Purpose

Accommodations providers in the sharing economy are increasingly competing with the hotel industry vis-a-vis the guest experience. Additionally, experience-related research remains underrepresented in the hospitality and tourism literature. This paper aims to develop and test a model of experiential consumption to provide a better understanding of an emerging phenomenon in the hospitality industry. In so doing, the authors also expand Pine and Gilmore's original experience economy construct.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a survey of 630 customers who stayed at a hotel or an Airbnb in the previous three months, the authors performed a multi-step analysis procedure centered on structural equation modeling to validate the model.

Findings

The authors demonstrate that the dimensions of serendipity, localness, communitas and personalization represent valuable additions to Pine and Gilmore's original experience economy construct. Airbnb appears to outperform the hotel industry in the provision of all experience dimensions. The authors further define the pathways that underlie the creation of extraordinary, memorable experiences, which subsequently elicit favorable behavioral intentions.

Practical implications

The findings suggest the need for the hotel industry to adopt a content marketing paradigm that leverages various dimensions of the experience economy to provide customers with valuable and relevant experiences. The industry must also pay greater attention to its use of branding, signage and promotional messaging to encourage customers to interpret their experiences through the lens of these dimensions.

Originality/value

The study expands a seminal construct from the field of services marketing in the context of the accommodations industry. The Accommodations Experiencescape is offered as a tool for strategic experience design. The study also offers a model of experiential consumption that explains customers' experiences with accommodations providers.


The aim of these studies was to examine the possible immunological significance of the process of lymphocyte recirculation. For this purpose a technique for perfusing the isolated spleen of the rat was developed. Antigen (sheep erythrocytes) was added to the perfusate and, after 3 to 6 h periods of perfusion, the spleens were cut into fragments and implanted into the peritoneal cavities of X-irradiated syngeneic recipients to determine the magnitude of the haemolysin response. The lymphocyte concentration in the blood perfusing the spleen was varied within wide limits to determine whether a migration of lymphocytes through the spleen influenced its ability to respond to antigenic stimulation. Normal spleens perfused for 3 h with blood containing a normal concentration of lymphocytes gave substantial haemolysin titres in the recipients when sheep erythrocytes had been added initially to the perfusate. Spleens depleted of lymphocytes in vivo by either X-irradiation or chronic drainage from a thoracic duct fistula produced very low titres after perfusion with lymphocyte-free blood and antigen, but their responses were restored by adding lymphocytes to the perfusate. The antibody response of normal spleens was significantly depressed following perfusion for 3 h with lymphocyte-free blood to which antigen had been added initially. However, normal responses were obtained in this experiment if the addition of antigen to the perfusate was delayed for 5 h and perfusion then continued for one further hour. The delay allowed lymphocytes to migrate from the normal spleens into the perfusate and to build up the concentration in the initially lymphocyte-free blood to normal levels. The conclusion drawn from this paradoxical finding was that the magnitude of the haemolysin response depended upon the concentration of lymphocytes in the perfusate at the time of antigen addition and not upon the total number of lymphocytes in the spleen. The rate of migration of small lymphocytes from the blood into the spleen was found to be directly proportional to the concentration of lymphocytes in the perfusate. The most acceptable explanation of all the data is that the magnitude of the haemolysin response is proportional to the concentration of lymphocytes in a limited compartment of the splenic lymphoid tissue into which lymphocytes have recently migrated from the blood. This compartment is probably located in the central area of the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath.


Abstract Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small oxidoreductase enzymes that can reduce disulfide bonds in target proteins. The class III GRX gene family is unique to land plants, and Arabidopsis thaliana has 21 class III GRXs, which remain largely uncharacterized. About 80% of A. thaliana class III GRXs are transcriptionally regulated by nitrate, and several recent studies have suggested roles for these GRXs in nitrogen signaling. Our objective was to functionally characterize two nitrate‐induced GRX genes, AtGRXS5 and AtGRXS8, defining their roles in signaling and development in the A. thaliana root. We demonstrated that AtGRXS5 and AtGRXS8 are primarily expressed in root and shoot vasculature (phloem), and that the corresponding GRX proteins display nucleo‐cytosolic subcellular localization. Ectopic expression of AtGRXS8 in transgenic plants caused major alterations in root system architecture: Normal primary root development, but a near absence of lateral roots. RNA sequencing demonstrated that the roots of AtGRXS8‐overexpressing plants show strongly reduced transcript abundance for many primary nitrate response genes, including the major high‐affinity nitrate transporters. Correspondingly, high‐affinity nitrate uptake and the transport of nitrate from roots to shoots are compromised in AtGRXS8‐overexpressing plants. Finally, we demonstrated that the AtGRXS8 protein can physically interact with the TGA1 and TGA4 transcription factors, which are central regulators of early transcriptional responses to nitrate in A. thaliana roots. Overall, these results suggest that AtGRXS8 acts to quench both transcriptional and developmental aspects of primary nitrate response, potentially by interfering with the activity of the TGA1 and TGA4 transcription factors.


The purpose of this article is to explore women's experiences with attractions and feelings for people outside their primary romantic relationship. In an anonymous Internet-based survey, 160 women answered open-ended questions about crushes. Women had varied experiences with, and diverse strategies for, managing crushes. The majority of women reported the crush did not impact their primary relationship; participants also reported that these crushes improved their desire for their partner. The majority of women in this sample did not communicate with their partners about their crushes. This research can be used by therapists and counselors working with patients experiencing these feelings.


A debris flow is caused by torrential rain in mountainous regions and carries mixture of fragmental matter from slope failure, deposit soils from a valley floor and a large amount of water. It seriously damages facilities, houses, and human lives in its path. We tried to apply debris flow behavior estimation model developed in foreign country to domestic case. The study area is Inje-county, Gangwon-do and aerial photos and GPS surveying were used to collect information of starting and end point of the landslide and debris flow. The analysis showed that L/H for forecasting the travel distances of debris flows has the mean of 4.93 and standard deviation of 0.98. This model tended to overestimate the scale and extent of debris flows. In Inje-county`s case, a debris flow is caused by multiple simultaneous small-scale landslide. This is quite different from the foreign cases in which a large-scale landslide cause a large-scale debris flow. Thus, an empirical model suitable for domestic conditions needs to be developed.


Dark tourism has grown to be a major part of the visitor economy worldwide, with an increasing number of people traveling to visit the sites which commemorate natural or man-made disasters. However, promoting such sites as potential dark tourism attractions is still rare in China. Moreover, despite the increasing academic investigation of tourist experience at dark sites, most studies have focused on western tourists and sites. It is still unclear how Chinese tourists may understand and respond to their domestic dark tourism experience. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to propose a theoretically integrated approach to understanding dark tourism consumption that does not necessarily belong to the western tradition. To achieve this, the present study explores dark tourism experience value in the Chinese context on the one hand, and on the other hand propose an integrated model to complete understanding of the relationships between internalized cultural values and norms, place attachment driven by environmental psychology, and post-experience evaluation. This study takes a quantitative approach based on a structured questionnaire survey in Wenchuan, China, a well-known dark tourism destination revitalized and innovated from the devastating 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. The findings of this study provide the holistic view of dark tourism consumption experience in Chinese context, identify the epistemic benefits perceived by the Chinese tourists, and reveal among domestic Chinese visitors to the post-disaster destination a strong association between collectivism and perceived obligation and responsibility. This study contributes to the theoretical development of tourism experience in general as well as enrich the literature in the dark tourism area. In addition, it draws some practical implications on responsible and culturally sensitive management and marketing of dark tourism attractions.


Objective: Pancreatic ductal cells will be differentiated into islet-like cell with the activation of PRL-PRLR signaling pathway in vitro.
 Methods: Primary mouse and human pancreatic ductal cells were obtained by CK-19 labelling and MACS sorting of digested pancreatic tissue, and selected cells were cultured with recombinant mouse prolactin and recombinant human prolactin. Subsequently, the cell clusters formed by the pancreatic ductal cells were stained by anti-insulin, anti-GCK, anti-GLUT2, anti-PC1/3 Abs. In vitro, glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was quantified. Prolactin related signaling pathway, glucose transportation and insulin secretion related proteins were assessed by immunoblotting. Lastly, the in vitro formed islet-like cells were transplanted under the kidney capsule of diabetic mice. To assess the role for blood glucose regulation of transplanted islet-like cells, blood glucose, c-peptide and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed and immunofluorescence staining for insulin and glucagon was performed on the grafts.
 Results: At day 7, the pancreatic ductal cells, also called progenitor cells, expressed CK-19; at day 14, the ductal cells were aggregated and formed sphere-shaped cell clusters. At day 21, the cell clusters stained positive for insulin and etc. By in vitro GSIS test, we measured a 2.58±0.32-fold increase of insulin secretion in response to a 16.7 mM glucose stimulation. Immunoblotting demonstrated that PDX-1, MafA and other genes were expressed. At day 21, the cell clusters expressed PDX-1, insulin and glucagon. In vivo studies showed that diabetic mice transplanted with islet-like cells, maintained blood glucose levels below 300 mg/dL with c-peptide detected in the serum. Further tissue staining indicated that the transplanted islet-like cells contained both β-cells and α-cells.
 Conclusion: Out study shows that in vitro stimulation by prolactin might differentiate pancreatic ductal cells into islet-like cells.

 Y. Wang: None.

 National Natural Science Foundation of China (81802504); Sichuan Science and Technology Bureau (2022YFH0005, 2023YFH0010)


The cost of railway diesel fuel has become an increasingly high proportion of railway operating expenses. The paper analyzes the generation and utilization of rail horsepower in freight train operations. The effects on fuel consumption of variations in several parameters including train consist, car weight, gradient, average speed, meet strategy, throttle control, locomotive axle arrangement, and train marshalling are examined. Estimates are made of the value, in terms of fuel cost, of weight reduction of freight cars and of selective train marshalling.


