Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes neuron survival, enhances sprouting, protects neurons against insult, and may be involved in several aspects of learning and memory. In this study, rats trained to locate a submerged platform in a water maze had elevated levels of BDNF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the hippocampus (p < .05), a structure associated with spatial memory. BDNF mRNA expression increased after 3 and 6 days but not after 1 day of training in the water maze. A yoked control group that swam without the platform present, to control for physical activity, showed a trend for elevated BDNF mRNA at an intermediate level between the learning and sedentary groups. Other cortical and subcortical areas did not show a significant increase in BDNF mRNA after learning or activity (p > .05). These findings suggest that learning can impact BDNF mRNA expression localized to the brain areas involved in the processing of spatial information. Furthermore, behaviors such as physical activity and learning may help maintain and protect neurons at risk in aging and neurodegenerative disease via increased BDNF expression.


To the Editor: — In the discussion on the article entitled "Electrocardiographic Studies During Surgical Anesthesia" (The Journal, February 8, p. 434) occur the words "even though ventricular fibrillation has not been demonstrated in man...." Perhaps some words have been deleted and Dr. M. J. Raisbeck did not intend to make his statement so final. The chapter on ventricular fibrillation in my book (The Heart in Modern Practice, ed. 2, 1928) contains a reproduction of an electrocardiogram in a patient and references to various reports in the literature; additional articles regarding the occurrence of this arrhythmia have appeared in subsequent medical journals. The electrocardiogram figure 5, record C, in the article appears to depict a transition to paroxysmal tachycardia, of ventricular origin, with alternation in the direction of the ventricular deflections. This is more dangerous than the mere occurrence of extrasystoles. I have discussed its significance elsewhere (Ventricular Fibrillation Following


Financial fraud and money laundering represent an important concern both nationally and worldwide due to the huge amounts of monetary losses they imply. Besides human inspection, Data Science (DS) has proved so far to be a useful tool in order to fight these activities by automatic means. Nevertheless, this approach to the problem is still in early stages, thus yielding plenty of field to be explored. This document discusses some of the principal variables/indicators and DS techniques that have been used in the recent years for detecting and describing fraudulent operations, to serve as a guide for future work in the field.


The influence of thyroid status modifications on the metastasis of 256 Walker carcinosarcoma intratesticularly grafted to rats was examined. Inhibition of metastasization and of the secondary tumoral growth was noticed in animals chronically treated with thyroxine, while hypothyroidization realized either by surgery or by administration of synthetical antithyroid drugs enhanced metastasization and growth of the secondary tumors. The primary tumoral development was not significantly influenced by the thyroid status modifications. The variations of the thyroid hormonal level influenced nonspecifically the proliferation of the in vitro cultivated tumoral cells.


In this paper, a general methodology for the seismic protection of historical structures and monuments is pre- sented. The proposed methodology is applied to one historical and monumental structure, in Cyprus, within the frame of the European Project for the Conservation of Historical Mediterranean Sites by Innovative Seismic-Protection Tech- niques. According to the proposed method, the structure under consideration was analysed with and without the imple- mentation of vibration control devices. The entire vulnerability analysis leads to the development of fragility curves, which determine the possibility of a building to be damaged beyond a specified damage level for strong ground motions. These results are quite important during the analysis and redesign procedure for a historical structure since it gives the op- portunity to investigate several different seismic scenarios with different repair/strengthening decisions.


Abstract The reaction of the (101̄4) calcite surface during dissolution was studied as a function of pH (HCl) by liquid-cell Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) under ambient conditions of both temperature (22 °C) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2). A flow through AFM liquid reaction cell was used, and solutions were renewed at a controlled flow rate and sampled for chemical analysis. In the pH range 7.5-4.3, surface dissolution proceeds via the formation of etch pits delimited by steps of height 3.3 ± 0.3 Å or a multiple of this elementary distance. Rhombohedral pits form and grow at the surface by anisotropic step retreat, at a velocity of 4.2 ± 0.2 nm/s for the steps oriented along the two equivalent directions [4̄41]+ and [481̄]+, and 1.1 ± 0.2 nm/s for the steps oriented along the other two equivalent directions [4̄41]- and [481̄]-. At the pH value of 2.7, the slower rate slightly increases and is equal to 1.6 ± 0.2 nm/s. At the pH value of 1.7, microtopography measurements indicate that micrometric steps have a meandering shape, and move as a family at a velocity higher than 10 nm/s. These meandering steps are made of nanometric segments oriented along [4̄41]+, [481̄]+, [4̄41]-, and [481̄]-, and they terminate their run against sloped rough etch pits with sides made of narrow terraces delimited by steps oriented along the [481̄]+. Finally, the present study indicates that reactive area (i.e., the total amount of reactive atomic sites) of a calcite surface increases in response to higher solution acidity firstly by an increase in the step density, and secondly by production of additional roughness at step edges. The change in step edge-velocity observed below pH = 2.7 was interpreted as the response of the dissolving surface to the loss of buffering capacity at the Stern layer.


This study investigated the safety and functionality of a functional additive for humans and animals from Sargassum horneri (SH) and Ulva australis (UA) waste for recycling marine refuse generated in large quantities in Jeju. Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered functional additives at 2,000 mg/kg to assess 14-day repeated dose toxicity of the two extracts. For female rats, weight gain after administration of SH was 66.2±18.8% vs. controls. Male rats administered UA showed weight gain of 92.3±8.0% vs. controls. SH and UA significantly decreased serum glucose levels in male rats compared with controls (79.8±11.10% and 76.1±9.67%, respectively). Similarly, significant decrease in serum glucose levels were shown for female rats after administration of SH and UA (79.2±1.58% and 82.8±3.21%, respectively). Furthermore, rats showed significant differences vs. controls in several serological parameters after receiving extracts, however results remained within the normal range. Thus, the SH and UA extracts were considered safe substances that may be used as functional additives to help reduce body weight and serum glucose.


: The most obvious deformity in a unilateral cleft of the lip is asymmetry of the lip and nose. Operation must repair the cleft, lengthen the lip, restore muscle continuity, and create an adequate labial sulcus. Simultaneous correction of the nasal deformity should be carried out to the greatest extent possible at the same time. The rotation-advancement repair has advantages over other repairs in scar placement, correction of the nasal deformity, and conservation of lip and nose tissue. If revision of the lip or nose is required, it can be accomplished more easily following the rotation-advancement repair than other techniques.


Chiral-odd gluon transversity distribution
could shed light on a new aspect of hadron physics.
Although we had much progress recently on
quark transversity distributions, there is no experimental measurement
on the gluon transversity. The gluon trasversity does not exist
in the spin-1/2 nucleons and it exists in the spin-1 deuteron.
Therefore, it could probe new hadron physics in the deuteron
beyond the basic bound system of a proton and a neutron
because the nucleons cannot contribute directly.
Here, we explain that the gluon transversity can be measured
at hadron accelerator facilities, such as Fermilab and NICA,
in addition to charged-lepton scattering measurements
at lepton accelerator facilities by showing cross sections
of the proton-deuteron Drell-Yan process as an example.


ABSTRACT The genome of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis MB20 bv. equi was sequenced using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM) platform, and showed a size of 2,363,089 bp, with 2,365 coding sequences and a GC content of 52.1%. These results will serve as a basis for further studies on the pathogenicity of C. pseudotuberculosis bv. equi.


The usual Faraday's Law E=-dPhi/dt determines an electromotive force E which accounts only for forces resulting from the charge of electrons. In ferromagnetic materials, in general, there exist nonconservative spin forces which also contribute to E. These might be included in Faraday's Law if the magnetic flux Phi is replaced by [Planck's constant/(-e)]gamma, where gamma is a Berry phase suitably averaged over the electron spin direction. These contributions to E represent the requirements of energy conservation in itinerant ferromagnets with time dependent order parameters.


Life care communities and other forms of retirement housing can be compatible ministries for health care sponsors. Successfully financing such projects, however, may be difficult if sponsors do not carefully evaluate the market. Determining the need for a proposed project should include the following steps: Study the elderly population trends in the defined market area, particularly data for the over-70 group. Identify the minimum income level for potential residents; a general guideline is one and one-half to two times the annualized rental fee. Determine the penetration rate to obtain the optimal demand for housing. Determine whether the project is viable by subtracting the number of existing and other planned units from the optimal demand for units; the remainder should be large enough to support the proposed project. Further evaluation of the market should include research to discover potential residents' perceptions about retirement communities and their preferences for services and type of units. Because of increasing interest in providing services for the elderly, numerous financing alternatives are available. Sponsors need not rely on internal financing or debt financing to maintain control. By carefully structuring a limited partnership and working with a private developer, for example, the sponsor can ensure involvement in the project without having to assume responsibility for debt or invest scarce capital.


This study presents a validated recommendation on how to shorten the surveys while still obtaining segmentation-based insights that are consistent with the analysis of the full length version of the same survey. We use latent class analysis to cluster respondents based on their responses to a survey on human values. We first define the clustering performance based on stability and similarity measures for ten random subsamples relative to the complete set. We find foremost that the use of true binary scale can potentially reduce survey completion time while still providing sufficient response information to derive clusters with characteristics that resemble those obtained with the full Likert scale version. The main motivation for this study is to provide a baseline performance of a standard clustering tool for cases when it is preferable or necessary to limit survey scope, in consideration of issues like respondent fatigue or resource constraints.


