We examine the two orbital Hubbard model within dynamical mean field theory. The two orbital Hubbard model is the basic model for treating strongly correlated electrons in degenerate eg-bands, as found for example in the manganites. We have calculated the magnetic phases of the model for different interaction values and fillings of the system at T = 0.


Sonar images are highly textured images and therefore mislead most of the classical registration algorithms. Registration is a critical step for the creation of high-resolution accurate mosaic images of the seafloor required for seabed analysis and classification. In the past concurrent mapping and localisation have successfully been used but the detection and association of landmarks have been proved difficult and been done manually. However, such methods are time consuming and lack robustness. Landmarks are not regularly present in the images and their localisation is prone to errors. As a consequence, global methods using whole images are preferable. These methods were extensively studied in the recent years and successfully applied to multimodal medical image registration. Unfortunately, the similarity metric between images they rely upon cannot cope with highly textured images. To overcome this issue, textural features must be extracted to highlight similar regions of the images. Registration of these feature maps works but remains sensible to the feature selection and their relation from one modality to the other. An alternative approach is proposed in this paper. Mutual information is calculated from all the features and global registration can be achieved directly. Solely an approximation of MI can be obtained but the performance of this algorithm are equivalent to exact approach and robust to feature selection. This method has been successfully applied to textured images (side-scan sonar) but is also applicable to multimodal images such as bathymetric and sonar data.


This live music performance was given by the Australia Ensemble on 31 July 2020. The concert program encapsulates the character of a national style, and the translucent combination of clarinet and piano takes us through Argentina, Cuba, America, Ireland and Australia, capturing all the colours and dances of these global snapshots. The program included Ian Munro's "Songs from the Bush", which was originally written in 2009 for clarinet and string quartet, premiered by Sabine Meyer on tour with Musica Viva Australia. In 2020 Munro arranged the work for clarinet and piano. This is the first performance of the new version of this work.


To accomplish the main missions of higher education, which are teaching and researching, Quality Assurance (QA) plays an important role. QA is now also related to the Thailand Qualification Framework (TQF) which was established as a policy leading tool in Section 4 of the National Education Act B.E. 2543(2000) and the Amendments to the Second National Education Act B.E. 2545(2002). This article aims to identify, design and implement the appropriate ODI that enhances and improves TQF and QA. Suan Dusit Rajabhat University is the focus of this study. The action research framework employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches for deeper investigation. The researcher set up TQF and QA coaching and training groups to support the TQF and QA's elements on awareness, understanding and commitment. The results show that the independent variables, TQF and QA. are significant to the dependent variable, which is teaching quality, at the 0.01 and 0.05 levels and there are differences between pre- and post-ODIs on Faculty's commitment to TQF, QA and teaching quality at the 0.01 and 0.05 levels. The results prove that TQF and QA have to be supportive of each other. The awareness of TQF and QA is underpinned to TQF and QA understanding and commitment.


Natural and artificial manipulation of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase activity indicates that pyrophosphate, phosphoethanolamine, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate are among the natural substrates for this enzyme. Although inorganic phosphate has been recognized as a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme for many years, the influence of phosphate on alkaline phosphatase activity in serum under physiological conditions has not been previously reported. We examined the kinetics of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase from bovine kidney and sera from 49 patients with a wide range of endogenous phosphate concentrations using pyridoxine 5'-phosphate as a substrate at pH 7.4. For the bovine kidney enzyme, the Km was 0.42 +/- 0.04 micromol/L, and the Ki for phosphate was 2.4 +/- 0.2 micromol/L. Analysis of the kinetics using pyridoxine 5'-phosphate in undiluted serum from 10 subjects with phosphorus ranging from 0.5-2.1 mmol/L and alkaline phosphatase activity ranging from 41-165 nmol/min x mL gave estimates for the Km of 56 +/- 11 micromol/L and for the Ki of 540 +/- 82 micromol/L for phosphate. This indicates that under physiological conditions alkaline phosphatase activity toward pyridoxine 5'-phosphate is reduced approximately 50% by the normal phosphate concentration and that it will increase or decrease significantly in response to changes in phosphate concentration within the ranges observed clinically.


By the technique of nickel indiffusion proton exchange (NIPE) and the technique of buffered proton exchange (PE) melt, wet-etched ridge waveguides in y-cut LiNbO/sub 3/ are fabricated for the first time. The fabricated ridge waveguides have smooth surfaces and are good enough for low-loss waveguides. Moreover, a ridge waveguide Mach-Zehnder modulator in y-cut LiNbO/sub 3/ is fabricated. The measured half-wave voltage is about 30% lower than that of a conventional modulator. The wet-etched ridge waveguides in y-cut and z-cut substrates are also characterized for comparison.


BACKGROUND
When administered parenterally, furosemide, a loop diuretic, results in improved lung compliance and decreased airway resistance in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, furosemide-induced diuresis results in hypokalemia, chloride deficiency, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, and rickets. In patients with asthma, inhaled furosemide has recently been demonstrated to inhibit the bronchoconstrictive effects of exercise, cold air hyperventilation, and antigen challenge. We hypothesized that inhaled furosemide will result in improved pulmonary mechanics in ventilated infants with BPD and will prevent the systemic complications of parenteral furosemide.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of a single dose of inhaled furosemide on pulmonary mechanics in infants with severe BPD who are ventilator dependent at 21 days of age.

DESIGN AND METHODS
A randomized, double-blind, crossover study was performed on 9 infants with BPD, each serving as his own control. Each patient was randomized to receive an aerosol dose of furosemide (1 mg/kg in 2 mL of saline) or placebo (2 mL of saline) on the first day of the study and the other agent the following day of the study. Pulmonary mechanics were measured before and 1 and 2 hours after the inhalation using the Pulmonary Evaluation and Diagnostics System.

RESULTS
Gestational age (mean +/- SEM) was 29 +/- 1 weeks; birth weight was 1.1 +/- 0.1 kg; age at study was 47 +/- 6 days; and weight at study was 1.8 +/- 0.2 kg. There was no significant change in the pulmonary function measurements before treatment and 1 or 2 hours after treatment with either placebo or furosemide. Baseline and 2-hour values were: dynamic compliance (mL/ cm H2O per kilogram): 0.46 +/- .03 to 0.50 +/- .03 (placebo) and 0.50 +/- 0.02 to 0.51 +/- 0.02 (furosemide); dynamic resistance (cm H2O/L per second): 118 +/- 9 to 106 +/- 7 (placebo) and 111 +/- 8 to 105 +/- 7 (furosemide); and tidal volume (mL/kg): 8.6 +/- 0.5 to 8.9 +/- 0.5 (placebo) and 8.9 +/- 0.2 to 9.4 +/- 0.3 (furosemide).

CONCLUSION
We conclude that, under the conditions of our study, a single dose of 1 mg/kg inhaled furosemide does not improve the pulmonary mechanics in ventilator-dependent infants with severe BPD.


The growth and dissemination of tumors in the body has been associated with angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that stimulates endothelial cell growth and enhances vascular permeability. VEGF exerts its action by binding to specific cell surface receptors. Three receptors, VEGFR-1 (flt-1), VEGFR-2 (flk-1), and VEGFR-3 (flt-4) have been identified. Very little information on the coordinated expression of VEGF and its receptors in normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate carcinoma is available. Therefore, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of VEGF and its receptors in tissues derived from normal human prostate, BPH, and prostatic carcinoma. Immunostaining for VEGF was absent in the normal prostate. Epithelium lining the glands of prostate derived from patients with BPH exhibited strong immunostaining. The intensity of staining was relatively less in prostate carcinoma. It is interesting that VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-3 were strongly expressed in both stromal and epithelial tissues in normal prostate, BPH, and carcinoma. In comparison, VEGFR-2 was not localized to normal prostate and its expression in the stroma of BPH and epithelium of carcinoma was very weak. Because progression of prostate cancer is accompanied by altered expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in malignant cells, we investigated the effect of EGF on VEGF gene expression by Northern blot analysis in 2 human prostate cancer cell lines that express EGFR. EGF greatly enhanced the expression of VEGF messenger RNA in DU145 and PC3 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The EGF induction of VEGF gene expression suggests a mechanism by which angiogenesis could be accelerated in BPH and prostate carcinoma.


Economies of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have been growing slowly in recent time. Economic growth is thought to affect inequality but not much is known about the nature of such relationship in SSA and there is no concordance among the few available. This paper examined the relationship between economic growth and inequality in the region using data from 1990 to 2017estimated with the Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model and Granger Causality. Hausman's test suggested the superiority of the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) over the Mean Group (MG) Model. The PMG results showed that economic growth had significant and negative effect on income inequality (proxy by GINI-coefficient) in the long run suggesting a state of the later part of the Kuznet curve. This is in addition to the negative effect in the short run which is contrary to the theory. Furthermore, the result of the Granger Causality test revealed evidence of unidirectional relationship running from economic growth to income inequality in the region. Therefore, the study recommended that governments of Sub-Saharan African countries should implement policies and programmes capable of sustaining and improving inclusive growth in order to avoid high income inequality in the region.


We present an overview of the limitations of the agricultural wage data published as Agricultural Wages in India (AWI). We discuss the underlying reasons for these limitations and attempt to address the problems. Through controlling for fixed effects associated with reporting centres and farm operations, we show that it is possible to utilise the AWI data as a source of district-level monthly wage variation without discarding districts with frequent missing data. As changes in reporting centres have a large impact on inter-year dynamics of reported district-level wages, we recommend retaining the same reporting centres over several years in order to improve the quality of the AWI.


