SUMMARY Predictors of high blood pressure (BP) in young adults were identified in a prospective epidemiological study of 2400 persons who, at the time of their first examination in the Tecumseh Community Health Study, were under 20 years of age. They were re-examined in 1977 after an average interval of 13 years, by which time they were 12-34 years of age. The parents of 92% of the young subjects were also examined initially but not at follow-up. Persons with values above the 80th percentile for their age and sex were considered to have high BP. Mean age and sex-adjusted scores of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and rates of high SBP at follow-up were compared in young people according to whether their levels of fatness and their parents' levels of blood pressure and fatness were above or below the 80th percentile at the earlier examination. Both initial and follow-up examinations showed that mean BP and prevalence rates of high BP were highest in children whose parents had high BP, intermediate in children whose parents were fat but whose BP was below the 80th percentile, and lowest in children whose parents' BP and fatness were both below the 80th percentile. Young adults who were fat children tended to have higher BP means and rates than young adults who were not, regardless of their parents' levels of BP and fatness. Predictors of high SBP were identified by multiple logistic regression analyses. For boys aged 6-19 years at the beginning of the study, predictors were initial BP and change in fatness of the subject and mother's BP. For girls initially aged 6-19 years, predictors were the girl's initial BP and change in fatness, and father's and mother's BP. With this model, 46% of the cases were concentrated in the top two deciles of risk for males and 49% for females. If the subject's BP and the mother's BP were the only information entered into the model, 44% of the male cases and 43% of the female cases would be in the top two deciles of risk. The predictive accuracy of an initial value in the top two deciles of risk was 44% for boys and 36% for girls. Prediction improved with increasing age in boys, but not in girls. (Hypertension 2 (suppl I): 1-117—1-123, 1980)


On the basis of the Moiseyev-Hirschfelder generalization of the complex coordinate method, a universal energy-independent complex absorbing potential (CAP), is derived. It is proven that the universal CAP consists of flux and diffusion-type operators. When a smooth exterior scaling is used, the CAP gets non-zero values in the region where the interaction potential vanishes. An illustrative numerical example is given where narrow and broad, isolated and overlapping resonances were all calculated with more than nine digits of accuracy.


This paper presents a structure preserving energy margin sensitivity based analysis to determine the effectiveness of FACTS devices to improve transient stability of a power system. A structure preserving energy model, which retains the topology of the network, is used to derive simple analytical expressions for improvement in energy margin due to series or shunt compensation. The expressions are in terms of current magnitude through a line for series compensation and voltage magnitude at a bus for shunt compensation. Therefore, these expressions are easy to interpret in the context of applying compensation at strategic locations. The proposed method is applied to a four machine, 10 bus system and a 10 machine, 39 bus New England system, and its validity is demonstrated through time domain simulations both for classical and detailed model with AVR for generators.


The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental anomalies and the study of the participants based on age, gender, ethnicity, presence, type of anomaly, and systematic conditions. 385 Saudi, as well as non-Saudi patients' records, were examined by our group. This sample had been selected based on convenient sampling. Patients 18 or more years of age groups were included in this study with both Saudis and Non-Saudis being included. The findings of the investigation show that 47.8% of those tested had normal teeth, whereas 52.2% had at least one dental anomaly. The most prevalent dental anomalies among the study's participants were impactions (59.7%), congenitally missing teeth (24.9%), and dilacerations (11.65%). The study also identifies cases of other dental anomalies, including ectopic eruption (1%), odontoma (5.5%), and taurodontism (2.2%). The most common dental anomalies found were impactions, congenitally missing teeth, and dilacerations. However, no statistically significant association was observed when comparing the findings based on gender and nationality.


A significant gold deposit in laterite is under development in the Carajas region of Brazil. The lateritic profile of the Igarape Bahia deposit, Carajas, can be divided into six horizons: basal unweathered rocks followed by saprolite, a pallid zone, a mottled zone, a ferruginous zone, and topsoil. Native gold and electrum are found within iron oxide-hydroxide nodules in the ferruginous zone where gold orebodies have been delineated. Most of the gold grains are less than 10 mu in size. There are three morphologicial types: (1) rounded grains in voids, associated with colloform goethite and needlelike goethite; (2) irregularly shaped grains filling shrinkage cracks in amorphous goethite; and (3) subidiomorphic crystals associated with amorphous goethite or needlelike goethite. The morphological features and occurrences of the gold suggest that it has been mobilized and reprecipitated during lateritization.In the ferruginous zone, gold grains from the upper part contain more silver than those from the lower part, i.e., the fineness of gold increases downward in the profile. Quartz veinlets and sulfides in bedrock suggest that the primary rocks were enriched in gold. In the first weathering stage thiosulfate ions from weathering of sulfides are hypothesized to transport both gold and silver into the saprolite and mottled zones where secondary electrum and silver-rich gold were formed. In the second stage, gold and silver were remobilized and incorporated into the ferruginous zone as the weathering proceeded and the erosion surface was lowered. In the third stage, after uplift and incision of the landscape, chloride leaching separated silver from gold grains to purify the electrum. The survival of electrum in the upper part of the ferruginous zone can be attributed to lower chloride concentrations in near-surface ground water and to enrichment of organic matter which can lower the redox potential and increase the stability of native silver. Some silver was then adsorbed by manganese oxide minerals in the lower part of the ferruginous zone.


Owning or leasing an electric vehicle (EV) is becoming more common in developed countries. While home charging is the most common choice, workplace charging and its provision by employers has become an important option. For many, it is essential to cope with the limited range of most EVs. Home and work are the two places where vehicles are parked for long periods and so are prime candidates as charging locations. However, workplace charging is often a limited resource. This paper reports on an empirical study of workplace charging at a UK public sector employer. It explores the use of workplace charging (WPC) via spatiotemporal analysis of employees and visitors' charging events over a 3-month period. It provides insights into weekly patterns and daily mechanisms of using shared facilities in a WPC environment. We identify insights that are relevant in the design of workplace-charging infrastructure, identify the design needs, emerging requirements, and highlight potential areas for sociotechnical-interventions.


Objective: To determine the relationship between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to the single-leg step-down test (SLSD) and the Y-balance anterior reach (YB-A) 6 months after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Sixty-six patients 6 months after ACLR participated. Interventions: Patients performed the SLSD, YB-A, and completed PROs after ACLR. Main Outcome Measures: Patients completed the International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC), the Lysholm Activity Scale, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)–Symptom, –Sport, and –Quality of Life (QOL) subscales. The SLSD requires subjects to complete as many single-leg step-downs as possible in 60 seconds, and the YB-A involves reaching anteriorly on a single limb. Pearson product moment correlations were used to assess relationships between the YB-A and SLSD performance to each PRO. Results: Single-leg step-down test symmetry was significantly correlated with the TSK-11 (r = −0.70), KOOS-Sport (r = 0.40), -Symptom (r = 0.46), and -QOL (r = 0.42). The YB-A symmetry was significantly correlated with the KOOS-Symptom (r = 0.30) and KOOS-Sport (r = 0.30). Conclusions: Single-leg step-down test performance demonstrated stronger relationships to patient-reported knee function than the YB-A. Furthermore, the SLSD symmetry was strongly correlated with fear of movement. The SLSD provides a robust method for clinicians to assess dynamic knee function and may aid in identifying patients who could benefit from intervention to reduce fear of movement or reinjury.


Background:
 Overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as MCL-1 has been implicated in resistance to the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax in relapsed/refractory AML (R/R-AML). Therapeutic agents that reduce resistance to venetoclax as well as exhibiting intrinsic anti-tumor activity may synergize with venetoclax to increase response rates in this difficult to treat patient population. One approach to enhance the potency of venetoclax is through combination with targeted radiotherapy. Studies have shown that radiation-induced DNA damage reduces the level of MCL1 in tumor cells. The monoclonal antibody radioconjugate lintuzumab-225Ac is a highly cytotoxic alpha-radiation emitter that selectively targets CD33, a cell surface antigen expressed on the majority of AML cells but not on non-hematopoietic tissues. Prior clinical studies with lintuzumab-225Ac have demonstrated potent single agent anti-leukemic activity (ASH 2017, 2018). The short range, high-energy alpha-particle emissions from lintuzumab-225Ac elicit single and double-strand DNA breaks in targeted tumor cells. In venetoclax-resistant cell lines in vitro, lintuzumab-225Ac promotes MCL1 degradation resulting in increased cell sensitivity to venetoclax. In vivo mouse xenograft models with venetoclax-resistant AML tumor lines demonstrated enhanced tumor regression and increased survival in mice receiving both venetoclax and lintuzumab-225Ac. This study is the first study to combine radioimmunotherapy with venetoclax in patients with R/R-AML.
 Study Design:
 The Phase I portion of the study will use a 3+3 dose-escalation design to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lintuzumab-225Ac when given in combination with venetoclax. The planned dose levels for lintuzumab-225Ac are 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 µCi/kg. As an exploratory endpoint, BH3 profiling will be performed on patient marrow samples to assess for MCL1 activity.
 Eligible patients include R/R-AML patients aged 18 years and older with adequate organ function, ECOG Performance Status 0-2, and more than 25% of leukemic blasts CD33 positive by flow cytometry. Patients with antecedent MDS, MPNs, or therapy-related AML are eligible. Other than the cycle 1 dose ramp up to reduce the risk of tumor lysis syndrome, patients receive venetoclax at 400 mg/day PO on Days 1 to 21 of each cycle with dose modification for the use of CYP3A inhibitors. The Lintuzumab-225Ac is administered as a single dose on Day 1 of each cycle (see Study Schema).
 Results:
 Three R/R AML patients with a median age of 54 years (range 49-75) have been enrolled to date (see Table 1). The enrolled patients had a median of 2 therapies (2-3) and a median bone marrow blast percentage of 30% (range 20 - >60). All 3 patients had poor risk with adverse cytogenetics, and each patient has an additional high-risk marker (FLT3-ITD+, antecedent JAK2+ myelofibrosis, or TP53 mutation).
 There have been no lintuzumab-225Ac related dose limiting toxicities (DLT) or non-hematologic Grade 3 or greater related AEs.
 Patient 1 obtained a partial response with a decrease in BM leukemic blasts from >60% to 30-40% after cycle 1. Efficacy in the other 2 patients at this dose level is too early to evaluate.
 Conclusion:
 Combining lintuzumab Ac225 with venetoclax in patients with R/R-AML has an acceptable initial clinical safety profile at the level of 0.5 µCi/kg of lintuzumab-225Ac. Results in the first lintuzumab-225Ac dose cohort are encouraging, and the trial will continue to enroll to evaluate the hypothesis that there will be clinical synergy consistent with pre-clinical studies.

