Sustained disability improvement was observed in about 30% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with natalizumab (Tysabri, Biogen Idec, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA), thus suggesting the occurrence of reversal of neurological dysfunction.1 In addition to its striking effect in suppressing contrast-enhancing lesions and new or enlarged T2-hyperintense lesions on MRI by 92% and 83%, respectively,2 natalizumab was also reported to induce a decrease in lesion volumes on T2-weighted and T1-weighted images by 9.4% and 23.5%, respectively, over a 24-month follow-up.3 Nevertheless, the relationship between sustained disability improvement and reduction in MRI lesion burden during treatment with natalizumab has not been elucidated yet.

We collected clinical and MRI data from 88 patients (58 women, 30 men) treated with natalizumab at the MS Center of S Andrea Hospital in Rome (Italy). Brain MRI scans were acquired using a 1.5T magnet (GE Signa Excite) within 4 weeks before natalizumab start (baseline) and after 6 and 24 months (±4 weeks) of treatment. Hyperintense lesion volume on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images (GD-LV), T2-weighted images (T2-LV), and hypointense lesion volumes on T1-weighted images (T1-LV), were measured using a local thresholding segmentation technique (Jim 5.0, Xinapse Systems, Leicester, UK). Regions of interest were identified by the agreement of two trained operators (FDA and RDA) unaware of clinical data.

Patients were divided into three groups according to changes in their disability status at the end of the 24-month follow-up versus baseline, as follows: (1) 6-month sustained reduction of ≥1-point in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score; (2) stable or …


Real-time measurements of clad geometry is an essential control signal for the closed-loop control of laser cladding (laser solid freeform fabrication) process. The measurement of clad geometry in real-time by vision-based detectors is a challenging task due to relative position of clad melt pool and the detectors and intensive image processing. In this paper, the development of a novel trinocular optical CCD-based detector for measuring clad geometry is discussed. An algorithm, including a fuzzy adaptive threshold strategy, a perspective image projection method, and a simple but realistic strategy for analyzing the projected images is developed to extract the clad height, clad width and rate of solidification in real-time.


Motivated by the super-Petersburg game, we consider the super-heavy tailed independent and identically distributed (iid) random variables whose tail are characterized by slow variation. This article explores strong laws of large numbers and central limit theorems for a class of super-heavy tailed random variables with two types of truncations, respectively. We apply our results to the logPareto distributions and the super-Petersburg distributions.


Abstract This paper addresses the topic of social manufacturing, with the aim of understanding the key features of such a new manufacturing, network-based model, its enabling factors and the reasons-why a company should join and/or establish it. Building on the literature about social manufacturing and disruptive innovation, we develop a new framework to address our research questions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Italian manufacturing companies quickly adopted a network-based production approach, to provide a rapid response to healthcare organizations needing surgical masks, sanitisers, and pieces of equipment like ventilators. We discuss this transformation with two companies, Ferrari Cars and Isinnova, which developed a social manufacturing network that was successful in an emergency situation. Building on the empirical evidence stemming from these case-studies, we explain how and to what extent this emergency model could become stable and profitable in a post-pandemic scenario, creating economic value and opening up business opportunities.


Recently, a novel Non-Local Cost Aggregation (NLCA) algorithm based on a minimum spanning tree (MST) has been proposed [1] for stereo matching providing extremely low computational complexity and outstanding performance. However, since the MST is constructed only based on color cue, this approach suffers from some improper connections at the boundaries of two objects with similar color distribution. In this paper, we propose a new weight function which includes not only the color cue but also the boundary cue of the reference image. Because the boundary cue is more discriminative than the color cue to distinguish the object from the background with similar color, the previous improper connections can be avoided and a more faithful MST can be constructed. Experimental results performed on Middlebury benchmark demonstrate the effectiveness of the improvements. The improved algorithm achieves rank 18th out of 143 submissions, while the original algorithm ranks 31th.


Decisions made on the basis of risk often require rapid evaluation of feedback before follow-up actions and feedback-related negativity in brain potential is sensitive to the poor outcome. The current study investigated the effects of feedback from one's own decision (Experiment 1) and feedback from observing others' decisions (Experiment 2) on electroencephalograph responses to winning and losing money with and without betting. Irrespective of whether the betting is self-generated or simply observed, the cognitive evaluation of the outcome evoked feedback-related negativity, indicating that one's own experience and vicarious experience give rise to the same neural response. These results indicate that participants were more sensitive to loss when it was personally relevant, irrespective of whether that loss was associated with betting. However, when observing others' losses, participants showed stronger negative responses when the losses were associated with betting.


Every transaction in Islam must have a clear contract at the beginning, because it is legal or not, halal or haram will have an impact on the guidance of the Shari'a which has become the direction of religion in Islam. The concept of insurance in Islam is known as Ta'min, which is an anticipatory effort to minimize the risks that can occur to each human being in the future. The risk of every human being must be there, whether it is the risk of accidents, the risk of loss, and even the risk of loss of life / death. In order to minimize this risk, it is necessary to prepare to bear the calamities that will occur. The rapid development that occurs in the financial industry sector, both banks and non-banks, often practices that are not in line with Sharia principles, because the elements that cancel / forbid muamalah are MAGHRIB (Maysir, Gharar, and Riba). Therefore, it is very important for Muslims to know the contracts and mechanisms regarding the application of sharia insurance in line with Islamic values.


Objectives: Single colorectal instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) causes a dose-dependent increase of visceral motor response (VMR) and severity of inflammation. In this study we compared the effects of electroacupuncture in the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by TNBS intracolonic injection in rats. Methods: In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250~400g, a single colorectal administration of TNBS 5mg/kg and 50% ethanol under isoflurane anaesthesia after an overnight fast. Electrodes for electromyography (EMG) recording were stitched into the external oblique musculature under general anesthesia. Acupoints of LI4, ST25, or ST36 were stimulated by electroacupuncture, respectively. The balloon was inserted intra-anally and visceral motor response (VMR) to colorectal distensioin (CRD) was quantified with an EMG recording system. Results: At an observation of the visceral hyperalgesia in the day-time series, the visceromotor response increased significantly 3 days after TNBS intra-rectalcolonic injection in rats. Electroacupuncture on either ST25 or ST36 suppressed the visceromotor response to colorectal distension, but not LI4, at 3 days after TNBS injection. Pretreatment of naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.), opioids antagonist, inhibited the VMR suppress of 10Hz EA to ST36 but not phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Pretreatment of either naltrexone or phentolamine inhibited effects of 10Hz EA to ST25. Conclusions: Data show that EA at either ST25 or ST36 potently inhibits hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis and is differently mediated through the endogenous opioid system and adrenergic system.


Aluminium (Al) toxicity in rye (Secale cereale L.), an Al-resistant crop, was examined by measuring root elongation and cytoplasmic free activity of calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) in intact root apical cells. Measurement of [Ca2+]cyt, was achieved by loading a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe. Fluo-3/AM ester, into root apical cells followed by detection of intracellular fluorescence using a confocal laser scanning microscope. After 20 min of exposure to 50 microM Al (pH 4-2) a slight increase in [Ca2+]cyt of root apical cells was observed, while the response of [Ca2+]cyt to 100 microM Al (pH 4.2) was faster and larger ([Ca2+]cyt increased by 46% in 10 min). Increases in [Ca2+]cyt were correlated with inhibition of root growth, generally measurable after 2 h. Addition of 400 microM malic acid (pH 4.2) largely ameliorated the effect of 100 microM Al on [Ca2+]cyt in root apical cells and protected root growth from Al toxicity. These results suggest that an increase in [Ca2+]cyt in root apical cells in rye is an early effect of Al toxicity and is followed by the secondary effect on root elongation.


In the present investigation, a new fungal inulinase producer Penicillium amphipolaria KAS 2555 has been isolated from the soil of dead mangroves litter area, followed by the inulinase production and optimization by solid-state fermentation using a low-cost substrate – hardy sugarcane (Saccharum arundinaceum). While screening, only Penicillium amphipolaria KAS 2555 showed the hydrolysis zone on the plate containing inulin media. The exoinulolytic nature of inulinase and its form of action was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). After 96 h of the fermentation period, an activity of 2.45 U/gds was obtained. The I/S ratio of 0.59 proved that the enzyme is inulolytic in nature. Media optimization was performed to obtain a regression model using Central Composite Design (CCD). For optimization, five significant media components viz., inulin, (NH4)2SO4, K2HPO4, KH2PO4 and, NaCl were used. A 3.10-fold increase in activity of inulinase (7.59 U/gds) was obtained under the optimal settings of (g/gds) inulin- 0.1, (NH4)2SO4- 0.002, K2HPO4- 0.1, KH2PO4- 0.02 and NaCl- 0.02.


