The paper presents the new agent framework XJAF and its application on distributed library catalogues. The framework is based on the Java EE technology and uses the concept of the plug-ins for implementation of the basic framework components. One important plug-in of the agent framework has been introduced into this system: the inter-facilitator connection plug-in, which defines how multiple facilitators form an agent network. The inter-facilitator connection plug-in is particularly important in both design and implementation phases in the field of distributed library catalogues. In order to substantiate the above statement, the framework has been used for implementation of the agent-based central catalogue of the library information system BISIS. Also, the framework has been used to implement the agent-based metadata harvesting system for the networked digital library of theses and dissertations (NDLTD). Both systems have been implemented at the University of Novi Sad.


The POT1 gene is located in chromosome 7 and encodes a key component of the shelterin complex, which is essential for the maintenance of telomere and chromosome integrity. Somatic mutations of POT1 have been identified in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which indicates that POT1 dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of hematological neoplasms. At the same time, abnormal telomere shortening has been observed in MDS/AML and a spectrum of bone marrow failure syndromes. We therefore sought to study the potential role of POT1 in MDS by sequencing the gene and characterizing its expression in primary bone marrow specimens of patients with MDS. We first sequenced all POT1 coding regions that are known to have mutations in CLL. PCR-Sanger sequencing was performed in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNNC) of a cohort of 30 patients with MDS (15 with RAEB/RAEBT, 11 with RA/RARS/RCMD/MDS-U, 2 with CMML, and 2 with 5q- syndromes). No genetic mutations in the POT1 gene were detected. This result suggests that genetic alteration of POT1 is rare in MDS. We then evaluated the expression of POT1 using cDNA arrays (n=183) or RT-PCR (n=58) in a cohort of 241 patients with MDS from two centers. The median age of our patients was 71 years (32-95). Diagnoses included RAEB in 108 (45%), 5q- syndrome in 18 (8%), and other syndromes (RA, RCMD, and MDS-U) in 115 (47%) cases. In this cohort, 140 (58%) patients were diploid, 22 (9%) had chromosome 7 alterations, 21 (9%) had 5q deletion, and 58 (24%) had other cytogenetic abnormalities. Results indicate that POT1 was underexpressed (less than 50% of the POT1 level in normal controls) in the bone marrow CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cell population in 138 patients (57%). However, no significant difference was observed between the whole MDS cohort and control BM CD34+ cells from healthy donors (n=25). Further subset analysis based on karyotypes revealed that 81% of patients with chromosome 7 alterations (7- and 7q-) had lower expression of POT1 versus 38% of diploid patients, 35% of 5q patients, and 42% of patients with other cytogenetic alterations (p=0.001). ANOVA testing indicated that expression of POT1 was significantly downregulated (less than 50% of control) only in patients with chromosome 7 alteration (p When we compared the survival of patients with POT1 downregulation to other groups, we observed a strong tendency toward shorter overall survival in patients with POT1 downregulation (median OS of 37 months [95% CI: 21-52] vs 53 months [95%CI: 30-75]; p=0.139). This tendency toward poorer OS was also observed when we excluded cases with chromosome 7 alterations (37 months [95% CI: 17-57] vs 53 months [95%CI: 25-80]; p=0.186). Next, we evaluated the potential impact of POT1 expression on responses to therapies. In the subgroup of patients with available treatment records for analysis (n=58), a total of 42 patients received hypomethylating agents (HMA), and 47% of them achieved responses. When comparing POT1 expression levels to HMA response, we observed significantly lower POT1 expression in HMA non-responders than in responders (U Mann-Whitney test p= 0.028). In a regression model for response to HMA, we also observed that downregulation of POT1 was associated with a poorer response to HMA (OR 4.96 [1.01-24.37]; p=0.049). However, when we introduced chromosome 7 alterations into the model, POT1 expression lost its effect, which suggests that the impact of POT1 on response to HMA is due to its interaction with chromosome 7 alterations. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that the downregulation of POT1 gene expression, which is related to chromosome 7 deletions, may play a role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of MDS, including response to HMA-based therapies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Background United States college students, particularly those attending community colleges, have higher smoking rates than the national average. Recruitment of such smokers into research studies has not been studied in depth, despite a moderate amount information on study recruitment success with smokers from traditional four-year colleges. Recruitment channels and success are evolving as technology evolves, so it is important to understand how to best target, implement, and evaluate recruitment strategies. Objective The aim of this paper is to both qualitatively and quantitatively explore recruitment channels (eg, mass email, in-person referral, posted materials) and their success with enrollment into a Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention study in this priority population of underserved and understudied smokers. Methods Qualitative research methods included key informant interviews (n=18) and four focus groups (n=37). Quantitative research methods included observed online responsiveness to any channel (n=10,914), responses from those completing online screening and study consent (n=2696), and responses to a baseline questionnaire from the fully enrolled study participants (n=1452). Results Qualitative results prior to recruitment provided insights regarding the selection of a variety of recruitment channels proposed to be successful, and provided context for the unique attributes of the study sample. Quantitative analysis of self-reported channels used to engage with students, and to enroll participants into the study, revealed the relative utilization of channels at several recruitment points. The use of mass emails to the student body was reported by the final sample as the most influential channel, accounting for 60.54% (879/1452) of the total enrolled sample. Conclusions Relative channel efficiency was analyzed across a wide variety of channels. One primary channel (mass emails) and a small number of secondary channels (including college websites and learning management systems) accounted for most of the recruitment success. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01692730; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01692730 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qEcFQN9Q)


The analysis method and results of a power network connectivity determination algorithm, part of the CONCE project, the central part of ENHER's computerized dispatching system, are reported together with a validation of the latter through practical measurements. The algorithm is constructed by repeated invocation of the same connectivity determination procedure for an abstract graph. Although emphasis is given to a version consisting of two steps, substation and overall network, a three step imiplementation is also suggested together with its possible advantages. The main concepts upon which the algorithm is based are reviewed briefly. The analysis shows that the processor time involved in its execution is linearly proportional to the power network dimensions. This fact suggests that the algorithm could be used with advantage for large power networks.


Brain tumors are most often diagnosed with solid neoplasms and are the primary reason for cancer‐related deaths in both children and adults worldwide. With recent developments in the progression of novel targeted chemotherapies, the prognosis of malignant glioma remains dismal. However, the high recurrence rate and high mortality rate remain unresolved and are closely linked to the biological features of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Research on tumor biology has reached a new age with more understanding of CSC features. CSCs, a subpopulation of whole tumor cells, are now regarded as candidate therapeutic targets. Therefore, in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors, recognizing the biological properties of CSCs is of considerable significance. Here, we have discussed the concept of CSCs and their significant role in brain cancer growth and propagation. We have also discussed personalized therapeutic development and immunotherapies for brain cancer by specifically targeting CSCs.


We present a shape descriptor based on integral kernels. Shape is represented in an implicit form and it is characterized by a series of isotropic kernels that provide desirable invariance properties. The shape features are characterized at multiple scales which form a signature that is a compact description of shape over a range of scales. The shape signature is designed to be invariant with respect to group transformations which include translation, rotation, scaling, and reflection. In addition, the integral kernels that characterize local shape geometry enable the shape signature to be robust with respect to undesirable perturbations while retaining discriminative power. Use of our shape signature is demonstrated for shape matching based on a number of synthetic and real examples.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease. It is among the fastest growing chronic diseases diagnosed in the world today. COPD is the third most common cause of death in the United States and is predicted to get worse. It is characterized by the development of an exaggerated inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious substances such as tobacco or air pollution. If the exposure becomes recurrent or persistent, the lungs develop chronic inflammatory response leading to lung parenchymal damage, air trapping and progressive airflow limitation. The Diagnosis of COPD is usually made in the contest of symptoms, exposure to risk factors and spirometry evidence of airway obstruction with post bronchodilator spirometry FEV1/FVC < 0.70. Most patients with COPD first sick medical attention when they develop dyspnea.
Once the diagnosis of COPD has been confirmed, the treatment is geared mainly towards preventing exacerbations and eliminating risk factors and exposures. Several treatments combinations can be used in patients with stable COPD to prevent exacerbations and to improve their quality of life. Patients with COPD exacerbations have to be appropriately diagnosed and promptly treated to prevent complications. Patient's symptoms, the degree of airflow limitation, risk of exacerbations and the presence of comorbidities have to be assessed. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have been used in the management of COPD.