 Hegazi: Tempus: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Harpel:Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Miao:Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Ludwig:Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Berger:Actinium Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Schiller:Abbvie: Research Funding; Kaiser Permanente: Consultancy; Geron: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Kite Pharma: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; DeltaFly: Research Funding; Gamida: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding; FujiFilm: Research Funding; Forma: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; MedImmune: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Pfizer: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding; Regimmune: Research Funding; Samus: Research Funding; Sangamo: Research Funding; Tolero: Research Funding; Trovagene: Research Funding; Mateon: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Ariad: Research Funding; Stemline: Speakers Bureau; Actinium: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ono Pharma: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Astellas Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; Deciphera: Research Funding; Genentech-Roche: Research Funding.

 Venetoclax use in relapsed-refractory AML.


Lipid based vesicular drug delivery system, one of the emerging technologies designed for addressing the delivery challenges of conventional drug delivery methods, has widespread applications in chemotherapeutics, immunotherapeutics, recombinant DNA technology, membrane biology and also as a diagnostic tool in different biological field. The enclosed phospholipid bilayer spherical structure, typically known as liposome, is a versatile vesicular delivery system to carry hydrophilic/hydrophobic drug generally efficiently to the site of action leading to reduced non-specific toxicity and improved bioavailability of the therapeutic moiety. Efficacy of drug encapsulated in liposome depends mainly on the circulation amount of liposome and its residence time, in vivo drug release, drug accumulation in the target site and uptake of the formulation in the reticuloendothelial system. Liposomal formulation factors that dictate those actions are liposomal size (hydrodynamic diameter), surface charge, lipid composition and steric stabilization. Variation in liposomal size shows around 100 fold alterations in pharmacokinetic parameters and systemic activity while the other factors such as surface charge, lipid composition and steric stabilization bring only about 10 fold changes in those properties. The findings indicate the critical role of vesicular size in liposomal efficacy. In the present review the effect of size-variation of liposome on systemic activity of drug as well as its pharmacokinetic profile will be discussed to understand the rational designing of liposomal preparation to maximize therapeutic activity of a drug at desired magnitude and to provide a wide range of product applications such as immunological vaccines, chemotherapy, antimicrobial therapy etc.


This very preliminary paper is concerned with measurement of broadband quality, making use of a unique, rich new data source that allows us to directly measure the evolution of many dimensions of broadband quality over the period 2011-2012. Its primary focus is on measuring broadband speed (bandwidth), widely perceived as the most important dimension of broadband quality. My principal conclusion is that average download speed delivered by U.S. ISPs, within speed tiers, increased at an average annualized rate of 5 to 7 percent over the spring 2011-spring 2012 period. This quality increase captures only the effects of improvements in delivered speed within speed tiers, and excludes upgrades to speed tiers for customers on existing service plans that may have been given gratis to existing customers, as well as purchase of new and more expensive plans by customers opting to switch to higher speed plans. For the purposes of quantifying quality improvement relevant to calculation of a quality-adjusted broadband price index, then, this would be a lower bound on the extent to which faster download speeds were a characteristic tracking improved quality in existing broadband plans. Taking this quality improvement into account seems likely to result in rates of quality-adjusted price decline significantly greater than previous estimates of changes in quality-adjusted U.S. broadband prices. Using as our proxy for quality-adjusted price decline the nominal service price divided by download speed (a measure popularized by the OECD and others), a flat nominal price divided by a five to 7 percent faster speed results in a 5 to 7 percent annual rate of quality-adjusted price decline. While unimpressive when juxtaposed with the historical record in semiconductors or computers, this is still double or triple the rate suggested by earlier studies. In addition, the analysis has shown that variation in speed from hour to hour within a single day is roughly 5-6 times greater than variation from day of the week to day of the week, at a given hour. Several state holidays have a small but highly statistically significant negative impact on net speed. Weekends, and not weekdays, seem to be the new "prime time" for internet speed slowdowns. This may ratify the claim that the internet has evolved from being primarily a platform for scientists, engineers, and techies, to an intra-business communication and networking platform, to an infrastructure that today, generates traffic whose ebbs and flows are now dominated by consumers.


The development of an automated program for characterization of particles using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS) has greatly reduced the time required for analysis of particulate samples. The SEM system provides a digital representation of all particles scanned such that hrther measurement of the size, shape, and area are a product of image processing. The EDS and associated software provides information as to the particles' chemical composition. Data obtained from the SEM by this method are reduced by computer to obtain distribution graphs for size, density, shape, and mineralogy. These SEM results have been tested by comparisons with results obtained by traditional optical microscopy-the results obtained by optical microscopy support the SEM results and provide details concerning crystallinity and glass content. This method was applied to the ash that damaged the engines from the Boeing 747-400 flight of December 15, 1989 (Brantley, 1990), which flew into the ash cloud from Redoubt Volcano. The sample was collected from the pitotstatic system and had not been exposed to any engine parts that might have changed its characteristics. The sample analysis presented here demonstrates the capabilities and information obtainable from our automated SEM technique.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of the motivational beliefs (self-efficacy and task-value) and cognitive engagement to seventh grade students' science achievement. For the specified purpose, crosssectional correlational research design was used. The data were gathered from the seventh grade students of public middle schools by means of three data collection instruments namely, Background Characteristics Survey (BCS), Motivation and Cognitive Engagement Scale (MCES) and Science Achievement Test for 7th Grade (SAT). The MCES is a self-report instrument including the selected items from the Science Learning Inventory (SLIPart A) and from Turkish Version of Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) in order to measure students' motivational beliefs (self-efficacy and task-value) and the level of their cognitive engagement. A total of 861 seventh grade students (398 girls and 456 boys) participated in the study. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was used to analyze the data. Results revealed that motivational beliefs (i.e. self-efficacy and task value) positively and significantly contributed to the prediction of students' science achievement and the self-efficacy appeared as the best predictor of the science achievement. Cognitive engagement failed to significantly predict students' science achievement. Finally, bivariate relations among independent variables (self-efficacy, task-value and cognitive engagement) were examined through simple correlation analyses. The result indicated positive and significant correlations among self-efficacy, task-value and cognitive engagement variables.


The effects of the monokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL 1) on parathyroid hormone (PTH)-responsive adenylate cyclase were examined in clonal rat osteosarcoma cells (UMR-106) with the osteoblast phenotype. Recombinant TNF and IL 1 incubated with UMR-106 cells for 48 hr each produced concentration-dependent inhibition of PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase, with maximal inhibition of PTH response (40% for TNF, 24% for IL 1) occurring at 10(-8) M of either monokine. Both monokines also decreased adenylate cyclase stimulation by the tumor-derived PTH-related protein (PTHrP). In contrast, TNF and IL 1 had little or no inhibitory effect on receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylate cyclase by isoproterenol and nonreceptor-mediated enzyme activation by cholera toxin and forskolin; both monokines increased prostaglandin E2 stimulation of adenylate cyclase. Binding of the radioiodinated agonist mono-[125I]-[Nle8,18, Tyr34]bPTH-(1-34)NH2 to UMR-106 cells in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled [Nle8,18, Tyr34]bPTH-(1-34)NH2 revealed a decline in PTH receptor density (Bmax) without change in receptor binding affinity (dissociation constant, Kd) after treatment with TNF or IL 1. Pertussis toxin increased PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity but did not attenuate monokine-induced inhibition of PTH response. In time course studies, brief (1 hr) exposure of cells to TNF or IL 1 during early culture was sufficient to decrease PTH response but only after exposed cells were subsequently allowed to grow for prolonged periods. Inhibition of PTH response by monokines was blocked by cycloheximide. The results indicate that TNF and IL 1 impair responsiveness to PTH (and PTHrP) by a time- and protein synthesis-dependent down-regulation of PTH receptors linked to adenylate cyclase.


