The current diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus type-2 (HTLV-2) infection is based on the search of specific antibodies; nevertheless, several studies conducted in Brazil pointed deficiencies of the commercially available kits in detecting HTLV-2, mostly in HIV/AIDS patients. This study searched for the presence of HTLV-1 and -2 in 758 HIV/AIDS patients from Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Serum samples were screened for HTLV-1/2 antibodies using two EIA kits (Vironostika and Murex), and confirmed by WB (HTLV Blot 2.4, Genelabs). The results obtained by EIA disclosed 49 (6.5%) reactive sera: 43 positive by both EIA kits, and six with discordant results. WB confirmed HTLV-1 infection in seven samples (0.9%) and HTLV-2 in 21 sera (2.8%). Negative and indeterminate results were detected in four (0.5%) and 16 (2.1%) sera, respectively. Blood from 47 out of 49 HTLV seroreactive patients were collected and analyzed for the presence of env, LTR and tax genomic segments of HTLVs by PCR. PCR confirmed six cases of HTLV-1 and 37 cases of HTLV-2 infection (14 out of 16 that were found to be WB indeterminate). Restriction analysis of the env PCR products of HTLV-2 disclosed 36 isolates of HTLV-2a/c subtype, and one of HTLV-2b subtype. These results emphasize the need of improving serologic tests for detecting truly HTLV-2 infected patients from Brazil, and confirm the presence of HTLV-2b subtype in the South of this country.


Using tumor specimens of human cancer serially transplanted in nude mice, we examined fundamentally the subrenal capsule assay method in order to improve the subrenal space as an area where implanted tumor-xenografts persistently grow. Host reaction in immunocompetent mice treated with cyclosporin A (CsA) (60 mg/kg subcutaneously, daily) was suppressed almost completely, and tumor-xenografts persistently grew similarly to those implanted under the renal capsule of BALB/c-nu/nu mice. CsA treatment, 30 mg/kg given subcutaneously; daily, or 60 mg/kg subcutaneously; every other day, could not suppress the host reaction. Bredinin treatment, 200 mg/kg subcutaneously; every other day, or 100 mg/kg subcutaneously; daily, could not suppress the host reaction also, and tumor-xenografts implanted under the renal capsule were rejected.


Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted enormous attention in recent years, but most of the research has been focused on the nature of the shape change itself. Actually, there is great potential as well as a big challenge to develop a new class of smart materials with the assistance of shape-memory technology (SMT). Herein, by integrating SMT and photo-imaging in one system, we proposed SMPs as a high-security storage medium featuring information storage, masking and dual-anticounterfeiting. In this work, an anthracene-containing polymer embedded with shape-memory component and photoactive moiety was elaborately designed. The shape-memory component determines the shape-change, that is, produces a three-dimensional (3D) signal, while the localized photo-cross-linking of the anthracene-containing film under 365 nm UV with a photomask generates a photo-image on the surface of the SMP, that is, a two-dimensional (2D) signal, due to the distinct boundaries of areas of strong and weak fluorescence. The stored information, the 2D image produced by photo-imaging, could only be verified by 254 nm UV resource, and with the integrated SMT-generated 3D signal, the safety level of the information could be improved. By implementing sequential photo-imaging and SMT, the high-security information storage medium was proved by a model of a scroll and a practical example of a label.


The present study investigated the efficacy and safety effects of Sinetrol‐XPur (polyphenolic citrus dry extract) in weight management; metabolic parameters; and inflammatory, glycemic and oxidative status. In a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, Sinetrol‐XPur was given to overweight subjects twice daily with meals in the tested group (N = 47) versus a placebo group (N = 48). Waist and hip circumference and abdominal fat were decreased in the Sinetrol‐XPur group as compared with the placebo group (p < 0.0001) (−5.71% vs −1.56% for waist, −4.71% vs −1.35% for hip and −9.73% vs −3.18% for fat). Inflammatory markers were reduced (C‐reactive protein: −22.87% vs +61%; fibrinogen: −19.93% vs −1.61%, p < 0.01). Oxidative stress was lowered as seen by the reduction of malondialdehyde (−14.03% vs 2.76%) and the increase in superoxide dismutase and glutathione (17.38% vs 2.19% and 4.63% vs −2.36%, respectively, p < 0.01). No adverse effects were observed. Kidney, liver, and lipid panels remained unchanged. These results indicated that Sinetrol‐XPur supplementation is a viable option for reducing abdominal fat, waist and hip circumference, and body weight and for improving inflammatory, glycemic, and oxidative status in healthy overweight individuals. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


An experiment was carried out at Natar Experiment Station, South Lampung, from March to June 2010. The objective of the research was to identify technical and economic feasibilities of sweet potato farming system on a dry acid soil using improved ridging technology. The technologies tested were: (1) use of large ridges (60 cm high) with a 125 cm x 20 cm plant spacing without breaking down the ridges, and (2) use of small ridges (30 cm high) with a 100 cm x 25 cm plant spacing and followed by breaking down the ridges, and the common farm practice as control. Sweet potato varieties Sawentar and local Kuning Banyuwangi were used in this experiment. The fertilizers applied in the improved technologies were at rate of 300 kg urea + 200 kg SP36 + 100 kg KCl + 500 kg dolomite + 4 t manure per ha. Results of the experiment showed that yields of sweet potato varieties grown on large ridges were higher than those grown on the small ridge. Variety Sawentar that was grown on large ridges yielded 18.68 t/ha and on small ridges 14.43 t/ha fresh tubers, with benefits of Rp 16,090,000 (B/C ratio 2.22) dan Rp10,987,500 (B/C ratio 1.56) respectively. The local variety Kuning Banyuwangi produced lower yield than that of Sawentar on both of the improved technology with B/C ratios less than 1.0. Variety Sawentar that was grown on the small ridge gave MBCR up to 3.09, hence this technology could be recommended to be applied in the dry land acid soil.


We present a technique to obtain detailed resonance structures from R-matrix calculations of atomic cross sections for both collisional and radiative processes. The resolving resonances (RR) method relies on the QB method of Quigley–Berrington (Quigley L, Berrington K A and Pelan J 1998 Comput. Phys. Commun. 114 225) to find the position and width of resonances directly from the reactance matrix. Then one determines the symmetry parameters of these features and generates an energy mesh whereby fully resolved cross sections are calculated with minimum computational cost. The RR method is illustrated with the calculation of the photoionization cross sections and the unified recombination rate coefficients of Fe XXIV, O VI, and Fe XVII. The RR method reduces numerical errors arising from unresolved R-matrix cross sections in the computation of synthetic bound–free opacities, thermally averaged collision strengths and recombination rate coefficients.


Recent research commissioned by the HEA and carried out by the University of Lincoln details how the process of embedding partnership working in undergraduate learning and teaching in universities can improve outcomes for students.

On 7 October 2015, Dr Karin Crawford, Andy Hagyard and Reece Horsley from the Educational Development and Enhancement Unit at the University of Lincoln gave a presentation of their research for a HEA Research Webinar.


The author uses the term interactive electronic presentation (IEP) to describe a collusion of sounds and images elicited from a piece of electromechanical machinery by the user's persistent activity and urges that it replace multimedia. The differences between the creation and delivery of IEPs is discussed, and it is argued that they require different engines. The characteristics required of each class of engine are discussed, and it is argued that the future of IEPs can best be served by developing special-purpose delivery engines rather than general-purpose computers.<<ETX>>


The social media usage in this era is not only for communication with others, but also as a platform for many businesses to promote and sell their product online. Facebook is one of the biggest social media network among marketers due to the innovativeness and effectiveness after the existence of e-commerce. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between the psychological factors of Facebook; trust, privacy and security and online purchase intention. 396 Malaysian Facebook users were involved in this study by using purposive and convenience sampling method. The findings show that Trust, Privacy and Security have positive significant relationships with the Online Purchase Intention while the Security has the strongest significant impact on Online Purchase Intention. This study provides an understanding of how to develop strategies to engage with Facebook users. By engaging in the sharing of information with consumers the marketing approach can be implemented effectively.


This thesis examines whether the fundamental freedoms of the EC Treaty prescribe most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment. The right to MFN treatment concerns the issue whether taxpayers resident in one Member State can "cherry-pick" the most beneficial tax treaty available to other taxpayers. Two issues of fundamental impor-tance are examined in this thesis. First, whether a resident of a Member State (A) who receives income in another Member State (B), can claim from that state, the most beneficial tax treaty available to a resident of a third Member State (C). Second, whether a resident can claim from his state of residence (A), the same tax treatment as provided in a tax treaty concluded by his state of residence and another Member State (C), when this tax treaty provides better treatment in terms of avoiding double taxa-tion in the state of residence than the tax treaty applicable to the source of income (B).The ECJ has held that discrimination arises only through the application of different rules to comparable situations or the application of the same rule to different situa-tions. The current state of EC law prohibits unequal treatment of residents and non-residents as well as residents who have exercised their rights to free movement in comparison to residents who have not. The condition is that they must be considered to be in comparable situations and that there is no objective difference to justify the difference in treatment. The ECJ has so far not ruled on the MFN issue. It is there-fore uncertain as to whether Member States are obligated to treat; 1) different non-resident taxpayers equally and, 2) whether Member States are prohibited from treat-ing their own residents differently when they exercise their rights to free movement in different Member States.This thesis identifies the requirements for the application of MFN treatment and ex-amines in which tax treaty provisions it is possible to apply MFN treatment. The ECJ, has in its case law, concluded that the application of tax treaties must be exer-cised in accordance EC law. It can be argued that a well-functioning internal market cannot allow bilateral tax treaties to provide preferential tax treatment to residents of one Member State, while denying it to residents of the remaining Member States. However, the application of MFN treatment could have far-reaching ramifications on the Member States' existing tax treaty network. It is therefore fair to assume, as has been stated in other doctrinal opinions, that the ECJ will approach this issue care-fully when providing its interpretation on the matter.