Background Billions of dollars are spent on research globally every year, yet little is translated to public use through policy and/or commercialisation. For the few research findings that make it to policy, evidence in most LMICs shows they hardly see the light of implementation. Our EDCTP-funded TWENDE consortium used implementation of tuberculosis (TB) molecular diagnostics as a model to investigate the barriers, and opportunities to unlock them in order to maximise uptake of health research innovations into policy and practice. Methods Mixed methods approach including surveys, audits, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), policymaker dialogues to unravel the bottlenecks and how to overcome them. Results 1119 respondents representing from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania participated in the study. 19% were district/county health officers, 12% healthcare audits, 58% one-on-one interviews and FGDs with healthcare practitioners, community leaders, TB patients and survivors, and care givers, and 11% policymaker workshops. Barriers: government poverty, family/individual poverty, incompatibility of technologies to existing infrastructure, low awareness and socio-cultural beliefs in the community were found. Stigma at community and healthcare levels was rife. Consequently, TB diagnostics were underimplemented and underutilised. Xpert MTB/RIF test was fully utilised in ∼10% of healthcare facilities (conducting 8 tests per day) whilst Line probe assay was implemented in less than 1% of the facilities. Conclusion Based on our findings, we believe overcoming the barriers presents the opportunity to maximise research impact of public healthcare. This could be achieved through sustained public and practitioners' sensitisation to remove stigma to increase demand and utilisation of services; early interaction of researchers and policymakers to increase sense of ownership and acceptability of research innovations; early communication between developers and end-users to align the tools with the needs and existing infrastructure capacity; and increased affordability of innovations through socioeconomic empowerment programmes.


In electrophysiological investigations, relative permeabilities of somatic neuronal membrane in the winkle for K+, Rb+ and Tl+ have been obtained which made it possible to establish the selectivity row for this membrane. This row in principle coincides with similar rows for the membranes of other excitable formations. The difference lies in higher permeability of the membrane investigated for sodium. Permeability coefficients for K+, Rb+, Tl+ and Na+ in this membrane were also determined. In marine molluscs, sodium and potassium permeabilities of the membranes are lower than in fresh-water or terrestrial ones.


Administrative databases are well suited to understanding systemic treatment effects because the data are longitudinal and capture multiple settings of care. However, when a fracture is coded, it is hard to know the pathophysiology. Was it IUD, cancer or some other cause? The authors created 2 levels of comparison to address this question. To answer whether the fractures are due to cancer or IUD they created a noncancer IUD comparison group. To answer whether unmeasured confounders rather than IUD may cause the fractures they created matched control groups for the cancer and noncancer IUD groups. By matching on several measured confounders the suggestion is that some unmeasured confounders would also match. The reason for IUD in the nonBC cohort is a confounder of particular importance and is not accounted for here. The young age and high rates of renal insufficiency and continent diversion suggest a cohort with underlying spinal cord injury or spina bifida, which also increases the risk of bone fracture. Despite the utility of the claims data, appropriate study design is paramount and an understanding and explanation of limitations are warranted when using claims data for long-term followup of urological care.


An analysis is made of self-mode-locking of cw solid-state lasers performed by a modulator based on an antiresonance ring containing a bulk element with self-phase -modulation. Such a modulation is capable of effectively discriminating fluctuations of radiation and has a high initial transmission. The characteristics of a self-consistent ultrashort pulse, obtained from an approximate analytic solution of the problem of cw lasing, are investigated as a function of the modulator parameters. The parameters of a system for which an analytic solution matches the regions of effective self-mode-locking are found by numerical modelling of formation of stable ultrashort pulse trains from the noise radiation in an active medium subjected to continuous pumping.


Continuous mid-air hand gesture recognition based on captured hand pose streams is fundamental for human-computer interaction, particularly in AR / VR. However, many of the methods proposed to recognize heterogeneous hand gestures are tested only on the classification task, and the real-time low-latency gesture segmentation in a continuous stream is not well addressed in the literature. For this task, we propose the On-Off deep Multi-View Multi-Task paradigm (OO-dMVMT). The idea is to exploit multiple time-local views related to hand pose and movement to generate rich gesture descriptions, along with using heterogeneous tasks to achieve high accuracy. OO-dMVMT extends the classical MVMT paradigm, where all of the multiple tasks have to be active at each time, by allowing specific tasks to switch on/off depending on whether they can apply to the input. We show that OO-dMVMT defines the new SotA on continuous/online 3D skeleton-based gesture recognition in terms of gesture classification accuracy, segmentation accuracy, false positives, and decision latency while maintaining real-time operation.


abstract Expressions are derived for the horizontal and vertical displacements at an arbitrary depth within a homogeneous, isotropic, elastic half space when plane harmonic P, SV or SH waves are incident at any given angle. On the basis of the reciprocity theorem, these expressions represent also the far-field polar radiation patterns of P, SV and SH waves due to horizontal and vertical forces applied at a point within the half space. Numerical results for a few selected values of depth are shown for a solid half space.


Bleeding from duodenal varices is reported to be a catastrophic and often fatal event. Most of the cases in the literature involve patients with underlying cirrhosis. However, approximately one quarter of duodenal variceal bleeds is caused by extrahepatic portal hypertension and they represent a unique population given their lack of liver dysfunction. The authors present a case where a 61-year-old male with history of remote crush injury presented with bright red blood per rectum and was found to have bleeding from massive duodenal varices. Injection sclerotherapy with ethanolamine was performed and the patient experienced a favorable outcome with near resolution of his varices on endoscopic follow-up. The authors conclude that sclerotherapy is a reasonable first line therapy and review the literature surrounding the treatment of duodenal varices secondary to extrahepatic portal hypertension.


Under the common state space model for tracking a maneuvering target, the tracker needs to adapt its state transition model timely to match the target maneuver, which is usually carried out by finding the best one from a bank of candidate Markov models or employing all of them simultaneously but assigning different probabilities. Both methods suffer from time delay for confirming the target maneuver. To avoid these problems, we model the target motion by a continuous time trajectory function and the tracking problem is formulated as an optimization problem with the goal of finding the trajectory function that best fits the observation over a sliding time window. The trajectory function can be used for smoothing, filtering and even prediction. The approach is particularly applicable to a class of target motion patterns such as passenger aircraft, where little prior statistical information is available on the target dynamics or even the sensor observation except the linguistic information that "the target moves in a smooth trajectory" (as being called smoothly maneuvering target). Simulation is provided to demonstrate the supremacy of our approach with comparison to a number of classical Markov-Bayes approaches, based on Hartikainen et al.'s example.


Many real world models can be characterized as weak, meaning that there is significant uncertainty in both the data input and inferences. This lack of determinism makes it especially difficult for users of computer decision aids to understand and have confidence in the models. This paper presents a representation for uncertainty and utilities that serves as a framework for graphical summary and computer-generated explanation of decision models. The application described that tests the methodology is a computer decision aid designed to enhance the clinician-patient consultation process for patients with angina (chest pain due to lack of blood flow to the heart muscle). The angina model is represented as a Bayesian decision network. Additionally, the probabilities and utilities are treated as random variables with probability distributions on their range of possible values. The initial distributions represent information on all patients with anginal symptoms, and the approach allows for rapid tailoring to more patientspecific distributions. This framework provides a metric for judging the importance of each variable in the model dynamically.


Modifications made to the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) to accommodate the design of a newly constructed composite pavement system featuring a thin portland cement concrete (PCC) layer placed over another PCC layer (PCC–PCC pavement) are described. In previous versions of the MEPDG, a newly constructed PCC–PCC pavement project was considered a bonded PCC overlay of an existing PCC pavement. As a result of this simplification, the MEPDG was not consistent in its predictions for a newly constructed PCC–PCC pavement and its structurally equivalent single-layer analogue. To remedy this inconsistency, researchers suggested modifications to the Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model (EICM) used by the MEPDG in terms of (a) number of locations through the slab used by EICM to determine the thermal gradient and (b) EICM calculation of the subgrade spring stiffness (or k-value). Before-and-after MEPDG sensitivity analyses are included to justify the modifications developed and implemented into the MEPDG with the assistance of the MEPDG development team. This research was conducted under SHRP 2 R21, Composite Pavement Systems.


Purpose: To evaluate the effect of late night study and excessive use of smart phones on the ocular health of medical undergraduate students.
Design: An observational and cross-sectional study.
Participants: Two hundred and fifty nine normal and healthy M.B.B.S students of age 18-25 y were included in the study over a period of two months.
Methods: All the volunteers underwent an interview in form of a questionnaire. A complete ophthalmic examination was done including snellen visual acuity assessment, anterior segment examination with slit lamp, posterior segment with direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy; Schirmer's test and tear film break up time.
Results: A total of 259 subjects were included in the study and maximum subjects 160 (61.8%) were females. According to age, the students were divided in two groups as I and II with age of 17-20 y and 21-23 y respectively. Maximum 195 (75.3%) students belonged to group I. Maximum subjects 245 (94.5%) were using only smartphones and 239 (92.27%) subjects were using smartphones for more than 2 y. The maximum 136 (52.51%) students studied at night with maximum using tube light 112 (43.24%). A significant association was seen between the digital device used and age of the subject (p value=0.01). Number of symptoms experienced by the students showed significant relationship with the number of hours of smartphone usage (p value=0.02). Source of light in which the students studied at night was significantly associated with the number of symptoms experienced (p value=0.03). An association between usage of smartphones (hours) showed significant relationship with slit lamp examination (tear debri) and Schirmer's (less than 15 mm) with p value of 0.03, 0.05 respectively.
Conclusion: Source of light used to study at night and number of hours of use of devices shows relationship with symptoms. Smart phone users showed computer-related eye problems in more than half of the subjects.