Nonlinear phenomena such as internal resonances have significant potential applications in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) for increasing the sensitivity of biological and chemical sensors and signal processing elements in circuits. While several theoretical systems are known which exhibit 1:2 or 1:3 internal resonances, designing systems that have the desired properties required for internal resonance as well as are physically realizable as MEMS devices is a significant challenge. Traditionally, the design process for obtaining resonant structures exhibiting an internal resonance has relied heavily on the designer's prior knowledge and experience. However, with advances in computing power and topology optimization techniques, it should be possible to synthesize structures with the required nonlinear properties (such as having modal interactions) computationally. In this work, a preliminary method for computer based synthesis of structures consisting of beams for desired internal resonance is presented. The linear structural design is accompalished by a Finite Element Method (FEM) formulation implemented in Matlab to start with a base structure and iteratively modify it to obtain a structure with the desired properties. Possible design criteria are having the first two natural frequencies of the structure in some required ratio (such as 1:2 or 1:3). Once a topology of the structure is achieved that meets the desired criterion (i.e., the program converges to a definite structure), the linear mode shapes of the structure can be extracted from the finite element analysis, and a more complete Lagrangian formulation of the nonlinear elastic structure can be used to develop a nonlinear two-mode model of the structure. The reduced-order model is expected to capture the appropriate resonant dynamics associated with modal interactions between the two modes. The nonlinear response of the structure can be obtained by application of perturbation methods such as averaging on the two-mode model. Many candidate structures are synthesized that meet the desired modal frequency criterion and their nonlinear responses are compared.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


Alcohol use is prevalent throughout our culture and produces costly, staggering results. Excessive alcohol consumption has extensive implications for the user's health, economic well-being, psychological equilibrium, and family and social relationships. The resulting consequences add to the spiraling health care costs encountered in the United States. Recognition of the pervasiveness of this problem is key to primary prevention. This article seeks to encourage clinicians to identify high risk alcohol users. Health care providers have potentially a great impact on clients and are in a position not only to identify alcohol abusers early in the course of their alcohol use, but also to mobilize interventions and make referrals. Parameters for recognizing progression of use and evaluating the impact of regular consumption are discussed and a protocol for rapid, accurate assessment are presented. Low cost interventions will be suggested as well as referral guidelines.


This was a hospital based retrospective study of one hundred and fifty-five women managed for obstetric vesicovaginal fistula at the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria from 2000 till 20006. The objective of the study was to document the types of obstetric vesico-vaginal fistula and also describe factors that may influence the outcome of successful repair. The pattern of the fistulae managed were Midvaginal (45.8%),  juxtacervical (38.7%) and juxtaurethral (15.5%). Gynaecologists performed 61.7% of cases using the vaginal route while urologists repaired the rest abdominally. Bivariate analysis showed that younger age at presentation, gravidity, VVF type (Anatomic and Kees Waaldijk), number of previous repairs, and presence of rectovaginal fistula and duration of urinary incontinence prior to repair were statistically significantly related to outcome of repair. Multiple logistic regression models revealed age at presentation (95% CI OR = 1.18 – 9.09) and duration of incontinence (95% CI OR = 1.39 – 13.64) as significant predictors. It is recommended that early presentation for repair and capacity building of specialist trainees will assist in the effective management and other interventions to eliminate obstetric fistula. Above all, governments at all levels should either subsidize or make antenatal care free so as to reduce the incidence of childbirth complications including vesico-vaginal fistula. Keywords : Obstetric fistula, vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF), obstructed labour


Noodles are one of the most important foods worldwide; various methods have been reported to extend their shelf life. In this study, the effects of dipping noodles in various concentrations of acidulant solutions (organic acids) on the shelf life of the noodles were evaluated. The results showed that the growth of the tested microorganisms, that is, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, was significantly inhibited when > 0.5% solutions of acidulants were applied. Here, a 0.5% mixed solution showed a larger halo zone diameter (8.5 to 11.5 nm) than 0.5% citric acid or 0.5% lactic acid solution (8.0 to 9.0 nm). Moreover, six variations of acidulants were used (0.5 and 1% citric acid, lactic acid and their combination), the shelf life at 5°C of the noodles dipped in a 0.5% 1:1 mixed solution for 20 s was also 4 to 6 days longer than those without treatment. All sensory attributes of noodles treated with the mixed solution were the highest (p<0.05) among all the samples. The results of the sensory study also indicated that products treated with the mixed solution had scores that were close to those of untreated noodles, in terms of appearance, texture, taste, hardness and elasticity as well as overall acceptance. Finally, these results provide support for developing a simple method to prolong the shelf-life of fresh noodles and minimizing any negative changes in sensory attributes.

 Key words: Acidity, organic acid, antimicrobial agents, microorganisms, sensory evaluation


Exogenous opioids stimulate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release in fetal sheep after day 125 of pregnancy (term 145 days), but not at day 110. To determine if the different response is due to an alteration in opioid-binding sites and to examine sites of opioid action on ACTH release, we established an in vitro binding assay to study changes and characteristics of opioid receptor binding sites in ovine fetal hypothalamus and pituitary during development. [3H]-naloxone was used as the radiolabelled ligand. The binding of [3H]-naloxone to hypothalamic membrane preparations was specific, saturable with respect to [3H]-naloxone concentration, and linear with the hypothalamic membrane protein content. Binding assays were conducted on tissues collected from fetuses at three gestational ages: days 110-115 and 125-130 and term. In all cases, Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding sites with high binding affinity (0.9-1.2 nM) which did not differ significantly with gestational ages. The binding capacity increased significantly from 45.4 +/- 2.5 fmol/mg protein at days 110-115 to 76.8 +/- 2.3 fmol/mg at days 125-130, but did not change further in term fetuses. When anterior pituitaries from the three groups of fetuses were processed and analyzed in a similar manner, no detectable binding was found. These results indicate (1) that endogenous opioid peptides may act at the hypothalamus rather than pituitary to regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in the ovine fetus, and (2) the developmental changes in the binding capacity may contribute, in part, to the altered ACTH response reported in previous in vivo studies.


We present results from measurements of the filtering of HTTP HTML responses in China, which is based on string matching and TCP reset injection by backbone-level routers. This system, intended mainly for Internet censorship, is a national-scale filter based on intrusion detection system (IDS) technologies. Our results indicate that the Chinese censors discontinued this HTML response filtering for the majority of routes some time between August 2008 and January 2009 (other forms of censorship, including backbone-level GET request filtering, are still in place). In this paper, we give evidence to show that the distributed nature of this filtering system and the problems inherent to distributed filtering are likely among the reasons it was discontinued, in addition to potential traffic load problems. When the censor successfully detected a keyword in our measurements and attempted to reset the connection, their attempt to reset the connection was successful less than 51% of the time, due to late or out-of-sequence resets. In addition to shedding light on why HTML response filtering may have been discontinued by the censors, we document potential sources of uncertainty, which are due to routing and protocol dynamics, that could affect measurements of any form of censorship in any country. Between a single client IP address in China and several contiguous server IP addresses outside China, measurement results can be radically different. This is probably due to either traffic engineering or one node from a bank of IDS systems being chosen based on source IP address. Our data provides a unique opportunity to study a national-scale, distributed filtering system.


Generally, the greater the economic prosperity and the higher percentage of urban population, the greater the amount of solid waste produced. Reduction in the volume and mass of solid waste is a crucial issue especially in the light of limited availability of final disposal sites in many parts of the world. To meet the rising demand for energy and to address environmental concerns, a conversion from conventional energy systems to renewable resources is essential. For the sustainability of human civilization, an environmentally techno – economically feasible waste treatment method is very important to treat waste. Several technologies are available for converting solid waste to energy source, ranging from very simple systems of disposing of waste to more complex technologies capable of dealing with large amounts of industrial waste. There are three main pathways for conversion of waste material to energy: thermochemical, biochemical and physicochemical conversion. Therefore, this paper examines how waste can be utilized to produce energy for sustainable development with adequate use of science and technology. It is recommended that, awareness campaign should be carried out to enlighten the general populace on the benefit of utilizing waste to energy source. Keywords : Waste, sustainable development, utilisation, energy source.


The effect and mechanism of the non-ionic detergent, polyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate (Tween 80), on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was examined and following results were obatined.1. Owing to the action of Tween 80 (0.01v/v%), JEV reduced remarkably in immunogenicity. When Tween 80 was added to the virus fluid not less than 30 days after formalin inactivation, the virus did not lose its immunogenicity and the potency of vaccine was maintained stably.2. The infectivity of the virus was reduced about 5 logs in four hours and almost completely lost in ten hours after Tween 80 (0.2v/v%) treatment at 30C.3. Tnterated virus showed infectivity, hemagglutination (HA) and complement fixation (CF) activites in the fraction with a buoyant density of 1.24-1.26g/ml, while non-infectious HA and CF activites were detected with a buoyant density of 1.19g/ml.On the other hand, Tween 80 treated virus had only non-infectious HA and CF activities in the fraction with a buoyant density of 1.17-1.19g/ml.4. In gel diffusion test, the untreated virus showed two precipitation bands, while the Tween 80 treated virus presented at least three precipitation bands. Of the three precipitation bands, two were common to those of the untreated virus and one of the two which was situated near the antigen well and considered to be related with infectivity became fainter.From these results, it is clarified that JEV was disrupted by few molecules of polyethylene oxide which is a component of Tween 80 and viral infectivity and immunogenicity was reduced remarkably, while its HA and CF activities were maintained.The action of formalin seemed to play a first role and that of Tween 80 is supposed to be suppressed in proportion to the degree of formalin fixation.


