It remains unquestionable that pupils' educational achievement is related to parents' social class yet the mechanisms that form this relationship are not well understood. For decades and even centuries, one of the major concerning issues to the conservatives and modern African literate, is the issue of single-parenting. Single-parenting is already becoming a fast and rapidly growing trend in the society.  In most parts of Africa, parental roles are culturally determined. Maternal role is characteristic of child care and home making while the paternal role revolves around economic responsibilities and discipline of children. Generally, it will be the responsibility of the family, to train and bring up the child in the norms and values of the society. They both are responsible for the educational and career development, together with the psychological and emotional welfare of the child. However, divorce and separation of various kinds or death of one spouse may leave such roles in the hands of a single parent. The family structure, ideally, will provide a sense of security and stability that will be necessary for children. When there shall be a breakdown in the family structure, it will have a tremendous impact on a child and their ability to function ordinarily or achieve academically.


Effective evaluation of potential neuroprotective interventions for Parkinson's disease (PD) requires precise quantification of the motor signs associated with this disease. We have created a protocol that uses force tracking in a simultaneous task paradigm to quantify the fine motor control deficits in individuals with PD. We have used this protocol to collect data from 30 individuals with early to moderate PD and 30 age-matched controls. Based on this data, we computed 60 variables. We generated all possible combinations of three of these variables, and we then computed the classification accuracy of a support vector machine (SVM) trained on each variable combination. We were able to correctly classify 85% of subjects as with or without PD. We found that root-mean-square error variables were the most important features for classification and that utilizing a simultaneous task paradigm improves classification accuracy.


Malignant hyperthermia (MH) and central core disease (CCD) are autosomal dominant disorders of skeletal muscle. Susceptibility to MH is only apparent after exposure to volatile anesthetics and/or depolarizing muscle relaxants. CCD patients present with diffuse muscular weakness but are also at risk of MH. Mutations in RYR1 (19q13.1), encoding a skeletal muscle calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor), account for the majority of MH and CCD cases. Fifteen RYR1 N‐terminal mutations are considered causative of MH susceptibility, five of which are also associated with CCD. In the first extensive UK population survey, eight of 15 mutations were detected in 85 out of 297 (29%) unrelated MH susceptible cases, with G2434R detected in 53 cases (18%). Mutation type was shown to affect significantly MH phenotypes (in vitro contracture test (IVCT) response to caffeine, halothane, and ryanodine). RYR1 mutations associated with both CCD and MH (R163C, R2163H, R2435H) had more severe caffeine and halothane response phenotypes than those associated with MH alone. Mutations near the amino terminal (R163C, G341R) had a relatively greater effect on responses to caffeine than halothane, with a significantly increased caffeine:halothane tension ratio compared to G2434R of the central domain. All phenotypes were more severe in males than females, and were also affected by muscle specimen size and viability. Discordance between RYR1 genotype and IVCT phenotype was observed in seven families (nine individuals), with five false‐positives and four false‐negatives. This represents the most extensive study of MH patient clinical and genetic data to date and demonstrates that RYR1 mutations involved in CCD are those associated with one end of the spectrum of MH IVCT phenotypes. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Objective. Previous studies have demonstrated that ultrasound thalamic stimulation (UTS) can treat disorders of consciousness. However, it is still unclear how UTS modulates neural activity in the thalamus and cortex. Approach. In this study, we performed UTS in mice and recorded the neural activities including spike and local field potential (LFP) of the thalamus and motor cortex (M1). We analyzed the firing rate of spikes and the power spectrum of LFPs and evaluated the coupling relationship between LFPs from the thalamus and M1 with Granger causality. Main results. Our results clearly indicate that UTS can directly induce neural activity in the thalamus and indirectly induce neural activity in the M1. We also found that there is a strong connection relationship of neural activity between thalamus and M1 under UTS. Significance. These results demonstrate that UTS can modulate the neural activity of the thalamus and M1 in mice. It has the potential to provide guidance for the ultrasound treatment of thalamus-related diseases.


Background Anthracycline-induced liver injury (AILI) is one of the serious complications of anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy for postoperative breast cancer patients. Exosomal miRNAs, as signaling molecules in intercellular communication, play the essential roles in drug-induced liver injury (DILI). However, the expression profiles of them in patients with AILI remains unknown. Methods Seven post-chemotherapy patients were recruited in this study. After isolated plasma-derived exosomes, small RNA sequencing revealed exosomal miRNA profiles and differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) were identified between the liver injury group and non-liver injury group. miRTarBase and miRDB were used to predict the potential target genes of DE-miRNAs. DILI-related genes were downloaded from the CTD Database. The intersection of predicted genes and DILI-related genes were identified as the AILI-related target genes of the DE-miRNAs. GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed by the DAVID database. Furthermore, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established by the STRING database and essential exosomal miRNAs were identified via Cytoscape software. Results A total of 30 DE-miRNAs and 79 AILI-related target genes were identified. AILI-related target genes of the DE-miRNAs are significantly enriched in NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Then, the hub genes were screened and we discovered that IL-6 and SOD2 are the most critical genes that may be involved in the development of AILI through the activation of immune response and the occurrence of oxidative stress, respectively. In addition, we found that miR-1-3p could potentially regulate most of the hub genes in the miRNA-hub gene network. Conclusion We explored the potential functions of DE-miRNAs and suggested exosomal miR-1-3p might be the essential exosomal miRNA in the pathogenesis of AILI. Moreover, our study provided an experimental basis for experimental verification to reveal the actual function and mechanism of miRNAs in AILI.


This was a descriptive study involving 61 cases of Hansen's disease notified in the Program of Control of Hansen's disease in the 14th Regional of Health of Parana The purpose was to describe the clinical and operational characteristics and the distribution of the cases notified in 2002 according to gender and degree of literacy. Data was obtained from the National Surveillance Diseases System - SINAN during the month of May of 2004. For analysis of the reality the variables used were: gender, education, way the cases were admitted, operational classification, clinical form, evaluation of physical incapacities in the diagnosis, exam of contacts, bacilloscopy, percentile and coefficient of detection of cases diagnosed by municipal district, and clinical evolution. The predominance of illiteracy was observed among the women (37.5%), and the majority of cases were classified as multibacillary; however the percentile of people with physical incapacities was of 14.7%. There were errors in the classification of the variables, low frequency of clinical exams of the contacts (45.9%), and the percentile of cure among the diagnosed new cases was very low (18.0%). It was concluded that the municipal districts need to make efforts on the accomplishment of diagnosis, classification, treatment and attendance of the cases according to the recommendations of Ministry of Health, being considered that the decentralization of the program occurred recently.


We analyzed data on 879,029 children born in 1999–2017 from a large Israeli health fund to evaluate time‐trends in incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This included examining possible effects associated with the adaptation of the DSM‐5 criteria for ASD, and the implementation of regulatory changes affecting eligibility for ASD‐related stipends and services. ASD cases were ascertained based on electronic medical records review, with complete verification of ASD case status. Results indicated a substantial increase in ASD incidence rate (IR) over time that was overall not appreciably affected by the above changes. Cumulative incidence through age 8 rose from 0.46% (boys: 0.73; girls: 0.18) in 2007 to 1.30% (boys: 2.12; girls: 0.45) in 2018. Age‐specific analyzes indicated that the largest increase in IR occurred in toddlers and preschool children, with a more modest increase at older age groups. Results suggest that the rise in early diagnosed ASD does not stem from a downward shift in the distribution of ages at first diagnosis, but rather from early detection of cases not previously diagnosed. Findings highlight the need to expand research aimed at identifying exogenous factors that may underlie the rise in incidence, and to evaluate factors that may contribute to late diagnosis of some cases. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1893‐1901. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC


Abstract In the presence of a perpendicular weak magnetic field, current filaments in semiconductors can obtain a transverse drift. In the framework of a collective-coordinate ansatz, an expression for the velocity of the filament is derived for a simple type of extrinsic semiconductors. It turns out that the motion is caused by the coupling of the non-uniform Hall angle to the translational Goldstone mode of the current filament.


The central concept guiding the management of parks and Wilderness has been 'naturalness' - to a large extent the explicit purpose in establishing these special areas was to keep them in their 'natural' state. But what does that mean, particularly as the effects of stressors such as habitat fragmentation, altered disturbance regimes, invasive species, and climate change increase? "Beyond Naturalness" brings together leading scientists and policymakers to explore the concept of naturalness, its varied meanings, and the extent to which it provides adequate guidance regarding where, when, and how managers should intervene in ecosystem processes to protect park and wilderness values. The book offers excellent writing and focus on some of the difficult questions being raised in light of new and changing stressors such as global environmental climate change.


Low-power (20 microW/cm2) microwave-modulated radiation at a carrier frequency of 9.8 Hhz is shown to affect the course and specific features of ontogenesis of the ick H. asiaticum. The actin of microwave radiation on the development of H. asiaticum substantially depends on the frequency of microwave modulation of a signal and on the temperatures of an experiment. When the temperature is 22 degrees C, there is a significant suppression of development of fed larvae and nymphs after exposure to microwave radiation at modulated signal frequencies of 3 and 5 Hz/ The whole range of the tested modulation frequencies was 2 to 16 Hz. The hungry species of all developmental phases in H. asiaticum were virtually unresponsive to exposures. At 14 degrees C (a perithreshold temperature of H. asiaticum development), the action of microwave radiation changed from inhibitory to stimulating. At modulation frequencies of 3, 5 and 7 Hz, the proportion of hatching larvae was 42.5, 67.5 and 80.0%, respectively, and that of controls was 2.5%. Whether the size of a H.asiaticum population can be controlled by a radar that provokes the development of ticks before winter by its radiation is discussed.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the significant factors important for prickle discomfort properties of commercial wool knitwear and to analyse information on variability of garments manufactured over two decades, a total of 177 purchased garments were tested.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between the attributes of the reversed engineered garments and garment comfort, as assessed by Wool ComfortMeter, was determined.