We appreciated Imbens' summary and reflections on the state of instrumental variable (IV) methods from an econometrician's perspective. His review was much needed as it clarified several issues that have been historically a source of confusion when individuals from different disciplines discussed IV methods. Among the many topics covered by Imbens, we would like to focus on the common choice of the local average treatment effect (LATE) over the "global" average treatment effect (ATE) in IV analyses of epidemiologic data. As Imbens acknowledges, this choice of the LATE as an estimand has been contentious (Angrist, Imbens and Rubin, 1996; Robins and Greenland, 1996; Deaton, 2010; Imbens, 2010; Pearl, 2011). Several authors have questioned the usefulness of the LATE for informing clinical practice and policy decisions, because it only pertains to an unknown subset of the population of interest: the so-called "compliers". To make things worse, many studies do not even report the expected proportion of compliers in the study population (Swanson and Hernán, 2013). Other authors have wondered whether the LATE is advocated for simply because of the relatively weaker assumptions required for its identification, analogous to the drunk who stays close to the lamp post and declares whatever he finds under its light is what he was looking for all along (Deaton, 2010). Here we explore the limitations of the LATE in the context of epidemiologic and public health research. First we discuss the relevance of LATE as an effect measure and conclude that it is not our primary choice. Second, we discuss the tenability of the monotonicity condition and conclude that this assumption is not a plausible one in many common settings. Finally, we propose further alternatives to the LATE, beyond those discussed by Imbens, that refocus on the global ATE in the population of interest.


The objective of the study is to develop multiple steady state conceptual and numerical groundwater flow models for Bhiwadi region of Alwar district of Rajasthan, India. Automated parameter estimation tool (PEST) is used for the calibration of the models. To evaluate and select the best suited conceptual flow model, several statistical criteria such as RMSE (Root Mean Square Error), R-squared (R^2), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), multi model information criteria: Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) are used. The result of the study indicates that value R2, NSE and Pbias are almost similar for all the models, hence are insufficient to evaluate the models. Therefore, AIC and BIC statistical criteria are used for accurate evaluation. The result also indicates that grid size and orientation have immense impact on modeling output. For the study area coarse grid size has given better results as compared to finer grid size.


Raman spectroscopy is highly sensitive to the morphology and electronic structures of graphitic materials, but a convenient interpretation model has been lacking for multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), in particular for the discrimination of spectral changes induced by covalent functionalization. The present work describes a systematic investigation of the Raman analysis of covalently functionalized MWCNTs by diazonium chemistry and oxidation methodologies, with typically different mechanisms and reaction sites. A multi-peak deconvolution system and spectral band assignment were proposed based on the chemical and structural modifications identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, specific surface areas and the comparative analysis of the first and second order regions of the Raman spectra. Diazonium functionalization takes place mainly in the π-system of the external sidewall, while oxidation occurs on defects and leads to structure burning. This allowed us to distinguish between spectral features related to aromaticity disruptions within the sidewalls and spectral features related to changes within the inner tubes. The model was validated extending the studies to the functionalization of MWCNTs by the Bingel reaction.


Internet based recruiting platforms decrease advertisement cost, but they suffer from information overload problem. The job recommendation systems (JRS) have achieved success in e-recruitment process but still they are not able to capture the complexity of matching between candidates' desires and organizations' requirements. Thus, we propose a hybrid JRS which combines recommendations of content-based filtering (CBF) and collaborative filtering (CF) to overcome their individual major shortcomings namely overspecialization and over-fitting. In proposed system, CBF model makes recommendations based on candidates' skills identified from past jobs in which they have applied and CF model makes recommendations based on jobs in which similar users have applied and also those jobs in which that user has applied frequently together in very similar contexts using Word2Vec's skip-gram model. We used k-Nearest Neighbors technique and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The recall of our proposed model is found to be 63.97% on a data set which had nearly 1900+ jobs and 23,000 job applicants.


Animal welfare considerations and regulations serve to ensure that experimental animals are used wisely while minimizing stress. Substantial impacts on the use of animals in experiments have resulted, thereby increasing the challenges for designing studies and analyzing data to provide valid inferences. Statisticians should become more indispensable for involvement in study design (including Animal Care and Use Committees), application of appropriate analyses, prudent interpretation of results, and the development of new statistical techniques to meet these needs.


A pun is a form of wordplay in which a word suggests two or more meanings by exploiting polysemy, homonymy, or phonological similarity to another word, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. Though a recurrent and expected feature in many discourse types, puns stymie traditional approaches to computational lexical semantics because they violate their one-sense-per-context assumption. This paper describes the first competitive evaluation for the automatic detection, location, and interpretation of puns. We describe the motivation for these tasks, the evaluation methods, and the manually annotated data set. Finally, we present an overview and discussion of the participating systems' methodologies, resources, and results.


In connection with a large-scale study of headache epidemiology in the parish of Vågå, Norway (n = 1838), a prevalence of exertional headache (EH) of 12.3% was recently reported (n = 202). The principal aim of the present report is to have a closer look at various clinical features: particular attention has been given to the coexistence of EH and migraine. EH seemed to coexist with migraine in 46% of the cases. In spite of that finding, there was generally no plentitude of 'migraine features' in the EH attacks per se. The predominant 'migraine feature' in EH attacks was throbbing. EH attacks were generally more short-lasting and seemed to be more lenient than the corresponding migraine attacks. Nausea/vomiting, and unilaterality of pain were generally not inherent features of EH attacks. EH attacks in all probability are not abortive migraine attacks – rather, they seem to be 'migraine-like'.


Accumulating evidence has shown enhanced sensorimotor control of vocal production as a consequence of extensive singing experience. The neural basis of this ability, however, is poorly understood. Given that the insula mediates motor aspects of vocal production, the present study investigated structural plasticity in insula induced by singing experience and its link to auditory feedback control of vocal production. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to examine the differences in gray matter (GM) volume in the insula of 21 singers and 21 non-singers. An auditory feedback perturbation paradigm was used to examine the differences in auditory-motor control of vocal production between singers and non-singers. Both groups vocalized sustained vowels while hearing their voice unexpectedly pitch-shifted −50 or −200 cents (200 ms duration). VBM analyses showed that singers exhibited significantly lower GM volumes in the bilateral insula than non-singers. When exposed to pitch perturbations in voice auditory feedback, singers involuntarily compensated for pitch perturbations in voice auditory feedback to a significantly lesser degree than non-singers. Moreover, across the two sizes of pitch perturbations, the magnitudes of vocal compensations were positively correlated with the total regional GM volumes in the bilateral insula. These results indicate that extensive singing training leads to decreased GM volumes in insula and suggest that morphometric plasticity in insula contributes to the enhanced sensorimotor control of vocal production observed in singers.


Integrating structured knowledge into language model representations increases recall of domain-specific information useful for downstream tasks. Matching between knowledge graph entities and text entity mentions can be easily performed when entity names are unique or there exists entity linking data. When extending this setting to new domains, newly mined knowledge contains ambiguous and incorrect information, with no explicit linking information. In such settings, we design a framework to robustly link relevant knowledge to input texts as an intermediate modeling step while performing end-to-end domain fine-tuning tasks. This is done by first computing the similarity of the existing task labels with candidate knowledge triplets to generate relevance labels. We use these labels to train a relevance model, which predicts the relevance of the inserted triplets to the original text. This relevance model is integrated within a language model, leading to our Knowledge Relevance BERT (KR-BERT) framework. We test KR-BERT for linking and ranking tasks on a real-world e-commerce dataset as well as a public entity linking task, where we show performance improvements over strong baselines.


Features helpful in diagnosis and associated with death were evaluated In 26 episodes of peritonitis associated with intra-abdominal pathology (IAP) In continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Culture of multiple enteric pathogens, or of a single unusual enteric pathogen, from the dialysate was useful for diagnosis in 22/26 instances. Other diagnostic features (fecal material in dialysate, diarrhea containing dialysate, Increasing free air in the abdominal cavity) were infrequently found. A comparison of patients who died (n=11, 42%) and those who survived revealed that death was associated with bowel gangrene (5/6 died), recovery of bacteroides from the dialysate, more frequent and severe comorbid conditions (bacteremia, pneumonia, intra-abdominaland intracerebral bleeding, septic shock, hepatic failure), the development of severe malnutrition and thrombocytopenia during infection, and multiple surgical procedures until the diagnosis was established. Peritonitis associated with intra-abdominal pathology In CAPD patients is a severe infection with considerable diagnostic difficulty and high mortality. Early exploratory laparotomy upon suspicion of the nature of the peritonitis, usually raised by the recovery of enteric pathogens from the dialysate, may improve mortality.


Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate activity of targeted brain regions. Whether tDCS can reliably and repeatedly modulate intrinsic connectivity of entire brain networks is unclear. We used concurrent tDCS-MRI to investigate the effect of high dose anodal tDCS on resting state connectivity within the Arcuate Fasciculus (AF) network, which spans the temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes and is connected via a structural backbone, the Arcuate Fasciculus (AF) white matter tract. Effects of high-dose tDCS (4mA) delivered via a single electrode placed over one of the AF nodes (single electrode stimulation, SE-S) was compared to the same dose split between multiple electrodes placed over AF-network nodes (multielectrode network stimulation, ME-NETS). While both SE-S and ME-NETS significantly modulated connectivity between AF network nodes (increasing connectivity during stimulation epochs), ME-NETS had a significantly larger and more reliable effect than SE-S. Moreover, comparison with a control network, the Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus (ILF) network suggested that the effect of ME-NETS on connectivity was specific to the targeted AF-network. This finding was further supported by the results of a seed-to-voxel analysis wherein we found ME-NETS primarily modulated connectivity between AF-network nodes. Finally, an exploratory analysis looking at dynamic connectivity using sliding window correlation found strong and immediate modulation of connectivity during three stimulation epochs within the same imaging session.


We developed a low cost digital X-Ray image capturing system using a CCD camera, instead of using the high cost image plate and image intensifier. In order to reduce the system volume, we directly made the dark box shorter than the previous model. Using the graphic language, we developed a program in order for post-processing the images captured by the CCD camera. This program improves the image resolving power.


Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) has become the main agricultural products contributing to the largest annual foreign exchange from the fruit category. Mangosteen rind contains xanthone compounds as a source of antioxidants, with α-mangostin and γ-mangostin, as the main components which are used as traditional and modern ingredients to treat various diseases. However, mangosteen rind extract has low bioavailability thus resulting in low effectiveness in the application. This study aimed to find the ideal formulation for producing the extract and nanoemulsion of mangosteen peel. The research carried out in two stages: extraction of mangosteen peel and production of nanoemulsion. Ethanol 70% was the best for mangosteen rind extraction, with a percentage yield of 40.96±0.51%, antioxidant activity of  5708.33±159.57 µg AEAC/mL sample, and total xanthones of 373.84±6.49 µg/mL sample. The use of Tween 20 at nanoemulsion production gave the best test results, with particle size of 10.58±1.25 nm, polydispersity index 0.27±0.03, zeta potential -2.34±0.46 mV, and total xanthones 35,28±0,04 µg/mL sample.


While there is little doubt that engaging in musical or mathematical activities stimulates brain activity at high levels and that increased student involvement fosters a greater learning environment, questions remain about whether musical ability and mathematics performance are related. This study took a qualitative approach that allowed 24 high school students to share their direct experiences with music and mathematics, as well as their perceptions of how the two fields are related. Participants were divided into four groups based on school music participation and level of mathematic achievement. Using a multiple intelligence lens, this study addressed the following question: How do students perceive the fields of music and mathematics relating to each other? Interestingly, most of the students saw math as a foundation for musical ability, which suggest a different direction than most previous studies. The musical element of rhythm seemed to have the most mathematical connection. This implies several possibilities for educators, including encouraging students in both areas of study to recognize the connections between the two, if not particularly the influence of one over the other. Additionally, teachers in both fields may begin more collaborative efforts to support the learning in both content areas. Future studies include looking at the specific perceptions of students based on ethnicity, gender, and SES status, as well as exploring the motivation of students in both music and mathematics.


The fatigue test results, for elements and sections from the structures of aircraft, obtained by a number of experiment ers are analysed in terms of the scatter present in the lives to fatigue failure. Data for structures made of any light alloy material and tested under any form of loading have been included in an attempt to increase the definition of any trends noted in the scatter, which was calculated using a log-normal distribution of fatigue lives as a basis.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to examine the smoking habits among male secondary school students in Al-Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards smoking.

METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Qassim region, KSA during March 2003. Randomly selected was 14 out of 110 government male secondary schools. In the sample section, care was taken to represent urban and rural communities. In urban areas, 8 schools with the largest number of students were selected. This is in addition to 3 schools, which were the only schools with special education on Islamic, Commercial and Technical programs. In the rural areas the 3 most distant schools were included in the sample. Data were obtained through self-administered questionnaires that contained questions on personal background, smoking behavior, knowledge and attitude towards cigarette smoking. A total of 2203 students responded to the questionnaires with 83% response rate.

RESULTS
Of the studied group, 606 (29.8%) were current smokers and among these 83.7% started smoking at the age of 15 years or less. Technical and commercial secondary school students had higher prevalence of the habit of smoking than those in general and Islamic secondary schools. It was found that the more pocket money received by the students, the higher was the prevalence of smoking. The most common reason given for cigarette smoking behavior (CSB) was the influence of friends (63.5%). Family factor, especially the brother's smoking habit (24.8%) was also important. Most of the students knew that smoking is harmful to their own health (89.3%), and to others (73.9%). The association between smoking and lung cancer was 84.3%, 80.9% for chest disease and 78.2% for heart disease, while the relation to other diseases was less known.

CONCLUSION
We conclude that onset of smoking in the young is alarming. This is of immense importance in formulating health education strategies, which should be directed towards pupils, teachers and parents. The religious aspect should also be an integral part of such programs.


ABSTRACT Although many studies have investigated the overarching benefits of curriuclum internationalisation in various forms, there have been few investigations of students' perspectives on changing university policies towards internationalisation. In this study, we considered master's students' perspectives on two changing internationalisation policies at a Dutch university: (1) the switch to English Medium Instruction (EMI) and (2) the increasing incorporation of internationally-minded materials into the curriculum. Through analysing 138 questionnaire responses, the relevancy of and comfort with internationalised content, the use of EMI, and overall teaching quality was explored. The findings suggested that, although most participants valued their overall internationalised learning experiences, factors such as students' educational backgrounds and perceived confidence using English influenced the degree to which curriculum internationalisation policies were deemed relevant to students' lives and careers. This article summarises with suggestions for university staff, programmes, and departments undergoing transition policies towards curriculum internationalisation.


ABSTRACT Cut-to-length harvesters collect detailed information on the dimensions and characteristics of individual harvested trees. When equipped with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and motion sensors, the obtained measurements can be linked to locations of single harvested trees, benefitting a range of forest inventory applications. We propose a way of georeferencing harvested trees using a Komatsu 931XC harvester, which measures and records the machine's bearing, crane angle and crane length for each harvested tree. We replaced the harvester's standard GNSS receiver with a dual-antenna differential GNSS receiver. From the coordinates obtained, rotations calculated from the GNSS receiver and data on crane length, we determined the location of 285 trees harvested in eight final fellings in Norway. We compared the obtained locations to control measurements taken on the corresponding stumps directly after harvest using a differential GNSS receiver. The mean distance between planimetric coordinates of trees measured by the harvester and corresponding control measurements was 0.88 m with a standard deviation of 0.38 m. By correcting the crane lengths for systematic deviations between harvester and control locations, the mean distance was reduced to 0.79 m. This study shows that measurements of single harvested trees can be georeferenced with sub-meter accuracy, by mounting a differential GNSS receiver on a harvester and without installing additional sensors. The results also suggest that the positional accuracy can be further improved by measuring and recording the length of the telescopic boom, and that with minor adjustments, the system could be fully automated.


Background.Luspatercept (ACE-536) is a modified activin receptor type IIB fusion protein that promotes late-stage erythroid differentiation. In beta-thalassemia, imbalanced production of alpha and beta globin chains in erythroid precursors causes ineffective erythropoiesis (IE) leading to anemia and dysregulated iron homeostasis. In a mouse model of beta-thalassemia, luspatercept corrected the effects of ineffective erythropoiesis and in a phase 1 clinical study with healthy volunteers, was well tolerated and increased hemoglobin (Suragani R, Nat Med, 2014; Suragani R, Blood, 2014; Attie K, Am J Hematol, 2014). Aims.This is an ongoing, phase 2, multicenter, open-label, dose-finding study followed by a long-term extension study to evaluate the effects of luspatercept in patients (pts) with either transfusion-dependent (TD) or non-transfusion dependent (NTD) beta-thalassemia with the following key endpoints: erythroid response (including Hgb increase) and patient-reported quality-of-life (QoL) measures in NTD patients, and reductions in RBC transfusion burden in TD patients. Methods.Inclusion criteria included age ≥ 18 yr and either TD (defined as ≥ 4 RBC units transfused in the 8 weeks prior to first dose, confirmed over 6 months) or NTD (defined as Results. A total of 30 TD pts enrolled in the base study and, of those, 24 enrolled in the extension study (data as of 11 March 2016). Data summarized are for the long-term extension study. Median age was 38 yr (range 22-55 yr), 67% had prior splenectomy. At baseline, median transfusion burden was 8 units/12 weeks (range 4-15 units) and mean (SD) liver iron concentration (LIC) was 5.1 (5.3) mg/g dw. A total of 20/24 (83%) and 16/24 (67%) TD pts achieved a ≥ 33% and ≥ 50% decrease in transfusion burden over any 12-week period compared to baseline, respectively. Duration of response ranged from 12 to 48+ weeks. A total of 34 NTD pts enrolled in the base study and, of those, 27 enrolled in the extension study (data as of 11 March 2016). Data summarized are for the long-term extension study. Median age was 37 yr (range 23-62 yr); 67% had prior splenectomy. At baseline, median Hgb was 8.7 g/dL (range 7.6-9.8 g/dL) and mean (SD) LIC was 4.9 (3.4) mg/g dw. A total of 21/27 (78%) and 15/27 (56%) NTD pts achieved ≥ 1.0 g/dL and ≥ 1.5 g/dL increases, respectively, in mean Hgb over any 12-week period compared to baseline. Duration of response ranged from 16 to 72+ weeks, with no trend for lower Hgb response over time. Increases in mean hemoglobin over a 12-week period correlated with increases in a pt-reported QoL questionnaire, FACIT-F (r=0.67, p=0.001). 3/5 (60%) pts with baseline LIC ≥ 5 mg/g dw had a decrease in LIC ≥ 2 mg/g dw after at least 6 months of treatment; 8/9 (89%) patients with baseline LIC Luspatercept was generally well tolerated, with no related SAEs. AEs were mostly mild-moderate. The most frequent related AEs (≥ 10% in base + extension studies) in TD pts were bone pain, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, asthenia, and musculoskeletal pain. The most frequent related AEs (≥ 10% in base + extension studies) in NTD pts were bone pain, headache, musculoskeletal pain, and arthralgia. Conclusions: Luspatercept treatment in pts with beta-thalassemia had a favorable safety profile. Efficacy was clinically relevant in both NTD pts (increased Hgb levels, decreased LIC, and improved quality of life) and TD pts (decreased RBC transfusions). A Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of luspatercept in regularly transfused adults with beta-thalassemia is ongoing (NCT02604433). Disclosures Zhang:Acceleron Pharma: Employment. Wilson:Acceleron Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Leneus:Acceleron Pharma: Employment. Laadem:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sherman:Acceleron Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Attie:Acceleron Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership.


