as size and intensity of the system. GMI tends to underestimate precipitation volume when the system is relatively warm (>250 K) and small (<200 km2) due to the lack of ice scattering signatures. However, for large systems (>2000 km2), GMI-derived precipitation is typically higher than Combined over all surfaces. Based on the system properties, a simple bias correction methodology is proposed to implement in the Goddard Profiling Algorithm (GPROF) to reduce GMI biases. GMI precipitation volume is adjusted in each precipitation system based on the size and minimum 89 GHz polarization-corrected temperature (PCT) over land and ocean separately. The overall GMI bias is reduced to 3%, with significant improvement over land. The GMI biases (up to 50%) over the previously mentioned regions are significantly or partially removed, becoming less than 20%. This method also shows effectiveness in removing zonal and seasonal biases from GMI estimates. These results suggest the importance of utilizing the information of whole precipitation systems instead of individual pixels in the precipitation retrieval.


Aim. The aim of the present study is to verify the existence of a transient pathological mood elevation due to pharmacotherapy. Several lines of evidence suggest that patients treated with new generation antidepressants - selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - are less likely to switch into a (hypo)manic episode than those treated with tricyclics (TCAs). Preliminary evidence indicates that serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors cause an even lower risk of (hypo)manic switches than SSRIs. The aim of the present study is to verify the number of antidepressants induced (hypo)manic switches occurred during pharmacological treatments with new generation antidepressants. Methods. A retrospective analysis on clinical charts of all patients referred to the Mood and Anxiety Disorder Unit in two years ('98-'99) was performed with the aim of identifying all antidepressant treatments. We included in the present study only monotherapy treatments with selective re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs, venlafaxine or mirtazapine). In order to define antidepressants induced (hypo)mania we used criteria proposed by Bunney and Akiskal. Results. Onehundred sixty-four antidepressant treatments were included. According to the criteria used in the present study, we identified 5 out of 164 treatments (3%) which were followed by a (hypo)manic episode and could be defined antidepressants induced (hypo)mania. All the (hypo)manic episodes occurred while on SSRI treatment; mirtazapine or venlafaxine did not induced (hypo)manic switches. Conclusion. The results of this study confirm literature data on the prevalence of antidepressants induced (hypo)mania; 3.6 % of all treatments with SSRIs are associated with a (hypo)manic switch. The small sample of subjects included in the study treated with venlafaxine or mirtazapine does not allow to draw definite conclusions; data must be then considered with caution and need to be replicated in larger samples.


The article presents the meaning of socio-cultural field of a personality by its ascriptive status, based on social background, economic status, place of residence and territorial belonging. It discusses the opportunity of socio-cultural field study as the factor of youth personalities'social adaptation on the basis of dichotomy center –province (city –village). It shows that one of the most important differences of a village from a city is that a village subculture primarily remains a classical subculture of village producers –traditionalist, memorial-oriented, while a city one has clear prognostic orientations. The author marks that the process of social adaptation of the city and village youth generally depends on the conditions of socialization (city –village), varying principles of social organization and regulation of life activity of a personality, that leads to actualization of different adaptational mechanisms.


The languages spoken on northern Halmahera and surrounding small islands constitute a group of related 'Papuan' languages called North Halmahera. They are also, together with other Papuan and Austronesian languages, included in a proposed sprachbund which is called East Nusantara. Neuter gender and numeral classifiers have both been proposed to characterize the sprachbund. Consequently,an investigation of the noun categorisation systems in the North Halmahera languages, which is the subject of this study, can be of interest for the characterization of the sprachbund. The method for the investigation is to search for information about seven languages in existing grammatical descriptions, complemented with information which can be culled from published texts in the languages. There are mainly two categorisation systems in all the investigated languages: genders and numeral classifiers. The numerals often contain fossilized prefixes. Among the numeral classifiers, the human classifiers are special because of their origin from pronominal undergoer prefixes and the limitations of its use in some languages. Except in West Makian, there is a default classifier and a classifier for trees, and secondarily for houses, in all languages. A classifier for two-dimensional objects is also quite common. The other classifiers are used with a very limited number of nouns.


We report a theoretical study on the effects of an external magnetic field on the electronic and optical properties of mono- and bi-layer MoS2, and bilayer MoS2/WS2 heterostructures. The direction of an applied magnetic field determines (i) the strength of the coupling between the atomic orbital moments of the structure and the field, and (ii) Zeeman contribution to the splitting of the VB and CB levels with the amplitude of the applied field. Whereas for a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the structure, calculated real part of optical conductivity reveals optical transitions red-shifted compared to zero magnetic field case, conductivity is unaffected by the the amplitude of an in-plane applied magnetic field. We show that through modifying atomic d-orbitals conduction and valence band states by an applied electric field, we can determine and control the impact of a magnetic field on the optical response of these materials. We employ our parametrized tight-binding model with non-orthogonal sp3d5 orbitals and spin–orbit coupling, which was advanced to include the effects of an external magnetic field through Peierls substitution in the wave vector and the Zeeman energy term.


A clinicopathological study was made on 85 cases of mesangial IgA glomerulonephritis and of 49 controls. Predominant incidence of male over female was noted in IgA glomerulonephritis. The disease developed insidiously in a considerable number, and occupied 68% of chance proteinuria and/or hematuria. Macrohematuria was often experienced, but in a statistical comparison with controls, no specific features were observed clinically except that hypertensive cases were rarely encountered in this disease, which may reflect the better prognosis. Serum IgA levels were not different significantly in two groups. Histological changes were those of various natures and intensities, and no specific type of lesions were observed. The negative staining of C1q and C3PA in glomeruli of IgA glomerulonephritis offered no possibility to elucidate either of the complement pathways as active.


Stochastic partial differential equations have been used to model diverse applications ranging from turbulence and plasma physics to partially observable stochastic controlled systems. This paper aims to bridge the gap between abstract theoretical results and implementable algorithms, by developing a variational optimization framework for controlling infinite-dimensional stochastic models. A measure-theoretic approach is employed for systems evolving on Hilbert spaces, which relies on connections between relative entropy and free energy. The derived scheme is applicable to a wide class of problems, and can be used for optimizing parameterized control policies. Our work creates new perspectives and directions for solving stochastic control problems constrained by partial differential equations.