The vesico-uterine fistulae represent 4 per cent of all urogenital fistulae. They are rare and are found almost always after Caesarean operation. We have been able to find in the literature 110 vesico-uterine fistulae after Caesarean operation. They very rarely fail to be diagnosed if careful post-operative examination is made and the majority of them are discovered in the year following delivery. Urinary incontinence is the most common reason for consultation. More uncommon is amenorrhoea with menstruation through the bladder. Incontinent women are under constant threat of ascending urinary tract infection. Finally these women, whether they are incontinent or amenorrhoeic, are sterile. Their fertility remains diminished even after surgical cure of the fistula. The only treatment for those who complain of the condition is surgery. It should be undertaken after a careful gynaecological and urological assessment.


Objective To investigate the security and clinical effect of surgical treatment for Marfan syndrome:needling and pushing subluxated lens to anterior chamber,phacoemulsification through a small incision at transparence-cornea,anterior segment vitrectomy,and Suture fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lens implanta-tion.Methods We retrospectively observed clinical data of 38 eyes of 23 cases suffered from Marfan syndrome with significant lens sub-luxation.The ranges of lens subluxation in all these eyes were more than a quarter.Each eye was treated in the way as follows:needled from orbiculus ciliaris and pushed subluxated lens to anterior chamber,phacoemulsification was perfomed through a small incision of 3-millimeter-long at transparence-cornea,anterior segment vitr-ectomy was operated occlusively,a tunnel styled incision at limbus of cornea was employed and a intraocular lens was sutured go ciliary sulcus with two loops.Before operations,the best vision of 32 eyes was less than 0.2,that of the other 6 eyes was more than 0.3,the best-corrected vision of 28eyes was less than 0.2.Results All cases got obviously better postoperative.After surgery,the naked vision of 10 eyes was less than 0.2,20 eyes ranged from 0.3 to 0.6,and 8 eyes ranged fron 0.6 to 1.0.The best-corrected vision of 5 eyes was less than 0.2,19 eyes ranged from 0.3 to -.5,and 14 eyes ranged from 0.6 to 1.0.The intraocular lens was in the correct situation.Conclusion The technic of needling and pushing subluxated lens to anterior chamber,phacoemulsification through a small incision at transparence-cornea,anterior segment vitrectomy,and suspension method for intraocular lens implantion,is a relatively simple,less harmful,safe,and efficent therapy for the patients sufferd from Marfan syndrome with significant sublusated lens.

Key words:
Marfan syndrome;  lens subluxation;  posterior chamber intraocular lenes(PCIOL)


A method for the determination of regional blood flow is described, using a 133Xe inhalation technique and a three-compartment analysis. The constants characterizing the individual blood compartments are determined by setting precisely the constants in the empirical formulae. In the desaturation area the fitting of curves by the least-squares method is applied, checking at the same time that the given initial conditions are satisfied. The time shift of the measured curves may also be considered. The consistent application of the fitting technique leads to a decrease in the computer time needed to about one-half of that required by other digital methods.


In order to deal with global warming and climate change through the smart management of natural resources and waste elimination for the conservation of the environment, this study aims to evaluate the behavior of household`s residents towards electricity and water consumption and solid waste generation (HSW). The paper also intends to correlate this behavior with socioeconomic indicators, such as: household size, level of education, income generation, labor force and social status. This study relied on 2593 random stratified questionnaires who live in the city of Guayaquil. The findings revealed that different socioeconomic groups houses demonstrate the same tendency in the sustainable consumption attitudes of electricity of water. Subsequently, the findings also ascertained differences are found in the possession of ecological devices. HSEG possess more these kinds of devices than LSEG. Therefore, government strategies should be set in motion to make households more aware of the level of pollution they produce and the inefficacy of their consumption of resources.


The members of the Rel/NF-kappa B family of transcription factors form one of the first lines of defense against infectious diseases and cellular stress. These proteins initiate a highly coordinated response in multiple cell types that effectively counteracts the threat to the health of the organism. Conversely, disruption of the regulatory mechanisms that control the specificity and extent of this response, which results in aberrant activation of NF-kappa B, can be one of the primary causes of a wide range of human diseases. Thus, targeting NF-kappa B might lead to the development of new pharmaceutical reagents that could provide novel treatments for many inflammatory diseases and cancer.


A universal influenza vaccine is required for broad protection against influenza infection. Here, we revealed the efficacy of novel influenza vaccine candidates based on Ebola glycoprotein (EboGP) DC-targeting domain (EΔM) fusion protein technology. We fused influenza hemagglutinin stalk (HAcs) and extracellular matrix protein (M2e) or four copies of M2e (referred to as tetra M2e (tM2e)) with EΔM to generate EΔM-HM2e or EΔM-tM2e, respectively, and revealed that EΔM facilitates DC/macrophage targeting in vitro. In a mouse study, EΔM-HM2e- or EΔM-tM2e-pseudotyped viral particles (PVPs) induced significantly higher titers of anti-HA and/or anti-M2e antibodies. We also developed recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-EΔM-HM2e and rVSV-EΔM-tM2e vaccines that resulted in rapid and potent induction of HA and/or M2 antibodies in mouse sera and mucosa. Importantly, vaccination protects mice from influenza H1N1 and H3N2 challenges. Taken together, our study suggests that recombinant rVSV-EΔM-HM2e and rVSV-EΔM-tM2e are efficacious and protective universal vaccines against influenza.


TGFβ/Smad3 signaling pathway contributes predominantly to fibroblast activation and epithelial trans-differentiation in diabetic nephrology (DN). Our previous study has demonstrated that protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) mediated glomerular fibrosis in DN via phosphorylation of ERK. However, it is far from clear whether PRMT1 plays an important role in renal fibrosis induced by TGFβ1 signaling pathway. To investigate PRMT1 function, we used AMI-1, a novel inhibitor for PRMT1, in fibroblast both in vitro and in murine unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Immunoblot analysis showed that AMI-1 reduced rat fibroblast cells (NRK-49F) and mouse tubular epithelial cells (mTEC) activation and accumulation of extra cellular matrix(ECM) and phosphorylation of Smad3 induced by serum or TGFβ1 (5ng/ml). The TGFβ1 induced deposited ECM and phosphorous Smad3 synthesis were repressed in NRK-49F transfected with small interfering RNA for PRMT1. Through immunoblot, immunohistochemistry and Masson analysis, UUO induced renal architecture and fibrosis were effectively attenuated by AMI-1 (10mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection once a day). α-SMA and PRMT1 were co-expressed in activated fibroblast in renal glomerular and tubular interstitial induced by UUO in mice and IgA nephrology and diabetic nephrology in human kidneys via dual-immunofluorescence staining. Taken together, our data reveals that AMI-1 presents a restrainable protection on TGFβ1 induced signaling, suggesting that its in-vivo application might extend to the treatment of fibrotic diseases. Disclosure Y. Zhu: None.


This study assessed the occurrence and distribution of tropane alkaloids and calystegines in genera of the family Solanaceae to identify patterns of distribution and make evolutionary inferences. A database of tropane alkaloids and calystegines occurrences was constructed from the results of a search of scientific websites and a hand search of periodicals. The terms "Solanaceae", "tropane alkaloids", and "calystegines" were used as index terms for a full-text article search unrestricted by date of publications. The number of occurrence and chemical diversity indices were calculated and cluster analysis and principal components analysis were performed. Overall, 996 occurrences were reported, 879 of tropane alkaloids (88.3%) and 117 of calystegines (11.7%). The calystegines were significantly more relevant than tropane alkaloids for characterization of distinct groups of genera on both analyses performed here. This corroborates the trend toward a chemical dichotomy observed on database analysis and somewhat reinforces the correlation between geographic distribution and occurrence of secondary metabolites, as the presence of calystegines alone (without tropane alkaloids) was only reported in genera that have South America as their center of diversity.


Construction, background and applications of optical nonreciprocal devices are discussed. Operation of optical isolators and circulators based on Faraday polarization rotation is analyzed. Applications of the nonreciprocal devices for multipass amplifiers are presented. Construction of polarization independent circulators is discussed including an all fiber circułator and application of the circulators for fiberoptics communications is included.


Chromosomes are intricately folded within the cell nucleus and interact with peripheral nuclear proteins. The chromatin architecture has a profound effect on how the genome is organized. 3D-FISH is a powerful technique that can reveal the structural and functional organization of chromosomes in the nuclear space. Here, we present a protocol for visualizing specific genomic regions in whole-mount paraformaldehyde-fixed cell nuclei of Anopheles mosquitoes. This protocol was tested in our laboratories and has been showed to be effective and reliable for visualizing genomic regions of various lengths-from 1-kb gene-scale fragments to chromosome-scale segments of DNA.


A new framework for portfolio diversification is introduced which goes beyond the classical mean-variance theory and other known portfolio allocation strategies such as risk parity. It is based on a novel concept called portfolio dimensionality and ultimately relies on the minimization of ratios of convex functions. The latter arises naturally due to our requirements that diversification measures should be leverage invariant and related to the tail properties of the distribution of portfolio returns. This paper introduces this new framework and its relationship to standardized higher order moments of portfolio returns. Moreover, it addresses the main drawbacks of standard diversification methodologies which are based primarily on estimates of covariance matrices. Maximizing portfolio dimensionality leads to highly non-trivial optimization problems with objective functions which are typically non-convex with potentially multiple local optima. Two complementary global optimization algorithms are thus presented. For problems of moderate size, a deterministic Branch and Bound algorithm is developed, whereas for problems of larger size a stochastic global optimization algorithm based on Gradient Langevin Dynamics is given. We demonstrate through numerical experiments that the introduced diversification measures possess desired properties as introduced in the portfolio diversification literature.