The review of scholarly literature, analytical centers and international organizations reports evidence the growing role of digital platforms in transformation of business models of the past, shaping major trends in the digital economy development and relationships with various economic actors. However, the use of big data and the network effect poses serious risks to the existence of non-digital companies enhancing the relevance of the research on the factors and methods of platform influence upon the transformation of economic relations in Ukraine. The research methodology employed such general scientific methods as analysis and synthesis, analogy, logical and systemic approaches, and grouping. The study reveals the essence of digital platforms as the disruptors of classic business models. The key factors that allow digital platforms to capture market niches quickly are identified. Among them are active use of big data, algorithm development, network effects, cash flow from small transactions, evasion of rules and conditions, elimination of redundant actions and mediation, impeccable customer experience and the network leverage effect. The prerequisite for the platform transformational success is generating a new value to customers through financial savings, new experience and opportunities to participate in the creation of personal products and services. The study provides insights on the nature, structure, characteristics and models of digital platform ecosystems. It is argued that the most successful platforms build ecosystems that bring together companies, capital, communities, networks, people, data analysis and technology to create "disruptive" business models that might be a potential threat to the "survival" of non-digital businesses and the source of imbalance to the established economic order. Thus, a factor of "creative destruction" contributes to the emergence of new sources of economic growth. The complexity of identifying the effect from the development of digital platforms ecosystems offers implications for setting further research areas.


I have tried to summarize some lines of research on collembolan ecology from the last part of the 20th century which I think have general interest and I have given a few examples of the kind of research which in my opinion are promising to follow up in the coming years. This is not to claim that these themes are the only ones worth mentioning or even the most important. I have for instance not elaborated on the development of theoretical models in mutual interaction with advanced mathematics or on simulation modelling which takes advantage of the still accelerating power of computer techniques. These areas will without doubt be developed much further in the present century. However, it should not be forgotten that useful models depend entirely on good experimental - and field data, both as generators of new hypotheses and as representation of the real world against which the theories and models should be tested.


This paper describes a new framing protocol, universal data link (UDL), to accommodate asynchronous and variable-length protocol data units (PDUs), such as those of IP, MPLS, and Ether. UDL frames are designed to allow multiplexing frame by frame with native ATM cell without changing or limiting their standard use in a given channel. UDL frames can thus be transported by fibers or wavelengths that are already used to transport ATM cells. Consequently, UDL enables smooth and easy migration from ATM transport networks to IP/ATM-hybrid or IP-centric transport networks, without requiring supplementary fibers or wavelengths.


Interest in the study of gene–environment interaction has recently grown due to the sudden availability of molecular genetic data—in particular, polygenic scores—in many long-running longitudinal studies. Identifying and estimating statistical interactions comes with several analytic and inferential challenges; these challenges are heightened when used to integrate observational genomic and social science data. We articulate some of these key challenges, provide new perspectives on the study of gene–environment interactions, and end by offering some practical guidance for conducting research in this area. Given the sudden availability of well-powered polygenic scores, we anticipate a substantial increase in research testing for interaction between such scores and environments. The issues we discuss, if not properly addressed, may impact the enduring scientific value of gene–environment interaction studies.


In this study, we have demonstrated that two independent loci are involved in the integration of the insecticidal protein gene cryIAb/cryIAc and selectable marker gene hph in the recipient genome of the elite Chinese CMS restorer line Minghui 63. We have also documented the structural organization of these transgenes in each locus by restriction enzyme digestion and Southern blot analysis. The independent locus integration of different transgenes allowed us to remove the selectable marker gene hph from the gene of interest simply by self-segregation. Not having the selectable marker gene will enhance the commercial value of our transgenic line TT51-1, which showed a consistently high level of resistance against repeated infestations of yellow stem borers and natural outbreaks of leaf-folders, without a reduction in yield potential.


Background: Although both pre- and postoperative myocardial injuries are strongly associated with an increased postoperative mortality, no study has directly compared the effects of pre- and postoperative myocardial injuries on 30-day mortality after non-cardiac surgery. Therefore, we evaluated and compared the effects of pre- and postoperative myocardial injury on 30-day mortality after non-cardiac surgery.Methods: From January 2010 to December 2016, patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were stratified into either the normal (n = 3,182), preoperative myocardial injury (n = 694), or postoperative myocardial injury (n = 756) groups. Myocardial injury was defined as a sole elevation of cardiac troponin value above the 99th percentile upper reference limit without ischemic symptom using the 4th universal definition of myocardial infarction. Patients in the preoperative myocardial injury group were further divided into the attenuated (n = 177) or persistent myocardial injury group (n = 517) according to the changes in postoperative cardiac troponin level. As the primary outcome, postoperative 30-day mortalities were compared among the groups using the weighted Cox proportional-hazards regression models with the inverse probability weighting.Results: Compared with the normal group, postoperative 30-day mortality was increased significantly both in the pre- and postoperative myocardial injury groups (1.4% vs. 10.7%; hazard ratio [HR] 3.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.62-6.01; p = 0.001 and 1.4% vs. 7.4%; HR 4.49; 95% CI 2.34-8.60; p < 0.001, respectively), however, there was no difference between the pre- and postoperative myocardial injury groups (HR, 1.44; 95% CI 0.79–2.64; p = 0.45). In addition, the attenuated myocardial injury group showed a significantly lower postoperative 30-day mortality than the persistent myocardial injury group (5.6% vs. 12.4%; HR 2.23; 95% CI 1.17–4.44; p = 0.02).Conclusion: In patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, preoperative myocardial injury also increased postoperative 30-day mortality to a similar degree of postoperative myocardial injury. In addition, attenuation of preoperative myocardial injury might decrease in 30-day mortality after non-cardiac surgery.


It has been shown [2], [3] that for parameter estimation of a dynamical system with a limited number of measurements, the use of inputs maximizing the sensitivity of the states with respect to the parameters increases the accuracy of the estimation. In this correspondence the continuation method is used both for determining the optimal inputs and estimating the unknown parameters. A simple example demonstrates the approach.


In this original study Stuart Carroll transforms our understanding of Europe between 1500 and 1800 by exploring how ordinary people felt about their enemies and the violence it engendered. Enmity, a state or feeling of mutual opposition or hostility, became a major social problem during the transition to modernity. He examines how people used the law, and how they characterised their enmities and expressed their sense of justice or injustice. Through the examples of early modern Italy, Germany, France and England, we see when and why everyday animosities escalated and the attempts of the state to control and even exploit the violence that ensued. This book also examines the communal and religious pressures for peace, and how notions of good neighbourliness and civil order finally worked to underpin trust in the state. Ultimately, enmity is not a relic of the past; it remains one of the greatest challenges to contemporary liberal democracy.


A two-dimensional model that combines root-system development and water extraction by roots is proposed to simulate the dynamic interaction between root growth and soil-water flow. Both of hydrotropism and gravitropism were considered as the controlling factors of root growth in the proposed root-system development model. The finite-element method was employed to compute the soil-water flow caused by water extraction, evaporation, and irrigation. We succeeded in simulating the plagiogravitropic elongations of lateral roots under a plane condition, and the asymmetric architecture of root system under a slope condition by the proposed model in which the root hydrotropism is considered. On the other hand, we cannot simulate such morphological characteristics of-a root system by the use of the conventional model in which a random elongation factor is employed, and root hydrotropism is not considered. The results support the importance of hydrotropism in root-system development and the availability of the proposed model in which the hydrotropism is considered.


As the COVID-19 pandemic is steadily rising, there is an increase in psychological distress among the orthodontic patients regarding their ongoing treatment. Thus aim of the study was to assess the anxiety and perceptions among orthodontic patients regarding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic treatment. A closed end online questionnaire was sent as Google forms to 300 adult patients' currently undergoing orthodontic treatment at a tertiary care center. 266 patients answered the survey with a response rate of 88.7%.  Online consent was taken before participation in the study and the survey was anonymized and did not contain any identifying information. The descriptive data included the participants' responses using frequency and proportions. The difference in the distribution of responses were compared using Chi-square goodness of fit test and the level of significance was fixed at p < 0.05. Level of anxiety between males and females was compared using independent t-test. Among the respondents, 126 were males and 140 were females.  The mean level of anxiety level among males was 4.28 ± 2.28 whereas for females it was 5.85 ± 2.48. The differences in the distribution of responses by the participants were statistically significant. The COVID-19 pandemic showed to have a greater impact on orthodontic appointments and anxiety levels of patients. Females showed greater anxiety than males for visiting the dental clinics. The greatest concern that patients reported was the increase in their treatment duration and they also recognized the importance of monthly orthodontic reviews.