This paper examines how consumers react to the financial distress of durable goods manufacturers by looking at the Swedish new car market. We employ a difference-in-differences matching methodology whereby we compare sales of carmaker Saab with those of a carefully constructed control group of substitute products. To account for possible substitution between products in the treatment and control groups, we propose and apply bounds to our difference-in-differences matching estimator. We then refine the bounds and provide conditions under which they depend only on the products' own- and cross-price elasticities. We find that even accounting for potential substitution, there was a significant decrease in the sales of Saab following its filing for administration. These findings are robust to a number of robustness checks and alternative hypotheses.


It is not difficult for me to advise the regular readers of this journal that a quality book covering the key contemporary areas involved with indoor air pollution is now available, well written, informative and well balanced, and should be obtained and read. That is easy and I shall do so wholeheartedly. What is more difficult, however, is to entice those, who do not read this journal or other similar organs which deal with air quality but have to deal with IAQ problems to do so: The area of IAQ is complex, confusing and exhausting, involving, as it must, a whole range of scientific and medical specialties and engineering. Each must learn to talk the other's language, or at least listen, and that takes a certain amount of trust as well as much patience. Ultimately, what we are expected to do with the indoor environment is to provide conditions that produce neither ill-health, discomfort nor loss of well-being, and at an economic price. This as


In the context of a simple gauge-Higgs unification (GHU) scenario based on the gauge group SU(3)×U(1)′ in a 5-dimensional flat space-time, we investigate a possibility to reproduce the observed Higgs boson mass of around 125 GeV. We introduce bulk fermion multiplets with a bulk mass and a (half) periodic boundary condition. In our analysis, we adopt a low energy effective theoretical approach of the GHU scenario, where the running Higgs quartic coupling is required to vanish at the compactification scale. Under this "gauge-Higgs condition," we investigate the renormalization group evolution of the Higgs quartic coupling and find a relation between the bulk mass and the compactification scale so as to reproduce the 125 GeV Higgs boson mass. Through quantum corrections at the one-loop level, the bulk fermions contribute to the Higgs boson production and decay processes and deviate the Higgs boson signal strengths at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments from the Standard Model (SM) predictions. Employing the current experimental data which show the the Higgs boson signal strengths for a variety of Higgs decay modes are consistent with the SM predictions, we obtain lower mass bounds on the lightest mode of the bulk fermions. E-mail:email@example.com 2 E-mail:email@example.com


Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission is a term used to describe a comprehensive package of services intended to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The vertical virus transmission from mother to child accounts for more than 90% of pediatric Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Published studies on the client satisfaction with PMTCT services' provision in Ethiopia are generally limited. Even fewer studies do examine client satisfaction with the PMTCT services. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess the client satisfaction with Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV services in public hospitals of Hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia 2017. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design using quantitative data collection method was conducted in public hospitals from March 01 to April 10, 2017. A total of 423 pregnant women were consecutively interviewed until the required sample was obtained. The data was entered in to Epi-data and analyzed using SPSS. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to see the predictors for satisfaction of clients on PMTCT service. Result : About 89.8% clients were satisfied with PMTCT services provided at public hospitals. The client satisfaction with PMTCT services was associated with waiting time [AOR =4.648, 95% CI = (2.183, 9.897)], counseling time [AOR =3.748, 95% CI = (1.645, 8.537)] and counseling given by same counselor before and after HIV test [AOR =0.193, 95%CI: (0.090, 0.412)]. Conclusion : Clients' satisfaction by PMTCT service is very high.


Roots of thirty cultivars, breeding lines, and of 310 unselected seedlings of sweet potato were evaluated as boiled slices. Then slices of seventy five selections of these were deep fried in soybean oil and evaluated as chips. On the basis of color, sweetness, and mouthfeel, seedlings were classified into 25 of 27 theoretical classes. Low sweetness was associated with dry mouthfeel. The frequency of defects in the boiled slice was determined. Two types of chips were distinguished, a sweet cookie-type chip, and a nonsweet chip. Quality characteristics were more or less independent of each other and of other characteristics measured. Ratings of chips were closely correlated to judgment of flavor, and to a lesser extent, crispness, lack of oil residue, and attractiveness. High ratings were not associated with degree of sweetness. Sweet potatoes are suitable for cookie-type as well as conventional chips. However, their properties before frying are not reliable guides to quality when fried.


RNase P, the essential activity that performs the 5′ maturation of tRNA precursors, can be achieved either by ribonucleoproteins containing a ribozyme present in the three domains of life or by protein-only enzymes called protein-only RNase P (PRORP) that occur in eukaryote nuclei and organelles. A fast growing list of studies has investigated three-dimensional structures and mode of action of PRORP proteins. Results suggest that similar to ribozymes, PRORP proteins have two main domains. A clear functional analogy can be drawn between the specificity domain of the RNase P ribozyme and PRORP pentatricopeptide repeat domain, and between the ribozyme catalytic domain and PRORP N4BP1, YacP-like Nuclease domain. Moreover, both types of enzymes appear to dock with the acceptor arm of tRNA precursors and make specific contacts with the corner of pre-tRNAs. While some clear differences can still be delineated between PRORP and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) RNase P, the two types of enzymes seem to use, fundamentally, the same catalytic mechanism involving two metal ions. The occurrence of PRORP and RNP RNase P represents a remarkable example of convergent evolution. It might be the unique witness of an ongoing replacement of catalytic RNAs by proteins for enzymatic activities.


Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States and ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is an aggressive subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer. Recent whole genome and whole exome sequencing studies have revealed that the chromatin remodeler protein AT-Rich Interactive Domain 1a (ARID1a) is frequently mutated in OCCC. ARID1a loss is also often observed in endometriosis which is strongly associated with OCCC. Consequently, we hypothesize that loss of ARID1a is an early step in transformation of endometriosis into OCCC. Here, we show that knocking down ARID1a in an immortalized endometriosis line, promotes greater invasion of basement membrane in vitro, and higher efficiency of anchorage-independent growth. Using two independent genome wide approaches to assay chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation, we demonstrate that the loss of ARID1a does not significantly alter global chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation with the exception of the genomic regions containing late replicating domains. Our findings do however indicate that the loss of ARID1a contributes to altered distribution of H3K27me3 and H3K27ac marks. Specifically we find an increased deposit of the polycomb repressive mark in the knock-down line outside of promoters. Interestingly, we also find the knock-down line has a higher level of the active mark H3K27ac at the promoters and a lower level at the enhancers relative to the scrambled control. Moreover, many of the genes differentially expressed upon ARID1a knock-down are consistent with the changes of H3K27ac at the respective gene promoter. We therefore conclude that loss of ARID1a expression contributes to cellular transformation through deregulation of gene expression primarily through alteration of histone marks. Citation Format: Ranjani Lakshminarasimhan, Claudia Andreu-Vieyra, Kate Lawrenson, Simon A. Gayther, Peter A. Jones, Gangning Liang. The role of chromatin remodeler protein ARID1a in ovarian clear cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chromatin and Epigenetics in Cancer; Sep 24-27, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B02.


Abstract We prove a fundamental case of a conjecture of the first author which expresses the homology of the extension of the Heisenberg Lie algebra by C [t]/(tk+1) in terms of the homology of the Heisenberg Lie algebra itself. More specifically, we show that both the 0th and (k+1)th x-graded components of homology of this extension of the three-dimensional Heisenberg Lie algebra have dimension 3k+1 by constructing a simple basis for cohomology.


NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a flavoenzyme that is important in maintaining the cellular redox state and regulating protein degradation. The NQO1 polymorphism C609T has been associated with increased susceptibility to various age-related pathologies. We show here that NQO1 protein level is regulated by the E3 ligase STUB1/CHIP (C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein). NQO1 binds STUB1 via the Hsc70-interacting domain (tetratricopeptide repeat domain) and undergoes ubiquitination and degradation. We demonstrate here that the product of the C609T polymorphism (P187S) is a stronger STUB1 interactor with increased susceptibility to ubiquitination by the E3 ligase STUB1. Furthermore, age-dependent decrease of STUB1 correlates with increased NQO1 accumulation. Remarkably, examination of hippocampi from Alzheimer disease patients revealed that in half of the cases examined the NQO1 protein level was undetectable due to C609T polymorphism, suggesting that the age-dependent accumulation of NQO1 is impaired in certain Alzheimer disease patients.


The article presents current data on the role growth factors play in hair physiology. Based on a review of literature, the authors described the role growth factors play for initiating, suppressing the growth and differentiating hair follicles. According to them, each morphologic development stage of hair follicles is characterized by its own factor expression pattern. Referring to experimental and clinical studies, the authors describe the role some growth factors play for mechanisms promoting the development of androgynous and focal alopecia.