Findings

The results indicate that: mean fibre diameter had the most significant effect on prickle assessment; the coefficient of variation of fibre diameter interacted with fabric thickness in affecting prickle discomfort; and rib knit structures were pricklier than single jersey structures.

Originality/value

The results provide objective evidence that the consumer surveys reporting dissatisfaction with the prickle discomfort of wool are based on real consumer experiences of prickle discomfort and are not based on "prejudice" against wool garments.


Background: Ten to 20% percent of all breast cancers occur in a familial context and in 20-30% of these cases a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2, CHEK2 genes or, more rarely, in PALB2 can be found. The remaining cases remain routinely undiagnosed with regard to a possible genetic cause. We have examined a cohort of undiagnosed probands using exome germline sequencing in order to identify other potential breast cancer predisposition genes. Methods: In total, 63 BRCA1/2-negative high risk familial BC cases (BRCAX) were considered for pair-end whole exome germline DNA sequencing on a HiSeq1500 (Illumina). High quality reads were mapped (BWA-MEM) to the reference genome (hg19) and variants were called according to GATK best practice guideline. The variants detected within the panel of 372 cancer associated genes were annoted with ANNOVAR. Synonymous variant as well as variants with MAF>1% were discarded. In a first phase protein truncating variants were validated using another NGS method. Subsequent validation of non-synonymous missense mutations and non-frameshift indels is planned. Patients signed a multilayered informed consent also covering disclosure or not of different types of incidental findings. Results: For each exome, the mean breath of coverage was about 96 % at 10X or more and the mean depth of coverage for targeted region was about 126X. In total, 3570709 SNPs (∼56678 SNPs/sample) and 477801 INDELs (7584 INDELs/sample) were called. Of them, 20829 SNPs (331 SNPs/sample) and 16071 INDELs (255 INDELs/sample) passed quality filter. In total, 445 variants were found in the publicly available cancer genes panel. Twenty-seven stop-gain/loss, frame-shift insertion/deletion and splice site variants were considered for validation with 454 Roch Junior, among which 22 variants in genes ABCC11, AFP, BARD1, BBS10, CD96, CYP1A1, DNAH11, ESCO2, EXO1, FANCI, FLCN, FLT4, HPS6, MYH8, NME8, PALB2, PDE11A, RECQL4, TTC8 were validated as true positive. Some of these genes have been found earlier to be associated with breast cancer and/other cancer types. Functional prioritization of the remaining 416 non-synonymous and non-frameshift insertion/deletions was also done in-silico before further sequencing validation, which is ongoing. The mutations found are further clinically validated by examining other affected and non-affected family members and mining the literature. Some of the mutations in known cancer predisposing genes are considered for prudent application in clinical counseling. Genotype-phenotype correlations are being examined. Conclusion: Next-generation sequencing enabled us to detect variants with high/low penetrance in known cancer predisposing genes in > 35% of BRAX families, in addition to many novel variants in many other genes not yet tied to cancer predisposition occurring singly or in combination with known cancer gene mutations. Validated variants are further examined in the families for co-segregation with the disease and potential application in counseling. Citation Format: Shahi RB, Caljon B, De Brakeleer S, Decoster L, Fontaine C, Vanacker L, Vanhoeij M, Pauwels I, Bonduelle M, Vandooren S, Croes D, Teugels E, De Greve J. Exome based germline mutation detection in a panel of 372 cancer associated genes in BRCA1/2-negative familial breast cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD7-04.


The use of an in vitro cell suspension to study insecticide metabolism is a simpler strategy compared to using intact plants, especially for a difficult matrix such as tea. In this study, a sterile tea leaf callus was inoculated into B5 liquid media with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 1.0 mg L-1) and Kinetin (KT, 0.1 mg L-1). After 3-4 subcultures (28 days each), a good cell suspension was established. Utilizing these cultures, the metabolic behaviors of six insecticides, including two organophosphates (dimethoate, omethoate) and four neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and imidaclothiz) were compared. The results showed that thiamethoxam, dimethoate, and omethoate were easily metabolized by tea cells, with degradation ratios after 75 days of 55.3%, 90.4%, and 100%, respectively. Seven metabolites of thiamethoxan and two metabolites of dimethoate were found in treated cell cultures using mass-spectrometry, compared to only two metabolites for thiamethoxam and one for dimethoate in treated intact plants.


We investigate molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) regrowth through shadow masks developed from AIGaAs/GaAs layers on GaAs [001] substrates. Adjusting the directions of the molecular beams relative to the masks results in in situ lateral structuring. This enables us to modify doping and composition within one layer, to shift it laterally, and even to split it or to reduce its width relative to the mask's aperture. The resolution of this selective area epitaxy (SAE) technique is restricted by half shadows and surface diffusion. With diaphragms and thin masks it is possible to decrease half shadows to a few nanometers. However, diffusion mainly is a material parameter. We have investigated III-V and II-VT semiconductors. In the latter case it is extremely dependent on the crystal orientation. Along [1 10] diffusion lengths are very short. This is in agreement with ab initio calculations in our group. Thus lateral structuring with a resolution of a few nanometers is achieved. We discuss the degrees of freedom, which arise from different chamber geometries and mask concepts. With simple striped masks complex structures such as stacked three colour detectors or selective contacts to embedded 2DEGs can be realised. Three novel mask concepts will be presented. Deeply underetched masks serve as elastic substrates for misfit layers over the critical thickness without plastic relaxation. Second, as an analogy to cleaved edge overgrowth, we use masks developed from AIGaAs/GaAs superlattices. Finally interconnected structures with lateral periodicity of a few micrometers have been realised with grid masks. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved. KeYwords: Molecular beam epitaxy; Shadow masks; Selective area epitaxy; Superlattices


Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma plays an inadequate mention in the second cause of death because of cancer worldwide. An alternative therapy with high rate of prognosis and also without side effects. Several data indicated the therapeutic efficacy of Enhalus acoroides. There were no scientific studies on chemopreventive and antioxidant potential of Enhalus acoroides against hepatocellular carcinoma.Purpose: To investigate the hepatoprotective efficacy of ethanolic extract of Enhalus acoroides (EEEA) against DEN induced hepatocellular carcinoma using wistar albino rats.Study design: Animals were divided into five groups each comprising six rats. Normal saline given to Group I- Control rats. By using DEN, liver cancer was induced to Group II, III, IV and V rats as single intraperitoneally injection (100 mg/kg body weight). At the beginning of 6th week, Groups III rats received EEEA (200mg/kg body weight/day) upto 16 weeks. Group IV rats received EEEA for one week before the administration of DEN and continued till the 16th week. After the administration of DEN, Group V positive control rats received Silymarin (100 mg/kg body weight) at the beginning of 6th week and continued upto 16 weeks. The efficacy of Enhalus acoroides for its Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties during its simultaneous treatment against DEN induced liver damage was evaluated in rats. Methods: The hepatoprotective efficacy of EEEA (200 mg/kg) was investigated against DEN (100 mg/kg/b.w) induced hepatotoxicity, was measured by evaluating serum liver markers levels (ALT, AST, GGT and ALP), Kidney markers (Urea and Creatinine), Lipid profile (TG, HDL, LDL & Total cholesterol) and Serum tumor markers (DNA, RNA, AFP and CEA). EEEA-aided antioxidant defence against hepatotoxic insult of DEN was measured by evaluating various Antioxidant biomarkers (GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx, Vit C and Vit E) Morphometric gross analysis and Histopathological studies were done to support the outcomes of the present study.Results: A significant increased antioxidant defence and reduced MDA levels in the serum of EEEA treated animals compared to the DEN induced animals. The resulting data showed that the administration of EEEA decreased the serum liver markers levels, kidney markers, Lipid profile and serum tumor markers when compared to the untreated rats. The histopathological anomalies were altered on administration of EEEA indicating its protective effects on hepatocytes when compared with untreated rats.Conclusions: Our consequences established that crude ethanolic extract of Enhalus acoroides shown an effective impact against DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, and serves as a better option for chemopreventive treatments.


Self-medication with antimalarial drugs is a major factor in the development of drug resistance, exerting subtherapeutic drug pressure on circulating parasite populations. Data on self-medication with antimalarials from the Southern Pacific coast region of Colombia, where 4-aminoquinolines resistance and political instability prevail, are vital to elimination strategies. We present results of an exploratory study of 254 individuals having malaria symptoms who sought malaria diagnosis in two hospitals in Tumaco, Department of Nariño, Colombia. Thirty-two percent (82/254) of participants had positive Saker-Solomons urine tests, indicating self-medication with chloroquine (CQ) before consultation for diagnosis. Notably, among 30 pregnant women participating in the study, 43% were Saker--Solomons positive. Molecular analysis of the K76T position encoded by the pfcrt gene revealed the mutant allele in all four samples that were both positive for Plasmodium falciparum and positive for the Saker-Solomons test, suggesting persistent CQ pressure. The high frequency of self-medication, particularly among pregnant women merits attention by public health authorities and comprehensive investigation.


Visuals are becoming mainstream as a way to increase the public's awareness on a variety of subjects. MyPlate has risen in popularity since its release. However, some questions still exist about the visual educational material. The intention of this survey was to determine the attitudes of nutrition professionals about MyPlate and its visual appeal. The majority of the 142 participants thought MyPlate was easy to use (n = 83 [58.9%]), but over half (n = 75 [52.8%]) also thought that information was missing. Findings indicate that nutrition professionals consider MyPlate a good starting educational material but prefer to use supplemental materials to further counsel patients.