Abstract This paper examines a recent arrival on the American pop cultural scene, a type of ghost encounter called After-Death Communications (ADCs). Delivered in dreams, visions, voices, odors, coincidences, etc., these cheerful greetings from deceased loved ones help bereaved survivors cope with their loss. Since the Enlightenment, spirits of the dead have become increasingly irrelevant to collective life. The new phantoms, however, are assigned roles in the family, health, and faith. How has this occurred? Strands of a complicated process are delineated, including medical origins in the bereavement hallucination, a designated symptom of grief. Cultural dynamics behind the current ADC phenomenon are contrasted with national trends that shaped the nineteenth-century spiritualist enthusiasm for ghosts. The literature, published since the 1990s, is reviewed in which the ADC has been formalized as a source of bereavement therapy and revelation. A tally of the peculiar features and functions of this twenty-first-century ghost experience links it to two American industries, psychotherapy and spiritual seeking.


Drug use in Europe has remained stable in recent years. Although substances such as cocaine, heroin, and especially cannabis are the most popular substances among users, new synthetic substances are a growing problem (in 2008 alone, 24 new substances were identified). Many of the synthetic substances used by users today are derived from medicinal products, including G-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) which is of interest because it is associated with a wide range of neurosocial impairment effects. The purpose of this study is to show cognitive deficits in a patient with a history of GHB use. The case of a 26-year-old man who was examined interconnectedly by the addiction service of the DG psychiatric clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, during his treatment at the pathology clinic of the general hospital AHEPA is presented.


The reciprocity equation commonly stated in underwater acoustics relates pressure fields and monopole sources. It is often used to predict the pressure measured by a hydrophone for multiple source locations by placing a source at the hydrophone location and calculating the field everywhere for that source. A similar equation that governs the orthogonal components of the particle velocity field is needed to enable this computational method to be used for acoustic vector sensors. This paper derives a general reciprocity equation that accounts for both monopole and dipole sources. This vector-scalar reciprocity equation can be used to calculate individual components of the received vector field by altering the source type used in the propagation calculation. This enables a propagation model to calculate the received vector field components for an arbitrary number of source locations with a single model run for each vector field component instead of requiring one model run for each source location. Application of the vector-scalar reciprocity principle is demonstrated with analytic solutions for a range-independent environment and with numerical solutions for a range-dependent environment using a parabolic equation model.


: In 1975/76 the risk of hepatitis from human clotting preparations (fibrinogen, prothrombin complex) prepared from pooled plasma was studied prospectively in patients who had undergone open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Of 247 patients 25 (10%) developed hepatitis postoperatively, while of 17 recipients of plasma-fraction concentrates 12 developed hepatitis (71%). Even taking into account other potential risk factors this rate of hepatitis is statistically significant. It demonstrates that even with the most modern screening methods it is not possible to produce clotting preparations from "large pool" human plasma which is free of hepatitis risk, unless additional virus-inactivating measures are taken.


Response preparation usually facilitates performance, but it may also interfere with other concurrent tasks. In this article, the authors used event-related brain potentials to study how intervening tasks affect response preparation. In 3 experiments, participants performed intervening tasks during the preparation of a precued hand choice response. Intervening tasks were simple or choice foot responses to tones with different probabilities or at different times during the preparation period. The contingent negative variation component indicated that the intervening task led to an increased recruitment of processing resources, whereas behavioral data and the lateralized readiness potential indicated a deliberately reduced level of preparedness. Two factors seem to be responsible for this result pattern, a bottleneck-like postponement of the prepared response and a reluctance of participants to prepare prior to expected interference.


The high availability of an accelerator timing system is of great significance for the operation of the SuperKEKB electron-positron collider. To distribute the high precision level trigger signals for synchronizing all the relevant components in the accelerator complex, event based timing system is utilized to control the injection procedure in SuperKEKB. Another critical challenge of the timing system is to control the bucket selection of both electron and positron beam bunch. The failure in timing system would definitely affect other systems like pulsed magnet, BPM and so on, and as a consequence leading an unfavourable impact on the effectiveness of the particles collide. Additionally, a newly built positron damping ring decrease the positron emittance but meanwhile brings higher complexity of the bucket selection. In this paper, we will demonstrate the algorithm of the timing system and introduce our fault analysis system which helps up to analyze the timing error, improve the accelerator operation stability.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the robotic quadrupedal platform ALoF that is designed to aid research on perception in legged locomotion. Design/methodology/approach – A well-balanced size and complexity of the robot results in a robust platform that is easy to handle, yet able to perform complex maneuvers as well as to carry sophisticated 3D sensors. A very large range of motion allows the robot to actively explore its surroundings through haptic interaction, and to choose between a wide range of planning options. Findings – This robot was employed and tested in the lunar robotics challenge organized by the European Space Agency, for which the authors also developed a novel crawling gait, in which the weight of the robot is alternately supported by scaled plates under the main body and the four shank segments. This allowed for stable locomotion in steep terrain with very loose soil. Originality/value – The paper describes how a very large range of motion allows the robot to actively explore its surroundings through haptic interaction, and to choose between a wide range of planning options. The paper describes how the authors developed a novel crawling gait, in which the weight of the robot is alternately supported by scaled plates under the main body and the four shank segments.


In this work, NiO films were deposited by reactive radio frequency sputtering, varying either the oxygen flow or the power during deposition. The morphology was studied by atomic force microscopy. The Ni/O and Ni/H ratios were determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and forward recoil spectroscopy. The microstructure of pristine and colored or bleached films were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. The electrochromic and mechanical behavior in aqueous alkaline electrolyte were investigated in situ. Samples deposited at low oxygen flow (or high power) are transparent, and have the highest Ni/O ratio and the lowest Ni/H ratio. The effective area is also greater for these samples. Samples deposited at high oxygen flow (or low power) are dark brown and present the lowest Ni/O ratio and the highest Ni/H ratio. For all samples, the Ni/O ratio is lower than 1. All films were cubic NiO, with preferred orientation in the (111) direction. Lattice parameters and crystalline grain size increase with the increase of oxygen flow (or decrease of power) during deposition. The highest optical contrast and lowest stress changes upon intercalation were obtained for samples deposited at low oxygen flow. Nonintentional, low-size dopants, like H, favor the mechanical stability of the films.


The purposes of this study are to review the decision process on the issue of global warming and to suggest possible processes for decision improvement. This study examines the problem structure of global warming and theoretically explicates the decision-analytic approach based on normative decision theories and application to global warming. From the descriptive perspective, this study also tries to identify limitations of the decision-analytic approach and to suggest some considerations for a better decision process of global warming.


Purpose: of the current research is to develop a reliability assessment method with an extension of the existing ones and pooling them to a common framework. The system must identify the most unreliable parts of a production process and suggest the most efficient ways for the reliability improvement. Design/methodology/approach: FMEA is in the centre of the proposed framework,a reliability analysis type, the most widely used in enterprises. The current research suggests to extend the FMEA by introducing a classification of faults. In this procedure, Bayesian Belief Network is employed to analyze faults. Findings: An integrated modelling method based on a system modelling and complemented with a reliability evaluation mechanism has the capability to analyse and design manufacturing systems. The tool developed to analyse a production process, enables companies to analyse the process as a whole as well as its parts and achieve efficient prognosis for the production process reorganization. Research limitations/implications: The reliability analysis framework is developed for machinery manufacturing enterprises. Practical implications: The reliability assessment tool helps engineers quickly and with accurate estimate most unreliable places of production process and indicates ways of their elimination with great efficiency. Originality/value: Expansion of FMEA method, application of Bayesian Belief Network for process reliability estimation, usage of reliability estimation during production route creation.


We are concerned with an investment and consumption problem with stochastic interest
rate and stochastic volatility, in which interest rate dynamic is described by the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross (CIR) model
and the volatility of the stock is driven by Heston's stochastic volatility model. We apply stochastic optimal control
theory to obtain the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation for the value function and choose power utility and
logarithm utility for our analysis. By using separate variable approach and variable change technique, we obtain
the closed-form expressions of the optimal investment and consumption strategy. A numerical example is given
to illustrate our results and to analyze the effect of market parameters on the optimal investment and consumption
strategies.


Understanding how organisms adapt to extreme environments is fundamental and can provide insightful case studies for both evolutionary biology and climate-change biology. Here, we take advantage of the vast diversity of lifestyles in ants to identify genomic signatures of adaptation to extreme habitats such as high altitude. We hypothesised two parallel patterns would occur in a genome adapting to an extreme habitat: i) strong positive selection on genes related to adaptation and, ii) a relaxation of previous purifying selection. We tested this hypothesis by sequencing the high-elevation specialist Tetramorium alpestre and four related species. In support of our hypothesis, we recorded a strong shift of selective forces in T. alpestre. We further disentangled candidate molecular adaptations in both gene expression and protein-coding sequence that were identified by our genome wide analyses. In particular, we demonstrate that T. alpestre has i) a derived level of expression for stv and other heat-shock proteins in chill shock tests, and ii) enzymatic enhancement of Hex-T1, a rate-limiting regulatory enzyme that controls the entry of glucose into the glycolytic pathway. Together, our analyses highlight the adaptive molecular changes that support colonisation of high altitude environments.


PPOK becomes the first rank in the group of lung diseases in Indonesia, followed by bronchial asthma, lung cancer and other lung diseases. Therapeutic exercise is an action of running regular walking with hands swayed to the rhythm of the road, this action is excellent for all age levels in order to improve the quality of sleeping. The research aims to find out the effect of therapeutic walking exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in TK II Putri Hijau Medan Hospital Medan.This research used an experimental desgin by the use of quasi experimental design through pre-test and post-test paired t-test group. The research population were 9 people, and the sampling technique used in this study is saturation sampling technique by taking the entire population as samples. There is the mean difference between pretest and posttest on sleep quality by 0.56, meaning that the average quality of sleep on posttest have a better category than the average quality of sleep on pretest, which means therapeutic exercise of  walking affects quality of sleep in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with p-value of 0,013. There isa a significant effect of therapeutic exercise of walking on sleep quality. Therapeutic exercise of walking is form of therapy that is proven to improve sleep quality, therefore, is expected that patients can perform therapeutic exercise of walking guided by nurses.