Anas querquedula (Linnaeus, 1758) commonly known as garganey, has been reported for the first time from the Chandertal wetland, an internationally known Ramsar Site and from the wet meadows in the vicinity of Spiti river in Lossar village of Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Garganey has been reported in Himachal Pradesh from Pong Dam wetland (also a Ramsar Site) in Kangra District at an altitude of 390-423 meter above mean sea level. There it has been reported as a late visitor who arrives in the months of August and September every year. It is a new record of this bird from Chandertal wetland and from the Lossar area of Spiti river located on the Eastern side of famous Kunzum Pass.


An exceptionally low coordinate nickel imido complex, (IPr*)Ni═N(dmp) (2) (dmp = 2,6-dimesitylphenyl), has been prepared by the elimination of N2 from a bulky aryl azide in its reaction with (IPr*)Ni(η6-C7H8) (1). The solid-state structure of 2 features two-coordinate nickel with a linear C−Ni−N core and a short Ni−N distance, both indicative of multiple-bond character. Computational studies using density functional theory showed a Ni═N bond dominated by Ni(dπ)−N(pπ) interactions, resulting in two nearly degenerate singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) that are Ni−N π* in character. Reaction of 2 with CO resulted in nitrene-group transfer to form (dmp)NCO and (IPr*)Ni(CO)3 (3). Net C−H insertion was observed in the reaction of 2 with ethene, forming the vinylamine (dmp)NH(CH═CH2) (5) via an azanickelacyclobutane intermediate, (IPr*)Ni{N,C:κ2-N(dmp)CH2CH2} (4).


The internally coded time-hopping coherent ultra-short light pulse code division multiple access (CULP CDMA) scheme (recently introduced) with an optical amplifier is described and its performance in fibre-optic communication systems is analysed. In accordance with the important role of optical amplifiers in optical communication systems, a preamplifier at the input of the receiver is used in order to compensate the losses because of the spectral encoder, spectral decoder and optical fibre path. The authors evaluate the bit error rate of the system considering the effects of the multiple access interference, noise because of the optical amplifier and thermal noise using saddle point approximation, and compare the results with those of the conventional CULP CDMA system with and without an amplifier. The numerical results indicate a substantial improvement in the performance of the coded system in comparison with the uncoded one. In addition, the negative effect of amplifier noise in the proposed scheme is much less than that of the conventional CULP CDMA system.


Rocketdyne is assembling a high-brightness 78 MeV free-electron laser (FEL). The authors analyze the performance expected of this laser using the Rocketdyne three-dimensional simulation code FELOPT. An outline of the device, description of the code, and a presentation of some of the simulation results form the basis of this study. After sketching the details of the FEL, the code description is given in two parts: a description of the treatment of FEL interaction and then an outline of the algorithm used in free-space wave-optics propagation. Performance calculations stress parametric sensitivities and use of a prebuncher. >


DEP increase hospitalisation of patients with COPD. DEP comprise a carbon core with adsorbed compounds, including endotoxin. DEP deposit in the lungs, and are targets for macrophages. Macrophages drive COPD pathophysiology by releasing inflammatory mediators, potentially via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. We hypothesised that DEP stimulate macrophage mediator release via MAPK, and this is increased in COPD. MDM from non-smokers, smokers or COPD patients were treated with either DEP, standard reference material (SRM)-2975, SRM-1650b or inert beads (30, 11 and 0.2µm diameter, respectively) (1-100μg/ml) for 24h. CXCL8 release was analysed by ELISA, phagocytosis of fluorescent beads by fluorimetry, activation of MAPK by immunobloting, cell viability by MTT, and endotoxin levels by Limolas-amoebocyte lysate assay. DEP inhibited MDM phagocytosis of beads from all goups in a concentration-dependent manner, with 100μg/ml giving ∼60% inhibition (with ∼24% decrease in viability). DEP, but not SRMs or beads, stimulated CXCL8 release by MDM compared with non-stimulated controls (not due to the presence of endotoxin). MDM from non-smokers or COPD patients were twice as responsive to DEP than cells from smokers. DEP-treated MDM activated p38 and ERK 1/2 MAPK pathways, but not JNK. A p38 inhibitor (PF755616) suppressed DEP-treated MDM activation of p38 and CXCL8 release with no effect on viability. In conclusion, DEP, but not other particles, stimulated MDM chemokine release via p38 and ERK, suggesting that DEP composition drives this response and that p38 inhibition may have therapeutic potential in COPD.


Records are pillars of business activities. In their absence the organizational management is likely to sabotage decision making. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of hybrid records management system at the Mount Kenya University. The study was guided by the following objectives to establish whether MKU has an adequate records management policy that governs hybrid records management system, analyze the extent of staff training on records management and determine the security measures that have been put in place to manage records. The study adopted a case study which involved in-depth analysis of how records were being managed using a hybrid records management system at MKU. Target population consisted of 240 respondents drawn from University`s main campus. Stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents from administration, examinations, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Library departments. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and documentary evidence. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science Software (SPSS) version 20. The study found out that Mount Kenya University (MKU) has embraced hybrid records management since most of its records were in paper and electronic formats, the university has policies governing management of records using a hybrid records management system which has led to effective management of records, staff training does not affect the use of hybrid record management system since most staff that have been employed are managing records especially the electronic records due to the technological changes most staff are computer literate, the university records have been secured and that personal records and vital records can only be accessed by authorised personnel. By embracing the hybrid records management system the universities records will be effectively managed and it will also enhance decision making by policy makers. The study is vital to researchers who will use it for benchmarking and for future reference.


Asiatic acid (AA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban that possesses significant antitumor activities. In the present study, the mechanism of AA on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was investigated in the lung cancer cell line A549. To do so, cell morphological alterations were observed and recorded at different time periods. Cells treated with TGF-β1 were spindle-shaped and characterized as stromal cells, whereas AA-treated cells exhibited epithelial cell characteristics and increased intercellular adhesion. The MTT assay demonstrated that the high concentration of AA inhibited the viability of A549 cells treated with TGF-β. In addition, the wound healing and Transwell assays revealed that AA inhibited TGF-β1-induced invasion and migration of A549 cells. Furthermore, AA treatment increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin, and decreased the expression levels of snail family transcriptional repressor (Snail), N-cadherin, vimentin and β-catenin in TGF-β1-treated A549 cells. In conclusion, these results suggested that AA may inhibit TGF-β1-induced EMT in lung cancer through increased expression of E-cadherin, and inhibition of Snail, N-cadherin and vimentin expression.


PURPOSE
Recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a potent and selective inhibitor of collagen production by dermal fibroblasts in vitro and has numerous immunoregulatory activities. We assessed the effects of recombinant IFN-gamma in the treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Ten patients entered the study and nine completed the six-month study period. Recombinant IFN-gamma was administered once daily for seven days per week by intramuscular injections: 10 micrograms/day for 10 days, 25 micrograms/day for 10 days, 50 micrograms/day for 10 days, and 100 micrograms/day for the next five months.

RESULTS
After the six-month treatment period, a significant improvement, as compared with base-line values, was observed in total skin score, maximal oral opening, range of motion of wrists and elbows, grip strength, functional index, dysphagia, and creatinine clearance. No serious side effects were observed; however, a significant decrease in white blood cell counts and in peripheral blood lymphocytes was noted.

CONCLUSION
These results suggest that recombinant IFN-gamma may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the link between the organizing of service networks and interorganizational learning strategies.

Design/methodology/approach
By deepening the conceptual understanding of service networks and their central properties, an overview of the learning challenges for improved performance is provided. The implications of learning are then discussed using four conceptual types to advance our understanding of learning in various service networks. Two different frameworks are combined, one designed to analyze the properties of service delivery and the other to understand their interorganizational learning implications for different types of service networks.

Findings
This paper examines the central properties of service network delivery and explains their implications for interorganizational learning strategy operationalized in a service network typology.

Practical implications
The proposed framework deepens the understanding of the concept of service networks and brings attention to properties that have implication for interorganizational learning. Knowing the central properties in detail and their major organizing challenges allows for learning strategies to improve service network performance.

Originality/value
The value lies in the deepening the understanding of interorganizational learning in service networks, which is much needed in the growing body of literature on both concepts.


: High values of residual trypsin inhibitory activity found for heat-treated beans indicated the occurrence of artifices due to the methodology. A critical evaluation of the methods in use and of possible interferents was performed trying to determine the most adequate way of measuring residual trypsin inhibitory activity. Results showed that extraction conditions, pH of reaction and sample preparation are responsible for significant alterations of the values found, requiring careful standardization. This is the first report about the influence of lyophilization upon residual trypsin inhibitory activity of cooked beans.


We present two cases of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, one complicated with perforation. Orthopedic surgery was the pathogenetic factor in both cases. Recovery was successful in both patients after appropriate treatment. The importance of conventional X-ray techniques, and more specially the plain X-ray of the abdomen, is stressed regarding early diagnosis and follow-up.


ABSTRACT We study street vendors in the Nyarugenge District (Kigali, Rwanda) during field research (July to August 2017) using a multimethod approach including field observation, a survey and background interviews. The survey tests assumptions by policymakers about the determinants of financial inclusion of informal sector workers in order to strengthen the evidence base for Rwandan policies aimed at financial inclusion of the informal sector. An ordered probit analysis supports the importance of gender for both de facto bank account use of self-employed in the informal sector. From a policy perspective it is relevant that key actors during background interviews have indicated that they believe that individual characteristics such as gender are not important for the formal decision to accept an individual as an account holder at a financial institution (de jure financial inclusion), but that this is contradicted by the fact that gender is a statistically significant determinant of frequency of use (de facto financial inclusion). The presence of a financial institution in the home location of the street vendor is the most significant determinant identified by our research. From a policy perspective this underlines the importance of good financial infrastructure: the geography of financial inclusion is important as has been established by earlier research on the differences between urban and rural areas, but our results show that the driver is the availability of a financial institution in the street vendor's hometown, thus providing policymakers with a tool to improve financial inclusion in Rwanda.


Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often present with acute pulmonary complications, which may have a protracted course. Morphologic observations of SCD patients at autopsy suggested a role of tissue necrosis in the failure of pulmonary infiltrates to resolve with therapy. Infarction of pulmonary parenchyma was seen in regions where alveolar gas exchange was compromised by edema or exudates. We reviewed the clinical and pathologic features of 72 patients with sickle cell disease (59 SS, 12 SC, and 1 S-Thal) autopsied at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and compared 72 age-sexrace matched controls. Alveolar wall necrosis attributed to vascular obstruction by sickling occurred in areas where the airspace was occupied by edema or inflammatory exudate. Twelve (17 percent) SCD patients had alveolar wall necrosis, three (27 percent) among the 11 patients with bronchopneumonia and nine (17 percent) among the 54 patients with edema. Only four (6 percent) control patients had alveolar wall necrosis, all (20 percent) among the 21 patients with bronchopneumonia. Thus, alveolar wall necrosis was significantly more frequent among SCD patients (P


The current global financial crisis has led to renewed efforts to strengthen the formal rules and organizations of transnational economic governance. A substantial body of research in sociology and related fields suggests that the informal norms, values, expectations, and ideas that make up a world culture are equally important for understanding why countries cooperate, and why those cooperative efforts sometimes fail. This article explores these insights, showing how they can be applied to current debates about transnational economic governance, by paying particular attention to the emergence, adoption, and evolution of the Basel Capital Accords.


Performances of retroreflectivity vary place to place, according to traffic volumes and time lengths after striping, depending on pavement marking materials and colors. The present paper uses the nation wide data of retroreflectivity, which has been collected from freeways and then tries to develop the regression curve setting traffic volume and service life as independent variables and retroreflectivities as dependent variables. The DB system includes two year's measurement in 2005~2006 over Korean freeway pavement marking at an interval of three months for the period. The mobile measurement system, a laserlux, was employed for the purpose. The DB has provided a lot of information about materials and performance of the specific pavement marking such as geometric features, traffic volumes, material characteristics and the installation date. This study provides the comparison of pavement marking performances under diversified conditions. Based on accumulated pavement marking performances, this study provides performance curves based on the diversified factors. The goal of the retroreflectivity modeling is to develop equations that can be used to estimate an average retroreflectivity of pavement markings as a function time since application and traffic volume. After representing the variation of retroreflectivities and estimating regression curves by linear, exponential, logarithmic and power function, the regression curve which had the highest coefficient of determination and the value similar to the last field measurement was regarded as the retroreflectivity decay model. As a result of verification, the decay model showed the signification within the 90% confidence level and especially showed the clear relation with field data according to increase of cumulative vehicle exposure. Accordingly, these models can be used to determine service lives, retroreflectivity degradation rates, and retroreflectivity of new markings.


In this work, the applicability of blind equalizers to mobile communication systems is investigated. The equalizing scheme to be used consists of a non-linear IIR predictive structure composed of a cascade of a magnitude and a phase equalizer. The aim is to provide a comparison between the LMS and the RLS techniques implemented in this structure. Simulation results are first presented considering a stationary model of the mobile radio channel. Then, the tracking capability of both algorithms is analysed in a non-stationary context of mobile radio channels.


Many studies have highlighted the added value of incorporating vehicle dynamics into microsimulation. Such models usually focus on simulation of conventional vehicles, failing to account for the acceleration dynamics of electrified vehicles that have different power characteristics from those of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV). In addition, none of them have explicitly dealt with the vehicle's deceleration characteristics. Although it is not commonly considered critical how a vehicle decelerates, unrealistic behaviors in simulations can distort both traffic flow and emissions results. The present work builds on the lightweight microsimulation free-flow acceleration (MFC) model and proposes an extension, marking the first attempt to address these research gaps. First, a comprehensive review of dynamics-based car-following (including free-flow) models is conducted. Second, the methodology of the MFC model to capture the dynamics of electrified vehicles is described. Then, the experimental setup in different dimensions is introduced for the model validation and implementation. Finally, the results of this study indicate that: (1) the acceleration and deceleration potential curves underlying the MFC model can accurately represent real dynamics of electrified vehicles tested on the chassis dynamometer; (2) smooth transitions can be guaranteed after implementing the MFC model in microsimulation; (3) when reproducing the on-road driving trajectories, the MFC model can deliver significant reductions in root mean square error (RMSE) of speed (by ∼69%) and acceleration (by ∼50%) compared with benchmarks; (4) the MFC model can accurately predict the vehicle 0–100 km/h acceleration specifications, with RMSE 49.4% and 56.8% lower than those of the Gipps model and the intelligent driver model (IDM), respectively.


The scientific literature brings us new elements on the management of femoropatellar pain syndrome in rehabilitation. Indeed, the modification of the functional axes of the knee induced by neuromotor deficits (hip abductor moment) make it a systemic pathology of the lower limb. The disruption of the dynamic alignment (malalignment) of the lower limb associated with patches of maltracking causes us to think about a more objective evaluation in order to determine the factors responsible for patellar pathologies and thus to optimize our holistic approach of patient.


Purpose of the study Fibromatosis is a benign but locally aggressive tumour. A high rate of recurrence was noted in a number of patients treated by the senior author at a tumour and sepsis unit despite the fact that a wide surgical excision had been performed. The question was raised whether there are any alternate treatment modalities with a higher success rate available currently. A retrospective study and review of the literature was performed in order to ascertain whether new treatment modalities which can prevent recurrence more successfully have been developed recently. Materials and methods A retrospective study was performed. The files of all patients who presented at an orthopaedic practice with confirmed fibromatosis on histological examination in the past 19 years were reviewed. The following was looked at: age of the patient at first presentation; gender; tumour site; surgery performed; histological results; first line of treatment and recurrence rate. Patients were also contacted telephonically in order to ascertain whether any recurrence managed by another orthopaedic surgeon had been attended to. Results We evaluated 17 patients of which eight were males and nine females. The mean age was 25.87 years (range 2‐52years). All of the primary sites were extra-abdominal. Median follow up was 3.9 years (0‐9) with a mean recurrence rate of 2.3 times. All the patients were treated with a wide marginal surgical excision without adjuvant therapy. Conclusion Fibromatosis has a high recurrence rate using current surgical treatment modalities. Complete surgical excision does not lead to a good outcome. The literature review revealed that a wide variety of treatment modalities, both surgical and non-surgical, are available. Non-surgical treatment modalities include: hormones; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; chemotherapy; radiotherapy. Wide surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment but a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in order to optimise the efficacy of this treatment.


—Modeling the compositions, properties, and conditions of generation of natural agents of mantle metasomatism is one of the most topical subjects in experimental petrology. Particular attention is paid to the study of C- and S-bearing metasomatic agents and their role in the global carbon and sulfur cycles and in the processes of natural diamond formation. Experimental studies aimed at the estimation of sulfur solubility in carbonate melts under lithospheric mantle conditions were carried out on a multianvil high-pressure apparatus of the "split-sphere" type (BARS) in the carbonate–sulfur ((Mg,Ca)CO3–S) and carbonate–pyrite ((Mg,Ca)CO3–FeS2) systems at 6.3 GPa and 1050–1550 °C for 20–60 h. It has been experimentally established that the main processes occurring in the carbonate–sulfur system are the recrystallization of carbonate in a sulfur melt (1050–1350 °C) and the generation of a high-calcium carbonate melt with dissolved sulfur (5.0–6.5 wt.%) (1450–1550 °C) as well as graphite recrystallization and the initial stage of diamond growth (1550 °C) in this melt. The work demonstrates that the carbonate–pyrite interaction is accompanied by the recrystallization of carbonates and pyrite (1050–1250 °C) and the generation of two immiscible melts (sulfide one with dissolved oxygen and carbonate one with dissolved sulfur (1.7–2.5 wt.%) (1350–1550 °C)) along with the formation of graphite and the growth of diamond on seed crystals (1550 °C). It has been found that the solubility of sulfur in carbonate melts increases with temperature, which goes together with a decrease in CaO (±FeO) concentrations and an increase in MgO concentrations. The present study has shown for the first time that melts of alkaline-earth carbonates are capable of dissolving up to 6.5 wt.% sulfur and they are probable sulfur concentrators under the conditions of the lithospheric mantle.


In this paper, we address the problem of designing matched filters which are robust against uncertainty in the statistics of the noise process. The design is based on a game-theoretic approach in which a filter is sought that has the maximum worst-case output signal-to-noise ratio possible over the class of allowable statistics, that is the design is maximin signal-to-noise ratio. The problem is formulated and solved for both discrete-time and continoustime matched filters with uncertainty in either the autocorrelation function or the spectral measure of the noise. For uncertainty models determined by 2-alternating Choquet capacities explicit solutions are obtained which are characterized by the Huber-Strassen derivative of the capacity generating the class with respect to a Lebesgue-like measure on a suitable interval.


Two Cd(II) 1-D chain coordination polymers with Cd–Cl-Cd–Cl 1-D chains as bases, one connected to protonated 8-aminoquinoline by intermolecular hydrogen bonds {[Cd2(μ-Cl)4(Cl)2(CH3OH)(H2O)]·(H-aql)2} n (1) (aql = 8-aminoquinoline) and the other to 8-aminoquinoline [Cd(μ-Cl)2(aql)] n (2), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. 1 belongs to the monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/m and 2 belongs to the monoclinic system with space group C2/c. Fluorescent properties of aql, 1, and 2 showed that the fluorescence spectrum (λmax = 386 nm) of 1 is mainly of aql ππ* character. The fluorescence spectrum of 2 which emits blue-green light (λmax = 497 nm) mainly involves a metal-perturbed intraligand ππ* transition from strong covalent bonds. Thermal stabilities of 1 and 2 have also been studied.