Faced with uncertain data and an unpredictable return on computational tool investment, researchers are opting for laboratory studies over in silico (computer based) studies. This study addressed the lack of efficiency in identifying motifs (biologically significant amino sequences) in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences via naive Bayesian text classification. DNA is a nucleic acid that carries genetic information in cells. A naive Bayesian text classifier is a machine-learning tool that uses automated means of determining metadata and has been used to identify e-mail worms, viruses, and spam. This quantitative study utilized a naive Bayesian text classification algorithm as the primary data collection technique. The data were analyzed using the independent t test and the chi-square goodness of fit test to address the research questions. Based on the tests conducted, naive Bayesian text classification is not effective in identifying and classifying motifs. The results do suggest that secondary and tertiary motifs can be found in DNA sequences using machine learning. Given these 2 conclusions, the study adds to the area of research by furthering ways to help researchers handle large amounts of data that may point to more effective drugs, faster development of these drugs to the marketplace, and improvement to the care and cure of diseases.


: In Chan / Seon / Zen ( 禪 , hereafter referred to as Chan) Buddhism, the gongan ( 公 案 ), a word that can be literally translated as "public case", is conceived as both the tool by which enlightenment is brought about and an expression of the enlightened mind itself. Among the diverse styles of gongan , perhaps the most puzzling is a form of its key phrase, huatou ( 話 頭 ), that utilizes specific things in the world. These things are either real and empirically observable, or conversely, unreal and merely hypothetical. A typical example is the figure of the "cypress tree in the front yard". This paper tries to demonstrate that such a huatou has a structural similarity to the dr.s.t.¯anta ( 喩 ), an element within the three-part syllogism of Buddhist logic, insomuch as it functions as an epistemic instrument for the disclosing of a truth.


In order to think about the configuration of research field on the history of literacy in Brazil, focuses on the academic-scientific production on the subject, highlighting results of research carried out by different research groups in Brazil, with a design that presents what has been researching the subject. Discusses the movement to set up a field survey of the history of literacy dialogues directly with the historical research on education and the school and which prevail in research on materials, practices, production, utilization and movements of objects for this teaching in primary Brazilian school


We present a series of papers with the central theme of molecular band spectrum synthesis of cool stars. These papers present significant new results on the topics of molecular opacities in stellar atmospheres, the importance of extension in luminous cool stars, abundances of luminous and extended stars of the SMC and in the modelling of variable star atmospheres. A full description of the results of these investigation is given in the introduction from which the following is abstracted. We derive new TiO and VO opacities, which when combined with published opacities, provide a significant improvement in the ability to synthesise spectra of late M giants. This opacity data set serves as a basis for the following papers in the series. Construction of model atmospheres shows that the effect of these new opacities upon the atmospheric structure is small but that significant (up to 17%) changes in some molecular band strengths can be expected. An extensive investigation (with an emphasis on observable properties) into model photospheres of extended red giants provides much quantative information upon the effect of temperature, gravity and extension upon red giant photospheres. Photometric indices computed for the grid compare favourably to observations. A system of narrow band filters for separately measuring Teff, gravity and extension is devised and demonstrated. A pioneering effort at modelling mira atmospheres, in which the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium is removed, reveals significant differences to static models and gives encouraging comparisons to observations. Synthetic spectra for a red giants with a variety of C, N, and O abundances relevant for AGB stars of the SMC are computed. These reveal that N enhancements such as would occur for envelope burning should be detectable from low resolution spectra of hotter M giants. However, an abundance analysis of a sampie of the luminous and extended non-carbon upper AGB stars of the SMC is undertaken which reveals no evidence for operation of the hypothetical envelope burning process to the degree considered in our computations.


Background/Purpose Semaphorin3A (sem3A) is an important regulatory molecule, previously reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and later by us in lupus glomerulonephritis. In addition, sema3A was shown to be a marker of T regulatory cells. A subpopulation of B cells, namely B regulatory cells (Bregs), was recently identified by us as CD19+CD25highIL-10highTGF-βhigh, and demonstrated to be of high sema3A expression. We therefore asked whether serum levels of sema3A is altered in SLE patients, whether sema3A expression on B regs of these patients is different, and finally, whether the addition of soluble sema3A to cultured B cells improves their regulatory and or pro-inflammatory properties. Materials and Methods Serum from SLE patients, RA patients (disease control) and normal controls was analysed for sema3A levels and was correlated with clinical parameters of SLE. The expression of sema3A on Bregs was compared between SLE patients and normal individuals. In addition to this, the expression of CD72 and TGF-β (inhibitory molecules), and TLR-9 in B cells were assessed in both groups following the addition of recombinant sema3A to cultured B cells. Results 1. Serum sema3A levels were significantly lower in SLE patients comparing to that of RA patients and much lower than in normal controls (55.04 ± 16.30 ng/ml versus 65.54 ± 14.82 ng/ml, versus 74.41 ± 17.60 ng/ml, respectively, P < 0.0001). 2. Sema3A levels were inversely correlated with SLE disease severity, kidney involvement and anti-cardiolipin-ab. 3. Sema3A expression on Bregs was significantly lower in SLE patients comparing normal individuals (52.2 ± 5.8% versus 82.6 ± 6.4%, P < 0.0001, respectively). 4. The expression of both CD72 and TGF-β was significantly decreased (37.88%, 8.6% respectively) in Bregs of SLE patients versus that on normal Bregs (49.26%, 14.74%, respectively; P = 0.001). However, following the addition of sema3A to cultured B cells, a significant increase of TGF- β and CD72 was noticed (altered in SLE patients, when compared to that of normal individuals). 5. The addition of sema3A to CpG-ODN stimulated B cells from SLE patients reduced TLR-9 expression by almost 50%. Conclusions 1. This is the first study where sema3A is shown to be altered in both serum and on Breg cells of SLE patients. 2. Sema3A enhances the regulatory properties of Bregs, but this effect is shown to be altered in SLE. 3. Sema3A should be considered a future therapeutic tool in SLE.


Active flow control of canonical laminar separation bubbles by steady and harmonic vortex generator jets (VGJs) was investigated using direct numerical simulations. Both control strategies were found to be effective in controlling the laminar boundary-layer separation. However, the present results indicate that using the same blowing amplitude, harmonic VGJs were more effective and efficient in reducing the separated region than the steady VGJs considering the fact that the harmonic VGJs use less momentum than the steady case. For steady VGJs, longitudinal structures formed immediately downstream of injection location led to formation of hairpin-type vortices causing an earlier transition to turbulence. Symmetric hairpin vortices were shown to develop downstream of the forcing location for the harmonic VGJs as well. However, the increased control effectiveness for harmonic VGJs flow control strategy is attributed to the fact that shear-layer instability mechanism was exploited. As a result, disturbances introduced by VGJs were strongly amplified leading to development of large-scale coherent structures, which are very effective in increasing the momentum exchange, thus, limiting the separated region.


The study, at the heart of running principles, based on differentiating and analyzing concept of running principles, which chooses Yale University as example. By investigating and analyzing the features of Yale's running principles and stating the important part of advanced running principles that plays in the process of a College which becomes prestigious university, the study offers experience to the reformation of higher education.