Benign esophagobronchial fistulae are rare. 1,2 The congenital variety takes several forms. Those associated with esophageal atresia are well known, 3 and in any case these fistulae are tracheoesophageal rather than bronchoesophageal. Occasionally a congenital esophageal reduplication becomes inflamed and acquires a fistulous connection to a bronchus. 4 Some of these are associated with a sequestrated lower lobe. 5-7 Finally there are those cases in which there is no pulmonary sequestration and the esophagus has neither stricture nor reduplication but is connected to the trachea or bronchi by a generally rather short narrow epithelial lined tube. The so-called "H" fistulae to the trachea are commonly at a high level and tend to produce symptoms soon after birth. 3 Those joining esophagus and bronchus may well be similar embryologically but have a fairly distinct pattern of behavior. The case to be presented is an example of the latter type. Report of


Abstract Background Spanning plates are being increasingly used for the treatment of complex fractures of the distal radius. The traditional recommendation is to leave the hardware in place for at least 12 weeks. Questions/Purpose This study assesses the comparative outcomes of spanning plates removed at or before 10 weeks. We hypothesized that acceptable healing and functional outcomes can be achieved with earlier hardware removal to allow for earlier range of motion, rehabilitation, and return to function. Patients and Methods All patients treated for a comminuted, intra-articular distal radius fracture with a temporary spanning plate were identified. Outcomes of bridge plates removed before 10 weeks were compared with plates removed after 12 weeks. Twenty patients in the short duration cohort were compared with 40 patients in the long duration cohort. Results All fractures healed and there were 10 complications (4 short duration, 6 long duration) and 2 reoperations (1 short duration, 1 long duration) in the study population. There were no significant differences in final Quick-DASH scores (27.4 short duration, 20.9 long duration) or radiographic alignment. Mean values for wrist extension and ulnar deviation were significantly worse in the long duration cohort, although these differences are of unclear clinical significance. Conclusion It may be safe to remove spanning bridge plates earlier than what is traditionally recommended. Plate removal at or before 10 weeks did not detract from healing or radiographic alignment. Prospective investigations assessing the optimal duration of fixation for this technique are needed. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV study.


Although once thought to be largely irrelevant in the biological world, new and unexpected functions for d-amino acids continue to emerge. After she stepped through a looking glass into a mirror image of her own world, Lewis Carroll's adventuress Alice soon recognized that the two worlds were perhaps not so similar after all. She intuits that something about the very make-up of "looking-glass milk" was fundamentally different from that of the wholesome beverage she typically enjoyed (1). Indeed, nature has stocked our universe with biological substances that exist as two mirror image forms of one another. Nineteen of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids that make up proteins are "chiral," meaning that each can be arranged in two orientations around a central carbon atom. The result is a mixture of "mirror-image compounds" called l- and d-amino acids, which cannot be superimposed (see the figure), much in the way a person's left and right hands are not superimposable. One of the great mysteries of life has been the emergence of a strictly "left-handed" protein world where great attention has been paid to the l-amino acid building blocks (2–4), while d-amino acids are largely regarded as red-headed cousins who are easy to ignore. On page 1552 of this issue, Lam et al. challenge this perception, describing a role for d-amino acids in controlling bacterial responses to environmental cues (5).


Decision granting a divorce pledge would fall if the husband was reluctant oath within six (6) months from the date of the hearing determination pledge. The fall verdict carries legal consequences fall anyway recompensation lawsuit filed by the wife. This study aimed to analyze the norms of protection of women and seek forms of law protection that can be given by the Court on the lawsuit wife his recompensation fall due reluctant husband dropped the divorce pledge.This type of research is normative by using the approach of law (statute approach) and conceptual (conceptual approach), using primary legal materials in the form of norms related to the protection of women and secondary legal materials such as the results of previous studies as well as data obtained through interviews is analyzed with the theory of protection and legal certainty as well as apply the legal principle Similia Similibus and Res Judicata Pro Veritate Habeturand the principle is simple, fast and low cost in the hope of giving recommendations that can be implemented to address the issues of law covered in the study.The results showed no norms whose provide law protection to wives whose husbands due to the fall lawsuit his recompensation pledge reluctantly dropped the divorce. The court can give law protection in the form of provision of facilities in the areas of administration and law of procedure for the wife who would resubmit its case in accordance with the legal principle is simple, fast and low cost.Keywords: Law Protection; Wife; Recompensation Lawsuit, Fall; Divorce Pledge.


OBJECTIVES
To investigate the levels of arsenic exposure of residents in the arsenic polluted areas near an arsenic mine.

METHODS
To analyse the arsenic levels in environmental samples and hair in the polluted areas and a control area.

RESULTS
In three villages of the polluted areas, arsenic levels in soil were 84.17 to 296.19 mg/kg, in river water 0.5 to 14.5 mg/L, in well water and tap water lower than 0.05 mg/L, in rice 0.196 to 0.620 mg/kg. Arsenic intake amounted 195 to 1129 micrograms/day. In the hair, the arsenic contents were from 0.972 to 2.459 micrograms/g, increasing with aging.

CONCLUSION
In the areas near Shimen arsenic mine, arsenic pollution was serious. The levels of arsenic exposure of residents were equal to or even over that of the severe cases of chronic arsenic poisoning reported domestically and abroad.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem worldwide. The incidence of HCC is increasing in Europe and in the United States. HCC is currently the leading cause of death among cirrhotic patients. Cirrhosis is the strongest and the most common risk factor for HCC. Surveillance for HCC is widely practiced and can be recommended for certain at-risk groups. Among serological screening test, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the best known (cut-off 20 ng/mL, sensitivity 60%, specificity 91%). The radiological screening test most widely used is ultrasonography (sensitivity 65—80%, specificity >90%). The tests used to diagnose HCC include radiology, biopsy and AFP. Detection of hepatic mass within a cirrhotic liver is highly suspicious of HCC. If AFP is greater than 200 ng/mL and the radiological appearance of the mass is suggestive for HCC, the likelihood that the lesion is HCC is high. The Barcelona-Clinic-Liver-Cancer staging system identifies patients with early HCC who may benefit from curative therapies, those at intermediate or advanced disease stage who may benefit from palliative treatments, as well as those at end-stage with a very poor life expectancy. Today many patients are diagnosed at an early stage. The therapies that offer a high rate of complete responses and potential cure are surgical resection, transplantation and percutaneous ablation. Among non-curative therapies the only one that has been shown to positively impact survival is transarterial chemoembolization. Several steps have to be taken to improve effectiveness of HCC therapy. These include patient education on risk factors for HCC and implementation of screening programs, increasing the number of patients diagnosed in early stage.


A thesis submitted to the Department of Pharmaceutics, Kwame Nkrumah
 University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the
Requirements for the degree of

 Master of Science
(Pharmaceutical Technology)
 Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
College of Health Sciences, 2016.


A description is given of two recorders and an anemometer for measuring gusts, which were developed for use in a survey of the available wind-power in Great Britain. The essential feature of the recorders is that they operate unattended for a period of one week. The first instrument is a photographic recorder which shows, at intervals of half an hour, the wind direction and the run of wind past four standard cup contact anemometers. The second instrument records a mark for each two miles of wind, and will make up to four simultaneous records. The anemometer for measuring gusts uses a perforated aluminium sphere as the detecting element and a mechanoelectronic transducer valve to convert the mechanical response to an electrical output. It is compensated for changes of temperature and for the static effects of atmospheric pressure. When used with an amplifier-driven recording voltmeter, the response of the prototype instrument to an instantaneous change of wind speed from 65 to 85 m.p.h., was completed in about 0.07 sec. Modified forms of the instrument are described which measure, respectively, the horizontal components of the wind in two directions at right angles and the vertical component.


It has been claimed that PGE 1 pathologically alters liver function, the effect being less pronounced after intra-arterial administration. A retrospective data analysis of 4 different studies does not support this view. There was no effect on serum transaminases, fibrinogen or blood sedimentation rate. Furthermore, there was no difference between the i.a. and i.v. route of PGE 1 therapy under the investigated conditions. Thus, the claim that impaired liver function is less pronounced after i.a. PGE 1 administration is no longer valid.


This article explores representations of male aging in Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections (2001) by looking at theories of aging, pathology, and hegemonic masculinity. While, in general, academic discourses about aging tend to link old age to pathology, the focus on gender stereotypes adds another layer to the perception of aging in Franzen's novel. The Corrections is constructed around an aged patriarch who is not only struck by the illnesses of old age but, more importantly, he keeps clinging to an idealized masculine identity he is no longer able to maintain as an old man. Drawing on the difficulties of identity construction concerning Aging Studies and the lack of what Gabriela Spector-Mersel defines as "masculinity scripts," my article illustrates how literary representations can construct male losses as symptoms of a silent virus that appears to break out in the aged body. The article will show that these (lived) hegemonic concepts of masculinity establish the male as a dominant collective but simultaneously constitute the inevitable failure of the individual. Hegemonic masculinities then have a disabling impact on the old man as is mirrored in Franzen's doomed protagonist who becomes the victim of his own concepts of masculinity.


