Is well known that physical activity reduces rate of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population and in transplanted recipients. However, most of those investigations present limits. Few data are available on exercise effectiveness on kidney and liver transplant recipients and the correlation between practising exercise, lipid profile and renal function. Additionally, the knowledge on the amount of safe training for sport competitions for this population is limited. This thesis aims to increase the knowledge on the type of exercise and training adapted for transplant recipients and its relative effects on aerobic capacity, strength and quality of life. Moreover, correlation between exercise and blood pressure parameters in solid organ transplant are considered for safeguard of the graft function.
The first part of this thesis focuses on the effects of exercise in kidney and liver transplant recipients by health pathways. The second part focus on the sport in solid organ transplant recipients to break down the prejudice that "transplantation" and "sport" cannot coexist. In detail, we investigate the renal function, metabolic profile, glycemia and the physical fitness after 12 months of supervised aerobic and resistance training in kidney and liver transplant recipients, compared with not supervised home-based physical activity. The results of these studies can provide information on the beneficial effects of combined exercise and identify the type of safe exercise to prescribe for the kidney and liver transplant population. These indications are intended to encourage the healthcare world to refer pre-and post-transplant patients to follow a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. To obtain more adherence in the prescription of exercise in transplant patients a study promote the network in which transplant centers, sports medicine centers and certified gyms collaborate to encourage the practice of prescribed and controlled exercise in pre- and post-transplant patients.


AIMS
Aim of the study was to assess the role of early inducible ischaemia for determining left ventricular remodelling in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS AND RESULTS
In 179 consecutive patients with first myocardial infarction the occurrence of new wall motion abnormalities during dobutamine stress echocardiography at discharge was related to the left ventricular volume changes at 6 months. Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic index volumes (mL/m(2)) were echocardiographically detected at discharge and at 6 months and the relative changes were calculated. The study population consisted of 105 patients without and 74 patients with inducible ischaemia; of these, 46 patients had > or =4 ischaemic segments. At 6 months, the end-diastolic index volume increased in patients with inducible ischaemia compared to patients without (+7.5+/-11.2 vs -0.1+/-10.2 mL/m(2); P=0.0049) and final mean end-diastolic volume was greater in patients with inducible ischaemia than without (70.8+/-16.0 vs 61.1+/-17.0 mL/m(2); P=0.0012). The end-systolic volume increased at 6 months in patients with inducible ischaemia and it decreased in patients without (+2.8+/-8.6 vs -1.4+/-7.8 mL/m(2); P=0.021). At the multivariate analysis, inducible ischaemia in > or =4 segments (odds ratio=6.43), the wall motion score index at the peak of dobutamine infusion (odds ratio=1.14) and the end-systolic index volume at discharge (odds ratio=1.06) were independent predictors of subsequent left ventricular end-diastolic index volume increase > or =15 mL/m(2).

CONCLUSION
In patients with first myocardial infarction the presence and the severity of inducible ischaemia, as detected by dobutamine stress echocardiography at discharge, indicates an unfavourable left ventricular remodelling.


Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been shown to be more common in obese than in non-obese people in many studies. The aim of this study was to investigate passible relationship between obesity and seconder RLS prevalence and severity in the Turkish population. Method: A total of 70 volunteers were included in the study. Of these 44 were obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2) and 26 were non obese(BMI


Renal changes with time have been studied in 14 workers engaged in the production of cadmium (Cd) in a zinc ore refinery. These workers were examined once a year in the period 1980 to 1985 and 13 of them also in 1989. Four of the workers (group A) had been employed in an old Cd plant before 1973 and had received higher exposures to Cd than the other workers (group B). Average urinary Cd concentrations over the whole study period in workers of group A ranged from 6.9 to 9.2 micrograms/g creatinine (median 8.4 micrograms/g) and in workers of group B from 0.64 to 7.1 micrograms/g creatinine (median 1.9 micrograms/g). Renal effects were assessed by the determination of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M), retinol binding protein, albumin, total protein, and serum creatinine concentrations and activity. Urinary beta 2-M concentrations in three of four workers of group A were close to or marginally above the upper normal limit during the study period. The beta 2-microglobinuria was not, however, progressive. No values outside normal limits were detected for any of the other renal tests in workers of groups A and B, related to exposure to Cd. Dose-response relations showed that urinary Cd correlated significantly with urinary NAG activity and total protein and beta 2-M. The earliest change induced by Cd was seen for urinary NAG activity within normal limits of NAG excretion. The regression lines were similar in the surveys between 1981 and 1989, indicative of no progression to higher values for any of the renal tests. The current biological exposure index (BEI) of 10 micrograms/g creatinine for workers exposed to Cd, set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), therefore seems justified, although the safety margin is small. The World Health Organisation recommended limit and ACGIH (1992-3) proposed limit of 5 micrograms/g creatinine would provide a much larger safety margin, and could be regarded as an action point for increased health surveillance.


We report a novel effect in which the visual perception of eye-gaze and arrow cues change the way we perceive sound. In our experiments, subjects first saw an arrow or gazing face, and then heard a brief sound originating from one of six locations. Perceived sound origins were shifted in the direction indicated by the arrows or eye-gaze. This perceptual shift was equivalent for both arrows and gazing faces and was unaffected by facial expression, consistent with a generic, supramodal attentional influence by exogenous cues.


Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mDCs) and NK cells are reciprocally activate via cytokines and cell-cell contact. Although seven human NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs), UL16-binding proteins (ULBP) 1, 2, 3 and 4, retinoic acid early transcript 1G (RAET1G) and MHC class I-related chains A and B, have been reported, the differential distribution and roles of these ligands in the maturation of human mDCs have not been elucidated. In the present study, we produced polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) directed against human ULBP1, 2 and 3. All these ULBPs were detected on human mDCs when probed by the pAbs, although their expression profiles were different. We next investigated what kinds of Toll-like receptor agonists and RNA viruses [influenza virus, human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV)] induced the expression of NKG2DLs on mDCs. ULBP1 was up-regulated on mDCs in response to LPS or infection with RSV. The expression of ULBP2 was induced by LPS and poly I:C, indicating that the TIR-containing adapter molecule-1 (TIR domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN) pathway is associated with ULBP2 induction. Although infection with HCV did not cause up-regulation of NKG2DLs, other RNA virus infections and poly I:C promoted expression of ULBP2 and RAET1G in an IFN-alpha/beta-independent manner. Finally, the over-expression of ULBP1 and 2 on mDCs facilitated NK cell proliferation and IFN-gamma production through a mDC-NK cell interaction in the presence of IL-2. Hence, the results reflect the important role of NKG2DLs on human mDCs in mDC-mediated NK cell activation.


Magnetic field therapy is an established technique in the treatment of pseudarthrosis. In cases of osteomylitis, palliation is also observed. This study focuses on the impact of different electric and electromagnetic fields on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus by in vitro technologies. Cultures of Staphylococcus aureus in fluid and gel‐like medium were exposed to a low‐frequency electromagnetic field, an electromagnetic field combined with an additional electric field, a sinusoidal electric field and a static electric field. In gel‐like medium no significant difference between colony‐forming units of exposed samples and non‐exposed references was detected. In contrast, Staphylococcus aureus concentrations in fluid medium could clearly be reduced under the influence of the four different applied fields within 24 h of experiment. The strongest effects were observed for the direct current electric field which could decrease CFU/ml of 37%, and the low‐frequency electromagnetic field with additional induced electric alternating field with a decrease of Staphylococci concentration by 36%. The effects of the electromagnetic treatment on Staphylococci within fluid medium are significantly higher than in gel‐like medium. The application of low‐frequency electromagnetic fields corroborates clinical situations of bone infections during magnetic field therapy. Bioelectromagnetics 30:270–279, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) involves cannulation of the papilla of Vater followed by contrast radiology of the biliary and pancreatic ducts. With experience, X-ray films of the desired duct(s) can be obtained in 90% of patients, with minimal patient discomfort and a low frequency of complications. Retrograde cholangiography accurately assesses the site and cause of biliary tract obstruction. Retrograde pancreatography reveals ductal abnormalities in most patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and the nature of the abnormality usually permits differentiation of the two diseases. The diagnostic accuracy of ERCP is enhanced by cytological evaluation of pure pancreatic juice, while endoscopic sphincterotomy is a therapeutic option in selected patients with choledocholithiasis and papillary stenosis. Current developments include endoscopic aspiration biopsy of the pancreas and endoscopy of pancreatic and biliary ducts, using a miniature endoscope passed down a channel in the parent instrument.


Web server cluster systems are widely used, where a large number of PC level servers are interconnected via network. This paper focuses on forecasting an appropriate number of web servers which can serve four different classes of user requests, simple web page viewing, knowledge query, motion picture viewing and motion picture uploading. Two ways of serving different classes of web service requests are considered, commonly used web servers and service dedicated web servers. Computer simulation experiments are performed in order to find a good way of allocating web servers among different classes of web service requests, maintaining certain levels of resource utilization and response time.


In the present study, the genotoxic effect of wastewater including heavy metals was investigated. For this purpose, the induction/reduction of mutation and recombination of surface water sampled before and after the discharge points (station-I,II) of the local fat plant (Erzurum, Turkey) were investigated by wing Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) of the Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, thirdinstar larvae, which are trans-heterozygous for the third chromosome recessive markers with multiple wing hairs (mwh) and flare-3 (flr3) were separated into groups and were exposed to two different water samples including high and low metal ion concentrations. These larvae were kept in the culture media until the adult stage. Wing preparates of obtained adult individuals were prepared and examined under a light microscope. Frequencies of mutant clones formed through application of surface water samples taken from station I and station II in different periods and frequencies of the control group were compared by a Conditional Binominal Test. While it was observed that the samples taken from station I did not cause an increase in the total mutant clone frequency whereas the samples obtained from station II did. It was suggested that the metal ion concentration was determined to be higher in station II which might have lead to this result.


Elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) significantly ameliorate clinical outcomes for patients with beta-hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease (SCD). The only FDA-approved drug for treating SCD through inducing HbF is hydroxyurea, however the mechanism of action is unknown with variable effectiveness among patients. Thus, there remains a strong interest to identify more robust means of upregulating HbF, such as specific inhibition of HbF repressors. BCL11A and LRF are well-characterized transcription factors that independently repress the fetal type b-globin like genes HBG1 and HBG2 but their therapeutic potential is limited by challenging druggability and critical developmental function. However, upstream regulation of these factors, such as post-transcriptional mechanisms, are not well studied and may house novel therapeutic targets. To this end, we employed a CRISPR/Cas9 based screening approach to interrogate a library of RNA binding proteins (RBP) in the context of HbF regulation. Using HUDEP2 cells, a human adult-type erythroid progenitor cell line, we screened 341 human RBPs and identified four candidate RBPs, none of which have previously been implicated in HbF regulation. Of these candidates, RNA Binding Motif 12 (RBM12) showed the greatest level of HbF induction following in vitro depletion.
 Depletion of RBM12 protein in HUDEP2 cells and human CD34 + hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) via CRISPR/Cas9 editing raised HbF production 2-4 fold as assessed by HbF flow cytometry, HBG1/2 mRNA, and protein (γ-globin). Cell viability and maturation of RBM12 perturbed cells were largely intact. Additionally, RBM12 depletion in CD34 + HSPCs derived from SCD patients resulted in reduced percentage of sickled cells under hypoxic conditions. Unexpectedly, reduction of RBM12 had minimal effect on BCL11A and LRF expression suggesting that RBM12 may regulate HbF through a pathway that is indirectly related or independent of these transcription factors.
 RBM12 is an RBP that is widely expressed across diverse cell types and contains multiple RNA recognition motifs (RRM). While it has been implicated in various cancers and neurological disorders, its functions are not well studied. As an RBP, RBM12 can carry out several roles of post-transcriptional regulation, such as pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA transport, stabilization, and translation. As these activities are executed in different cellular compartments, we set out to narrow down RBM12 function by assessing its subcellular localization. Immunofluorescence staining revealed strong nuclear presence of RBM12, suggesting that it functions via mRNA biogenesis and/or processing. RNASeq and LC-MS/MS analysis of RBM12 KO CD34 + HSPCs revealed modest changes in the transcriptome and proteome. In order to gain mechanistic insight into RBM12 in the context of HbF regulation, we performed cDNA rescue experiments in RBM12-deficient HUDEP2 clones. Overexpression of full length RBM12 restored HbF repression. Notably, four out of the five RRMs were dispensable for HbF silencing, but RRM1 was essential for this activity. Interestingly, an extended form of RRM1 was also sufficient for HbF silencing. Mechanistic studies of this RRM1 module are underway and will be discussed.
 In sum, the identification of RBM12 as a regulator of HbF production represents a previously undescribed post-transcriptional layer of hemoglobin gene regulation. In pursuing this path, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of this understudied RBP in the context of HbF regulation which might in turn lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of SCD and other hemoglobinopathies.

 Blobel: Pfizer: Consultancy; Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy.


Corporations are perceived as increasingly powerful and critically important to ensuring that irreversible climatological or ecological tipping points on Earth are not crossed. Environmental impacts of corporate activities include pollution of soils, freshwater and the ocean, depletion of ecosystems and species, unsustainable use of resources, changes to air quality, and alteration of the global climate. Negative social impacts include unacceptable working conditions, erosion of traditional practices, and increased inequalities. Multiple formal and informal mechanisms have been developed, and innovative examples of corporate biosphere stewardship have resulted in progress. However, the biosphere crisis underscores that such efforts have been insufficient and that transformative change is urgently needed. We provide suggestions for aligning corporate activities with the biosphere and argue that such corporate biosphere stewardship requires more ambitious approaches taken by corporations, combined with new and formalized public governance approaches by governments. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Volume 47 is October 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


Incentives of different forms and at different stages are used for motivating people to participate in human subject research. Although it is widely accepted that incentives, in general, play a positive role in increasing participation rate and are widely used, there are exceptions that they may not increase response rate and may even contaminate the quality of data resulting in poor research findings. This study examines the impact of pre- and post-disclosed committed lottery incentives on response rate and data quality in a face-to-face survey of conventional consumers for organic food consumption. A survey was conducted at the premises of four conventional grocery stores in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Half of the randomly approached and agreed upon respondents were disclosed the lottery incentives at the beginning, and the rest half were told at the end. Data quality was measured using three indicators – edit occurrences, imputation occurrences, and proportion of incomplete answers. Our study finds little difference in response rate between pre- and post-disclosed committed lottery payments. However, the useability of incomplete questionnaires among post-disclosed lottery was significantly higher than those of pre-disclosed. Our study also shows that people with likings of organic food and buying organic food more frequently are likely to offer a better quality of information.


The book will therefore be useful for students who are studying the subject, engineering science, and it should also prove useful to teachers who are teaching this subject. It may also prove useful to electrical technicians but it should be remembered that these notes are really intended for the City and Guild examinations and some latitude must be allowed for the difference in the syllabus. W. WILLIAMS


An efficient and facile method for the regioselective synthesis of novel dihydrobenzo[a]fluorenes from readily accessible alkynols is presented. The current strategy triggers the formation of a dual C-C bond intramolecularly via Lewis acid catalysis under mild reaction conditions. Notably, secondary as well as tertiary alcohols bearing an alkyne moiety have been smoothly transformed into the corresponding products. As a result, novel tetracyclic dihydrobenzo[a]fluorenes have been accomplished using this approach.


Abstract.
 A new crinoid association reported from the Kope Formation (Katian, Ordovician) of northern Kentucky and southwestern Ohio changes the model for facies distribution of crinoids along an Ordovician onshoreoffshore depth gradient. Glyptocrinus nodosus n. sp., Plicodendrocrinus casei (Meek, 1871), Cincinnaticrinus varibrachialis (Warn and Strimple, 1977), and Ectenocrinus simplex (Hall, 1847) are reported from a suspensionfeeding assemblage with 26 taxa. This assemblage developed above an argillaceous packstone with most of the fossils preserved in shale. The fauna was comprised principally of secondary epifaunally tiered suspension feeders, deposit feeders, and predators. This is the first reported occurrence of Glyptocrinus Hall, 1847 and Plicodendrocrinus Brower, 1995 from the Kope Formation (lower Cincinnatian), and Glyptocrinus is represented by a new species, G. nodosus. Also, this is the first report of pinnulate camerate crinoids from the deep-water facies of the Kope Formation. Thus, deep-water Cincinnatian crinoid assemblages were comprised of disparids, cladids, and camerates; and the assemblage was characterized by a variety of filtration fan types for acquisition of resources.


The study was carried out to identify major production constraints confronting establishment and rehabilitation of smallholder cocoa farms and its impacts on cocoa production. It was carried out by administering questionnaire and taking soil samples from five cocoa stations (Buako, Bunso, Kwadaso, Poano and Fumso) and six cocoa farming communities (Obuasi Nkwanta, Nyinahini, Akroso, Sefwi-Wiawso and Wassa-Akropong). Altogether one hundred and twenty farmers and five cocoa station officers were interviewed. The results revealed that the main constraints militating against the establishment and rehabilitation cocoa farms are poor soil nutrients, scarcity of early bearing and high yielding cocoa seeds and seedlings. Others are nonavailability of appropriate cocoa nursing poly bags, inappropriate watering application rate at the nursery period and poor agro-chemical application technology. The study showed that about 68 % of cocoa farmers raised cocoa seedlings using drinking water sachets that are shorter than the recommended nursing poly bags and this may affect root development after four month in the nursery which may lead to poor establishment of seedlings after transplanting. The soils in the study areas were deficient in soil macronutrients and the physical growth parameters of cocoa seedlings produced in the study areas were less vigorous compared to recommended seedlings by Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana which could be the consequence of nutrient deficiency. To correct nutrient deficiency and other challenges, it is recommended that farmers have to adopt the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, use appropriate nursery bags and use adequate watering regime for nursing seedlings.


Therapeutic options for patients with metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are limited due to lack of effective treatments. Thus, there is a need to thoroughly characterize the pathways of molecular pathogenesis and to identify potential targets for therapy in MTC. Since epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) seems to play a crucial role for RET activation, a key feature of MTCs, and several promising EGFR/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-targeted drugs have been developed, the present study was designed to investigate whether these proteins are altered in MTCs. We used a well-characterized series of 153 MTCs to evaluate EGFR activation by sequencing and FISH analysis, and to perform EGFR and VEGFR2 immunohistochemistry. EGFR tyrosine kinase domain mutations were not a feature of MTCs; however, EGFR polysomy and a strong EGFR expression were detected in 15 and 13% of the tumors respectively. Interestingly, EGFR was significantly overexpressed in metastases compared with primary tumors (35 vs 9%, P=0.002). We also studied whether specific RET mutations were associated with EGFR status, and found a decrease in EGFR polysomies (P=0.006) and a tendency towards lower EGFR expression for the most aggressive RET mutations (918, 883). Concerning VEGFR2, metastasis showed a higher expression than primary tumors (P=2.8 x 10(-8)). In this first study investigating the relationship between EGFR, RET, and VEGFR2 in a large MTC series, we found an activation of EGFR and VEGFR2 in metastasis, using both independent and matched primary/metastasis samples. This suggests that some MTC patients may benefit from existing anti-EGFR/VEFGR2 therapies, although additional preclinical and clinical evidence is needed.