A system consisting of a series of microring resonators, incorporating an add/drop system, is presented in order to create ultra‐short spatial and temporal single and multisoliton pulses, which can be used for indoor and outdoor optical communications. Chaotic noise can be generated by a bright soliton pulse propagating inside a nonlinear microring resonator system. The results obtained show that a single temporal and spatial soliton pulse, with full width at half maximums of 75 fs, 80 fs, 700 fs, 4.4 ps, and 0.30 nm, can be generated. The add/drop system can be used to generate a high number of ultra‐short soliton pulses in the ranges of nanometer/second and picometer/second. The simulated multisolitons have full width at half maximums of 16 ps, 20 pm, 130 ps, and 35 pm and free spectrum ranges of 500 ps, 0.57 nm, 3.5 ns, and 1.4 nm, respectively. The multisolitons generated at the drop port can be used in indoor optical communications, where the ultra‐short pulses with a variety of central wavelengths (from λ = 1550 to λ = 1560) from the through port can be multiplexed‐demultiplexed along an optical fiber with a length of 50 km. The filtered signals can be obtained at the end of the transmission link used for optical outdoor communications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Background: Migraine is a common disabling disorder. A significant association between migraine and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported in European and North American population. Little is known about CVD risk factors in Asian migraineurs. We aimed to clarify CVD risk profile of midlife migraineurs in Japan. Methods: A total of 596 subjects (409 women and 187 men) were diagnosed as migraine with aura (MA) and without aura (MO), according to the ICHD-II criteria. CVD risk factors were analyzed on body mass index, west circumference / height, smoking index , blood pressure (BP), serum l ipid levels , f asting blood sugar, hemoglobin A 1C , C-reactive protein, and a family history of CVD or stroke. Those factors were compared between migraineurs and 599 healthy controls matched by age and sex.  Results: Mean age (SD) of migraineurs was 44.6 (9.4) years, 44.3 (9.4) in women and 45.2 (9.3) in men. Mean duration of migraine (SD) was 16.7 (11.4) years, 18.7 (12.2) in women and 13.3 (9.1) in men. Frequency and score of migraine attacks were higher significantly in women compared to men (P less than  0.01). As compared to controls, systolic and diastolic BP was significantly increased in female and male migraineurs (P less than  0.01). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was decreased (P less than  0.01), and total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were increased in sera of female and male migraineurs (P less than  0.01). Serum triglyceride levels were higher in male migraineurs (P less than  0.01). Migraineurs had higher frequency of relatives with CVD or stroke (P less than  0.01). With respect to migraine subtypes, MA and MO sufferers significantly elevated BP (P less than  0.05) and serum levels of TC and LDL-C (P less than  0.01). Conclusions: The present study indicated unfavorable CVD risk factors of BP, serum lipid levels and a family history of CVD or stroke in middle-aged migraineurs. The similarity of CVD risk profile was first confirmed between Japanese and Western migraineurs. doi:10.4021/jnr82w


Although the free hand technique remains the most popular method for distal interlocking screw insertion, proximally mounted radiation independent devices that compensate for implant deformation recently have been developed for the femur. However, the benefits of such systems have not been determined. This study prospectively compared the duration of the nailing procedure, the length of radiation time, and the accuracy of interlocking screw placement when using a radiation independent distal aiming system with those using the free hand technique. In 20 paired intact anatomic specimen femurs, one surgeon experienced only in the free hand technique performed statically locked intramedullary nailing using the two methods. For the aiming system and free hand technique, respectively, the total operation time was 19.1 +/- 8.4 minutes versus 20.9 +/- 11.3 minutes, the distal locking time was 6.6 +/- 2.4 minutes versus 4.8 +/- 1.5 minutes, the total fluoroscopy time was 23 +/- 17 seconds versus 69 +/- 34 seconds, and the distal locking fluoroscopy time was 0 versus 37 +/- 15.5 seconds. There were no failures in either group. Drill nail contact and distal screw damage were greater with the free hand technique. This study suggests that the main advantages of the aiming arm compared with the free hand technique include the elimination of radiation during distal interlocking and more precise screw placement with decreased insertion related hardware damage.


Unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) aims at inferring class labels for unlabeled target domain given a related labeled source dataset. Intuitively, a model trained on source domain normally produces higher uncertainties for unseen data. In this work, we build on this assumption and propose to adapt from source to target domain via calibrating their predictive uncertainties. The uncertainty is quantified as the Renyi entropy, from which we propose a general Renyi entropy regularization (RER) framework. We further employ variational Bayes learning for reliable uncertainty estimation. In addition, calibrating the sample variance of network parameters serves as a plug-in regularizer for training. We discuss the theoretical properties of the proposed method and demonstrate its effectiveness on three domain-adaptation tasks.


In today's modern world, the number of vehicles is increasing on the road. This causes more people to choose walking instead of traveling using vehicles. Thus, proper planning of pedestrians' paths is important to ensure the safety of pedestrians in a walking area. Crowd dynamics study the pedestrians' behavior and modeling pedestrians' movement to ensure safety in their walking paths. To date, many models have been designed to ease pedestrians' movement. The Social Force Model is widely used among researchers as it is simpler and provides better simulation results. We will discuss the problem regarding the ritual of circumambulating the Ka'aba (Tawaf) where the entrances to this area are usually congested which worsens during the Hajj season. We will use the computer simulation model SimWalk which is based on the Social Force Model to simulate the movement of pilgrims in the Tawaf area. We will first discuss the effect of uni and bi-directional flows at the gates. We will then restrict certain gates to the area as the entrances only and others as exits only. From the simulations, we will study the effect of the distance of other entrances from the beginning line and their effects on the duration of pilgrims circumambulate Ka'aba. We will distribute the pilgrims at the different entrances evenly so that the congestion at the entrances can be reduced. We would also discuss the various locations and designs of barriers at the exits and its effect on the time taken for the pilgrims to exit the Tawaf area. Keywords—circumambulation, Ka'aba, pedestrian flow, SFM, Tawaf , entrance, exit


Chars are ubiquitous in the environment and release significant amounts of redox-active pyrogenic dissolved organic matter (pyDOM). Yet, the redox properties of pyDOM remain poorly characterized. This work provides a systematic assessment of the quantity and redox properties of pyDOM released at circumneutral pH from a total of 14 chars pyrolyzed from wood and grass feedstocks from 200 to 700 °C. The amount of released pyDOM decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature of chars, reflecting the increasing degree of condensation and decreasing char polarity. Using flow-injection analysis coupled to electrochemical detection, we demonstrated that electron-donating capacities (EDCpyDOM; up to 6.5 mmole-·gC-1) were higher than electron-accepting capacities (EACpyDOM; up to 1.2 mmole-·gC-1) for all pyDOM specimens. The optical properties and low metal contents of the pyDOM implicate phenols and quinones as the major redox-active moieties. Oxidation of a selected pyDOM by the oxidative enzyme laccase resulted in a 1.57 mmole-·gC-1 decrease in EDCpyDOM and a 0.25 mmole-·gC-1 increase in EACpyDOM, demonstrating a largely irreversible oxidation of presumably phenolic moieties. Non-mediated electrochemical reduction of the same pyDOM resulted in a 0.17 mmole-·gC-1 increase in EDCpyDOM and a 0.24 mmole-·gC-1 decrease in EACpyDOM, consistent with the largely reversible reduction of quinone moieties. Our results imply that pyDOM is an important dissolved redox-active phase in the environment and requires consideration in assessing and modeling biogeochemical redox processes and pollutant redox transformations, particularly in char-rich environments.


Shoulder pain is critically important obstacle to functional recovery in most of the stroke sufferers. Hemiplegic shoulder pain causes considerable distress and reduced activity and can markedly hinder rehabilitation. The etiology of hemiplegic shoulder pain is probably multifactorial. The ideal management of hemiplegic stroke pain is prevention. For prophylaxis to be effective, it must begin immediately after the stroke. Awareness of potential injuries to the shoulder joint reduces the frequency of shoulder pain after stroke. The multidisciplinary team, patients, and care givers should be provided with instructions on how to avoid injuries to the affected limb. Shoulder strapping may be used to prevent shoulder pain. Over arm slings should be avoided. Treatment should include analgesics heat or cold therapy, electrical stimulation and pain free exercise as well. This review was done to find the recent developments in post-stroke shoulder pain management by extracting the published articles in this topic. The ultimate objectives were to delineate most rational and effective treatment options for post-stroke shoulder pain.
Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2013; Vol. 29 (1) : 54-59


The relationship among a real formalism of the discrete be needed: Fourier transform, discrete sine transform, and discrete symmetric cosine transform is discussed. it is shown that the real formalism of Ii(N) = 2'11 (N) or 0 modulo N (1) the discrete Fourier transform is basically equivalent to the direct sum of the other two transforms, with modifications in


DNR's forest inventory group has completed its first version of a new remote-sensing based forest inventory system covering 1.4 million acres of DNR forest lands. We use a combination of field plots, lidar, NAIP, and a NAIP-derived canopy surface DSM. Given that height drives many key inventory variables (e.g. height, volume, biomass, carbon), remote-sensing derived height information provides a powerful tool to make fine scale inference about height related forest attributes. Predictions can also be aggregated to sub-stand, stand, or strata levels. Remote-sensing derived forest attributes can also be used to automate stand delineation, a capability that we incorporated into our inventory system following object-oriented segmentation with eCognition software. Our sampling design is closely related to the FIA plot design (paneled hexagonal grid), with slight modifications to the plot and grid layouts to accommodate remote sensing auxiliary variables, and to provide greater flexibility in adapting to changes in funding for field measurements. Modifications include (e.g.) using 1/5 acre fixed plots, survey-grade plot positioning with Javad GNNS units, and providing extra panels in each hex grid cell. Our presentation will provide greater detail about our new inventory system, while describing key technical hurdles we overcame in moving a technology out of a (mostly) research mode and into an operational framework. Examples include merging a patchwork of remote sensing data, processing and managing tens of terabytes of point clouds, and distributing final products to our users. We also discuss hurdles that we have not yet overcome in an effort to motivate discussions which will benefit us and others who work to operationalize remote-sensing based methods.


Abstract : Information processing and memorial processes that have been identified by contemporary research as important factors in human learning and cognitive activity are shown to provide a basis for explaining and predicting transfer of training effects. Four major factors are discussed in separate sections: the relationship between retrieval cues and encoded information, study-phase retrieval, organizational strategies, and performance automatization. A fifth section briefly discusses the relevance of information processing factors to proactive interference phenomena. These information processing factors are seen to exert their effect in both the laboratory and in applied settings, providing a potential link between basic and applied research on this topic. The similarities and differences in transfer with verbal as opposed to motoric responses are also considered in light of these information processing concepts.