Abstract We define a new lifetime distribution from a direct cumulative distribution function composition of the two parameter Fisk distribution and two parameter Weibull distribution with an asymptotic adjustment. The new four parameter distribution is called the adjusted Fisk Weibull (AFW) distribution. The AFW distribution is analytically appealing and some of its statistical properties are expressed in closed forms. The maximum likelihood method of parameter estimation was used to estimate the parameters of the new distribution and the usefulness and possible applications of the distribution was illustrated with two real and uncensored data-sets.


In this research, a NIR II luminescence imaging and enhanced chemo-/photothermal therapy system of CuS-DOX-Nd/FA NPs for breast cancer and lymph node tracing under single 808 nm irradiation is proposed. Nd-DTPA molecular cluster with the NIR II imaging effect as the carrier was designed to load the ultrasmall CuS nanoparticles and chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). The composite probe is used for tumor lesion imaging and tracking the breast cancer sentinel lymph nodes with simultaneous chemo-/photothermal therapy (PTT) for breast cancer under the single 808 nm laser. This designed probe not only has high permeability and retention (EPR) targeting effect but also can respond to the tumor microenvironment (TME), realizing more precise and efficient release of DOX at the cancer focus. At the same time, CuS as a drug carrier has a good photothermal therapy effect (photothermal conversion efficiency: 27.9%). The serialized released chemotherapy DOX and synergistic PTT effect can be used to the treat the in situ breast cancer land and simultaneously kill the metastasis cancer. The system made the combined molecular clusters Nd-DTPA achieve NIR II imaging of tumor lesions of breast cancer and lymph node to obtain the integration of diagnosis of the transferred disease for better prognosis. The feasibility of the system had obvious tumor growth inhibition effect with NIR II imaging guided is verified by a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments.


The potentiation in the cytotoxic effect of antineoplastic agent hydroxyurea (HU) from the non-toxic concentration on P388 murine lymphocytic leukemia cells is observed with the hydrophobic iron-chelating agents, 2,2-bipyridine (bipyridyl) and 1,10-phenanthroline in a concentration and time dependent manner. However EDTA, EGTA, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DBA), Rhodotorulic acid, 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-Hq), catechin and Desferal, and other chelators failed to show sensitization of these tumor cells towards HU. The potentiation in the cytotoxic activity of HU in combination with the bipyridyl was found to be reversible but was maintained when the drug exposed cells were washed and retreated with the non-toxic concentrations of HU or bipyridyl. The presence of Fe++ blocked completely the cytotoxic action of HU alone and a combination with iron-chelator, and partially reversed the inhibition induced by HU and bipyridyl. These findings suggest that the hydrophobic iron-chelators affect the membrane-mediated transfer, localisation and transient intracellular chelatable iron pools. As a consequence of this, the regulatory role mediated by iron on the overall activity of ribonucleotide reductase enzyme is disturbed leading to a conclusive imbalance in DNA biosynthesis.


Malcolm Peet (2004, this issue) presents some evidence that the international variations in the outcome of schizophrenia are associated with higher amounts of refined sugar and dairy products in the average national diet data published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. An association is also found between the prevalence of depression and a low dietary intake of fish and seafood. It is a simple correlational study with a multivariate statistical analysis that finds very strong associations. The regression coefficients reported suggest that these foodstuff consumption levels account for almost all the variance in the outcome of schizophrenia and the prevalence of depression. Is Peet correct in stating that previous epidemiological studies of these issues are missing crucial information, or is the reported association between diet and psychiatric disorder at a population level just a particularly dramatic example of the ecological fallacy?


The design of lightweight links for robotic manipulators results in flexible links. Accurate control of lightweight manipulators during the large changes in configuration common to robotic tasks requires dynamic models that describe both the rigid-body motions, as well as the flexural vibrations. This paper describes a linear state-space model for a single-link flexible manipulator and compares simulation of the model to measurements made on a 4-ft-long direct-drive arm.


Despite the recent proliferation of work on semistructured data models, there has been little work to date on supporting uncertainty in these models. We propose a model for probabilistic semistructured data (PSD). The advantage of our approach is that it supports a flexible representation that allows the specification of a wide class of distributions over semistructured instances. We provide two semantics for the model and show that the semantics are probabilistically coherent. Next, we develop an extension of the relational algebra to handle probabilistic semistructured data and describe efficient algorithms for answering queries that use this algebra. Finally, we present experimental results showing the efficiency of our algorithms.


Background: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This is infections cannot be cured but can be controlled by the antiretroviral treatment. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is key to the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Research shows that some patients with HIV/AIDS are experiencing undernutrition. That's influenced by symptoms of the disease, difficulties dietary, and duration of antiretroviral treatment. Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze a correlation of knowledge with nutritional status, adherence with nutritional status, knowledge with feeding patterns, and also analyze the correlation among knowledge, feeding patterns, and adherence with nutritional status. Methods: The study was an observational with the cross-sectional design carried out at the Seroja VCT Clinic and the Tanpa Batas Foundation of the central of Kupang. The population of the study was all the people living with HIV/AIDS as to as 884 in the Kupang, and the sample were men and women of 18 years old and over who met of the inclusion criteria. Total participant of the study was 136 people by a consecutive sampling of the two areas in  Kupang. Data was taken by interviews and measurements of the body weight and height. We have made to analysis univariate, bivariate with Chi-Square and multivariate using Logistic Regression. Result: The results showed that antiretroviral knowledge associated with nutritional status (p = 0.001). Adherence to nutritional status has a relationship (0.001). Antiretroviral knowledge with feeding patterns has a relationship (p-value = 0.001). The results of multiple logistic regression with predictive models show that the feeding patterns were influenced with nutritional status. As evidenced by expectation value. B (103,841). Conclusion: In this study, two things related to nutritional status were knowledge and adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Antiretroviral knowledge also associated with feeding patterns. While the antiretroviral knowledge prediction model, feeding patterns, adherence to antiretroviral treatment with nutritional status shows that feeding patterns have the greatest influence with nutritional status among people living with HIV/AIDS. Suggestions: This study is useful for the managers of the Health Public to make an evaluation of the efforts to treatment to people with HIV/AIDS in the community. They need to giving education about feeding patterns, antiretroviral treatment, and adherence to antiretroviral treatment among people with HIV/AIDS.


Health care-associated infection is a real and relative risk within the realm of organ donation. Despite detailed guidance from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs on the microbiological safety of human organs, tissues and cells used in transplantation, the topic has received limited exposure in the literature. This paper will give a context to the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs guidance, outline the key recommendations for mandatory/recommended screening and provide a summary of infections that may be present at the time of donation that require careful risk assessment. This does not detract from national guidelines and cannot replace expert advice but will raise awareness and complement safe and effective care delivery.


A stream compiler (ASC) for computing with field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) emerges from the ambition to bridge the hardware-design productivity gap where the number of available transistors grows more rapidly than the productivity of very large scale integration (VLSI) and FPGA computer-aided-design (CAD) tools. ASC addresses this problem with a softwarelike programming interface to hardware design (FPGAs) while keeping the performance of hand-designed circuits at the same time. ASC improves productivity by letting the programmer optimize the implementation on the algorithm level, the architecture level, the arithmetic level, and the gate level, all within the same C++ program. The increased productivity of ASC is applied to the hardware acceleration of a wide range of applications. Traditionally, hardware accelerators are tediously handcrafted to achieve top performance. ASC simplifies design-space exploration of hardware accelerators by transforming the hardware-design task into a software-design process, using only "GNU compiler collection (GCC)" and "make" to obtain a hardware netlist. From experience, the hardware-design productivity and ease of use are close to pure software development. This paper presents results and case studies with optimizations that are: 1) on the gate level-Kasumi and International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA) encryptions; 2) on the arithmetic level-redundant addition and multiplication function evaluation for two-dimensional (2-D) rotation; and 3) on the architecture level-Wavelet and Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-like compression


In a study in Switzerland we checked the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and medicaments of 1033 women and 1260 men engaged in 44 factories in Switzerland. Cigarettes smoked 54% of the women, but only 44% of the men in the age from 20-35. No alcohol drank 10% of the feminine and 4% of the masculine employees. At the time of the study 27% of all women and 16% of all men took medicaments of any kind, but only one third of all were prescribed by a doctor.


This paper explores the potential use of neural networks (NNs) in the field of contact mechanics. A neural network model is developed for predicting, with sufficient approximation, the contact lengths between the elastic layer and two elastic circular punches. A backpropagation neural network of three layers is employed. First contact problem is solved according to the theory of elasticity with integral transformation technique, and then the results are used to train the neural network. The effectiveness of different neural network configurations is investigated. Effect of parameters such as load factor, elastic punch radii and flexibilities that influence the contact lengths is also explored. The results of the theoretical solution and the outputs generated from the neural network are compared. Results indicate that NN predicted the contact length with high accuracy. It is also demonstrated that NN is an excellent method that can reduce time consumed.