This paper presents evaluation of a 67.12m high telecommunication tower with the objectives of applying the Finite Element Method (FEM) in modelling it, analysing it under Nigerian wind loads from five different wind zones (Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 Zone 4 and Zone 5 with basic wind speeds as 42m/s, 45.8m/s, 50m/s, 55m/s and 56m/s respectively). The collapse mechanism of the tower was predicted using the Mechanism Method. The tower was modelled and wind load was calculated on it and analysis shows that there is mechanism for the tower to collapse under dynamic wind loads as plastic hinges are developed at the joints and along bracing members. The most severe wind load was used in the plastic analysis conducted and it shows that when the plastic hinges developed at the lower section of the tower, the three mechanisms are more critical compared to when it develops at other sections of the tower. Also, using such load as the collapse load, when the plastic hinges developed at any section of the tower, combine mechanism is more critical and hence the tower is likely to collapse due to failure of both leg members and bracing members.

http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v39i4.9


Background Postoperative pain after breast cancer surgery is usually short and moderate, but as a risk factor for chronic pain, it should be a critical target. Moreover, it is crucial for these patients during this early stage of their treatment not to step into a vicious circle of deconditioning, fatigue and chronic pain. Therefore, fast rehabilitation methods should be promoted. Partial mastectomy with sentinel lymph node dissection can be performed under general anesthesia or paravertebral block, either alone or associated with sedation or general anesthesia. Paravertebral blockade provides an efficient analgesia, allowing a reduction of morphine consumption and postoperative nausea and vomiting, has been showed to prevent chronic pain and may reduce the risk of recurrence or metastasis. It is a long-known regional anesthetic technique, but has been more commonly used recently for thoracic surgery, including breast surgery, since generalization of ultra-sound guidance brought security and reliability to the procedure. However, a sedation is often necessary to reduce anxiety, which can be high in this type of surgery. Hypnosis is an excellent alternative to sedation and general anesthesia. It improves patient comfort and reduces anxiety, without impending surgical quality. Therefore hypnosis and paravertebral block are an interesting association for the perioperative management of breast cancer patients. We propose to study the efficacy of associated paravertebral block and hypnosis, compared to general anesthesia, on acute pain. The results of this pilot study will ground a future randomized trial on the subject. Trial design This is a pilot, non-interventional, observational, prospective study. Patients will receive either remifentanil for general anesthesia, or a paravertebral block with hypnosis. A hypnotic trance will be maintained until the end of surgery, and a small dose of remifentanil (0,025 μg.Kg-1.min-1) and/or a supplementary local anesthesia can be administered in case of discomfort during surgery. Should this discomfort persist, general anesthesia can be induced. Postoperative analgesia includes level I and II analgesics, with morphine in case of severe pain. Eligibility criteria Patients with primitive breast cancer scheduled for elective partial mastectomy with sentinel lymph node dissection. Specific aims The objective is to demonstrate the superiority of paravertebral block with hypnosis, compared to general anesthesia with opioid analgesia, in the postoperative acute pain management. Primary endpoint will be pain intensity on a numeric rating scale 24 hours after surgery. Secondary endpoints include pain intensity 1, 6 hours and 3 months after surgery, morphine consumption, nausea and vomiting, patient comfort and satisfaction on a 0 to 10 scale. Additionnally, an analysis of surgical oncologic criteria is aimed to prove that there is no significant difference in the margin status between these two groups. Statistical methods For quantitative variables, T Student test or Mann Whitney test will be used as appropriate. Fisher9s exact test will be used for categorical data. Accrual Accrual as for June 11, 2013 is 7 patients. Target accrual is 40 patients. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr OT2-2-02.


A preliminary analysis of the concrete cask for the intermediate dry storage of the spent fuel of NPP Krsko should include an estimation of the effective multiplication factor. Assuming 16x16 fuel elements, 4.3% initial enrichment, 45 GWd/tU burnup and 10 years cooling time, a concrete spent fuel cask capacity of 10 spent fuel assemblies is proposed. Fuel assemblies are placed inside inner cavity in a "basket" a boron (1%) doped steel structure. Heavy concrete (25% Fe), 45 cm thick, is enclosed in a carbon steel shell. There is also a stainless steel (SS304) lining of the storage cavity. Isotope inventory of the spent fuel after a 10 years cooling time is calculated using ORIGEN-S functional module of the SCALE-4.2 code package. The effective multiplication factor keff of dry (helium filled) and wet (water filled) cask for fresh and used fuel is calculated using CSAS4 Monte Carlo method based control module of the same SCALE-4.2 code package. The obtained results of k ^ of the dry cask for fresh and spent fuel are well below the required 0.95 value, but those for the water filled cask are above this value. Therefore, several additional calculations of the keff varying the thickness of a boral basket structure which had replaced the stainless steel one were done. It turned out that at least a 1.5 cm thick boral wall was needed to meet the required 0 95 value for


Gastritis is a common disease in dogs. According to studies, about 40% of dogs suffering from vomiting end up with chronic gastritis or those with no digestive symptoms reveal some levels of gastric histo-pathologic lesions. Studies on dogs and cats indicate that the most prevalent form of chronic gastritis is the lymphocytic plasmocytic form associated with lymphoid follicular hyperplasia and that the lesions are more likely to be seen in antrum. In order to assess chronic gastritis forms in stray dogs that seem to be at greater risk due to their probably poor nutrition and parasitic infections, this study as the first one in Iran was conducted on the antrum and body of the stomachs of 30 stray dogs killed under a culling program in Garmsar city assessing any possible correlation with the dog's age and sex. After the autopsy, histo-pathologic samples were prepared from the two areas, stained and finally examined. The results revealed that 56.6% of the dogs suffer from levels of chronic gastritis with the lymphocytic plasmacytic gastritis being the most common (50%) and hypertrophic gastritis the least common (6.6%). Antrum showed more lesions than body. Statistically there was no significant correlation between age groups or sexes with the disease. The results of this study indicate that chronic gastritis is respectively more prevalent in stray dogs than it is in other dogs; whereas poor nutrition and parasitic infections might be the reason behind this. Islamic.Azad.Univ., Garmsar Branch. 5,2:145-149,20092010.


We present the results from a submillimetre (submm) survey of a sample of 23 giant Lyman α (Lyα) emitting nebulae in the overdensity at z = 3.09 in the SA 22 field. These objects, which have become known as Lyα Blobs (LABs), have a diverse range of morphology and surface brightness, but the nature of their power source remains unclear, with both cooling flows or starburst/active galactic nucleus (AGN) ionized winds being possibilities. Using the Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) submm camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), we measure the 850-μm flux of a sample of LABs. We present detections of submm emission from four LABs at >3.5σ individually, and obtain a modest statistical detection of the full sample at an average flux of 3.0 ± 0.9 mJy. These detections indicate significant activity within the LAB haloes, with bolometric luminosities in the ultraluminous regime (>1012 L ), equivalent to a star formation rate (SFR) of ∼103 M yr−1. By comparisons to LAB-like objects in other regions, we show that there is an apparent trend (although weak) between observed Lyα emission and bolometric luminosity. Combined with our detection of ultraluminous activity in this population and the lack of any strong morphological correlations in our sample, this provides evidence that the interaction of an ambient halo of gas with a Galactic-scale 'superwind' is most likely to be responsible for the extended Lyα emission in the majority of LABs. Assuming the extent of the LABs reflects outflows from a superwind, we estimate the age of starbursts in the submm LABs to be in the range 10–100 Myr. Using the average submm flux of the LABs, we determine an SFR density in the SA 22 structure of >3 M yr−1 Mpc−3, greater than the field at this epoch. The submm detection of these four LABs means there are now seven luminous submm galaxies in the z = 3.09 structure in SA 22, making this the largest known association of these intensely active galaxies. This clustering further strengthens the proposed evolutionary link between these galaxies and local cluster ellipticals. Finally, we suggest that the highly extended Lyα haloes (which define the LAB class) may be a common feature of the submm galaxy population in general, underlining their role as potentially important sources of metal enrichment and heating of the intergalactic


In this article, we address the optomechanical effects in surface-enhanced resonant Raman scattering (SERRS) from a single molecule in a nano-particle on mirror (NPoM) nanocavity by developing a quantum master equation theory, which combines macroscopic quantum electrodynamics and electron-vibration interaction within the framework of open quantum system theory. We supplement the theory with electromagnetic simulations and time-dependent density functional theory calculations in order to study the SERRS of a methylene blue molecule in a realistic NPoM nanocavity. The simulations allow us not only to identify the conditions to achieve conventional optomechanical effects, such as vibrational pumping, non-linear scaling of Stokes and anti-Stokes scattering, but also to discovery distinct behaviors, such as the saturation of exciton population, the emergence of Mollow triplet side-bands, and higher-order Raman scattering. All in all, our study might guide further investigations of optomechanical effects in resonant Raman scattering.


Parameters of permanent magnets result from the combination of intrinsic properties such as saturation magnetization, magnetic exchange, and magnetocrystalline energy, as well as microstructural parameters such as phase structure, grain size, and orientation. Reduction of the grain size into nanocrystalline regime ( 50 nm) leads to the enhanced remanence which derives from ferromagnetic exchange coupling between highly refined grains. In this study the fundamental phenomena, quantities, and structure parameters, which define nanophase permanent magnets are presented and discussed. The theoretical considerations are confronted with experimental data for nanocrystalline Sm-Fe-N type permanent magnets.