Marfan's syndrome is a heritable disorder of the connective tissue, transmitted by a dominant gene, which is not sex-linked. Many variations of this syndrome have been observed. The complete picture shows most of the following abnormalities: In the skeleton: Dolichocephaly, arachnodactyly, highly arched palate, scoliosis, pigeon breast or pectus excavatum, spina bifida, pes planum or highly arched feet, double row of teeth. In the eyes: Ectopia lentis, shallow anterior chambers, iridodonesis (frequent tremor of the eyes), retinal detachment. In the cardiovascular system: Aneurysms of the aorta, including dissecting aneurysms, valvular and septal defects, coarctation of the aorta, dissecting aneurysms of other major vessels, including pulmonary artery, aneurysm of the sinuses of Valsalva, and ruptured aortic cusps. Hernias and hypermobility of the joints are frequent. The pediatric literature 1-3 contains descriptions of many congenital malformations of the heart and large vessels, including septal defects and coarctation of the aorta, associated with


Whether changes in in-treatment 24-hour aortic blood pressure (BP) predict changes in left ventricular mass (LVM) in response to antihypertensive treatment better than 24-hour brachial BP is uncertain. We imputed 24-hour aortic pulse pressure (PPc) and the 24-hour aortic-to-brachial amplification ratio (PPb/PPc) from an equation that we derived in 1179 participants from a cross-sectional community study. Over a 4-month treatment period in 173 mild-to-moderate hypertensives, 24-hour BP decreased (change in systolic BP/diastolic BP=-22±16/-13±9 mm Hg, p<0.0001), 24-hour PPb/PPc increased (from 1.23±0.08 to 1.27±0.09, p<0.0001) and echocardiographic LVM indexed to height2.7 (LVMI) decreased (-8.8±14.4 g/m2.7, p<0.0001). In-treatment changes in neither 24-hour systolic BP (r=0.08, p=0.32) nor 24-hour PPc (r=0.12, p=0.13) were correlated with changes in LVMI. However, in-treatment increases in the 24-hour PPb/PPc amplification ratio were correlated with decreases in LVMI and these relationships were independent of changes in 24-hour brachial BP and persisted with adjustments for a number of confounders (partial r=-0.24, p<0.005). With or without appropriate adjustments, including baseline LVMI and 24-hour PPb/PPc, marked differences in the change in LVMI (mean±SD in g/m2.7) were noted across tertiles of the change in 24-hour PPb/PPc (Tertiles 1:-4.6±11.1; 2:-8.2±10.2; 3: -11.3±11.0, p<0.05 versus tertiles 1 and 2). With all adjustments including baseline LVMI and 24-hour PPb/PPc, a -6.7 g/m2.7 greater decrease in LVMI was noted in tertile 3 as compared to 1 for change in 24-hour PPb/PPc (p<0.005). In conclusion, the 24-hour aortic-to-brachial PP amplification ratio derived from imputed aortic BP predicts the regression of LVMI in response to antihypertensive treatment better than does 24-hour BP.


Fever is the body's normal response to infection. Infection is a condition where microorganisms enter the body, which can be viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Fever in children is generally caused by a viral infection (Setiawati, 2010). This research is a quantitative research with analytic research type and with cross sectional approach method. with a sample size of 50 respondents. Knowledge can be influenced by educational factors, where it is hoped that with higher education the knowledge will be wider. Respondents' understanding of how to determine fever treatment was good enough. Almost all respondents (80%) are aware that measuring body temperature using a thermometer is the most accurate way to find out a child's body temperature. Measuring body temperature using a thermometer is more accurate than using hand touching because hand touch is subjective and does not accurately assess body temperature


The use of highly active antiretroviral combination therapy (HAART) has led to a marked reduction in deaths from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, as a result of increasing viral resistance and serious metabolic toxicities associated with their long-term use, rising rates of morbidity and mortality from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are predicted. HAART-related lipodystrophy, which has been strongly linked to HIV-1 protease inhibitor use, is characterized by fat redistribution and profound disturbances of the lipid and glucose axes. Nucleoside analogue HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors appear to be cofactorial in its development, such that switching to protease inhibitor–sparing combinations may not be an option because of incomplete reversal of lipodystrophy and loss of virologic control. Because metabolic changes are the focus of much research at present, there has been a renewal of interest in the pathogenesis of AIDS wasting syndrome and its treatment with androgens and growth hormone.


The X gene product of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a trans-activation function. The AP-1, AP-2, kappa B-like, and C/EBP-like sequences, and the 26-bp element in HBV enhancer were identified as X-responsive elements. Although the X protein possesses a transcriptional activation domain, it doesn't bind to the X-responsive elements. However, CREB/ATF-2 becomes able to bind to a CRE-related sequence in the 26-bp element once it complexes with X protein. In addition, X protein was shown to have amino acid sequences homologous to the essential domain of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors and directly interacted with the protease, tryptase TL2. Results suggest that X protein modulates the tryptase TL2 activity, which may be involved in the proteolytic cleavage of cellular transcription factors.


Using Gaussian processes as a nonparametric regression model together with model predictive control has the recent years showed promising results by utilizing the expected uncertainty that follows the GP. By utilizing the uncertainty in the constraints we are able to take into account regression deviation directly in the MPC constraints. This thesis has studied the effectiveness of using the GP with MPC constraints, with the special focus on the stability of the predictions. We have looked at two different systems, a stable fourtank system with slow dynamics, and a vehicle model with obstacle avoidance using a hybrid-GP model. This showed the interesting property that the accuracy of the prediction is determined by the stability properties in the system we like to control. We were able to keep the tank system stable without any problems, while the hybrid-GP in the car system suffered from divergence and exponential growth in uncertainty, even though the regression validation showed that the hybrid-GP should had better accuracy. Multi-step prediction in a marginally stable or unstable systems, can result in divergence in the predictions due to minuscule errors. Taken this into account, the GP show great promise in the field of adaptive control as an effective method of adapting to system changes, where the uncertainty can give a good estimate of the prediction error.


Lung metastasectomy is an accepted treatment for selected patients with pulmonary metastases. Resectability, disease-free interval and number of metastases are well characterised prognostic indicators after lung metastasectomy. Patients treated with lung metastasectomy for epithelial tumours were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and forty-two patients were reviewed. The rate of mediastinal node metastases was 12%. Overall 5-year survival rate was 36% with a median survival time of 47 months. Recurrence rate after lung metastasectomy was 50%. Five-year disease-free survival was 26% with a median of 29 months. Mediastinal nodal status negatively affected survival at univariate analysis (5-years 32% for N+ and 40% for N-, P=0.013). Disease-free survival was significantly different according to nodal status: 5-year disease-free survival 17 and 28% for N+ and N-, respectively (P=0.053). Systemic recurrences were more frequent in patients with nodal involvement (P=0.058). Mediastinal nodal involvement resulted in a significant prognostic factor at multivariate analysis (N+: RRD=3.0; 95% CI 1.3-6.7). Patients with pulmonary metastases and nodal involvement had a poor prognosis and relapsed early after pulmonary metastasectomy. Nodal status should be considered in the selection of patients for lung metastasectomy.


INTRODUCTION:
Renal duplication is the commonest and most significant anomaly in pediatric urology. Incidence in the general population is 0.8 %. Wide variety of clinical manifestations will occur due to reflux, obstruction by ureterocele and ectopic ureteric orifice. Appropriate management needs assessment of the anatomy of the renal system, understanding the source of morbidity and demonstrating functional renal moiety.
Commonly upper pole of the duplex system is associated with ureteral ectopia and ureterocele. Lower pole of the duplex system is associated with vesico-ureteric reflux and Pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction. Surgical options include primary bladder surgery and primary upper urinarytract surgery. Primary bladder surgery includes transurethral incision of ureterocele, common sheath Ureteric reimplantation. Upper tract surgery includes heminephrectomy for non functioning moiety, uretero-ureterostomy and ureteropyelostomy for the affected moiety with adequate function. The purpose of this study is to find out the various manifestations of the renal duplication, its surgical management and its outcome.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
The primary aim is to study the Incidence, types of Renal Duplication and the outcome of surgical management individualized for each patient.
The secondary objectives are to analyse the value of imaging (USG, Excretory urography, Nuclear scan) in the management of Renal Duplications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
STUDY POPULATION:
All patients with double moiety kidney based on antenatal scan, clinical symptoms, and proved by investigations were included.
NATUREOF STUDY: Prospective study/ descriptive study.
NO. OF CASES: 40
STUDY PERIOD: September 2010 to January 2013,
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
All children with image documented double moiety, treated as inpatient in department of Pediatrics surgery at ICH, Egmore were included.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Renal duplication associated with lower urinary tract duplication, Single moiety ureterocele, Horse shoe kidney with double moiety were excluded.
METHODOLOGY:
All antenatally diagnosed hydrnephrosis cases, children who presented with urinary symptoms like pyuria, difficulty in micturition, febrile UTI and urinary dribbling were admitted. The patients were subjected to detailed clinical examination and relevant investigatons were performed,namely,ultrasound examination, MCU, IVU, Scopy,
renogram. Proven cases with double moiety were included in the study.
RESULTS:
The study comprised of 40 patients who were admitted and evaluated for Renal Duplication from September 2010 to January 2013. These 40 patients satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In our study, Renal duplication was present commonly in infants with 23 (57.5%) out of 40 patients presenting less than 1 year. In this study renal duplication was more frequent in female children (22 patients) than in males (18 patients) in the ratio of 1.2:1. 15 patients (37.5%) were diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound screening. Out of the 15 cases, 11 were diagnosed as hydronephrosis, 2 were identified as double moiety and 2 were reported as ureterocele. On following up these 15 patients, 13 were operated. The most common surgery performed being upper moiety heminephrectomy. The most common clinical presentation in symptomatic patients were fever with urinary tract infection. Unilateral presentations were more common with right sided predominance.
Ultrasound Abdomen was very sensitive in diagnosing duplex system with a sensitivity of 87%. Ultrasound was able to recognise hydronephrosis of the duplex system precisely in most of the cases. VCUG demonstrated reflux in 35% (14 pts) of patients and
ureterocele in 15%. IVU was used to assess the functioning status of the moieties and the
presence of ureterocele. It also demonstrated the status of opposite kidney. Diuretic Renogram was done in only 40% of patients to document the function of affected moiety. The incidence of non-functioning moiety (<10% function) was found to be 62%. MRU was performed selectively to delineate the anatomy in the most complex of cases. A diagnostic cystoscopy was done in 95% of patients in our study. Cystoscopy was more sensitive in diagnosing ureterocele. The most common surgery advocated was upper moiety heminephrectomy in 35 % of patients. Endoscopic Deroofing of ureterocele was done in 27.5%.
CONCLUSION:
Renal duplications are one of the common congenital anomalies affecting children
• Renal duplications are slightly more common in female children.
• Renal duplications are mostly asymptomatic, nowadays frequently identified in prenatal screening ultrasound.
• Symptomatic patients more commonly present in infancy.
• Ultrasound is very sensitive screening investigation in diagnosing duplex anomalies
• Intravenous urogram is an excellent tool in delineating the anatomy of functioning moiety.
• Magnetic resonance urogram is very sensitive in delineating the anatomy of the non-functioning moiety and identifying ectopic ureter.
• Diuretic renogram is helpful in assessing the functional status of the moieties and planning the treatment.
• Cystoscopy is very sensitive in diagnosing ureterocele and deroofing is the most common initial surgery for ureterocele.
• Upper moiety heminephrectomy is the most commonly performed surgery for symptomatic non-functioning duplex anomalies.