In order to examine their suitability for studies on coronary atherosclerosis, we evaluated the features of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHLMI) rabbits, a spontaneous animal model for coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Coronary segments of the hearts of 187 WHHLMI rabbits (10–29 months old) were sectioned serially and stained histopathologically and immunohistologically. Progression of coronary lesions was prominent in rabbits that had died suddenly. The degree of coronary lesions of females was higher than that of males. Various types of atherosclerotic lesions were observed in the coronary arteries, such as plaques with a large lipid core covered by a thin fibrous cap, fatty streaks, early and advanced fibroatheromas, fibrous lesions, and advanced lesions with calcium accumulation and the vasa vasorum. In rabbits that had died suddenly, the frequencies of fibroatheromas or advanced lesions were higher than those of rabbits euthanized. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-positive macrophages were detected in gaps among endothelial cells at the plaque surface, beneath the fibrous cap of thin-capped fibroatheromas, and at the bottom of the intimal plaques in which the tunica media was attenuated. Immunohistological results suggest that MMP-positive macrophages are involved in the initiation, progression, and destabilization of coronary plaques, in addition to vascular remodeling, even in WHHLMI rabbits. In conclusion, coronary lesions in WHHLMI rabbits resemble human atherosclerotic lesions, and thus, the WHHLMI rabbit is a suitable animal model for studies on human coronary plaques.


We investigate theoretically pump and probe dynamics in metal clusters with crossed-polarization laser beams. We explore the relation between the pronounced Mie plasmon resonance and the laser frequency. The resonance moves with the cluster radius and splits according to the actual deformation. We demonstrate that probe pulses with different (linear) polarization axes allow one to resolve the global shape oscillations of the cluster in monopole and quadrupole degrees of freedom.


Heterobimetallic Rh(I)Au(I) halide complexes react with LiHBEt(3) to afford the corresponding hydride, and they are oxidised by halogen to afford thermally stable Rh(II)Au(II) complexes. The hydride complex reacts with acid and halogen sources to produce H(2) and HCl, respectively. The Rh(II)Au(II) complexes exhibit optical and photochemical properties that are derived from the bimetallic core.


: Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a physicochemical technique based on the vibrations of a molecule energized by infrared radiation at a specific wavelength range. Abiotic stresses can induce the production of secondary metabolites, increasing bioactivity. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the impact of heat treatments on the bioactivity of pineapple by-products, and whether FT-IR analysis allows understanding of the changes imparted by abiotic stress. The by-products were treated at 30, 40, and 50 ◦ C for 15 min, followed by storage at 5 ± 1 ◦ C for 8 and 24 h. Lyophilized samples were characterized for total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity and analyzed by FT-IR. Thermal treatments at 50 ◦ C reduced the content of phenolic compounds (21–24%) and antioxidant capacity (20–55%). Longer storage time (24 h) was advantageous for the shell samples, although this e ff ect was not demonstrated for the core samples. The principal components analysis (PCA) model developed with the spectra of the pineapple shell samples showed that the samples were grouped according to their total phenolic compounds content. These results allow the conclusion to be drawn that FT-IR spectroscopy is a promising alternative to the conventional chemical analytical methodologies for phenolic and antioxidant contents if there are significant di ff erences among samples.


Abstract. We develop and implement a new method to take into account the impact of waves into the 3-D circulation model SYMPHONIE (Marsaleix et al., 2008, 2009a) following the simplified equations of Bennis et al. (2011) which use glm2z-RANS theory (Ardhuin et al., 2008c). These adiabatic equations are completed by additional parameterizations of wave breaking, bottom friction and wave-enhanced vertical mixing, making the forcing valid from the surf zone through to the open ocean. The wave forcing is performed by wave generation and propagation models WAVEWATCH III® (Tolman, 2008, 2009; Ardhuin et al., 2010) and SWAN (Booij et al., 1999). The model is tested and compared with other models for a plane beach test case, previously tested by Haas and Warner (2009)and Uchiyama et al. (2010). A comparison is also made with the laboratory measurements of Haller et al. (2002) of a barred beach with channels. Results fit with previous simulations performed by other models and with available observational data. Finally, a realistic case is simulated with energetic waves travelling over a coast of the Gulf of Lion (in the northwest of the Mediterranean Sea) for which currents are available at different depths as well as an accurate bathymetric database of the 0–10 m depth range. A grid nesting approach is used to account for the different forcings acting at different spatial scales. The simulation coupling the effects of waves and currents is successful to reproduce the powerful northward littoral drift in the 0–15 m depth zone. More precisely, two distinct cases are identified: When waves have a normal angle of incidence with the coast, they are responsible for complex circulation cells and rip currents in the surf zone, and when they travel obliquely, they generate a northward littoral drift. These features are more complicated than in the test cases, due to the complex bathymetry and the consideration of wind and non-stationary processes. Wave impacts in the inner shelf are less visible since wind and regional circulation seem to be the predominant forcings. Besides, a discrepancy between model and observations is noted at that scale, possibly linked to an underestimation of the wind stress. This three-dimensional method allows a good representation of vertical current profiles and permits the calculation of the shear stress associated with waves and currents. Future work will focus on the combination with a sediment transport model.


This paper proposes a spatiotemporal clustering algorithm and its implementation in the R package spotoroo. This work is motivated by the catastrophic bushfires in Australia throughout the summer of 2019-2020 and made possible by the availability of satellite hotspot data. The algorithm is inspired by two existing spatiotemporal clustering algorithms but makes enhancements to cluster points spatially in conjunction with their movement across consecutive time periods. It also allows for the adjustment of key parameters, if required, for different locations and satellite data sources. Bushfire data from Victoria, Australia, is used to illustrate the algorithm and its use within the package.


AbstractRadioactive waste is an inevitable product of using radioactive material in education and research activities, medical applications, energy generation, and weapons production. Low-level radioactive waste (LLW) makes up a majority of the radioactive waste produced in the United States. In 2010, over two million cubic feet of LLW were shipped to disposal sites. Despite efforts from several states and compacts as well as from private industry, the options for proper disposal of LLW remain limited. New methods for quickly identifying potential storage locations could alleviate current challenges and eventually provide additional sites and allow for adequate regional disposal of LLW. Furthermore, these methods need to be designed so that they are easily communicated to the public. A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based method was developed to determine suitability of potential LLW disposal (or storage) sites. Criteria and other parameters of suitability were based on the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) requirements as well as supporting literature and reports. The resultant method was used to assess areas suitable for further evaluation as prospective disposal sites in Louisiana. Criteria were derived from the 10 minimum requirements in 10 CFR Part 61.50, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Regulatory Guide 0902, and studies at existing disposal sites. A suitability formula was developed permitting the use of weighting factors and normalization of all criteria. Data were compiled into GIS data sets and analyzed on a cell grid of approximately 14,000 cells (covering 181,300 square kilometers) using the suitability formula. Requirements were analyzed for each cell using multiple criteria/sub-criteria as well as surrogates for unavailable datasets. Additional criteria were also added when appropriate. The method designed in this project proved to be sufficient for initial screening tests in determining the most suitable areas for prospective disposal (or storage) sites. Cells above 90%, 95%, and 99% suitability include respectively 404, 88, and 4 cells suitable for further analysis. With these areas identified, the next step in siting a LLW storage facility would be on-site analysis using additional requirements as specified by relevant regulatory guidelines. The GIS based method provides an easy, economic, efficient and effective means in evaluating potential sites for LLW storage facilities where sufficient GIS data exist.


Nylon 6/carboxylic acid-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO2-COOH) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization of caprolactam in the presence of SiO2-COOH. The aim of this work was to study the effect of carboxylic silica on the properties of the nylon 6 through the interfacial interactions between the SiO2-COOH nanoparticles and the nylon 6 matrix. For comparison, pure nylon 6, nylon 6/SiO2 (unmodified) and nylon 6/amino-functionalized SiO2 (SiO2-NH2) were also prepared via the same method. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the structure of SiO2-COOH and nylon 6/SiO2-COOH. The results from thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that decomposition temperatures of nylon 6/SiO2-COOH nanocomposites at the 5 wt % of the total weight loss were higher than the pure nylon 6. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) studies showed that the melting point (Tm) and degree of crystallinity (Xc) of nylon 6/SiO2-COOH were lower than the pure nylon 6. Mechanical properties results of the nanocomposites showed that nylon 6 with incorporation of SiO2-COOH had better mechanical properties than that of pure nylon 6, nylon 6/SiO2, and nylon 6/SiO2-NH2. The morphology of SiO2, SiO2-NH2, and SiO2-COOH nanoparticles in nylon 6 matrix was observed using SEM measurements. The results revealed that the dispersion of SiO2-COOH nanoparticles in nylon 6 matrix was better than SiO2 and SiO2-NH2 nanoparticles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011


An increase in the aggregation properties of platelets accompanied by the activation of glycogenolysis and glycolysis was established in patients with unstable angina as compared to a control group of healthy persons. In most cases corinfar therapy resulted in a positive time course of the main platelet indices and a marked improvement of the patients' status. The correlation between the platelet aggregation index and phosphorylase A activity and their association with a course of disease indicated an opportunity of using these indices as accessory diagnostic criteria and control over therapeutic efficacy in unstable angina.