Background Chlamydia is the most common Sexually Transmissible Infection in Australia, with 23,535 notifications for the first quarter of 2015, more than half of which occurring in the 15 to 25 age group. More than 80% of this high risk age group presenting to a general practice at least once annually, however rates of testing are low at 12.5% for females and 3.7% for males. International and Australian studies have suggested pharmacy involvement in testing. Piloting access through Australia's 5,450 pharmacies is essential to reduce the incidence and long-term consequences of chlamydia through early detection, treatment of asymptomatic infection and contact tracing. Method A 9-month pilot of a retail self-test kit through 18 community pharmacies in the Brisbane Metro North region of Queensland. Each kit contained a uri swab, instructions, reply post envelope, pathology bag and form, and information on chlamydia. The consumer indicated preferred option for return of results. Results Of 109 kits purchased, 39.4% were returned for processing, with 16.3% of these returning a reactive result. 18% of returned samples were purchased by consumers under the age of 18, 53.5% between 18 – 29 year and the remainder aged over 30 years. All reactive results were subsequently treated. Conclusion This presentation will discuss integrating community pharmacy into any comprehensive Australian chlamydia testing program. Pharmacies are already providers of sexual health products, including contraception, pregnancy tests and Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC), where approximately 400,000 units of EHC provided each year. They are well placed for access to Chlamydia testing over extended hours, providing an additional confidential option access Chlamydia testing with the capacity to increase sexual health awareness and de-stigmatise chlamydia screening. Disclosure of interest statement This pilot was a collaboration of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia QLD Branch and Metro North Hospital and Health Service, funded by Metro North Brisbane Medicare Local.


Genre analysis is today's dominant approach for textual analysis, especially in the ESP learning and teaching profession. Adopting this approach, the present study compares the Introduction chapters of MA theses in ELT (English Language Teaching) written by Thai students to those written by American university students based on the move-step analysis. Two sets of corpora comprise 30 TSI (Thai student Introduction) and 30 ASI (American student Introduction) Introduction chapters from the theses that followed the traditional five-chapter pattern or ILrMRD. All the TSI and ASI datasets were purposively collected from two electronic databases of graduate theses and dissertations, publicly known ThaiLis Digital Collection and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. These were subsequently analyzed using genre analysis approach. The modified CARS model introduced by Bunton (2002) guides the move-step analysis. To ensure the coding reliability and consistency, the coding analysis of a subset of the entire datasets between the researcher and an expert coder was checked, and the coding agreement was at a highly satisfactory level. The findings demonstrated that both Thai and American MA students followed the moves and steps proposed in the framework to construct their Introduction chapters rhetorically. Both similarities and differences were discovered in the Introduction chapters investigated, in terms of the communicative purpose, the frequency of move-step occurrences, and the move-step classification. Pedagogical implications drawn from the present study are useful for EAP practitioners and research writing instructors, allowing ESL/EFL teachers to equip their graduate students with an appropriate rhetorical outline for thesis Introduction composition.


Regional groundwater flow in high mountainous terrain is governed by a multitude of factors such as geology, topography, recharge conditions, structural elements such as fracturation and regional fault zones as well as man‐made underground structures. By means of a numerical groundwater flow model, we consider the impact of deep underground tunnels and of an idealized major fault zone on the groundwater flow systems within the fractured Rotondo granite. The position of the free groundwater table as response to the above subsurface structures and, in particular, with regard to the influence of spatial distributed groundwater recharge rates is addressed. The model results show significant unsaturated zones below the mountain ridges in the study area with a thickness of up to several hundred metres. The subsurface galleries are shown to have a strong effect on the head distribution in the model domain, causing locally a reversal of natural head gradients. With respect to the position of the catchment areas to the tunnel and the corresponding type of recharge source for the tunnel inflows (i.e. glaciers or recent precipitation), as well as water table elevation, the influence of spatial distributed recharge rates is compared to uniform recharge rates. Water table elevations below the well exposed high‐relief mountain ridges are observed to be more sensitive to changes in groundwater recharge rates and permeability than below ridges with less topographic relief. In the conceptual framework of the numerical simulations, the model fault zone has less influence on the groundwater table position, but more importantly acts as fast flow path for recharge from glaciated areas towards the subsurface galleries. This is in agreement with a previous study, where the imprint of glacial recharge was observed in the environmental isotope composition of groundwater sampled in the subsurface galleries. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The coastal defenses in Normandy along the D-Day beaches were less thorough than other Atlantic Wall defenses, such as the Pas de Calais, where the Germans expected the main attack. However, they still proved to be formidable obstacles for the Allied invasion force. Rommel stressed the need to defeat the invasion on the beach, and therefore the Normandy beach fortifications took on a significant role in German tactical thinking. This book covers the different levels of passive and active fortifications that were designed to stop the Allied assaults on the beaches of Normandy.


Smoking has a negative effect on fertilization as it decreases sperm quality. The current research aimed to investigate the effect of fermented red bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) extract on sperm motility, viability, and plasma membrane integrity of white mice (Mus musculus) exposed to cigarette smoke. The red beans were subjected to a 36-hour fermentation process using Rhizopus spp. Then, methanol was extracted by maceration method for 24 hours until maceration was obtained. In this study, 25 male white mice aged 3 months were randomly divided into 5 groups of 5 mice. Group C (negative control) was given 0.5 mL of carboxymethyl cellulose natrium (CMC Na) 1% solution orally without unfiltered cigarette smoke exposure, and group C+ (positive control) was given 0.5 mL of CMC Na 1% solution orally and unfiltered cigarette smoke exposure. Treatment groups T1, T2, and T3 were orally given fermented red bean extract at doses of 26 mg/kg Body weight (BW), 52 mg/kg BW, and 104 mg/kg BW, respectively, and then were exposed to unfiltered cigarette smoke. For 36 days, treatment groups (except the negative control) were subjected to the inhalation of smoke from an unfiltered cigarette containing a nicotine dose of 2.2 mg. The exposure period lasted for 20 minutes each day. Each group was put into a cigarette smoke-exposing box. The sperm motility (observing the forward movement of spermatozoa), the sperm viability (examining the color of the sperm head), and the sperm plasma membrane integrity (observing the tail shape using the hypoosmotic swelling test) were then evaluated. The findings indicated significant differences in sperm motility, viability, and plasma membrane integrity of each group with positive control. A dose of 104 mg/kg BW of fermented red bean extract had the best potential to maintain sperm motility (70%), viability (82.13%), and plasma membrane integrity (61.93%) of mice exposed to unfiltered cigarette smoke.


To the Editor: W e read with interest the recent article by Manuel et al in Annals of Plastic Surgery. Through histological evaluation and comparison of recipient site covered by split skin graft (SSG) solitarily and by SSG and collagen cell carrier (CCC) simultaneously, a conclusion was made that underneath CCC could improve the quality of above SSG when treating full thickness wound in a rat model. The combination of dermal substitutes and SSG has been increasingly applied to reconstruct full-thickness skin defect. In the present study, several advantages of CCC were taken to facilitate the survival of SSG: (1) vascularization determines the fate of a skin graft, and a graft too thick is recalcitrant to vascular nourishment. Due to the low thickness of only 0.02 mm, the transparency of CCC has a trivial effect to block blood supply to SSG. (2) The full thickness wound was generated reaching down to the muscle fascia, in which way abundant sources of neovascularization could be applied directly by the muscle. (3) Because infection is fatal to grafts, occlusive foil was used on the surface of transplantation to prevent contamination and decrease chances of infection. However, the foil might counterproductively restrain exudation drainage. Extending this issue, negative pressure drainage and/or proper pressure dressing is often used in clinic practice to drain exudation, glue the graft ontowound bed, and stimulate neovascularization. Thus, in this study, where the utilization of vacuum aspiration is impractical, adequate pressure dressing, instead of staples only, should have been applied, and the necrosis of grafts in both groups might not happen. Exactly as the authors mentioned, mechanical strain is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scarring. Probably due to the small area of wound site, SSG was not meshed in this study. Yet, in clinical practice, most cases have to be covered by stretched meshed SSG due to the large area of recipient


The increasing incidence of breast cancer in the United States and the international variation in risk have led to speculation that environmental risk factors are an important cause of breast cancer. We review the epidemiologic evidence on the breast cancer risk associated with ambient environmental exposures experienced passively by the US population, and discuss the difficulties associated with measurement of specific exposures in environmental studies. We review geographic variation of breast cancer rates in the United States, and exposure to organochlorines, ionizing and electromagnetic radiation, and passive smoking. Results are inconclusive but do not support a major role of environmental risk factors in the etiology of breast cancer.