We studied 35 patients with facial palsy after stroke, admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. We examined the patients on admission and after one, two and six months with 1) clinical evaluation of the facial function using a modified House-Brackmann scale, 2) photographs of patients with six different facial expressions; these photos were evaluated by "blinded" observers using the modified House-Brackmann scale, 3) questionnaire about patients emotional reactions to the facial paralysis and 4) facial sensation. No differences were found between a control group of 12 and a group of patients (23) training facial function 2-3 times a week, each session of 15 minutes, with EMG-biofeedback and cheek taped between training sessions. A significant improvement in facial function occurred spontaneously after one month in rehabilitation unit in the total group. After six months 2/3 of the patients had normal facial function or mild dysfunction. Patients with right-sided facial palsy showed a significantly better improvement at six months as compared to patients with left-sided facial palsy. The questionnaire showed that only half of the patients were aware of the asymmetric face. We cannot recommend training with EMG-biofeedback to patients with facial paralysis after stroke. Spontaneous remission is to be expected.


Known disparities exist in the availability of pharmacogenomic information for minority populations, amplifying uncertainty around clinical utility for these groups. We conducted a multi-site inpatient pharmacogenomic implementation program among self-identified African-Americans (AA; n = 135) with numerous rehospitalizations (n = 341) from 2017 to 2020 (NIH-funded ACCOuNT project/clinicaltrials.gov#NCT03225820). We evaluated the point-of-care availability of patient pharmacogenomic results to healthcare providers via an electronic clinical decision support tool. Among newly added medications during hospitalizations and at discharge, we examined the most frequently utilized medications with associated pharmacogenomic results. The population was predominantly female (61%) with a mean age of 53 years (range 19–86). On average, six medications were newly prescribed during each individual hospital admission. For 48% of all hospitalizations, clinical pharmacogenomic information was applicable to at least one newly prescribed medication. Most results indicated genomic favorability, although nearly 29% of newly prescribed medications indicated increased genomic caution (increase in toxicity risk/suboptimal response). More than one of every five medications prescribed to AA patients at hospital discharge were associated with cautionary pharmacogenomic results (most commonly pantoprazole/suboptimal antacid effect). Notably, high-risk pharmacogenomic results (genomic contraindication) were exceedingly rare. We conclude that the applicability of pharmacogenomic information during hospitalizations for vulnerable populations at-risk for experiencing health disparities is substantial and warrants continued prospective investigation.


The search for new materials for hydrogen storage is important for the development of future hydrogen energy applications. In this Thesis, it is shown that new materials with interesting properties can be synthesized by the reaction of hydrogen with various nanocarbon precursors. The thesis consists of two parts. The first part is devoted to studies of hydrogen storage in some metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanostructured carbon materials, while the second part describes synthesis of new materials by the reaction of hydrogen gas with various carbon materials (i.e. fullerene C60, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and fullerene C60 encapsulated inside SWCNTs (C60@SWCNTs)).Hydrogen adsorption was measured for a set of Zn- and Co-based MOFs at near ambient temperatures. MOFs synthesized using different metal clusters and organic connecting ligands allowed to study effects of different surface area, pore volume, and pore shapes on hydrogen storage parameters. Hydrogen adsorption values in the studied MOFs correlated well with surface area and pore volume but did not exceed 0,75wt.%. Therefore, new methods to improve the hydrogen storage capacity in MOFs were investigated. The addition of metal catalysts was previously reported to improve significantly hydrogen storage in MOFs. In this thesis the effect of Pt catalyst addition on hydrogen adsorption in MOF-5 was not confirmed. Contrary to previous reports, hydrogen adsorption in MOF-5 mixed/modified with Pt catalysts had fast kinetics, correlated well with surface area, and was on the same level as for unmodified MOF-5. New nanostructured carbon materials were synthesized by the reaction between fullerene C60 and coronene/anthracene. Despite negligible surface area these materials adsorbed up to 0,45wt.% of hydrogen at ambient temperatures.The reaction of fullerene C60 with hydrogen gas was studied at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures. In situ gravimetric monitoring of the reaction was performed in a broad temperature interval with/without addition of metal catalysts (i.e. Pt and Ni). The reaction resulted in synthesis of hydrogenated fullerenes C60Hx (with x≤56) followed by fullerene cage fragmentation and collapse upon prolonged duration of hydrogen treatment. Possible mechanisms of C60 hydrogenation and fragmentation were discussed. It is demonstrated that reaction of SWCNTs with hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures can be used for nanotube opening, purification from amorphous carbon, side-wall hydrogenation, and partial unzipping of SWCNTs. Some graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were synthesized as the result of SWCNTs unzipping. A surprising ability of hydrogen to penetrate inside SWNTs and to react with encapsulated fullerene C60 was demonstrated.


[Read before the Section on Surgery and Anatomy, June, 1883.] Simultaneous luxation of both femora is an accident of very rare occurrence. It is not mentioned at all by Malgaigne, and Hamilton barely refers to it. Among systematic writers on general surgery, Erickson merely states that it has been recorded in some instances, while Gibson says "an interesting case of the kind was reported two or three years ago in one of the European journals." Gross says that three cases are recorded. My attention was attracted to the subject by a case which occurred during my service at the Episcopal Hospital, in 1879, and I have succeeded in collecting twelve others. Even this small number present certain features which seem to me to warrant me in placing them together, for the purpose of drawing some inferences in regard to the mechanism of their production, and the occasional difficulties in diagnosis


Our objective of this project is to apply the theory of linear algebra called "singular value decomposition (SVD)" to digital image processing, specifically for fingerprint images verification. For optimal recognition, we proceed in two steps. In the first step, we begin by identifying the fingerprint features with SVD approach. In the second step, the classification accuracy of the proposed approach is evaluated with Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) classifier. I have implemented many extensive experiments, they prove that the fingerprint classification based on a novel SVD features and the BPNN give better results in fingerprint verification than several other features and methods.


Main results and references to original work. Presented at Ski2016 LHC Ski 2016 A first discussion of 13 TeV results The scalar sector of the standard model Martin Flechl on behalf of the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations Institute of High Energy Physics, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Nikolsdorfergasse 18, 1050 Vienna, Austria


Essentially, this book attempts to apply the nomenclature of electronic regulatory mechanisms to the physiologic control of willed motion and of the circulation. The principles of feedback and servomechanisms in technique are considered. They are then discussed in detail in relation to reflex and orderly volitional activity of striated muscles. The role of muscle spindles and tendon organs, for example, is treated as a feedback to anterior horn cells and higher motor centers. Similarly, the author deals with the problems of control of blood pressure, of peripheral blood flow, and of cardiac activity. The author believes that he clarifies and explains physiologic data. I can not share this enthusiasm and have gained little by carefully studying the 210 pages of this book. The writing is in an exceptionally complicated German. It is unusual to call muscle spindles "dilator receptors." There are other minor abuses of English terms. However those who


The in vivo conversion of progesterone to deoxycorticosterone (DOC) by peripheral 21 hydroxylation was studied in normal men and women. The technique used was to infuse labeled progesterone under steady state conditions and isolate the precursor and product from blood by multiple chromatography steps. DOC was chromatographed as both the steroid and its acetylated derivative. The conversion rate was found to be 1.3 +/- 0.1% in men and women despite differences in the concentration of progesterone during the cycle. Since progesterone was very low in men and women in the follicular phase of the cycle, we conclude that DOC is derived from direct secretion. However, progesterone rises to 1073 +/- 101 ng per dl in the luteal phase and the calculations indicate that DOC increases from 8.3 +/- 0.4 (SE) to 15.6 +/- 1.3 ng per dl. 3/4 of luteal phase DOC is from conversion of progesterone. Acute ACTH increases both progesterone and DOC, and almost all of the DOC in plasma is from direct secretion. However, chronic ACTH excess and adrenal 21 hydroxylase deficiency is associated with a fraction (1/4-1/5) of DOC from progesterone indicating that the peripheral conversion rate is unrelated to the adrenal enzyme defect.


In this speech, Stephen Nickell, member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, discusses the recent history of the UK current account deficit. Over the past 20 years, the average annual deficit has been around 2% of GDP and shows no signs of diminishing. Indeed, the trade deficits continues to worsen and only substantial offsetting net income flows have contained the current account deficit within bounds. To understand what is going on, we need to look at the net asset position. UK foreign assets are enormous, around four times GDP. UK foreign liabilities are fractionally bigger using official statistics. But if we correct for the fact that direct investment assets and liabilities are measured at book value rather than market value, the UK net asset position remains positive. More importantly, UK assets are biased towards equity type assets and liabilities towards debt type assets. Since the returns on the former are typically greater than the returns on the latter, this explains the positive net income position. The risks to this situation are detailed in the text.


The past three years have seen a great increase of activity in the field of a-c. electrification of steam railroads, and consequently much attention has been given to the design of the single-phase traction motors upon which the success of this type of electrification chiefly depends. The object of this paper is to describe the up-to-date motors which have been developed to meet the requirements of modern American railroading.