The necessity for taking actions that strengthen activities intended for health promotion and disease prevention has allowed the rediscovery of traditional dishes as an option for healthy diet. Traditional dishes not only gather dietary and nutritional aspects, but also social and cultural elements associated with a culinary dish, all of which enrich and give identity to people, families and communities. This review theorizes and reflects on the relationship between traditional dishes and healthy diet based on one of the most well-known dietary patterns worldwide: the Mediterranean diet. This feeding regime allows the rendezvous between healthy food and culinary preparations, promotes a lifestyle that prevents the onset of chronic diseases, and has a sociocultural connotation based on its designation as culinary heritage of humanity, which gives identity to the Mediterranean nations. This article presents the characteristics of such feeding regime and its classic application as a healthy diet. It also goes more deeply into its role as part of the cultural intangible heritage of humanity, as well as its current application and representation as a healthy and sustainable diet, and poses the need for recognizing traditional dishes as an opportunity for healthy diet.


The flora of Gitdae-bong area were investigated from March, 2009 to September, 2010. The vascular plants were summarized as 435 taxa; 90 families, 272 genera, 380 species, 3 subspecies, 45 varieties, and 7 forma. Among the investigated 435 taxa, twelve Korean endemic, eight rare plants and 68 specially designated plants by Ministry of Environment were also included. The naturalized plants were 15 taxa and percent of naturalized plant species was 3.4%. Usefulness of plants of 435 taxa listed consists of 203 taxa (46.7%) of edible plants, 141 taxa (32.4%) of medicinal plants, 64 taxa (14.7%) of pasture plants, 44 taxa (10.1%) of ornamental plants, 18 taxa (4.1%) of timber plants, 15 taxa (3.4%) of fiber plants and 4 taxa (0.9%) of industrial plants.


Life circumstances at midlife are oft en diff erent than those for younger adults (e.g., relationship type and duration, physical health, experience of sexual problems), and these circumstances impact experiences of sexuality and sexual behaviour. Past research on sexual behaviours like sexting, which has been primarily conducted on young people, may not generalize to middle-aged adults. Sexting may be a benefi cial activity for midlife adults in long-term relationships who are seeking private and convenient ways to communicate sexual interest. Furthermore, as in younger samples, sexting may be associated with body image and sexual satisfaction. A cross-sectional study with a sample of 640 midlife (40–59 years old) married Canadians was conducted to address these suppositions. Structural equation modelling was used to test the factorial validity of a body image self-consciousness (BISC) scale and to investigate the connections between BISC, sexting frequency (to communicate sexual interest, to initiate sexual activity, and that include a picture), and sexual satisfaction. Almost one-half of participants (43%) reported sexting to communicate sexual interest, 37% sexted to initiate sexual activity, and 18% sexted sexy pictures of themselves. Women with lower levels of BISC were more likely to sext (communicate, initiate, and pictures), and men with lower levels of BISC were more likely to send sexts with pictures. Both men and women with lower levels of BISC and those who engaged in sexting to communicate sexual interest had higher levels of sexual satisfaction. Sexting may be an opportunity for busy marital partners to engage in technology-mediated sexual activity when apart. Th e current results indicate that technology-mediated sexual communication has similar psychological mechanisms to faceto-face interactions and that sexting may be a benefi cial behaviour for sexual satisfaction within midlife marriages.


A Penn Medicine patient with a genetic form of childhood blindness gained vision, which lasted more than a year, after receiving a single injection of an experimental RNA therapy into the eye. The clinical trial was conducted by researchers at the Scheie Eye Institute in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Results of the case, detailed in a paper published today in Nature Medicine, show that the treatment led to marked changes at the fovea, the most important locus of human central vision.


A computer-aided method for determining the impact of load on winding inductances and other machine parameters of permanent magnet generators with multiple damping circuits is presented. The method is general in nature so that it can be applied to detailed computer-aided design processes of permanent magnet generator systems. The method is based on use of the abc frame of reference for development of the necessary state equations. >


One of the major problems that most companies face with during the implementation of an ERP system is to determine the best satisfying ERP software based on their needs and expectations. Because an improperly selected ERP software might lead to time loss and increased costs, and in the long run, a loss of market share. Therefore, the ERP evaluation process for companies becomes to a vital point. On the other hand, evaluating ERP software alternatives under a set of criteria leads us to a multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, and needs to use proper MCDM methods. In the current literature, a number of the MCDM methods have been proposed to solve these kinds of problems, both of which are the analytic network process (ANP) of Saaty, and grey relational analysis (GRA) which has been widely used in solving MCDM selection problems in various fields. Moreover, in this article, the authors used the fuzzy extension of the ANP method to reflect the uncertainty and ambiguity of decision maker(s) into problem in order to reach more reliable solution. As the fuzzy ANP method was used to calculate the priority weights of the evaluation criteria, the GRA method with fuzzy interval-values was employed to rank a set of the possible ERP software alternatives. The proposed approach was also validated in a case study to show its applicability to potential readers and practitioners.


Background: Topical 15% resorcinol is commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of nodules and abscesses in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). It has been shown to be clinically effective in some small studies, but data on satisfaction perceived by patients are lacking. The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) version 1.4 is a validated measure of patient satisfaction, evaluating four domains: effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction. Our objective was to obtain data from HS patients regarding resorcinol treatment satisfaction and its relationship with clinical and epidemiological variables. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study providing TSQM version 1.4 questionnaires to HS patients who had been prescribed topical resorcinol during the previous 24 months. Results: Ninety-two patients answered the questionnaire. Eighty-five out of 92 (92.4%) were Hurley II and 7 Hurley I. The mean total score was 317.5 out of 400 (71.0 points in effectiveness, 93.6 in side effects, 79.3 in convenience, and 73.2 in global satisfaction). Total score was higher in men than in women (329.7 vs. 311.6, p = 0.026) and higher scores on convenience were seen in patients who were not overweight or obese (86.9 vs. 77.1, p = 0.016). Most patients (65, 70.6%) denied having any side effect. 78 (84.8%) of the patients would recommend the treatment. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that HS patients treated with resorcinol 15% are very satisfied with this treatment.


Background Identifying ongoing tuberculosis infection sites is crucial for breaking chains of transmission in tuberculosis-prevalent urban areas. Previous studies have pointed out that detection of local accumulation of tuberculosis patients based on their residential addresses may be limited by a lack of matching between residences and tuberculosis infection sites. This study aimed to identify possible tuberculosis hotspots using TB genotype clustering statuses and a concept of "activity space", a place where patients spend most of their waking hours. We further compared the spatial distribution by different residential statuses and describe urban environmental features of the detected hotspots. Methods Culture-positive tuberculosis patients notified to Shinjuku city from 2003 to 2011 were enrolled in this case-based cross-sectional study, and their demographic and clinical information, TB genotype clustering statuses, and activity space were collected. Spatial statistics (Global Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics) identified significant hotspots in 152 census tracts, and urban environmental features and tuberculosis patients' characteristics in these hotspots were assessed. Results Of the enrolled 643 culture-positive tuberculosis patients, 416 (64.2%) were general inhabitants, 42 (6.5%) were foreign-born people, and 184 were homeless people (28.6%). The percentage of overall genotype clustering was 43.7%. Genotype-clustered general inhabitants and homeless people formed significant hotspots around a major railway station, whereas the non-clustered general inhabitants formed no hotspots. This suggested the detected hotspots of activity spaces may reflect ongoing tuberculosis transmission sites and were characterized by smaller residential floor size and a higher proportion of non-working households. Conclusions Activity space-based spatial analysis suggested possible TB transmission sites around the major railway station and it can assist in further comprehension of TB transmission dynamics in an urban setting in Japan.


This paper presents the digital current mode control employing nonlinear resistive current mode control and digital state feedback control using the pole placement technique for parallel interleaved DC-DC converters. The former method achieves current sharing by converting the effective input characteristic of the converters seen by the source to a resistive load sink. The latter method derives the discrete state feedback controller structure for robust tracking control using the error state. For the design example of the two control scheme, a prototype hardware system with two 100 W parallel module buck converters with a TMS320F2812 DSP has been built and tested.


The results of low cycle fatigue experiments on an aluminium-4% copper alloy reinforced with tungsten wires are discussed in terms of the effects of fibre volume fraction and matrix work-hardening properties. The cyclic strain-hardening behaviour of composites containing 0-22 volume% of fibres is compared with normal tensile strain hardening, and fatigue failure under conditions of constant stress range and constant strain range is described. It has been found that a direct comparison between fracture resistances during monotonic and cyclic loading cannot be made, partly because the matrix plastic behaviour changes significantly under fatigue conditions. In normal tensile failure composites with matrices having low work-hardening rates usually have higher fracture toughness than those with higher work-hardening rates. Under cyclic conditions, however, composites with greater capacity for cyclic hardening have better fatigue resistance provided the comparison is made on the usual stress-range (S-N) basis. On the other hand, a Manson-Coffin (strain-range) analysis suggests the reverse. It would not appear possible, on the basis of results from un-notched fatigue test samples, to predict fatigue behaviour unambiguously from the results of fracture toughness tests.