Phage display technology allows for the rapid isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies that have vast potential for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, the panning process, which utilizes a host strain that suppresses termination by the amber codon, has an inherent bias toward clones containing randomly generated amber stop codons, complicating identification of positive binding antibodies when the antibody genes are finally expressed in a nonsupressor host. Here, we perform biopanning against a Histone 2A peptide using streptavidin‐ or anti‐biotin‐coated beads. After four rounds, a dominant clone is characterized but contains a spurious amber stop codon. A protocol is given that readily corrects the amber codon, allowing for soluble antibody production once the phagemid is transformed into a nonsuppressor bacterial strain. This work also highlights the ability to isolate antibodies against a protein antigen by using only a small peptide (15 amino acids) representing a portion of the antigen.


Secondary sexual displays may be overlooked in many species, especially when they are ephemerally expressed or imperceptible to human senses. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), like many schooling fish, do not appear sexually dichromatic, but previous anecdotal observations indicate that sexual colouration is expressed briefly during courtship (ephemeral nuptial colouration). Our goals were to compare colour estimates of male vs. female zebrafish using digital photography in situ, computer software and human observations. We found that both sexes changed their colour estimates during spawning (dark and light stripes) and that some sex differences (light stripes) were larger or only became apparent during this time. We also found that individual males that appeared more colourful and conspicuous to the human eye engaged in courtship more often than less conspicuous males. We detected differences in the colour estimates between wild-derived vs. a laboratory strain of zebrafish and reduced individual variation in the laboratory strain. This is the first study to systematically and objectively quantify body colour in zebrafish by utilizing colour estimates, although further studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms and signalling functions of this sexual dichromatism.


It is unknown if endotoxin reactivity in the LAL assay varies by its presentation or if this parallels differences in potency in vitro and in vivo . We compared endotoxin responses in the LAL assay, in cell cultures and in vivo when presented in different forms. Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) from Neisseria meningitidis sero B was metabolically labeled and incorporated into intact bacteria, purified membrane blebs, and aggregates ( 14 C-LOSagg). 14 C-LOS content of each was quantified as LOS-specific 14 C-3-OH fatty acids. Equivalent escalating doses of 14 C-LOS-containing bacteria, blebs, or LOSagg were tested in the LAL assay, in vivo in C3HeB/FeJ mice following intranasal instillation (monitoring induced airway inflammation), and in vitro using HEK293 cells ± CD14, MD-2, TLR4 (monitoring extracellular accumulation of IL-8). Doses of 14 C-LOS were measured by scintillation counting (our gold standard) . Potency varied depending on LOS presentation. Ranked reactivity was: in the LAL assay, blebs > LOSagg > bacteria; by airway inflammation, bacteria > blebs > LOSagg; by activation of HEK cells, LOSagg > blebs > bacteria. Differences in potency reached 10-fold for in vitro and in vivo inflammation. Across the range of doses, the ratio of LOS concentration determined by the LAL assay to the gold standard was 1.0-1.3 for blebs, 0.3-0.7 for aggregates and 0.1-0.2 for whole bacteria. How endotoxin is presented significantly affects endotoxin reactivity in the LAL, cell culture and whole animal assays. Compared to the gold standard measure, the LAL assay substantially underestimated the content of the LOS preparations for LOSagg and bacteria.


Abstract Objective Though healthcare is often exhorted to learn from 'high-reliability' industries, adopting tools and techniques from those sectors may not be straightforward. We sought to examine the hierarchies of risk controls approach, used in high-risk industries to rank interventions according to supposed effectiveness in reducing risk, and widely advocated as appropriate for healthcare. Design Classification of risk controls proposed by clinical teams following proactive detection of hazards in their clinical systems. Classification was based on a widely used hierarchy of controls developed by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Setting and participants A range of clinical settings in four English NHS hospitals. Results The four clinical teams in our study planned a total of 42 risk controls aimed at addressing safety hazards. Most (n = 35) could be classed as administrative controls, thus qualifying among the weakest type of interventions according to the HoC approach. Six risk controls qualified as 'engineering' controls, i.e. the intermediate level of the hierarchy. Only risk control qualified as 'substitution', classified as the strongest type of intervention by the HoC. Conclusions Many risk controls introduced by clinical teams may cluster towards the apparently weaker end of an established hierarchy of controls. Less clear is whether the HoC approach as currently formulated is useful for the specifics of healthcare. Valuable opportunities for safety improvement may be lost if inappropriate hierarchical models are used to guide the selection of patient safety improvement interventions. Though learning from other industries may be useful, caution is needed.


Ca<inf>3</inf>Nb(Ga<inf>1−x</inf>Al<inf>x</inf>)<inf>3</inf>Si<inf>2</inf>O<inf>14</inf>(CNGAS) crystals with various Al concentrations were grown by a micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method and their crystal structures, chemical compositions, crystallinities were investigated. CNGAS crystals with x = 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 indicated a single phase of langasite-type structure and the crystals with x = 0.8 and 1 included some secondary phases in addition to the langasite-type phase by the powder X-ray diffraction measurements. Lattice parameters, a and c-axes lengths, of the langasite-type phase systematically decreased with an increase of Al concentration.


The chronology of extinction and restoration of the Eurasian beaver population in the Kemerovo region is analyzed. The beavers exterminated at this territory at the end of the 18th century were reintroduced 60 years ago. The animals of Voronezh, Smolensk and Belarusian origin were used as the pedigree material. The stages of formation of the Castor fiber population through artificial and natural resettlement and the vectors of dispersion over the main rivers of the region are investigated. The first stage of formation of the Kuzbass population lasted more than 30 years, until 1995. There was the formation, enlargement and closure of isolated colonies into a meta-population. The animals actively settled and developed the most favorable habitats. The second period, which lasted almost 20 years, can be conveniently classified into three stages of rapid growth in numbers, which alternated with stages of relative stabilization. During this time, beavers settled in all large river basins, began to explore anthropogenic landscapes and began to appear near of human settlements. The assessment of the current spatial distribution of beavers in the conditions of the foothills of southern Siberia is made. On the model territory in the east of Kuzbass - the Kuznetskiy Alatau Nature Reserve and adjacent areas - the dynamics of the development of mountain streams by beavers in the absence and/or minimum hunting pressure is shown. Specialized protected area have played an important role in the formation of the modern Kuzbass beaver population. Now beavers have formed stable settlements even in the zone of subalpine meadows at altitudes up to 1350 m a. s. l. and migrate through mountain passes to the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia. The current population of the Eurasian beavers in the Kuzbass exceeds 18,000 individuals, however, this important hunting resource is not exploited efficiently enough. If this trend persists, supported by the weak economic interest of trappers, the further development of the Kuzbass population of the Eurasian beaver will largely be determined by natural factors.


We perform a theoretical study of the $D_s^{+}\to \pi^{+}\pi^{+}\pi^{-}\eta$ decay. We look first at the basic $D_s^{+}$ decay at the quark level from external and internal emission. Then hadronize a pair or two pairs of $q\bar{q}$ states to have mesons at the end. Posteriorly the pairs of mesons are allowed to undergo final state interaction, by means of which the $a_0(980)$, $f_0(980)$, $a_1(1260)$, and $b_1(1235)$ resonances are dynamically generated. The $G$-parity is used as a filter of the possible channels, and from those with negative $G$-parity only the ones that can lead to $\pi^{+}\pi^{+}\pi^{-}\eta$ at the final state are kept. Using transition amplitudes from the chiral unitary approach that generates these resonances, and a few free parameters, we obtain a fair reproduction of the six mass distributions reported in BESIII experiment.


Retinal ganglion cells in the vertebrate eye connect with tectal cells in a continuously ordered fashion. Experiments performed on goldfish and amphibians, in particular experiments involving the rotation of tectal grafts, have been interpreted by some authors as indicating that the tectum is 'specified'. We present in this paper the computer simulation of a model – the simple-arrow model – which does not require the tectum to be specified but does account for most of the previously published data. We also present preliminary results of an experiment performed on adult goldfish, involving the reciprocal translocation of two tectal grafts, which indicate that the simple-arrow model is unable to account for regeneration of retinotectal connections in this animal.


[Objective] The drought situation and causes in Poyang Lake were analyzed.[Method] In response to the drought in Poyang Lake in ten years ago and in recent 10 years,the causes of drought in Poyang Lake were discussed.[Result] Drought occurred frequently in Poyang Lake and the consecutive serious drought occurred now and then.The water level in Poyang Lake since 21st century was lower.The drought in Poyang Lake was due to reduction of precipitation,low water level in Yangtze River and "five lakes",hydraulic project,industrial and agricultural water increase and other aspects.[Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for the formulation of drought prevention measures by relevant departments.


We evaluated the effects of RRR-alpha-tocpheryl acetate (alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) on the oxidative susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in postmenopausal women consuming a fish oil supplement. The independent effect of fish oil was also assessed. Forty-eight women, equally divided between women using and not using HRT, participated in a double-blind crossover trial. Each of the four periods lasted 5 wk and was followed by a 4-wk washout interval. During each period all subjects were given a 15-g supplement of fish oil and either 0 (placebo), 100, 200, or 400 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate daily. LDL resistance to oxidative modification was assessed by calculating lag time, propagation rate, and maximum production of conjugated dienes. Supplementation with fish oil and placebo shortened lag time and slowed propagation rate in women both using and not using HRT. After subjects consumed fish oil, supplementation with alpha-tocopheryl acetate increased plasma and LDL alpha-tocopherol contents significantly and lengthened lag time (at even the lowest concentration) but had no significant effect on propagation rate or maximum production compared with values measured after consumption of fish oil alone. Women not using HRT had faster propagation rates and higher maximum production than women using HRT; after supplementation with fish oil and alpha-tocopheryl acetate these differences prevailed. Supplements as low as 100 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/d increase the resistance of LDL to oxidation when fish oil supplements are used. HRT and fish oil supplements may independently affect LDL oxidative susceptibility.