Background and Purpose— In neonatal arterial ischemic stroke, pre-Wallerian degeneration in descending corticospinal tracts (DCST) on diffusion MRI (DWI) predicts poor outcome. This signal has not been studied in older children. Methods— A consecutive arterial ischemic stroke cohort (1 month to 18 years) with acute DWI and >12 months of follow-up were enrolled (SickKids Children's Stroke Program). DCST-DWI variables were quantified with a validated software technique and correlations to the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure were sought. Results— Abnormal DCST-DWI signal was detected in 20 of 29 children (69%), with 85% having motor deficits on Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure. DCST variables correlated with hemiparesis included: (1) any abnormal signal within the course of the DCST; (2) midbrain location; (3) percentage of peduncle; (4) vertical length; and (5) relative volume affected (all P<0.003). Unexpectedly, abnormal DWI signal was detected in the contralesional DCST in 7 children, all with severe hemiparesis. DCST signal abnormality increased over time, outlasted infarct DWI changes, and was difficult to appreciate on visual inspection. Conclusions— DCST-DWI signal is an acute predictor of motor outcome in childhood stroke and can help guide management. Previously unrecognized contralesional DCST signal predicts severe hemiparesis.


Abstract An estimated 33 million people are infected with the HIV virus, with 67% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, knowledge about HIV prevalence in Africa is limited and imperfect. Although population-based testing in recent years has provided reliable information about current prevalence in the general population, we have little reliable data on prevalence in early years of the epidemic. This paper suggests a new methodology for estimating HIV prevalence and incidence using inference from mortality data. This methodology can be used to generate prevalence estimates from early in the epidemic. This information is valuable for understanding how the epidemic has evolved over time and is also likely to be helpful in analyses that explore how policy affects the epidemic or how HIV affects other country-level outcomes.


The effects of spermine on peptidyltransferase inhibition by an aminohexosylcytosine nucleoside, blasticidin S, and by a macrolide, spiramycin, were investigated in a model system derived from Escherichia coli, in which a peptide bond is formed between puromycin and AcPhe-tRNA bound at the P-site of poly(U)-programmed ribosomes. Kinetics revealed that blasticidin S, after a transient phase of interference with the A-site, is slowly accommodated near to the P-site so that peptide bond is still formed but with a lower catalytic rate constant. At high concentrations of blasticidin S (>10 × Ki), a second drug molecule binds to a weaker binding site on ribosomes, and this may account for the onset of a subsequent mixed-noncompetitive inhibition phase. Spermine enhances the blasticidin S inhibitory effect by facilitating the drug accommodation to both sites. On the other hand, spiramycin (A) was found competing with puromycin for the A-site of AcPhe-tRNA·poly(U)·70 S ribosomal complex (C) via a two-step mechanism, according to which the fast formation of the encounter complex CA is followed by a slow isomerization to a tighter complex, termed C*A. In contrast to that observed with blasticidin S, spermine reduced spiramycin potency by decreasing the formation and stability of complex C*A. Polyamine effects on drug binding were more pronounced when a mixture of spermine and spermidine was used, instead of spermine alone. Our kinetic results correlate well with cross-linking and crystallographic data and suggest that polyamines bound at the vicinity of the antibiotic binding pockets modulate diversely the interaction of these drugs with ribosomes.


Chitinase degrades chitin which comprises an important source of carbon and nitrogen in the marine environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the population of chitinases in the marine sediments in southwest Japan. We collected marine sediments from eutrophic inner bay and offshore. Chitin-degrading bacteria were enriched from both sediments. Metagenomic DNA was isolated from the enriched chitin-degrading bacterial cell culture. At the same time, 25 chitin-degrading bacteria were isolated from the enriched culture. Partial fragments of chitinase genes were successfully amplified with degenerate primers designed for the glycoside hydrolase 18 family. We analyzed chitinase gene sequences of about 500 clones from metagenomic DNA prepared from chitin-degrading bacteria. Based on translated amino acid sequences, chitinases were grouped into five groups. Chitinases in groups II and III was most abundant and close to chitinase genes of several species of proteobacteria. On the other hand, chitinases in groups I, IV and V were unique and distinct from the known chitinases. These results indicate that the marine sediments used in this study contain diversity of chitinase genes.


Aim: To gain a greater understanding of the ecology and metabolic potential of the rumen microbiome with the changes in the animal diet. Methods: Diet composed of varying proportion of green and dry roughages along with grains was given to 8 Mehsani buffaloes, and rumen metagenome was sketched using shotgun semiconductor sequencing. Results: In the present study, the Bacteroidetes were found to be dominant at the phyla level and Prevotella at the genus level. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was found to be higher in the solid fraction as compared to the liquid fraction. In the solid fraction of the dry roughage group, the significant increment (p < 0.05) in Bacteroidetes abundance was observed with increment of roughage concentration. At the genus level, Clostridium significantly increased with the increment in roughage concentration. A comparison of glycoside hydrolase and cellulosome functional genes revealed more glycoside hydrolase 3 encoding genes with higher fiber diet and significant difference in carbohydrate-active enzymes family composition between green and dry roughage groups of the liquid fraction. Conclusion: The present study provides a base to understand the modulating behavior of microbiota which can be manipulated to improve livestock nutrient utilization efficiency and for targeting the efficient catabolism of complex carbohydrate molecules as well.


The present review of the literature publications concerns the problem of sudden death (SD) among the young persons under effect of the different forms of physical loads. The statistical data on the frequency of sudden death are presented together with information about risk factors of SD, the morphological substrates and structural changes that promote death coming. The cases of sudden death among the young persons associated with the amateur sports activities and the professional sport of records are presented. The role of physical exercises and psycho-emotional stresses in the development of the terminal processes is considered with special reference to the risk factors and genetic predisposition to sudden cardiac death, largely among male athletes. The questions of sudden death in connection with cardiac pathologies as its main causes are discussed.


ABSTRACT The impact of entrepreneurship and small business activities in Africa has habitually been lower and receives less attention in research. This study aims at investigating the mediation role of innovations on the relationship between entrepreneurial ecosystem approach and productive entrepreneurship. Using panel dataset of 35 African countries, the study contributes to the existing literature in two ways. First, the panel regression findings contribute to the theoretical debate and fill the empirical gap, recent research has been dominated by conceptual works. The findings reveal mixed (positive and negative) and weak insignificant direct influence of eco-factors such as finance, government support and programmes, knowledge, market and culture on productive entrepreneurship. However, their influence is more pronounced when innovations mediate the relationship. Second, it provides new insight to policymakers and practitioners in developing policies and programmes that foster entrepreneurial ecosystems and improved innovation performance for better entrepreneurship development. It concludes with suggestions for future research.


Treatment for penetrating neck injuries remains highly controversial. Surgical intervention is mandatory in case of a patent wound or if unable to stabilize the patient. Otherwise, a selective approach is not an accepted option, although this criterion is becoming more popular due to its low morbidity and the likelihood to cure some unidentified injuries. We present a patient with a neck trauma caused by a metallic rod in a labour accident without any symptoms. The rod penetrated into his jugular vein and reached the heart area where it has remained imbedded for 5 years.


A unipapillary kidney is a very rare anomaly in humans. In this paper, we report on a case of a 47-year-old woman with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to unipapillary kidney, who had been on hemodialysis for 20 years and who had successfully received deceased-donor kidney transplantation. The aim of this report is to present a case of a rare unipapillary kidney patient who underwent kidney transplantation without any urological complications. Our results suggest that kidney transplantation may be an effective renal replacement therapy for patients with ESKD due to unipapillary kidney.


Background & aim: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases causing respiratory problems. Self-care programs can effectively reduce symptoms and complications of asthma. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of self-care program training on spirometry indicators and clinical manifestations in asthma patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with the control group was performed on 50 patients referred to the respiratory clinic of Al-Zahra hospital in Isfahan. Samples were selected by simple sampling method, and then randomly assigned to subject and control groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire of asthma control and spirometry tests before and one month after the training program. The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 by independent-T, pair-T, chi-square (chi-2), repeated measures and Pearson tests. Results: The results of this study showed that the mean values of spirometric indices (PEF, FEV1/FVC, FVC, FEV1, FEF25%-75%, FEF75%) and scores of the asthma control test questionnaire were increased after the intervention in the experimental group. The clinical manifestations and spirometric indices scores were significantly different before and after the intervention (p<0.05). All the spirometry indices, except for PEF 25%-75%, were increased in the intervention group comparing to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of Self-Care program training in patients with asthma. Therefore self-care training can be used as an effective method to control asthma along with other methods such as exercise, and medication.


The careers of 131 dental research trainees were followed (1954-2007) to establish whether and how they utilised their research training in keeping with clinical research workforce needs. The Dental Research Institute database was used to obtain trainee demographic, teaching and research outputs which were examined according to degree types: PhD (18); MSc (55); MDent (42) and dropout (16). Current careers show that 48% are in exclusive private practice and 15% in exclusive academia with further 15% practitioners having academic links via sessional teaching or research at a dental school. Most (63%) have remained in South Africa but emigration is high amongst the PhD and MSc groups. Forty-one per cent of the cohort is of age </=55 years and 16% <40 years old. The 131 trainees have published 2287 peer-reviewed journal papers over their careers: quantity of research output is skewed towards degree type (PhD) and individuals (10% trainees produced 65% of all publications). Recent trainees have little research experience prior to their training and a lower subsequent research output than earlier trainees. PhDs have participated in research for the greatest length of time (29.1 years). Academic teaching is heavily reliant on older and PhD trainees. It is proposed that a threshold of four publications be used to indicate minimum research skills and a period of formal academic teaching taken into account when advocating criteria to assess clinical research workforce requirements.