Freeze-fracture replicas demonstrate that the apical membrane of the chloride cells of young adult lampreys (Geotria australis) undergoes a structural change when the animal is acclimated from freshwater to seawater. Although the particles on both the P face and the E face of this membrane are randomly distributed in freshwater animals, they are usually arranged in clusters on both fracture faces in seawater-acclimated animals. Light optical diffraction analysis demonstrates that the particles forming the clusters are periodically arranged. Although comparable clusters of particles have not been recorded in other epithelial membranes that are engaged in transporting ions into a hypertonic environment, they may be involved in the final step of Cl- secretion by the chloride cells of lampreys in seawater.


Particulate matter (PM) is among the deadliest air pollutants due to its negative health impacts and environmental harm. This study reports on monthly and seasonal concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, along with their ratios. Twelve-day samples were collected once a month in Mingora city (Swat, Pakistan) from January to December 2019 using a low volume sampler. Maximum average mass concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were recorded in December having values of 78, 56, and 32 μg m−3, respectively. Minimum average values for PM10 (44 μg m−3) and PM2.5 (25.1 μg m−3) were recorded in April, while the lowest PM1 (11 μg m−3) was recorded in August. In comparison to other months, the maximum average mass concentrations were 1.77 times (PM10), 2.23 times (PM2.5), and 2.9 times (PM1) higher in December. During the winter season, average mass concentrations remained high. Substantial correlation coefficients of 0.92, 0.79, and 0.75 were recorded between PM10 and PM2.5, PM2.5 and PM1, and PM2.5 and PM1, respectively. The overall average ratios PM2.5: PM10, PM1: PM2.5, and PM1: PM10 were 68.3, 52.6, and 35.4%, respectively. A moderate negative correlation of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 with wind speed (−0.34, −0.39, and −0.41), a strong negative correlation with temperature (−0.69, −0.71, and −0.74) and rainfall (−0.63, −0.61, and −0.59), and a weak relationship with relative humidity (−0.32, −0.1, and −0.02) were recorded.


PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to describe chosen listening levels (CLLs) for recorded music for listeners with hearing loss in aided and unaided conditions.

METHOD
The study used a within-subject, repeated-measures design with 13 adult hearing-aid users. The music included rock and classical samples with different amounts of audio-industry compression limiting. CLL measurements were taken at ear level (i.e., at input to the hearing aid) and at the tympanic membrane.

RESULTS
For aided listening, average CLLs were 69.3 dBA at the input to the hearing aid and 80.3 dBA at the tympanic membrane. For unaided listening, average CLLs were 76.9 dBA at the entrance to the ear canal and 77.1 dBA at the tympanic membrane. Although wide intersubject variability was observed, CLLs were not associated with audiometric thresholds. CLLs for rock music were higher than for classical music at the tympanic membrane, but no differences were observed between genres for ear-level CLLs. The amount of audio-industry compression had no significant effect on CLLs.

CONCLUSION
By describing the levels of recorded music chosen by hearing-aid users, this study provides a basis for ecologically valid testing conditions in clinical and laboratory settings.


Solid state reaction route is used by adopting calcination, dry pressing and sintering for the preparation of polycrystalline Bi0.5(Na0.7K0.2Li0.1)0.5 TiO3(BNKLT) material. Studies of dielectric and conductivity parameters of the ma- terial were studied as a function of frequency(45Hz to 5MHz) and temperature(RT-600℃). At higher temperatures the conductivity curves were found to be merging, due to the effect of release of space charge.The conductivity parameters such as ion-hopping rate (ωp), fitting parameters (n(T), A(T)) and the charge carrier concentration(K ' ) terms have been calculated using Almond and West formalism.A strong dispersion in both the components of complex dielectric constant, appear to be a common feature in ferroelectrics associated with good ionic conductivity and is referred to as the low frequency dielectric dispersion(LFDD).This offered an opportunity to obtain a good candidate for replacing the lead based ceramics.


Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is widely used in fabrication industries. Distortion is major problem due to which reworks and time, cost gets affected. So it has to be controlled. The main objective of this research is to optimize the TIG welding parameters to reduce distortion in plate to plate butt weld joint of material SA203 GRADE –E. An experiment is conducted to study the effect of three TIG welding control parameters as welding current, WEP angle, preheat temperature on welding distortion. Here root gap is taken constant and welding position is same through the experiment. The Experiments were planned using the strategy of DOE. The levels of input parameters were selected and experiments were carried out. The results obtained under the combination of these parameter were analyzed by using ANOVA (analysis if variance), statistical method to investigator the critical parameter affecting the distortion in welding and their contribution.


Beyond fifth-generation (B5G) networks (namely 6G) aim to support high data rates, low-latency applications, and massive machine communications. Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models are essential for addressing the network's increasing complexity and dynamic nature. However, dynamic service demands of B5G cause the AI/ML models performance degradation, resulting in violations of Service Level Agreements (SLA), over-or under-provisioning of resources, etc. To address the performance degradation of the AI/ML models, retraining is essential. Existing threshold and periodic retraining approaches have potential disadvantages such as SLA violations and inefficient resource utilization for setting a threshold parameter in a dynamic environment. This paper presents a novel algorithm that predicts when to retrain AI/ML models using an unsupervised classifier. The proposed predictive approach is evaluated for a Quality of Service (QoS) prediction use case on the Open RAN Software Community (OSC) platform and compared to the threshold approach. The results show that the proposed predictive approach outperforms the threshold approach.


Interest on medicinal and aromatic plants has increased during recent years as they are sources of many bioactive compounds, like essential oils, having versatile pharmacological and medicinal properties. Medicinal and aromatic plants are mostly collected from nature in Turkey and thus chemical composition of essential oils of herbal drugs available in markets is expected to be variable. In this study, variation in essential oil content and composition of eucalyptus, laurel, myrte and yarrow plant samples obtained from spice shops in Ordu province of Turkey were investigated. Essential oil contents of the plant samples were determined by water distillation and essential oil components were analyzed by GC/MS. Essential oil contents were within the ranges of 0.80-2.15% in eucalyptus, 1.552.85% in laurel, 0.65-1.40% in myrte and 0.25-0.45% in yarrow. A total of 26 components in eucalyptus and yarrow essential oils, 22 components in laurel and myrte essential oils were detected, representing 95.88-97.05% of the essential oils. Eucalyptol (61.53%), terpinyl acetate (7.90%) and sabinene (5.03%) in laurel; eucalyptol (48.06%), pcymene (16.70%) and cyclopropeazulen (5.66%) in eucalyptus; eucalyptol (30.87%), a-pinene (28.23%) and linalol (8.27% in myrte, and eucalyptol (32.05%), camphor (11.09%) and carvacrol (9.27%) in yarrow were the major constituents of the essential oil. Eucalyptol was found to be the most common and the highest chemical constituent of the essential oils.


Purpose Cancer stem like cells (CSCs), with unlimited self-renewal potential and other stem cell characteristics, occur in several cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although CSCs can initiate tumors, malignant proliferation, relapse and multi-drug resistance, the ways how to activate them still remain unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether CSC acquire tumorigenic characters under tumor hypoxia, analyzed by microarray analysis. Materials and Methods CSCs were purified from HCC patients and Affymetrix microarray was used to investigate their gene expression profiles. The results were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results The results of the microarray indicated that 18 genes were up-regulated and 10 genes were down-regulated in CSCs. Several genes were identified to be significantly involved in the regulation of CSCs such as HCC. Furthermore, the up-regulated genes were related with metabolism, angiogenesis and hypoxia, whereas the down-regulated genes were related with apoptosis and inflammation. Conclusion The results may help to understand the mechanisms of tumor development through CSCs which acquired their distinctive tumorogenic properties by hypoxic stimulation.


