The Industry 4.0 or also known as the 4th Industrial Revolution and its integral part in the digitalization of manufacturing companies cause big interest to researchers around the world. But as to date, the bulk of the work is devoted to the technical aspects of digitalization and business development in Industry 4.0, while the managerial aspect of these transformations remains in the background. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the specifics of the industrial companies' digitalization in the projection on socio-technical transformations which is, to research the experience of digital transformation in terms of its impact on the process management, which supports the company's activities, including the corporate management. There is no doubt that digitalization is the integration of all processes, including production, logistics, personnel and "smart" objects (machines and products), when the physical environment is closely connected with the virtual one by embedding information and communication technologies. The digitalization within Industry 4.0 allows the creation of new cyber-systems and business models that can significantly improve the value chain of the company, and also, increase the well-being of society and the quality of the environment. Business models created within the framework of digitalization that are fully focused on Industry 4.0 technologies are characterized by its undeniable advantages like shorter production cycle, faster delivery, and, faster time to market for new products with improved features. Industry 4.0 and the digital transformation can definitely help companies enter the new growing markets and create their own unique business models. However, as of today, for many industrial companies, digitalization is just a formality and a tribute to fashion. Therefore, this process is still in its early stages. Digital transformation not only requires strong leadership, but it also requires rational decisions, and strong staff competencies, and with that, researching the specifics of digitalization, particularly in the aspect of transforming company management, seems very relevant.


A parallel-serial-combined search scheme, which performs a multi-bit-by-multi-bit parallel-serial search for a single search, is proposed for a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)-based high-density and energy-efficient nonvolatile ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM). A two transistor and two MTJ device (2T-2MTJ)-based TCAM cell circuit can be utilized for a bit-parallel search operation up to 4 bits under random variations of MOS and MTJ device characteristics by amplifying the multi-bit cell-array resistance difference owing to the source-degeneration cell structure in combination with the cascode structure of the pre-amplification stage in the word circuit. In the proposed parallel-serial-combined search scheme, the bit length of a parallel operation in a single cycle and the search cycle count are optimized, so that the cell activity is minimized by tuning the trade-off between power consumption and search speed. When the proposed nonvolatile TCAM performs a variable-bit parallel-serial-combined search, the cell activity of the proposed nonvolatile TCAM is reduced to 60% of that of a conventional bit-parallel nonvolatile TCAM with a three-level segmentation scheme, which indicates higher density and higher energy efficiency with acceptable search speed.


BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Myocardial cell death due to occlusion of the coronary arteries leads to myocardial infarction, a subset of coronary heart disease (CHD). Dietary fiber is known to be associated with a reduced risk of CHD, the underlying mechanisms of which were suggested to delay the onset of occlusion by ameliorating risk factors. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that a beneficial role of dietary fiber could arise from protection of myocardial cells against ischemic injury, manifested after occlusion of the arteries. MATERIALS/METHODS Three days after rats were fed apple pectin (AP) (with 10, 40, 100, and 400 mg/kg/day), myocardial ischemic injury was induced by 30 min-ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 3 hr-reperfusion. The area at risk and infarct area were evaluated using Evans blue dye and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, respectively. DNA nicks reflecting the extent of myocardial apoptosis were assessed by TUNEL assay. Levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Supplementation of AP (with 100 and 400 mg/kg/day) resulted in significantly attenuated infarct size (IS) (ratio of infarct area to area at risk) by 21.9 and 22.4%, respectively, in the AP-treated group, compared with that in the control group. This attenuation in IS showed correlation with improvement in biomarkers involved in the apoptotic cascades: reduction of apoptotic cells, inhibition of conversion of procaspase-3 to caspase-3, and increase of Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a determinant of cell fate. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that supplementation of AP results in amelioration of myocardial infarction by inhibition of apoptosis. Thus, the current study suggests that intake of dietary fiber reduces the risk of CHD, not only by blocking steps leading to occlusion, but also by protecting against ischemic injury caused by occlusion of the arteries.


Medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric malignant brain tumor, continues to have a high rate of morbidity and mortality in childhood. Recent advances in cancer genomics, single-cell sequencing, and sophisticated tumor models have revolutionized the characterization and stratification of medulloblastoma. In this review, we discuss heterogeneity associated with four major subgroups of medulloblastoma (WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4) on the molecular and cellular levels, including histological features, genetic and epigenetic alterations, proteomic landscape, cell-of-origin, tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic approaches. The intratumoral molecular heterogeneity and intertumoral cellular diversity clearly underlie the divergent biology and clinical behavior of these lesions and highlight the future role of precision treatment in this devastating brain tumor in children.


Background: The frequency of sonographic report of liver fat infiltration in asymptomatic person is increasing. The aim of this study was evaluation of liver function and detection of frequency of metabolic syndrome and Insulin resistance in asymptomatic persons with fatty liver in sonographic examinations. Materials and Methods: Seventy six patients with fatty liver in sonographic examination and 78 persons with normal sonographic examination who had similar sex, age and body weight were selected. Patients with history of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension who took drugs that induced fatty liver such as amiodaron, diltiazem, metotrexate, tamoxifen and patients with positiveserology for HBS-Ag and HCV-Ab were excluded. Blood pressure, BMI, weight, height, liverenzymes, blood lipids, and fasting insulin level and insulin resistance according to HOMAindex were evaluated. Results: Mean age was 44.8±9.79 and 42.54±10.7 years for fatty liver patients and normal persons, respectively. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, weight, height, HDL triglyceride, FBS, ALT, 2-hour postprandial glucose level, fasting insulin level and insulin resistancewere significantly higher in fatty liver patients compared with normal persons Fifty percent of fatty liver patients but only %18 of normal persons had metabolic syndrome criteria. Conclusion: Insulin resistance andmetabolic syndrome are very common in fatty liver persons. It seems that fatty liver is one of the criteria of metabolic syndrome.Patients with fatty liver in sonographic examination should be further evaluated for metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.


Prolonged cow-calf contact (CCC) could potentially improve dairy calf welfare. However, it is currently unknown how different types of CCC affect animals' biological functions. We evaluated health and performance parameters of dairy calves and their dams, where calves: (i) had no contact with their dam (NC), in which the calf was removed from the dam directly after birth (n = 10); (ii) were allowed to have partial contact (PC) with their dam, in which the calf was housed in a calf pen adjacent to the cow area allowing physical contact on the initiative of the dam but no suckling (n = 18); (iii) were allowed to have full contact (FC) with their dam, including suckling, in which calves were housed together with their dams in a free-stall barn (n = 20). Throughout the first 7 weeks postpartum, data were collected on the health status, fecal microbiota, hematological profile, immune and hormonal parameters, and growth rates of calves, and on the health status, metabolic responses, and performance of dams. Overall, FC calves had more health issues (P = 0.02) and a tendency for higher antibiotic usage (P = 0.07) than NC calves. Additionally, FC calves showed elevated levels of erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and leukocytes on day 49 compared to NC calves (P < 0.001). Calf fecal microbiota changed over time, and we found preliminary evidence that fecal microbiota is affected by the type of CCC, as reflected by differences in relative abundances of taxa including Lactobacillus in FC calves compared to NC and PC calves except on days 7 and 66. The FC calves had a greater average daily gain in body weight than NC and PC calves (P = 0.002). Cow health was not affected by the type of CCC, although in the first 7 weeks of lactation FC cows had a lower machine-gained milk yield accompanied by a lower fat percentage than NC and PC cows (P < 0.001). These results indicate that full contact posed a challenge for calf health, presumably because the housing conditions of FC calves in this experimental context were suboptimal. Secondly, ad libitum suckling leads to higher weight gains and negatively affected milk fat content besides machine-gained yields. More research into strategies to improve cow-calf housing and management in CCC systems is warranted.


This work deals with filler hybridization effects, by the addition of a nanoparticulate mineral filler (bentonite), on the mechanical performance of compression molded Polyurethane/sisal composites with 25 wt % fiber content. Composite tensile and impact properties were evaluated as a function of mineral filler content (0-10 wt %) and chemical modifications. Thermal aging effects onf tensile (s, E, e) properties of selected composites were also ascertained. The mineral filler (Brasgel PA sodium bentonite) was employed in the following forms: a) as received; b) treated with a 0,6N HCl solution; c) chemically modified with dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (Dodigen) and d) chemically modified with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (Cetremide). Our results show that bentonite addition increases the mechanical properties of PU/sisal composites and that best overall mechanical performances was achieved with addition of the hydrochloric acid trated mineral filler. Thermal aging for short times (up to 4 days) led to small increases in composite's elastic modulus na tensile strengths, which was attributed to post-curing of the matrix. Long thermal exposure (32 days) led to decreases in composite tensile properties (s, E, e), which was attributed to oxidative degradation of both: matrix and sisal fibers. The most thermally resistant composite was the hybrid (PU/sisal-bentonite) whose mineral filler was chemically modified with Cetremide. DRX and SEM data indicate the hybrids with organofilized bentonites to be composed of micro and nanocomposite structures.


Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan of severe threat to humans and livestock, whose life history harbors both gamic and apogamic stages. Chinese 1 (ToxoDB#9) was a preponderant genotype epidemic in food-derived animals and humans in China, with a different pathogenesis from the strains from the other nations of the world. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins were critical mediators of the biology, developmental transforms, and pathogenesis of protozoan parasites. The phosphoprotein profiling and the difference between the developmental phases of T. gondii, contributing to development and infectivity, remain unknown. A quantitative phosphoproteomic approach using IBT integrated with TiO2 affinity chromatography was applied to identify and analyze the difference in the phosphoproteomes between the sporulated oocysts and the tachyzoites of the virulent ToxoDB#9 (PYS) strain of T. gondii. A total of 4058 differential phosphopeptides, consisting of 2597 upregulated and 1461 downregulated phosphopeptides, were characterized between sporulated the oocysts and tachyzoites. Twenty-one motifs extracted from the upregulated phosphopeptides contained 19 serine motifs and 2 threonine motifs (GxxTP and TP), whereas 16 motifs identified from downregulated phosphopeptides included 13 serine motifs and 3 threonine motifs (KxxT, RxxT, and TP). Beyond the traditional kinases, some infrequent classes of kinases, including Ab1, EGFR, INSR, Jak, Src and Syk, were found to be corresponding to motifs from the upregulated and downregulated phosphopeptides. Remarkable functional properties of the differentially expressed phosphoproteins were discovered by GO analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and STRING analysis. S8GFS8 (DNMT1-RFD domain-containing protein) and S8F5G5 (Histone kinase SNF1) were the two most connected peptides in the kinase-associated network. Out of these, phosphorylated modifications in histone kinase SNF1 have functioned in mitosis and interphase of T. gondii, as well as in the regulation of gene expression relevant to differentiation. Our study discovered a remarkable difference in the abundance of phosphopeptides between the sporulated oocysts and tachyzoites of the virulent ToxoDB#9 (PYS) strain of T. gondii, which may provide a new resource for understanding stage-specific differences in PTMs and may enhance the illustration of the regulatory mechanisms contributing to the development and infectivity of T. gondii.


OPINION Correction for "Opinion: Governing the recreational dimension of global fisheries," by Robert Arlinghaus, Joshua K. Abbott, Eli P. Fenichel, Stephen R. Carpenter, Len M. Hunt, Josep Alós, Thomas Klefoth, Steven J. Cooke, Ray Hilborn, Olaf P. Jensen, Michael J. Wilberg, John R. Post, and Michael J. Manfredo, which was first published March 19, 2019; 10.1073/pnas.1902796116 (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 116, 5209–5213). The authors note that, on page 5210, left column, Fig. 1, the estimate of recreational anglers for China, suggested to be roughly 90 million, is an underestimate. The number of recreational anglers in China is closer to 220 million based on statistics reported in ref. 1. The authors note further, however, that the updated number does not affect the assertions or conclusions in the Opinion piece.


Relevance of the research topic. Identification of the features of negative influence on the further development of Ukrainian production of cable and wire products, namely, the growth of imports of low-quality products and saturation of the market with counterfeit products, which leads to a decrease in production volumes, a reduction in productioncapacities, and profit losses for most Ukrainian manufacturers. In addition, the inefficiency of technical regulation programs leads to threats the security of the society: the use of counterfeit products is one of the causes of fires, which leads to loss of life, as well as economic losses. All this strengthens the importance of creating an effective system of state control in the domestic market of cable and wire products. One of the most effective ways is to improve technical regulation is through adopting the Agreement on Conformity and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA). Formulation of the problem. Dangerous threats associated with the rapid growth of imports of counterfeit products in an increasingly open and competitive economy require increased state control in the domestic market, to ensure compliance with product quality and safety standards. Creating favorable conditions for the adaptation of Ukrainian manufacturers to the introduction ofhigh quality standards in accordance with EU requirements will help bridge technological gaps and ensure security in the domestic market. Selection of unexplored parts of the general problem. Faced with the increasing impact of threatening challenges on the development of cable and wire products, the problem of substantiating the directions of improving state control over the quality and safety of industrial products in the domestic market and promoting the adaptation of Ukrainian manufacturers to standards remains insufficiently studied. Setting the task, the purpose of the study. The purpose of the paper is to develop tools aimed at accelerating the adaptation of Ukrainian manufacturers to new high standards of quality and safety of cable and wire products, namely the development of recommendations for improving market surveillance, compliance with horizontal (frame) and vertical (industry) legislation in industrial sectors (cable production -conductor products), which allows to accelerate the process of concluding an ACAA agreement and will provide favorable conditions for the development of Ukraine industry. Method or methodology for conducting research. The authors used the following special research methods: statistical comparisons, groupings, samples (to identify trends in the cable-conductor market); structural and functional analysis (to identify problems impeding the successful integration of Ukrainian producers into the world trading space), expert assessments. The recommendations on directions and instruments of industrial policy are developed using the generalization of domestic and international experience according to new challenges of industrial development of Ukraine. The field of application of results. The results of this study can be applied to industrial policy-making for effective industrial stimulus measures of Ukrainian industry. Conclusions. It has been proved that in order to create favorable conditions for satisfying the needs of the domestic market for cable products and ensuring public safety, the implementation of such measures is paramount: the development of rules for the safe functioning of energy non-industrial products; the introduction of reliable control in the electrical market using the appropriate registers of manufacturers, suppliers and sellers of dangerous checkpoints and the improvement of the technical regulation system, including the introduction of a reliable control system and measures to prevent the entry of poor-quality cable and wire products across the Ukrainian border.


Multijunction (MJ) solar cells are currently seen as the most promising technology toward achieving incomparable solar to electricity conversion efficiency, largely surpassing the best conventional single-junction solar cells. It was recently shown that futuristic cell architectures encompassing increasing number of subcells will likely show increased sensitivity to the spectral distribution of sunlight, giving rise to dramatic variations in the energy output of MJ-based Photovoltaic (PV) systems from one location to the other. Here, we investigate the extent to which MJ cells fine-tuned to the spectral distribution of any particular site are likely to outperform conventionally designed solar cells (tailored to AM1.5 reference solar spectrum). We first tackle the question of the extent to which fine-tuning may improve the performance of MJ cells showing deviations in the values of the main atmospheric parameters, relative to the reference solar spectrum. We then evaluate the potential of fine-tuning in improving the energy output of MJ cell-based PV systems for several locations selected for being representative of the broad diversity of atmospheric and climatic conditions. We demonstrate that the improvement in the energy output one can expect from fine-tuned PV cells strongly depends on how the mean annual spectrum deviates from the reference AM1.5 solar spectrum, with values ranging from $\approx$0 to more than 30%, depending on the location and the cell architecture considered. Implications for future generations of MJ solar cells are finally discussed.


In 127 patients with purulent-inflammatory processes of different location, the DNA concentration in the blood serum increased at the period of pronounced local manifestations of an inflammatory process and intoxication of an organism, in elimination of a focus of inflammation--decreased sharply. RNA concentration in the blood serum increased after the operation in intensive development of granulation tissue. The level of inorganic phosphorus decreased. Concentration of the uric acid changed inconsiderably. This evidenced in favour of intensity of the regulatory mechanisms, which control the nucleic metabolism.


A frequent cause of mutual alienation among Christians is the charge of too much certainty on the one hand and too little certainty on the other. How do we find a kind of certainty which is confident and yet humble and teachable? We are heirs of an Enlightenment which look as the ideal of knowledge an 'objectivity' which pretended to eliminate all the subjective factors in human knowing and to provide indubitable certainty. This has led into the collapse, of belief in objective truth, scepticism and nihilism. Christian affirmation of the truth of the Gospel must not fall victim to a false concept of objectivity but must take the form of personal commitment to a faithful God.


We present an analysis of a flare on the Wolf 359 star based on simultaneous observations of Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and XMM-Newton. A stellar flare with energy comparable to an X-class solar flare is analyzed on this star for the first time. The main goal of the study was to determine whether the same physical processes drive and occur in stellar flares as in solar flares. We tried to estimate the flare class by various direct and indirect methods. Light curves and spectra in different energy ranges were used to determine the parameters and profiles of the flare. From the XMM-Newton EPIC-pn X-ray data, we estimated the temperature and emission measure during the flare. The thermodynamical timescale and the loop semi-length were also determined with two different methods. The RGS spectra enabled us to calculate the differential emission measure (DEM) distributions. The obtained DEM distributions have three components at temperature values of 3, 7, and 16–17 MK. The analysis of the line ratio in helium-like triplets allowed us to determine the plasma electron density. Our results for the flare loop on Wolf 359 were compared to typical parameters for solar flares observed with GOES and RHESSI. This supports our conclusion that the processes taking place in stellar flares are like those in solar flares. The determined geometrical parameters of the phenomenon do not differ from the values of analogs occurring on the Sun.