Football, or soccer, is the most popular game 111 the world. The Federation
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) estimate that there are 247 million people
currently involved in soccer throughout the world. In 1996 the world governing body of
soccer, FIFA, launched the Denominations program to ensure the global consistency of top
match soccer balls. Under the Denominations test program, a sample of balls undergo a
series of testing procedures designed to ensure the manufacturing consistency of competition
balls and inform the players of ball quality. The existing test procedures provide an adequate
method for the assessment of ball manufacturing quality; yet do not provide any criteria for
the assessment of dynamic ball performance. This study is concerned with improving the
existing testing procedures, and developing new dynamic test procedures and
instruruentation.
A study of elite (professional) player kicking performance was undertaken to provide
data on ball launch characteristics which could then be used as a benchmark for test
development. An improved method of soccer ball sphericity measurement was devised using
a coordinate measuring machine that provided an entirely automated method not subject to
human error and interpretation. A method of measuring out-of-balance forces within soccer
balls was developed using a vertical balancing machine and the magnitude and position of out
of balance forces was assessed for a range of soccer balls.
The effect of out of balance forces on dynamic ball performance was assessed in two
studies. The initial ball flight characteristics and trajectories of soccer balls were investigated
using a pneumatic kicking leg as a launch platform. It was shown that the magnitude and
position of unbalance at impact have a significant effect on ball launch trajectory. A second
study waS undertaken to assess the ability of professional players to perceive unbalance
within soccer balls, although no significant results were obtained. The ball performance
studies identified the need for an automated system for the analysis of soccer ball flight
characteristics. Consequently, an automated image analysis system for the measurement of
soccer ball launch characteristics was developed. The system is capable of measuring ball
velocity, elevation, spin rate and spin axis to a high degree of accuracy.


The polarisation response of quantum systems modelling silver and xenon atoms in the field of a high-intensity femtosecond Ti : sapphire laser (photon energy ħω ≈ 1.5 eV), has been investigated by direct numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation. The applicability ranges of the perturbation theory and polarisation expansion in powers of field are determined. The contributions of excited atoms and electrons in the continuous-spectrum states to the polarisation response at the fundamental frequency, which arise as a result of excitation and photoionisation, are analysed. It is shown that specifically ionisation changes the sign of dielectric susceptibility with an increase in radiation intensity for the systems under consideration.


Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of cancer cells that possess characteristics associated with normal stem cells such as self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell types. Additionally, CSCs have been reported to relationship on tumor relapse after cancer therapy. Mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) has also been known to be associated with cancer malignancy. In this report, the relation of MD and CSCs were initially investigated using mitochondrial-depleted rho0 cells derived from Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. The Hep3B/rho0 cells showed cancer stem-like phenotypes including tumor initiation, tumor malignancy, stem cell-related signaling, chemotherapies and radiotherapy resistance. These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction induces cancer stem-like phenotypes. Taken together, mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the acquisition of cancer stem-like phenotypes and could be a novel therapeutic target to cancer therapy. Citation Format: Yu-Seon Han, Eui-Yeun Yi, Yung-Jin Kim. Mitochondrial dysfunction induces cancer stem-like phenotypes in Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Translation of the Cancer Genome; Feb 7-9, 2015; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(22 Suppl 1):Abstract nr A2-22.


The refractive indices of new Nd3+ : GdVO4, Tm3+ : GdVO4, and Er3+ : GdVO4 laser crystals were determined with an error of ±5×10-5 in the range 400–1100 nm. The birefringence of these crystals was on the average 0.24, and the dispersion was described by the formula 1/Δn2 = a+ b/λ2. The thermal conductivity of the Nd : GdVO4 crystal (atomic neodymium concentration 1.3%) was determined in the temperature range 77-300 K. At 300 K the conductivity along the direction was 11.7 W m-1 K-1, which was higher than the conductivity of Nd : YAG crystals.


Abstract: The problems in this research are how is the development of a blacksmith micro business as well as what are the factors that influence the development of a blacksmith business and how the Sharia Economy views on the development of a blacksmith business in Rumbio Jaya District of Kampar Regency. This research is a field research, and the background of this study is the results of observations of the researcher on and interviews with informants. Thus, the data obtained in this study provide sufficient evidence. In blacksmith business, there are 30 entrepreneurs who are still active, this business is classified as a micro-businesses which have contributed to meet the needs of the agricultural and plantation communities and to improve the economy in Rumbio Jaya District of Kampar Regency as a livelihood and work field for the local workforce.Data sources were obtained directly in the field from informants by observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The population of this study are entrepreneurs and blacksmith craftsmen in Rumbio Jaya District of Kampar Regency. The findings of this study are that the development of a blacksmith's business in Rumbio Jaya District of Kampar Regency is quite good in terms of capital, marketing, raw materials and production results. The government has contributed to the development of this blacksmith micro business by organizing training for the workforce and also donating 2 units of forging machines each year. Furthermore, the blacksmith entrepreneurs also established a credit union and cooperated with PTPN V with a contract value of 1.6 M. The businessmen of the blacksmith craftsmen still survive from a hereditary heritage to the present with both technological and traditional equipments.


Cognitive radio (CR) is one of the forthcoming technologies for efficient spectrum utilization. It is critically dependent on fast and accurate spectrum sensing which becomes challenging for wideband systems that typically suffer from low and variable signal to noise ratio (SNR) conditions. For wideband sensing, simple energy detection is usually augmented by the double threshold method using forward consecutive mean excision (DT-FCME) algorithm, or approached by eigenvalue detection (EVD). For both these methods, it is difficult to get both high accuracy and fast sensing at same time. In this paper, an algorithm named as correlation of inverted spectrum segments (CISS) is proposed which computes in a specific manner, the crosscorrelation of intra sets of successive sub-bands in the spectrum of wideband sensing data. The approach is significantly faster than both EVD and DT-FCME and maintains high detection probability. In addition, the detection performance under low and variable SNR is also better than the conventional methods used in wideband sensing. The algorithm is analyzed mathematically, and applied to synthetic and real time GSM data captured from an universal software radio peripheral (USRP) setup. The algorithm would be useful as a robust and fast sensing scheme for wideband CR system.


Visual research shows promise in the study of congregations. And with so many people carrying cameras to worship services in the form of a smartphone, opportunities abound for those interested in visual approaches to engagement and research. This article explores the potential of a participatory action technique known as photovoice in congregational settings through a case study of a church located in the midwestern region of the United States. Photovoice, it is argued, gives participants permission to discuss matters of personal significance, builds relational bridges across differences (in this case, across different age cohorts), and may help a congregation to see itself from new perspectives. Likewise, the materials produced in a photovoice project comprise a rich collection of data that may be analyzed by a researcher to explore themes central to their research agenda. When used in conjunction with familiar ethnographic practices such as fieldnotes and interviews, photovoice can become a valuable component of a project that pursues both research and engagement.


Two RNases H, Mg2+- and Mn2+-dependent RNases H, are present in extracts of chick embryo. These RNases H can be separated by phosphocellulose column chromatography. Mg2+-dependent RNase H was purified over 900-fold and Mn2+-dependent RNase H over 1,700-fold from chick embryo extracts. The molecular weight of the purified Mg2+-dependent RNase H was about 40,000 and of the Mn2+-dependent RNase H about 120,000, when estimated by gel filtration. Mg2+-dependent RNase H exhibits maximal activity at pH 9.5, and requires 15 to 20 mM Mg2+ for maximal activity, whereas Mn2+-dependent RNase H is most active at pH 8.5, and is maximally active at the concentration of 0.4 mM Mn2+, and has some activity with Mg2+. Both enzymes require a sulfhydryl reagent for maximal activity. Mn2+-dependent RNase H was inhibited by o-phenanthroline, pyrophosphate, and those polyamines tested, whereas Mg2+-dependent enzyme was not, although it was inhibited by NaF. Both RNases H liberate a mixture of oligonucleotides with 5'-phosphate and 3'-hydroxyl termini endonucleolytically.


Abstract In insects, four types of motoneurons have long been known, including fast motoneurons, slow motoneurons, common inhibitory motoneurons, and DUM neurons. They innervate the same muscle and control its contraction together. Recent studies in Drosophila have suggested the existence of another type of motoneuron, the common excitatory motoneuron. Here, we found that shakB-GAL4 produced by Jacob et al. (2000) labels this type of motoneuron in Drosophila larvae. We found that Drosophila larvae have two common excitatory motoneurons in each abdominal segment, RP2 for dorsal muscles and MNSNb/d-Is for ventral muscles. They innervate most of the internal longitudinal or oblique muscles on the dorsal or ventral body wall with type-Is terminals and use glutamate as a transmitter. Electrophysiological recording indicated that stimulation of the RP2 axon evoked excitatory junctional potential in a dorsal muscle.


Fibrinogen catabolism was studied by plasma fibrinogen chromatography and other methods in 99 subjects with hyperlipoproteinemla Types lla, Mb, and IV, and in 24 control subjects with normal blood llpid values. Subjects with either a history of thromboembolic vascular disease or clinical evidence of atherosclerosis were excluded. Type II subjects (I.e., the combined group of Type lla and lib subjects) showed an elevation of plasma high molecular weight fibrinogen complexes, which Is indicative of enhanced fibrin formation. They also showed an elevation of fibrinogenflrst-derivatlve, which Is Indicative of fibrinogenolysls and Increased plasma euglobulin activity. Subjects with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemla showed similar findings to those of Type II except that high molecular weight fibrinogen complex concentration was normal. Subsequently, 36 patients received a fat-controlled, low cholesterol diet and were studied In a blind, random, crossover study of dietary vs clofibrate treatment. Although total cholesterol and triglyceride levels fell significantly during the treatment periods, chromatographlc findings of abnormal plasma fibrinogen remained unchanged.