The purpose of this research is to compare bankruptcy of prediction model between Almtan Z-Score and Logistics models. We use secondary data which get from Indonesian Capital Market Directory (ICMD). Purposive sampling is used to get the sample. T-test paired sample is use to analyse the data. The result shows that both of the model have difference result in predicting of bankruptcy. Furthermore we suggest to use Altman model to predict bankruptcy because the result is more accurate than the logistics model. Keywords: Altman Z-score and Logistic, bankruptcy


Government in the UK, as elsewhere in Europe, is keen to encourage individuals to delay their retirement, work for longer and save more for their retirement. This article argues that much of this public discussion is based on the debatable premise that most people are actively choosing to leave work 'early'. Research on retirement decisions hitherto has concentrated on individual factors, which dispose towards early retirement and has neglected the role of the employer in determining retirement timing. New research reported here, undertaken in three organisational case studies, explores the management of retirement and how individual employees experience these processes. It employs the concepts of the 'retirement zone' and retirement scenarios to demonstrate how the interaction of individual attributes (themselves subject to change) and organisational practices (also unpredictable and variable) produces retirement outcomes. It concludes that there is considerable management discretion over the manner and timing of individual retirements. Hence, government needs to recognise that the majority of individuals may have relatively little personal discretion over their departure from work and hence concentration on urging them to work for longer and delay retiring may be missing the real target for policy change.


The current study aims to investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test results in a Greek-speaking population consisting of a sample of healthy older adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia patients in rural areas. In addition, the current research focuses on determining optimal cut-off scores for the clinical diagnoses of MCI and dementia. The data originated from 283 participants in an ongoing registry of the Neurology Department of Alexandroupolis University Hospital, recruited in different rural districts of north-eastern Greece, across a broad range of educational and occupational categories. Total and sub-domain scores for the MoCA varied significantly, according to sex, age, and education, among the three study groups. The optimal cut-off points of 25/26 for the MoCA total score was determined to classify healthy subjects from individuals with MCI, 24 to discriminate healthy participants from demented, and 21/22 to discriminate subjects with MCI from dementia. Overall, the clinical use of the MoCA test can be supported by demographically adjusted standard scores in a Greek-speaking rural population. These findings serve to improve the diagnostic accuracy and utility of the MoCA test.


Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution, caused by Leptospira interrogans and is considered as an emerging global public health problem. Transmission usually results from direct or indirect exposure to the urine or other body fluids of leptospiruric animals which may become a source of infection for human or other animals. Having a humid climate with plenty of annual rainfall, Guilan province is a suitable environment for maintaining Leptospira spp. Hence, early detection of Leptospira spp. in the host prompts control and protection, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a suitable method. The present report aimed to demonstrate the PCR analysis of bovine urine for detection of leptospiral DNA. A total of 98 urine samples were randomly collected from cattle bladder in Rasht abattoir of Iran and the presence of leptospiral DNA was assayed by PCR amplification of rrs (16S rRNA) gene and the results confirmed by nested PCR. Out of 98 urine samples in 42 samples leptospires DNA was identified with the frequency of 43%. The high presence of the organism in the urine of carriers is a serious threat to the dairy farms and to the public health which requires an effective control measure in the north provinces of Iran.


Abstract Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design, we examined changes in teachers' use of praise during instruction (verbal or nonverbal statements or gestures to provide feedback for appropriate behavior) and explored teachers' perceptions regarding barriers and facilitators to using praise during coaching. Forty-eight teachers who identified praise as a professional development goal participated in the quantitative strand and 11 of the 48 teachers participated in the qualitative strand. Mixed effects zero-inflated negative binomial models revealed that teachers used 4.03 praise statements per 30-min observation at baseline, which increased by a factor of 1.05 between coaching sessions. Praise discrepancy scores at baseline were estimated at 7.48 with an average decrease (reflecting reduced need for change) of −0.25 over time. Thematic analyses of coaching sessions highlighted facilitators (e.g., feedback without having to criticize) and barriers (e.g., interferes with instruction) to using praise, although the integration of quantitative and qualitative findings did not yield consistent patterns between the number of facilitators or barriers coded and specific teacher outcomes. Implications for the practice of school psychologists in their work with teachers along with future directions for research are discussed.


The fate of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR), 5-bromodeoxycytidine (BCdR), and 5-iododeoxycytidine (ICdR) in man has been studied with the use of BUdR-Br82, BCdR-Br82, and ICdR-I131. Following its intravenous injection BUdR rapidly disappeared from the blood, in part owing to its degradation associated with the liberation of bromide. BCdR disappeared equally rapidly and was degraded to BUdR, bromouracil (BU), and bromide. Bromocytosine was not identified as a degradation product. One hour after the injection of either BUdR-Br82 or BCdR-Br82, approximately 60 per cent of the Br82 activity was estimated to be in intracellular or intralumenal sites. After either intra-arterial or intravenous injection ICdR was rapidly degraded to iododeoxyuridine (IUdR), iodouracil (IU), and iodide. About 80 per cent or more of the iodine in the compound was recovered in the urine within 72 hours. Nearly all the urinary iodine was in the form of iodide; small amounts of ICdR, IUdR, and IU were also identified.

In three cases, following injection of ICdR-I131 into the internal carotid artery homolateral to a brain tumor, brain scanning revealed I131 in the region of the tumor but also rather diffusely distributed in the corresponding cerebral hemisphere. In two other cases, given an intravenous injection of ICdR-I131, I131 was found localized in an intracerebral metastasis and in a hepatoma, respectively. Regardless of the route of administration of ICdR-I131, the pattern of distribution of I131 activity over the various organs of the body differed markedly from case to case. Stomach, colon, vertebral column, and liver were among the organs showing evidence of localization of radioactivity. The diagnostic use of radioactive halogenated nucleosides in the selection of patients with cancer who may be candidates for combined treatment with x-radiation and nonradioactive BUdR or BCdR is discussed.


Phosphorus is an essential element for all known forms of life. In the form of phosphate, this nutrient is retained in soils and sediments by sorption on mineral particles, clays and other soil constituents. In addition, phosphate precipitates with metal ions to form a range of phosphate containing minerals, and only a minor part of phosphate is found dissolved in soil solution. One way of releasing sorbed phosphate is through ligand exchange reactions with for example carboxylic acids. This thesis summarizes five papers and focuses on the interactions of phosphate and carboxylates at the water-goethite interface. Quantitative adsorption data and spectroscopic evaluations of the surface complexation were used collectively to gain a better understanding of these processes. In agreement with previous studies, it was found that the number of carboxylic groups is important to the competitive ability of the organic acids towards phosphate. However, it was also shown that the positions of the functional groups are highly relevant to this ability. Furthermore, partially protonated species were – because of hydrogen bond interactions - shown to be more competitive than fully deprotonated equivalents. Another central finding in this work is that competitive interactions do not necessarily involve ligand-exchange reactions between inner sphere surface complexes. To study the lability of the complexes, desorption experiments were performed. Among the benzenecarboxylates, the order of increased lability matched that of the decreased ability to compete with phosphate for surface sites on the goethite. Also shown in this thesis is the ability of goethite to increase the dissolution of fluorapatite mainly through the high affinity of phosphate ions for the goethite surface.


Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (Rutaceae), a medicinal herb and foodstuff, has previously been demonstrated as useful for the potential prevention of age-related cognitive dysfunction. However, the mechanisms and material basis remain elusively understood. The prevention of cognitive impairment by four fractions of Z. bungeanum was evaluated in d-galactose-induced aging mice, including petroleum ether (PE), methylene chloride (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), and n-butanol (N-BAI). The results showed that mice treated with EA and N-BAI had significantly alleviated d-galactose-induced memory deficit. In addition, EA could clearly protect neurons from cell death, alleviate oxidative damage and inhibit the activation of microglia in aging mice. Our data also showed that the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 could be remarkably inhibited by the EA fraction in aging mice and LPS/ATP-induced BV-2 microglial cells. Besides, the chemical composition of an active EA fraction was qualitatively analyzed by using HPLC-MS/MS. Thirty-four compounds were tentatively identified based on their retention times, accurate mass, and MS/MS spectra. Moreover, eighteen reference compounds were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and their contents of EA were determined. The work demonstrated that the ethyl acetate fraction of Bungeanum ameliorated cognitive deficits, and its effects may be related to ameliorating oxidative stress and suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in aging mice.


Arsenic in drinking water is one of the most serious environmental health hazards faced by populations in many areas of the world, including the north-eastern part of Croatia. Arsenic is highly toxic and can lead to a wide range of health problems. It is carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Of the various sources of As in the environment, drinking water probably poses the greatest threat to human health. Following the accumulation of the evidence for the chronic toxicological effects of As in drinking water, recommended and regulatory limits of many authorities are being reduced. Croatia has set new limit for As in mineral and spring water of 10 μ g/L, starting from 1.1.2007. The World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value for As in drinking water was provisionally reduced in 1993 from 50 to 10 μ g/L. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit was also reduced from 50 to 10 μ g/L in 2001. Other trace elements, essential or non-essential, when present at elevated levels can cause morphological abnormalities, reduced growth, increased mortality and mutagenic effects in humans. To avoid potential health hazard caused by elevated concentrations of trace elements in drinking water Croatia have set the regulations for maximum permissible levels for these elements in drinking and bottled, mineral and spring, water. International standards have also been set by WHO and EPA. Nowadays, bottled water is widely consumed due to its accessibility, relatively low cost, better taste and lower levels of impurities. Croatian bottled water is also an important export article to countries of the European Union and must therefore meet their standards for bottled waters. This research was carried out to provide insight on levels of trace elements in bottled, mineral and spring, water currently present on Croatian market. Concentrations of 23 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V and Zn) in 18 brands of bottled water were investigated. For purpose of comparison 5 samples of tap water, one from Rijeka and Lourdes and three from Zagreb were analyzed for the same elements. The high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR ICP-MS), as a multielement method which offers high sensitivity over wide linear range and low limits of detection, was used for the analysis. Results obtained were compared to Croatian maximum permissible levels for trace elements in drinking, mineral and tap water, as well as WHO and EPA drinking water standards. Concentration levels of all analyzed elements investigated in all examined water samples were below the maximum contaminant level established by Croatian, WHO and EPA regulations.