With the New Year, the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy launches an online submission and peer review system that we anticipate will greatly facilitate the submission, review, and tracking of manuscripts for authors, reviewers, and editors. Effective the first week of January, this new system should help us accelerate the Journal review process, ultimately improving response time to authors compared to our prior paper-and-mail-based system. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2005; 35(1):1–2. doi:10.2519/jospt.2005.0101


The paper concerns on the investigations and on the development of high advanced technology of passive elements embedding into multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). The basic technologies, materials, structures and basic properties of embedded components are presented. The electrical, thermographic and environmental testing lead to the conclusion that they can replace the standard passive components assembled in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Through Hole Technology (THT) on the printed circuit board. The use of embedded passive components allows increase the speed, functionality, reliability and significant miniaturization of consumer and professional electronics.


The Cu2O powder catalyst prepared through the method of sodium sulfite reduction was applied to the photocatalytic reduction of Cr (Ⅵ) containing in wastewater. The catalytic activity of Cu2O was compared with that of Bi2WO6 and TiO2. The results show that under 300W high voltage mercury-vapor lamp irradiation for 1.5 h, the photoreduction ratios of Cr (Ⅵ) by Cu2O, Bi2WO6 and TiO2 are 69.5%, 61.5% and 44.2%, respectively, and they are in inverse proportion to their band gaps (2.0 eV, 3.0 eV and 3.2 eV). Cu2O has narrower band gap and hence exhibits good catalytic activity. The suitable conditions for photocatalytic reduction of wastewater containing Cr (Ⅵ) by using Cu2O as catalyst were found as follows: pH value of 3.0 and Cu2O dosage of 0.25 g?L?1. Using the irradiation of 300W high voltage mercury-vapor lamp for 4 h and under above reaction conditions, 82% Cr (Ⅵ) in the wastewater can be reduced. A differential method was used to investigate the reaction kinetics of degrading Cr (Ⅵ)-containing wastewater by using Cu2O as photocatalyst, and its photocatalytic reaction rate equation was obtained as follows: ν = 0.681CCr2.7.


The effect of non-absorbable and rapidly absorbable suture material on the cytokinetics of crypt cells was studied in right and left colonic anastomoses in the rat by using stathmokinetic methods. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to three groups. In group A (n = 15), colonic anastomoses were performed in the right and left colon using nonabsorbable, stainless steel sutures. Groups B (n = 15) animals had identically located anastomoses but a rapidly absorbable suture material (Vicryl Rapide) was used. Animals of group C (n = 15) acted as controls. Eight weeks postoperatively, the crypt cell production rate (CCPR) was determined after measuring the slope of the metaphase accumulation line. At this time, no suture material was detected in any of group B (Vicryl Rapide) animals, while in group A rats (stainless steel), 79% of the animals had suture material in place. A steel-sutured anastomosis significantly increased the CCPR in the right colon from 6.2 to 10.6 cells/crypt/h and in the left colon from 5.6 to 9.8 cells/crypt/h compared with controls (p less than 0.05). An anastomosis performed with Vicryl Rapide, whether in the proximal or descending colon, did not influence the CCPR when compared with the control group (right 6.4 vs. 6.2 cells/crypt/h; left 4.2 vs. 5.6 cells/crypt/h). The CCPR at steel-sutured anastomoses was significantly higher than the CCPR at the Vicryl Rapide anastomotic site both in the right (10.6 vs. 6.4 cells/crypt/h) as well as in the left colonic sites (9.8 vs. 4.2 cells/crypt/h) (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


This is a review paper on the topic of multiple gate field effect transistors: MuGFETs, or FinFETs, as they are called. First, the motivation behind multiple gate FETs is presented. This is followed by looking at the evolution of FinFET technologies; the main flavors (variants) of Multigate FETs; and their advantages/disadvantages. The physics and technology of these devices is briefly discussed. Results are then presented which show the performance figures of merit of FinFETs, and their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, a perspective on the future of the FinFET technology is presented.


In general lane change violations are likely to happen before the stop line in the red-light violation detection region. The system which can be detecting red-light and lane change violation is very useful for the traffic management detection using vehicles moving in the region of interest and combining with the evaluation of the trajectories behavior of multiple vehicles using mean square displacement (MSD) to detected both of violation. We are using image processing technique only to detected traffic signal without help of another other system. The experiment result shows that the algorithm is high accuracy to detect both of violation.


The concept that yoga is helpful for the treatment of bronchial asthma has created great interest in the medical research field. In order to investigate whether physiological parameters and pulmonary functions were improved in asthmatic patients after yoga training, the present study was conducted on seventy patients with bronchial asthma. The present study was conducted on seventy patients with asthma who were on beta 2 agonist inhalers and yoga therapy for three months. Parameters like pulse rate, respiratory rate, body weight, FVC, FEV1, FEV2, FEV1% and PEFR were compared with controls on beta 2 agonist inhalers alone. Yogic practices resulted in significant improvement in pulmonary functions; decrease in respiratory rate; decrease in pulse rate and body weight (not statistically significant); decrease in frequency of asthma attacks and decrease in frequency of use of inhalers. The disease status in controls deteriorated. Potential explanations for improvement in case group are effect on release of endorphins, balance of ANS and effect on airway smooth muscle dynamics.


The article considers some modern approaches to understanding social-philosophic basis for Russian World theory. The author gives a conclusion that modern approaches to understanding this concept and this phenomenon accumulating mostly social-philosophic and sociological theories take their roots in western European tradition. The article presents an approach to understand metaphysical view of the Russian World as a religious idea basing on Russian philosophic tradition. It also deals with the position that the basis for the concept of the Russian World finds itself in the Orthodox ethics of interactions forming a specific reality for the bearers of such an idea in their everyday practices and determining their way of thinking notwithstanding their religious and philosophic positions. The author assumes that having accepted the Orthodox religious basis for the supporters of the concept of the Russian World does not necessarily mean following this religious dogmatics by all participants of such an interaction.


Introduction. Obesity is a disorder of energy balance, which leads to excessive accumulation of fat. In recent years, many important discoveries were made in this field, including the discovery of hormones produced by adipose tissue and the identification of many of the central and peripheral pathways of energy balance. Objective. To study the levels of hormones that affect appetite and metabolism in women with obesity baseline and after weight loss while taking sibutramine. Materials and methods. The study included 56 women aged 42,9±9,5 years, with a BMI of 34,6±6,1 kg/m2. All patients underwent clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination. Hormonal study included determination of serotonin, leptin, ghrelin, endothelin-1, adiponectin. Results: In women with obesity we identified hyperleptinemia and increased serotonin levels. The decrease in body weight in patients receiving sibutramine was accompanied by lower levels of serotonin, leptin, ghrelin, endothelin-1, and increase of adiponectin. Conclusions: Obese patients have significantly elevated levels of leptin, serotonin, ghrelin compared to women of normal weight. Sibutramine treatment leads to a decrease in serotonin, leptin, ghrelin and is more effective in women with a BMI less than 36,5 kg/m2.


Energy storage and conversion are critical components of modern energy systems, enabling the integration of renewable energy sources and the optimization of energy use. These technologies play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development. Supercapacitors play a vital role in the development of energy storage systems due to their high power density, long life cycles, high stability, low manufacturing cost, fast charging-discharging capability and eco-friendly. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has emerged as a promising material for supercapacitor electrodes due to its high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and good stability. Its unique layered structure also allows for efficient ion transport and storage, making it a potential candidate for high-performance energy storage devices. Additionally, research efforts have focused on improving synthesis methods and developing novel device architectures to enhance the performance of MoS2-based devices. This review article on MoS2 and MoS2-based nanocomposites provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in the synthesis, properties, and applications of MoS2 and its nanocomposites in the field of supercapacitors. This article also highlights the challenges and future directions in this rapidly growing field.


Sawada Y, Takeuchi Y, Iwasawa T, Kuroda K, Matsushima M, Nagamoto M and Wakayama M. Comparison of two-port and four-port irradiation in the bladder preservation therapy for locally invasive bladder cancer. Int. J. Urol. 13: 1470–1474. The author would like to draw the readers' attention to an error in the above article. References 8–12 should read as follows: 8 Furukawa T, Hattori R, Kinukawa T et al. Long-term results and quality of life of hemi-kock orthotopic ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy. Acta Urol. Jpn. 1998; 44: 461–7. 9 Maebayashi K, Nasu S, Seki K et al. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Jpn. J. Cancer Chemother. 2006; 33: 436–43. 10 Fukuda I, Tozaki M, Kobayashi M et al. Bladder Cancer. Pathol. Clin. Med. 2004; 22: 951–4. 11 Sumiyoshi Y, Hashine K, Nakatsuji H. Intra-arterial chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy for invasive bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Acta Urol. Jpn. 1999; 45:155–8. 12 Naito S, Koto S. Chemotherapy for invasive bladder cancer. Jpn. J. Clinical Urol. 1999; 53: 381–94. The author would like to apologize for this error and any inconvenience caused.