This is the second part of a two-part series of papers, where the error performance of multidimensional lattice constellations with signal space diversity (SSD) is investigated. In Part I, following a novel combinatorial geometrical approach which is based on parallelotope geometry, we have presented an exact analytical expression and two closed-form bounds for the symbol error probability (SEP) in Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN). In the present Part II, we extend the analysis and present a novel analytical expression for the Frame Error Probability (FEP) of multidimensional lattice constellations over Nakagami-m fading channels. As the FEP of infinite lattice constellations is lower bounded by the Sphere Lower Bound (SLB), we propose the Sphere Upper Bound (SUB) for block fading channels. Furthermore, two novel bounds for the FEP of multidimensional lattice constellations over block fading channels, named Multiple Sphere Lower Bound (MSLB) and Multiple Sphere Upper Bound (MSUB), are presented. The expressions for the SLB and SUB are given in closed form, while the corresponding ones for MSLB and MSUB are given in closed form for unitary block length. Numerical and simulation results illustrate the tightness of the proposed bounds which can be efficiently used to set the performance limits on the FEP of lattice constellations of arbitrary structure, dimension and rank.


A system coup1ingra1ong with moderate scale CI in calculations for molecules containing very heavy elements is demonstrated. In this effective potential procedure rigorousab initlo spin-orbit integrals are computed and added to the conventional integral set after the SCF and integral transformation steps of the calculation. This avoids the use of complex coefficients in the integral.transformation and yet includes spin-orbit corrections on an equal footing with electron correlation. The diagonalization of the resulting complex CI plus SO matrix requires only about twice the time of a real CI diagonalization. Our present calculations on the two lowest 0+ and 1 states and the lowest O and 2 states of T9.H indicate that this procedure allows adequate flexibility in the electronic coupling, resulting in bonding curves which are in good agreement with the experimentally established curves. The results also help to understand and to confirm previously conjectural interpretations of other spectral •data.


Aim: To determine the prevalence and describe the antimicrobial resistance patterns of circulating methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolated from clinical specimens during a 3-year period in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Materials & methods: From January 2017 to December 2019, 1683 clinical samples were plated onto Mannitol salt agar. Bacterial identification was performed followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Data were analyzed using R program. Results: Staphylococci were identified in 90 (5.35%) of the 1683 clinical samples. Among these, 83.33% were MRS with 78.67% being methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The prevalence of MRS infection increased significantly with age. Conclusion: The study offers a good baseline for surveillance intervention to contain antimicrobial resistance and highlights the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and infection, prevention and control programs in the country.


Abstract Electrode dissolution was monitored in real‐time during Kolbe electrolysis along with the characteristic products. The fast determination of appropriate reaction conditions in electro‐organic chemistry enables the minimization of electrode degradation while keeping an eye on the optimal formation rate and distribution of products. Herein, essential parameters influencing the dissolution of the electrode material platinum in a Kolbe electrolysis were pinpointed. The formation of reaction products and soluble platinum species were monitored during potentiodynamic and potentiostatic experiments using an electroanalytical flow cell coupled to two different mass spectrometers. The approach opens new vistas in the field of electro‐organic chemistry because it enables precise and quick quantification of dissolved metals during electrosynthesis, also involving electrode materials other than platinum. Furthermore, it draws attention to the vital topic of electrode stability in electro‐organic synthesis, which becomes increasingly important for the implementation of green chemical processes utilizing renewable energy.


. Snow sublimation plays a fundamental role in the winter water balance. To date, few studies have quantified sublimation in tundra and boreal forest snow by direct measurements. Continuous latent heat data collected with eddy covariance (EC) measurements from 2010 to 2021 were used to calculate snow sublimation at six locations in northern Alaska: 10 three Arctic tundra sites at distinct topographical and vegetation communities in the Imnavait Creek watershed on the North Slope underlain by continuous permafrost and three lowland boreal forest/taiga sites of differing permafrost conditions and ecosystems in interior Alaska near Fairbanks. Mean surface sublimation rates range from 0.08–0.15 mm day -1 and 15–27 mm year -1 at the six sites, representing on average 21% of the measured solid precipitation and 8–16% of the cumulative annual water vapor flux to the atmosphere (evaporation plus sublimation). The mean daily sublimation rates of the lowland boreal 15 forest sites are higher than those of the tundra sites, but the longer snow cover period of the tundra sites leads to greater mean annual sublimation rates. We examined the potential controls, drivers, and trends of the sublimation rates by using meteorological data collected in conjunction with EC measurements. This research offers results to better understand how site conditions affect sublimation rates and the winter hydrologic cycle. Our study contributes to the sparse literature on tundra and boreal sublimation measurements and finds comparable rates to sublimation estimates in other northern climates.


ABSTRACT This paper develops an alternative and complement estimation procedure for functional coefficient partially linear regression (FCPLR) model based on series method. We derive the convergence rates and asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator. We examine its finite sample performance and compare it with the two-step local linear estimator via a small scale Monte Carlo simulation.


Export of footwear products Indonesia has potential that is strong enough to compete with other countries in ASEAN. The purpose in this research to measure the competitiveness of Indonesia's footwear products the ASEAN in 2013 and analyze the effect of labor productivity, inflation and exchange rate, the export value of footwear to Indonesia 2000-2013. In this study uses secondary data from 1994-2013 and analyzed using the analysis technique of RCA, RCDA, RTA, ISP, and multiple linear analysis techniques. Results of this study stated that Indonesia has a footwear product comparative advantage decreases, which is analyzed by RCA to measure on the export, import side by RCDA, RTA on side of exports and imports, and ISP's to measure the stage of growth products footwear, as well multiple linear analysis results for each of the variables that affect labor productivity positively and significantly to the export value of footwear, exchange rate effect is positive but not significant to the export value of footwear, and inflation effect is negative and not significant to the export value of footwear.


Clofazimine and clarithromycin are used to treat leprosy and infections caused by Mycobacterium avium complex. Little data on the toxicity of co-administration of these two drugs are available. Here we evaluated the potential adverse effects of polytherapy with these two drugs in male Wistar rats by determining WBCs counts and other blood cell counts, neutrophilic phagocytosis, and burst oxidative, by flow cytometry. We observed an increase in WBCs, in multiple-dose regimens, and in polymorphonuclear cells, in both single- clarithromycin only and multiple dose regimens. We also observed a reduction in mononuclear cell counts in single and multiple doses. The drugs seem to reverse the mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell ratio. An increase in oxidative burst was observed in animals treated with the drugs administered either individually or combined. In conclusion, clofazimine and clarithromycin change WBCs counts. Our results may contribute for a better understanding of the mechanisms related to the effects of co-administrating the two drugs.


ABSTRACT Self-neglect among older adults results in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Depression is strongly linked to self-neglect and when untreated, severely complicates management of health and functional outcomes. The study aims to identify factors correlated with depression to inform approaches to service recruitment and retention that improve long-term outcomes. The sample included urban community-dwelling older adults (n = 96) 65 years of age and older with Adult Protective Services-substantiated self-neglect. All participants completed a range of validated cognitive, functional, and self-report demographic and clinical measures around health and mental health functioning. A secondary data analysis using multivariable logistic regression revealed that a positive screen for alcohol abuse, low self-rated health, and higher self-reported pain were associated with significantly higher odds of self-reported depression. Further research is needed to understand the temporality between these correlates and depression and to inform prevention and intervention practices for self-neglecting older adults.


We consider a higher‐dimensional version of the Benjamin‐Ono (HBO) equation in the 2D setting: ut−R1Δu+12(u2)x=0,(x,y)∈R2$u_t- \mathcal {R}_1 \Delta u + \frac{1}{2}(u^2)_x=0, (x,y) \in \mathbb {R}^2$ , which is L2$L^2$ ‐critical, and investigate properties of solutions both analytically and numerically. For a generalized equation (fractional 2D gKdV) after deriving the Pohozaev identities, we obtain nonexistence conditions for solitary wave solutions, then prove uniform bounds in the energy space or conditional global existence, and investigate the radiation region, a specific wedge in the negative x$x$ ‐direction. We then introduce our numerical approach in a general context, and apply it to obtain the ground state solution in the 2D critical HBO equation, then show that its mass is a threshold for global versus finite time existing solutions, which is typical in the focusing (mass‐)critical dispersive equations. We also observe that globally existing solutions tend to disperse completely into the radiation in this nonlocal equation. The blow‐up solutions travel in the positive x$x$ ‐direction with the rescaled ground state profile while also radiating dispersive oscillations into the radiative wedge. We conclude with examples of different interactions of two solitary wave solutions, including weak and strong interactions.


Within Hispanic families there is a growing gap – a disconnection between Hispanic immigrants and their U.S. born and raised children. The cultural gap formed between these two groups has caused many U.S. Hispanic teens to disconnect from "Catholic" as a marker of identity. In order to help Hispanic teens establish a Catholic identity, the local church community needs to help families bridge the gap between teens, parents, and the Church itself. Through the exploration of mestizaje and the incorporation of lo cotidiano and accompaniment in catequesis familiar , parents in conjunction with the Church community can help engage teens in Church life. By creating a space for parents and another for their teens, each will receive sound faith formation relevant to their respective realities. Parents will gather to learn about their teens' Catholic identity and how to help their teens embrace it, while their teens meet separately to learn more about their faith in a space they feel comfortable created for them. Thus, a holistic approach that addresses each group's needs may lead to genuine involvement and understanding.