Highly uniform large-area MoS2 is chemically doped using molecular reductants and oxidants. Electrical measurements, photoemission, and Raman spectroscopy are used to study the doping effect and to understand the underlying mechanism. Strong work-function changes of up to ±1 eV can be achieved, with contributions from state filling and surface dipoles. This results in high doping densities of up to ca. 8 × 10(12) cm(-2) .


The suitable lenticular lens for large panel autostereoscopic display was designed,and its optical transmission property was analyzed.The location of the best viewing zones and the relationship between screen size and the optimum viewing distance were proposed.On the basis of the original monitor,rear projection screen material suitable for large panel three-dimensional(3D) monitor and splicing method for 3D display wall were studied.Close to 150-inch-large panel stereo display wall was achieved.


The western Kuqa fold-thrust belt of Xinjiang Province, China, hosts a series of surface salt structures. Here we present preliminary analysis of the geometry, kinematics, and surface processes of three of these structures: the Quele open-toed salt thrust sheet, Tuzimazha salt wall, and Awate salt fountain. The first two are line-sourced, the third appears to be point-sourced, and all are active. The ∼35-km-long, 200-m-thick Quele open-toed salt thrust sheet features internal folding, salt-lined transfer structures, dissolution topography, flanking growth strata, and alluvial fan/stream-network interactions. The ∼10-km-long, 50-m-wide Tuzimazha salt wall marks a local topographic high, such that fluvial stream networks are deflected by the rising weak tabular salt body. The salt wall is also flanked by growth strata and normal faults. The ∼2-km-long Awate salt fountain represents salt exhumation coincident with the intersection of multiple structures and a river. Therefore this salt body may respond to local structural and/or erosional variations, or it may play a key role determining such variations—or both. Activity along all three structures confirms that active deformation occurs from foreland to hinterland across the western Kuqa fold-thrust belt. Gradual lateral transition from bedded strata to flow-banded halite observed within the Quele open-toed salt thrust sheet implies that similar transitions observed in seismic reflection data do not require interpretation as diapiric cut-off relationships. The surface salt structures of the western Kuqa fold-thrust belt display a variety of erosion-tectonics interactions, with nuances reflecting the low viscosity and high erodibility of salt, including stream deflections, potential tectonic aneurysm development, and even an upper-crustal test site for channel flow–focused denudation models.


We found that relaxin peptide expression is significantly elevated in recurrent human prostate cancer. Stimulation with relaxin increased migration, invasiveness, proliferation, and adhesion of LNCaP and PC3 cells in vitro. Opposite effects on cellular phenotype were observed after suppression of endogenous relaxin/RXFP1 expression or signaling. We showed an accelerated progression of prostate cancer in TRAMP males with transgenic relaxin overexpression and a longer survival of TRAMP, RXFP1‐deficient males. Suppression of RXFP1 expression in PC3 xenografts in nude mice by intratumoral injections of short interfering RNA resulted in decreased tumor size, cell proliferation, and metastasis rate.


Fouling by activated sludge in membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes for wastewater treatment can be reduced using several strategies such as backflushing, relaxation, and chemical cleaning. Some proprietary systems such as Avanti's RPU-185 Flexidisks MBR use novel circular rotating, flat sheet membranes to assist in limiting this fouling. An attempt has already been made to model this novel rotating fouling process by developing a simulation model based on first principles and traditional fouling mechanisms. In order to directly compare the potential benefits of rotational MBR system, a follow-up study was carried out using Avanti's newly developed static (non-rotating) Flexidisks MBR system. This new process uses the same proprietary and patented membrane modular arrangement as used in the circular rotational unit, but is configured instead as a static square-shaped unit which is in-line with the more traditional and popular format used for submerged flat sheet MBR systems. During this study, the results from operating the static pilot unit were simulated and modelled using a standard fouling model coupled with a viscosity to mixed liquor relationship model. These results were then compared with those obtained from running the rotating MBR model however with rotational switching functions turned off and rotational parameters set to a static mode. This comparison was done to ascertain whether the basic premise of the developed rotational model was sound in empirical terms when compared to a standard MBR flux model. The study concluded that relatively good agreement was reached between the two types of models, thus vindicating the usage of a complex rotational MBR model. Follow on studies will now compare results from the rotating MBR system using rotational models developed by other researchers to ascertain the effectiveness rotating MBR modelling approach.


Modifications of the molluscan feeding apparatus have long been recognized as a crucial feature in molluscan diversification, related to the important process of gathering energy from the environment. An ecologically and evolutionarily significant dichotomy in molluscan feeding kinematics is whether radular teeth flex laterally (flexoglossate) or do not (stereoglossate). In this study, we use a combination of phylogenetic inference and biomechanical modeling to understand the transformational and causal basis for flexure or lack thereof. We also determine whether structural subsystems making up the feeding system are structurally, functionally, and evolutionarily integrated or dissociated. Regarding evolutionary dissociation, statistical analysis of state changes revealed by the phylogenetic analysis shows that radular and cartilage subsystems evolved independently. Regarding kinematics, the phylogenetic analysis shows that flexure arose at the base of the Mollusca and lack of flexure is a derived condition in one gastropod clade, the Patellogastropoda. Significantly, radular morphology shows no change at the node where kinematics become stereoglossate. However, acquisition of stereoglossy in the Patellogastropoda is correlated with the structural dissociation of the subradular membrane and underlying cartilages. Correlation is not causality, so we present a biomechanical model explaining the structural conditions necessary for the plesiomorphic kinematic state (flexoglossy). Our model suggests that plesiomorphically the radular teeth must flex laterally as they pass over the bending plane as a result of the mechanical restrictions in the flexible but inelastic subradular membrane and close association between subradular membrane and cartilages. Relating this model to the specific character states of the clades, we conclude that lack of flexure in patellogastropods is caused by the dissociation of the subradular membrane and cartilage supports. J. Morphol. 241:175–195, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


This study was carried out to obtain viruses (Mottle, Vein mottle, Ring spot) free plants to carnation cultivars (Lena, Scania) by means of meristem culture. In the result of experiment carried out in vitro conditions, the MS basal medium added 1.0 mg/l of BAP was found to be appropriate for meristem development and shoot formation when 0.2-0.4 mm long meristem tips were cultured. For rooting of shoots, the best results were obtained with MS basal medium containing 1.0 mg/l IBA. It was determine tahat the plants obtained from in vitro conditions established and developed in a mixture of two parts chestnut soil+one part sand+one part sheep manure. Plants were inspected by ELISA to identify whether they were infected by viruses. The viruses were completly eliminated testing plants from meristem culture.


Group-III nitride material as particularly AlxGa1-xN is one of promising optoelectronic materials to require for shortwavelength devices. To achieve the high-quality AlxGa1-xN films for a high performance of such devices, AlN-nucleation layers are the important factor. To improve the AlN-nucleation layers with a variation of Ga-addition, XRD measurements were conducted to analyze the crystalline quality of the subsequent Al0.1Ga0.9N with the minimum ω-FWHMs of (0002) and (10-10) reflections of 425 arcsec and 750 arcsec, respectively. SEM and AFM measurements were performed to observe the surface morphology and TEM measurements to identify the microstructures and orientations. Results showed that the optimized Ga-atoms in the Al(Ga)Nnucleation layers improved the surface diffusion to form moreuniform crystallites in structure and size, better alignment of each crystallite, and better homogeneity of island distribution. This, hence, improves the orientation of epilayers on the Si-surface and finally improves the crystalline quality and reduces the residual strain of subsequent Al0.1Ga0.9N layers. Keywords—AlGaN, UV-LEDs, seed layers, AFM, TEM


Purpose: Studies were carried out in athymic nude mice bearing human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (FaDu and A253) and colon carcinoma (HCT-8 and HT-29) xenografts to evaluate the potential role of selenium-containing compounds as selective modulators of the toxicity and antitumor activity of selected anticancer drugs with particular emphasis on irinotecan, a topoisomerase I poison. Experimental Design: Antitumor activity and toxicity were evaluated using nontoxic doses (0.2 mg/mouse/day) and schedule (14–28 days) of the selenium-containing compounds, 5-methylselenocysteine and seleno-l-methionine, administered orally to nude mice daily for 7 days before i.v. administration of anticancer drugs, with continued selenium treatment for 7–21 days, depending on anticancer drugs under evaluation. Several doses of anticancer drugs were used, including the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxic doses. Although many chemotherapeutic agents were evaluated for toxicity protection by selenium, data on antitumor activity were primarily obtained using the MTD, 2 × MTD, and 3 × MTD of weekly ×4 schedule of irinotecan. Results: Selenium was highly protective against toxicity induced by a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, selenium increased significantly the cure rate of xenografts bearing human tumors that are sensitive (HCT-8 and FaDu) and resistant (HT-29 and A253) to irinotecan. The high cure rate (100%) was achieved in nude mice bearing HCT-8 and FaDu xenografts treated with the MTD of irinotecan (100 mg/kg/week × 4) when combined with selenium. Administration of higher doses of irinotecan (200 and 300 mg/kg/week × 4) was required to achieve high cure rate for HT-29 and A253 xenografts. Administration of these higher doses was possible due to selective protection of normal tissues by selenium. Thus, the use of selenium as selective modulator of the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs is new and novel. Conclusions: We demonstrated that selenium is a highly effective modulator of the therapeutic efficacy and selectivity of anticancer drugs in nude mice bearing human tumor xenografts of colon carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The observed in vivo synergic interaction is highly dependent on the schedule of selenium.