This paper applies genre theory to nineteenth-century deeds used to appropriate land from indigenous people in British Columbia, Canada, and in Aotearoa New Zealand. These deeds have been the subject of intense scrutiny in legal and other settings via twentieth century interpretive strategies complicated and modified by postcolonial politics and cross-cultural pragmatics. Although focusing mainly on deeds used in B.C. in the 1850s, the paper also has in its purview other deeds and treaties in NZ and Canada. The analysis of these documents' actions in colonial and postcolonial contexts concludes with a framing of genre that is not based on the mutual recognition of form and situation by genre participants, and indeed may even preclude it. This necessitates a further discussion of Miller's (1984[1994]) conditions for making a genre claim, and ends with the positing of a special category of genres called contact genres.


On guava trees at Nelspruit, South Africa, there was a mutualism between the ant Anoplolepis custodiens (F. Sm.) and the mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso), which raised the population levels of both. When ants were excluded from half the trees, their overall population level also dropped by half. Further, they moved their nests to be as near as possible to their main food source, the honeydew of the mealybugs. When deprived of their ant mutualists, the mealybugs were heavily preyed on by coccinellids such as the ant–intolerant Exochomus flavipes (Thnb.) and the ant–tolerant Scymnus spp. Later, the mealybugs were almost totally eliminated by the primary entomogenous fungus Cladosporium sp. near C. oxysporum . The coccinellids, now without food, were forced to abandon the trees. In contrast, in trees where ants were allowed to continue their normal activity, the epizootic among the mealybugs was delayed by 14 days. This limitation by the ants of disease allowed a basal but fragmented mealybug population to survive. As the mealybugs declined, the ants switched to attending the aphid Aphis gossypii Glov. Fifteen days after the epizootic struck the ant–attended mealybug population, it began to devastate the aphid population. With both mealybugs and aphids at a low level, the ant population declined. However, the ant–homopteran mutualisms, although severely hit by the epizootic, nevertheless remained intact.


Digital Health promises to transform healthcare in this decade. We have gone from "low tech" telephones, fax machines, dictation lines, desk-top electronic medical records, and data storage centers to video visits, texting, emails, smart phones and other mobile devices, and to higher forms including artificial intelligence, cloud data storage, and blockchain. However, letting go of legacy applications and then implementing the best available technology for clinical use has been challenging. This chapter will review the factors that contribute to the difficulty of moving from old to new tools. Specific examples will be video, electronic medical records and remote patient monitoring. The process of evaluating a new technological application will be described and a standardized framework proposed. We will finish with a discussion around local and scaled steps that can facilitate, support and sustain a patient-centered application of the best technology in healthcare. A call to action for the reader will be presented.


Freezing rain events have caused severe socioeconomic and ecosystem impacts. An understanding of how these events may evolve as the Earth warms is necessary to adequately adapt infrastructure to these changes. We present an analysis of projected changes to freezing rain events over North America relative to the 1980–2009 recent past climate for the periods during which +2, +3, and +4°C of global warming is attained. We diagnose freezing rain using four precipitation‐type algorithms (Cantin and Bachand, Bourgouin, Ramer, and Baldwin) applied to four simulations of the fifth‐generation Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM5) driven by four global climate models (GCMs). We find that the choice of driving GCM strongly influences the spatial pattern of projected change. The choice of algorithm has a comparatively smaller impact, and primarily affects the magnitude but not the sign of projected change. We identify several regions where all simulations and algorithms agree on the sign of change, with increases projected over portions of western Canada and decreases over the central, eastern, and southern United States. However, we also find large regions of disagreement on the sign of change depending on driving GCM and even ensemble member of the same GCM, highlighting the importance of examining freezing rain events in a multi‐member ensemble of simulations driven by multiple GCMs to sufficiently account for uncertainty in projections of these hazardous events.


Introduction
Based on Marx's pyramid of capitalist system, this article outlines some of the contemporary approaches of the digital activism and elaborates a critique of these approaches. Marx and Engels (1970) state that "the ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas, i.e. the class which is the ruling material force of society, is at the same time its ruling intellectual force. The class which has the means of material production at its disposal, has control at the same time over the means of mental production, so that thereby, generally speaking, the ideas of those who lack the means of mental production are subject to it. The ruling ideas are nothing more than the ideal expression of the dominant material relationships, the dominant material relationships grasped as ideas" (1970: 58). If we apply this to the ongoing debates about the development of the internet and internet use, we are facing the situation of the ruling classes (those who have access to the Internet) that decide over the working classes (those many who do not have access to the Internet and therefore do not have the means to impose their ideas/ willing). According to the statistics (http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm, 2014) right now the people from richer countries are the ones that are able to participate in digital activism, as Mary Joyce also states: "people in richer countries are usually more able to participate in digital activism because of the cost and quality of Internet connections available to them" (2010: 3). The present research aims to answer to the following questions: Can we talk about online social classes today? What social classes engage in the online protests? The study provides a critique analysis of the digital activism and, starting from Marx's theory of social class, introduces the idea of online social class and analyses the characteristics of each online social class on the basis of their participation to online protests. According to Denning (2001: 241), activism is "the use of the Internet in support of an agenda or cause". This includes online actions like setting up websites, surfing the web for information, posting materials on a website, transmitting electronic publications and letters through email, and using the Internet to discuss issues, form coalitions, and coordinate activities. This research considers digital activism as the use of the Internet or any other Internet- based application in supporting of a political or social cause. Thereby, the activism through Internet include the searching for information, expressing of own opinions on certain social problems, and the use of applications based on Internet to mobilize people to participate in a "real", physical manifestation. The success an online protest is based on five modes of Internet use: a) collection; b) publication; c) dialogue; d) coordination of action, and e) direct lobbying of decision makers (Denning, 2001: 243). The online social classes are analyzed according to people's use of specific websites and to their engagement in online protests. For this purpose we analysed people's online engagement on Facebook on four different protest occasions: the Egyptian protests that took place in Tahrir square in Cairo, the protests that took place in Taksim square in Istanbul, the Indignants movement that took place in different countries, and the Indignants movement that led to Occupy Wall Street movement.
Methods
Employing a large survey and a qualitative study of a purposively sampled community of citizens and internet users, this project wishes to explore how do social classes' characteristics translate into specific uses of the web and of engaging with online protests. Furthermore, I aim to provide a comprehensive content analysis of people's engagement in 4 protests on Facebook juxtaposed with a user experience study.
Acknowledgments
This paper is supported by the Sectorial Operational Programme Human Resources Development (SOP HRD), financed from the European Social Fund and by the Romanian Government under the contract number SOPHRD/159/1.5/S/136077.
References and Notes
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Reliable results can't be derived without the notion of measurement uncertainty. The reason is that the measured value includes a lot of uncertain factors. Finding the factor that affect the measurement of parameter is important for estimation of measurement uncertainty. In this paper, the evaluation of uncertainty analysis about positioning accuracy measurements of high precision feed mechanism is presented to evaluate the important factors of uncertainty.


We present a novel approach to acute neurological care. The key is an acute neurology triage nurse, based in the medical admission unit as well as an epilepsy specialist nurse seeing every patient referred with fits on the day of admission, a designated acute neurology consultant and acute neurophysiology and neuroradiology links. We have designated this group, a hyperacute neurology team (HANT). This study compares all admissions in 2014, the year before the team was established with 2015–2017. The total number of referrals has increased from 720 in 2014 to 1248 in 2017. The percent of patients seen on the day of referral has risen from 59% in 2014 to 92% in 2017. Average length of stay for patients with a primary diagnosis of epilepsy has gone down from 4.1 days in 2014 to 3.4 in 2017. Multiple admissions for epilepsy has reduced from 28 in 2014 to 21 in 2017. Patients suitable for early discharge are seen in consultant or nurse «outpatient hot clinics» or nurse telephone clinics. The cost of establishing this service has been relatively small (£106,000) and the service benefits enormous. We feel this model is worthy of wider debate.


Report describing the history of the UNT Denton Discovery Park campus, and a plan for the projected growth: "The plan provides a framework for development that establishes a unique identity for the Park while allowing for adaptation to future needs. It also provides comprehensive site, architectural and landscape guidelines to ensure consistent, high quality, sustainabl site development" (p. 7).


OBJECTIVES
To examine the initial shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to bleached teeth with a self-etching adhesive system, as well as the effect of the length of time after bleaching on the initial bond strength.

METHOD AND MATERIALS
Ninety premolars were collected and divided equally among a control group (CG) of unbleached teeth with brackets bonded, an immediate group (IG) with teeth bonded soon after bleaching, and a delayed group (DG) consisting of teeth bleached and then immersed in artificial saliva for 7 days before bracket bonding. Subsequently, the teeth of each group were equally assigned to two different primer adhesive systems: the acid-etch-and-rinse adhesive system (35% phosphoric acid gel and Transbond XT primer) and the self-etching adhesive system (Transbond Plus self-etching primer). Initial bond strength was measured 24 hours after bracket bonding.