Background Peroxiredoxins (prxs) are abundant redox-sensitive anti-oxidant enzymes that reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to water, becoming oxidised themselves in the process. Oxidised 2-cys prxs may either be returned to their reduced state by thioredoxin or become overoxidised. Overoxidised 2-cys prxs (PrxSO2/3) lose their hydroperoxidase activity but may then form multimers with a molecular chaperone function. Overoxidation of 2-cys prxs may be reversed by sulphiredoxin-1. Previous studies demonstrated altered levels of prxs in SOD1-ALS. This and prx anti-oxidant and protein chaperone roles relevant to existing pathogenetic hypotheses led us to ask whether the oxidation state of the 2-cys prxs might be altered in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Hypothesis We hypothesised that 2-cys prxs might spend longer in a more oxidised state in ALS and that this might have implications for disease pathogenesis. We aimed to test this hypothesis in models of SOD1 ALS in the first instance. Methods Fibroblasts were obtained from patients with I113T SOD1-related familial ALS and age and sex-matched controls. Western blotting for total 2-cys prxs, PrxSO2/3, sulphiredoxin-1 and activated AP-1 (a transcriptional activator of sulphiredoxin-1) was performed on cells grown under basal conditions and after exposure to 300 mM H2O2 for 15 min. Stress recovery experiments (15 min 300 mM H2O2, washout, 26 h recovery) were performed with and without cycloheximide. Whole brain and spinal cord homogenates from G93A-overexpressing transgenic mice were also examined for PrxSO2/3. Results No difference in total 2-cys prxs was found between patient and control fibroblasts and minimal PrxSO2/3 was detected in either under basal conditions. Exposure to 300 mM H2O2 for 15 min overoxidised 2-cys prxs to saturation with no detectable difference between patient and control cells. PrxSO2/3 recovery was, however, significantly delayed in patient fibroblasts. Sulfiredoxin-1 induction after H2O2-treatment was both delayed and reduced in patient fibroblasts compared to controls while levels of activated AP-1, a transcriptional regulator of sulphiredoxin 1, also increased less in patient fibroblasts after oxidative challenge. Both sulphiredoxin-1 induction and PrxSO2/3 recovery were abolished by cycloheximide pre-treatment. PrxSO2/3 was almost undetectable by western blotting in whole cord or brain preparations from G93A and non-transgenic littermate mice. Discussion Delayed PrxSO2/3 recovery in I113T-FALS fibroblasts suggests that in this ALS model 2-cys prxs do spend longer in an oxidatively-inactivated state after oxidative challenge. Defence against H2O2 will be impaired for longer after each such challenge raising the possibility of an above-normal rate of accumulation of oxidative damage with repeated exposures. The delay in PrxSO2/3 regeneration may be due to impaired AP-1 and in turn impaired sulphiredoxin-1 induction after oxidative stress, an induction dependent upon protein translation. How important the functional consequences of the deficit we have identified are remains to be seen. Work to reiterate our experiments in fibroblasts from non-SOD1 familial ALS, sporadic ALS and in motor neuronal cell models of ALS is underway.


Background

Dialysis is a method for removing excess fluid and uremic waste from the body of chronic renal-failure patients. In patients with CRF, blood dialysis stops death. Hemodialysis prevents the death of patients with chronic renal failure. Various factors can affect the survival of patients undergoing dialysis treatment. The current study aimed to determine such factors.Methods

This descriptive-analytic study examined 252 patients undergoing dialysis from 2010 to 2016 in all of hospitals in Bandar Abbas- Iran, whose data had been recorded in the dialysis unit or it was possible to get their files. The study used Lasso Regression in Cox's proportional hazards model in case with multi variables, background diseases, Body Mass Index,…… The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software and through installing glmnet and survival packages in R software.Results

In this study, 35 (13.9%) death events and 217 (86.1%) censored events were observed. The mean survival time of 252 patients was equal to 10.93 ± 7.82 years and the median survival time of these patients was calculated to be ten years. Based on the results of the Cox model under the penalized method of Lasso, The risk of mortality for patients with diploma degree was by 49% lower than that of the illiterate group (HR = 0.51). The risk of death for unemployed patients and farmers was equal to 0.66 (HR = 1.66) and 0.29 (HR = 1.29), respectively, higher than that of employees. Another significant factor in this study is the duration of each dialysis session. The risk of mortality has been reduced by 0.34 (HR = 0.66) for a single increase during dialysis.Conclusions

Apart from congenital and underlying diseases which early diagnosis will prevent kidney failure, the risk of mortality will be reduced by training behavioral issues in patients undergoing dialysis such as dialysis at predetermined hours and times and appropriate nutritional behaviors.


This research establishes a link between the human experience of living in sound and the practice of cinema sound design. Environmental 'silences' are the absorbed but often cognitively dismissed sonic entities of the everyday. Their perceived ubiquity provides cinematic vocabulary that includes the expressions 'room tone', 'silence', 'atmospheres', 'backgrounds', and 'ambiences'. Movies are framed by social constructs, and the qualities of cinematic silences allow for primal discoveries of affective sonic activities that 'feel silent'. My project aims to embody 'silences' as dynamic spaces that echo human lifelong sonic absorption and state of being 'insounds', of being part of the sonic matter moulding the coenesthetic system of the body. The exploration of this paradigm generates a sonic awareness that in turn encourages an expansive attention to bodily and auditory perceptions.
A phenomenological approach to the creative practice of cinema sound design provides an alternative and innovative view on sonic affect and created silences in film. As a practice-based research project, resulting in an exhibition supported by an exegesis, this investigation is qualitative, multidisciplinary, and experimental in both the approaches to data collection and the design of the exhibited work. The creative processes associated with the data gathering, as well as with the design of the exhibition and its multimodal artifacts, offer a different paradigm of sound as a way of knowing. In order to explore ways in which Western contemporary soundscapes are perceived and silences are conceived, selected research participants have contributed unique interpretations of the same cinematic script. The creators of the exhibited artifacts are professional cinema sound designers, a screenwriter, a storyboard artist and myself as I act at once as art practitioner, curator and PhD researcher. The knowledge gained provides inter-relational views on sonic affect, acoustic ecologies, semiotics of film sound and the professional practice of cinema sound design.
'Inaudible Visions, Oscillating Silences' is the title of the exhibition marking the end of the study's explorations of creative and curatorial practices. The use and display of different mediums, text, images and sound, allows the researcher to acknowledge all participants' contribution to the research. The designed perambulatory path articulates the research journey of all participants and provides a physical integration of the exegesis within the exhibition. By triggering awareness to the sound of the everyday, the gallery's exploration allows for different experiential possibilities of silences and states of being 'insounds'. The PhD thereby contributes to an understanding of everyday soundscapes in addition to the specific uses of atmospheric sound in cinematic practices.


The main objective of this study is to understand the time evolution of the nitrogen dioxide specie in N2/O2/H2O/CO2 mixture gas induced by negative corona discharge at atmospheric pressure. The fundamental chemistry governing NO2 evolution developed in this paper is based on a full set of processes regrouped in one hundred selected chemical reactions involving twenty molecular, excited, atomic, and charged species. The density was calculated using the continuity equation without the diffusion and convective terms. In literature it has generally been emphasized that certain radicals N, O, and O3 influence the NO2 conversion.  In this study, we complete them by analyzing others species such as negative ions and radicals. The results show that the environmental condition rate of NO2 is well affected by the increase of reduced electric field and concentration.


Recent debates over adults' theory of mind use have been fueled by surprising failures of perspective-taking in communication, suggesting that perspective-taking may be relatively effortful. Yet adults routinely engage in effortful processes when needed. How, then, should speakers and listeners allocate their resources to achieve successful communication? We begin with the observation that the shared goal of communication induces a natural division of labor: The resources one agent chooses to allocate toward perspective-taking should depend on their expectations about the other's allocation. We formalize this idea in a resource-rational model augmenting recent probabilistic weighting accounts with a mechanism for (costly) control over the degree of perspective-taking. In a series of simulations, we first derive an intermediate degree of perspective weighting as an optimal trade-off between expected costs and benefits of perspective-taking. We then present two behavioral experiments testing novel predictions of our model. In Experiment 1, we manipulated the presence or absence of occlusions in a director-matcher task. We found that speakers spontaneously modulated the informativeness of their descriptions to account for "known unknowns" in their partner's private view, reflecting a higher degree of speaker perspective-taking than previously acknowledged. In Experiment 2, we then compared the scripted utterances used by confederates in prior work with those produced in interactions with unscripted directors. We found that confederates were systematically less informative than listeners would initially expect given the presence of occlusions, but listeners used violations to adaptively make fewer errors over time. Taken together, our work suggests that people are not simply "mindblind"; they use contextually appropriate expectations to navigate the division of labor with their partner. We discuss how a resource-rational framework may provide a more deeply explanatory foundation for understanding flexible perspective-taking under processing constraints.


Ultrawideband transmission systems have a potential of low complexity, low power consumption, and low cost. These properties and low emission levels make it well-suited for wireless body networks. We propose a special spread spectrum transmission technique with a novel comb filter based energy detection receiver. It can cope with the problems of multipath propagation, low SNR and strong narrow band interference at the same time. The performance of the proposed system is discussed for different scenarios.