Background and objectives: External beam radiation (EBRT) can reduce local recurrence (LR) of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). The addition of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) can deliver high dose radiation boost to anticipated "high risk" margins while sparing adjacent structures. Methods: A retrospective review (2004-2012) was performed of STS treated with surgical resection and IORT using HDR brachytherapy for anticipated close/positive margins. Results: Twenty-four patients underwent 25 resections with IORT (1 patient had 2 separate recurrences). Tumors were primary in 72%, deep in 96% and intermediate/high grade in 84%. Tumor locations were extremity (44%), retroperitoneal (40%), truncal (12%) and neck (4%). Common histologies included pleomorphic (32%), liposarcoma (12%) and myxofibrosarcoma (12%).  Neoadjuvantly, 3 received chemotherapy and 13 received EBRT (median 50Gy; range 45-54).  Median IORT dose was 12Gy (range 10-17.5). Margins were microscopically positive in 20%; none were grossly positive. Adjuvantly, 5 received EBRT (median 46Gy, range 45-50) and 2 received chemotherapy.  Median follow-up was 20.1 months (range 2.7-96.4). No recurrences occurred at the IORT sites. Two-year LR free survival was 60.8% and disease specific survival was 84%. Conclusion: Use of IORT at time of STS resection was effective at preventing LR at the treated site despite "high risk" features.


ABSTRACT In most researches on fuzzy sets and its application, it is found that the consideration of membership function is predetermined and mostly linear in nature. Extraction and evaluation of non-linear fuzzy membership function that can update itself with in different paradigms is still a matter of great concern to researchers. Here, we discuss 33 different membership function evaluation methodologies published between 1971 and 2016. In a approach to solve the problem, this paper presents a novel algorithm based non-linear fuzzy membership function evaluation scheme with the help of regression analysis and algebra. Three different case studies are done to check the applicability and tractability of the method. A comparative analysis with recent literature justifies the robustness of the proposed method.


The efficiency and side effect rates of 7 antiarrhythmic drugs: mexitil, rhytmilen, propranolol, ethmosine, cordarone, finoptin, digoxin, were compared in 80 patients. Their heart rhythm was controlled by continuous Holter ECG monitoring. The efficacy of oral doses of the drugs was assessed both in acute pharmacologic tests and in short-term clinical courses. The smallest side-effect rates and the highest efficiency were shown by cordarone (in all clinical samples) and ethmosine (particularly in coronary patients), hence both can be recommended for long-term clinical use.


Background and Context. The quality of a research field is greatly determined by the quality of its publications. However, in many research fields this quality is endangered because of biases towards publishing positive results, which have led to questionable research practices that negatively impact the reliability of the reported findings. Objectives. We explored two approaches that could guard against these questionable research practices for computer science education research: 1. The replication of prior studies to confirm (or refute) previous findings and 2. requiring authors to submit a registered report, containing hypotheses, methods, and analytic procedures, before conducting the studies. Method. Over the span of 18 months, we organized a special issue of the Computer Science Education journal that only accepted registered reports that replicated a previous computer science education research study. Registered reports involve peer review and approval at the research design stage, before data collection begins. The editorial process was thus modified to accommodate multiple rounds of review and a longer time period between original and final submissions. We believe this is the first use of registered reports in computer science education research. A questionnaire gathering feedback on the new process was also administered to the authors of the accepted reports. Findings. We found seven author teams willing to submit a manuscript for the special issue. Out of this pool, preregistered reports from five teams were accepted to be taken forwards. One team then withdrew because the ethics procedure at their institution exceeded the special issue timeline. The remaining four author teams conducted their studies and resubmitted full papers that were accepted, pending some final corrections. Authors' feedback about the registered reports process was positive. Implications. We demonstrated that it is possible to attract interest for registered report replications in a computer science education journal issue, and to successfully conduct the necessary editorial steps. Future efforts should attend to challenges related to modified research and journal submission timelines and consider adding a second review cycle for the first stage of registered reports. While the procedures used in this special issue may be suitable for many research approaches, further discussion is warranted on how they can be combined with exploratory research (as opposed to hypothesis testing research) and how they can be adapted to non-positivist research.


Introduction: Psychological distress is not exclusive to cancer patients but occurs in the life of their partners as well. Nowadays partners have more responsibility concerning the care for the patient. As a result, care- takers often neglect their own well- being. To support the partners in this difficult time, the self- help intervention 'Hold on for each other' is designed. This intervention is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and self-compassion and strives to help the partners of cancer patients to regain time for themselves. To get more detailed information of the content and the design of the intervention, this research project was focused on the positive and negative experiences the users have made during the course.
Method After completing the course, the participants filled in an online questionnaire about the experiences they have made with the online course. The data from 116 participants were used and analyzed by a qualitative content analysis. This was done by one researcher through several rounds in a inductive way.
Results: In general the participants expressed more positive experiences about the content of the course – especially regarding communion, creating space for themselves, being more gentle towards themselves and living more mindfully. Also themes like acceptance of the own situation, feelings and thoughts, and personal feedback were experienced as very positive by the partners. However, the participants had differing opinions with respect to the mindfulness-exercises and contact with peers. The automatic feedback, the voice chosen to instruct the exercises and the disproportionate time necessary for the completion of the course, were evaluated less positively by the participants. Suggestions for improvement concerned the following topics: the possibility to complete the course within one's own time, options to choose a different voice during instructions, more information about work-related elements, taking into account the different stages of the illness, personal contact with professionals and long-term usage of the course.
Conclusion: In summary, the intervention can be evaluated as successful regarding the content, and helpful in supporting partners of cancer-patients. Especially elements, which were based on ACT and self-compassion appeared to be suitable for the partners in difficult times. With regard to the design some suggestions were made, taking personal contact and tailoring into account.


The aim of the present study is to investigate fluid dynamics and pressure drop across sudden contractions in a two-dimensional, axisymmetric pipe carrying a two-phase mixture of air (secondary phase) and water (primary phase), using the Eulerian–Eulerian model of the multiphase flow physics to solve the mass, momentum, volume fraction and turbulent quantities with relevant boundary conditions in a finite volume framework. The realizable per-phase k-ε and Reynolds stress models have been used as the closure for turbulent quantities along with enhanced wall function for the near-wall treatment. The effects of various parameters such as mass flux, mass flow quality, area ratio (0.056–0.619), flow directions (horizontal/vertical), and system pressure on the two-phase pressure drops due to a contraction in the pipe have been quantified. For both the single and two-phase flows, it has been observed that the pressure drop decreases with area ratio, and increases with mass flux and mass flow quality of two-phase flow. The vena contracta for a single-phase flow was found. But for two-phase flow, neither the vena contracta nor the recirculation zone has been observed, as the mass quality exceeds above 50%. A higher pressure drop has been observed for vertical pipes as compared to horizontal pipes. The present numerical results have also been validated with published experimental results, believed to be one of the alternatives to the costly experimental methods for predicting the flow dynamics and pressure drop.


Multiview Video Coding (MVC) adopts exhaustive variable size mode decision and multiple reference frame selection to significantly improve high compression efficiency at each macroblock. However, these two technologies increase the computational complexity of MVC encoders tremendously. In this paper, we propose an efficient Statistical DIRECT Mode Early Termination (SDMET) model which estimates the rate distortion degradation, false acceptance rate and false reject rate of early DIRECT mode decision. It can adaptively adjust the rate distortion cost threshold not only according to the quantization parameter, but also the video content and motion properties. Experimental results show that SDMET can reduce 42.40% to 65.60% computation complexity for fast mode decision. When it is jointly optimized with fast multi-reference frame selection, the proposed overall algorithm can achieve 79.57% to 89.21% computational complexity reduction with unnoticeable rate distortion degradation. Additionally, the proposed SDMET and the overall fast mode decision algorithm can be applied to both temporal views and inter-view views in MVC.


In this letter, we analyze a 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) optical signal generated by applying four-level electrical signals to a single in-phase/quadrature (IQ)-modulator. The amplitude of optical output of the Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) in the IQ-modulator needs to be carefully adjusted, and the limited extinction ratio of MZM results in unwanted phase offset. Required optical signal-to-noise ratio is estimated in the 112-Gb/s polarization-division-multiplexed (PDM) 16-QAM signal by numerical simulations with various amplitudes of the electrical modulation signals. Optimal operating conditions are found to guarantee the best performance of the received PDM 16-QAM signal.


Date pits for feed preparation or oil extraction are soaked in water to soften before milling or extrusion. Knowledge of water absorption by the date pits helps in better managing the soaking duration. In this research, the process of water absorption by date pits was modeled and analyzed using Fick's second law of diffusion, finite element approach, and Peleg model. The moisture content of the pits reached to its saturation level of 41.5% (wet basis) after 10 d. The estimated coefficient of diffusion was 9.89×10−12 m2/s. The finite element model with a proposed ellipsoid geometry for a single date pit and the analytical model fitted better to the experimental data with R2 of 0.98. The former model slightly overestimated the moisture content of the pits during the initial stages of the soaking and the latter model generally underestimated this variable through the entire stages of soaking process.