Background: Understanding the effect of biological factors on birth weight of new-borns has public health importance because these indicators are associated with infant health and survival and influence development and health in later life. Aim: The study was undertaken to determine the birth weight and gestational age characteristics in south Indian babies and correlated to biological factors. Settings and design: A retrospective study of consecutive singleton live births, who delivered in the hospital in a metropolitan city of Bangalore, South India. Materials and Methods: A cohort of singleton live births, born from January 2015 to May 2017 were analysed to determine the mean birth weight and gestation and influence of various biological factors such as gender of baby, birth order, mother's age, obstetric complication such as PIH and Diabetes etc. Results: Among a total of 2789 singleton live births, the mean birth weight was 2873.73 ± 498.6 g, mean gestation was 38.2 ± 2 weeks and Low Birth Weight (LBW) <2500 g was 19.1%. The Term, male, later births, older mothers above 30 years and pregnancy of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and diabetes were associated with statistically significant higher birth weight P=0.001, P=0.002, P=0.0001, P=0.001, P=0.0006 and P=0.0001, respectively.Conclusion: The mean birth weight and gestation for singleton live births in South India were determined, as well as the statistically significant impact of various biological criteria.


The goal of the research is to analyze spatial economic dynamics by evaluating specialization of the Russian regions and concentration of production in our country. In this article the theoretical basis of the scientific problem is represented for this purpose, the methodical evaluation tools are shaped, the manufacturing industry concentration and specialization of the Russia regions are analyzed. Concentration was estimated as the dynamics of Herfindahl-Hirschman index on the industrial output, capital stock investments, the employment and GDP of regions, the dynamics of Gini index and Krugman concentration index by 12 subsectors of the processing industry. The production concentration which depends on the degree of manifestation of scale effect was analyzed by 97 industrial groups, and indexes CR3 and CR4 were calculated. The regional specialization of Russian industry was estimated through the dynamics of Krugman specialization index. The groups of the most and least specialized regions were defined, wher


Background The present study aimed to investigate the clinical significance and prognostic value of the immunoexpression of cancer stem cell markers, ALDH1 and Notch1, in subtypes of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods The expression of ALDH1 and Notch1 in 63 patients with well and poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinomas and their subtypes, verrucous carcinoma and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The semi-quantitative analysis of the ALDH1 and Notch immunoexpression levels, based on the capture of 10 microscopic fields, at 400X magnification, at the invasive tumor front was performed and associated with clinicopathological variables using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The overall and disease-free survival rates were estimated according to the Kaplan–Meier method and the curves were compared using the log-rank test. The independent effects of variables were calculated using Cox's proportional hazards regression model. Results Strong ALDH1 and Notch1 expression was observed in 16 (25.4%) and 27 (42.9%) oral squamous cell carcinomas including their subtypes, respectively. Most tumors with strong immunoexpression of ALDH1 were basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (56.3%). Statistically significant associations were observed between the strong immunoexpression of Notch1 in poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma with perineural infiltration (p = 0.011) and lymph node involvement (pN+) (p = 0.034). The strong immunoexpression of ALDH1 was a prognostic factor associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.040) for patients with oral cancer. Conclusion The strong immunoexpression of Notch1 can contribute to identification of patients with poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma, who have perineural infiltration or lymph node metastasis. In addition, the strong immunoexpression of ALDH1 may help to identify a worse prognosis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and their subtypes.


The systematic variation of neutron flux distribution and buckling measurements as a function of fuel loading in a subcritical assembly (graphite, natural uranium) for two different coolant channel diameters have been investigated. The void ratio (volume of voids/lattice volume) in the two cases was 19% and 24%. The experimental results have been compared with theoretical predictions based on diffusion theory. For full assembly cases the results are in good agreement (as might be expected) with the predictions of Syrett's model for graphite moderated reactors. The correlation of 10 partially filled assembly cases was carried out in three ways: Syrett method lattice parameters with reflector savings calculated from one- and two-group theory for an infinite-slab system. Numerical solution of the two-group, two-region diffusion equations. Two-group heterogeneous (source sink) theory for finite systems. Syrett method lattice parameters with reflector savings calculated from one- and two-group theory for an infinite-slab system. Numerical solution of the two-group, two-region diffusion equations. Two-group heterogeneous (source sink) theory for finite systems. The results show that method (i) breaks down for all cases except those with the full assembly, method (ii) breaks down in nearly all cases and method (iii) holds well down to 36 fuel channels. The breakdown in method (i) and (ii) is most probably due to inaccurate streaming corrections to reactor systems of smaller size. In method (ii), excessive computer time is an additional complicating factor. If the experiments are analysed by heterogeneous methods it is possible to obtain accurate reactor para meters with a partially loaded exponential assembly in cases where only a limited amount of fuel is available.


Urban forest fragments surrounded by housing matrix are a source of richness and can function as a conservation site in the relation between the living beings and the environment. The present study have as aim to describe the community structure of tree and arborescent species in a urban forest fragment in the municipality of Serio, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, inserted in the Atlantic Forest biome, phytoecological formation Montane Deciduous Forest. The floristic inventory  was produced through walking method, reaching the total fragment area, in monthly field incursions. For sampling, 40 sampling units (UA's) of 100 m² were scattered, with distance of 20 meters in between them. Inside the UAs, it was obtained the height and circumference at the chest height (CAP) of all specimens which have CAP equal or higher than 15 cm. It was estimated the parameters of dominancy, density, frequency, absolute and relative, and the importance value index (IVI). The floristic inventory found 59 trees and arborescent species belonging to 48 genera and 30 families. In the quantitative inventory, 535 tree specimens belonging to 42 genera and 27 families were sampled. Among the species, three are exotic and three are in the threatened species list of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The absolute density was estimated in 1,338 individuals/ha -1 . Actinostemon concolor showed the denser values (140 ind.ha -1 ), followed by Alchornea triplinervia e Eugenia rostrifolia , both with 108 ind.ha -1 . The species with the great IVI's were Alchornea triplinervia , Vernonanthura discolor , Actinostemon concolor , Eugenia rostrifolia and Araucaria angustifolia. The estimated diversity found through the Shanon Index (H') was 3.35, and the equability of Pielou (J') was 0.85, denoting a consistent species diversity. The fragment can be seen as an important shelter for the regional wild fauna and flora. However, to still working in its ecological roles we concluded that conservation and protection measures are needed in this area, being the removal of exotic species the first step to be taken.


Between January 1980 and October 1986 26 cases of Volkmann's syndrome were submitted to preoperative CT scan. Thirteen were localised in the upper limb, 11 in the lower limb, and 2 were cases of pseudo-Volkmann's disease. CT scan allowed us to confirm the densitometric features and distribution of muscle infarction in the various muscle planes. Thus, two groups were distinguished, each with different densitometric features: a first group with diffuse hypodensity of the muscular sheaths with unclear borders, and a coefficient of attenuation at approximately 30-40 H.U., which at operation corresponded to diffuse fibrosis; a second group with defined hypodensity of the various muscle groups equal to 10-20 H.U., which at operation gave a macroscopic picture of infarction. CT scan provides a detailed preoperative topographical and morphological evaluation of the infarction area, and therefore a treatment plan based on a more accurate knowledge of the anatomical and pathological lesions.


Dot product and cross product can be interperetation by geometry so easy understand about dot product and cross product. In this paper discuss, interpretation dot product and cross product by geometry and proof formula cosinus sum angel and minus by dot product, and connect dot product and cross product with determinant.


Magnetoresistive (MR) sensors have been identified as promising candidates for the development of high-performance magnetometers due to their high sensitivity, low cost, low power consumption, and small size. The rapid advance of MR sensor technology has opened up a variety of MR sensor applications. These applications are in different areas that require MR sensors with different properties. Future MR sensor development in each of these areas requires an overview and a strategic guide. An MR sensor roadmap (non-recording applications) was therefore developed and made public by the Technical Committee of the IEEE Magnetics Society with the aim to provide an research and development (R&D) guide for MR sensors intended to be used by industry, government, and academia. The roadmap was developed over a three-year period and coordinated by an international effort of 22 taskforce members from ten countries and 17 organizations, including universities, research institutes, and sensor companies. In this paper, the current status of MR sensors for non-recording applications was identified by analyzing the patent and publication statistics. As a result, timescales for MR sensor development were established and critical milestones for sensor parameters were extracted in order to gain insight into potential MR sensor applications (non-recording). Five application areas were identified, and five MR sensor roadmaps were established. These include biomedical applications, flexible electronics, position sensing and human–computer interactions, non-destructive evaluation and monitoring, and navigation and transportation. Each roadmap was analyzed using a logistic growth model, and new opportunities were predicted based on the extrapolated curve, forecast milestones, and professional judgment of the taskforce members. This paper provides a framework for MR sensor technology (non-recording applications) to be used for public and private R&D planning, in order to provide guidance into likely MR sensor applications, products, and services expected in the next 15 years and beyond.


Current person re-identification (ReID) methods typically rely on single-frame imagery features, whilst ignoring space-time information from image sequences often available in the practical surveillance scenarios. Single-frame (single-shot) based visual appearance matching is inherently limited for person ReID in public spaces due to the challenging visual ambiguity and uncertainty arising from non-overlapping camera views where viewing condition changes can cause significant people appearance variations. In this work, we present a novel model to automatically select the most discriminative video fragments from noisy/incomplete image sequences of people from which reliable space-time and appearance features can be computed, whilst simultaneously learning a video ranking function for person ReID. Using the PRID2011, iLIDS-VID, and HDA+ image sequence datasets, we extensively conducted comparative evaluations to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed model over contemporary gait recognition, holistic image sequence matching and state-of-the-art single-/multi-shot ReID methods.


Dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris), infestation of burrknot tissue on apple dwarfing rootstocks is an increasing problem throughout the northeastern United States. One insecticide, chlorpyrifos, is currently the only efficient chemical control available for dogwood borer. Because of scrutiny of chlorpyrifos under the US EPA's Food Quality Protection Act policy and the desire to increase options available to growers, we investigated other dogwood borer control options. Barriers to dogwood borer oviposition may offer an effective, efficient physical control. We tested 4 types of barriers including white latex paint, trunk wraps of spunbonded polyethylene fabric Tyvek® HomeWrap® (E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE) and self-adhesive veterinary gauze, and a sprayable, nonwoven ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). These were compared with chlorpyrifos and an untreated check starting in late spring of 2006. All barriers were effective in preventing dogwood borer infestation and remained intact throughout the first growing season. The paint and EVA treatments persisted longer than other treatments. However, by March 2007, the paint treatment was beginning to fade and flake off. By May 2007 the EVA treatment was ≈ 95% (± 9.4%) intact, and trees were significantly less infested than trees in the paint treatment or an untreated check in September 2007. Whereas barriers were significantly less intact in the Tyvek and gauze treatments than in the EVA treatment in 2007, borer infestations were equivalent among treatments. EVA was the least costly of the barriers and its cost may be competitive with conventional chemical control.


Deep B- and R-band CCD images of the central ~ 700 arcmin2 of the Coma cluster core have been used to measure the dwarf-galaxy population in Coma. In this paper, we describe a newly developed code for automated detection, photometry and classification of faint objects of arbitrary shape and size on digital images. Intensity-weighted moments are used to compute the positions, radial structures, ellipticities, and integrated magnitudes of detected objects. We demonstrate that Kron-type 2 r1 aperture aperture magnitudes and surface brightnesses are well suited to faint-galaxy photometry of the type described here. Discrimination between starlike and extended (galaxy) objects is performed interactively through parameter-space culling in several possible parameters, including the radial moments, surface brightness, and integrated color versus magnitude. Our code is tested and characterized with artificial CCD images of star and galaxy fields; it is demonstrated to be accurate, robust and versatile. Using these analysis techniques, we detect a large population of dE galaxies in the Coma cluster core. These dEs stand out as a tight sequence in the R, (B-R) color-magnitude diagram.


The canopy reflectance of winter wheat infected by yellow rust with different severity was measured through artificial inoculation, and the disease index (DI) of the wheat corresponding to the spectra acquired in the field was obtained. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to compute the first 5 principal components (PCs) of canopy spectra in the 350-1 350 nm range and the first 3 PCs of first-order derivative in blue edge (490-530 nm), yellow edge (550-582 nm) and red edge (630-673 nm), respectively. Step-wise regression was used to build models, the results of those models are compared with that of VI-empirical models, and the result shows that the model based on PCs of first-order derivative is particularly accurate compared to others, with the RMSE of 7.65 and relative error of 15.59%. Comparison was made between the estimated DI and the measured DI, indicating that the model based on SDr'/SDg' is suitable to monitoring early disease and the model based on PCs of first-order derivative is suitable to monitoring the more severe disease of yellow rust of winter wheat. The conclusion has great practical and application value to acquiring and evaluating wheat disease severity using hyperspectral remote sensing, and has an important meaning for increasing yields of crops and ensuring security of food supplies.


A 37-year-old female who presented with pancytopenia in April 2008 was diagnosed with aplastic anemia stage 2 with a normal karyotype. She had a PNH phenotype in her red blood cells (RBC) and granulocytes, and HLA DR15. Her aplastic anemia was deteriorated from stage 2 to stage 3, and she required periodic RBC transfusions. Four months after cyclosporine therapy, the pancytopenia improved and she did not need RBC transfusion. However, three months thereafter, she again required RBC transfusions after developing severe ulcerative colitis. Although mesalazine and steroid pulse therapy improved her ulcerative colitis, her transfusion dependency persisted. Eleven months after the diagnosis of aplastic anemia, equine anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine were administered, but no hematological improvement was obtained. Six months after the administration of ATG and cyclosporine, transformation to refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD) with 7-monosomy was observed. An allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) from a HLA-identical sibling was performed 23 months after the diagnosis of aplastic anemia. Complete remission of both the aplastic anemia and ulcerative colitis was obtained without medication. Although the relationship between aplastic anemia and ulcerative colitis remains unclear, immunological abnormalities might be involved in the pathogenesis of both disorders because she had PNH phenotype in RBC and HLA DR15 and because allogeneic BMT improved both disorders.


The first of the five papers under Formal Specification extends the thorny question of correctness verification to real-time programs. The other four are concerned essentially with procedures ("methodologies" is the trendy term) for producing real-time systems. Two of the titles have a rather psychological flavour, that from T. Tempelmeier being "The creative step in designing real-time software", and that of R.J. Mitchell being "Applying the principle of separation of concerns in software development". The latter author is the one contributor from Britain, and refers to his Ph.D. Thesis on "Literate programming". Although the titles of these papers have a psychological flavour, the treatment within them quickly gets down to specific practical issues. Nevertheless they may provide a basis for a useful psychological study. Of the two papers dealing with Languages for Real Time Programming, one introduces enhancements of an existing real-time language called PEARL. This paper to be an essentially ALGOL-lype language, the subject of a German (DIN) specification. The other is concerned with on-line control of a communications network in Austria, with the need to invoke expert-system techniques for on-line decisions. It was found to be possible to interface programs written in standard (i.e. not specifically real-time) languages. It is interesting, however, that the special AI languages were avoided, mainly because of their indefinite response times, and most of the programming was in the ADA language. There is useful discussion of the relative merits of the available languages. The collection of papers shows how specialised the field of real-time programming has become. For a reader from outside the precise area of specialisation a glossary of acronyms would be useful. Nevertheless, these Proceedings give a useful impression of the current state of the art.


Purpose
Scholars and practitioners have recognized the significance of integrating environmental practices into project context. This paper focuses on project environmental practices (PEP) and identifies PEP from the life cycle perspective, which includes green design, green procurement, green construction and investment recovery. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the relationship among the four aspects of PEP and their effects on environmental performance and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical model was established and several hypotheses were developed. This study applied a survey method to test the hypothesized relationships. Based on a sample of 159 respondents, partial least squares structural equation modeling analyses were conducted.

Findings
The results show that green design has a positive impact on green procurement, green construction and investment recovery. Green procurement is also confirmed to positively influence green construction. Further, green construction and investment recovery have a direct and positive impact on environmental and organizational performance, whereas green design and green procurement influence environmental and organizational performance indirectly through green construction. Environmental performance has a significant impact on organizational performance.

Originality/value
This study enhances the understanding on PEP by revealing the inter-relationships among its four aspects and establishes the links between PEP and performance outcomes. The findings will contribute to the literature on the integration of environmental principles and project context.


The use of system dynamics modeling in supply chain management has only recently re-emerged after a lengthy slack period. Current research on system dynamics modelling in supply chain management focuses on inventory decision and policy development, time compression, demand amplification, supply chain design and integration, and international supply chain management. The paper first gives an overview of recent research work in these areas, followed by a discussion of research issues that have evolved, and presents a taxonomy of research and development in system dynamics modelling in supply chain management.


Spinel LiMn2O4 was prepared by solution combustion synthesis. The effect of fuel content and calcination procedure on phase composition and microscopic structure of LiMn2O4 was studied. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that fuel content had no obvious influence on the grain size and phase purity of LiMn2O4. Higher calcination temperature led to higher phase purity, lager grain size, and better crystallization of resultant LiMn2O4. Below 600°C the effect of calcination time was inconspicuous, which became notable above 700°C. Scanning electron microscope images showed that nanocrystalline LiMn2O4 was obtained when the calcination temperature was lower than 600°C and the grain size increased at higher temperatures.


stimulus for stalled late-stage development. The assessments of novelty used in this analysis were based on publicly available information and may differ from the FDA's determination. Companies may not have responded to the voucher incentive because its value is uncertain: the value decreases as more vouchers become available on the market.5 Since 2007, Congress has expanded the number of voucher programs so that vouchers can now also be awarded for new treatments for rare pediatric diseases and medical countermeasures. An improved incentive scheme would reduce the risk of neglected tropical disease product development such as by decreasing the cost of clinical trials to pharmaceutical companies. A publicprivate partnership could provide financial support to sponsors of neglected tropical disease products. The partnership could be actively managed to ensure reasonable cost and access to the end product, unlike the priority review voucher, which does not require companies to make products widely available to patients.