The company started to use an advertising technique that was deemed sufficient, namely by using product placement or brand placement. This study was to determine the effectiveness of product placement on the brand awareness survey of the Korean Drama Descendant of The Sun audience in Tangerang. The paradigm used in this research is positivistic, with a quantitative approach to survey methods for Korean drama audiences Descendant of the Sun with non-probability sampling using accidental sampling. The results showed that the product placement made by Hyundai in the Korean drama Descendant of the Sun contributed 44.7% to the brand awareness of the Korean drama Descendant of the sun audience


Regenerative medicine requires new, fully functional cells that are delivered to patients in order to repair degenerated or damaged tissues. When such cells are not readily available, they can be obtained using different approaches that include, among the many, reprogramming and trans-differentiation, with advantages and limitations that are specific of the different techniques. Here a new strategy for the conversion of an adult mature fibroblast into an insulin-secreting cell, arbitrarily designated as epigenetic converted cells (EpiCC), is described. The method has been developed, based on the increasing understanding of the mechanisms controlling epigenetic regulation of cell fate and differentiation. In particular, the first step uses an epigenetic modifier, namely 5-aza-cytidine, to drive adult cells into a "highly permissive" state. It then takes advantage of this brief and reversible window of epigenetic plasticity, to re-address cells toward a different lineage. The approach is designated "epigenetic cell conversion". It is a simple and robust way to obtain an efficient, controlled and stable cellular inter-lineage switch. Since the protocol does not involve the use of any gene transfection, it is free of viral vectors and does not involve a stable pluripotent state, it is highly promising for translational medicine applications.


We review opportunities, impediments, regional scope and principles for a Canadian contribution to an Integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing System (IAOOS) in the context of the Galway Alliance. This contribution should build on what exists, plan ahead for data management and data access, be flexible and sustainable, encourage international involvement, be science-led, foster research aggregation, and have close links to remote sensing, data assimilation and prediction programs. Existing programs that can contribute are described, and new initiatives that will broaden relevance of the Observing System are identified, including biological/ ecosystem observations. Specific platforms and technologies for both near-shore and offshore waters are listed, together with areas where new developments are needed. Finally, we outline a strategy for the development of an Atlantic Canada Regional Ocean Observing System (ACROOS).


SUMMARY Prevalence and abundance of Bartonella spp. infections were studied over a 3-year period in woodland and grassland rodents in North-Eastern Poland. Prevalence of bacterial infections was similar in the two rodent communities, with one leading host species in each habitat (46·3% in Apodemus flavicollis versus 29·1% in Myodes glareolus in forest, or 36·9% in Microtus arvalis versus 13·7% in Mi. oeconomus in grassland). Prevalence/abundance of infections varied markedly across the 3 years with 2006 being the year of highest prevalence and abundance. Infections were more common during autumn months in My. glareolus and A. flavicollis, and in juvenile and young adult (age classes 1 and 2) My. glareolus and Mi. oeconomus than in adults (age class 3). Higher prevalence and abundance of Bartonella infections were found in male A. flavicollis in comparison to females. These data are discussed in relation to the parasite genotypes identified in this region and with respect to the role of various ecological factors influencing Bartonella spp. infections in naturally infected host populations.


We study the Colored Bin Packing Problem: we are given a set of items where each item has a weight and color. We must pack the items in bins of uniform capacity such that no two items of the same color may be adjacent within in a bin. The goal is to perform this packing using the fewest number of bins. We consider a version of the problem where reordering is allowed. We first consider the zero-weight and unit weight versions of this problem, i.e. where the items have weight zero and one, respectively. We present linear time optimal algorithms for both versions.


Aegis operators simultaneously locate and monitor the activity of several hostile targets, intervening and alerting their team when appropriate. Utilizing the Aegis Combat System, operators find, track, and respond to dynamic targets on a radar screen. The demand that operators undergo is often high, inevitably causing strain on cognitive functions and detriments to performance. We applied model-based measures, Cost and Multitasking Throughput, to quantify the influence of external factors on processing efficiency in radar task(s). We captured the influence of three experimental manipulations, each of three levels, on human efficiency to track the location of hostiles and/or detect brief radar interference. We collected participants' performance to complete a multiple object tracking (MOT) task and an electronic attack detection task (EA) using a radar display. A factorial manipulation of conditions comprised changes to task(s) (EA, MOT, or both), the number of targets to track (2, 4, or 6) and the presence or absence of distractors, deemed 'friendlies' (between 500-1000 total tracks). Our novel individual- and model-based approach provided quantitative estimates of human efficiency. We compared the observed variation in efficiency among predictors including target quantity, visual load, and the presence of one or two interrelated tasks. Through quantifying the relationship of these variables to radar detection tasks, we discuss implications of our findings and provide a framework to examine how system designers may develop tools to alleviate observed cognitive demands and/or counter potential threats of electronic attacks in radar detection and tracking tasks.


Economics the world over assume in their economic theories that the market forces are the major means of allocating resources in any economy. They generally, assume that production and consumption decisions, as well as methods of allocation of commodities are done better by the forces of demand and supply in the market.
In addition, the orthodox economists opine that the price mechanism through the "invisible hands" of Adam Smith is the best co-ordinator in the determination of economic activities in all economies including the developing countries like Nigeria and Africa in diaspora.
This research work has found out that this policy that worked in the advanced/developed countries, cannot work effectively as principal co-ordinator of economic activities in a developing economy as ours. It is via the role of governments in economic activities that resources can be allocated justly, equitably and fairly. If the government fails to intervene, the majority who are financially handicapped will be marginalized by the few rich who will control what is produced and consumed. There is no gainsaying the fact that the market forces determine principally what is produced based on the profit margin which is the motivating force in business, to the detriment of the public desires. If the market mechanism only considers what are produced, consumed, distributed and exchanged, then the welfare of the public with respect to basic needs is never taken care of. This research posits that the government which is the public sector is the best co-ordinator of economic activities, while the private sector supplements the role. Hence, the government should be the role model or facilitator, which the developing economies have found indispensable in economic development.
Systematic planning, government intervention vis-a-vis private sector directed by the government instead of the market forces, are the acceptable principal co-ordinators of economic activities in the developing countries like Nigeria.
 Journal of Research in National Development Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 50-57


In 1970 George E. Andrews defined the generating functions for P1 r (n) and P2 r (n). In this article these generating functions are discussed elaborately. This paper shows how to prove the theorem P2 r (n) = P3 r (n) with a numerical example when n = 9 and r = 2. In 1966 Andrews defined the terms A(n) and B(n), but this paper proves the remark A(n) = B(n) with the help of an example when n = 10. In 1961, N. Bourbaki defined the term P(n, m). This paper shows how to prove a Remark in terms of P(n, m), where P(n, m) is the number of partitions of the type of enumerated by P3 r (n ) with the further restrictions that b1< 2m.


Using state-of-the-art satellite-gauge monthly rainfall estimate and optimally interpolated sea surface temperature (SST) data, we have assessed the 1997-98 AA-monsoon anomalies in terms of three basic causal factors: basin-scale SST, regional coupling, and internal variability. Singular Value Decomposition analyses of rainfall and SST are carried out globally over the entire tropics and regionally over the AA-monsoon domain. Contributions to monsoon rainfall predictability by various factors are evaluated from cumulative anomaly correlation with dominant regional SVD modes. Results reveal a dominant, large-scale monsoon-El Nifio coupled mode with well-defined centers of action in the near-equatorial monsoon regions during the boreal summer and winter respectively. The observed 1997-98 AA-monsoon anomalies are found to be very complex with approximately 34% of the anomalies of the Asian (boreal) summer monsoon and 74% of the Australia (austral) monsoon attributable to basin-scale SST influence associated with E1 Nifio. Regional coupled processes contribute an additional 19% and 10%, leaving about 47% and 16% due to internal dynamics for the boreal and austral monsoon respectively. For the boreal summer monsoon, it is noted that the highest monsoon predictability is not necessary associated with major El Nifio events (e.g. 1997, 1982) but rather in non-E1 Nifio years (e.g. 1980, 1988) when contributions from the regional coupled modes far exceed those from the basin-scale SST. The results suggest that in order to improve monsoon seasonal-to-interannual predictability, there is a need to exploit not only monsoon-E1 Nifio relationship, but also intrinsic monsoon regional coupled processes.


Thirty-two Enterobacter cloacae strains that are less susceptible to cefepime than to ceftazidime were collected. This unique phenotype of 8 strains was confirmed using the agar dilution method. OXA1, OXA10, OXA31 and OXA35 were detected in 3, 2, 3, and 2 strains, respectively, whereas all strains were negative for PSE-1 genes. OXA genes were also identified in the plasmid DNA of 5 strains, but only 2 strains were positive in a conjugation experiment. The acrA, acrB and tolC genes were identified in 4, 4 and 6 strains, respectively. Decreased expression of the acrA mRNA and overexpression of the acrB and tolC mRNAs were observed using real-time RT-PCR. Most of the bacteria (n=7) stably expressed the marA gene, which is a regulatory gene in the AcrAB-TolC multidrug efflux system, whereas all strains were negative for ramA. The acrA, acrB, tolC, acrR and marA genes were similar to the genes in reference strains in GenBank, with nucleotide homologies of 96%, 98%, 98%, 98% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, the mechanism of resistance of Enterobacter cloacae with less susceptibility to cefepime than to ceftazidime is associated with the overexpression of AcrAB-TolC and the production of OXA1, XA10, OXA31 and OXA35.


 Abstract — In this paper, we have considered Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) metric with generalized Chaplygin gas which has viscosity in the context of Lyra geometry. The viscosity is considered in two different ways (i.e. zero viscosity, non-constant  (rho)-dependent bulk viscosity) using constant deceleration parameter which concluded that, for a special case, the viscous generalized Chaplygin gas reduces to modified Chaplygin gas. The represented model indicates on the presence of Chaplygin gas in the Universe. Observational constraints are applied and discussed on the physical and geometrical nature of the Universe.