Social networking services (SNS) are important sources of news for the world. By summarizing text on SNS, we will be able to grasp what topics in the news are going on. However, because texts keep growing in SNS, we need to process huge amounts of data very efficiently. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a fast and low-memory algorithm. In this investigation, we propose Successive KeyGraph as a method of keywords extraction. The extracted keywords work effectively for news summarization. In Successive KeyGraph, we update keygraph over time. KeyGraph extracts the author's claims and outputs the results immediately. Also, we hold co-occurrence count which we need to make a keygraph current by using Lossy Counting. We apply several preprocessing to manage unknown words and to improve morphological analysis.


In view of exploring possibilities for an experimental investigation of molecular parity violation we report quantum-chemical calculations of the parity-conserving and parity-violating potentials in the framework of electroweak quantum chemistry in allene C3H4 and 1,3-difluoroallene C3H2F2, which is nonplanar and axially chiral in the electronic ground state but expected to be nearly planar and achiral in several electronically excited states. The parity-violating potentials Epv for allene and 1,3-difluoroallene calculated with the multiconfiguration linear-response (MC-LR) approach of Berger and Quack [J. Chem. Phys. 112, 3148 (2000)] show qualitatively similar behavior as a function of torsional angle tau with maximum values of about 0.5 pJ mol(-1) for C3H4 and 2 pJ mol(-1) for C3H2F2. However, in the latter case they are asymmetrically shifted around tau=90 degrees , with a nonzero value at the chiral equilibrium geometry resulting in a parity-violating energy difference between enantiomers DeltapvE=Epv(P)-Epv(M)=1.2 pJ mol(-1) (equivalent to about 10(-13) cm(-1)). The calculated barrier heights corresponding to the nonrigid (multiple, and in part chiral) transition states in 1,3-difluoroallene fall in the range of 180-200 kJ mol(-1). These high barriers result in hypothetical tunneling splittings much smaller than DeltapvE and thus parity violation dominates over tunneling for the stereomutation dynamics in 1,3-difluoroallene. Therefore, DeltapvE is predicted to be a spectroscopically measurable energy difference. Two of the lower excited electronic states of C3H2F2 (1A and 3A) are calculated to be planar or quasiplanar, allowing, in principle, for spectroscopic state selection of states of well-defined parity. The results are discussed in relation to possible schemes of measuring parity violation in chiral molecules.


This study employs a corpus-based approach to make justifiable psychodynamic interpretations based on the statistical relationships that exist between linguistic variables in written texts. The text examined is Hitler's Mein Kampf (Boston, MA:Houghton Mifflin, 1943), which was assessed on the strengths of associations between body boundary imagery, primordial thought language and emotional language. The results largely confirm the research hypotheses identifying the use of body boundary functions as a defense mechanism associated to borderline and narcissistic organization for separating trauma from conscious awareness and for containing a fragile self-image and body schema. The discussion interprets the language pattern by drawing on various psychoanalytic theories in conjunction with Hitler's biographical notes and Langer's psychohistorical study of Hitler's life (The mind of Adolf Hitler: The secret wartime report. London: Pan, 1973).


The assembly of basement membranes (BMs) into tissue-specific morphoregulatory structures requires non-core BM components. Work in Drosophila indicates a principal role of collagen-binding matricellular glycoprotein SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic, Rich in Cysteine) in larval fat body BM assembly. We report that SPARC and collagen IV (Col(IV)) first colocalize in the trans-Golgi of hemocytes. Mutating the collagen-binding epitopes of SPARC leads to 2nd instar larval lethality, indicating that SPARC binding to Col(IV) is essential for survival. Analysis of this mutant reveals increased Col(IV) puncta within adipocytes and intense perimeter Col(IV) staining surrounding the fat body as compared to wild-type larvae, reflecting a disruption in chaperone-like activity. In addition, Col(IV) in the wing imaginal disc was absent. Removal of the disulfide bridge in EF-hand2, which is known to enhance Col(IV) binding by SPARC, did not lead to larval lethality; however, a similar but less intense fat body phenotype was observed. Additionally, both SPARC mutants have altered fat body BM pore topography. Wing imaginal disc-derived SPARC did not localize within Col(IV)-rich matrices, indicating a distinct variant. Collectively, these data demonstrate the essential role of Col(IV) chaperone-like activity of SPARC to Drosophila development and indicate tissue-specific variants with differential functions.


(1) Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing of Gansu Province, Heihe Remote Sensing Experimental Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; (firstname.lastname@example.com), (2) Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;, (3) University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;


Over the next decade, significant progress must be made in research on computer architectures that enable unprecedented improvements in the efficiency of large-scale computing systems, particularly to support applications that require exascale algorithmic performance. Here, we review the performance requirements for both high-performance computing systems and data centers, and show that it will be critical to exploit photonic devices for interconnect applications to meet these expectations. In the long term, CMOS-compatible fabrication technologies promise a "Moore's Law for photonics" that could completely change the economics of integrated optics and high-performance computing for defense, security, scientific, and consumer applications.


Gone are the days, when a hardware is changed on every malfunctioning and the whole operation either stays down or load on the replacing hardware becomes too much which ultimately compromises the QoS. The IT industry is mature enough to tackle problems regarding scalability, space utilization, energy consumption, cost, agility and low availability. The expected throughput and network latency with 5G in the cellular Telecommunication Networks seems to be unachievable with the existing architecture and resources. Network Function Virtualization promises to merge IT and Telecommunications in such an efficient way that the expected results could be achieved no longer but sooner. The thesis work examines the compatibility and flexibility of a 3GPP virtual core network in a virtualization platform. The testbed is established on an LTE (Long Term Evolution) based network being already deployed and OpenEPC is added as virtual core network on it. The integration of OpenEPC in 5GTN (5 Generation Test Network) is discussed in details in the thesis which will give an account of the possibility of implementing such a simulated vEPC (Virtual Evolved Packet Core) in a real network platform. The deployed setup is tested to check its feasibility and flexibility for a platform which could be used for NFV deployment in future. The monitoring of OpenEPC's individual components while utilizing the major resources within them, forms the primary performance test. The CPU Load and Memory Utilization is tested on different CPU stress levels having a constant data traffic from actual UEs. At the completion of the thesis work, a consensus is built up based on the test results that the test setup can hold number of subscribers to a certain amount without any performance degradation. Moreover, the virtual core network throughput and network latency is also compared to the commercial LTE networks and theoretical maximum values on similar resources to check performance consistency OpenEPC must offer.


The link between nutrition and health has focused on the strategy of diet-based programs to deal with various physiological threats, such as cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress, and diabetes. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables as a safeguard for human health is increasingly important. Among fruits, the intake of persimmon is of great interest because several studies have associated its consumption with health benefits due to its high content of bioactive compounds, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. However, during digestion, some changes take place in persimmon nutritional compounds that condition their subsequent use by the human body. In vitro studies indicate different rates of recovery and bioaccessibility depending on the bioactive compound and the matrix in which they are found. In vivo studies show that the pharmacological application of persimmon or its functional components, such as proanthocyanidins, can help to prevent hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Thus, persimmon and persimmon derived products have the potential to be a fruit recommended for diet therapy. This review aims to compile an updated review of the benefits of persimmon and its derived products, focusing on the in vitro and in vivo digestibility of the main nutrients and bioactive compounds.


MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been one of the most contemplated topics in molecular biology studies in the last decade. These short, non-coding RNA molecules (21-25 nucleotides) were showed to play an important role in carcinogenesis with specific expression profiles in distinct cancer types. However, the contribution of deregulated miRNAs to medulloblastoma formation remains poorly understood. Medulloblastoma comprises the most frequent malignant brain tumor in childhood. Despite considerable therapeutic progress in the past decades, medulloblastoma still results in a comparably poor overall survival rate of 60-70%. Among clinical variables, particularly metastatic dissemination at diagnosis, which is present in about 30% of cases, is associated with dismal prognosis. Distinct molecular subgroups with characteristic genomic aberrations and specific gene expression signatures were consistently reported by several groups and shown to be associated with largely different prognosis. This study demonstrates that genome-wide miRNA expression profiling largely reveals molecular subgroups that had previously also been identified by mRNA expression profiling. A robust miRNA signature with 26 miRNAs was found to readily distinguish Sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup medullo-blastomas from other subgroups in two independent data sets obtained on different microarray platforms. Retina-specific miRNAs, miR-182, miR-183, and miR-96 were reported to be involved in the tumorigenesis and invasiveness of numerous cancer types, however, not yet studied in medulloblastoma. These miRNAs were the most differentially regulated miRNAs within the 26-miRNA signature, were significantly upregulated in non-SHH medulloblastoma, and were associated with tumor location and metastatic dissemination. Further investigating the functional role of these candidate miRNAs in medulloblastoma cells, this study clearly demonstrates in vitro and in vivo, that overexpression of miR-182 in the context of non-SHH medulloblastoma functionally contributes to the metastatic dissemination of medulloblastoma. This momentous finding regarding the functional role of retina-specific miRNAs in medulloblastoma proves novel insights in the biology of metastatic medulloblastoma. Based on this knowledge, novel targeted treatment approaches may be developed for subgroups with particularly dismal prognosis.


Automobile safety has driven several key innovations over the years from anti-lock brakes to airbags. German automakers have been first to leverage many of the most advanced technologies to improve driver safety and the overall driving experience. For example, German vehicles were the first to offer active lane keeping assist, which introduces a vibration to the steering wheel when the driver veers from his lane. Then came side assist radar to help drivers safely change lanes. It alerts the driver to a vehicle in their lanechanging blind spot with a light that comes on in the exterior side mirror. This was followed by stop-and-go and brake assist, which reduces the risk of rear-end collisions by quickly asserting the brakes before an impending crash.


—This article is devoted to design of a measurement system based on specialized FPGA. A balance of ACD and DAC channels through output from one side and computation power of FPGA from another side is considered. Possibilities for obtaining one more tool for screening the signal processing is proposed.