Abstract This article examines key trends within Indian feminist analysis on prostitution, and is based on primary fieldwork around feminist organizations in India and on research conducted on prostitution in the states of Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal and Orissa. The article argues that there are at least three ways in which Indian feminists have addressed the issue of prostitution – as silence, as hurt and violence and as potential choice and liberation. I suggest that all these perspectives are limited in that they do not necessarily take in the wide range of experiences encountered by women in prostitution, and may well feed into mainstream patriarchal views on prostitution. The first trope looks at the ways in which 'mainstream' Indian feminists did not raise issues of sexuality, thereby relegating questions of prostitute rights to the margins. The second approach is based on radical feminist critiques of prostitution as violence and hurt, and legitimizes itself by drawing on the articulations of those sex workers and activists who draw on the experiences of hurt, anguish, violence and coercion that form a part of their lives. Finally, I look at prostitute rights organizations that seek to create an alternative to these analyses.


Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only etiological and potentially curative therapy for allergic rhinitis (AR). Objectives: We sought to investigate the role of epigenetic regulator enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) in AIT. Method: In this study, EZH2 expression in circulating myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) were evaluated using flow cytometry. Clinical information from 56 AR patients receiving AIT was collected, including 30 subjects with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and 26 subjects with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). In vitro, the effect of EZH2 inhibitor, 3 Deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), on the phenotypic and functional activation of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) was evaluated. Results: EZH2 expression in circulating mDCs and pDCs were both negatively correlated to treatment time of AIT (r = –0.39, p = 0.003 and r = –0.47, p = 0.0002, respectively). Furthermore, there was a higher correlation between EZH2 expression and AIT treatment time in the SCIT group compared to that of the SLIT group in mDCs (r = –0.42, p = 0.02 vs. r = –0.23, p = 0.26)and pDCs (r = –0.52, p = 0.003 vs. r = –0.33, p = 0.10). In vitro, the co-stimulatory molecules on moDCs, such as CD80, CD86, and CD83, were significantly inhibited by DZNep in a dose-dependent manner. The DC-driven T-cell proliferation was suppressed by DZNep (MD = 22.88, 95% CI 7.809–37.96, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study shows that EZH2, which is required in the activation of DCs, mediates the epigenetic modification in AIT and stresses the importance of patient adherence during AIT.


India leads the world with largest number of diabetic subjects earning the dubious distinction of being termed as "Diabetic Capital of the world." The prevalence of depression among diabetics is 15-20% which is three times as compared to general population. Studies have identified depression as an independent risk factor for Type II Diabetes with relative risk of developing diabetes ranging from 1.3 to 3.0. This study was carried out to study the prevalence of Diabetes mellitus in age group above 20 years in an urban slum area and to study depression as an epidemiological correlate of Diabetes Mellitus. The cross-sectional study was conducted at urban slum area of central India in adults aged 20 years and above. Diabetes was diagnosed using WHO criteria 2006. The OGTT was performed using 75 gm of glucose. Depression was assessed by administering PHQ-9 scale, a self-report Hindi version. In present study, it was found that prevalence of Diabetes as 12.75% and among incident diabetics, 2.32% had moderately severe depression, 30.23% had moderate depression and 46.51% minor depression according to PHQ-9 Scale. When depression was assessed, it was almost present in(79.06%) subjects with Diabetes Mellitus, mild depression being the commonest (46.5%). The present study identified depression (P value -0.002) as the independent risk factors for type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The present study identified depression as the independent risk factor for type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Depression, PHQ-9 Scale, Prevalence


Job burnout has serious dysfunctional ramifications, meaning substantial costs for organizations and individuals. Recent research has shown that the information technology (IT) worker's is prone to creating work exhaustion, and that this work exhaustion is a trigger for depersonalization and diminishing achievement – the three conceptual components of job burnout. Prior research has found evidence of the prevalence of job burnout in information technology professionals; this study employs qualitative and quantitative strategies to identify factors that predict burnout of information technology workers.


Partial cross sections were measured for the ionization Ar+e to Arn++(n+1)e for n=2-5 as a function of electron energy (0-660 eV). Although recent investigations are in agreement with regard to the absolute cross sections for single ionization, large discrepancies still exist for multiple ionization. The results support the measurements of Stephan et al (1980) and Wetzel et al. (1987), but disagree with other recent studies which invariably obtain larger cross sections. These discrepancies are attributable to the dependence of electron multiplier gain on ion impact energy and, therefore, ion charge. The cross sections presented for Ar4+ and Ar5+ have not been previously measured.


The catalytic properties of RNA have been a subject of fascination and intense research since their discovery over 30 years ago. Very recently, several classes of nucleolytic ribozymes have emerged and been characterized structurally. Among these, the twister ribozyme has been center-stage, and a topic of debate about its architecture and mechanism owing to conflicting interpretations of different crystal structures, and in some cases conflicting interpretations of the same functional data. In the present work, we attempt to clean up the mechanistic "debris" generated by twister ribozymes using a comprehensive computational RNA enzymology approach aimed to provide a unified interpretation of existing structural and functional data. Simulations in the crystalline environment and in solution provide insight into the origins of observed differences in crystal structures, and coalesce on a common active site architecture, and dynamical ensemble in solution. We use GPU-accelerated free energy methods with enhanced sampling to ascertain microscopic nucleobase pK a values of the implicated general acid and base, from which predicted activity-pH profiles can be compared directly with experiments. Next, ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations with full dynamic solvation under periodic boundary conditions are used to determine mechanistic pathways through multi-dimensional free energy landscapes for the reaction. We then characterize the rate-controlling transition state, and make predictions about kinetic isotope effects and linear free energy relations. Computational mutagenesis is performed to explain the origin of rate effects caused by chemical modifications and make experimentally testable predictions. Finally, we provide evidence that helps to resolve conflicting issues related to the role of metal ions in catalysis. Throughout each stage, we highlight how a conserved L-platform structural motif, to- gether with a key L-anchor residue, forms the characteristic active site scaffold enabling each of the catalytic strategies to come together not only for the twister ribozyme, but the majority of the known small nucleolytic ribozyme classes.


Although RED has been widely used with TCP, however it has several known drawbacks [1]. The BLUE algorithm that benefits from a different structure has tried to compensate some of them in a successful way [2]. A quick review on active queue management algorithms from the very beginning indicates that most of them tried to improve classic algorithms. Some of them use network traffic history to achieve more flexibility and prediction ability while others use algorithms such as fuzzy logic to address scalability problem and high input load. Our proposed approach benefits from both: Using fuzzy logic to deal with high input load and embedding expert knowledge into the algorithm while optimizing router decisions with reinforcement learning fed by network traffic history. We call this approach "DEEP BLUE" as is consist of an improved version of BLUE algorithm. Derived from BLUE, our algorithm uses packet drop rate and link idle events to manage congestion. Our experiments using OPNET simulator shows that this scheme works faster and more efficient than original BLUE.


Laser-activated oxidation of thin metal films by the action of pulsed laser radiation is investigated theoretically and experimentally. A physical and mathematical model based on the Cabrera-Mott oxidation theory is developed. The basic relations, describing the process, are obtained numerically. Four different experimental methods have been used to examine qualitatively and quantitatively the laser-activated oxidation. The results obtained show that pulsed laser irradiation of thin metal films in the oxidizing environment may cause buildup of the thin oxide layer, which is very stable and may be used as a masking layer in the laser lithography. Comparison between experimental and theoretical results shows that the developed theoretical model describes the oxidation process well, and it may be used to find the optimum conditions for the thermochemical laser treatment of thin metal films.


We construct a framework for the study of fluctuations in the nonequilibrium relaxation of glassy systems with and without quenched disorder. We study two types of two-time local correlators with the aim of characterizingthe heterogeneous evolution in these systems: in one case we average the local correlators over histories of the thermal noise, in the other case we simply coarse grain the local correlators obtained for a given noise realization. We explain why the noise-averaged correlators describe the fingerprint of quenched disorder when it exists, while the coarse-grained correlators are linked to noise-induced mesoscopic fluctuations. We predict constraints on the distribution of the fluctuations of the coarse-grained quantities. In particular, we show that locally defined correlations and responses are connected by a generalized local out-of-equilibrium fluctuation-dissipation relation. We argue that large-size heterogeneities in the age of the system survive in the long-time limit. A symmetry of the underlying theory, namely, invariance under reparametrizations of the time coordinates, underlies these results. We establish a connection between the probabilities of spatial distributions of local coarse-grained quantities and the theory of dynamic random manifolds. We define, and discuss the behavior of, a two-time dependent correlation length from the spatial decay of the fluctuations in the two-time local functions. We characterize the fluctuations in the system in terms of their fractal properties. For concreteness, we present numerical tests performed on disordered spin models in finite and infinite dimensions. Finally, we explain how these ideas can be applied to the analysis of the dynamics of other glassy systems that can be either spin models without disorder or atomic and molecular glassy systems.