The Covid 19 emergency outbreak was imposed by the Indonesian government, and the minister of education launched a study from home since March 2020. Learning is done online / in accordance with government regulations to break the spread of the epidemic. In general, low-grade MI children still have problems recognizing Arabic letters. This will cause students difficulty learning Arabic subjects. This study describes the teaching of Arabic for elementary schools / MI, with research subjects in the class 3A MIN 3 Janti, Ponorogo-Indonesia totaling 24 students, and Arabic language teaching teachers. Data collection methods used observation and interviews to determine the teaching methods used, and the constraints faced by teachers and students. The results showed that online Arabic teaching for MI used the lecture method. The obstacles faced by teachers are the lack of opportunities to monitor one by one student and many students who cannot attend while the obstacle for students is the lack of understanding of the lessons conveyed by the teacher, internet network connections that do not support.


Whilst gene expression signatures have been defined that correspond to poor overall survival, the mechanism for deregulation of such genes is often elusive. We and others have described acquired copy number change as one potential mechanism of gene deregulation in myeloma. Other potential mechanisms exist that may influence the expression of myeloma-associated genes such as inherited SNPs and copy number variation (CNV). We have therefore embarked upon an integrated pharmacogenomic strategy to determine the importance of acquired and inherited genetic changes in determining response to therapy. We have carried out gene expression analysis on CD 138 selected bone marrow plasma cells from 231 newly diagnosed myeloma cases using Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 expression arrays and copy number analysis using 500K Gene Mapping arrays on a subset of 90 cases. Peripheral blood DNA has been genotyped using Affymetrix 500K Gene Mapping arrays and the BOAC chips. Cytogenetics was available in the majority of cases. Younger, fitter patients received either cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone (CTD) or cyclohosphamide-VAD (C-VAD), followed by high dose melphalan (HDM). Older, less fit patients received attenuated dose CTD or MP. Response was assessed before and after HDM in the intensive group and on completion of therapy in the non-intensive group using EBMT criteria plus the category of VGPR. We used a supervised approach to define a gene expression signature corresponding to high level response (CR, VGPR or PR) against poor response (NC, PD or MR) overall and for each of the three induction strategies, CTD/CTDA, CVAD and MP. We have combined the data from expression arrays together with mapping data from tumor DNA and 2 different SNP arrays performed on germline DNA. We defined a poor response expression signature initially and then identified the genomic loci of these genes and how they were affected by acquired copy number change. For each candidate gene we also examined the constitutional DNA to see if each fell within a region of inherited CNV and how this could be affected by acquired copy number change. In a similar fashion, we used the BOAC chip to define genes and SNPs associated with response. This is different as it utilized mostly functional cSNPs in candidate genes. We then looked at how CNV affected these genes. Although not all genes in which functional cSNPs are present would necessarily be expected to be expressed in plasma cells, this approach is a vital step in identifying the clinical relevance of such cSNPs in myeloma. We also took the alternate approach and designed an algorithm able to correlate acquired copy number change with paraprotein response. We then identified differentially expressed genes in these loci and their impact on response, narrowing the candidate genes down to define a signature which could be validated. Using this approach has allowed us to identify genes important in determining response and their relation to tumor-associated copy number change and inherited CNV. Overall, this methodology provides significant insight in to the factors that predict response to different chemotherapy regimens. Preliminary data will be presented.


Introduction: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is considered one of the most common causes of acquired hearing impairment in developing countries. CSOM is a multifactorial persistent inflammatory disease of the middle ear. A distinct pathophysiologic mechanism linking allergic rhinitis (AR) and CSOM remains to evolve. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between AR and CSOM in adults.This was a case-control study. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 62 adults (23 male, 39 female) with established CSOM and 61 healthy controls. CSOM was diagnosed when there was a history of chronic (persisting for at least 3 months) otorrhea, accumulation of mucopurulent exudates in the external auditory canal or middle ear and/or perforated tympanic membrane on otoscopy. All participants were evaluated for the presence of AR by clinical evaluation of allergic symptoms, and underwent a skin-prick test for 23 common regional allergens. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Results: The prevalence of clinical rhinitis (allergic and non-allergic) was significantly higher among the cases compared with controls (62.5% vs. 37.5%, P=0.02). The prevalence of AR (proven by positive skin-prick test) was also significantly higher among affected adults than controls (24.6% and 13.8%, respectively). Adjusting for age, a logistic regression model showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups. Patients with AR and non-AR were at 3.27- (95% CI=1.15–9.29; P=0.036) and 2.57-(95% CI=1.01–6.57; P=0.048) fold increased risk of developing CSOM, respectively, compared with healthy individuals. Conclusion: The study showed a higher prevalence of AR in CSOM patients than in controls. It may be valuable to evaluate and control this factor in these patients.


In this work, the task of pixel-wise semantic segmentation in the context of self-driving with a goal to reduce the inference time is explored. Fully Convolutional Network (FCN-8s, FCN-16s, and FCN-32s) with a VGG16 encoder architecture and skip connections is trained and validated on the Cityscapes dataset. Numerical investigations are carried out for several inference optimization techniques built into TensorFlow and TensorRT to quantify their impact on the inference time and network size. Finally, the trained network is ported on to an embedded platform (Nvidia Jetson TX1) and the inference time, as well as the total energy consumed for inference across hardware platforms, are compared.


This article examines the political conflict surrounding the interstate transfer of water in the Huitzilapan-Xalapa Aqueduct, from which about 60% of the water resources for the city of Xalapa, state capital of Veracruz, come. This interstate water transfer has eventually lead to political and social conflict based on misinformation about perceived water shortages to Xalapa. The article examines a case in which water officials from Xalapa have apparently complied with guidelines related to procedural, distributive, and ecological justice. Therefore, the article proposes a focus on «justice as responsible (and informed) dialogue» as a central element of procedural justice. The analysis is based on a review of official documents, such as Mexican water laws and the water concession under which this water transfer has occurred, press reviews published in regional newspapers, a field visit and interviews with key stakeholders and researchers mostly in Veracruz state.


A case of lytic lesion foot with no definite history of trauma presented with diagnostic challenge as being potentially malignant. On routine evaluation and subsequent imaging especially USG foot foreign body was suspected. With all relevent differential diagnosis in mind surgical exploration and biopsy was done which confirmed foreign body and foreign body granuloma induced lytic lesion of foot. Foreign body trauma and its sequele should be kept in defferential diagnosis in foot diseases when likely hood of penetrating foreign body is quite high like labourers and housewives.


Language Learning Strategies (LLSs) are specific actions, behaviors, steps, or techniques that the learners use them to improve their performance which is important for L2/FL learning and teaching. These strategies are as affecting factors on success or failure of the language learning process. Hence, this paper explores the English language learners' learning strategies to develop their communicative competence within the theoretical stance of Oxford's 1990 Language Learning Strategies (LLSs). The study is qualitative in nature where four participants were interviewed to understand their ontological perspectives and practices of different LLSs to enhance their communicative ability in English. The findings show the learners seemed to be usual strategy users. However, social, affective, and metacognitive strategies frequent strategies for developing their communicative competence. It further depicts learners are not always aware of the influence of consciously using language learning strategies for making their learning quicker and more effective. Thus, the teachers need to be the one who helps their students develop the awareness of language learning strategies and enable them to use a wider range of appropriate strategies for further success in their communicative competence.


Understanding the link between COVID-19 and patient immune characteristics is crucial. We previously demonstrated that high levels of the soluble Programmed Death-Ligand1 (sPD-L1) at the beginning of the infection correlated with low lymphocyte number and high C-reactive protein (CRP), longer length of stay (LOS), and death. This study investigated whether sPD-L1 can be a prognosis biomarker during COVID-19. Severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients were enrolled at the University Hospital of Salerno. During hospitalization, at admission, and after 12–14 days, patients' data were collected, and sPD-L1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The peripheral lymphocyte number negatively correlated with the time of negativization (p = 0.006), length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.032), and CRP (p = 0.004), while sPD-L1 positively correlated with LOS (p = 0.015). Patients with increased sPD-L1 and lymphocyte number showed a shorter LOS than those with decreased sPD-L1 and lymphocyte number (p = 0.038) and those with increased sPD-L1 and decreased lymphocyte number (p = 0.025). Moreover, patients with increased sPD-L1 and decreased CRP had a shorter LOS than those with increased sPD-L1 and CRP (p = 0.034) and those with decreased sPD-L1 and CRP (p = 0.048). In conclusion, while at an early phase of COVID-19, sPD-L1 promotes an immune escape, later, it might act to dampen an excessive immune response, proving its role in COVID-19 prognosis.


Author(s): Caplan, Barbara | Advisor(s): Baker, Bruce L | Abstract: Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by core deficits in social communication and social interaction, there is considerable heterogeneity in social functioning among individuals with ASD. Relatively little is known about the origins and development of these individual differences. Emerging research suggests that family environments and genetic variants independently contribute to social functioning in youth with ASD, yet a better understanding of how these factors interact is necessary to: (1) parse apart factors that contribute to social heterogeneity in ASD and (2) develop and select optimal treatments based on individual characteristics. The present studies took an interdisciplinary approach to examine how early parenting quality and child genetics interact to predict trajectories of social functioning in youth with ASD. Participants were 176 families of children aged 4-7 years with ASD selected from a longitudinal study of developmental processes in ASD. Responsive parenting was rated within the context of free play parent-child interactions. Social development was assessed through multi-rater (parent, teacher) report of child social skills across three time points spanning 1.5 years. Study 1 examined the role of responsive parenting in predicting variation in child social development. Study 2 assessed biologically plausible candidate genes [serotonin transport gene (5-HTTLPR); oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR); dopamine receptor gene (DRD4)] as markers of susceptibility to environmental influence and mechanisms of genetically-informed environmental sensitivity. Specifically, Study 2 evaluated: (a) the additive and interactive effects of 5-HTTLPR, OXTR, DRD4 and responsive parenting in predicting social development in ASD, and (b) whether child emotion regulation mediates observed responsive parenting x child genotype interactions on social development. Initial levels of responsive parenting positively predicted prospective change in social skills by teacher report, and in parent-report models controlling for OXTR genotypes. 5-HTTLPR and DRD4, but not OXTR were found to interact with responsive parenting to predict growth in child social skills; interactions were not mediated by emotion regulation. Findings illuminate pathways of biopsychosocial models of development in ASD and stand to inform targeted, parent-mediated interventions.