RESULTS
IG registered the lowest mean initial bond strength when the self-etching adhesive system was in use, followed by DG and CG (in that order). As for the acid-etch-and-rinse adhesive system, the mean initial bond strength was significantly lower in IG than in CG and DG. Significant differences in mean initial bond strength were noted between the two adhesive systems in IG and DG.

CONCLUSION
In trials using a self-etching adhesive system, the mean initial bond strength that declined immediately after bleaching returned to a clinically acceptable level of 6 MPa after the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 7 days but fell short of the level of unbleached teeth.


We present a statistical approach for estimating power consumption of GPU kernels. We use the GPU performance counters that are exposed for CUDA applications, and train a linear regression model where performance counters are used as independent variables and power consumption is the dependent variable. For model training and evaluation, we use publicly available CUDA applications, consisting of 49 kernels in the CUDA SDK and the Rodinia benchmark suite. Our regression model achieves highly accurate estimates for many of the tested kernels, where the average error ratio is 4.7%. However, we also find that it fails to yield accurate estimates for kernels with texture reads because of the lack of performance counters for monitoring texture accesses, resulting in significant underestimation for such kernels.


In this paper, the authors try to develop an intelligent user interface (IUI) for a database system with two features: 1) the introduction of multimodal inputs (speech input, natural language query, and of course mouse input); and 2) the introduction of autonomous adaptation of interface to the degree of user's skill. The degree of user's skill is evaluated by 6 measurements on database operation of user. Fuzzy set theory is applied to the processing of natural language query in the former and user's skill evaluation model in the latter.


Dialog response ranking is used to rank response candidates by considering their relation to the dialog history. Although researchers have addressed this concept for open-domain dialogs, little attention has been focused on task-oriented dialogs. Furthermore, no previous studies have analyzed whether response ranking can improve the performance of existing dialog systems in real human–computer dialogs with speech recognition errors. In this paper, we propose a context-aware dialog response re-ranking system. Our system reranks responses in two steps: (1) it calculates matching scores for each candidate response and the current dialog context; (2) it combines the matching scores and a probability distribution of the candidates from an existing dialog system for response re-ranking. By using neural word embedding-based models and handcrafted or logistic regression-based ensemble models, we have improved the performance of a recently proposed end-to-end task-oriented dialog system on real dialogs with speech recognition errors.


News articles is a huge structure of historical documents. They are a valuable resource to study the past. Native Language Processing is a field of Artificial Intelligence that helps computers understand, interpret and manipulate human language. The task of understanding natural language is to be able to extract meaning from words, sentences, paragraphs, and documents. At the document level, one of the most useful ways to understand the text is to analyze its subjects - topics. Topic Modeling is an important tool in analyzing historical documents. Topic Modeling provides a way to analyze a large volume of unclassified text. A topic contains a set of words that often appear together. We have an unsupervised learning problem to be implemented. In unsupervised learning, the system needs only to discover associations or groups in a set of data, creating patterns, without knowing anything about this. Historical documents are often complicated, difficult to categorize and may not have standard spelling and formatting. In this work from a corpus of news headlines from 2003 to 2017, of ABC News, we are trying to implement standard pattern works that we can get all the deep learning information. In our case, we only have unlabelled input data and we need to define endogenously the categories of topics. The modeling of topics is quite similar to a Clustering problem.
In this work, we compare the algorithms that implement Topic Modeling, examine why Topic coherency do not work in our case and implement Topic Modeling in a corpus of documents from news headlines. We analyze the Topics, and we find the dominant Topic per document and its evolution over time. Then we present the evolution of Topics over time and finally we add new headlines and how our algorithm classifies them in the most appropriate topic.


Hypertrophic cardiomiopathy is a peculiar process with different anatomical and functional abnormalities which are present in different degrees in each case. Echocardiography and Doppler techniques have contributed definitively to the knowledge of this process and these procedures are choices for establishing the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and to evaluate the clinical and morphological diversity of this process consisting of a spectrum of abnormalities with a variable presence in each case. Disproportionate septal hypertrophy is the most frecuent finding but the hypertrophy can involve other segments and different patterns can be present; concentric hypertrophy, apical, involving right ventricle, inverted asymetric, etc. Anterior mitral valve motion can be produced by the interrelation between anatomic factors of the valve, geometry of the outflow tract and physical forces produced by flow changes. Doppler echocardiography allows us to evaluate subaortic obstruction, to define its site, to demonstrate and measure the degree of mitral regurgitation and to carry out intraoperative studies. In hypertrophy cardiomyopathy the pattern of delayed relaxation is the most frequent but patients with severe obstruction and mitral regurgitation can pseudonormalize this pattern and even show restrictive patterns.


Receiving good benefits is a way of showing that the amount of dedication put to work is being rewarded. Government employees are definitely not excluded into receiving these benefits. The researcher together with the help of the Administration Unit of the Department of Tourism-Region IV-A determined the benefits that they are receiving. These are leaves, retirement, loans, healthcare, and monetary bonuses. This study aims to find out the level of satisfaction of the regular employees from the Department of Tourism-region 4A with their benefits. This study distributed 19 questionnaires and gathered 19 respondents from the regional office of the Department of Tourism-Region 4A in the City of Calamba, Laguna. The study used descriptive method of research to illustrate the level of satisfaction of the regular employees from the Department of Tourism-region 4A with their given benefits The data were statistically treated using percentage, weighted mean, and chi- square. Based on the findings of the research study, it was established that the regular employees of the Department of Tourism-Region 4A were satisfied with such benefits, leaves, loans, retirement, and monetary bonuses. While healthcare received was not well perceived. Further, the independent variable of the study does not significantly affect is the level of satisfaction of DOT-Region 4A regular employees with the benefits they are receiving. In this light, the implementation of the following recommendations shall enhance the level of satisfaction of these government employees. The concerned government agencies such as the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management to review and assess the current incentive schemes provided to regular government employees. Also, for the Department of Tourism to establish an organization within the agency, to raise and discuss concerns of regular employees in terms of job security and betterment of their working conditions.


INTRODUCTION
This article explored the relationship between physical activity and smoking behavior among adolescents using rich longitudinal survey data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents.

METHODS
Several endogeneity-corrected models were estimated to ascertain the effect of exercise on both the probability of being a smoker and the intensity of cigarette smoking.

RESULTS
The analysis indicated that 1 additional weekly occurrence of exercise led to a 0.3% decline in the probability of being a smoker and led to a 4.1% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked by a smoker during a month, a result that was robust to stratification by gender and race/ethnicity. Consistent with the national guidelines, frequencies of physical activity of at least 7 times per week appeared to exhibit the biggest benefits in terms of reduction in smoking for both genders and across races/ethnicities.

CONCLUSIONS
Reduction in health-damaging smoking behavior among adolescents could be an additional benefit of being physically active. This research documented a new pathway by which even moderate increases in physical activity could result in improved health outcomes by reducing smoking.


After a recent speech by a State Department official on U.S. policy toward the United Nations, someone got up in the question period and declared: "You have argued that the United Nations serves the national interest of the United States and other countries of the free world. But how, according to your own analysis, can it also be said to serve the interest of the Soviet Union?" This perceptive and difficult question is asked in one form or another in all serious discussions of the United Nations. To help find an answer, it may be useful to take a brief look at the record of Soviet participation in the United Nations, and at the prospects for the future suggested by recent developments in Soviet foreign policy.


This paper examines the Competition Commission report on the provision of small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) banking services in the UK. The examination will centre on the perceived clash between the 'remedies' proposed by the Competition Commission and the present forms of lending decision making, a key function in business banking. It is concluded that the Competition Commission assessment of the provision of banking services by clearing banks to small firms, directs scant attention as to how banking services are 'manufactured' or banks actually make decisions and operate in practice.


The unusual nitro-substituted polyketides aureothin, neoaureothin (spectinabilin), and luteoreticulin, which are produced by diverse Streptomyces species, point to a joint evolution. Through rational genetic recombination and domain exchanges we have successfully reprogrammed the modular (type I) aur polyketide synthase (PKS) into a synthase that generates luteoreticulin. This is the first rational transformation of a modular PKS to produce a complex polyketide that was initially isolated from a different bacterium. A unique aspect of this synthetic biology approach is that we exclusively used genes from a single biosynthesis gene cluster to design the artificial pathway, an avenue that likely emulates natural evolutionary processes. Furthermore, an unexpected, context-dependent switch in the regiospecificity of a pyrone methyl transferase was observed. We also describe an unprecedented scenario where an AT domain iteratively loads an extender unit onto the cognate ACP and the downstream ACP. This aberrant function is a novel case of non-colinear behavior of PKS domains.