The effect of indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, was studied in the treatment of 10 patients with head injury and one patient with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, each of whom presented with high intracranial pressure (ICP) (34.4 +/- 13.1 mm Hg) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) impairment (67.0 +/- 15.4 mm Hg), which did not improve with standard therapy using mannitol, hyperventilation, and barbiturates. The patient had Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 8 or less. Recordings were made of the patients' ICP and mean arterial blood pressure from the nurse's end-hour recording at the bedside, as well as of their CPP, rectal temperature, and standard therapy regimens. The authors assessed the effects of an indomethacin bolus (50 mg in 20 minutes) on ICP and CPP; an indomethacin infusion (21.5 +/- 11 mg/hour over 30 +/- 9 hours) on ICP, CPP, rectal temperature, and standard therapy regimens (matching the values before and during infusion in a similar time interval); and discontinuation of indomethacin treatment on ICP, CPP, and rectal temperature. The indomethacin bolus was very effective in lowering ICP (p < 0.0005) and improving CPP (p < 0.006). The indomethacin infusion decreased ICP (p < 0.02), but did not improve CPP and rectal temperature. The effects of standard therapy regimens before and during indomethacin infusion showed no significant changes, except in three patients in whom mannitol reestablished its action on ICP and CPP. Sudden discontinuation of indomethacin treatment was followed by significant ICP rebound. The authors suggest that indomethacin may be considered one of the frontline agents for raised ICP and CPP impairment.


Agents that interact with humans are known to benefit from integrating behavioral science and exploiting the fact that humans are irrational. Therefore, when designing agents for interacting with automated agents, it is crucial to know whether the other agents are acting irrationally and if so to what extent. However, little is known about whether irrationality is found in automated agent design. Do automated agents suffer from irrationality? If so, is it similar in nature and extent to human irrationality? How do agents act in domains where human irrationality is motivated by emotion? This is the first time that extensive experimental evaluation was performed in order to resolve these questions. We evaluated agent rationality (for non-expert agents) in several environments and compared agent actions to human actions. We found that automated agents suffer from the same irrationality that humans display, although to a lesser degree.


Abstract Dystrophinopathies result from mutations to the DMD gene. We report 5 boys in 3 families with heterogenous phenotypes due to a point mutation in the DMD gene: a hemizygous tyrosine-to-cysteine change in exon 15 (c.1724T>C) resulting in an amino acid substitution of leucine to proline at codon 575. This mutation has been reported before, with at least 3 prior patients presenting with similar clinical findings of myalgia, myoglobinuria, and occasional muscle cramping. The mutation on DMD c.1724T>C (p.Leu575Pro) is listed in the Clinvar database as a variant of unknown significance. Our report provides contributing evidence that this alteration should be classified as pathogenic.


Abstract People in a depressive state frequently believe that things could have happened differently in their lives, which is regarded as counterfactual thought. This study aimed to investigate whether the styles of counterfactual thought shown by people with indicating signs of depression and by people without any of those signs are different. Study participants were 42 adults divided into two groups: those with signs of depression and those without signs of depression. Five stories taken from newspapers and magazines and fictional scenarios were presented to the participants. After reading such stories, participants had to answer questions about how the narrated facts could have been different from what they actually were. Results indicated similar counterfactual thought styles in both groups (with and without depression signs). Most of the thoughts found were categorized as upward, subtractive, self-referent and that modified an aspect referred to action/inaction. A few significant differences between groups were observed, and most of them were obtained through directed modifications, in the last three stories. Some tendencies were shown in the group of people with signs of depression, such as those found for the subtractive category, t(40) = 2.33, p < .05, which can indicate a trend of possible failure in the preparatory function of CT, and in the hetero-referral function, t(40) = 1.97, p < .05, indicating a difficulty in thinking of different forms of action in the future. The removal of negative events may indicate that these experiences are not beneficial to people's survival. These results may indicate some tendencies about how people in depressive states think about past events.


Human gut microbiome composition and diversity increasingly appear as a reliable marker of human evolution within his environment, and of health and its alteration (concept of dysbiosis); as a matter of fact, it can be considered as a strong marker of the disease status of individuals. Thus, in retrospect, the capacity to profile the gut microbiome would offer a great opportunity to identify individual and societal changes to which ancient populations were exposed. A global and diachronic view of the gut microbiome evolution is necessary in order to highlight the potential role of environmental factors or human habits in this process. However, to make the most of its contribution, archaeo-microbiology should aim at being as exhaustive as possible, encompassing parasites which have likely played a major role in the development of the mammalian immune system, and viruses.


New universal 16S rRNa primers were constructed and tested. These primers allow identifying correct taxonomic position of bacterial isolates and were shown to be useful in microbial community studies. The primers enable to detect the vast majority of unique 16S rRNa gene sequences. In the study 160 restriction types were found in 16S rRNa clone library (190 clones).


Stable suspensions of magnetic particles exhibit specific features making them an innovative liquid material for numerous applications as well as for basic research. In particular ferrofluids can be used for density separation ofnon-magnetic materials immersed in the liquid under the influence of magnetic fields. In this article the basic properties and applications of ferrofluids will be reviewed, and the principles of magnetic density separation will be discussed on the basis of the available literature. In addition we will try to show the possibility and problems of a commercial use of this technique.


We use DNA‐fingerprinting to estimate the poverty reduction effect of adoption of improved cassava varieties in Nigeria. We estimate the counterfactual household income distribution of cassava producers by combining farm‐level treatment effects with a market‐level model. Our results suggest that adoption of improved cassava varieties has led to a 4.6 percentage point reduction in poverty, though this is sensitive to the measurement of adoption status. Therefore, accurate measurement of adoption is crucial for a more credible estimate of the poverty reduction effect of adoption. Our analysis also suggests that farmers who are more likely to be adopters are also likely to face higher structural costs. Addressing structural barriers that make improved technologies less profitable for the poor would therefore be important to increase the poverty reduction effect of improved cassava varieties.


Flow cytometric sorting technology was used to measure the difference in DNA content between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in bucks. Spermatozoa were analysed by flow cytometry to characterize X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm populations and to quantify the DNA difference between them. Two symmetrical, overlapping and clearly separated peaks, corresponding to X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa, were detected. The difference in fluorescence intensity between the peaks was 4.4 +/- 0.03% without any significant inter- or intra-animal variations. Therefore, the identification and selection of high-purity samples of sperm populations for sex sorting is easier in bucks compared with other domestic species.


Cyberbullying is considered a serious bullying problem. The effects of cyberbullying can cause victims to feel depressed, depressed, and even commit suicide. Various methods of overcoming cyberbullying, starting from countermeasures through family, the surrounding environment to the legal system that will be used, must be enforced. This research is a normative legal research that aims to analyze methods of overcoming cyberbullying actions through penal and non-penal. The results of this study indicate that the methods of overcoming cyberbullying through penalizing efforts include: the Criminal Code, Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law Number I1 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions, and the Indonesian National Police. . While the methods of overcoming cyberbullying through non-penal efforts include: Countermeasures from KOMINFO, the community, and countermeasures from the victims themselves.


Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is one of the worst upland exotic weeds in Florida, USA. Foreign exploration for natural enemies led to the discovery of a pit‐galling psyllid, Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt (Hemiptera: Calophyidae), in the state of Bahia, Brazil, in 2010. Crawlers of C. latiforceps stimulate the formation of galls on the leaves of S. terebinthifolia resulting in leaf discoloration and in some cases leaf abscission. To determine whether C. latiforceps is a safe candidate for biological control of S. terebinthifolia, host specificity and the presence of selected plant pathogens were examined. Adult oviposition, gall formation, and adult survival of C. latiforceps were examined on 89 plant species under no‐choice and choice conditions. We found that C. latiforceps laid eggs on plants in seven families; however, crawlers stimulated gall formation and completed development to adult only on S. terebinthifolia. All crawlers on non‐target plants died, likely due to starvation caused either by the absence of a feeding stimulus or by a hypersensitive plant response. Under no‐choice conditions, 10% of adults lived for 19 days on the target weed, but adult survival was reduced to <3 days on non‐target plants. Choice testing revealed that females preferred to oviposit on S. terebinthifolia compared to non‐target plants. Molecular methods and indicator host inoculations did not detect the presence of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum', 'Ca. L. asiaticus', 'Ca. L. americanus', 'Ca. L. africanus', or plant viruses in adult C. latiforceps. We conclude that releasing C. latiforceps in the USA will have extremely low risk to non‐target plants, and provides another tool for the management of S. terebinthifolia.


This paper presents a new technology to monitor and improve building energy performance according to the 2002/91/EC directive. The system includes a ZigBee based wireless sensor system, which is installed in the building to measure temperature, heat flow, boiler performance, gas and electricity consumption. The obtained data is processed by a Decision Support System, which (1) calculates the current energy efficiency, (2) generates reconstruction plans and budget, and (3) calculates return of investment. The optimal (i.e. highest return of investment) reconstruction plan is selected and recommended to the user (decision maker). The optimization of reconstruction strategies (options among reconstruction plans) can be determined by setting the available budgets and other available resources such as renewable energies. The performance of the system was tested on a 3000 m2 school building complex, including of 150-year-old and 10-year-old structures.


Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy
characterized by expansion of neoplastic plasma cells (PCs).
Despite of advances in treatment, achieved in past ten years,
many patients relapse due to minimal residual disease (MRD)
existence. In this study number and phenotype of plasma cells
in transplanted MM patients was analysed by multiparametric
flow cytometry. There is an evidence that relapse is relate to
loss of CD19 expression on PCs and to higher number of CD56+
PC. Data acquired in 1st month are not sufficient to predict
risk of all patients, because expression of CD19 and CD56 is
not representative at this time. Flow cytometric analysis of
PCs phenotype profile is relatively quick and sufficiently
sensitive method that can be used for monitoring of MRD.
Detailed analysis of higher number of patients, later than in
1st month after transplantation, and comparison of their data
with other parameters (immunofixation etc.) are necessary for
verification of this method and for application in routine
diagnostics.