In this paper we simulate the performance of real estate portfolios using cash flows from commercial properties over the period 1977 Q4 through 2004 Q2. Our methodology differs from analyses that rely upon historical time-weighted rates of return on property. We relax implicit rebalancing and mark to market assumptions inherent in time-series analysis. We use the distribution of internal rates of return to analyze the performance distribution of commercial property investment. We examine the performance of real estate in the context of portfolios of stocks and bonds over the same period.


In this article, we elaborate on the role of dialogical learning in identity formation in the context of environmental education. First, we distinguish this kind of learning from conditioning and reproductive learning. We also show that identity learning is not self-evident and we point out the role of emotions. Using Dialogical Self Theory, we then suggest that individuals do not have an "identity hierarchy" but a dialogical self that attaches meaning to experiences in both conscious and unconscious ways. We describe the learning process that enables the dialogical self to develop itself, and we elaborate on the characteristics of a good dialogue. We conclude with some remarks expanding room for a dialogue that would foster identity learning.


BackgroundCalycosin is reported to pharmacologically combat cancer cells, however, the detailed anti-osteosarcoma (OS) mechanisms remain unclear. By using systemic method of network pharmacology, the present study purposed to reveal the anti-OS biotargets and molecular mechanisms played by calycosin. Moreover, human and animal experiments were used to verify the key biotargets of calycosin combating OS. ResultsIn OS findings, the blood parameters showed increased tumor markers and OS sections resulted in negatively expressed proteins of tumor protein p53 (TP53), Caspase-3 (CASP3), X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP). To feature the pharmacological biotargets in a cell line study, calycosin-treated OS cells showed reduced cell proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis. In TUNEL stains, calycosin resulted in elevated apoptotic cells. As showed in immunostaining, calycosin-treated OS cells suggested elevated TP53, CASP3, XIAP protein expressions. ConclusionsOverall, our present human and cell culture data manifest all candidate and key biotargets, molecular functions and pathways of calycosin combating OS. Attractively, these top biotargets may be used for pharmacological hallmarks to combat OS.


The improvement on the human quality of life and the continuous growth in population in developing and developed societies, have exacerbated the environmental and financial issues. Some of these problems are noise and the different types of human an industrial wastes. Many natural products have been recently developed and tested for acoustic applications. Sound-absorbing materials absorb most of the sound energy striking them and reflect very little. Therefore, sound-absorbing materials have been found to be very useful for the control of room noise. In this study, sound absorption technology as an effective noise reduction technology buildings using sustainable acoustic absorbers, will be discussed.


The lithiated carbanions of (E)- and (Z)-1-(phenylthio)oct-2-ene, (E)-1-(methylthio)oct-2-ene, S-[(E)-oct-2-enyl] N,N-dimethyl( thiocarbamate ), S-[(a-oct-2-enyl] N,N-dimethyl- ( thiocarbamate ), and (E)- and (Z)-1-(phenylsulfony1)oct-2-ene undergo conjugate addition to γ-crotonolactone (but-2-en-4-olide) in tetrahydrofuran at -70o to give as predominant products, syn and anti allylic sulfides, thiocarbamates and sulfones arising from reaction through C1 of the octenyl carbanions . Also formed are smaller amounts of syn and anti vinylic sulfides, thiocarbamates and sulfones arising by reaction through C3 of the octenyl carbanions. The carbanions of the octenyl sulfones give smaller amounts of the vinylic products than do the other carbanions. In the presence of hexamethylphosphoric triamide (hmpa), the relative amounts of the latter compounds are depressed in favour of the former. The diastereoselection of these reactions is significantly smaller than the corresponding reactions involving 4-t-butoxycyclopent-2-enone. The constitutions and stereostructures of all the products was established by analysis of 1H n.m.r. data and n.O.e. difference experiments conducted at 400 MHz. The enhancement of the amounts of the allylic at the expense of the vinylic compounds induced by the hmpa is tentatively ascribed to frontier molecular orbital effects, and suggests that the operation of chelation and charge control in the reactions of related allylic carbanions with carbonyl compounds is less important than is generally considered to be the case. The various factors which cause carbanions to undergo conjugate addition to α β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and the role played by the hmpa in these reactions are critically discussed in terms of the model of Seyden-Penne and coworkers.


Detailed vegetation types information is required for many ecology and hydrology models. We can obtain the information using remote sensing image classification. However, the accuracy of the traditional classification is limited and unsatisfied. Knowledge of the relationship between vegetation and environmental factors can be utilized to assist remote sensing classification. The paper proposes a method combining this kind of knowledge and feature extracted from remote sensing images to classify vegetation types. The method consists of three steps. The first is to extract feature such as spectrum information, texture, and geometry shape from fusion of aerial and TM images. In order to extract the information more precisely, we combined the high spatial resolution aerial image with the multi-spectral TM of satellite remote sensing image, and employed a remote sensing image fusion method based on wavelet packet transform. The second step was to derive environmental knowledge which control vegetation growth. Soil types, temperature, precipitation and landform were chosen as the main environmental factors controlling vegetation growth. Landform indexes such as elevation, slope and aspect were derived from high resolution DEM. The third step was to classify vegetation types using decision tree method with environmental knowledge and feature extracted from remote sensing images. In our research, we calculated the eigenvalue of every feature through training sample. The features included spectrum information, texture, geometry shape, soil types, temperature, precipitation, elevation, slope and wetness index. Adopting the threshold method to delaminate and extract the vegetation information according to definite threshold range, knowledge rules and decision tree. After that we classified vegetation information. A case study was done in Beijing suburb area. We used field point data to validate our classification maps. The point sampling strategy was used to obtain field vegetation data for the assessment of the overall accuracy. For point sampling, a stratification technique was employed. The final accuracy is 85%. By comparison with maximum likelihood classification the accuracy was increased by about 10%. This study showed that our method has a high accuracy and high spectral and spatial resolutions. It was able to provide more accurate vegetation classification information than traditional method.


Carcinoma of the parotid gland with extracapsular extension and recurrent carcinoma of the gland, which is frequently much more advanced than is clinically discernible, are most difficult and challenging problems to treat.Four patients underwent aggressive radical surgery to achieve adequate margins. In addition to radical parotidectomy and neck dissection, surgery included resection of the masseter muscle, medial and lateral pterygoid muscles, temporal muscle, skin, mandible, temporal bone and other involved structures such as parapharyngeal space.In this series, one tumor was previously untreated and the remaining 3 were recurrent after initial surgery. Histologic type of the tumors was carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma in 2 patients, adenoid cystic carcinoma in 1, and high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 1. Two of the recurrent tumors had become more highly malignant than the initial tumors.Histopathologically skin overlying the parotid gland was involved in 2 patients, masticatory muscles in 3, capsule of the temporomandibular joint in 1 and parapharyngeal space in 1. No bony involvement was revealed in the surgical specimens. These histologic findings were satisfactorily correspondent to those of the preoperative CT scan. Nodal involvement of the tumor was histologically confirmed in 3 patients, and metastatic nodes spread in the deep jugular chain from the base of the skull to the middle jugular portion and the spinal accessory chain. In addition to the direct extension of the primary tumor, these nodal findings demanded the dissection of the parapharyngeal space in conjunction with the resection of ascending ramus of the mandible.Three of 4 radically parotidectomized patients were alive with no evidence of disease from 6 to 28 months postoperatively. One patients died of local recurrence 29 months after the operation.


Graf is a GTPase-activating protein for Rho that interacts with focal adhesion kinase and co-localizes with the actin cytoskeleton (Hildebrand, J. D., Taylor, J. M. and Parsons, J. T. (1996) Mol. Cell. Biol. 16, 3169–3178). We examined the expression and regulation of Graf as a prelude to understanding the role of Graf in mediating signal transductionin vivo. We demonstrated that Graf is a ubiquitously expressed 95-kDa protein with high levels observed in heart and brain and cells derived from these tissues. Stimulation of PC12 cells with epidermal growth factor or nerve growth factor induced a phosphatase-reversible mobility shift upon gel electrophoresis, indicative of phosphorylation. In vitro, purified mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase catalyzed the phosphorylation of Graf on serine 510, suggesting that Graf phosphorylation may be mediated through MAP kinase signaling. In addition, the mutation of serine 510 to alanine inhibited the epidermal growth factor-induced mobility shift of mutant Graf protein in vivo, consistent with serine 510 being the site of in vivo phosphorylation. Based on these data we suggest that phosphorylation of Graf by MAP kinase or related kinases may be a mechanism by which growth factor signaling modulates Rho-mediated cytoskeletal changes in PC12 and perhaps other cells.