The behavior of electromagnetic fields in high-T/sub c/ superconductors (HTSs) is studied in order to examine their effects in classical electromagnetic boundary value problems. It is shown that an HTS can not be simply treated as a low loss conductor and boundary conditions of HTSs cannot be considered as perfect conducting boundaries like conventional treatments. The electromagnetics of HTS are investigated in terms of complex conductivity, surface impedance with applied magnetic fields, and computational electrodynamics using the proposed model.


Background
A diseased lumbar intervertebral vacuum disc void of any structurally intact tissue may be vertically unstable. A primary standalone endoscopic decompression and interbody fusion surgery in the treatment of vertical instability in patients with a vacuum disc may be a more reliable treatment than decompression alone.

Methods
The authors solicited responses to an online survey sent to spine surgeons by email, and chat groups on social media networks, including Facebook, WeChat, WhatsApp, and Linkedin. Descriptive and correlative statistics were employed to count the responses and compare the surgeon's responses recorded on a Likert scale from 1 (disagree) to 10 (agree) or in multiple-choice questions. Surgeons were asked about their familiarity with the concept of vacuum disc and vertical instability and how they would treat such patients. Kappa statistics and linear regression analysis of agreement of incoming responses were performed.

Results
A total of 1,165 surgeons accessed the survey. The completion rate was 22.78. The majority surgeons were very familiar with the concept of a "vacuum disc" as a sign of end-stage lumbar degenerative disc disease and a collapsing lumbar motion segment (182/273; 66.7%; Likert score 6.53). The majority of surgeons also thought that vertical instability precedes anterolateral lumbar instability (187/273; 68.5%; Likert score 6.64) and that a vacuum disc may cause vertical instability with symptomatic dynamic foraminal & lateral recess stenosis (222/273; 81%; Likert score 7.48), mechanical back pain (201/273; 73.1%; Likert score 7.48), and may cause sciatica-type low back and leg pain (179/273; 66.3%; Likert score 6.59). The majority of surgeons indicated that vacuum phenomenon on radiographic studies is associated with vertical instability and collapse resulting in dynamic foraminal and lateral recess stenosis and should be treated surgically (199/266; 73.7%; 7 missing responses; Likert score 6.86). Preferred treatments were decompression alone without fusion (P<0.014). There was consensus in support of fusion by TLIF or PLIF with a Likert score of 6.68 (184/266; 69.2%; 7 missing responses). There was no consensus on standalone fusion.

Conclusions
Vacuum phenomenon on radiographic studies is associated with a vertical instability and collapse, resulting in dynamic foraminal and lateral recess stenosis that should be treated surgically. Preferred surgical treatments were decompression alone, decompression with interbody fusion using just bone graft, and fusion employing TLIF or PLIF. Further research into the clinical significance of lumbar vacuum disc, vertical instability and its most appropriate surgical treatments if any is necessary.


The temporal evolution properties of the brain network are crucial for complex brain processes. In this paper, we investigate the differences in the dynamic brain network during resting and visual stimulation states in a task-positive subnetwork, task-negative subnetwork, and whole-brain network. The dynamic brain network is first constructed from human functional magnetic resonance imaging data based on the sliding window method, and then the eigenvalues corresponding to the network are calculated. We use eigenvalue analysis to analyze the global properties of eigenvalues and the random matrix theory (RMT) method to measure the local properties. For global properties, the shifting of the eigenvalue distribution and the decrease in the largest eigenvalue are linked to visual stimulation in all networks. For local properties, the short-range correlation in eigenvalues as measured by the nearest neighbor spacing distribution is not always sensitive to visual stimulation. However, the long-range correlation in eigenvalues as evaluated by spectral rigidity and number variance not only predicts the universal behavior of the dynamic brain network but also suggests non-consistent changes in different networks. These results demonstrate that the dynamic brain network is more random for the task-positive subnetwork and whole-brain network under visual stimulation but is more regular for the task-negative subnetwork. Our findings provide deeper insight into the importance of spectral properties in the functional brain network, especially the incomparable role of RMT in revealing the intrinsic properties of complex systems.


This paper reports an analytical quasi-saturation model considering heat flow for a DMOS device. As verified by the PISCES results, the analytical model, which considers heat flow provides a good prediction of the much worse quasi-saturation behavior due to the elevated lattice temperature. This is a result of the limited heat sinking capability of the thermal contact node. Based on the analysis, for a DMOS device operating with a contact thermal resistance of less than 10/sup 4/ K/W, the drain current at quasi-saturation is found acceptable with a lattice temperature below 350 K. >


While computational logic has become widely used for representing and reasoning with linguistic knowledge, the cross-fertilization between logic programming and machine learning has given rise to a new discipline known as inductive logic programming. Inspired by, and building on the achievements of logic programming within both natural language research and machine learning, we point out opportunities for induction of linguistic knowledge within logic (programming).


This study aimed to develop basic pants patterns reflecting somatotype characteristics of the women in their 20s. In order to develop basic pants patterns for women in their 20s, wearing tests were conducted. With the results of wearing tests, drafting methods were applied by using regression equation for the parts that were found to improper. For the parts where regression equation was not applicable, the results of wearing tests were applied. The results and the conclusion of development of basic pants patterns for women in their 20s were as follows. The waist height was applied for the regression equations of waist to hip length, crotch length, and knee length, and the hip circumference was applied for the regression equations of front leg opening. Also, back leg opening, front knee width and back knee width were calculated based on the front leg opening. For the waistline the ease of 2cm was added, and for the hipline the ease of 4cm was added. H/16 1cm . was applied for the drafting of front crotch width, and H/8 was applied for the drafting of back crotch width. Pants patterns for women in their 20s on the methods mentioned above were tested for the 2nd research wearing tests, and they received good ratings on the items and demonstrated that the developed pants patterns had excellent body fit.


Nonlocal density-functional and correlated ab initio methods have been used to compute singlettriplet separations for the Pd atom and Pd2, as well as the dissociation energies of the latter in its ground and first excited states. The results are in good agreement with the available experimental data and with other high-level calculations. Single-point local density-functional computations were carried out for Pd clusters up to PdZ2 ( 1012 electrons). The interaction energy per Pd- Pd bond appears to be approaching a limiting value for Pd22. 0 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


In this paper a prototype of high frequency heating power supply system based on the high frequency heating principle is designed to take the place of acupuncture, moxibustion, warm dressing treatment and some other traditional physical therapy methods. Which possess the advantages of low cost, convenient, easy operation and good effect. The high frequency heating power supply can generate a pulse voltage of more than 1KV with 300KHz switching frequency to heat the patient's skin. The skin temperature can reach to 41~42℃. The peak current control method is used to maintain the skin temperature in the designed range. The design of the main circuit is based on the flyback converter topology. An easier and practical design method is proposed in this paper. The power supply system prototype is verified to be stable and reliable by both the simulation and experimental results.


Despite common comorbidity of sexual and urinary dysfunctions, the interrelationships between the neural control of these functions are poorly understood. The medullary reticular formation (MRF) contributes to both mating/arousal functions and micturition, making it a good site to test circuitry interactions. Urethane-anesthetized adult Wistar rats were used to examine the impact of electrically stimulating different nerve targets [dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) or clitoris (DNC); L6/S1 trunk] on responses of individual extracellularly recorded MRF neurons. The effect of bladder filling on MRF neurons was also examined, as was stimulation of DNP on bladder reflexes via cystometry. In total, 236 MRF neurons responded to neurostimulation: 102 to DNP stimulation (12 males), 64 to DNC stimulation (12 females), and 70 to L6/S1 trunk stimulation (12 males). Amplitude thresholds were significantly different at DNP (15.0 ± 0.6 μA), DNC (10.5 ± 0.7 μA), and L6/S1 trunk (54.2 ± 4.6 μA), whereas similar frequency responses were found (max responses near 30-40 Hz). In five males, filling/voiding cycles were lengthened with DNP stimulation (11.0 ± 0.9 μA), with a maximal effective frequency plateau beginning at 30 Hz. Bladder effects lasted ≈ 2 min after DNP stimulus offset. Many MRF neurons receiving DNP/DNC input responded to bladder filling (35.0% and 68.3%, respectively), either just before (43%) or simultaneously with (57%) the voiding reflex. Taken together, MRF-evoked responses with neurostimulation of multiple nerve targets along with different responses to bladder infusion have implications for the role of MRF in multiple aspects of urogenital functions.


The difficulties of the combined analysis of two factors, as illness behaviour and adolescence are studying in our work. Most authors support the subjectivity and impression of this field of investigation. We consider some relevant aspects in adolescence and the effects of the illness situation on it. We concluded it's necessary to realize particular and individual analysis of this problem, because it's not possible to report a general conclusion. However, it's possible to realize some predictions about some conflict global areas of behaviour and personality. We analyze the trends of behaviour, adaptative or not, and the differential effects of the illness (chronic and acute). We review the effects of the life-events and the social support on the behaviour, and the relevancy of some particular and transitory aspects of the people on his behaviour.