This study compares the involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels and prostaglandins in various forms of gastroprotection in the rat. Instillation of 1 ml of 70% ethanol induced severe gastric mucosal damage (lesion index 39 +/- 0.8), which was substantially but not maximally reduced by oral pretreatment with 16,16-dimethyl-prostaglandin (PG) E(2) (75 ng/kg), 20% ethanol (1 ml), sodium salicylate (15 mg/kg), the metal salt lithium chloride (7 mg/kg), the sulfhydryl-blocking agent diethylmaleate (5 mg/kg), and the thiol dimercaprol (10 mg/kg). Administration of indomethacin (20 mg/kg) increased gastric mucosal damage induced by 70% ethanol (lesion index 45 +/- 0.8) and significantly reduced the protective effect of 20% ethanol, sodium salicylate, lithium chloride, diethylmaleate, and dimercaprol. The blocker of K(ATP) channels glibenclamide (5-10 mg/kg) significantly antagonized the protective effect of 16,16-dimethyl-PGE(2), 20% ethanol, sodium salicylate, lithium chloride, diethylmaleate, and dimercaprol. The inhibition of protection induced by glibenclamide was reversed by pretreatment with the K(ATP) channel activator cromakalim (0.3-0.5 mg/kg). In conclusion, our results indicate a role of K(ATP) channels in the gastroprotective effect of 16,16-dimethyl-PGE(2) and of the other agents tested. Since the protection afforded by these agents is additionally indomethacin-sensitive, it is suggested that under these conditions endogenous prostaglandins act as activators of K(ATP) channels, and this mechanism, at least in part, mediates gastroprotection.


OBJECTIVE
EDs are an essential service, and higher rates of presentations per population are seen in regional and remote areas compared to major cities. Australia-wide differences in utilisation and performance remain largely unknown.

METHODS
This was a descriptive, retrospective epidemiological study analysing data collected via the National Non-Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database managed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Data from all reporting public hospitals in Australia for the period between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019 were analysed. Reporting EDs were geographically categorised using the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard - Remoteness Area.

RESULTS
ED presentations for the 293 reporting EDs were 8 352 192 (median 17 904, range 8-113 929), one-third (33.09%, 95% CI 33.06-33.12) were outside major cities. Remote ED presentations were less likely to arrive by ambulance (12.13% [12.01-12.26]; major cites 28.07% [28.03-28.10]; regional 22.55% [22.50-22.60]) but more likely by police/correctional services vehicle (major cities 0.59% [0.58-0.60]; regional 0.71% [0.70-0.72]; remote 1.71% [1.66-1.76]). Presentations to remote EDs were more likely to leave without being attended by a health professional (5.29% [5.21-5.38]; major cities 3.93% [3.92-3.95]; regional 3.53% [3.51-3.55]). A larger proportion of admitted patients stayed at least 8 h in remote (21.83% [21.46-22.20]) and regional (21.52% [21.41-21.62]) EDs compared to major cities (19.82% [19.76-19.88]).

CONCLUSIONS
Our study highlights ED utilisation, casemix and performance by location. The differences observed, especially areas of inequity and need for interventions, reiterate that imperative regional and remote EDs are appropriately resourced to support the communities they serve.


Abstract As a result of population migration, Chagas disease is no longer limited to the North and South American continents. In HIV-infected patients, chronic infection by Try-panosoma cruzi behaves as an opportunistic infection in severely immunosuppressed patients and is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. Unlike other opportunistic infections, information on the natural history, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Chagas disease is scarce. Spain has the highest number of cases of Chagas disease outside the North and South American continents, and coinfection with HIV is increasingly prevalent. In this article, the Spanish Society for Tropical Medicine and International Health (Sociedad Española de Medicina Tropical y Salud Interna-cional) reviews the current situation of coinfection with HIV and T. cruzi infection and provides guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in areas where Cha-gas disease is not endemic. It also identifies areas of uncertainty where additional research is necessary.


Patient variables associated with the occurrence of hip fracture are reviewed, with advanced age, the female sex, and the white race being the most notable variables. Findings from studies relating patient variables to treatment results are also presented. The strongest predictors of poor treatment results are 1) age greater than 75 years, 2) cerebral dysfunction, 3) multiple secondary problems, and 4) low prefracture functional status. Relevance of this knowledge for physical therapists engaged in education, research, and clinical practice is discussed, concluding that knowledge of epidemiology is important to physical therapists' general information on hip fracture.


Why has purgatory virtually disappeared from Catholic belief and practice since Vatican II? A competitive spirituality, gravitating around the religious vocation of ascetics from the late Middle Ages, enabled the doctrine by extending the temporal horizon within which God's favorable judgment could be secured, first, in the lifelong practice of ascetics in their spiritual competition with martyrs, and then into a supernatural time required for laypersons and ascetics who could not meet the standard set by saintly ascetics. The loss of this competitive spirituality after Vatican II led to the loss of belief in purgatory and devotional practice surrounding it.


Exposure to pesticides is a major threat to bumblebee (Bombus spp.) health. In temperate regions, queens of many bumblebee species hibernate underground for several months, putting them at potentially high risk of exposure to soil contaminants. The extent to which bumblebees are exposed to residues in agricultural soils during hibernation is currently unknown, which limits our understanding of the full pesticide exposome for bumblebees throughout their lifecycle. To generate field exposure estimates for overwintering bumblebee queens to pesticide residues, we sampled soils from areas corresponding to suitable likely hibernation sites at six apple orchards and 13 diversified farms throughout Southern Ontario (Canada) in fall 2019-2020. Detectable levels of pesticides were found in 65 of 66 soil samples analysed for multi-pesticide residues (UPLC-MS/MS). A total of 53 active ingredients (AIs) were detected in soils, including 27 fungicides, 13 insecticides, and 13 herbicides. Overall, the frequency of detection, residue levels (median = 37.8 vs. 2.2 ng/g), and number of pesticides per sample (mean = 12.3 vs. 4.3 AIs) were highest for orchard soils compared to soils from diversified farms. Ninety-one percent of samples contained multiple residues, including mixtures of insecticides and fungicides that might lead to synergistic effects. Up to 29 different AIs were detected per soil sample. Our results suggest that when hibernating in agricultural areas, bumblebee queens are very likely to be exposed to a wide range of pesticide residues in soil. Our study indicates the importance of empirically testing the potential effects of pesticide residues in soils for hibernating bumblebee queens, using field exposure data such as those generated here. The differences in exposure that we detected between cropping systems can also be used to better inform regulations that govern the use of agricultural pesticides, notably in apple orchards.


The $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I)$ -rheology was recently proposed as a potential candidate to model the incompressible flow of frictional grains in the dense inertial regime. However, this rheology was shown to be ill-posed in the mathematical sense for a large range of parameters, notably in the low and large inertial number limits (Barker et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 779, 2015, pp. 794–818). In this rapid communication, we extend the stability analysis of Barker et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 779, 2015, pp. 794–818) to compressible flows. We show that compressibility regularizes the equations, making the problem well-posed for all parameters, with the condition that sufficient dissipation be associated with volume changes. In addition to the usual Coulomb shear friction coefficient $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ , we introduce a bulk friction coefficient $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{b}$ , associated with volume changes and show that the problem is well-posed if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{b}>1-7\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}/6$ . Moreover, we show that the ill-posed domain defined by Barker et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 779, 2015, pp. 794–818) transforms into a domain where the flow is unstable but remains well-posed when compressibility is taken into account. These results suggest the importance of taking into account dynamic compressibility for the modelling of dense granular flows and open new perspectives to investigate the emission and propagation of acoustic waves inside these flows.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and complications of suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy in a rural Kenyan hospital.

DESIGN
A prospective audit of suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy.

SETTING
Africa Inland Church, Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya.

SUBJECTS
One hundred and six men with lower urinary tract obstruction, clinically due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, undergoing suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy.

INTERVENTIONS
Suprapubic prostatectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Age, presentation, comorbidity, type of anaesthesia, pathology, bladder irrigation time, Foley time, post-operative stay, complications-mortality, blood transfusion rate, return to theatre for bleeding, incontinence, urine leak, urinary retention.

RESULTS
One hundred and six men entered the study with a mean age of 72.8 years. Seventy eight per cent were in retention and 25% had significant medical problems. Spinal anaesthesia was used in 94%. The mean prostate weight was 70.4 g and 11% had carcinoma. The Foley's catheter was removed at a mean of 4.2 days after surgery and the mean post-operative stay was 6.0 days. The 30 day mortality was 0.9%, the blood transfusion rate was 4.7%, the return to theatre for bleeding rate was 0.9% and 4.7% of patients developed a urine leak.

CONCLUSION
Suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy, performed under spinal anaesthetic, by general surgeons in rural Kenya, is a safe and effective way of managing benign prostatic hyperplasia and its complications.


Binary stereotypes silence Muslim women in post 9/11 America, but little has been written about how Muslim women's leadership can enable voice. This article presents two leadership models based on the philosophy of ijtihād (independent reasoning), which facilitate self-worth and solidarity, key elements of voice. The less visible spiritual colleague model, which has a followership of practising Muslim women, facilitates self-worth through ijtihād, allowing women to seek self-definition through their own interpretation of the Qur'ān. As strategy, the leader converts her home into a space which is simultaneously sacred and political where such informal discussions take place around religious rituals. The public bridge-builder model creates solidarity between and among its following of practising and nonpractising Muslims and non-Muslim men and women. The strategy focuses on effective dialogue between different groups. Ijtihād as discourse in pursuit of knowledge ('ilm) creates equality and respect, the basis of sustainable alliances.