A testlet is a cluster of items that share a common passage, stimulus, or other context, and the dependence between testlet-based item responses that caused by the common stimulus called testlet effect. This article introduced and combed the concepts of testlet, local independence and local dependence, and proposed the concepts of testlet effect in accordance with previous research. Applying standard item response models to testlet responses leaded to many problems such as biased parameter estimation and overestimation of test reliability, hence, testlet response model was introduced to deal with testlet effect better. 6 testlet response models were described in detail including Higher-order testlet model and Multilevel testlet model, and two issues were discussed:(a) the connotation of slope parameter in testlet response model is different from that in standard item response theory which is inappropriate to contrast the two directly;(b) testlet response model belongs to general multidimensional item response model and the main distinction with special multidimensional item response model is the latent factors needed to control to satisfy general local dependence hypothesis.


Thyroid cancer is among the most prevalent cancers with different types and stages. New markers are required for the prognosis and diagnosis of the disease. The present study aimed to detect the role of new markers, including galectin-3 (Gal-3) and thyroglobulin (TG), in the prognosis and staging of thyroid cancer. The study also investigated the potential apoptotic and inflammatory mechanisms involved in thyroid cancer through the determination of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) during the different stages of the cancer using a series of molecular methods. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were also performed. A total of 300 subjects were classified into: 100 normal healthy subjects matched in age and sex, 100 patients with thyroid carcinoma stage I (T1N0M0) and 100 patients with thyroid carcinoma stage 2 (T2N1M1). Interestingly, the present study revealed a significant increase in the levels of TG and Gal-3 in thyroid cancer patients compared to the control group. Furthermore, the levels of Bcl-2, IL-8 and TNF-α significantly increased in the patient serum. The histopathological examination and immunohistochemical observations confirmed the molecular and hematological findings. Collectively, the present study concluded that serum TG and Gal-3 could be useful markers in the prognosis and staging of patients with thyroid cancer. Furthermore, the determination of Bax, Bcl-2, IL-8 and TNF-α levels constitute a major important marker for investigation of the mechanisms of apoptosis and inflammation in thyroid cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first study that used both galectin-3 and TG as tumor markers in the prognosis and differentiation between the different stages of cancer.


The purpose of this article is to explore the relationship of information technology (IT) governance practices and stakeholder management within global IT projects. Having IT governance in place is one thing, but practicability in the project is another challenge for project managers. While the practice of governance is still a challenge to implement, stakeholder management within the context of IT governance adds complexity to managing local and foreign stakeholders that span country borders. This article provides an understanding of how IT governance and stakeholder management are inseparable when implementing global IT projects. Interviews were used to determine the industry best practices for multinational organisations and project practitioners' experience in the implementation of global IT projects. The results highlight the link between stakeholder management and specific IT governance practices for proactively implementing global IT projects. A relationship management approach for project managers and other key project players to link both IT governance and stakeholder engagement is required. From a practical standpoint, the study explored the practitioners' experience and practices of IT governance implementation in line with stakeholder management in various global IT projects.


This work compares the tribological behavior of surface layers obtained by three different hardening processes. The layers were formed on the surface of AISI 4140 steel by applying three different thermochemical treatments. Wear resistance was evaluated using a standardized tribological machine for abrasive wear, according to the limits established by the ASTM G65 "Standard Test Method for Measuring Abrasion Using Dry Sand/Rubber Wheel Apparatus". According to the results, the boride layers exhibited the highest wear resistance, as compared to nitrided and carburized layers. In contrast, the carburized layers presented the highest loss of volume. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the worn surfaces to examine the wear mechanisms. Abrasive wear was identified in all the samples, as the main abrasive wear mechanism. The mean values of the coefficient of friction (CoF) of the hardened surfaces were 0.39, 0.55, and 0.65 for carburizing, nitriding, and boriding samples, respectively, indicating that the wear process may not always be related to a low CoF. The results suggest that the highest hardness is normally associated with high wear resistance, but the coefficient of friction could be not directly related to the hardness of the materials. Finally, a statistical study demonstrates the random nature of the layers obtained by three different hardening processes.


Data security and access control is one of the most challenging ongoing research work in cloud computing, because of users outsourcing their sensitive data to cloud providers. Existing solutions that use pure cryptographic techniques to mitigate these security and access control problems suffer from heavy computational overhead on the data owner as well as the cloud service provider for key distribution and management. This paper addresses this challenging open problem using capability based access control technique that ensures only valid users will access the outsourced data. This work also proposes a modified Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol between cloud service provider and the user for secretly sharing a symmetric key for secure data access that alleviates the problem of key distribution and management at cloud service provider. The simulation run and analysis shows that the proposed approach is highly efficient and secure under existing security models.


The anodic dissolution of silicon in acidic electrolytes is a well-known technology enabling the silicon machining to be accurately controlled down to the micrometer scale in low-doped n-type silicon electrodes. Attempts to scale down this technology to the submicrometer scale has shown to be challenging, though it premises to enable the fabrication of meso and nano structures/systems that would greatly impact the fields of biosensors and nanomedicine. In this work, we report on the electrochemical etching at high anodic voltages (up to 40 V) of two-dimensional regular arrays of millions pores per square centimeter (up to 30 × 106 cm−2) with sub-micrometric diameter (down to ~860 nm), high depth (up to ~40 μm), and high aspect-ratio (up to ~45) using low-doped n-type silicon electrodes (resistivity 3–8 Ω cm). The use of high anodic voltages, which are over one order of magnitude higher than that commonly used in electrochemical etching of silicon, tremendously improves hole focusing at the pore tips during the etching and enables, in turn, the control of electrochemical etching of submicrometer-sized pores when spatial period reduces below 2 μm. A theoretical model allows experimental results to be interpreted in terms of an electric-field-enhanced focusing of holes at the tip apex of the pores at high anodic voltages, with respect to the pore base, which leads to a smaller curvature radius of the tip apex and enables, in turn, the etching of pore tips to be preferentially sustained over time and space.


"There can be little doubt that major changes have taken place in recent years in the nature and organisation of skilled manpower moves. This short article sets out to investigate the ways in which these trends in high level manpower moves might be analysed. It arises from the discussions of a group of British geographers who commenced investigations on this topic in 1985 under the auspices of a working party of the Institute of British Geographers. The article commences by briefly considering the significance of skilled international migration before turning to consider a theoretical framework by which such movements might be analysed. It pays particular attention to the impact of skilled international migration on sub-national units or regions [of developed countries], and tries to link together the findings of the working party on this topic with particular reference to a set of papers presented to a workshop held at the University of Liverpool in March 1989." (SUMMARY IN FRE AND SPA)


A deformation of a short intensive laser pulse temporal profile by optical field ionization (OFI) processes is under consideration. In one-dimensional analysis at a comparatively long distance of the pulse propagation the deformation is ensured by optical field absorption in addition to the dispersion. Three-dimensional effects lead to a modulation of the temporal profile at a laser pulse penetration depth less than the Rayleigh length. The modulation originates from interaction between the pulse and the inhomogeneous dynamic plasma channel created by OFI during the laser pulse propagation. A criterion of the laser pulse `smooth' penetration into a gas undergoing ionization at a distance about Rayleigh length is offered.


This work analyses the impact of machine flexibility on the performance level of a supply chain. A simulation model is developed to reproduce different supply chain configurations, with one player per echelon. Machine flexibility is modelled as the capability of the manufacturer to produce different kinds of products, in response to the customer's requests, and of the supply chain to manage those products. By means of simulation, six supply chain configurations are investigated, resulting from the combination of different numbers of supply chain players (from 3 to 5) and of products managed by the supply chain (1 or 3). For each scenario, we compute some economic outcomes (i.e., cost of holding stocks, stock-out cost, production or order cost and total supply chain cost), as well as the supply chain lead time and the bullwhip effect. Design of experiments and statistical analysis of outcomes are used to assess the significance of the effects measured. Results of the study provide some guidelines about the effect of machine flexibility on the supply chain performance.


Abstract : MAGIC (Magnetic Anti-Glycemic Ileal Conduit) I: Jejunal-Ileal Magnetic Compression Anastomosis Corrects Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Pigs. PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery corrects insulin resistance independent of weight loss, possibly through enterokine signaling pathways. We hypothesize that a Magnetic Anti-Glycemic Ileal Conduit (MAGIC) anastomosis created with magnetic compression between the proximal jejunem and distal ileum corrects insulin resistance. METHODS: Yucatan mini pigs (n = 12) received a high fat diet for 3 months to induce insulin resistance. Animals were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=3). Baseline intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) were performed in fat-fed pigs and one pig as a control. Eight animals underwent the MAGIC procedure using either 23 mm (n=3) or 17 mm diameter (n=5) magnets. Four animals underwent sham operation. Groups were survived for 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks, at which points IVGTTs were repeated to assess changes in insulin sensitivity. Plasma glucose and serum insulin by ELISA was measured (n=8). Animals were euthanized and the anastomosis procured for histology. RESULTS: Baseline insulin resistance was confirmed in fat-fed pigs versus control (Insulin area under the curve normalized to weight [AUC]: 0.330 0.206 vs 0.053, p .005). Insulin sensitivity improved by 2 weeks in animals after MAGIC treatment compared with sham (AUC: 0.169 0.098 vs 0.382 0.30, p 0.005). While animals with 23 mm magnets experienced excessive weight loss (25%) observed by 4 weeks, this was ameliorated in pigs with 17 mm magnets (48% 3 vs 18% 14). No anastomotic leaks or strictures were observed in any animals. All animals took liquids on the day of surgery and were tolerating solids on POD. Two animals had diarrhea that abated, but none required supplements or TPN.


In this paper, we analyze the theoretical link between the available stock of natural resource and the population within the framework of a growth model with endogenous fertility decisions. We consider that human being is an accumulable production factor which, combined with the natural resource, produces an homogeneous good. In this framework, we show that, if the property rights are well defined, the steady state is cha racterized by a higher per capita consumption and a lower population level.