A thermal transfer comb includes numerous upwardly extending pins received in spaces around and between the sample containing wells of a well plate. Peltier effect modules are in contact with a base panel of the thermal transfer comb to apply heat to or remove heat from the comb. A heat sink and fan transfer heat from or to the modules.


Acquired cystic disease of the Kidney (ACDK) is a well documented complication of end stage renal failure in patients managed conservatively or supported by dialysis. The aim of the present study is to highlight the scope of the problem among our patients, and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the disease. A Total of 124 patients with chronic renal failure (106 on dialysis, 18 non-dialyzed) were studied with ultrasonography by the same radiologist. ACDK was defined as the presence of four or more cysts in each kidney. The cysts should have sharp smooth wall with acoustic enhancement. In non-dialyzed patients, 5.5% had ACDK, 33.5% had one to three cysts and 61% had no cysts. Among dialysis patients 42.5% had ACDK, 26% had one to three cysts and 31.1% had no cysts. During of dialysis therapy and age were greater in patients with ACDK (74 +/- 30 months. 58 +/- 3 years respectively) compared to those with no cysts (11 +/- 8 months. 26 +/- 4 years). The major clinical complications were intracystic hemorrhage in three cases and stones in seven cases. No correlation was noted between the presence of cysts and the original kidney disease, gender, hematocrit or adequacy of dialysis. We conclude that, ACDK occurs commonly in patients with chronic renal failure; however, patients are generally older and have been on dialysis longer than patients without cysts. Ultrasound, in the hands of an experienced radiologist, is a relatively adequate screening tool for ACDK and its complications.


The MYD88 L265P somatic variant (MYD88) has a high prevalence in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM), a form of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) associated with monoclonal IgM. Although the role of MYD88 in WM was initially reported in 2012, it was not until 2016 that MYD88 testing was included in the National Cancer Care Network (NCCN) Guidelines. We present a case illustrating the utility of MYD88 status in distinguishing atypical forms of WM from marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and in selecting second-line therapy with ibrutinib. In 2012, a 64-year-old male presented with dyspnea on exertion, a hemoglobin of 5.6 g/dL, a platelet count of 86,000, and monoclonal IgM kappa on serum immunofixation but no detectable M-spike. Bone marrow biopsy revealed 95% monoclonal B-lymphocytes with lymphoplasmacytic differentiation favoring a diagnosis of LPL/WM over MZL, with a favorable response to chemotherapy. This diagnosis was called into question 3 years later following relapse, and MZL was favored based on the lack of MYD88 mutation. One year later, however, repeat bone marrow biopsy detected the MYD88 mutation and therapy with ibrutinib yielded a favorable response. The distinction between certain lymphomas can be problematic and in this case MYD88 was helpful in clarifying a diagnosis of atypical LPL/WM from MZL and in selecting effective second-line therapy.


Many animals use public information (PI) gathered from conspecifics to assess the quality of potential foraging locations. To date, research on this phenomenon has focused almost exclusively on social foragers that live in groups and monitor nearby individuals. PI is potentially available to solitary foragers as well, in the form of cues (such as chemical cues) that persist in the environment after conspecifics are no longer present. In this study, I examined the response of a solitary sit-and-wait predator, the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), to chemical cues from conspecifics that had recently fed as opposed to those that had been deprived of food. Experiments with a T-maze indicated that timber rattlesnakes always follow conspecific chemical trails out of the maze, regardless of whether or not the individual leaving the trail had recently fed. However, an enclosure choice test found that individuals are more likely to select ambush sites in areas with chemical cues from conspecifics that had recently fed. These results indicate that snakes may use conspecific chemical cues not only to find mates, shelter sites, and hibernacula but also profitable food patches. Additionally, this study highlights the possibility that other solitary foragers may use PI to guide their foraging behavior. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.


Purpose: In spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVF), the most common clinical symptoms are gradually progressive gait disturbance, sensory disturbance, or sphincter dysfunction which are caused by venous congestion. We report a patient of SDAVF with acute exacerbation leading to complete paraplegia in 2 days. Case Presentation: The patient was a 65-year-old female. Complete paraplegia occurred in 2 days. MRI showed the rapid progression of spinal edema. Spinal angiography conducted 3 days after onset confirmed the diagnosis of a SDAVF at the right L1 level, endovascular treatment was performed at the same session. The shunt completely disappeared, and voluntary knee flexion of both sides was possible at 3 hours after treatment. The next day, she was able to raise her legs. After 3 months, the patient could walk without any assistance. Conclusion: We encountered a case of SDAVF with rapid progression of symptoms. Early recognition of the symptoms and prompt treatment are necessary in this rare clinical setting of SDAVF.


The drill and blast technique have been widely used recently due to demand for natural building materials like rock aggregates. However, the intensity of blasting effects has been questioned on its validity towards the nearby residential areas. In this study, the blasting effects from Quarry A and B has been assessed based on constant location of the residential areas (Taman Pulai Hijauan and Taman Bandar Baru Kangkar Pulai, respectively) using the empirical formulations only. The blasting effects are highly dependent on the maximum instantaneous charge in blast holes (Q) which are dependent on parameters like number of blast holes, charge per column, Powder Factor and number of blast per delay. This study was able to show that with an increase of the independent variables, the Q value rises significantly. The average Q value from Quarry A (181.07 kg) was slightly higher than Quarry B (180.22 kg). The correlations made for each quarry showed that Quarry A had a better regression line with lower standard error due to the high number of blast data obtained during the monitoring period of about 1 year and 8 months. Meanwhile, the impact assessments showed higher PPV (Peak Particle Velocity) value at higher Q holding blast holes in Quarry A compared to Quarry B and decreases with increasing distance. The similar relationship was observed for the air blast assessments. Yet, all of the blasts produced are relatively within safe limits which are less than 5 mm/s Mineral & Geosciences Department (JMG) and less than 125 dBL United States Bureau of Mining (USBM). Thus, extra precaution can be taken by estimating the suitable Q value such as A (97.66 kg) and B (271.68 to 495.01 kg) to maintain safe blasting operations and prevent damages to the nearby residential areas.


UNiSi2 orders ferromagnetically below TCurie = 95 K. This material crystallizes in the orthorhombic CeNiSi2-type structure. The uranium atoms form double-layers, which are stacked along the crystallographic b axis (the longest axis). From magnetization measurements the easy (hard) magnetization axis is the c axis (b axis). 29Si-NMR measurements have been performed in the paramagnetic state. In UNiSi2, two crystallographic Si sites exist with orthorhombic local symmetry. The Knight shifts on each Si sites have been estimated from these spectra of random and oriented powders. The transferred hyperfine couplings have been also derived. It is found that the transferred hyperfine coupling constants on each Si sites are nearly isotropic, and that their Knight shift anisotropy comes from that of the bulk susceptibility. The nuclear-spin lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 shows temperature-independent behaviour, which indicates the existence of localized 5f electrons.


.. Objectives: Indiscriminate use of computers has increased during the present fast-paced age, and this technology misuse has negatively affected many users. This study aimed to determine the presence of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome and to assess the pattern of computer usage in medical college students. Study Design: Descriptive Crosssectional study. Settings: Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, among the MBBS students. Period: From March till August 2018. Material & Methods: A total of 240 conveniently selected medical students took part in this cross-sectional study and filled a pretested selfadministered questionnaire, during a six month duration. Ethical consideration was taken, and unwilling students or those with ocular, muscular and general diseases were excluded. Results: A majority of participants 181(75.4%) were females, rest 24.58% were males. The mean age was 21 yrs with SD of 1.6 yrs. A dominant number,170 (70.8%) experienced sore/ strained eyes followed by watering of eyes,128 ( 53.3%),and blurred distant vision,121 (50.4%), pain 42.9%,redness 40.8%, dryness 33.8%, blurred near vision 29.2%, burning eyes sensation 42.9%,twitching of eyelids 35%,double vision 24.2%. Headache was experienced by178 ( 74.2%) participants, followed by backache in 137( 57.1%) students, due to overuse of computer(significant at a p value of 0.01).About 62.5% were not using antiglare screens, or frequent blinking method (56.7%) as a means of protection. Conclusion: A majority of the study population had been using computers for less than 5 yrs, giving adequate breaks during the day, yet they were experiencing symptoms of CVS like sore/strained eyes and headache as a consequence of regular computer usage. Most of them were not taking protective measures during computer work.


PURPOSE
To evaluate the influence of sex, implant characteristics, and bone grafting on the survival rate of dual acid-etched (DAE) implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients treated with internal-hex DAE implants for single tooth replacement in a military dental clinic between January 2005 and December 2010 were included in this study. Clinical data related to implant characteristics, implant location, presence of grafted bone, and implant failures were collected. The primary outcome was implant loss. The survival rate was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression modeling was used to determine which factors would predict implant failure.