The plant nonheme iron dioxygenase flavonol synthase performs a regioselective desaturation reaction as part of the biosynthesis of the signaling molecule flavonol that triggers the growing of leaves and flowers. These compounds also have health benefits for humans. Desaturation of aliphatic compounds generally proceeds through two consecutive hydrogen atom abstraction steps from two adjacent carbon atoms and in nature often is performed by a high-valent iron(IV)-oxo species. We show that the order of the hydrogen atom abstraction steps; however, are opposite of those expected from the C-H bond strengths in the substrate and determines the product distributions. As such flavonol synthase follows a negative catalysis mechanism. Using density functional theory methods on large active site model complexes we investigated pathways for desaturation and hydroxylation by an iron(IV)-oxo active site model. Against thermochemical predictions, we find that the oxidant abstracts the hydrogen atom from the strong C2‒H bond rather than the weaker C3‒H bond of the substrate first. We analyzed the origin of this unexpected selective hydrogen atom abstraction pathway and find that the alternative C3‒H hydrogen atom abstraction would be followed by a low-energy and competitive substrate hydroxylation mechanism hence, should give considerable amount of by-products. Our computational modelling studies shows that substrate positioning in flavonol synthase is essential as it guides the reactivity to a chemo- and regioselective substrate desaturation from the C2‒H group leading to desaturation products efficiently.


PURPOSE
To elucidate the impact of phacoemulsification on aqueous monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels, and identify its cell origin.

METHODS
For clinical study, aqueous humor samples were collected before and after surgery (17.0 ± 4.0 months postoperatively) from 21 cataract cases that underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Aqueous MCP-1 levels were determined using a multiplex immunoassay. For animal experiments, rabbits underwent phacoemulsification (± IOL). Aqueous humor samples were collected from nonoperated eyes and operated eyes, and immunoassays were performed. Eyes were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical studies.

RESULTS
In the clinical study, mean (± SD) aqueous MCP-1 levels were higher postoperatively (1773.5 ± 321.2 pg/mL) than preoperatively (796.9 ± 211.3 pg/mL; P < 0.0001). In animal experiments, mean aqueous MCP-1 levels (pg/mL) were higher in postoperative eyes on day 30 (207.1 ± 62.9) than in nonoperated eyes (31.2 ± 12.5; P = 0.018). IOL implantation did not affect the changes in MCP-1 levels. After phacoemulsification, MCP-1 mRNA expression was increased in the cornea, iris, ciliary body, and capsular bag. Expression of MCP-1 mRNA in the capsular bag, but not the other tissues, increased from day 30 to 90. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive immunoreactivity for MCP-1 in cells of the posterior capsule after phacoemulsification.

CONCLUSIONS
aqueous MCP-1 levels were elevated in both human and animal eyes after phacoemulsification. Proliferated Lens epithelial cells on the capsule might be the major cell origin for prolonged MCP-1 production after phacoemulsification. (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ number, UMIN000005788.).


A study of the conjugal transfer of ColV,I-K94 tn 10 from acid-treated donors suggested that acid-habituated recipients repair acid-damaged plasmid DNA better than those that are not habituated. The presence of an increased repair activity for acid-damaged DNA in habituated cells was confirmed by isolating pBR322 from acid-treated organisms; habituated cells produced more transformants when transformed by it than did non-habituated ones. Additionally, agarose gel electrophoretic studies of pBR322 DNA isolated from acid-damaged cells and tests of its transforming activity both indicated that plasmid DNA in habituated cells is less damaged by extreme acidity than is that in non-habituated organisms.


Conspectus The development of efficient catalytic systems for direct aromatic C–H bond functionalization is a long-desired goal of chemists, because these protocols provide environmental friendly and waste-reducing alternatives to classical methodologies for C–C and C–heteroatom bond formation. A key challenge for these transformations is the reoxidation of the in situ generated metal hydride or low-valent metal complexes of the primary catalytic bond forming cycle. To complete the catalytic cycle and to regenerate the C–H activation catalyst, (super)stoichiometric amounts of Cu(II) or Ag(I) salts have often been applied. Recently, "greener" approaches have been developed by applying molecular oxygen in combination with Cu(II) salts, internal oxidants that are cleaved during the reaction, or solvents or additives enabling the metal hydride reoxidation. All these approaches improved the environmental friendliness but have not overcome the obstacles associated with the overall limited functional group and substrate tolerance. Hence, catalytic processes that do not feature the unfavorable aspects described above and provide products in a streamlined as well as economically and ecologically advantageous manner would be desirable. In this context, we decided to examine visible light photoredox catalysis as a new alternative to conventionally applied regeneration/oxidation procedures. This Account summarizes our recent advances in this expanding area and will highlight the new concept of merging distinct redox catalytic processes for C–H functionalizations through the application of visible light photoredox catalysis. Photoredox catalysis can be considered as catalytic electron-donating or -accepting processes, making use of visible-light absorbing homogeneous and heterogeneous metal-based catalysts, as well as organic dye sensitizers or polymers. As a consequence, photoredox catalysis is, in principle, an ideal tool for the recycling of any given metal catalyst via a coupled electron transfer (ET) process. Here we describe our first successful endeavors to address the above challenges by combining visible light photoredox catalysis with different ruthenium, rhodium, or palladium catalyzed C–H activations. Since only small amounts of the oxidant are generated and are immediately consumed in these transformations, side reactions of substrates or products can be avoided. Thus, usually oxidant-sensible substrates can be used, which makes these methods highly suitable for complex molecular structure syntheses. Moreover, mechanistic studies shed light on new reaction pathways, intermediates, and in situ generated species. The successful development of our dual catalysis concept, consisting of combined visible light photoredox catalysis and metal catalyzed C–H functionalization, provides many new opportunities for further explorations in the field of C–H functionalization.


Considered from the test structure, test time, test power, the paper based on the IEEEstd1500 standards, the first reference in the test circuit is to build a structure of SOC testing, including test cases and test shell test controller., SOCd695 were completed by SOC test scheduling TAM through Optimization of neural network after simulation. In order to achieve optimal low-power SOC design of the tcu test control unit, use the adoption of innovative parity algorithm in descending order before test scheduling, to to reduce the testing of all nodes in the transition activities to reduce the power consumption of SOC test structure. Experimental results show that this method is better to reduce power consumption, lower the cost of test.


: Much progress has been made on theory and practice since the birth of landscape ecology as a scientific discipline. However, many problems are still waiting to be addressed. This paper analyzed the pertinent concepts and methods of landscape pattern and ecological processes and the shortcomings embedded which necessitates researches on the integrating of pattern and processes. Subsequently, the staple methods for this kind of integration were briefly summa-rized. Then, a general framework was put forward for the integrative research. According to this framework, subject to certain region and research objectives, land units or ecosystem types need to be partitioned. Then, small scale observation and modeling can be carried out. At the same time, large scale spatial dynamic models need to be formulated. Finally, adaptive multi- scale landscape pattern and ecological processes integrative model system can be constructed and put into application through the approaches of land evaluation and model integration.


We have developed a mathematical model for capillary rise of magnetohydrodynamic fluids. The liquid starts to imbibe because of capillary suction in an undeformed and initially dry sponge-like porous material. The driving force in our model is a pressure gradient across the evolving porous material that induces a stress gradient which in turn causes deformation that is characterized by a variable solid fraction. The problem is formulated as a non–linear moving boundary problem which we solve using the method of lines approach after transforming to a fixed computational domain. The summary of our finding includes a notable reduction in capillary rise and a decrease in solid deformation due to magnetic effects.


Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulacaceae) has been widely used as a folk medicine in many countries. The present study investigated the effects of aqueous extract of P. oleracea (PO) on pro-inflammatory mediators secreted from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - activated macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) as an established inflammation model. The reference drug indomethacin was used for comparison purpose. PO did not show cytotoxic effects at the concentrations tested. When RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with PO together with LPS, a significant concentration, dependent inhibition of nitrogen oxide (NO) production was detected. Western blotting revealed that PO blocked protein expression of iNOS in LPS - stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, significantly. The change in the contents of PGE2, IL-6 and TNF-α were monitored by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with indomethacin, PO has much more potency and inhibited the production of PGE2, IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS- induced RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/ml (p < 0.05). These results suggested that PO might have a potential therapeutic effect by inhibiting the inflammation process such as arthritis.

 Key words: Portulaca oleracea, inflammation, extract, therapeutic effect.


BACKGROUND
Chronic or recurrent leg ulceration occurs in 25% of sickle cell anemia patients, but not in the remaining 75%. Doppler studies of venous function were normal in 16 sickle cell anemia patients with leg ulcers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Venous Duplex Ultrasound was used to study 33 sickle cell anemia patients with chronic leg ulcers.

RESULTS
Six of the 33 patients had venous reflux in at least one leg.

CONCLUSIONS
Venous insufficiency may contribute to the development of leg ulcers in a minority of sickle cell anemia patients. A minority of sickle cell anemia patients with chronic leg ulcers can be shown to have leg venous reflux by duplex ultrasound imaging.