Skiagram proved 35 cases of fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes in order to analyse the clinical profile and its correlation with different descriptive epidemiological parameters were studied. Mean age was 25.17 +/- 7.85 years and male to female ratio was 6:1; 65.7% patients were poor (income < Rs 500 per month) and another 28.6% having average income (Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per month); 74.3% came from rural areas having a family size of about > or = 7 members and sanitation was poor in all the cases. Mean body mass index was 15.93 +/- 3. Severe diabetes (ie, fasting blood sugar level > 251 mg%) and moderately severe diabetes (ie, fasting blood sugar level > 181 mg% but < 250 mg%) were noted in 51.4% and 11.4% cases respectively. Recurrent pain abdomen, infections, neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy and keto-acidosis were observed in 52.2%, 40.0%, 42.9%, 8.6%, 11.4% and 2.9% cases respectively. Mean soluble insulin requirement was 41.81 +/- 13.94 units. Four cases in whom pancreatic lithotomy was done, showed less insulin requirement and disappearance of pain. Parotid swelling, chronic diarrhoea and insulin resistance were not observed. Insulin requirement, epidemiological and biochemical parameters were similar to other young diabetics.


AIM
To assess efficacy and safety of ingavirin in the treatment of the flu caused by pandemic virus of flu A (H1N1) sw1 in hospitalized patients compared with oseltamivir.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A population-based comparative multicenter trial included 194 patients with verified diagnosis of the flu aged 18-60 years with marked clinical symptoms, body temperature over 38 degrees C and duration of the disease 48 hours maximum. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: group 1 (n=152) received ingavirin (90 mg once a day), group 2 received oseltamivir (n=42) in a dose 150 mg twice a day. Duration of the course was 5 days.

RESULTS
Ingavirin and oseltamivir normalized body temperature within treatment hours 24-36 if therapy was initiated in the first disease hours 27.0 +/- 10.0 and 31.9 +/- 10.4. Mean duration of the fever for ingavirin was 35.1 +/- 14.5 hours, for oseltamivir--26.3 +/- 13.0 hours (p < 0.817). The antiviral medicines significantly reduced duration of intoxication (head ache, weakness), catarrhal symptoms (cough, tracheitis, rhinitis), rate of complication vs. patients untreated with antivirus drugs (n=30).

CONCLUSION
The results of the treatment show safety and efficacy of ingavirin in uncomplicated flu caused by pandemic virus of flu A (H1N1) sw1 in inpatients. Early etiotropic therapy is a basic treatment policy able to reduce the number of severe complications and lethality.


This study explores experiences of pregnancy loss via a questionnaire completed by a convenience sample of 48 Australian cisgender heterosexual men. The questionnaire included measures of support following pregnancy loss, recognition of loss, perceived utility of help-seeking, perceived stigma attached to help-seeking, perinatal grief, and depression and anxiety. The questionnaire also included open-ended questions focused on help-seeking and support. Higher levels of grief were related to higher levels of both depression and anxiety. Perceptions about stigma were related to the perceived utility of help-seeking. While a majority of participants had accessed formal support services, feeling supported was unrelated to either grief or depression. Participants emphasized the utility of men's groups where members have experienced pregnancy loss, though barriers to support were also identified in terms of the unavailability of support or the perceived need to focus on a partner's loss.


Distributed flexibility of the links is a severe obstacle for the endpoint position control of lightweight manipulators. In order to accomplish with satisfactory performance certain tasks involving a controlled interaction of the tip of the robot with the worksurfaces, a combined control of the motion and the contact forces can provide some advantages. This paper presents a general and systematic model of a flexible robot interacting with a rigid environment. A force/position control scheme based on this model is also introduced. Results obtained simulating the constrained motion of an existing 2-DOF flexible arm are given.


Currently, the heat transfer equation used in the rotary combustion engine (RCE) simulation model is taken from piston engine studies. These relations have been empirically developed by the experimental input coming from piston engines whose geometry differs considerably from that of the RCE. The objective of this work was to derive equations to estimate heat transfer coefficients in the combustion chamber of an RCE. This was accomplished by making detailed temperature and pressure measurements in a direct injection stratified charge (DISC) RCE under a range of conditions. For each specific measurement point, the local gas velocity was assumed equal to the local rotor tip speed. Local physical properties of the fluids were then calculated. Two types of correlation equations were derived and are described in this paper. The first correlation expresses the Nusselt number as a function of the Prandtl number, Reynolds number, and characteristic temperature ratio; the second correlation expresses the forced convection heat transfer coefficient as a function of fluid temperature, pressure and velocity.


Brief ischemic episodes that induce myocardial and coronary endothelial dysfunction may alter the responses to inotropic drugs. To determine the effects of inotropic drugs in stunned myocardium, the coronary blood flow (CBF), myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), and regional mechanical function in response to intracoronary dobutamine, epinephrine, amrinone, and calcium chloride (CaCl2) were measured before (normal) and 30 min after a 15-min-period occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (stunned) in an open-chest canine model. Percent segment shortening (%SS) and post-systolic shortening (%PSS) were determined. Myocardial extraction of oxygen (EO2) and lactate (Elac) was calculated. The inotropic drugs increased %SS, CBF, and MVO2 in normal myocardium. Epinephrine and amrinone decreased, while dobutamine and CaCl2 did not affect EO2. The ischemia and reperfusion itself significantly reduced %SS and Elac, and increased %PSS. In stunned myocardium, the responses to inotropic drugs were not significantly altered, except that they progressively reduced %PSS and epinephrine did not affect EO2. These findings indicate that a brief episode of ischemia does not affect the mechanical and metabolic coronary flow responses to inotropic drugs, although it abolishes direct vasodilator responses to epinephrine.


In recent years, the number and types of institutional investors in China have achieved rapid development, and gradually become an important part of China's capital market. Institutional investors pay more attention to the long-term performance of enterprises in order to maintain their long-term and stable return on investment. This paper uses the investor relationship data of the "interactive easy" platform of Shenzhen Stock Exchange and the data of listed companies of Shenzhen Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2019 to construct the index of institutional investor attention, and empirically examines the influence mechanism of institutional investor attention on enterprise performance. Furthermore, a chain-type multiple intermediary effect model is constructed to investigate investor attention affecting enterprise performance. The results show that institutional investor attention can significantly improve enterprise performance. The attention of institutional investors can reduce the quality of economic development by increasing the innovation investment of enterprises and strengthening the incentive intensity of executive compensation, as well as the chain-type intermediary channel of "Executive Compensation Incentive Increase → Enterprise innovation investment increase", the independent intermediary effect of executive compensation incentive is the most prominent. Furthermore, the results show that institutional investor attention promotes the performance of non-state-owned enterprises and state-owned enterprises. However, the state-owned enterprises can only improve their performance through the compensation incentive independent intermediary channels.


The editorial comment on the Moroccan situation, which appeared in the April number of the JOURNAL, endeavored to show the steps by which the choice portions of Northern Africa had been appropriated by France and Great Britain, and to explain the attitude of the Powers toward the further extension of French influence. The opposition of Germany to a French protectorate over Morocco was overcome after long and delicate negotiations, and a convention, in which Germany specifically waived objections to the political projects of France, provided the door was not closed to commercial equality, was signed on


In 2001, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommended the use of ultrasound for the placement of central venous catheters (CVCs) as one of their 11 practices to improve patient care. These recommendations were based on the results of several randomized clinical trials showing significantly improved overall success as well as reductions in complications. This article will describe the practical aspects of using ultrasound to guide placement of CVCs in the internal jugular vein in a "how I do it" approach, as well as review the practice management and training aspects related to incorporating ultrasound into daily practice.


We consider the effect of multiple scattering from spin orbit impurities upon the electron-mediated magnetic interaction between spins. The calculation is valid at mesoscopic length scales, namely for spin separations greater than the elastic mean free path and the spin orbit distance, but smaller than the inelastic cut-off. The main result obtained is an effective spin Hamiltonian consisting of an isotropic and an anisotropic term, each with a corresponding random coupling. Both interactions are long ranged, and their values are taken from a single probability distribution, provided the spins are sufficiently far apart. Experimental implications, in particular for the spin glass phase transition, are discussed.


The report by Dr Nicholl on "normal blood glucose concentrations in healthy term newborns"1 raises the interesting and important question of how normoglycaemia in newborns can be defined. In a comprehensive review of the literature in 1997, an expert panel of …


Background
The increasing prevalence of nosocomial carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae is a concern. However, the role of the environment in multispecies outbreaks remains poorly understood. There is increasing recognition that hospital wastewater plumbing may play a role.

Methods
Covers were installed on all hoppers (a "toilet-like" waste disposal system) in adult intensive care units (ICUs) of a university hospital; additionally in the surgical ICU, sink trap heating and vibration devices were also installed. Patient acquisitions of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing organisms (KPCOs) for patients who were admitted to an intervention unit were compared for 18-month preintervention and intervention periods.

Results
Sixty hopper covers and 23 sink trap devices were installed. Fifty-six new multispecies KPCO acquisitions occurred preintervention compared to 30 during the intervention. Decreases for all KPCO acquisitions (odds ratio [OR], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.81; P = .003) and KPCO-positive clinical cultures (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.17-0.48; P < .001) per admission in patients exposed to an intervention unit were observed. The incidence rate ratio was 0.51-fold (95% CI, 0.43-0.61) lower for all KPCO acquisitions during the intervention. The effect of the sink trap devices alone could not be determined, although the proportion of sink drain cultures positive for KPCO decreased (12/15 [80%] sites sampled preintervention vs 40/840 [5%] sampled during the intervention; P = .001).

Conclusions
An intervention targeting wastewater plumbing fixtures, by installation of hopper covers, demonstrated a decrease in patient KPCO acquisitions. Considering wastewater reservoirs in nosocomial transmission of multispecies carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae may be critical.