Type II diabetes mellitus is a significant health problem that developed globally. This study was carried out on patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) to assess the bacterial and fungal flora, susceptibility, and drug-resistant isolates and devises an empiric antimicrobial therapy. Clinical data and patient samples were collected from 300 diabetic foot ulcer patients between September 2014, and September 2016 and samples were processed as per CLSI guidelines. Most of the pathogenic isolate recovered according to the Wagner classification system in DFU. The most commonly found isolates in our Study was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%) Escherichia coli (11%) followed by others. Antimicrobial resistance appears in aerobic, anaerobic as well as candida isolates in our study. Our results show most gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to colistin and tigecycline, and 44% of Gram-negative bacteria were ESBL producers, and among 20% of the gram-negative isolates were Multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms. Proper diagnosis of the causative agents, surveillance monitoring on the susceptibility of the isolates and determining the drugs for the empirical treatment of diabetic foot ulcers will prevent prolonged hospital stay and amputation.


Individuals within the same population generally differ among each other not only in their behavioral traits but also in their level of behavioral plasticity (i.e., in their propensity to modify their behavior in response to changing conditions). If the proximate factors underlying individual differences in behavioral plasticity were the same for any measure of plasticity, as commonly assumed, one would expect plasticity to be repeatable across behaviors and contexts. However, this assumption remains largely untested. Here, we conducted an experiment with sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) whose behavioral plasticity was estimated both as the change in their personality traits or mating behavior across a social gradient and using their performance on a reversal-learning task. We found that the correlations between pairwise measures of plasticity were weak and non-significant, thus indicating that the most plastic individuals were not the same in all the tests. This finding might arise because either individuals adjust the magnitude of their behavioral responses depending on the benefits of plasticity, and/or individuals expressing high behavioral plasticity in one context are limited by neural and/or physiological constraints in the amount of plasticity they can express in other contexts. Because the repeatability of behavioral plasticity may have important evolutionary consequences, additional studies are needed to assess the importance of trade-offs between conflicting selection pressures on the maintenance of intra-individual variation in behavioral plasticity.


In 64 patients with pathological pregnancies (missed abortion, molar pregnancy, intrauterine fetal death, fetal malformation, maternal disease) termination of pregnancy was induced by local application of PGE2 by means of a portio cap and subsequent intramuscular application of Sulproston. In 21 women 1,5 mg and in 43 2,25 mg PGE2 or more were used for cervical priming. In 21 cases expulsion of the fetus could be obtained during or shortly after the priming procedure. In the remaining 43 women Sulproston was administered on the following day with a starting dose of 200 mcg and 100 mcg subsequently at two hours intervals up to a total dose of 500 mcg. With the exception of 3 cases this led to the expulsion of the products of conception. In the remaining 3 patients abortion was obtained on the third day by additional Sulproston-application. The mean expulsion time was 6,3 +/- 2,1 hours, being significantly lower when the fetus was not alive compared to viable pregnancies. Side effects during the priming procedure were only observed in 3 cases; the total rate of side effects was 57,8% and the incidence of use of analgetics 51,5%. The softening effect of locally applied prostaglandins apparently adds in an advantageous manner to the strong contractile effects of Sulproston resulting in shorter expulsion intervals, lower total dosage of prostaglandins and a reduction of the incidence of side effects and the use of analgetics.


We have previously shown that 870 nm/930 nm wavelengths cause photodamage at physiologic temperatures in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli via generation of endogenous radical oxygen species (ROS) and decreased plasma membrane potentials (ΔΨp). We tested MRSA (Strain HSJ216) in vitro with sublethal 870 nm/930 nm laser energy and subinhibitory concentrations of erythromycin, tetracycline, penicillin, rifampin and trimethoprim to surmise whether photodamage could potentiate these antimicrobials. We also tested patient isolates of fluoroquinolone‐resistant MRSA and E. coli with subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin. In MRSA (Strain HSJ216) we observed 97% potentiation (a 1.5 log10 CFU decrease) with erythromycin and tetracycline. In patient isolates of E. coli, we observed 100% potentiation (>3 log10 CFU decrease) in all irradiated samples with ciprofloxacin. To assess whether staphyloxanthin pigment conferred protection against the generated ROS, we created an isogenic carotenoid‐deficient mutant of S. aureus that was significantly less tolerant of 870 nm/930 nm exposure than the wild type strain (P < 0.0001). We suggest that antibiotic potentiation results from a photobiological attenuation of ATP‐dependent macromolecular synthetic pathways, similar to that observed with daptomycin, via disruption of ΔΨp and endogenous generation of ROS. With erythromycin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, attenuation of energy‐dependent efflux systems is also a possibility.


Defending Kant against the charge that his ethics is formalistic has prompted some prominent interpreters to stress the "humanity" formulation of the categorical imperative. In this paper I argue that this more sophisticated account of Kantian ethics generates a deeper and more philosophically interesting Hegelian criticism (located primarily in the Phenomenology of Spirit). Hegel's claim that the moral worldview is rife with dialectical conflict serves as a criticism both of Kant's conception of the moral self and of his more basic assumptions about the proper philosophical reply to the challenges posed by dogmatism and skepticism. As I will argue, the moral worldview unselfconsciously preserves elements of dogmatism and skepticism, even as it claims to be self-critical. Hegel's strategy, then, is to accuse Kant of falling into a kind of practical antinomy that makes his account of the moral self existentially unsatisfying and, ultimately, incoherent.


This paper presents the capabilities of microwave dielectric spectroscopy for biological cells suspensions analysis. The developed biosensor integrates both microfluidic channel for biological samples manipulation together with a microwave circuit for dielectric spectroscopy. Experimental investigation validates the success and accuracy of the microwave dielectric spectroscopy technique. This technique is applied with various cells concentrations in suspension in their culture medium. Results demonstrate that both real and imaginary parts of the contrast of the dielectric permittivity are proportional to the cells concentration with a correlation coefficient (R-square) greater than 0.99. The technique is consequently suitable for proliferation evaluation of cells. More widely, this work contributes to settle down the capabilities of microwave sensing for biochemical and bio-cellular analysis applications.


Enzymes can catalyse solid-to-solid condensation reactions in highly concentrated aqueous substrate suspensions. Reaction products precipitate from the reaction mixture and very high conversion yields can be obtained in low volume reactors. Solid-to-solid biocatalysis combines the advantages of using enzymes in aqueous media with the high conversion yields that are typically associated with non-aqueous biocatalysis. In this article, methods are presented for the calculation of the Gibbs free energy changes and heats of reaction of condensation reactions to form amides. The overall enthalpy change of the enzymatic reaction was compared to that of the conventional chemical methods and it was found that the enzymatic reaction produces a third of the heat with better atom efficiency.


Data and information sharing is the basic project in the national scientific and technological communication platform construction, and traffic monitoring data sharing platform is a very important content in this and it plays a unique role in roads network management and control. Communication platform design and construction has achieved more and more attention in China since most of traffic monitoring systems belongs to different management departments, information of them can not be shared by common, even of one road. Now the design of traffic information sharing platform in China is still along the road of metadata centralized management and data decentralized storage. Under this model each monitoring system seems as an isolated information island and this phenomenon cannot be changed by gigantic investment unless change the framework of system. Communication platform deployment model related to the search efficiency and share results directly for mass traffic data with characteristics of space, distribution and heterogeneity. With the content of user groups to further expanding, to achieve real distributed shared model is needed. In this paper, by utilizing ideas and methods of system analysis and integration, with the help of SOA (service oriented architecture), we put forward an improved platform-designing scheme still based on internet as data transmission carrier and interoperability as database operation method. With this, we can realize information sharing of separated monitoring systems through Internet in technical.


We report on the investigation of nickel cobalt oxide (NixCo3−xO4) thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition as hole‐transport interlayers (HTL) in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Films of 7 nm thickness were grown under various oxygen deposition pressures (pO2) in the range of 2–200 mTorr. We explore both bulk and surface properties of these thin films. The workfunction (ϕ) for each of the films was statistically similar (∼4.7 eV), regardless of pO2. There was not a strong dependence of the power conversion efficiency (η) on the conductivities of the HTLs varying between 0.009 ‐ 10 S/cm. The observed differences in OPV efficiencies (ranging from 1.16 to 2.46%) were correlated to the near surface chemical composition of the NixCo3−xO4 HTL, as observed by differences in the relative surface hydroxyl concentration. The critical role of the near‐surface composition of the HTL at the HTL/organic interface was further explored by modifying the hydroxyl concentration using an oxygen plasma treatment. This treatment mitigated the impact of surface hydroxyl coverage, demonstrating either identical or increased values for ϕ and η, regardless of initial pO2 in the creation of the NixCo3−xO4 HTL. To further explore this we also employed a phosphonic acid surface modification agent on the HTL, increasing ϕ to 5.2 eV producing the best η value of 3.4%, equivalent to the PEDOT:PSS control devices. These results indicate that nickel cobalt oxide is a promising p‐type oxide for carrier‐selective interlayers in organic solar cells; however, for this to be fully realized the specific surface chemistry at the oxide/polymer interface must be controlled to increase ϕ and optimize device performance.


We study the recovery of multivariate functions from reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces in the uniform norm. Our main interest is to obtain preasymptotic estimates for the corresponding sampling numbers. We obtain results in terms of the decay of related singular numbers of the compact embedding into L2(D, ̺D) multiplied with the supremum of the Christoffel function of the subspace spanned by the first m singular functions. Here the measure ̺D is at our disposal. As an application we obtain near optimal upper bounds for the sampling numbers for periodic Sobolev type spaces with general smoothness weight. Those can be bounded in terms of the corresponding benchmark approximation number in the uniform norm, which allows for preasymptotic bounds. By applying a recently introduced sub-sampling technique related to Weaver's conjecture we mostly lose a √ log n and sometimes even less. Finally we point out a relation to the corresponding Kolmogorov numbers.