In this paper I argue that computer games have the potential to offer spaces for ecological reflection, critique, and engagement. However, in many computer games, elements of the games' procedural rhetoric limit this potential. In his account of American foundation narratives, environmental historian David Nye notes that the 'second - creation' narratives that he identifies "retain widespread attention [...] children play computer games such as Sim City, which invite them to create new communities from scratch in an empty virtua l landscape… a malleable, empty space implicitly organized by a grid " (Nye, 2003). I begin by showing how grid-based resource management games encode a set of narratives in which nature is the location of resources to be extracted and used. I then examine the climate change game Fate of the World (2011), drawing it into comparison with game-like online policy tools such as the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change's 2050 Calculator , and models such as the environmental scenario generation tool Foreseer . I argue that while both may be narrowly successful in generating engagement with climate change and resource issues, in other ways their effect may be disempowering: firstly, they emphasise the scale and complexity of environmental problems; secondly, the prioritise technocratic top-down policy responses at the expense of changes on the level of individual behaviour. This paper then turns to examples of digital games and playing strategies that offer more plural and open-ended engagement with environmental concerns. The on/off-line game World Without Oil (2007) encouraged players to respond to a fictional oil crisis, generating sustained and solution-focussed engagement. Examples of 'expansive play' also reveal ecocritical playing strategies in t he sandbox-game Minecraft , a game which may initially seem to take the logic of resource extraction to its extreme. Finally, I look at David OReilly's off -beat game-animation Mountain (2014), which in its unflinching mountain removes the agency of the player, and mocks the 'nature as resource' model of the games previously discussed. Instead Mountain invites an ontological reconsideration of the player's relationship with the non-human.


Simple Summary In mammals, sperm acquire fertilization ability after capacitation in vitro or when in the female reproductive tract. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is required for sperm capacitation through two main metabolic processes, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis. This study incubated dairy goat sperm with different concentrations of ROT, FCCP, TIG, and AMPK inhibitors. Sperm motility attributes, ATP content, pyruvate and lactate levels, mitochondrial permeability transition pore fluorescence intensity, MMP, protein synthesis, and ferroptosis were analyzed. The results showed that glucose starvation inhibited ferroptosis by activating the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway and promoted the motility and linear motility of dairy goat sperm, thereby promoting fertilization. Abstract In mammals, sperm acquire fertilization ability after capacitation in vitro or when in the female reproductive tract. The motility patterns of sperm undergo continuous changes from the moment of ejaculation until fertilization in the female reproductive tract. In vitro, hyperactivated motility can be induced through high glucose mediums, while in vivo, it is induced by oviduct fluids. Conversely, sperm maintain linear motility in seminal plasma or uterine fluids that contain low glucose levels. In dairy goat sperm, energy metabolism associated with capacitation depends on the energy sources in vitro, seminal plasma, or the female reproductive tract, especially the glucose levels. However, there is little experimental knowledge that glucose levels affect sperm energy metabolism in dairy goats. To clarify these hypotheses, we incubated dairy goat spermatozoa with different concentrations of rotenone-glucose (ROT), carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP), and tigecycline (TIG) in vitro. Sperm motility attributes, ATP content, pyruvate and lactate levels, mitochondrial permeability transition pore fluorescence intensity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and protein synthesis were analyzed. Sperm motility patterns changed from circular to linear under low glucose conditions compared with those in high glucose conditions and showed a significant improvement in progressive motility and straight line speed, whereas lactate and pyruvate levels and MMP decreased remarkably. Incubation of spermatozoa with ROT, FCCP, and TIG inhibited sperm mitochondrial activity, protein synthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP levels, thereby reducing sperm motility, including the progressive motility, straight line speed, and total motility. Simultaneously, incubation of spermatozoa with Compound C under low glucose conditions significantly decreased the ATP levels and MMP, as well as liver kinase B1 and AMPK protein expression. Under low glucose conditions, sperm mainly produce ATP through mitochondrial OXPHOS to achieve high speed linear movement, inhibit ferroptosis through the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway, and further maintain energy metabolism homeostasis.


Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic, painful bladder syndrome primarily found in women. Although the direct cause(s) of IC are unknown, several theories exist. Common symptoms include urinary urgency, frequency, and pain. Treatment options include behavioral therapies, use of pharmacologic agents, and surgery. Patients benefit from prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatments. Important clinical features of IC in women including the pathology, common symptoms, and recommended evaluation and management strategies are reviewed.


Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a dementing syndrome characterized by the occurrence of neuropsychiatric features early in the clinical course. Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) also have neuropsychiatric symptoms, but these symptoms typically emerge later in the course after the development of memory and other cognitive impairment. The BEHAVE-AD, an instrument developed to evaluate neuropsychiatric features in dementia, may help characterize the behavioral features of FTD and differentiate FTD from AD. This study evaluated BEHAVEAD results of 29 patients with the diagnosis of FTD compared to those of 29 patients with the diagnosis of probable AD of similar dementia severity. The FTD patients had significantly worse global BEHAVE-AD scores compared to the AD patients. Verbal outbursts and inappropriate activity characterized the FTD patients, and three BEHAVE-AD subscales correctly classified 69% of the patients. The assessment of neuropsychiatric symptoms with a standardized scale or inventory can help distinguish dementia patients with FTD and AD.


There is growing worldwide appreciation of the fact that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a catalytic role in the development process of most economies. MSMEs form the backbone of the Indian economy and have become engine of economic growth in India. It is estimated that MSMEs account for almost 90% of industrial units in India and 40% of value addition in the manufacturing sector. Today, small and medium industry occupies a position of strategic importance in the Indian economic structure due to its significant contribution in terms of output, exports and employment. The small scale industry accounts for 40% of gross industrial value addition and 50% of total manufacturing exports. More than 13.2 million units are spread all over the country producing about 6000 items, from very basic to highly sophisticated products. The MSMEs are the biggest employment -provider after agriculture, providing employment to nearly 32 million people. This paper closely analyses the growth and development of the Indian small scale sector since opening of the economy in 1991. It also looks into the present scenario of MSMEs and the challenges they face like lending, marketing, license raj issues in detail.


In addition to causing hearing loss, noise exposure has also been associated with nonauditory health effects such as both transient and sustained hypertension, dyslipidemia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Using high-frequency hearing loss as a surrogate for prior noise exposure, we evaluated firefighters (FF, N = 77; age 32.6 ± 6.8SD, BMI 26.6 ± 3.9) and other first responders (OFR, N =49, age 36.6 ± 6.0; BMI 28.0 ± 3.6) who volunteered for an anti-terrorist team. Pooled results of their pure-tone audiograms showed that the mean HFHL, averaged over the noise-sensitive frequency bands of 2, 3 and 4 kiloHertz, was -12.9 ± 10.4 decibels (dBA) for the left ear and -10.4 ± 8.9, right ear. When corrected for presbycusis, the shift was -6.2 ± 10.5 in the worse ear. Blood pressure was measured at rest and again just prior to a maximal Bruce protocol treadmill electrocardiogram (GXT), and well as at maximal GXT exertion. (Table) This lack of correlation between hearing loss and blood pressure does not support a role of repeated noise exposure as a contributor to hypertension, but we did not control for confounders such as family history, alcohol, tobacco or caffeine use, salt balance, or ototoxic medications. Nor do the above findings exclude the possibility of blood pressure elevations during off-shift hours, as some investigators have described.


The study of genetic sequences is of great importance in biology and medicine. Sequence analysis and taxonomy are two major fields of application of bioinformatics. In this survey, we present results concerning genetic sequences and Chou's pseudo amino acid composition as well as methodologies developed based on this concept along with elements of fuzzy set theory, and emphasize on fuzzy clustering and its application in analysis of genetic sequences.


The aim of this book is to address environmental impact assessment (EIA), a significant, anticipatory, environmental management tool. The book presents a international, multidisciplinary, ready-reference source to addresses EIA procedure. EIA process includes screening, scoping, public participation, impact identification, predication, evaluation, mitigation monitoring, environmental impact statements, decision-making and auditing. It provides a unique consideration for EIA implementation and practice. It provides methodology of plan assessment. The book is intended as a useful reference for the engineers in industry, governmental agencies academicians, legislators, decision makers, economists, industrial managers developers, consultants involved in the day-to-day application of EIA, students and to those who wish to learn more about EIA.


To clarify the mechanism of tumor metastasis, lymph nodes micrometastasis and expression of MMP-7, which is related to lymph node metastases, were investigated in 45 submucosal, invasive gastric carcinomas. Metastases to lymph nodes were detected in 12 of 45 cases(26.7%) by HE stain. In 13 of 45 cases (28.9%), only micrometastases were detected by immunostaining with anti-cytokeratin antibody. The incidence of micrometastases was higher in poorly-differentiated carcinoma than well-differentiated carcinoma. Expression of MMP-7 was higher in metastasis positive cases than in negative cases. In poorly-differentiated cases, expression of MMP-7 was associated with micrometastasis. In conclusion, expression of MMP-7 may play an important role not only in tumor metastasis but in micrometastasis to lymph node especially in poorly-differentiated cases.


Objectives of the Study The unique measurability of websites allows the collection of detailed information about the behavior and characteristics of website visitors. This thesis examines the value of different web metrics based on the behavior of website visitors. The objective is to develop and test a method for identifying key metrics that are the most valuable for site developers to follow. The key web metrics are expected to contain the most useful and relevant information about the website visitors. The value of the web metrics is evaluated by examining the relationships of the metrics towards website conversions. This thesis also suggests how different web metrics can be analyzed to reveal important characteristics of site visitors and how web metrics can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the different aspects of a website. Academic background and methodology This thesis draws from the field of web analytics. Based on the previous work on the field, a new framework for the role of web metrics analysis in website development is presented. The framework forms the basis for the case study conducted in this thesis. The case study examines one corporate website by following fourteen different web metrics during a period of six months. The relationship analysis between the web metrics and conversions is conducted using correlation and regression analyses. The objective of the case study is to test if meaningful key metrics can be identified using the method proposed in this thesis. Findings and conclusions The case study conducted in this thesis identifies two key web metrics for the site under examination: search engine traffic and the rate of return visits. Search engine traffic was selected as a key metric based on the relationship analysis and the rate of return visits was chosen based on the examination of the visitor characteristics. The successful identification of relevant key metrics suggests that the framework proposed in this study can be used as the basis for web metrics analysis. Based on the results of the case study, this thesis proposes that in addition to aggregated metrics, segmented web metrics are needed in order to achieve a more diverse view of the web users.


Esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) is one of the most common malignancies treated by thoracic surgeons. It is aggressive and generally associated with a poor prognosis. One of the most important prognostic factors is the presence of the lymph node metastasis (LNM). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the risk factor with lymph node metastatic recurrence in patients with N0 esophageal squamous cancer after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy based on the detection of mucin1 (MUC1) mRNA. The subjects were 82 patients with pN0 ESCC who underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with two-field lymph node dissection from January 2001 to January 2005. All lymph nodes (501 stations) obtained from these patients were reevaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect MUC1mRNA. The diagnosis of lymph node micrometastasis (LNMM) was based on the detection of MUC1 mRNA. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate and lymph nodal metastatic rate. Log-rank test was performed to compare the recurrence rate, and Cox regression multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors. The overall 3-year survival rates of 82 patients were 78.0%, and the first recurrence exhibiting lymph nodal metastasis was recognized in 37 patients (45.1%) in the first 3 years after operation. Lymph node metastatic rate in patients in the first 3 years after operation was significantly associated with the T status (P < 0.05). MUC1 mRNA was identified in at least one lymph node station from 23 (28.1%) patients. Also, lymph node metastatic rate of the patients with LNMM was significantly higher than that of the patients without LNMM (P < 0.01).The results of multivariate analysis confirmed that LNMM and T status in patients with N0 ESCC were independent risk factors for 3-year lymph node metastatic recurrence after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Adjunctive therapy might be beneficial in controlling the locoregional recurrence and elevated healing rates for certain patients.


OBJECTIVE: We explored the association of particular neuropsychological measures to driving behaviors with respect to distraction, as potential predictors of driving errors. METHOD: We recruited, through advertisements, 100 participants (to date) from the general public who are currently drivers; 52 were healthy and included in the present exploration. Participants drove in a simulator under four different rural driving conditions: low vs. high speed and with vs. without distraction (conversation). Driving variables included: lateral position of the vehicle from the right road border (m), average speed (km/h), average time to collision with vehicle ahead (sec), sudden braking and speed violations (number of times for each). Neuropsychological measures included processing speed (TMT-A), vigilance, visual memory (BVMT), visual working memory (Spatial Addition) and visuospatial perception (JLO). RESULTS: Partial correlations (covariate: age) showed that visual working memory and memory were associated with driving variables in both low (r's = -.33 to -.37) and high speed (r's =.29) no distraction conditions, processing speed with driving variables in both low speed conditions (r's = -.30 to.31), vigilance with both low and high speed distraction conditions (r's =.31 to.32) and visuospatial perception with driving in the high speed distraction condition (r's = -.30). CONCLUSION(S): Visual memory and working memory influenced driving behavior under no distraction conditions, whereas as vigilance influences driving with distraction. Processing speed played a role in low speed conditions regardless of any distractions. Lastly, visuospatial skills related to high speed driving behaviors with distraction. Larger samples are necessary to clarify whether this pattern is reliable. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en


Thymoma is a neoplasm of thymic epithelial cells. The tumor grows relatively slowly, and the prognosis is very good after surgical resection. However, therapy for advanced thymoma has not been established, and the effect of modern chemotherapy is being evaluated. Thymoma is unique in that 25-30% of the patients have associated myasthenia gravis with autoantibodies to acetycholine receptor. The malignant epithelial cells maintain the function of cortical epithelial cells and harbor non-neoplastic immature T cells of CD 3(low) CD 4(+)CD 8(+) phenotype. This function has a causative relationship with the associated myasthenia gravis. Also, the presence of CD 3(low) CD 4(+)CD 8(+) T cells is diagnostic of thymoma and can be utilized for rapid diagnosis using needle biopsy specimen.


It is my great pleasure and honour to welcome readers to the first issue of the Anti-Trafficking Review. For those of us who have been working on the problem of human trafficking for many years, the emergence of a specialist journal is an important sign of progress – a welcome confirmation that our area of work and study has well and truly moved from the margins to the mainstream of international attention and concern.


In this work, we present a novel intelligent environment for learning the core concepts of Computational Thinking. This learning environment can recognize learning-centered emotions presented by the students, performing different interventions automatically, depending on the students' affective states. Tests were conducted to compare learning gain, and additionally, an acceptance technology model was applied to validate the students' acceptance of this learning tool. During the cognitive evaluation, a control group had an average increase in score of MD = .636 while an experimental group reported an increase of MD = .772, which indicate a greater gain in knowledge for the experimental group. During the experiment, the system inferred a total of 2,139 emotions from the students. 56.66% of these emotions were in the categories of committed and interested, 42.22% belonged to excited and concentrated, and only 1.22% of the values were in the category of bored.


The possibility of formation of complexes between glycine and boron doped C60 (C59B) fullerene is investigated and compared with that of C60 fullerene by using the density functional theory calculations. It has been found that the binding of glycine to C59B generated the most stable complexes via its carbonyl oxygen active site, with a binding energy of −37.89kcal/mol, while the glycine molecule prefers to bind to the pure C60 cage via its amino nitrogen active site, consistent with the recent experimental and theoretical studies. We have also tested the stability of the most stable Gly-C59B complex with ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, carried out at room temperature. These indicate that the B-doped C60 fullerenes seem to be more suitable materials for bindings to proteins than pure C60 fullerenes.


This paper attempts to examine the relationship among debt servicing, exports and GDP for India during 1970 – 2018 using co-integration test, error correction model and Granger causality test. In the bi-variate model with constant trend specification GDP and exports seem to have no long-term relationship. However, change in GDP Granger causes change in exports. For the restricted constant trend specification, in the short run, GDP affects exports positively and significantly. GDP and debt services seem to have a positive and significant long-term relationship in the bivariate model. The tri-variate model including GDP, Exports and debt service reveals a long term relationship among the variables where both exports and debt services affect GDP positively and significantly. GDP, exports and debt stocks do not have any long term relationship with constant trend specification, but change in GDP is found to Granger cause change in exports. For the restricted constant trend specification, however, there seems to be a long term relationship among them. In the short run GDP affects exports positively and significantly. In general, results indicate a positive and significant impact of GDP on exports. A significant positive long run impact of external debt on economic growth is also observed when debt service is the indicator of external debt. The short run impacts of external debt in terms of both debt servicing and debt stocks, however, produce diverse and insignificant results. This study contributes to exiting literature by examining the relationship among debt servicing, exports and GDP for India during 1970 – 2018 using co-integration test, error correction model and Granger causality test.


The principal aim of the paper is to determine the impact of reinsurance operations in commercial insurance companies, in accordance with the relevant accounting legislation, for certain significant items of the financial statements. In actual fact, the reinsurance operations affect the profit of a commercial insurance company, following the financial statements. The prerequisite for fulfilling the objective of the paper is to analyse the accounting legislation for reinsurance operations in commercial insurance companies. Attention will be devoted also to the method of accounting for reinsurance operations and their specific reporting in various parts of the financial statements of commercial insurance companies. The partial aim of this paper is to identify significant differences in the area of accounting of commercial insurance companies, based on the comparison of accounting practices of the issues examined in accordance with IAS/IFRS. In the conclusion, the authors will address the latest development of necessary steps in adopting the concept of IFRS 4 Phase II and accomplishing the process of the application of IFRS 4 Phase II to the accounts of commercial insurance companies.


This study investigates the effect of topic familiarity on the reading comprehension performance of Saudi EFL students. Forty EFL Saudi female students on second year high school performed two tests: familiar versus unfamiliar topics in a multiple-choice format reading comprehension test each have 10 points with four texts two familiar and two unfamiliar texts. Quantitative analysis was undertaken in this study as a T test applied for both paired samples. The descriptive statistics shows that the arithmetic averages the students` performance on familiar topic larger than the arithmetic average on unfamiliar topic. The analytical statistics that identified the differences between both arithmetic averages shows that the differences among the students' performance on familiar and unfamiliar topic were large and have statistical significance in favor of their performance on familiar topic. Further replication of similar studies is necessary to determine the potential impact of topic familiarity on reading instructions and assessment design.


A monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody has been raised that recognizes Igs with heavy chains encoded by a member of the VH4 family, the VH4-21 gene segment. The idiotope (Id) is detectable on a high percentage of early B cells in fetal spleen, and is expressed by certain autoantibodies, particularly cold-reactive anti-red blood cell antibodies. Therefore, it was of interest to investigate usage of this VH gene by neoplastic B cells; 81 chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLLs) involving CD5+ B cells and 62 B-cell lymphomas of varying histologic type have been analyzed. The Id was expressed by only 3 of 81 (3.7%) of the CLLs, indicating a relatively low usage by these tumors. In contrast, the Id was expressed by 9 of 62 (14.5%) of the lymphomas across a range of histologic types, indicating a differential use of the VH4-21 gene among B-cell neoplasms. For three of the Id-positive lymphomas, each of a different histologic class, the nucleotide sequence of the tumor-derived VH gene was determined; the VH4-21 gene was identified, as expected. The sequence from the CLL was identical to the germline sequence, and the marginal zone lymphoma showed only 3 nucleotide changes, 2 of which gave rise to amino acid substitutions. In contrast, the sequence from the follicular lymphoma showed 29 nucleotide changes giving rise to 14 amino acid substitutions, which were scattered among the CDR and FW regions.


Studies of familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) have identified a growing number of genes that derive from the loci given the nomenclature PARK1-PARK13 (OMIM 168600). The alpha-synuclein gene has been implicated in rare autosomal dominant PD because of either mis-sense mutations (PARK1) or gene multiplications (PARK4). Moreover, UCHL1 (PARK5), LRRK2 (PARK8) and HTRA2 (PARK13) have been identified as causative genes for autosomal dominant PD, whereas parkin (PARK2), PINK1 (PARK6), DJ-1 (PARK7) and ATP13A2 (PARK9) have been identified as causative genes for autosomal recessive PD. Neuropathological examination of the kindreds of PARK1/4 showed Lewy body pathology ranging from classic PD to diffuse Lewy body disease. The pathological findings of PARK3 are similar to those of classic PD. In contrast, autopsies of patients with PARK2 showed nigral cell loss without Lewy bodies, although exceptions have been reported. Several kindreds of PARK8 included cases with Lewy body pathology, tau pathology, or with nigral cell loss in the absence of obvious protein deposition. Ubiquitin-positive inclusions that are negative for alpha-synuclein and tau are also seen in some cases. Moreover, widespread Lewy body pathology was also reported in several cases of familial Alzheimer's disease with presenilin-1 mutations.


Neurological injuries often lead to hand sensorimotor deficits, such as impaired corrective responses to mechanical disturbances. That is frequently caused by difficulties in integrating sensory feedback when executing motor responses and affects the general ability to interact with the external environment. It is challenging to quantitatively assess such impairments using clinical measures, whereas the existing robotic approaches mainly target shoulder joints. This work presents design and preliminary evaluation of a robot-assisted assessment of hand sensorimotor function, in which subjects need to rely on proprioceptive feedback to actively correct for load perturbations. The task is implemented on a one degree-of-freedom robotic platform focused on the index finger metacarpophalangeal joint, which can apply a precise stimuli and measure kinematic responses. In a study with six healthy young subjects we investigated four different load perturbations parameters (1.5N step-, 3N step-, 2.5N ramp and 5N ramp, each on top of a 2.5N load) to find the most promising perturbation scenario for future studies with neurological subjects. We found that a ramp perturbation applied over 1 second with 2.5 N amplitude is least prone to confounds such as involuntary responses or high intra-subject variability, hence it is expected to be the most accurate in distinguishing between impairments. Overall, the presented perturbation-based assessment provides insights into sensorimotor system integrity in a quantitative and reproducible way and hence has the potential to add value to the battery of existing clinical methods.


This paper investigates relationships between the spread component costs (adverse selection, order processing and inventory costs) and stock trading characteristics in the Spanish Stock Exchange (SSE), taking into account the random nature of these costs. First, we analyse the statistical properties of estimated spread components in the market, which are obtained by using two statistical models to decompose the bid-ask spread. We then propose a fractional response regression model based on two flexible cross-sectional probability density functions with covariates which accommodate certain aspects of the empirical estimates, such as skewness and bounded distribution. Our model has two main advantages: (i) it can be implemented easily in a maximum likelihood framework; (ii) in contrast to linear regression models, it provides a useful estimate of the statistical significance of the parameters, and predicts costs not only at the conditional mean but also by using quantiles of the estimated conditional distribution. The empirical results corroborate the presence of statistically significant large order processing costs and smaller adverse selection and inventory costs in the SSE. These spread components have a skewed empirical distribution and the proposed fractional regression models represent the behaviour of these costs reasonably well, surpassing the linear regression model in various specification tests.


The anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome, also known as drug rash eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), is a rare but severe form of adverse cutaneous reaction. Several aromatic anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin, or phenobarbital have been frequently associated with the onset of DRESS. Cross-reactivity among the aromatic anticonvulsants frequently occurs (40 to 80% of patients). However, cross reactivity with other drugs such as betalactams have exceptionally been reported. We report a clinical observation describing a DRESS associated with CBZ with a subsequent hypersensitivity to amoxicillin (AMX). A 34-year-old male with a 20-year history of epilepsy was treated with valproic acid and phenobarbital. As he had frequent convulsive fits, CBZ was added. Thirty-four days later, the patient developed hyperthermia (39.5°C), cervical lymphadenopathy, and generalized cutaneous exfoliated maculae and papulae. Biochemical investigation was characterized by a white cell count of (16.1 × 103/μL, 17% eosinophils) and increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (50 and 116 IU/L, respectively). CBZ was discontinued. One month later, all the symptoms were progressively relieved. Six weeks after complete recovery, prick and patch skin tests were performed. They were strongly positive at 48-hour reading. About 2 years later, the patient exhibited an extensive pruritic skin rash, 2 days after AMX intake. Laboratory exams showed eosinophilia (7%) but neither elevated liver enzymes nor renal dysfunction. All these symptoms have disappeared 5 days after AMX withdrawal. Intradermal test to AMX was positive but not to other betalactams. Throughout this clinical observation, we report a CBZ-induced DRESS and describe the possibility of cross reactivity between CBZ and AMX. This cross reactivity was observed despite the lack of chemical similarity between both drugs.


A huge, predicted atomic parity violation has now been observed in ytterbium, further aiding tabletop experimental searches for physics beyond the standard model that complement ongoing efforts at high-energy colliders.


Feature whitening is a known technique for speeding up training of DNN. Under certain assumptions, whitening the activations reduces the Fisher information matrix to a simple identity matrix, in which case stochastic gradient descent is equivalent to the faster natural gradient descent. Due to the additional complexity resulting from transforming the layer inputs and their corresponding gradients in the forward and backward propagation, and from repeatedly computing the Eigenvalue decomposition (EVD), this method is not commonly used to date. In this work, we address the complexity drawbacks of feature whitening. Our contribution is twofold. First, we derive an equivalent method, which replaces the sample transformations by a transformation to the weight gradients, applied to every batch of B samples. The complexity is reduced by a factor of S=(2B), where S denotes the feature dimension of the layer output. As the batch size increases with distributed training, the benefit of using the proposed method becomes more compelling. Second, motivated by the theoretical relation between the condition number of the sample covariance matrix and the convergence speed, we derive an alternative sub-optimal algorithm which recursively reduces the condition number of the latter matrix. Compared to EVD, complexity is reduced by a factor of the input feature dimension M. We exemplify the proposed algorithms with ResNet-based networks for image classification demonstrated on the CIFAR and Imagenet datasets. Parallelizing the proposed algorithms is straightforward and we implement a distributed version thereof. Improved convergence, in terms of speed and attained accuracy, can be observed in our experiments.


Understanding, assessing, treating, and preventing relapse of extra-marital affairs has involved significant changes in the past 10 years. This conceptual/clinical article expands on the groundbreaking work of Snyder, Gordon, and Baucom (2007), and has a special focus placed on the process of sexual recovery from an extra-marital affair. Secondly, this article focuses on the importance of creating a relapse prevention agreement. Both traditional and non-traditional agreements with regard to monogamy are described. Recognizing individual, couple, cultural, and value differences in norms and expectations exhibits a particular challenge in the study and treatment of extra-marital affairs. The clinician honors these complexities and differences by designing a treatment program that meets the needs of each couple.


This 2002 Medcen Foundation-funded study explored characteristics of problem drinking among 211 urban Venezuelan Native Americans of Arawak origin. Prevalence of problem drinking using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests was 88.5% among men and 17.3% among women. Periodic binge drinking was marked by loss of control, failure to meet obligations, and alcohol-related trauma. Focus group participants noted that previous occasional binge drinking by men has been replaced by frequent male and female heavy weekend drinking, violence, and death. Limitations and implications are discussed. Awareness of high levels of problem drinking and desire for assistance present compelling mandates for community intervention efforts.


The colorimetric method of estimating the rate of addition of hydrogen atoms to the oxides of molybdenum and tungsten is discussed in detail. It is also shown that alkyl radicals are efficiently removed by molybdenum oxide, and allowance is made for the effect of their presence on the blueing rate of the oxide surface. The method of evaluating collision efficiencies from the data obtained is indicated in full, and the construction and operation of a calculator to assist in the computation is described.