Adoptive macrophage cell therapy represents a novel approach for cancer immunotherapy. Macrophages engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-M) have shown promising pre-clinical results against solid tumors by improving tumor clearance, overall survival and facilitating the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment to induce a potent adaptive immune response. CD47 is a well-established macrophage immune checkpoint molecule that is over-expressed on tumor cells. CD47 binds to the macrophage signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) to limit phagocytosis and macrophage effector functions. In this study we evaluated the impact of CD47 on CAR-M activity and showed that CD47-resistant targeted macrophage cell therapy mediates enhanced anti-tumor activity.CRISPR/Cas9 was used to deplete the cognate receptor SIRPα from primary human macrophages (>90% efficiency and >90% viability) to increase CAR-M function. To assess anti-tumor activity of CAR-M, < i >in vitro co-culture assays were established with an anti- human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) CAR and HER2+ tumor cell lines. Macrophage killing and phagocytosis of target cells were quantified in real-time using a genetically encoded fluorophore (to monitor tumor cell growth) or a pH-sensitive dye (to monitor phagocytic acidification). In parallel, phenotypic characterization of surface molecules, cytokine secretion levels, biochemical analysis of downstream signaling molecules and response to purified HER2 and CD47 protein stimulation were evaluated.SIRPα knockout (KO) alone failed to induce tumor phagocytosis and cytotoxicity but enhanced targeted CAR-M anti-tumor activity. This was demonstrated by a reduced time required to kill 50% of tumor cells and a 2-fold increase in phagocytic activity, indicating synergy between SIRPα KO and CAR stimulation. Furthermore, in the absence of SIRPα, enhanced cytokine/chemokine secretion, macrophage polarization, and downstream signaling were observed.We show for the first time the feasibility of generating gene edited primary human CAR macrophages for therapeutic purposes, and demonstrate that SIRPα deletion enhances the targeted anti-tumor activity of CAR-M.


When a piezoelectric energy harvester is connected to a simple load circuit, the damping force which the piezoelectric element is able to generate is often below the optimal value to maximize electrical power generation. Circuits that aim to increase the power output of a piezoelectric energy harvester do so by modifying the voltage onto which the piezoelectric current source drives its charge. This paper presents a systematic analysis and comparison of all the principal types of power extraction circuit that allow this damping force to be increased, under both ideal and realistic constraints. Particular emphasis is placed on low-amplitude operation. A circuit called single-supply prebiasing is shown to harvest more power than previous approaches. Most of the analyzed circuits able to increase the power output do so by synchronously inverting or charging the piezoelectric capacitance through an inductor. For inductor Q factors greater than around only 2, the single-supply prebiasing circuit has the highest power density of the analyzed circuits. The absence of diodes in conduction paths, achievable with a minimum number of synchronous rectifiers, means that the input excitation amplitude is not required to overcome a minimum value before power can be extracted, making it particularly suitable for microscale applications or those with a wide variation in amplitude.


Full-term pregnancy with Implanon® in situ An 18-year-old nulliparous woman who had had no bleeding since the insertion of an etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant (Implanon®) 4 months earlier had a positive pregnancy test. The implant was easily palpable and correctly sited. An ultrasound scan showed the gestation was 27±2 weeks. Review of the patient's general practitioner (GP) records indicated that the Implanon had been inadvertently inserted when she was already pregnant. She had not regained regular menstruation since stopping depot medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injections (Depo-Provera®) 6 months previously and switching to condoms. At the time of fitting she denied any sexual intercourse since splitting up with her boyfriend 6 weeks previously. She had had two negative pregnancy tests, one on the day of fitting. Her GP (H.P.) referred her to a specialist contraception clinic for removal of the implant, where she attended 3 weeks after the pregnancy diagnosis (now 30 weeks' gestation). The patient said she was happy with the implant and would wish to use it again after delivery, and she asked if it had to be removed. The doctor in the clinic (H.C.) discussed with the patient the lack of evidence about the correct course of action, and explained that progestogens in pregnancy have not been linked with fetal abnormality. In addition, it was unlikely that the rate of progestogen release from the implant would be altered in pregnancy and there was no reason to expect the low blood levels of progestogen to interfere with labour or delivery. Use of Implanon during lactation is standard (although the patient planned to bottle-feed). Keeping the implant in place therefore seemed to be an option. The GP informed the manufacturers of Implanon (Organon), who of course recommended removal. After discussion it was agreed that it was reasonable for the implant to be left in place, giving the patient the opportunity to return if she changed her mind and decided she wanted it removed. Informal discussion with a few colleagues indicated the majority would advise removal but could not give any clear reason why. The patient had a spontaneous labour and normal delivery of a healthy baby girl weighing 3.3 kg at 40+2 weeks' gestation. At routine follow-up at 6 weeks the baby was being bottlefed and showed no signs of abnormality. The mother was healthy and the implant still had nearly 2.5 years of its licensed life left. What would other readers have advised in this situation?


This paper describes a relatively simple way of allowing a brain model to self-organise its concept patterns through nested structures. Time is a key element and a simulator would be able to show how patterns may form and then fire in sequence, as part of a search or thought process. It uses a very simple equation to show how the inhibitors in particular, can switch off certain areas, to allow other areas to become the prominent ones and thereby define the current brain state. This allows for a small amount of control over what appears to be a chaotic structure inside of the brain. It is attractive because it is still mostly mechanical and therefore can be added as an automatic process, or the modelling of that. The paper also describes how the nested pattern structure can be used as a basic counting mechanism.


The reform of administrative examination and approval system is the key of administrative system reform in China. In this paper, we apply the theory of business process reengineering in 1990s in the western countries to analyze the problems in the process of administrative examination and approval system. We also explore the internal and external impetus in China to deepen the reform of administrative examination and approval system. This paper suggest that the path of the administrative approval system reform in China is to deepen "process reengineering" reform on government halls in local governments, and perform the "one-stop" service, in order to maximize the economic and social vitality, provide a transparent, convenient, low-cost, high efficiency, and healthy government for the economic and social development in China .


Background Although consistent divulgation and training US initiatives have been underway nationwide, the number of ultrasound (US) machines and experienced examiners in Brazil is inadequate for covering the country demand. There are 36 machines used by rheumatologists, mostly in the southeast, for a population of approximately 800,000 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Clearly there are barriers to US dissemination that could be related to the acceptance of the method or practical barriers such as machine cost and reimbursement. Objectives To get insights on the barriers and unmet needs in Brazil in order to define Targeted-Ultrasound Initiative (TUI -educational program aimed to promote greater use of ultrasound in the management of rheumatoid arthritis) strategies. Methods A web-based questionnaire about US practice and basic concepts was developed and distributed to members of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (BSR). Results Among 2.206 BSR active members, 249 rheumatologists from all over the country answered the questionnaire, roughly following the allocation pattern of the rheumatologists in the country. Interestingly, 37,8% of the responders graduated after 2000 and 45,8% between 1981 and 2000. About half of them had never participated in an US course (51%), but only 8.8% reported no interest in learning. Access to US was prevalent but mostly through a radiologist (72.3%), with no specific training in rheumatology. Most rheumatologists supported US value in diagnosis (90.4%) and treatment follow up (78.7%) as well as in treatment guidance (87.9%), contributing to indicate treatment changes in inflammatory arthropathies. On the other hand, US was recognized as useful tool for erosion assessment by only 59% of the rheumatologists. Regarding barriers, the limited access to machines and reimbursement issues were mentioned respectively by 52.7 and 32% of the rheumatologists but surprisingly the lack of continuous and supervised practice necessary to the learning process and proper qualification was considered an important barrier by 66%. Conclusions Most rheumatologists understand the importance of US and its value in improving patient outcomes. This recognition of US usefulness could be interpreted a result of the divulgation and training initiatives. The significant barriers were not only related to cost (machine vs. reimbursement) but to the practical aspects of the learning process and adequate qualification; the most pressing unmet needs hence identified. References Ann Rheum Dis 2012;71:6799-803. Disclosure of Interest None declared


SUMMARY This study examines the role, structure and effectiveness of informal seed systems in the diffusion of new barley varieties. It uses data collected by tracing farmers who received new barley varieties and other farmers who purchased seeds through farmer-to-farmer seed trade over a period of five years. The principal finding was that informal farmer-to-farmer seed dissemination was an important vehicle for the diffusion of new barley varieties, which were grow on 27% of the barley area of monitored farmers, despite a complete lack of extension support. Almost all seed exchanges were undertaken through purchases at market prices, highlighting the importance of markets in informal seed systems. The second main finding was the high concentration of seed sales among a few key seed suppliers, who established reputations as reliable sources of seed and had contacts with research organizations. The importance of market-based local seed transactions implies that farmers specializing in seed sales can invest in local seed enterprises and provide sustainable services at affordable prices. The results of this study indicate great potential for supporting local seed suppliers in order to ensure a sustainable flow of new crop varieties to smallholder farmers in the dry areas. The study also examined farmers' criteria in evaluating and eventually adopting a new variety. These criteria depend on agro-ecological zones with more complex criteria in drier areas with high rainfall variability. These findings will help plant breeding programmes to target dry and marginal areas, where access to new varieties is low, more effectively.


Objective: Childhood psychiatric disorders can prevent individuals from reaching their full potential, and disrupt normal development. Empirical data on the prevalence and incidence of childhood psychiatric disorders are fundamental to understanding the etiology and natural history of such disorders. There have been fewer epidemiologic investigations aimed at estimating the prevalence, incidence, and associated risk factors of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, as compared to adults. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mood disorders (MDs) and anxiety disorders (ADs) in a representative sample of elementary school children from Turkey, providing prevalence rates that were previously unavailable.


Synthesis of flavopereirine 1, formal synthesis of isogeissoschizines 8 and dihydrocorynantheols 9 through the intermediacy of 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6,7-dihydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine 3 and also the unexpected formation of the β-carbolines 12 and 13 on Huang-Minion reaction of 2 are described.