This paper presents a 60 GHz receiver front-end in SiGe:C BiCMOS technology. The conversion gain is 22 dB from 60 GHz to 5 GHz without IF amplification. This front-end includes an LNA, a mixer and a 56 GHz PLL. The measured output 1-dB compression point is -5dBm


It is shown that the combination of low pitch and a small number of turns realizes a low-profile helix as a radiating element of circular polarization. A two-turn helix of 4 degrees pitch angle shows a bandwidth of 12% for a 3 dB axial-ratio criterion. The numerical results presented lead to new aspects of a low-pitch helix as an effective radiating element. >


Objective The study aimed to determine the factors associated with parents' decision of their child participation in a school-based typhoid vaccination program in Lalitpur District, Nepal. Methods Following a typhoid vaccination campaign in 2012, a household cross-sectional survey, following a two stage stratified, cluster-sampling strategy. The strata were based on type of school (public/private) and geographic location (urban/rural). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire ensuring standard quality practices. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of socio-economic and behavioral characteristics with participation in the school-based vaccination campaign. The study was approved by Institutional Review Board of International Vaccine Institute and Nepal Health Research Council. Results A total of 1,248 interviews were conducted with parents of children from 42 schools with a response rate of 85 percent. The participation in the vaccination campaign was statistically significantly associated with confidence on the organization conducting the vaccination campaign (OR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.1 0.7) knowledge of typhoid vaccine preventing the disease (OR=9; 95% CI: 4.2 19.7), concern of vaccine related adverse events following vaccination (OR=0.3; 95% CI: 0.2 0.6), information on typhoid vaccination campaign (OR=3; 95% CI: 1.9 5.0), and receipt of a permission slip for the child to receive the vaccine from school (OR=2; 95% CI: 1.3 3.2). Discussion Our results suggest that participation in a school-based vaccination program is associated with knowledge of disease specific vaccine on safety and effectiveness, if the parent was reached effectively by the vaccination teams through information material, and if the population have confidence in the organization that is conducting the vaccination campaign. Our results are consistent with the findings from vaccination programs on typhoid and other vaccines, globally and in Asia on a perceived risk of the disease, knowledge and confidence over vaccines and a set of communication channels by which parents are informed about the vaccine benefits to the target population.


OBJECTIVE
To examine HIV prevalence and related risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chongqing, and to explore the feasibility of using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in the survey.

METHODS
Based on results from formative research, a RDS survey was designed and conducted to collect demographic, behavioral and serologic data. RDSAT was used to calculate point estimation and confidence intervals. SPSS was used for bi-variate analysis using RDSAT exported weighed data. NETDRAW was used to draw network diagram.

RESULTS
Among 617 subjects recruited, the adjusted HIV and syphilis prevalence rates were 16.8% and 10.9%, respectively. 73.0% of the subjects were 20 to 29 years old and 72.9% were officially registered residents of Chongqing. 83.4% were single, with the proportion of students the highest, accounting for 24.6%. During the last six months, 83.4% of them reported ever having anal sex, and 54.0% reported having unprotected anal sex.

CONCLUSION
This survey confirmed that Chongqing had a higher reported HIV prevalence among MSM than from other Chinese cities. Comprehensive intervention services were required to address this alarmingly high prevalence, with focus on intervention through internet and those having syphilis infection. RDS seemed one of the effective ways of recruiting hidden MSM populations in Chongqing which had a large population of active MSM who did not frequently visit MSM venues as compared with snowball method.


Orientation:  Self-management serves as an essential managerial competency and entails taking responsibility for one's own actions and behaviour. The problem is that managers who do not have effective self-management competencies may affect business adversely. Research purpose:  The study investigated selected self-management competencies of managers within the manufacturing industry of South Africa. Motivation for the study:  The researchers wanted to focus on selected self-management competencies of managers rather than all the managerial competencies. Research design, approach and method:  A quantitative research method was employed by following a descriptive design and data were obtained using a well-structured self-administered questionnaire. Main finding:  The results revealed that a significant and positive relation exists between managers' integrity and ethical conduct, and between personal drive and resilience, as well as a significant positive relationship between work–life balance on the one hand and self-awareness and self-development on the other – all of which are components of their self-management competency. Practical/managerial implications:  For managers to contribute to the success of a business, it is essential that they succeed in applying self-management competencies to distinguish them from their competitors. Contribution/value-add:  No previous studies could be found investigating the relationship between integrity and ethical conduct, and between personal drive and resilience, as well as between work–life balance on the one hand and self-awareness and self-development on the other.


The aspiration of cancer immunotherapy is to generate large numbers of highly functional anti-tumor CD8+ T-cells. We and others have optimized Listeria monocytogenes as a powerful anti-cancer vaccine platform to drive such T-cell responses. Early clinical trial data suggest the number of T-cells generated correlates with efficacy, demanding an understanding of the factors that dictate vaccine-induced T-cell responses. The CD8+ T-cell response is intimately linked to magnitude and quality of the innate immune response triggered by vaccines. Listeria-based vaccines activate numerous innate pathways and can be engineered to hyper- or hypo-induce these pathways. We sought to understand how modulating innate immunity would impact vaccine efficacy.To dissect the impact of type I interferon signaling and the inflammasomes on L. monocytogenes induced T-cell responses, we immunized IFNAR-/-, Caspase1/11-/-, and novel IFNAR-/-Caspase1/11-/- double knockouts mice we generated for this study. CD8+ T-cell responses were assessed at the peak T-cell response, after contraction and memory formation, and after rechallenge. The phenotype and magnitude of CD8+ T-cells was assessed at each stage, and functional outcomes were assessed by measuring protection from reinfection by wild-type Listeria.IFNAR-/- mice developed the largest number of CD8+ T-cells during the peak primary response contradicting the dogma that Type-I Interferon promotes robust CD8+ T-cell responses. Caspase1/11-/- mice were not significantly different from wild-type mice. The frequency of short-lived effector cells (assessed by expression of CD127 and KLRG1) was no different between wild-type and IFNAR-/- mice, however we observed more than twice as many memory precursor cells at the peak CD8+ T-cell response. These findings extend to the memory and recall stage with more antigen-specific T-cells observed after contraction and upon rechallenge. Finally, IFNAR-/- mice are remarkably more protected from wild-type Listeria rechallenge than their counterparts after immunization demonstrating the efficacy of the increased memory T-cell pool. Data are representative of at least two independent replicates with at least 5 mice per group and significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA with *p<0.05.We demonstrated that type-I interferon signaling deficiency leads to enhanced prophylactic vaccine efficacy through increased memory T-cell formation. Ultimately, for patients with slow growing tumors or with high-risk mutations, prophylactic tumor vaccines could elicit life-long protection from disease. Importantly, increased memory precursor T-cell abundance did not come at the expense of short-lived effectors leaving open the possibility that blocking Type-I IFN could potentiate lasting immunological memory in both the therapeutic and prophylactic setting.


1. Set within the context of Johnson's behavioral theory and Creditor's theory of excess disability, a review of current research shows that fear of crime can affect older adults' quality of life, ability to function independently, ability to socialize, and health and health-seeking behaviors. 2. Older adults particularly at risk for fear of crime and its negative sequelae tend to live in urban, high-crime areas, to live alone and not in senior housing, to be of a low socioeconomic status, and to be women. 3. As a part of the routine comprehensive assessment of the older adult, nurses must include an assessment for fear of crime. Whenever excess disability is present, the nurse should suspect fear of crime as a possible cause.


Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms has become one of the most important preclinical research arenas. This influential progress is due to the incredible development of new devices and catheters technologies. One of the main outcomes for intraluminal devices used for treatment is the rate of occlusion of the aneurysm.


Classical trajectory calculations of the desorption of large molecules from surfaces are considered. A linear chain of anharmonic oscillators is used to model the system. Results for the "popcorn" mechanism and for thermal desorption are given. In both cases the main mechanism for desorption is found to be the coupling of the expansion mode of the system to the desorption mode.


This study investigates and compares the supplier management in Taiwanese enterprises under different outsourcing strategies. Base on an empirical study through questionnaires, we investigate the supplier management and critical success factors of the Taiwanese enterprises. It is shown that different industries deploy different outsourcing strategies. Organizations should have a good working relationship with their suppliers as well as with their customers, and the enterprises adopting different export rates should deploy different outsourcing strategies too. The most important issues of supplier management include supplier capability to deliver on time, long term contract strategy with suppliers, supplier evaluation, and quality of material from suppliers.


This paper reports an experimental study on dissociating carbon dioxide (CO2) using a microhollow cathode discharge (MHCD) plasma reactor operated at 1 atm. The MHCD plasma reactors can be a promising technology for dissociating gases, including CO2, as they do not require catalysts, they operate at around room temperature, and can be inexpensively built and operated. In this study, CO2 balanced with the carrier gas argon (Ar) was fed through the MHCD reactor, and parametric experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of applied voltage, flow rate, and CO2 mole fraction in the influent on the composition of the products, energy conversion efficiency, and yield. Within the investigated parameter ranges, the maximum energy conversion efficiency of 14% was achieved when the specific energy input was 1.1 eV mol−1, whereas the maximum CO yield of 10.5% was achieved when the specific energy input was 4 eV mol−1. The results also showed that diluting CO2 with Ar increased the yield at an expense of a decrease in energy conversion efficiency. The results of this study provide insights for operating MHCD reactors for efficient gas dissociation at atmospheric pressure.