In this work, the precipitation and re-dissolution of asphaltenes were studied for an Iranian relatively heavy crude oil. A series of experiments were designed and carried out to quantitatively examine the reversibility of asphaltenes precipitation upon the change in the solvent concentration along with the temperature. n-Heptane was used as the precipitant, and a temperature range of 30 to 70°C was applied to perform the temperature reversibility tests. Experiments were conducted in both porous and non-porous media. As a porous medium, a slim tube apparatus was used which is a one- dimensional model reservoir. Generally, the experiments showed that the precipitation is completely reversible for oil under study upon both composition and temperature changes.


Jeddah City Saudi Arabia sewage water (untreated and treated) is discharged into the Red Sea water south of the city. The discharged water may contain harmful toxic elements that may affect the living organisms in the seawater, and also the coastal habitat particularly naturally growing plant species. A study was undertaken to assess and evaluate the concentrations of the macro-and microelements, the heavy and toxic metals, saults, and to determine acidity and conductivity of the Red Sea water and soil a, and the shore water and soil and compare them with results collected from an unpolluted area away from this affected area. The results indicated a highly significant accumulation of saults, macro, and micro-elements, and heavy and toxic metals in the sea and coastal water and soil compared to the unpolluted site. Out of all Ca, Na and Cl in the sea and shore water expressed no significant differences between the polluted and unpolluted sites. For the sea and shore water, the highest concentrations were for Mg, K, and P, while for their soil the highest concentrations were for Ca, Mg, K, P, Na, and Cl. AS for the heavy metals Cu, Mn, Cr, Al, Zn, and Co dominated in the sea and shore water, while for the sea and shore soil the domination was for Cu, Mn, B, Cr, and Al. Some of these elements, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, Cu, Cr, and Ni are concentrated at levels above that suggested and recommended by the Metreological Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA), Ministry of Water and Electricity (MWE) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 1985).


Background. E-cadherin is known as one of the endometrial receptivity biomarkers.Objective: to conduct a comparative analysis of the endometrial E-cadherin expression in healthy fertile women and patients with reproductive dysfunctions with the ovulatory menstrual cycle.Design and methods. The main group consisted of patients with infertility (n = 81) and early pregnancy loss (n = 40), the control group — of 16 healthy fertile women. All subjects underwent endometrial biopsy and venipuncture to receive peripheral blood sample (to determine estradiol and progesterone levels) at 6–8 days after ovulation. Endometrial specimens were assessed by histological and immunohistochemical (evaluation of e-cadherin expression) methods.Results. In patients with reproductive failure, the frequency of apparent E-cadherin expression in the luminal (89 %, n = 84 out of 94) and glandular (74 %, n = 89 out of 121) epithelium did not differ from the corresponding indicators in fertile women (luminal epithelium — 94 %, n = 15 out of 16, gland — 88 %, n = 14 out of 16) (p > 0.05 for all indicators). The frequency of reduced E-cadherin endometrial expression was similar in patients of the main group with complete secretory transformation of the endometrium (1), incomplete secretory transformations (2) and in healthy women (3): respectively in the luminal epithelium — 7 % (n = 3 out of 43) (1), 14 % (n = 7 out of 52) (2), 6 % (n = 1 out of 16) (p > 0.05); in the glands — 20 % (n = 10 out of 51) (1), 31 % (n = 22 out of 70) (2), 13 % (n = 2 out of 16) (3) (p > 0.05).Conclusion. In patients with the history of reproductive disfunctions freaquency of lower/higher E-cadherin expression was similar to those in healthy fertile women.


Abstract : We develop methods for optimally solving problems that require allocating scarce resources among activities that either gather information on a set of objects or take actions to change their status. Also, the information we gather on the outcomes of the actions we take may be erroneous. The latter situation is called partial observability, and methodology available prior to this dissertation is combinatorially intractable for problems with more than one object. We use two previously-uncombined methods - linear programming (LP) and partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs) - to construct a decomposition procedure to solve the resulting large-scale allocation problem with partially observable outcomes. We show theoretically that this procedure is both optimal and finite; in addition, we develop improvements to the procedure that reduce runtimes on test problems by 95%. We demonstrate the procedure on a small targeting problem with a known analytical solution, as well as a large-scale military example concerned with allocating aircraft sorties, weapons, and bomb-damage assessment sensors to targets. Finally, we develop analytical bounds on the expected objective function values of a related allocation problem with more stringent resource constraints, and present a simulation-based approach to estimate the distributions of the outcomes for that model.


: The authors consider degree of radiation danger in exploitation of devices using radio isotopes in research departments of Moscow and the region. The radiation doses accumulated by the staffers using all types of the devices do not exceed the main dose limit for B category (maximum 0.5 rem annually). The main causes of radiation accidents are violated norms of exploitation and loss of the radiation source, the main result of radiation accident with radio isotope devices is environmental pollution and external irradiation of population.


A nontraditional approach to the synthesis of bandstop filters (BSF) based on the analysis of the spectrum of complex eigenfrequencies of multimode resonators forming a filter is described. Two types of BSF resonators, which are formed by cross-section enlargements of a finite length of a rectangular waveguide in E- or H-plane, are considered. It was shown that a BSF of the first type had no spurious stopbands and practically did not introduce a loss in the passband. The high accuracy of the filter design is confirmed by the experimental data. >


Valproic acid (VPA) has been considered as a possible treatment agent for malignant gliomas. In order to characterise the possibilities of VPA, we investigated the effects on cell migration and proliferation. Human cell lines T98G, A172, 85HG66 and 86HG39 were treated with VPA or left untreated, afterwards Boyden chamber assay was used for measuring vertical migration. In a second assay cells were stimulated to create spheroids and spheroid migration was measured. Proliferation was assessed using a cell counter. VPA decreased proliferation of 86HG39 > A172 > 85HG66 cells, whereas T98G remained uninfluenced. The influence of VPA on migration was different; whereas VPA dose-dependently stimulated migration of 86HG39 cells, migration of T98G and 85HG66 decreased, whereas A172 cells remained uninfluenced. Only 86HG39 and A172 cells created spheroids. In both cell lines Boyden-chamber-findings were confirmed by analysing the influence of VPA on spheroid migration. These non-uniform data demonstrate that the benefit of VPA in glioma treatment is not clear and needs further investigation.


An all-solid-state single-frequency 1064 nm laser with a $100~{\rm\mu}\text{s}$ pulse width, 500 Hz repetition rate and 700 mJ single pulse energy is designed using seed injection and a three-stage master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) construction. Using this as a basis, research on long-pulse laser frequency doubling is carried out. By designing and optimizing the lithium triborate (LBO) crystal, the theoretically calculated maximum conversion efficiency ${\it\eta}_{\max }$ reaches 68% at $M^{2}=1$, while ${\it\eta}_{\min }$ is 33% at $M^{2}=3$. Generation of 212 mJ pulses of green light with a repetition rate as high as 500 Hz is obtained from a fundamental energy of 700 mJ. The experimental conversion efficiency reaches 31% and the power stability is better than $\pm 1\%$.


Patients with chronic hepatitis C, with a high serum viral load (> or = 1 Meq/ml) and genotype 1b seem to be resistant to interferon (IFN) therapy. To evaluate the efficacy of a herbal medicine (Mao-to) in combination with natural IFN-beta for the treatment of these patients, eighteen Japanese patients were enrolled in this study. Every patient received 6 million units (MU) of IFN-beta intravenously daily for 8 weeks. Mao-to was given orally 3-4 times a day during the IFN-beta administration, Sixteen of the 18 patients (89%) became negative for serum HCV RNA at the end of treatment, but only 2 of them (11%) remained negative for the virus RNA at 6 months of follow-up. Serum ALT levels normalized in 17 patients (94%) at 2 weeks of follow-up after the cessation of therapy, and 11 patients (61%) retained normal ALT levels for more than 6 months of follow-up. This rate of biochemical response was high as compared with that of therapy with IFN-beta alone (19%) in the largest IFN-beta trial in Japan. Serum hyaluronic acid levels were decreased significantly from 147.0 +/- 110.5 ng/ml to 77.4 +/- 67.4 ng/ml in the sustained biochemical response group (P = 0.003). None of the patients needed to interrupt therapy because of side effects of IFN-beta. Thus, Mao-to administration together with IFN-beta treatment could increase the sustained biochemical response rate, and reduce liver fibrosis.


Objectives: To evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, outcome, and incidence of complications after combined clear corneal phacoemulsification (PEA) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and vitreoretinal surgery. Methods: Combined operations of PEA and PPV were performed on 52 eyes of 52 patients with cataract and vitreoretinal diseases. Results: The mean follow-up time was (10.3±2.8) months. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 46 eyes (88.5%); was unchanged in 6 eyes (11.5%). The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were the following: 20/40 or better (9 eyes), 20/50 to 20/100 (24 eyes), 20/200 (5 eyes), 20/400 (10 eyes), and fingers counting (FC) to light perception (LP) (4 eyes). In 38 eyes BCVA was 20/200 or better, and in 9 eyes it was 20/40 or better postoperatively. Postoperative complications included posterior capsual opacification (7 eyes); secondary glaucoma (1 eye); and retinal detachment (2 eyes). Conclusion: Although further studies are indicated, our study suggests that the combined operation of PPV, PEA and IOL implantation is safe and effective for patients. The visual outcome and complications depended primarily on underlying posterior segment pathology and were not related to the combined procedure technique.


Several reports have indicated the prognostic significance of the proliferative index (PI) and microvessel density (MVD) in canine oral malignant melanomas (MM). However, a correlation between the PI and MVD of oral MM in dogs has never been elucidated. Here, we evaluated the expression of Ki-67 and CD31 using double immunofluorescence staining to investigate the correlation of PI with MVD in 37 spontaneous canine oral MMs. No correlation was found between the MVD and PI values or between those and any clinicopathologic findings. However, a correlation was found between the PI value and both clinical stage (p = 0.0453) and degree of tumour pigmentation (p = 0.0431). Further, the PI significantly correlated with the survival period of canine oral MM patients (p = 0.0209). The results of our study suggested that no relationship existed between the PI and MVD of canine oral MMs, and that the PI was a more reliable prognostic marker for canine oral MMs than MVD.