This reflective commentary summarizes the key learnings that arose from the 2019/20 Knowledge Exchange and the Creative Industries seminar series. These seminars at the University of Bristol, UK, looked at engagement with research within the creative industries. Each seminar showcased an academic and artistic partnership from across South West England and Wales which resulted in an artistic output that could be classified as 'immersive', including, but not limited to, audio storytelling applications, augmented reality games, virtual reality projects, films and theatre productions. Each seminar involved collaborators sharing their experiences and thoughts on best practice, possible styles and potential pitfalls in knowledge exchange projects. My commentary provides an overview of the partnerships, which represent a snapshot of current knowledge exchange practices in the region. I summarize the common trends that emerged throughout the seminars, including methods of initiating a collaboration, the scalability of partnerships between industry and academia, the challenges surrounding process when working on multi-partner collaborations, and questions of ethics and intellectual property. I also reflect upon the processes and learnings that arose from hosting the series, to guide others who are thinking about strategies to encourage collaboration. Overall, the commentary offers a blueprint of considerations for those in both academia and the creative industries who are considering embarking upon knowledge exchange projects. By drawing attention to the lessons learned from a series of successful partnerships, the discussion paves the way for future projects of engaged research within the creative industries.


Introduction Neonatal hypothermia is the reduction in the body temperature of the newborn (less than 36.5°C). It is a global problem in neonates born both at hospitals and homes, but it showed a higher prevalence in developing countries (>90%). Although hypothermia is rarely a direct cause of death, it contributes to a substantial proportion of neonatal mortality globally. Objective To assess neonatal hypothermia and associated factors among newborns admitted in the NICU of Dessie Referral Hospital. Methods and Materials An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15 to May 30, 2018. The data was collected from the mother and the chart of the newborn using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were cleaned, coded, and entered in EPI-info version 126.96.36.199 then exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression and crude and adjusted odds ratio with their 95% confidence interval were computed. Finally, p value < 0.05 was used to identify variables that had a significant association with neonatal hypothermia. Result The proportion of neonatal hypothermia in the study area was 66.8%. Preterm delivery (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.2), no skin-to-skin contact within 1 hour of delivery (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3, 7.8), delivered at night time (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.0), and neonates who had resuscitation (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1, 7.2) showed significant association with neonatal hypothermia. Conclusion In this study, the proportion of hypothermia was high. Preterm delivery, no skin-to-skin contact within 1 hour, night-time delivery, and having resuscitation were significantly associated with neonatal hypothermia. Therefore, special attention is needed for the thermal care of preterm neonates and neonates delivered at night time. Furthermore, there should be strict adherence to cost-effective thermal care recommendations like warm resuscitation and skin-to-skin contact.


Facility management activities often require the capability to track and guide field personnel during routine and corrective maintenance tasks in dense indoor environments and large facilities. For example, during a water leak, a facility maintenance employee might require guidance to the nearest valve in a mechanical room. Such guidance requires accurate localization and tracking of mobile maintenance personnel in the field. The objective of this research study is to evaluate various localization algorithms for WLAN-based tracking of maintenance personnel in terms of accuracy and precision. Accuracy has been defined as the ability of a localization approach to track a person within a certain distance and precision has been defined as the ability to reproduce the required accuracy over time. The research described in this paper builds on the previous work of the authors on static user localization and utilizes the same test bed for evaluating the performance of different algorithms that utilizes WLAN technology to support mobile personnel tracking. The main motivation behind using the same test bed, which is an actively utilized building in Pittsburgh, PA, is to have the same baseline to evaluate the performance of static user localization and mobile user tracking. WLAN technology has been selected as it achieved good results for stationary personnel localization in the previous research work (Taneja et al. 2010). The authors have evaluated deterministic and probabilistic algorithms based on the fingerprinting approach (Bahl and Padmanabhan 2000) for mobile personnel tracking. The reason behind selecting fingerprinting approach is that this approach does not require line-of-sight between localization technology transmitters and mobile receivers, which was identified as a requirement in the previous research work (Taneja et al. 2010). The fingerprinting approach is further augmented by adding several filtering methods (Fox et al. 2003) to evaluate the impact of incorporating the motion characteristics of humans and the layout of the indoor environment on the accuracy and precision of the implemented algorithms. Initial assessment of the results indicate that deterministic algorithms perform better than probabilistic approaches when fingerprint data is limited, and incorporating the motion characteristics of humans and the layout of the indoor environment by implementing filtering methods, increases the accuracy and precision of mobile personnel tracking.


The value of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in the treatment of various sports-related injuries has been investigated by several groups. Despite these efforts, the experimental results are difficult to interpret, and very few investigations have focused on a single injury type in the acute phase. A double-blind study compared ibuprofen at a dose of 2,400 mg per day and a placebo in the 1 st week of treatment of 61 acute ankle sprains with varying degrees of severity. Medical evaluation by the same physician was performed on the 1 st, 4th, 8th, and 28th day following the injury. Subjective evaluation of pain, number of painful ligaments at palpation, pas sive mobilization induced pain, edema, and functional incapacity served as the clinical parameters. Although there were trends indicating a superiority of effective ness in the treatment group, the differences between groups were not statistically significant.


Supramolecular polymers based on 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidone (UPy) units with extremely high dimerization constants and adjustable properties have received significant attention. In this work, we attempt to discuss the relationship between the micro-phase separation and the viscoelastic properties of the supramolecular polymers. For this reason, polymers with different UPy moieties structures and different UPy moieties contents were prepared and studied. It was found that the UPy moiety with little hindrance at the six-position of the pyrimidone could self-assemble into a nano-fiber structure and the degree of the micro-phase separation increased with the content of the UPy moiety. With the enlargement of the steric hindrance of the six-position of the pyrimidone, the nano-fiber structure gradually disappeared, meaning the degree of the micro-phase separation decreased astonishingly. More importantly, with the degree of the micro-phase separation increased, the storage modulus or the elasticity modulus increased exponentially and the Tm and the loss modulus area increased linearly. These results would lead a new way to study and develop novel polymeric materials.


OBJECTIVE
In order to improve the compatibility of the hospital resource planning (HRP) system for the whole life cycle of medical consumables, and to improve the management and control capabilities of hospital institutions on medical consumables.

METHODS
Based on the traditional HRP system, a secondary development and design of a medical consumables whole life-cycle artificial intelligence module was conducted, and a neural network machine learning algorithm module was introduced to enhance its big data integration and analysis capabilities.

RESULTS
The simulation analysis found that after adding this module, the proportion of minimum inventory, the proportion of procurement cost difference and the expiration rate of consumables all decreased significantly, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The whole life cycle module of medical consumables based on HRP system can effectively improve the management efficiency of hospital medical consumables, adjust the warehouse inventory management ability, and improve the overall management level of medical consumables.


Background: Allergic diseases have increased during the last decades, particularly in affluent countries, possibly due to a reduced and/or altered microbial exposure during infancy. Activation of the immune system by microbes early in life is probably required for accurate maturation of the immune system and tolerance development. It is not fully understood how microbial exposure is associated with the development of allergic diseases, however. Genetic factors may influence microbial induced immune responses. A certain polymorphism, in the gene coding for the Toll-like receptor 4, i.e. (TLR4 Asp299Gly), has been suggested to alter the immunological responsiveness to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Aim: The aim of this thesis was to study the interplay between LPS induced immune responses, LPS signalling related genetic polymorphisms, allergic disease and endotoxin exposure. Subjects: The thesis is based on the results obtained from individuals in three different study groups, i.e. Estonian and Swedish children followed prospectively from birth up to five years of age, Swedish school-children eight and 14 years of age and young adults. Methods: The study subjects were clinically evaluated regarding allergic diseases with skin prick tests, circulating IgE levels, validated questionnaires and clinical examinations by paediatricians or research nurses. The gene polymorphisms TLR4 Asp299Gly and CD14/-159 were analysed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from blood and cultured with LPS from two Gram negative bacterial strains, i.e. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (Serotype Typhimurium) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Cytokine and chemokine secretions were analysed with Luminex or ELISA technique. Receptor expression of circulating peripheral blood monocytes was analysed with flow cytometry. The phosphorylation of intracellular proteins involved in LPS signalling pathways was analysed with Luminex technique. mRNA expression of proteins involved in LPS signalling pathways and of markers for T regulatory cells were analysed with realtime-PCR. Results: In school-children and young adults, the TLR4 Asp299Gly gene polymorphism was associated with reduced LPS induced IκBα phosphorylation, IL-10 and IL-12 cytokine secretion. Interestingly, these findings were observed only when the cells were cultured with LPS from Serotype Typhimurium but not with LPS from E. coli. The polymorphism was positively associated with asthma, especially atopic asthma. Several differences in immunological responses to LPS were observed between allergic and non-allergic individuals. Asthma in school-children was associated with reduced LPS induced cytokine production of IL-10 and IL-12. The phosphorylation of IκBα was lower in adult allergic compared to non-allergic individuals. Swedish children who had developed allergic disease at five years of age had lower TLR2 mRNA expression at birth compared to children who remained healthy. Estonian children displayed generally lower LPS induced cytokine and chemokine production as compared to Swedish children both at birth and at 3 and 6 months of age. The mRNA expression of the T regulatory associated markers Foxp3 and Ebi3 were higher in the Estonian compared to the Swedish children at birth. Conclusion: Polymorphisms in genes coding for pattern recognition receptors can alter the immune responsiveness of the host to microbial components and may be of importance for the development of asthma. Lower LPS induced cytokine response and higher expression of T regulatory associated markers were seen in children from Estonia as compared to Sweden, suggesting an increased capacity for early immune regulation among infants from a country with a low prevalence of allergic disease.