The pharmacological activity of rac-ketoprofen and its enantiomers was investigated in vitro using different cellular models. The effect of these compounds on arachidonic acid metabolism was assessed by measuring the inhibition of prostanoid generation under the action of several agonists. Thus, we have evaluated the inhibition of (1) thromboxane B2 synthesis in rabbit platelets and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), (2) prostaglandin E2 synthesis in three cultured cells, namely human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), human keratinocytes, and mouse macrophage-like P388D1 cells. The IC50 values found for (+)-(S)-ketoprofen were in the range between 0.1 nM and 0.8 microM, being slightly lower in all models than those found for rac-ketoprofen (0.4 nM-3 microM). On the other hand (-)-(R)-ketoprofen showed inhibition of cyclooxygenase only at concentrations two or three orders of magnitude higher than those required for the (+)-(S) enantiomer. These results, obtained with cell types of relevance for inflammatory processes and with compounds of high optical purity, demonstrate that the prostanoid biosynthesis inhibition caused by the drug rac-ketoprofen is exclusively due to its dextrorotatory enantiomer.


The recent advances in positioning technology facilitate the acquisition of high frequency and accuracy locational information of moving objects. Meanwhile, the locational information can be used to augment data collected with other sensors. One of them is to collect geo-referenced images in a road network and replay them continuously in a virtual-reality fashion to make users feel as if they are driving a car to explore the network in a virtual tour. With this background, an image-based road network model is defined. Trajectories and images collected with high-accuracy positioning devices and digital video camera, respectively, compose the model's input. Two algorithms are proposed to process the input and complete the model. With this model as the fundamental part, a prototype is developed to implement a virtual tour in a road network. In the virtual tour, instead of following a fixed route, users may decide the route choice and speed freely. Different from most existing methods, with the favour of advanced positioning technologies, the proposed approach and algorithms can facilitate building the image-based network model as well as developing the prototype efficiently and conveniently.


The invention relates to a method and a device for improving the processing time of received data in packet oriented applications during a transmission via communication networks, in particular via an IP network and a mobile communication network such as the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The received data packets of the second protocol layer, for instance, the RLP frames, are combined to form data packets of the first protocol layer, for instance to PPP frames, directly by the receiver in the second protocol layer. The completely and correctly combined data packets are then released to the first protocol layer. During the release of the data packets to the first protocol layer, a difference is made between two modes. The intra-flow mode is a mode, wherein all completely generated data packets are released, i.e. independent from whether the data packets belong to the same or to two different data flows. In contrast thereto, a difference is made in view of the inter-flow mode. In said mode only the completely generated data packets belonging to different data flows are released to the first protocol layer.


This paper reviews the prediction of complex, unsteady and chaotic dynamics associated with material–cutting processes through nonlinear dynamical models. The status of bifurcation phenomena such as subcritical Hopf instabilities is assessed. A new model using hysteresis in the cutting force is presented, which is shown to exhibit complex quasi–periodic solutions. In addition, further evidence for chaotic dynamics in non–regenerative cutting of polycarbonate plastic is reviewed. The authors draw the conclusion that single–degree–of–freedom models are not likely to predict low–level cutting chaos and that more complex models, such as multi–degree–of–freedom systems based on careful cutting–force experiments, are required.


This paper describes the clinical features of 29 Nigerian children with polyarthritis who satisfied the criteria for a diagnosis of Still's disease (Ansell and Bywaters, 1959). These patients were seen during the course of a survey into the pattern of polyarthritis occurring at University College Hospital (U.C.H.), Ibadan, Nigeria. The methods employed in this survey have been previously described (Greenwood, 1969); 24 of the children had been admitted to this hospital during the years 1957 to 1967, and the remainder presented at the outpatients department during the years 1965 to 1967.


Objective: To evolve simple BP measurement steps and limited echocardiography to detect pre and masked hypertension and and cardiac end organ damage. Design and Method: We retrospectively examined 9500 echocardiography exam from April 2014 to Dec 2025. Echo is performed as per guidelines of American Society of Echocardiography. In addition, we routinely measure BP at begining, at 5 minutes during and at end of echo exam. Values are averaged. After excluding valvular heart diseases, HOCM, infiltrative diseases, CAD with regional changes, we had 8471 eligible cases for review. Patients were divided in 3 groups. A-Systolic BP less than 130 (Normotensive), B- Systolic BP 130- 139 (Pre- hypertensive), C-Systolic BP more than 139 (Hypertensive). No treatment history was available. Results: The male, female ratio was 1.3. Average age 55+/-15 yrs. Average BMI 26.6+/-4%. Average HR, LV ejection fractionwas similar in all 3 groups. The change in BP was significant between 3 groups. The variation between 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading was statistically significant. In gr A variability was 5.0 and 6.8 mmHg in males and females. compared to 8.9 and 8.5 mmHg respectively in group B and C (p value less than 0.00001). All echo parameters were statistically significantly higher in Gr B and C than Gr A.(p less than 0.0001). Rise in BP from 2nd to 3rd reading was statistically significant in group B (Pre hypertensives) than gr A (normotensives). Sequential fall of BP is seen in Group A (Normotensive) compared to Groups B & C which showed variability (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: It is concluded that simple 3 step sequential BP measurements 5 minutes apart, and variability can identify pre- and masked hypertensives, in lieu of ABPM. Suitable for mass screening for Hypertension. A limited single parameter echo exam provides incremental value in unmasking HTN and cardiac end organ damage. Threshold to consider a patient hypertensive needs review.


ABSTRACT A comparative study on conventional and organically grown pineapples cultivated in a soil from a banana plantation has been carried out in the Canary Islands. Garden waste compost was used as fertilizer in the organic treatment and current NPK fertilization in the conventional one. Soil pH, and available Ca and Mg were higher with the compost. "D" leaf N, K, Ca and Mg levels of plants from the conventional treatment exceeded those from the organic one, but only N seemed to influence yields. Foliar Cu and Zn were higher in plants from the compost treatment, but apparently this did not affect pineapple production. Fruits from both treatments had similar size and total weight, and free acids and sugar contents. The weight without crown of the fruits from the conventional treatment was significantly higher.


Blood lipids, red cell volume, heart volume, dynamic spirometry, electrocardiograms made at rest and during exercise, and maximal oxygen uptake were determined in 29 former athletes 45 to 70 years old. The subjects had been very successful competitors in endurance events before the age of 30, but for at least 10 years preceding this study had been sedentary. Maximal oxygen uptake averaged 40 ml/kg/min which is 20% higher than that of sedentary middle-aged men but 25% lower than that of still active athletes of the same ages. Vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, and maximal voluntary ventilation showed normal values. Heart volume was large in relation to maximal oxygen uptake and was of the same magnitude as in still active athletes. Red cell volume was also large in relation to maximal oxygen uptake, but normal in relation to the body weight. Cholesterol in serum averaged 260 mg/ 100 ml. Values for neutral fat averaged 1.6 mM, which was higher than that for still active athletes. In the athletes still active, the frequency of S-T changes was as common as in unselected healthy old men but in the former athletes the frequency was reduced. This was also true for the frequency of right bundle-branch block, ST-junction elevation and high T waves.


Multi-sensor and multi-temporal data classification with combined neural network methods has been implemented in this paper. Pre-classification has been carried out by using Kohonen neural network processing technique, which allows the simultaneous use of data acquired by different sensors with no additional hypothesis on data distribution. Especially some of the experiments reported that combination of different types of sensors provide satisfactory results than using only one sensor data. This paper also shows the multi-sensor data classification is better than single sensor data classification. The proposed method is illustrated with the aid of examples of satellite image of Daejeon, Korea. Features obtained from the pre-classification are used as input to the error backpropagation algorithm for training, and classification. The results of the proposed method with multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifier are compared with the results of the maximum likelihood classifier (MLC).


A survey was conducted with the participation of eight consultant general surgeons, two consultant urologists, four consultant orthopaedic surgeons and four surgical residents to find the incidence of accidental injuries to surgeons and their assistants during operations. Of the total of 2016 operations over a one year period there were 112 reported accidental injuries. These included 107 needle stick injuries, 4 knife cuts and 1 diathermy burn. We found that accidental injuries to surgeons during operations were inevitable.


The calculation of river flows necessary to maintain the environmental services of the diverse river basins in Mexico has been an element to be considered in complying with the Mexican Norm and in allowing an adequate administration of water resources. Several methods have been proposed for this calculation, among which a very simple one is a hydrological method that requires a data base on runoff to determine the volume of water that ecosystem functions need. Hydrological methodology proposed by the NMX cited above, provides guidelines for establishing a regime as a percentage of average annual runoff and it is assumed maintain biological attributes at certain levels of conservation. It also analyzes the regime of seasonal normal flow for wet hydrological conditions, socks, dry and very dry, and the system of avenues (considered as the sudden increase in the volume and speed of the current in a river due to runoff resulting from rain cyclical or extraordinary, it is also known as flooding), considering at least three categories of avenues (intra-annual, annual and interannual low magnitude of average size) with corresponding attributes of magnitude, duration, frequency, time of occurrence and rate exchange. For greater certainty calculation it will always be necessary to have records in the three levels of a basin. This level of analysis is to determine the final volume of ecological flow, considering the benchmark to achieve the previously defined environmental objective. For ecological calculation referred by the NMX, some fundamental aspects were considered, such as: ecology importance (which ranks among very high, high, medium and low based on the concepts of the rule itself ); use pressures (determined as the ratio percentage of the volume allocated over the concession between the annual average availability basin or aquifer, determined as high ≥ 80%, ≥ 40% high, medium and low ≥ 11% ≤ 10%) ; the environmental objective (ecological status to be achieved within the watershed to maintain the integrity of existing ecosystems or when they believe that they are degraded, contributing to the recovery or rehabilitation); and annual percentage rate recommended for environmental protection. Based on this, the purpose of this study was to quantify the river flow of the Piaxtla river, in the state of Sinaloa. The river runoff data bases for 36 and nine years were compared, showed differences mainly between the frequency of maximum runoff and its origin, and indicated that it is advisable to use a data base of more than 20 years. However, results were similar in the final calculation of the environmental or ecological river flows; that is to say, total runoff volume was 62.1% considering 36 years and 57.7% for nine years of information. We conclude that the ecological importance of Piaxtla river was very high and the use of water pressure was low (considering that database runoff only included until 1999 and did not take into account population growth and activities). To determine the final volume reserved for the environment or ecological flow, could be estimated not only with a database of 36 years, but for nine years also confirming that those rivers that have databases of 10 years can the methodology used hydrological indicated by the NMX said. Particularly in this study it was determined that for parameters more detailed as the volume of the base rate of the annual volume, according to the frequency of occurrence, both very dry years, dry, average and wet, and influence of meteorological events that determine periods separate return, it is advisable to use minimum data bases as brand NMX 20 years.