The goal of this paper is to find the quantization conditions of Bohr-Sommerfeld of k quantum Hamiltonians acting on the euclidian space of dimension n, depending on a small parameter h, and which commute to each other. That is we determine, around a regular energy level E of the euclidian space of dimension k the principal term of the asymptotics in h of the eigenvalues of the operators that are associated to a common eigenfunction. Thus we localize the so-called joint spectrum of the operators.
Under the assumption that the classical Hamiltonian flow of the joint principal symbol is periodic with constant periods on the energy level of E(a submanifold of codimension k) we prove that the part of the joint spectrum lying in a small neighbourhood of E is localized near a lattice of size h determined in terms of actions and Maslov indices. The multiplicity of the spectrum is also determined.


ONC201, founding member of the imipridone class of compounds, is a highly selective small molecule G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) antagonist that is in Phase I/II advanced cancer clinical trials. In this study, we evaluated GPCR engagement and antitumor activity of ONC212, an imipridone that is a chemical analogue of ONC201. Experimental GPCR profiling using the PathHunter® β-Arrestin assay, determined that ONC212 is a selective agonist of the orphan GPCR GPR132/G2A. Multidose validation confirmed nanomolar GPR132 agonist activity (EC50 ~400nM). GPR132 is a stress-inducible orphan GPCR that causes G2/M arrest. The tumor suppressive role of GPR132 has been demonstrated most notably in lymphoid leukemia. Gene expression analysis of samples in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed GPR132 is expressed in a range of tumor types with highest expression in leukemia and lymphoma. The in vitro efficacy of ONC212 was assessed in the Genomic of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) collection of cell lines (>1,000 cell lines). Cell viability assays were performed at 72 hours post-treatment to generate dose responses curves at concentrations from 78nM up to 20μM. ONC212 was broadly efficacious across most solid tumors and hematological malignancies in the low nanomolar range. Ranking the sensitivity of cancer lines to ONC212 by tumor type revealed that leukemia and lymphoma are the most responsive tumor types based on completeness of response (area under the dose-response curve). Interestingly, we also observed that high expression of GPR132 significantly correlated with ONC212 efficacy in GDSC cell lines, suggesting the importance of GPR132 agonist activity for ONC212 efficacy. ONC212 was tested in 62 human leukemia cell lines that included acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and hairy cell leukemia. ONC212 demonstrated broad spectrum anti-leukemic activity and was equally efficacious across all leukemia subtypes tested. Most cell lines (60/62) were responsive to ONC212 with GI50 ranging from ONC212 was also tested in 58 lymphoma cell lines comprised of anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Burkitt9s lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), Follicular Lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. ONC212 reduced cell viability in most cell lines (56/58) and was equally efficacious regardless of subtypes with GI50 ranging from Thus, GPR132 agonist ONC212 possesses robust anti-cancer activity in hematological malignancies irrespective of leukemia and lymphoma subtype and provides further validation of the anti-cancer efficacy of the novel imipridone class of small molecules. Citation Format: Varun Vijay Prabhu, Neel Madhukar, Rohinton Tarapore, Mathew Garnett, Ultan McDermott, Cyril Benes, Neil Charter, Sean Deacon, Wolfgang Oster, Michael Andreeff, Olivier Elemento, Martin Stogniew, Joshua Allen. Potent anti-cancer effects of selective GPR132/G2A agonist imipridone ONC212 in leukemia and lymphoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1155. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1155


Satellite video auctions make possible producer/seller-offered forward contracting. We outline a pricing theory for these markets for feeder cattle. Empirically, we uncover price premiums received for forward contracted cattle, indicating that satellite video auctions offer ranchers a market outlet that does not carry the pricing disadvantages of traditional forward contracts.


Today, the naturally harvested wood material of the past, prized for durability, is increasing difficult to obtain in substantial quantities with no certainty of replenishing a diminishing resource. The building and heritage conservation industries are in need of an environmentally friendly wood-based product whose service life meets the expectations of its users. The wood preservative industry aims to mitigate this gap in the present-day wood industry by minimizing wood's vulnerability to the consumptive natural environment. Generally, wood preservatives are chemicals that are toxic to common decay fungi and/or insects, or are chemicals that somehow modify or protect the wood against deterioration. The future of wooden heritage conservation is dependent upon ecologically sensitive preservative systems that incorporate sustainable forestry practice and species. This study seeks to begin this process by pairing the species radiata pine (Pinus radiata) with select low VOC formulas (borates, TWP, tung oil, permethrin and potassium silicates) to test for durability against eastern subterranean termite (Recticulitermes flavipes) damage.


The nanofibers membranes were fabricated by poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/Chi) using an electro-spun technique for selective and high adsorption of lead (Pb(II)) and cadmium (Cd(II)) ions based on the solution acidity. The PVA/Chi NFs membranes were characterized systematically using several instrumentations. In addition, several experimental parameters such as initial metal ions concentration, interaction time, adsorbent dosage, solution pH and the effects of competing ions on Pb(II) and Cd(II) adsorption were evaluated. The adsorption data were also clarified that the PVA/Chi NFs membranes were exhibited high kinetic performances towards the both toxic ions at the optimum conditions. The adsorption data were manipulated using different kinetics models, and it was confirmed that only pseudo-second-order model obeyed the adsorption kinetics for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions. Similarly, the equilibrium data were well fitted with the Langmuir adsorption isotherms model, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 266.12 and 148.79 mg/g for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions, respectively. The Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions adsorptions were also measured to know the selectivity with simulated environmental solution, and the data were confirmed the high selectivity to Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions at the optimum condition and the nanofibers membrane shown the potentiality for possible use in efficient removal of the selected toxic ions from waste samples. Thus, the PVA/Chi NFs are considered to be effective and promising materials for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from wastewaters with high efficiency.


&NA; Otitis media (OM) is a common disease affecting humans, especially paediatric populations. OM refers to inflammation of the middle ear and can be broadly classified into two types, acute and chronic. Bacterial infection is one of the most common causes of OM. Despite the introduction of vaccines, the incidence of OM remains significantly high worldwide. In this mini‐review article, we discuss the recent treatment modalities for OM, such as suspension gel, transcutaneous immunization, and intranasal and transtympanic drug delivery, including therapies that are currently undergoing clinical trials. We provide an overview of how these recent advancements in therapeutic strategies can facilitate the circumvention of current treatment challenges involving preadolescence soft palate dysfunction, biofilm formation, tympanic membrane (ear drum) barrier and the attainment of efficacious drug concentrations in the middle ear. While traditional first‐line immunization strategies are generally not very efficacious against biofilms, new technologies that use transdermal or intranasal drug delivery via chitosan‐PsaA nanoparticles have shown promising results in experimental animal models of OM. Sustained drug delivery systems such as penta‐block copolymer poloxamer 407‐polybutylphosphoester (P407‐PBP) or poloxamer 407 (e.g. OTO‐201, with the brand name 'OTIPRIO') have demonstrated that treatments can be reduced to a single topical application. The emergence of effective new treatment modalities opens up promising new avenues for the treatment of OM that could lead to improved quality of life for many children and their families.


31ST December 2019, was the day the WHO came to know about the new corona virus after a cluster of pneumonia cases caused by the virus in Wuhan province of China. On March 11 2020 WHO declared COVID-19 as pandemic. Since then the world hasn't remained the same. It has not only changed the medical community, but also the overall mind-sets and behaviour of people worldwide. What began as a Whatsapp forward, was soon analysed worldwide through various social platforms, media and publications. The novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2, has spread from Wuhan, China to almost ALL the continents and along with it spread the rumours and myths and misinformation regarding it. The virus killed tens of millions of people, and engraved fear in the minds of the hundreds of millions. The paranoia and panic led to people to form their own speculations and have their own conclusions. Not just the fear, but the incomplete information with respect to the virus and the disease in itself has caused confusion in not just common population but the medical fraternity as well. Months of research and studies on the virus and the disease has helped clear the myths surrounding it. But yet these myths still exist amongst the people receiving misinformation and rumours and among the ones who have no access to a legitimate source of information. So let's bust some myths surrounding the virus that changed the world.


A site was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service on the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in southwest Idaho in the fall of 1987 and operated through the spring of 1994, to compare precipitation catch between nine precipitation-measuring systems. This site was established as a part of the World Meteorological Organization's program to compare current national methods of measuring solid precipitation (snow), so the primary emphasis of this study was the measurement of snowfall. Over seven seasons, four of the systems measured snowfall and total catch, which included snow, mixed snow and rain, and rain events, within 4% of the Wyoming shielded gauge, which had the greatest total catch. These measuring systems were the Alter shielded gauge and the dual-gauge system from United States, the double-fence shielded gauge from Russia, and the Nipher shielded gauge from Canada. The unshielded universal recording gauge that was mounted with its orifice at 3.05 m had the least catch in all precipitation categories, which amounted to 24% less snow, 18% less mixed snow and rain, and 10% less rain than was measured by the Wyoming shielded gauge.