Adolescents frequently show risky behavior, and these problematic behavior patterns often do not occur in isolation, but together. Problematic alcohol use is widespread among youth, as is problematic use of the Internet and of specific online applications (video games or social media). However, there is still a lack of findings for minors regarding the relations between these behavioral patterns (particularly between problematic alcohol use and problematic gaming or problematic social media use). Standardized instruments were used to survey problematic alcohol use, problematic gaming, problematic social media use, problematic Internet use and mental health among 633 adolescents (mean age: 15.79 years). Bivariate correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted. The correlation analyses showed statistically significant positive bivariate relationships between all four behavioral patterns each. Antisocial behavior was related to all problematic behavioral patterns. Whereas, emotional distress, self-esteem problems and hyperactivity/inattention were associated with substance-unrelated problematic behavior patterns only. Anger control problems were related to problematic alcohol use and problematic gaming. In adolescence, the findings revealed small effect sizes between substance-related and substance-unrelated problematic behavior patterns, but moderate to large effect sizes within substance-unrelated behavioral patterns. Similarities and differences were found in the relations between the behavioral patterns and mental health.


Vanadium remains an important microalloying element in the metallurgical industry and has more recently become important in energy storage. Such applications provide important opportunities in carbon reduction initiatives. They must be exploited safely and therefore understanding the toxicological profile of vanadium and its compounds, and ensuring ongoing regulatory efforts are appropriate is vital. This perspective details some of the technical challenges and common misconceptions in vanadium chemistry and toxicology and outlines knowledge gaps and areas of research that the authors believe must be addressed to achieve full benefit within a scientifically sound regulatory framework.


Summary Background/Aim: The purpose of this in-vitro study was to compare the resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPD) fabricated using two different structural designs and two different antibacterial adhesive lutting protocols in regard to their resistance to debonding. Material and Methods: Forty samples for a model with single missing molar were divided into 4 groups (M1, M2, C1, C2) (n=10). M1 and M2 were prepared in accordance with modified inlay slot-cavity retained RBFPD design; C1 and C2 were prepared according to conventional inlay slot-cavity retained RBFPD design. M1 and C1 cavities were treated with 2% chlorhexidine-based (CHX) cavity disinfectant and 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) containing adhesive system; M2 and C2 cavities were treated with MDP and 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB) containing adhesive system featuring antibacterial cavity cleansing effect. The RBFPDs were made of base-metal alloy and their fit surfaces sandblasted with aluminium oxide (Al2O3). Adhesive resin cement was used for cementation, and the RBFPD retainers were interlocked into their corresponding inlay cavities using composite resin. After 1 week being immersed in aqueous environment, the RBFPDs were subjected to tensile loading at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until failure. One way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were used for statistical evaluation (α=0.05). Mode of failure and tooth damage was also noted. Results: Mean tensile bond strength values were 356 N for M1, 305 N for M2, 467 N for C1, and 455 N for C2. Tensile strength values of C1 and C2 were significantly higher than those of M1 and M2 (p<0.05). The mode of failure was mostly adhesive in character at the metal-cement interface in all groups. Tooth fracture was observed nearly in all specimens. No significant difference was detected between the antibacterial adhesive lutting protocols (p>0.05). Conclusions: The RBFPDs with the conventional design were found to be more retentive than those with the modified design. Using an adhesive system featuring antibacterial properties with no need of separate antibacterial agent application during bonding may be favourable.


In fish, as in all poikilotherms, growth is strongly dependent on water temperature. Given that the GH/IGF system regulates growth, it could mediate the effects of temperature on fish growth. Indeed, before hatching, the higher embryonic growth rate in rainbow trout at high temperatures is associated with higher expression of the IGF2 gene in the whole embryo. Furthermore, post-natal growth fluctuations depend on water temperature and are associated with variations of plasma GH and IGF1. Although seasonal parameters such as photoperiod and nutritional status can also affect GH/IGF system activity, it has been shown that an increased temperature led to a specific increase of plasma GH. Moreover, this increase of plasma GH leads to higher plasma IGF1 levels in correlation with the growth rate. By contrast, plasma IGF2 levels as well as muscular levels of IGF1 and IGF2 mRNA are not specifically modified by temperature. Thus, seasonal fluctuations of water temperature affect growth rate through a direct action on plasma GH and IGF1 levels. The mecha- nisms of this effect are not yet elucidated, but could arise from modifications of metabolite levels (glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.), which regulate GH secretion directly or indirectly through somatostatin of pancreatic or hypothalamic origin.


Background: Chinese cabbage, belonging to Brassica rapa species, is an important vegetable in Eastern Asia. It is well known that Chinese cabbage is quite recalcitrant to genetic transformation and the transgenic frequency is generally low. The lack of an efficient and stable genetic transformation system for Chinese cabbage has largely limited related gene functional studies.Results: In this study, we firstly developed a regeneration system for Chinese cabbage by optimizing numerous factors, with 93.50% regeneration rate. Based on this, a simple and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method was established, without a pre-culture procedure and concentration adjustment of hormone and AgNO3 in co-cultivation and selection media. Using this system, transformants could be obtained within 3.5 to 4.0 months. Average transformation frequency is up to 10.83%. Furthermore, using this transformation system, the CRISPR/Cas9 technology was successfully applied in Chinese cabbage by knocking out a self-incompatibility-related gene SRK. Gene sequencing analysis in the positive transgenic lines revealed various mutations, including deletions, insertions, and substitutions. Conclusion: A simple, stable and efficient genetic transformation method was established for Chinese cabbage and successfully applied to the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The results of this study pave the way for further gene functional studies and genome editing in Chinese cabbage.


Summary The first detection of Aethina tumida Murray (the small hive beetle) in Italy occurred on 5 September 2014. Three nuclei containing honey bees (Apis mellifera) and located in a clementine (citrus) orchard near an important international harbour in the Calabria region (southern Italy) were heavily infested with adult and larval A. tumida. A. tumida infestation is a notifiable disease of honey bees in the European Union as well as an OIE listed disease. To prevent any A. tumida introduction, the importation of honey bees is regulated strictly in the European Union (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 206/2010). Early reaction measures adopted in Italy require that beekeepers must notify A. tumida discovery to the local veterinary services and cannot move their colonies. Furthermore, a protection area (20 km radius) and surveillance (100 km radius) zone should be established. The surveillance zone now includes the entire territory of Calabria region. Compulsory visits to all apiaries in the protection zone with the collection of the spatial information by means of a georeferentiation process (georeferentiation can be defined as the process to describe a location relative to the earth, in this context the process consists on the collection of the spatial coordinate of a point that represents the spatial location of the apiaries by means of a GPS device) and colony inspection according to 5% expected prevalence (95% CI) are applied. Destruction of infested apiaries is compulsory and the soil under the infested colonies must be ploughed and treated with pyrethroids. If apiaries in the protection zone are found to be negative, traps are placed. In the surveillance zone, veterinarians visit apiaries that are selected according to a risk analysis (migration in infested areas, honey bee or materials exchange) or randomly and colonies are inspected according to 2% expected prevalence (95% CI). Furthermore, in Italy as well in the rest of Europe, investigations are in progress by competent authorities to make an inventory of all bees and colonies moved from Calabria during 2014. Subsequent controls on colonies should be implemented. People from the honey bee network (beekeepers, veterinarians, beekeeping material producers and distributors) should be aware and informed of the hazard posed by A. tumida to honey bees.


Satisfaction with democracy is a vastly studied research topic. In this Element, the authors aim to make sense of this context by showing that elections (electoral processes and outcomes) influence citizens' satisfaction with democracy in different ways according to the quality of a democratic regime. To do so, they leverage the datasets from the Comparative Study on Electoral Systems (CSES) and uphold the belief that social scientists must take advantage of the increased availability of rich comparative datasets. The Element concludes that elections do not only have different impacts on citizens' satisfaction with democracy based on the quality of the democratic regime that they live in, but that the nature of the meaning attributed to electoral processes and outcomes varies between emergent and established democracies.


Administrative data are frequently used for epidemiological studies but its usefulness to analyze cancer epidemiology after kidney transplantation is unclear. In this retrospective population‐based cohort study, we identified every adult kidney‐alone transplant performed in England (2003–2014) using administrative data from Hospital Episode Statistics. Results were compared to the hospitalized adult general population in England to calculate standardized incidence and mortality ratios. Data were analyzed for 19,883 kidney allograft recipients, with median follow‐up 6.0 years' post‐transplantation. Cancer incidence was more common after kidney transplantation compared to the general population in line with published literature (standardized incidence ratio 2.47, 95% CI: 2.34–2.61). In a Cox proportional hazards model, cancer development was associated with increasing age, recipients of deceased kidneys, frequent readmissions within 12 months post‐transplant and first kidney recipients. All‐cause mortality risk for kidney allograft recipients with new‐onset cancer was significantly higher compared to those remaining cancer‐free (42.0% vs. 10.3%, respectively). However, when comparing mortality risk for kidney allograft recipients to the general population after development of cancer, risk was lower for both cancer‐related (standardized mortality ratio 0.75, 95% CI: 0.71–0.79) and noncancer‐related mortality (standardized mortality ratio 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85–0.95), which contradicts reported literature. Although some plausible explanations are conceivable, our analysis likely reflects the limitations of administrative data for analyzing cancer data. Future studies require record linkage with dedicated cancer registries to acquire more robust and accurate data relating to cancer epidemiology after transplantation.