Load monitoring and damage identification are important tasks in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). They are necessary for assessing the structural integrity and predicting the remaining useful life time. Reconstructing unknown force inputs or system parameters usually involves the solution of an inverse problem. In many applications both, the external forces and the structural damage parameters are unknown and only the structural vibration response can be determined by means of measurement data. Methods which tackle the combined problem of load reconstruction and damage identification are rarely represented and usually require a large number of sensors. The use of prior knowledge of the unknown quantities is advisable for solving the combined inverse problem. In this contribution a sparsity-based reconstruction method is developed for identifying the structural force excitation and damage parameter simultaneously by using output-only acceleration data. Here damage is interpreted as additional load (virtual distortion). The properties of L1-minimization techniques allow a reliable estimation of the external forces along with the virtual distortion. A proof-of-concept experiment of a quadratic aluminium plate is presented. It shows that the proposed reconstruction method is able to identify the external force and damage parameter by using a significantly lower number of accelerometers.


A simple quasi one-dimensional model of flowing avalanches is presented. It is a further development of that used in the Swiss Guidelines jor practitioners. It is shown that shearing in avalanche movement is concentrated near the ground and that, due to the geometrical roughness of the ground, a flow resistance proportional to the square of velocity must be taken into account in addition to dry friction. For the change of flow on changing slope angles it is demonstrated that under certain conditions for internal friction a "normal" flow on a flat lower part can no longer be attained; the avalanche behaves like a rigid body. The runout distance is in fair agreement with the Guidelines if a larger internal friction is used. The main differences lie in much smaller deposition depths and smaller velocities during runout.


This study presents data on snakes recorded in the urban area of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Sources of information included specimens captured by local residents (1986-1993) and turned over to the Mato Grosso Regional Ophiological Center (Normat), and data from the Anti-Venom Information Center (Ciave), regarding urban snake bites (1988-1993). Thirty-seven species of snakes from 25 genera and three families were recorded. Diurnal and terrestrial habits predominated, as well as a diet based on amphibians and/or lizards. From a total of 307 snake bites recorded, some 56% were of no clinical importance, caused by non-venomous snakes, whereas 44% were clinically relevant. Approximately 99% of the latter were attributed to vipers of the genus Bothrops, and especially the Bothrops moojeni and Bothrops neuwiedi species The colubrids Philodryas olfersii and Waglerophis merremii were probably responsible for most of the non-venomous snake bites.


Patterns of radiologic response of 10 thymomas treated by preoperative radiotherapy (RT) (18-20 Gy/2 weeks) were determined in conjunction with histologic response. Changes in tumor volume were evaluated with CT scans obtained 5 to 36 days before and 14 to 24 days after the initiation of RT and before surgery. The extent of tumor volume reduction (TR) varied widely (40-78%), while the mean daily volume decrement expressed as a percentage of the pre-RT tumor volume correlated significantly with the pre-RT tumor volume. Histologically, the tumors, all of which were resected 17 to 33 days after RT initiation, generally consisted of predominant fibrous tissues, rare necrotic foci, and few epithelial cells. The TR did not correlate with pre-RT tumor volume, observation period, histologic subtype, or quantity of remaining epithelial cells. The TR of thymomas does not predict RT impact on tumor cells but does reflect the quantity of inherent tumor stroma.


The purpose of this conceptual (and somewhat provocative) article is to analyse the reasons for the disappearance of prognostic factors in Hodgkin's disease (HD) and to explore the consequences for further research from a biometrical point of view. The very concept of prognostic factors is about to resolve in HD. Prognostic factors gradually loose their predictive power as treatment is successfully adapted to the disease burden. Freedom from treatment failure and overall survival curves of patients in early, intermediate and advanced stages of HD are superimposable with the best current treatment protocols of the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group. This disappearance of prognostic factors in HD necessitates a certain conceptual remodelling. It's time to think quantitatively and bivariately, and we need to (i) synthesise existing 'prognostic' factors into a quantitative measure of disease burden or severity; (ii) develop a quantitative measure of treatment strength and (iii) relate these two quantities in nomogram curves indicating how much treatment a patient with a given disease burden requires to have, say, a 85%, 90% and perhaps 95% expected chance of cure.


Oligomycin F, a new homologue of oligomycin A (1), was isolated from a Streptomyces species and structure 2 was deduced by NMR methods. Compound 2 is highly active against plant pathogenic fungi and is an extremely potent suppressive agent for various immunological systems.


Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess how adolescents with autism who vary in the severity of autistic characteristics judge the emotional state of the speaker when lexical and prosodic information is congruent or incongruent. Participants: Eighty participants, 24 autistic and 56 typically developing (TD) subjects participated: (a) 11 autistic adolescents between 9.5 and 16.83 years old, studying at general education settings (AA1), (b) 13 autistic adolescents between 15.91 and 20.33 years old, studying at a special school (AA2), and (c) 56 TD subjects between 6 and 29 years old. Listeners were required to judge the emotional meaning of words (sad/happy) in congruent conditions and incongruent conditions. Results: (a) All participants judged lexical and prosodic meaning separately with high accuracy, (b) all participants showed prolonged reaction times in the incongruent compared to the congruent condition, (c) AA1 relied on prosodic information in the incongruent condition similarly to TD 9-15 year olds and TD adults, (d) AA2 and TD 6-8 year olds did not rely on prosodic information in the incongruent condition, and (e) both education placements, the severity of autistic characteristics and nonverbal IQ contributed to prosodic judgment in the incongruent condition in autistic adolescents. Conclusions: The two groups of autistic adolescents processed both lexical and prosodic information in the incongruent condition. However, the severity of autistic characteristics influenced the preference for prosody.


Brake squeal is an everyday problem, so it has been widely studied, mostly in vibration parlance studying modes, noise energy and frequencies. We propose to study the phenomenon from its origin — i.e. the contact — in a tribological approach that combines contact geometry, third body aspect and squealing initiation: thus, a temporal analysis was necessary. Experimental and numerical approaches have been used to identify influential parameters and they give similar results: a really strong correlation exists between the disk geometry and the squeal initiation.Copyright © 2005 by ASME


The stress on small self-sealing incisions in cataract surgery has resulted in the increased use of foldable intraocular lenses (IOL). Plate haptic silicone IOLs implanted with the help of an injector require extremely small incision lengths and are extensively used. The authors discuss difficulties in explanting such lenses, especially in inflamed eyes. Two patients who underwent plate-haptic silicone IOL explantation for postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis are described. Plate haptic IOLs have a tendency to dislocate posteriorly because of poor capsular fixation and increased posterior bowing. Enlarging a small rhexis prior to attempting explantation of these lenses reduces this complication. Difficulties inherent in explanting plate haptic silicone IOLs in inflamed eyes are discussed, along with suggestions to overcome them.


This study was carried out on 30 human stomachs (from cadavers) obtained from different medical faculties. The elastic fibers in the submucosal layer in the pylorus, corpus and antrum were studied and compared in terms of their length, and density per unit area. The submucosal layer containing elastic fibers was longer and their densities per unit area were greater in the pylorus than those in the corpus and the antrum. Another feature of this study is the use of the vizopan microscop, which is used in the field of forestry engineering for measurements.


The authors herein present their personal experience on the surgical treatment of complicated diverticular disease. The series consists of 243 patients seen between January 1974 and May 1994. One hundred and fifty nine (65.4%) were admitted in an elective and 84 (34.6%) in an emergency setting. Medical therapy was efficacious in resolving the clinical symptoms in 133. One hundred and ten pts. were treated surgically: 91 (82.7%) underwent a left hemicolectomy (one-step surgery), 13 (11.8%) the Hartmann's procedure and 6 (5.4%) a sigmoid resection. Between 1974 and 1980, when anastomoses were performed manually and an excluding colostomy was the procedure of choice, the reported rate of anastomotic dehiscence was 21%. With the technological break-through of mechanical staplers, that enabled the performance of colostomies "on demand" such rate decreased to 8% and finally to 2%, as reported during 1987-94. The operative mortality, between 1974-84, of those patients who underwent emergency surgery was 14% and decreased to 3% between 1985-94. The operative mortality of patients who underwent elective surgery between 1974-84 was 1.3% and decreased to 0% between 1985-1994. The authors underline the importance of respecting the surgical indications and the proper evaluation of pre-operative parameters aiming at a one-step surgery, that reduces both post-operative complications and recovery time.


The molecular and cellular biology of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) often relies on the analysis of TECs isolated in enzymatically digested single-cell suspensions derived from mouse thymus. Many independent studies have reported that the estimated cellularity of total TECs isolated from one adult mouse is on the order of up to 105. However, these numbers appear extremely small given that the cellularity of total thymocytes exceeds 108 and that TECs play multiple roles in thymocyte development and repertoire formation. In the present study, we aimed to measure the numbers of β5t-expressing cortical TECs and Aire-expressing medullary TECs in postnatal mouse thymus in situ without enzymatic digestion. The numbers of these TECs were manually counted in individual thymic sections and were three-dimensionally summed throughout the entire thymic lobes. The results show that the cellularity of total TECs in one 5-wk-old female mouse exceeds 106, containing ∼9 × 105 β5t+ cortical TECs and ∼1.1 × 106 Aire+ medullary TECs. These results suggest that the use of conventional enzymatic digestion methods for the isolation of TECs may have resulted in the underestimation of the cellularity, and possibly the biology, of TECs.


This article deals with the numerous images of the Slavic tribes between the Elbe and the Oder in archaeological interpretations. The position taken by East German archaeologists was to integrate the Slavs explicitly into the theoretical constructions of historical-materialism; in the ideological struggle between East and West the Slavs, as victims of medieval feudal developments politically supported the picture of a common socialist identity and history. In contrast West German arcgaeologists on the basis of rigid source criticism placed the Slavs behind the scens of the historical Stage.