A car-mounted single monochrome camera-based pedestrian detection algorithm is discussed. The detection range is divided into two sub-regions, that is, the near distance range and the far distance range. Two different detection algorithms are applied in the two regions. For the near distance range, where the direction of the motion of the detected obstacle is important, a motion segmentation approach using interest points is utilised. For the far distance range where the motion of the detected obstacle is not as important, a robust and computationally efficient modified inverse perspective mapping-based obstacle detection is utilised. Finally, a low-level pedestrian-oriented segmentation algorithm, which is aimed at the depth information of the detected pedestrian candidate, is also presented.


In this Letter, we prepare FeNi-layered-double-hydroxide (LDH) nanoflakes and illustrate the corresponding microcosmic morphology. The optical response and laser modulation performance of the nanoflakes in the mid-infrared region were investigated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Employed as a saturable absorber in an ${\rm Er}{:}{\rm Lu}_2{\rm O}_3$ laser system, pulses with 256-ns duration were yielded at a repetition of 129 kHz under 7.8-W pump power, which corresponds to a pulse energy of 4.98 µJ.


The essential features of an advanced iodine laser are outlined. These are governed primarily by the proper choice of the stored inversion density of an amplifier and also by the means to enhance the energy extraction efficiency to values in excess of 50 percent. With these measures an amplifier chain with output energies in the kJ range and overall system efficiencies of almost 0.2 percent can be designed. This value is twice as high as that now achieved. As the laser-fusion experiments require a greater pulse duration variability than hitherto obtained, an oscillator pumped by an excimer laser is developed, allowing chain output pulse durations in the range from some 100 ps to several ns. The frequency conversion of iodine laser light by nonlinear interaction in crystals is also investigated.


Financial inclusion has been one of the key pillars of Colombia's development strategy for a number of years. Financial inclusion policies have aimed at channeling microcredit to poor, spreading formal banking system usage, fostering electronic payment acceptance, and making financial services more affordable. Using simulations from a general equilibrium model it is possible to identify the most binding financial sector frictions that preclude financial inclusion of enterprises, and study the effects on growth and inequality of efforts to remove these frictions. The study finds that lowering contraints on collateral promises higher growth while inequality is better tackled through measures that lower the financial participation cost.


Abstract Participatory action research (PAR) advocates end-user involvement in various societal domains. This paper aims to identify and analyse impacts of PAR involving older persons as co-researchers, and how these impacts spread and are enhanced throughout the research process and after its completion. By impact we mean transformational change throughout and after a PAR study. We present a qualitative community-based research project involving older people who live in sparsely populated areas in the Netherlands, and explore three types of PAR impact: personal, interpersonal and community impacts. We demonstrate how these impacts unfold through expanding circles, from a personal to a community level, and how these circles enhance each other. The project was conducted by a PAR team consisting of one researcher and seven co-researchers. The data were collected from observations, interviews and minutes of meetings, which the team subsequently analysed. The results are presented as a narrative account, whereby four project stages are followed by reflection on the impact it made. The discussion addresses the circles of impact, and whether and how they can strengthen each other in community-based projects involving older people. The concluding remarks address the influence of group dynamics on PAR, whether frail older adults can be expected to take an active part in PAR projects and the extent to which the results from such community-based PAR projects can be generalised.


In this study, we adopted three questionnaires to collect the data of stressful life events, operational effectiveness and subjective well-being of college students. Using SPSS 16.0 and AMOS software, we analysed the relation between stressful life events, operational effectiveness and subjective well-being. It turned out that a) subjective well-being decreases when stressful life events increases, subjective well-being increases when operational effectiveness increases; b) there are four paths through which stressful life events influences subjective well-being: stressful life events have a direct negative effect on subjective well-being; stressful life events affect subjective well- being through confidence; stressful life events affect subjective well-being through cognitive level and degree of confidence; stressful life events affect subjective well-being through confidence and competence.


The effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Combretum micranthum were studied on gastro intestinal smooth muscle of rodents. The extract was screened using isolated rabbit jejunum, guinea pig ileum and rat uterus. The extract produced relaxation of isolated rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum. The relaxation of guinea pig ileum was inhibited by phentolamine. The effect of the extract on rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum may involve adrenergic receptors. The extract had no effect on pregnant and non-pregnant isolated rat uterus. The result of preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract showed that, the aqueous leaf extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins and phlabotannins. The properties of the extract may be due to the presence of these active constituents of pharmacological importance that bear relevance to its therapeutic claims in traditional medicine. Keywords : Combretum micranthum , Rabbit jejunum, Rat uterus and Guinea pig ileum.


BACKGROUND: PID1 is higher in fat from obese patients and is an inhibitor of insulin receptor signaling. We reported that PID1 is a novel inhibitor of medulloblastoma and glioma cell growth, and its mRNA level is highly correlated with survival across multiple independent datasets of these tumors. PID1 harbors a phosphotyrosine binding domain and is predicted to interact with proteins harboring NPXY motifs. We therefore hypothesized that PID1 will interact with phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain containing protein(s) that may be important in brain tumors, and will modulate its/their signaling. Here we report PID1 interactions with one of these proteins and determine its biological consequences. METHODS: Experiments consisted of immunoprecipitations, transient transfections, and western blotting. Functionally, assays included cell culture, flow cytometry for proliferation using BrdU/7AAD and apoptosis using AnnexinV/7AAD. Plasmids were pCMV-AN-HA-PID1(2) or control or the protein of interest in pcDNA3.1. Cell lines used were glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, atypical teratoid rhabdoid (ATRT), HEK293, and cells deficient or intact in PID1. RESULTS: We demonstrate co-immunoprecipitation of PID1 with a receptor that is considered important in cancer. Immunoprecipitation was both in HEK293T cells overexpressing both proteins and in native brain tumor cell lines with/without overexpression. While tyrosine in the NPXY motifs was not required for the interaction, mutating the kinase domain of the receptor or overall inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation impaired the interaction with PID1. Different domains in PID1 differentially co-immunoprecipitated with the receptor. Interestingly, mouse embryo fibroblasts without PID1 showed increased growth factor-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of this protein and increased growth factor-induced proliferation. Identity of the receptor will be disclosed at the meeting. CONCLUSIONS: These data point to PID1 as a novel interacting partner and regulator of this receptor's biological effects and signaling in brain tumors. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Anat Erdreich-Epstein, Xiuhai Ren. PID1, a candidate tumor suppressor in pediatric and adult brain tumors, is a novel interacting partner for a cell surface receptor [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3331. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3331


Although there has been much criticism of specialty certification examinations there is general agreement that they are an important safeguard of competence in medical specialties where the consumer cannot judge this. The Canadian Royal College has made strenuous attempts to improve certification techniques but these have not been heretofore widely reported. This paper reports on the rationale for the replacement of the essay examination by multiple choice questionnaires, the problems associated with MCQ, and the efforts made to improve the fairness, validity and reliability of the clinical (oral) examination. These efforts have been in the areas of selection of examiners, training for examiners, standardization of marking and the conduct of the examination. A description is given of the conduct of the examination and what the examiners look for in the candidate's performance. The development and increasing importance of the In-Training Evaluation are discussed. The publication of A Resident's Guide to Psychiatric Education with multinational participation advances the possibility of future reciprocity in psychiatric examinations conducted in several English speaking countries.


Fluorescence line-narrowing and resonance Raman properties of various chlorophylls have been measured in organic solvents. Resonance Raman spectroscopy is already a well-established method for the study of photochemical reactions in the various pigment-protein complexes involved in photosynthesis, while fluorescence line-narrowing is still an emerging technique for such systems. Interpretation of these vibrational spectra requires accurate comparative data on the pure isolated pigments. By comparing three different chlorophylls, a, b, and d, which have different substituents on the porphyrin ring, the various spectral lines associated with vinyl and formyl groups on the X and Y electronic axes could be distinguished. The difference between five- and six-coordination of the central Mg atom in FT-Raman spectra was determined by varying the organic solvent used. These chlorophylls are important in photosynthesis: all three in light-harvesting and energy transfer and, in the case of a and d, also in electron transfer. The assignment of spectral bands which we provide here, along with the description of their behavior with respect to the conformation and state of interaction of the pigment molecule, constitutes an essential step if these vibrational techniques are to be exploited to their full potential.