Undoubtedly, quantum computing offers valuable acceleration for solving intricate problems. One of the primary hurdles lies in executing large-scale quantum applications on backend machines. Qubit noise, among other factors, dramatically influences the execution process. Implementing effective scheduling techniques for quantum circuits is crucial for practical quantum computing and preventing excessive waiting times. The quantum realm is distinct from classical computing in terms of optimization, performance, utilization, and waiting periods. Consequently, the parameters and components of quantum circuit scheduling diverge from those of classical computing. This paper presents Quantum Noise Mitigation: Introducing the Robust Quantum Circuit Scheduler for Enhanced Fidelity and Throughput, a straightforward yet effective scheduling framework and policy that enhances noise resilience, throughput, and the fidelity of quantum circuits. Drawing inspiration from classical methods, our scheduling approach incorporates additional constraints tailored for quantum logic. The outcome demonstrates a substantial improvement in fidelity and resource management, which is vital for real-world quantum applications.


The liver has a remarkable proliferative capacity after a partial hepatectomy. Previous studies have indicated that Kupffer cells have the potential to exert both stimulatory and inhibitory influences on hepatocyte proliferation. To elucidate the role of Kupffer cells in liver regeneration, mice were selectively depleted of Kupffer cells by injection of liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate (lipo-MDP) at day 3 after a two-thirds hepatectomy. Results showed that liver regeneration was delayed after Kupffer cell-depletion. In control mice, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA expressions were enhanced during liver regeneration and expressions of HGF were localized in fat-storing cells (Ito cells). In Kupffer cell-depleted mice, the number of HGF-expressing cells decreased in the regenerating liver, and expressions of HGF and its receptor (c-met) as well as other growth factors/cytokines were less prominent than in control mice. In contrast, expressions of TNF-alpha, another potent cytokine involved in liver regeneration, did not differ between Kupffer cell-depleted and control mice during the regeneration. Administration of TNF-alpha antibody did not reduce the expression of HGF or liver regeneration. These findings imply that Kupffer cells play a stimulatory role in liver regeneration by enhancing HGF expression via TNF-alpha-non-mediated mechanisms.


This work reports on the synthesis of a spinel phase from a thermodynamically stable decagonal quasicrystalline Al70Co15Ni15 alloy. The Al70Co15Ni15 alloy, synthesized through slow cooling of the molten alloy, was subjected to milling in an attritor ball mill at 400 rpm for 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 h with a ball to powder ratio of 20:1 in the hexane medium. The differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy techniques have been used for characterization of milled as well as annealed powders. The Voigt function analysis has been used for calculation of the effective crystallite size and relative strain of ball-milled samples. The crystallite size has been found to be ∼14 nm after 40 h of milling along with a lattice strain of 8.1%. The annealing experiments have been carried out under two different conditions: (i) in vacuum and (ii) in air. The results of the present investigation clearly revealed that the nano-decagonal phase was stable in vacuum while annealing at 600°C for 40 h. However, during annealing under a similar condition in air, the formation of a nanospinel of (Ni,Co)Al2O4 of size ∼60 nm was identified. The possible structural evolution of the spinel from the quasicrystalline phase has been discussed.


Difficulty in extracting scientific and research findings from EU universities and placing such knowledge at the commercial disposal of innovation-dependent firms and industries is a cause for grave concern in many European states and regions. We take stock of the evidence from the perspective of knowledge-seeking firms and knowledge-generating universities, an exercise that reveals striking asymmetries: firms presently seek mainly public science outputs of academics, while universities encourage their academics to pursue proprietary science opportunities more heavily in their dealings with business and industry, pursuit of which may provoke other academics to oppose greater commercialization of university research. Copyright (c) 2010 the author(s). Journal compilation (c) 2010 RSAI.


We have developed a novel class of projection lithography system that provide both high-throughput resist patterning and dielectric via formation for production of a variety of electronic modules, including flat-panel displays, multichip modules, printed circuit boards, and microelectromechanical systems. The new technology eliminates limitations of current lithography tools, including contact and proximity tools, conventional projection systems, steppers and scanners, and direct-write machines. Further, the new system concept is highly modular, thereby providing equipment upgradability as well as choice of user-specified system configurations. These results are achieved with a novel, hexagonal seamless scanning concept and a single-planar stage system configuration that provide both high optical and scanning efficiencies, and combine high-resolution imaging with very large exposure area capability. We describe the new technology and present experimental results. These lithography systems are highly attractive for cost-effective production of microelectronic products with feature sizes ranging from 15 micrometers to below 1 micrometers and substrate sizes ranging from 150 X 150 mm to larger than 610 X 660 mm.


Background: Obesity and overweight are usually considered as poor prognostic factors in early breast cancer. Body mass index (BMI) is a significant predictive factor for lower pathologic complete response (pCR) rates after neo-adjuvant systemic therapy (NST). The relationship between obesity and breast cancer prognosis varies according to patient and tumor characteristics such as menopausal status and tumor subtype, respectively. Patients and Methods: Between March 2010 and October 2013, 80 patients with early breast cancer who had received standard NST from KFSH Saudi Arabia were included in this study. For statistical analysis, the study participants were categorized into two groups based on their BMI, as normal (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and obese groups (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). pCR was defined as non-invasive cancer in the breast/axillary tissue. Results: The median age of our patients was 48 (range, 38-68) years. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) subtype was identified in 93.8% of the cases. Additionally, 26 (32.5%) and 33 (41.25%) patients were diagnosed with stage II and stage IIIA breast cancer, respectively. Lymphovascular invasion was detected in 32.5%, whereas intermediate and high-grade malignancy were found in 61.25% and 32.5% of the patients, respectively. Forty-four patients (55%) were obese. pCR was achieved in 56 patients (70%), and the comparison between patients with and without pCR revealed that those in the former group had significantly lower tumor grades. Significantly, lower relapse and mortality rates were distinguished in patients who achieved pCR than in those who did not. Additionally, comparison between normal and obese patients revealed that a high number of patients in both groups were post-menopausal (p = 0.001). However, survival analysis indicated the absence of significant differences in disease-free survival between the two groups based on BMI (p = 0.19). Conversely, patients with normal BMI had significantly better overall survival than obese patients (p = 0.029), with a higher mortality rate noted in the obese group (16.7% vs 2.3%, p = 0.037). Conclusions: In the present study, 58.3% of patients that failed to achieve pCR had BMI above the normal level; they moreover had higher relapse rates and lower survival compared with normal BMI patients. This finding needs to be verified through further prospective studies to determine if BMI is a risk factor for breast cancer.


Foam sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for lower limb varicose veins. Current evidence indicates that its efficacy may not be as high as surgery or endovenous ablation. The minimally invasive nature of the treatment however means that it has a wide application, and it can be particularly useful in patients who are not suitable for other types of treatment. NICE guidelines recommend its use as a second line after endovenous ablation. Complication rates are low and most of these are of little clinical consequence.


Data collected from online learning and tutoring systems for individual students showed strong autocorrelation or dependence because of content connection, knowledge-based dependency, or persistence of learning behavior. When the response data show little dependence or negative autocorrelations for individual students, it is suspected that students are randomly guessing the answers or that they are inconsistent in learning behavior. In addition, the global and local rates of correct responses may reflect students' proficiency in the learning process. This study shows that the dependence of online data may be characterized by the fractal dimension as a summary statistic locally and globally. The rate of correct responses and the global and local fractal dimensions of individual students' responses may indicate their learning behavior in short and long learning windows. The results may shed light on when individual students are experiencing difficulties in the learning process.


PURPOSE To analyze a microarray experiment to identify the genes with expressions varying after the diagnosis of breast cancer. METHODS A total of 44 928 probe sets in an Affymetrix microarray data publicly available on Gene Expression Omnibus from 249 patients with breast cancer were analyzed by the nonparametric multivariate adaptive splines. Then, the identified genes with turning points were grouped by K-means clustering, and their network relationship was subsequently analyzed by the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. RESULTS In total, 1640 probe sets (genes) were reliably identified to have turning points along with the age at diagnosis in their expression profiling, of which 927 expressed lower after turning points and 713 expressed higher after the turning points. K-means clustered them into 3 groups with turning points centering at 54, 62.5, and 72, respectively. The pathway analysis showed that the identified genes were actively involved in various cancer-related functions or networks. CONCLUSIONS In this article, we applied the nonparametric multivariate adaptive splines method to a publicly available gene expression data and successfully identified genes with expressions varying before and after breast cancer diagnosis.


HPV infection is one of the most studied risk factors in cervical cancer—the second most common cancer site and cause of death due to cancer in the Philippines. However, there is a lack of population-based epidemiological data on cervical HPV infection in the Philippines. Local reports on co-infections with other lower genital tract pathogens, commonly reported globally, are also lacking, which emphasizes the need to increase efforts in targeting HPV prevalence, genotype, and distribution. Hence, we aim to determine the molecular epidemiology and natural history of HPV infection among reproductive-age Filipino women using a community-based prospective cohort design. Women from rural and urban centers will be screened until the target sample size of 110 HPV-positive women (55 from rural sites and 55 from urban sites) is reached. Cervical and vaginal swabs will be collected from all screened participants. For HPV-positive patients, HPV genotypes will be determined. One hundred ten healthy controls will be selected from previously screened volunteers. The cases and controls will comprise the multi-omics subset of participants and will be followed up after 6 and 12 months for repeat HPV screening. Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses of the vaginal swabs will also be performed at baseline, after 6 months, and after 12 months. The results of this study will update the prevalence and genotypic distribution of cervical HPV infection among Filipino women, determine whether the current vaccines used for HPV vaccination programs capture the most prevalent high-risk HPV genotypes in the country, and identify vaginal community state types and bacterial taxa associated with the natural history of cervical HPV infection. The results of this study will be used as the basis for developing a biomarker that can help predict the risk of developing persistent cervical HPV infection in Filipino women.