When, in the early 1980s the ideas of post-structuralism seemed rampant within academic critical theory, the appearance of the flawed English translation of Mikhail Bakhtin's central essays on the novel seemed to offer a very promising alternative perspective.1 Bakhtin's model of discursive relations promised to guard the specificity of discourse from being obscured by a web of determinations, while allowing the development of an account of the operations of power and resistance in discourse that could avoid the nullity of Derrida's hors-texte and the irresponsible semiotic hedonism of the later Barthes. Marxist theorists such as Raymond Williams, Terry Eagleton and Allon White immediately and effectively seized upon the translated work of the Bakhtin circle to bolster their arguments, but, as translations of the earlier and later philosophical material appeared, it became apparent that the relationship between work of the circle and the Marxist tradition was very problematic. With this, the American anti-Marxist Slavists – some of whom had been responsible for certain of these translations – moved onto the offensive, arguing that Bakhtin's work was fundamentally incompatible with, and in principle hostile to, Marxism. Occasionally, they went further, arguing that Bakhtin was quite unconcerned with politics and questions of power, being an ethical, or even a religious philosopher before all else. The Americans did have a point. Bakhtin certainly was not a Marxist and the Marxism of some of his early colleagues and collaborators was of a rather peculiar sort. Furthermore, the key problematic area was indeed Bakhtin's ethics which, it became ever more apparent, underlies his most critically astute and productive work and serves to blunt its political edge. Important points of contact between the work of the Bakhtin circle and Marxist theory do persist, however, as Ken Hirschkop and Michael Gardiner, among others, have continued to register. In this article, examining some of the sources of Bakhtin's philosophy, which have only just been revealed in the new Russian edition of his work, we shall analyse the features of Bakhtin's ethics that stifle the political potential of dialogic criticism, and we will suggest ways in which that potential may be liberated.


Two decay chains originated from the even-even isotope 294 118 produced in the 3n-evaporation channel of the 249 Cf+ 48 Ca reaction. Method of active correlations is applied to suppress backgrounds associated with the cyclotron. It is planned to apply this technique for the forthcoming experiment aimed to the synthesis of Z=120 element. A calibration dependence for a recoil measured energy signal is presented as well as a computer simulation spectrum for Z=118 nuclei.


In this article I present two theories of historical inquiry, which I characterize as conservative and pragmatic. I argue that these two views of history, John Dewey's and Hans Georg Gadamer's, provide an excluded middle between the extremes of positivism and relativism. They are pragmatic insofar as they accept the anti-foundationalist critique of positivism; they are conservative insofar as they refuse to reduce historical inquiry to mere discourse or narrative. Both focus on the situatedness of historical inquiry, paying special attention to the culturally emergent conceptual schemes and prejudices of the historian, but they constrain historical inquiry by providing an improved understanding of the relationship between the problems which give rise to our inquiries and the tools which help resolve them. Dewey, in the key of naturalism, and Gadamer, in the key of phenomenology, provide conservative and pragmatic philosophies of historical inquiry, which refuse to pose as science, but do not fall into narrative fiction. Additionally, their approaches to historical inquiry share a concern for the practical application of the study of history. In this concern for application, both Dewey and Gadamer provide a theory of historical inquiry consonant with a conservative and pragmatic judicial theory, which rejects both the formalism of legal positivism and the model of unconstrained judicial radicalism.


Letter from Charles L. Watkins to Claude D. White discussing Claude going to Omaha, Nebraska and some upcoming civil service examinations that he can take there for the positions of post office clerk and carrier. There is an envelope addressed to Mr. Claude D. White, R-4 Box 25, McKinney, Texas. The return address for Mr. Watkins is 3416 Pratt [?], Omaha, Nebraska. The envelope is postmarked September 30, 1908.


While neural networks have been remarkably successful in a wide array of applications, implementing them in resource-constrained hardware remains an area of intense research. By replacing the weights of a neural network with quantized (e.g., 4-bit, or binary) counterparts, massive savings in computation cost, memory, and power consumption are attained. To that end, we generalize a post-training neural-network quantization method, GPFQ, that is based on a greedy path-following mechanism. Among other things, we propose modifications to promote sparsity of the weights, and rigorously analyze the associated error. Additionally, our error analysis expands the results of previous work on GPFQ to handle general quantization alphabets, showing that for quantizing a single-layer network, the relative square error essentially decays linearly in the number of weights -- i.e., level of over-parametrization. Our result holds across a range of input distributions and for both fully-connected and convolutional architectures thereby also extending previous results. To empirically evaluate the method, we quantize several common architectures with few bits per weight, and test them on ImageNet, showing only minor loss of accuracy compared to unquantized models. We also demonstrate that standard modifications, such as bias correction and mixed precision quantization, further improve accuracy.


A new method is developed in the present study to determine the elastoplastic regime of a spherical asperity in terms of the interference of two contact surfaces. This method provides an efficient way to solve the problem of discontinuities often present in the reported solutions for the contact load and area or the gradients of these parameters obtained at either the inception or the end of the elastoplastic regime. The well-established solutions for the elastic regime and experimental data of metal materials using indentation tests are provided as the references to determine the errors of these contact parameters due to the use of the finite-element method. These numerical errors provide the basis to adjust the contact area and contact load of a rigid sphere in contact with a flat such that the dimensionless mean contact pressure Pave∕Y (Y: the yielding strength) and the dimensionless contact load Fpc∕Fec (Fec, Fpc: the contact loads corresponding to the inceptions of the elastoplastic and fully plastic regimes, respectively) reaches the criteria arising at the inception of the fully plastic regime, which are available from the reports of the indentation tests for metal materials. These two criteria are however not suitable for the present case of a rigid flat in contact with a deformable sphere. In the case of a rigid flat in contact with a deformable sphere, the proportions in the adjustments of these contact parameters are given individually the same as those arising in the indentation case. The elastoplastic regime for each of these two contact mechanisms can thus be determined independently. By assuming that the proportion of adjustment in the elastoplastic regime is a linear function, the discontinuities appearing in these contact parameters are absent from the two ends of the elastoplastic regime in the present study. These results are presented and compared with the published results.


Puerariae lobatae radix (PLR) is a wildly used herbal medicine. Here we aimed to assess the PLR efficacy against UVB (ultraviolet-B)-induced skin aging and to determine the mechanisms thereof. We found a significant protective effect of PLR (topical application) on UVB-induced skin aging in mice, as evidenced by reduced skin wrinkles, epidermal thickness, and MDA (malondialdehyde) content as well as increased levels of HYP (hydroxyproline) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) in the skin. In the meantime, Mmp-1, p21 and p53 levels were decreased in the skin of PLR-treated mice. Anti-aging effects of PLR were also confirmed in L929 cells. Furthermore, PLR up-regulated skin expression of BMAL1, which is a known regulator of aging by promoting Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes. Consistently, Nrf2 and several genes (i.e., Prdx6, Sod1, and Sod2) encoding antioxidant enzymes in the skin were increased in PLR-treated mice. Moreover, based on Gal4 chimeric assay, Bmal1 reporter gene and expression assays, we identified PLR as an antagonist of REV-ERBα that can increase Bmal1 expression. Intriguingly, loss of Rev-erbα protected mice against UVB-induced skin aging and abrogated the protective effect of PLR. In conclusion, PLR acts as an antagonist of REV-ERBα and promotes the expression of BMAL1 to protect against skin aging in mice.


The purpose of this paper is to assess the opportunity returns forgone to cotton producers in the lower Mid-South region of the United States for growing cotton, compared to alternative commodities. We calculate the actual net returns per acre for selected cotton-producing counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In addition, we calculate the opportunity returns per acre if the acres planted in cotton were planted in the highest net return commodity per acre between corn and soybeans during the period 1997 through 2008. Our results find that producers in these cotton producing-counties faced sizeable opportunity revenues foregone averaging 43% between 2003 and 2008. Most observers of the cotton industry would argue that these foregone revenues are a function of historical cotton producers not planting a higher proportion of their acreage in the more-profitable corn enterprise in 2007 and 2008. However, opportunity revenues per acre foregone averaged 37% in the 2007-08 period. This finding suggests that cotton producers recognized a few years prior to the corn price spike in 2007 that alternative commodities, such as corn and soybeans, would generate greater returns on their land. Our research suggests that the higher corn price helped push cotton producers over the edge into planting a greater percentage of their acreage in alternative commodities.


Angiokeratomas are cutaneous vascular lesions that are characterized by dilated thin-walled blood vessels that lay in the upper part of the dermis, and this condition is mostly associated with epidermal reactions such as acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and elongation of rete ridges. Four variants have been described (angiokeratoma of Fordyce, angiokeratoma of Mibelli, angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, and solitary or multiple angiokeratomas). Among these variants, angiokeratoma of Fordyce develops mainly in elderly Caucasian men and it is common on the genitalia. Angiokeratomas are blue to purple, smooth, 2- to 5-mm papules on the scrotum, penile shaft or glans. They generally appear to multiply during life, but they occasionally present as single lesions. They may bleed after trauma and they may be mistaken for a nevus, melanoma or Kaposi sarcoma. Electrocautery or laser ablation can be offered for treatment. Various studies have recently reported successful treatment with argon laser, copper vapor laser, variable pulse width 532 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, 532 nm KTP (potassium-titanyl-phosphate) laser and flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (PDL). We report here on a case of angiokeratoma that was treated with a 532nm KTP laser. (Korean J Dermatol 2009;47(9):1067∼1070)