The healthcare industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is growing rapidly, owing to the increase in population and life expectancy, as well as healthcare expansion policies. However, medical supplies, medical staff, hospital beds, medical institutions, and healthcare services which each country can supply for itself fall well below demand. Each MENA country is implementing healthcare expansion policies in order to solve the imbalance between supply and demand, as well as to stabilize public sentiment that has been formed since the regional political upheaval of 2011. A quantitative analysis on medical expenditure was conducted by utilizing a two-track approach that analyzes the gap between the tendential medical expenditure and the potential medical expenditure. Through the analysis on medical expenditure, we reviewed the markets and status of healthcare policies of UAE, Iraq, and Egypt as promising MENA countries to be entered by Korea. UAE is a strategic place for Korea's advance into the healthcare industry in the MENA region. In Iraq, where there is steady demand for hospital construction, we need to pay attention to turnkey-based hospital projects. In Egypt, despite the positive outlook on the pharmaceutical industry, we need to approach it from the long-term viewpoint because it is hard to achieve market penetration in the short term due to the political instability.This study proposes "to establish a creative economy through interindustry linkage and convergence among various business categories." For the realization of this policy vision, we propose three policy objectives: interindustry linkage/convergence, development of capabilities of specialists/professionals, and localization.


Human metaphase chromosomes, in which 5-bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) had been incorporated into the DNA, were treated with the fluorescent plus Giemsa (FPG) method. Use of this method distinctly stained one of the paired sister chromatids with the Giemsa solution due to the difference in content of BrdU in the two chromatids. These chromosomes with their differential staining of sister chromatids were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the air-dried specimens, one of the paired chromatids that was stained strongly with Giemsa solution was about two times higher than the counterpart that was stained faintly with Giemsa solution. In the critical point dried chromosomes, the height of the Giemsa positive chromatid roughly matched that of the Giemsa negative counterpart. These findings imply that the arrangement of the Giemsa negative chromatid after FPG staining is fragile and easily collapses due to the surface tension of water during air-drying. At higher magnifications, the surface structure differed between Giemsa positive and negative chromatids; the Giemsa positive chromatid (i.e., unifilarly BrdU-incorporated chromatid) was composed of fibrous structures while the Giemsa negative chromatid (i.e., bifilarly BrdU-incorporated chromatid) exhibited a fine granular appearance. These structural changes in the sister chromatids are thought to arise from the ultraviolet irradiation and heating of the chromosomes during FPG staining.


Abstract:While leading the just and good life in the Western tradition has long been premised on an aversion to chance, much of the fiction of the nineteenth century suggests that setting up an antagonistic relationship between risk and morality doesn't simply deny contingency, it also stunts the eventuality of personal/moral growth deriving from both failed and successful risk-taking and denies as well the possible harm caused by conformity and inaction. George Eliot demonstrates throughout Daniel Deronda that the real dangers for Gwendolen Harleth reside with "the risks that lie within," the ease of acquiescing to moral complacency and self-limiting models of aesthetic experience. She implies that the potential for harm is far greater when her protagonist relies on beauty as a safe bet for achieving her aims and to this end utilizes experiences of the sublime throughout the novel to act as a vital counterforce to the complacency and stagnation that threaten to dominate Gwendolen's future.


The design approach which leads to a simple new cavity structure, the slab-line cavity, for a microwave-excited electrodeless discharge light source, is outlined. The magnitude of the microwave impedance of a low-pressure neon electrodeless discharge was found to vary between 0.5 and 4 k Omega depending on the gas pressure and incident microwave power. The microwave results obtained show the difficulties in evaluating the system performance and in particular in the use of microwave power as an independent variable to describe the electrodeless discharge tube behaviour in any microwave cavity.


The research was conducted to explain the role of the State in realizing welfare within the framework of maqashidasysyariah. maqashidasysyariah is a view developed by al-Ghazali to explain and accommodate the purposes of the Shari'a. Al Ghazali mentions that a welfare society is a society that can meet the needs of its dien, its nafs, its aql (its intellectual needs), nasl (descendant), and maal (wealth). In various literature studies, the authors found that only an Islamic State can realize such welfare and not in the form of another State. The welfare is mobilized into an institutional role as follows the non-material welfare of accommodating the needs of the community for its worship and the physical well-being of society as its basic physical needs are accommodated in political and economic activity.


Nonviral gene therapy with specific short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against BCR-Abl can be an alternative and/or supportive therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), given the often observed resistance to TKIs in clinical setting. In this study, we explored the feasibility of BCR-Abl siRNA therapy in CML K562 cells in vitro by employing a cationic polymer derived from cholesterol (Chol) grafted low-molecular weight polyethyleneimine (PEI). The first generation TKI imatinib upregulated the expression of BCR-Abl in K562 cells as expected. Delivery of BCR-Abl siRNA in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant K562 cells significantly downregulated the mRNA levels in both cell types. Similarly, the BCR-Abl siRNA treatment arrested the growth of both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant K562 cells with no obvious differences despite a large difference in drug responsiveness. The BCR-Abl gene silencing in combination with TKI treatments exhibited significant synergism in drug-resistant K562 cells in generating substantial antileukemic activity, where the TKIs on their own were not effective. The effect of BCR-Abl siRNA and TKIs on non-CML cells (Jurkat and primary fibroblast) was negligible, indicating the specificity of the proposed therapy. This strategy can significantly overcome TKI resistance in CML cells, suggesting a feasible and effective treatment model for CML patients suffering from clinical resistances.


We test three hypotheses regarding changes in supervisory "toughness" and their effects on bank lending. The data provide modest support for all three hypotheses that there was an increase in toughness during the credit crunch period (1989-1992), that there was a decline in toughness during the boom period (1993-1998), and that changes in toughness, if they occurred, affected bank lending. However, all of the measured effects are small, with 1% or less of loans receiving harsher or easier classification, about 3% of banks receiving better or worse CAMEL ratings, and bank lending being changed by 1% or less of assets.


In this contribution, it is argued that vocational competences cannot be conceptualized independently of the specific contexts in which they are acquired and where they are employed. Starting from the notion of inert knowledge, vocational competences can be regarded as context-bounded in at least three different ways: a) The acquired knowledge does not fit with the context where it is to be applied; b) although relevant knowledge has been acquired, other domain specific prerequisites which are necessary for successful knowledge application are lacking; c) meta-knowledge regarding the application condi-tions of the acquired knowledge is lacking. In our contribution, we will first elaborate on these different types of context boundedness and provide illustrative examples. Second, we will develop instructional measures for the domain of university education that could help to reduce the context boundedness of vocational competences and thus increase their degree of generality.


ABSTRACT 1. Stocking density is an issue for poultry production. High stocking density can impact biochemical parameters, production, and reproductive performance; however, information regarding the effects of stocking density on serum metabolites in geese is limited. 2. Twenty-day-old, Sanhua male geese (n = 240) were allocated to one of two experimental groups for 50 days. One group was housed under a low stocking density (LSD; two birds per m2) and one under a high stocking density (HSD; five birds per m2). Body weight and feed intake were recorded every 10 d. Eight serum samples per group were used for metabonomic analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. 3. Stocking density did not affect the spleen, liver, thymus, or bursa of Fabricius weights after 50 d. Feed intake and body weight was significantly lower in geese from the HSD group versus the LSD group (P < 0.05). Thirty-six differential serum metabolites were identified (P < 0.05), indicating altered amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid and vitamin cofactor metabolism. 4. The results demonstrated that high-density stocking impacts geese, and provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the adverse health effects associated with HSD.


In December 2019, an outbreak of COVID‐19 occurred in Wuhan, China, and spread to the whole of China and to multiple countries worldwide. Unlike SARS and MERS, where secondary transmission mostly occurred in hospital settings, COVID‐19 transmission occurs in large numbers within families. Herein we report three cases of a familial cluster with one family member being a kidney transplant recipient. The initial clinical symptoms of COVID‐19 in these three patients were the same, but their progression was different. Based on the severity of clinical symptoms, chest computer tomography findings and SARS‐Cov‐2 RNA test results, we admitted the husband to the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) and used a treatment consisting of immunosuppressant reduction/cessation and low dose methylprednisolone‐based therapy, and his wife to the respiratory isolation ward. In contrast, the son received in‐home isolation and home‐based care. All three family members made a full recovery.


Chitosan-based fibrous matrices are prepared to mimic the ECM architecture and elucidate substrate-mediated hESC differentiation due to topographical scale and anisotropy without exogenic morphogens. Fibrous matrices support fewer pluripotent hESCs than films but enable topography-mediated hESC differentiation. Matrices composed of 400 nm and 1.1 µm diameter fibers support increased expression of neural markers indicative of ectodermal commitment while matrices of 200 nm diameter fibers increase expression of osteogenic and hepatic markers indicative of endodermal and mesodermal commitment. The fibrous-mediated hESC differentiation highlights the significant implication of tailored ECM-like substrates for hESC-based therapies.


Knowledge of personal hygiene is very important to note by the garbage collector to maintain their life , health and welfare in prevent symptoms of skin diseases. This research to find out the knowledge of the personal hygiene with the symptoms of a skin disease in the garbage collector. This type research is analytic survey on the interview with the cross sectional.The sample as many as 70 officers garbage, located in the Badung Regency. Data were collected by using a questionnaire and statistical analysis by using the Chi Square test. The result from the garbage collector knowledge are about 12,9% have a good knowledge, about 32,8% have an averange knowledge and about 54,3% have a bad knowledge. Respondents with some symptoms as much as 58,6 % and some who were not as symptoms is as much as 41.1 % . Symptoms of skin disease most often happen by the garbage collector were itchy, red stain, redness of the skin , bumps, scaly skin, and peeling skin. Chi Square statistical results P value  = 0,000 ɑ (0.05), which means there is a significant relationship between the level of knowledge about personal hygiene with the onset of symptoms of skin diseases in the garbage collector with a moderate level of relationship (CC value = 0.537). The garbage collector should further enhance his knowledge of personal hygiene by given counseling.


Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are an abundant and easily accessible multipotent stem cell source with potential application in smooth muscle regeneration strategies. In 3D collagen hydrogels, we investigated whether sustained release of growth factors (GF) PDGF-AB and TGF-β1 from GF-loaded microspheres could induce a smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype in ASCs, and if the addition of uniaxial cyclic stretch could enhance the differentiation level. This study demonstrated that the combination of cyclic stretch and GF release over time from loaded microspheres potentiated the differentiation of ASCs, as quantified by protein expression of early to late SMC differentiation markers (SMA, TGLN and smooth muscle MHC). The delivery of GFs via microspheres produced large ASCs with a spindle-shaped, elongated SMC-like morphology. Cyclic strain produced the largest, longest, and most spindle-shaped cells regardless of the presence or absence of growth factors or the growth factor delivery method. Protein expression and cell morphology data confirmed that the sustained release of GFs from GF-loaded microspheres can be used to promote the differentiation of ASCs into SMCs and that the addition of uniaxial cyclic stretch significantly enhances the differentiation level, as quantified by intermediate and late SMC markers and a SMC-like elongated cell morphology.


The increase in longevity in the developed countries requires costly health and social aid programs, since many elderly persons suffer from pathological ageing processes linked to chronic degenerative diseases and long-lasting functional deficiencies. However, many studies have suggested that a greater number of persons could prevent pathological ageing by consuming diets rich in antioxidants. Such diets could provide the organism with more effective protection against the oxidative stress that contributes to normal ageing, and have an even more important role in atherosclerosis, immune depression and other degenerative processes that are often found in pathological ageing. In accordance with these concepts and with the data reviewed, diet supplementation in mature or advanced age subjects with antioxidants (such as thioproline, N-acetylcysteine and the phenolic compounds of curcuma longa) could increase the chances of preventing or retarding the above-mentioned degenerative processes, thus helping to reach greater longevity with the adequate preservation of functional capacity.


Since the beginning of decolonisation in Africa, regional integration has become one of the most potent defining characteristics of the continent's quest for industrialisation and sustainable development. It was understood that the individual continental economies could not achieve the requisite level of industrial development to meet their respective development objectives due to the colonial policy of balkanisation, which divided the continent into small, economically unviable units. In 1992, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted developmental integration, an approach to regional integration to engender industrialisation and address the region's development challenges. This book offers a critical assessment and examination of this approach as to how it has influenced the industrialisation process in Southern Africa. If so, why has it failed to accelerate the region's industrialisation and structural transformation process? It contributes significantly to cross-cutting development debates on the African continent, particularly in southern Africa. More importantly, in understanding the nexus between developmental integration and industrialisation.


The retrospective analysis of the database of inpatients with
the target assess the clinical course of PE according to
prevalence, mortality, average duration of stay, risk factors,
used diagnostic methods and kinds of therapy. Another aim of
the study was a comparison of the dates among the survivors and
deceased persons. We found the most important risk factors in
the group of the deceased immobility (p<0.001)` heart failure
(p<0.005) and stroke (p<0.01). On the contrary in the survivor
group there were more frequent risk factors obesity (p<0.025);
deep venous thrombosis (p<0.025) and tumors (p<0.05). Previous
operations and traumas in the last month did not show any
significant difference between both groups. Used treatment
methods were evaluated, too. In the group of those who died
predominated multi-morbidity, often frailty and geriatric
giants even if the anticoagulant therapy was used comparably in
both groups (survivors and the deceased).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence, severity and distribution of dental caries and associated factors among young male adults from Florianopolis (Southern Brazil) and to compare these results with those from a previous study.

METHOD
A cross-sectional study (n-414) was conducted among Brazilian Army subjects in 2003. Dental caries experience was recorded using the DMF-T Index (WHO, 1997). Non-clinical data were obtained through a questionnaire. The analyses included DMF-T descriptive statistics, calculation of the Gini coefficient to assess inequality in the distribution of caries and non-conditional multiple logistic regression, following a hierarchical approach.

RESULTS
The response rate was 95.6%. High values of intra- and inter-examiner agreement were achieved (Kappa > 0.83). Reductions of 18.6% in prevalence and 26.7% in caries severity were accompanied by an increase of 18.6% in dental caries inequality. Individuals with eight or less years of study (OR 8.1 : CI95% 1.9-34.7), raised by mothers with eight or less years of study (OR 2.9 : CI 95% 1.7-5.0) were more likely to have dental caries. Subjects whose families earned less than six Brazilian minimum wages per month were also more likely to have dental caries (OR 2.3 : CI95% 1.4-3.8).

CONCLUSIONS
Decreases in caries prevalence and severity were followed by an increased inequality in caries distribution. Low level of schooling, low maternal schooling and low monthly family income were statistically associated with dental caries.


Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) of a compressible nozzle/jet configuration have been carried out. Two jets were simulated, an isothermal jet and a jet with a higher temperature than the quiescent surrounding air. The Mach number was in both cases 0.75 and the jet Reynolds number was 50,000. Sound pressure levels in far-field observer locations were evaluated using Kirchhoff surface integration. The Favre filtered Navier-Stokes equations were solved using a finite volume method solver with a low-dissipation third-order upwind scheme for the convective fluxes, a second-order centered difference approach for the viscous fluxes and a three-stage second-order Runge-Kutta technique in time. The computational domain was discretized using a block structured boundary fitted mesh with approximately 3,000,000 cells. The calculations were performed on a parallel computer, using message-passing interface (MPI). A compressible form of Smagorinsky's subgrid scale model was used for computation of the subgrid scale stresses. Absorbing boundary conditions based on characteristic variables were adopted for all free boundaries. Velocity components specified at the entrainment boundaries were estimated from corresponding Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) calculations, which enable the use of a rather narrow domain. This, furthermore, ensures that the correct amount of fluid is entrained into the domain. Two-point space-time correlations were obtained for locations in the shear layer center, from which length and time scales of turbulence structures were evaluated. Predicted near-field flow statistics and far-field sound pressure levels (SPL) are both in good agreement with experiments. Predicted (SPL) are for all observers locations, where evaluated, within a 3.0 [dB] deviation from measured levels and for most locations within a 1.0 [dB] deviation. Experimental data used for validation were provided by Laboratoire d'Etude Aerodynamiques, Poitiers, France.


As many of the challenges facing society are too complex to be addressed by single organizations working alone, nonprofit organizations are increasingly working in collaboration with public authorities. The governance of nonprofit–public collaborations is important for their effectiveness, yet it remains poorly understood. Drawing on case study research, this article examines and develops an extant conceptual model developed by Takahashi and Smutny that seeks to explain the formation and demise of nonprofit collaborations in terms of "collaborative windows" and the inability to adapt initial governance structures. The research finds that while initial governance structures are an important constraint on development, they can be adapted and changed. It also suggests that the development of collaborations is not only influenced by changes in the collaborative window but also by how key actors in the collaboration respond to important internal tensions.


This study aims to determine the effect of marketing communication mix on brand image and brand awareness and its implication on the consumer decision to choose sharia insurance. This research is descriptive by using quantitative approach method and also supported by qualitative data. Data analysis method used in this research is SEM (Structural Equation Modeling). Respondents in this study are sharia life insurance customer in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tanggerang, and Bekasi with a sample of 160 people. The result of the research shows that marketing communication mixes influence to brand image, marketing communication mix influence to brand awareness, marketing communication mix does not affect consumer decision to choose sharia insurance, brand image influence to consumer decision to accept sharia insurance, and brand awareness influence to consumer decision sharia insurance.


Recently computer aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have improved diagnosis of abnormalities in mammogram images. To improve the accuracy and reliability of such systems, the exact breast region as the region of interest (ROI), has to be segmented. Furthermore, focus on ROI can eliminates the effect of image background noise. Consequently it can reduce the detection algorithms execution time. Also, the accurate breast region detection ends to the accurate breast border detection, which can improve clinical diagnosis of abnormalities. Currently, new methods have been presented that achieve the accurate breast border detection. Nevertheless most of these methods are complicated and have undesirable effects on the execution time. In this paper we proposed a novel approach for accurate breast region segmentation in digital mammograms based on local thresholds. The suggested method can extract the breast region accurately.


This article summarizes pertinent research on women's adult development and Dream formation, then examines the Dreams of six female psychotherapists in their thirties. Evidence of how these women's Dreams guided their adult professional and personal development is discussed and compared. Finally, recommendations are made for educational and counseling institutions in order that they may more effectively facilitate the articulation and constructive use of women's adult Dreams in their professional and personal lives.


Sharing Mobility is characterized by a high digital component able to supply customers with a considerable level of flexibility in urban trips. The study was conducted focusing on the E-go car sharing project, promoted by University of Roma Tre and Enel Energia S.p.A. E-go is an university electric car sharing system. The paper provides a double contribution to the research activity on sharing mobility: i) the exploration of the electric car sharing potential demand among students; ii) the implementation of an Hybrid Choice Model to analyze the role of the pro-environmental attitude on the users' willingness to use car sharing. The analysis has been based on the data collected in a survey among the potential users of the e-go car sharing service. One of the first findings of the study is that the pro-environmental attitude doesn't significantly influence the choice of the users. The authors suggest to the car sharing operators and to the policy makers to take in consideration the results of the study in order to plan promotional strategies and to develop policies aiming at supporting the spread of this service.