Background Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSjS) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily involving the exocrine glands. The clinical picture of pSjS ranges from exocrinopathy to systemic disease. Environmental and hormonal factors, such as vitamin-D may play a role in the pathogenic process and disease expression and activity. The literature investigating the relationship between pSjS and vitamin D is limited. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the levels of vitamin-D and its association with disease activity in pSjS. Methods This study included 100 cases (M/F:3/97, mean age:47.33 ± 5.13/54.37± 9.56 years) with PSjS followed up by Ege University Department of Rheumatology. All the patients fulfilled the US-European Consensus Criteria. ESSDAI was used to assess the activation of Sjogren's disease (EULAR "European League Against Rheumatism" Sjogren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index). Results In this study, 100 patients' with pSjS the average vitamin D level was 48.17 ± 29.84 nmol / L, respectively. The average level of vitamin D of all patients' was considered to be the lower limit of of 50 nm / L. In patients with pSjS anti-Ro was 59%, anti-La was 37%, ANA was 78% and RF was 49% positive.12% decrease in C3 and C4, globulin abnormalities in 30% (high-low) was observed. The parameters were investigated according to ESSDAI. Significant relationship were found between the anti-La positivity (p<0.05) and low levels of C4 (p<0.05). Significant relationship was not found between the articular involvement (73%)(p = 0.4), constitutional state (19%) (p = 0.514), glandular involvement (14%) (p = 0.182), and the vitamin D levels. In addition, no significant relationship was found between the level of vitamin D and the patient's age and disease duration (p = 0.86, 0715). Patients were evaluated according to the SSDAIscoring activation, 12 patients were scoring ≥ 5 points. However, in these patients with active disease was not significantly correlated with vitamin D levels (p=0.51). According to the ESSDAI index the patients with involvement or without involvement have numerical difference between the vitamin D levels. However, there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusions Significantrelationship were found between the anti-La positivity and low levels of C4. Other clinical and serological manifestations did not correlate with vitamin D status. In this study all the patients with pSjS are homogenous and monitored regularly in out patient rheumatology clinic. They have stable general condition and very low hospitalization rates. This result was thought to be taken for the low number of patients with a high involvement activity. However, further studies including more pSjS patients, as well as both healthy and disease control groups, are required to confirm the association of vitamin D levels and activity of pSjS. References Seror R, R Philippe, Bowman SJ et al. EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index: development of a consensus systemic disease activity index for primary Sjögren's syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:1103-1109 Vitali C, Palombi G, Baldini C, et al. Sjogren's Syndrome Disease Damage Indexand Disease Activity Index Scoring Systems for the Assessment of Disease Damage and Disease Activity in Sjo¨gren's Syndrome, Derived From an Analysis of a Cohort of Italian Patients. Arthritis and rheumatism. Vol. 56, No. 7, July 2007, pp 2223–2231. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


The PKKM policy implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic had an effect on the decrease in tourism. Due to these losses, Coban Waru Waterfall's natural tourism management had to deal with abandoned tourist attractions. After the pandemic, there is a need to reintroduce and attract visitors to the Coban Waru waterfall natural tourist attraction. Through digital promotion, this activity aims to raise public awareness of Coban Waru waterfall natural tourism. The method consists of the use of digital media promotion and training in content creation. As a result of this activity, a profile video and a leaflet titled "Promotion of Coban Waru Waterfall Nature Tourism" were posted on the social media platforms YouTube and Instagram. Through digital marketing, it is possible to bring new tourist attractions to the public's attention.


The prognosis in the pulpotomy procedure with Formocresol during primary teeth has an excellent clinical results. On the other hand, some reports of a poor prognosis in radiographic findings were found. To obtain valuable information about the indications for pulpotomy procedures is quite difficult in the case of children concerning. In 1972, Kurihara reported radiographic findings the indications for the pulpotomy procedure in primary molars with a stable stage having no root absorption. The authors investigated the clinical and radiographic changes 6 months after the pulpotomy procedure with Formocresol. 26 primary lower molars having four criteria obtained from 3 to 7 year old patients were treated, and 4 primary lower molars were used as controls without the criteria. We found that the dental lamina dura were an especially important finding to judge the indications for pulpotomy with Formocresol in primary molars.


This paper deals with the chaos phenomenon of doubly fed induction generator(DFIG). The Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model of DFIG chaos system is built. Based on the fuzzy Lyapunov function approach, a robust optimal controller is designed in the form of linear matrix inequality (LMI). Thus the chaos of DFIG with parametric uncertainties is eliminated. The simulation result shows that the fuzzy optimal control system adopting the designed method has good performance and robust capability. And the efficiency of fuzzy Lyapunov stability theory is also illustrated.


Cavity exciton–polaritons are considered to be two-dimensional weakly interacting true bosons. We analyse their thermodynamic properties and show that they can exhibit local condensation or Kosterlitz–Thouless phase transition towards superfluidity, so that polariton lasing can be achieved. The dynamical evolution of the condensate in a non-resonantly pumped cavity is described by a quantum kinetic formalism. The distribution function of polaritons is described by a semi-classical Boltzmann equation. A master equation for the ground-state density matrix is derived in the framework of the Born–Markov approximation. The dynamics of the ground-state population and its coherence are deduced.


Applications or "apps" for computers and mobile devices are ubiquitous in modern technology. Several apps are available for teaching chemical engineering and are disseminated inexpensively or are freely available online. This paper highlights software apps that chemical engineering instructors may use "off the shelf" for iOS, Mathematica, Excel, R, WebMO, MATLAB, and COMSOL. Brief notes on additional resources and time demand are provided for those interested in customizing or developing their own educational apps.


LPS binding protein (LBP) was discovered about 20 years ago because of its ability to bind to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We have shown that in addition to its complex function of transferring LPS to its cellular receptor into the cell or into lipoproteins, LBP also binds to other bacterial compounds and can modulate their ability to stimulate the host's innate immune system. The majority of compounds found to also interact with LBP are amphiphilic molecules such as glycolipids or lipoproteins. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of different Gram-positive bacteria is recognized by LBP and both its complexation with CD14 and biological activity towards immune cells is modulated by LBP. LTA-like glycolipids isolated from spirochetes are recognized by LBP and initiate signaling in the presence of LBP. Lipopeptides corresponding to lipoproteins present in spirochetes, Mycobacterium spp. and Gram-negative bacteria as well as Mycoplasma spp. are also recognized by LBP. Together with the growing number of related proteins of the BPI-PLUNC family, LBP apparently as soluble mediator has the important ability to recognize a variety of bacterial pathogens before cellular contact has been established. The different sources of LBP in tissues such as lung and intestine further support its role as an important defense molecule.


There is a growing interest in using wearable devices to improve cardiovascular risk factors and care. This review evaluates how wearable devices are used for cardiovascular disease monitoring and risk reduction. Wearables have been evaluated for detecting arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation) as well as monitoring physical activity, sleep, and blood pressure. Thus far, most interventions for risk reduction have focused on increasing physical activity. Interventions have been more successful if the use of wearable devices is combined with an engagement strategy such as incorporating principles from behavioral economics to integrate social or financial incentives. As the technology continues to evolve, wearable devices could be an important part of remote-monitor interventions but are more likely to be effective at improving cardiovascular care if integrated into programs that use an effective behavior change strategy. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 72 is January 27, 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


Trimethyltin chloride (TMT) is an organotin neurotoxicant that selectively targets the hippocampus, and induces selective and progressive neuronal loss, gliosis, neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits, thus resembling critical features of Alzheimer's diseases (AD). Flaxseed oil (FSO) is anti-inflammatory agent with potent neuroprotective properties. Therefore, the presented study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of flaxseed oil (FSO) continuous pretreatment to alleviate TMT- (8 mg/kg) induced neurodegeneration. Ovariectomized (OVX) female rats were pretreated with FSO (1 ml/kg, orally) for two weeks. At day 14, part of animals received single dose of TMT (8 mg/kg, i.p.) and application of FSO continued for seven more days. Data have convincingly shown that FSO counteracted TMT effects. Specifically, daily administration of FSO improved TMT- induced behavioral manifestations manifested as hyper-excitability, and hyper-responsiveness, reduced neuronal loss, ameliorated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6), alleviated astrogliosis and A1-like astrocytes conversion which was related to down-regulation of aromatase/estrogen receptor α signaling, and microgliosis. Together, these findings support beneficial neuroprotective properties of FSO against TMT-induced neurotoxicity and hint at a promising preventive use of FSO in hippocampal degeneration and dysfunction.


After the end of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, the Faculty of Pharmacy resumed studies on the 28th of May by implementing a brainstorming session for the third week of the fourth block entitled "Biomedical Sciences" for first year students. The session consisted of twelve students under the direct supervision of their tutor where they were able to perform analysis and derive the educational objectives. Students prepared a concept map using the methods available in the ZOOM program which students can access through MOODLE (the curriculum management system available at the university).
Studies did not cease at the Faculty of Pharmacy since the beginning of the Corona pandemic and up till now. Rather, the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Libyan International Medical University was able, in an unprecedented step and since the 14th of March 2020, to successfully transition to the implementation of all its educational activities to be implemented remotely. These activities include Interactive sessions, problem-based learning sessions, team-based learning sessions, laboratory and clinical lessons, weekly exams, periodic exams, and more.
It is worth noting that the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Libyan International Medical University is unique in that it is the only Faculty in the country that implements the PharmD program which is taught using up-to-date teaching and learning methods and advanced curricula to keep pace with international universities.