RESULTS
DAE implants were evaluated in a total of 988 patients (80.3% men). Twenty-four (2.4%) implants failed, most were cylindric (54.2%) with regular platforms (70.8%) and were 10 mm long (58.3%). The failure rate was 2.4% for the anterior maxilla, 3.3% for the posterior maxilla, 1.6% for the anterior mandible, and 2.0% for posterior mandible. The cumulative survival rate was 97.6%. The failure rate was 8.8% in implants placed after sinus augmentation, 7.3% in bone block-grafted areas, and 1.6% in native bone. Based on multivariable analysis (Cox regression), sinus augmentation and bone block grafting had a statistically significant effect on implant failure; the hazard ratios were 5.5 and 4.6, respectively.

CONCLUSION
The results revealed that DAE implants had high survival rates, and no influence of sex, location, shape, diameter, or length on failure rates could be observed. However, a significant association was observed between failure and presence of bone graft in the implant area.


ABSTRACT Here, we report the genome sequence of the basidiomycete white-rot fungus Trametes pubescens FBCC735, isolated from Finland. The 39.67-Mb genome containing 14,451 gene models is typical among saprobic wood-rotting species.


BACKGROUND
Numerous mechanisms link outdoor weather and climate conditions to human health. It is likely that many health conditions are more directly affected by indoor rather than outdoor conditions. Yet, the relationship between indoor temperature and humidity conditions to outdoor variability, and the heterogeneity of the relationship among different indoor environments are largely unknown.

METHODS
We use 5-14 day measures of indoor temperature and relative humidity from 327 dwellings in New York City for the years 2008-2011 to investigate the relationship between indoor climate, outdoor meteorological conditions, socioeconomic conditions, and building descriptors. Study households were primarily middle-income and located across the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Manhattan.

RESULTS
Indoor temperatures are positively associated with outdoor temperature during the warm season and study dwellings in higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods are significantly cooler. During the cool season, outdoor temperatures have little effect on indoor temperatures; however, indoor temperatures can range more than 10 °C between dwellings despite similar outdoor temperatures. Apartment buildings tend to be significantly warmer than houses and dwellings on higher floors are also significantly warmer than dwellings on lower floors. Outdoor specific humidity is positively associated with indoor specific and relative humidity, but there is no consistent relationship between outdoor and indoor relative humidity.

CONCLUSIONS
In New York City, the relationship between indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity conditions vary significantly between dwellings. These results can be used to inform studies of health outcomes for which temperature or humidity is an established factor affecting human health and highlights the need for more research on the determinants of indoor climate.


This article presents part of the findings of a qualitative study conducted from January-July 2003, of the experiences of women in "multi-problem families" who live in a "high-risk" settlement on the West Bank. The impetus for the project was a dilemma that arose among social workers who were providing services to West Bank communities during this period. The article presents a narrative analysis of three of the interviews in order to illustrate a process of corroboration and subversion of master narratives in the construction of personal narratives.


• Sharp or burning pain referred to a lower extermity and unexplained by extraspinal findings must be investigated for possible intraspinal causation. Six cases in which the explanation was found in lesions of the thoracic and cervical parts of the spinal cord illustrate this principle. The patients were all females over 50 years of age. In one, 16 years elapsed between first symptoms and ultimate diagnosis; in another, 5 1/2 years of severe symptoms and varied disabilities were accompanied by so much anxiety and functional overlay that examination became difficult. The pain may be confused with that caused by herniated intervertebral disk or an intraspinal or extraspinal lesion involving the roots of the cauda equina or peripheral portion of the sciatic nerve. Investigation of such cases is incomplete without a myelogram. It may be necessary to run the contrast medium through the entire thoracic canal and, if this is inconclusive, through the entire cervical canal to rule out tumors in these areas. The cases here collected are unusual in that they were explained by the finding of benign, slow-growing tumors so high up in the spinal cord.


Besides traditional problems such as potential bugs, (smartphone) application clones on Android markets bring new threats. That is, attackers clone the code from legitimate Android applications, assemble it with malicious code or advertisements, and publish these ``purpose-added" app clones on the same or other markets for benefits. Three inherent and unique characteristics make app clones difficult to detect by existing techniques: a billion opcode problem caused by cross-market publishing, gap between code clones and app clones, and prevalent Type 2 and Type 3 clones. Existing techniques achieve either accuracy or scalability, but not both. To achieve both goals, we use a geometry characteristic, called centroid, of dependency graphs to measure the similarity between methods (code fragments) in two apps. Then we synthesize the method-level similarities and draw a Y/N conclusion on app (core functionality) cloning. The observed ``centroid effect" and the inherent ``monotonicity" property enable our approach to achieve both high accuracy and scalability. We implemented the app clone detection system and evaluated it on five whole Android markets (including 150,145 apps, 203 million methods and 26 billion opcodes). It takes less than one hour to perform cross-market app clone detection on the five markets after generating centroids only once.


For the case of high head and critical low flow rate range of micro hydropower resources, it requires very low specific speed turbines which are lower than conventional impulse turbine's specific speed. In order to satisfy the request for very low specific speed turbine with high efficiency, a new positive displacement turbine is developed. The performance characteristics of the new turbine is tested and compared with a conventional impulse turbine, which is used for automatic water faucet system. The purpose of present study is to develop an high performance turbine that can be used to extract micro hydropower potential of a water supply system. The test results show that the positive displacement turbine is much more efficient than the conventional turbine and it can sustain high efficiency under the wide range of operating conditions. The pressure pulsations at the inlet and outlet of the positive displacement turbine can be considerably minimized by using simple pressure damper.


MRI tissue contrast is not well preserved at high field. In this work, we used a phantom with known, intrinsic contrast (3.6%) for model tissue pairs to test the effects of low angle refocusing pulses and magnetization transfer from adjacent slices on intrinsic contrast at 1.5 and 3 Tesla. Only T1-weighted spin echo sequences were tested since for such sequences the contrast loss, tissue heating, and image quality degradation at high fields seem to present significant diagnostic and quality issues. We hypothesized that the sources of contrast loss could be attributed to low refocusing angles that do not fulfill the Hahn spin echo conditions or to magnetization transfer effects from adjacent slices in multislice imaging. At 1.5 T the measured contrast was 3.6% for 180° refocusing pulses and 2% for 120° pulses, while at 3 T, it was 4% for 180° and only 1% for 120° refocusing pulses. There was no significant difference between single slice and multislice imaging suggesting little or no role played by magnetization transfer in the phantom chosen. Hence, one may conclude that low angle refocusing pulses not fulfilling the Hahn spin echo conditions are primarily responsible for significant deterioration of T1-weighted spin echo image contrast in high-field MRI.


Abstract We conducted a coordinated analysis of eight longitudinal studies with data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our overarching aim was to examine within-person fluctuations in health and well-being during the pandemic that may differ across the adult lifespan. The studies are from different regions of the U.S. with data collected during different periods of the pandemic. These studies sampled heterogenous age groups, used diverse methods, and were harmonized on constructs. Four longitudinal studies (Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being, Within-Family Differences Study, Social Relations Study, and the Einstein Aging Study [EAS] Covid Telephone Interviews) and four intensive, microlongitudinal studies (Daily Experience and Well-being Study, Daily COVID-19 Spring, Daily COVID-19 Fall, EAS), with data collected between March 2020 and August 2021 were analyzed. In three studies, older adults were consistently less variable (i.e., lower within-person standard deviation) in negative emotional well-being such as negative affect and depressive symptoms compared to younger adults. In four studies older adults were also less variable in stress. Evidence of better outcomes associated with social interactions was found in three studies, where within-person variability in social interactions was positively correlated with variability in positive affect across age. These findings point toward the complexities of dynamic socioemotional experiences that unfold across historical periods and across the lifespan. These within-person fluctuations could be used as a benchmark to examine long-term trajectories of well-being.


Aging is associated with a progressive decline in glucose tolerance to the extent that most elderly people have abnormal carbohydrate metabolism and an increasing proportion have type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. This review focuses on the pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of this process and emphasizes that although normal glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus are strictly defined, there is a large subset of elderly individuals who, although nondiabetic, fall into the carbohydrateintolerant zone. This diminished carbohydrate tolerance is the result of a decrease in insulin sensitivity and an impairment of pancreatic β-cell function, which both may result, in part, from changes in sensitivity to dietary carbohydrate associated with aging. Similar defects in insulin action and insulin secretion are also present in type II diabetes. Although the macro- and microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus occur in older individuals with hyperglycemia, carbohydrate intolerance does not appear to be associated with microvascular events. Thus, therapeutic decisions must be based on an understanding of the degree of impairment in carbohydrate tolerance and the risk of acute and chronic complications associated with this abnormality. This is of even more importance when managing a group of subjects whose life expectancy is reduced and who may be less amenable to interventions that could include diet, oral sulfonylureas, or insulin. Furthermore, although all these interventions may result in a decline in glucose level and improved health, they are also associated with risks, some of which may be life threatening in this population.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the dynamic expression of pepsinogen C (PGC) and its value in detection of precursor and gastric cancer.

METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of PGC in 424 biopsy specimens of stomach mucosa collected by gastroscopy.

RESULTS
The positive rate of PGC expression in 54 cases of normal gastric mucosa was 100% and 2.4% in 124 cases of gastric cancer. The positive rate of PGC expression decreased in the order of superficial gastritis/gastric ulcer or erosion-->atrophic gastritis or gastric dysplasia-->gastric cancer (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION
The expression of PGC is negatively correlated with the degree of malignity of gastric mucosa and development of gastric lesions. PGC has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of precursor of gastric cancer and can be a good indicator in the screening and diagnosis of precursor of gastric cancer and gastric cancer.