This paper discusses how offshoring software development projects from the US, particularly those involving software programming and information technology, can put intellectual property (IP) at risk. Without reliable institutions for IP enforcement, outsourcers must place their faith in prevention rather than cure. However, even the best safeguards can never guarantee invulnerability. The ideal self-help strategy, therefore, extends beyond prevention and assumes that bad things will happen.


Safe application of water insoluble acaricides requires fast release from solid dosage systems into aquatic environments. Dextrin is a water-soluble form of partially hydrolyzed starch, which may be used as matrix material for these systems if retrogradation can be inhibited by the inclusion of nanofillers. Several glycerol-plasticized thermoplastic dextrin-based nanocomposites were prepared with a twin-screw extrusion-compounding process. The nanofillers included a layered double hydroxide (LDH), cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and stearic acid. The time-dependent retrogradation of the compounds was monitored by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA). XRD showed that composite samples which included stearic acid in the formulation led to the formation of an amylose-lipid complex and a stable crystallinity during ageing. The most promising nanocomposite included both stearic acid and CNF. It was selected as carrier material for the water-insoluble acaricide, Amitraz. Fast release rates were observed for composites containing 5, 10 and 20% (w/w) of the pesticide. A significant reduction in the particle size of the released Amitraz powder was observed, which is ascribed to the high temperature compounding procedure.


Abstract The decay and termite resistance of boric acid (BA)- and di-sodium octoborate tetrahydrate (DOT)-treated sugi sapwood was tested in the context of additional heat treatments at two temperature levels. Heat treatments had no effect on boron release and almost all boron was leached from specimens during a 10-day weathering period. Decay tests with the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris and the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor and a 3-week termite resistance test with the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus were performed. Heat treatments did not increase the decay resistance of either BA- or DOT-treated specimens against the brown-rot fungus. However, the decay resistance of BA-treated specimens against the same fungus increased after heat treatment at 220°C for 2 h. Heat treatments at 180°C for 4 h and 220°C for 2 h also resulted in increased decay resistance of DOT-treated specimens against T. versi-color. Increased resistance against termite attack was observed only in DOT-treated specimens heated at 180°C for 4 h or at 220°C for 2 h. Accordingly, a synergistic effect between heat and DOT treatments was observed for resistance against white-rot decay and termites.


The State of Texas is currently divided into 16 areas of common groundwater use and cooperative management called Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs). The GMA process was initiated in the 2001 session of the Texas Legislature (Legislature) with a charge to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to develop the boundaries of GMAs. In general, the GMA boundaries reflect the limits of the "Major Aquifers" recognized by TWDB. GMA membership consists of Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs). Initially, GMA members were only required to meet from time to time, share management plans, and provide for common approaches to groundwater management. However, in the 2005 session, the Legislature expanded the responsibilities of GMAs to include the development of a Desired Future Condition (DFC) of aquifers within their boundaries. The purpose of expanding GMA responsibilities is to address the potential for conflict between Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPGs) and GCDs over the amount of groundwater, which may be used annually from aquifers. The basic purpose of the GCDs is determining the appropriate level of use for aquifers in their jurisdiction and managing that use. In developing 50-year water supply plans, RWPGs also assess the amount of groundwater that may be used from aquifers. In some instances conflicts arose over the amount of groundwater that could be used from an aquifer that was rooted in differing visions of the future condition of the aquifer (0 ft [0 m] versus 400 ft [122 m] draw down of artesian heads). Under the prior statute, GCDs were suborned to the RWPGs if they wanted less pumping. A DFC is essentially a vision statement of a future aquifer condition that describes a measurable aspect of the aquifer. DFCs are submitted to TWDB, and TWDB calculates the amount of water that can be pumped from the aquifer and meet the DFC specifications for aquifer conditions. The resulting value for the amount of pumping which can be sustained under a DFC is termed the Managed Available Groundwater (MAG) value. After the finalized MAG values are published, RWPGs must use TWDB MAG values for water supply planning. GCDs must use the MAGs as the amount of water that can be permitted for use in their aquifers. GMAs must submit DFCs to TWDB by September 2010. However, the GMA process is not synchronized with the RWPG 50-year water planning schedule. DFCs submitted by September 2010 will not be reflected in Regional Water Plans (RWPs) until 2016. TWDB provided an administrative schedule adjustment with an interim deadline of January 2008 for GMA submittal of DFCs to guarantee use of the resulting MAGs by the RWPGs in their 2011 RWPs. Each of the 16 GMAs in Texas faces a significant challenge in meeting their statutory responsibilities. To meet the requirements, the GMAs must essentially serve as the interface of science and policy development. Among the 16 GMAs in Texas, GMA-8 arguably faces among the greatest challenges meeting its responsibilities. The first challenge relates to the sheer size of GMA-8. The boundaries incorporate all or part of 45 of the 254 counties in the State of Texas. GMA-8 stretches from the north bank of the Colorado River, north to the Red River, and east to the Arkansas state line. Although membership to the GMA is restricted to GCDs, the GMA is responsible for developing a DFC for the entire area of the GMA. The original six GCDs, with jurisdiction in seven counties, were later joined by four new GCDs; however, the 31 unprotected counties outnumber the 14 GCD-protected counties. The number of counties for which information on groundwater availability, groundwater use, and projections of future demands had to be processed added significantly to the workload of the GMA. A second challenge posed to GMA-8 is the diversity of aquifers for which a DFC is required. The bounds of GMA-8 are oriented generally on the extent of the northern segment of the Trinity Aquifer, which is recognized by TWDB as a Major Aquifer. However, GMA-8 also includes a second Major Aquifer, the northern segment of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone [BFZ]) Aquifer . The GMA-8 diversity of aquifers is further expressed with the existence of all or portions of seven "Minor Aquifers" within its bounds. The Woodbine, Blossom, Nacatoch, and Marble Falls aquifers lie wholly within GMA-8. The Ellenburger – San Saba, Hickory, and Brazos River Alluvium aquifers are only partially incorporated in GMA-8. Where a TWDB groundwater availability model (GAM) exists for an aquifer; GMAs are required to use the GAM in developing the aquifer DFC. In GMA-8, two GAMs were available. The Northern Trinity / Woodbine Aquifer GAM was available for DFC development on the Trinity and Woodbine aquifers, and the Northern Edwards Aquifer GAM was available for development of the Edwards (BFZ) Aquifer DFC. For the remaining six aquifers, GMA-8 developed 2D models to project the use of groundwater in support of DFC development. A third challenge posed to GMA-8 was the creation of new GCDs after initiation of the DFC development process. Initially the GMA membership was composed of six GCDs with jurisdiction in all or portions of seven counties. In its 2007 session, the Legislature created four new GCDs with jurisdiction in seven additional counties. The Central Texas GCD, Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District (UWCD), Fox Crossing Water District, Middle Trinity GCD, Post Oak Savannah GCD, and the Saratoga GCD welcomed the Northern Trinity GCD, McLennan County GCD, Tablerock GCD, and Upper Trinity GCD with open arms. However, significant effort was required by all concerned to orient the new GCDs on the GMA process in general, and the GMA-8 process specifically in order to stay on-track in development of aquifer DFCs. The general approach taken by GMA-8 was to combine resources and data available locally from the GCDs and state agencies with targeted consulting assistance in order to most efficiently and effectively develop aquifer DFCs. GMA-8 resolved to develop DFCs in time to be used in the next round of RWPs and approached meeting the interim DFC deadline with inexperienced hubris. The process proved more complex than anticipated in several key areas: educating GCDs on groundwater modeling, estimating groundwater use in new or immature GCDs, and the effort required to reach consensus on aquifer DFCs. However, GMA-8 met the TWDB interim DFC deadline for the Edwards (BFZ), Woodbine, Blossom, Nacatoch, and Brazos River Alluvium aquifers. In all, DFCs were submitted to TWDB for five of the nine aquifers in the GMA. GMA-8 was the only GMA, which developed DFCs by the TWDB interim deadline. Since January 2008, GMA-8 has submitted DFCs to TWDB on the Ellenburger – San Saba, Hickory, and Marble Falls aquifers, and anticipates prompt completion of DFC development on the Trinity Aquifer.


An elaborate study of twenty-eight scientific controversies found that a high percentage of later-born scientists supported theories challenging accepted beliefs. This report, reprinted by permission from the Science Section of The New York Times of 8 May 1990, suggests that scientists who are not first-borns may be less likely to identify with authority.


[Purpose] Liposome is one of the useful drug carriers and it may be applying to a lot of diseases from now on. One of the most reasons which liposomes were using as medicine was improvement of circulation time in bloodstream by modifying polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-lipid. We synthesized novel PEG-lipid with two different PEG lengths of 2000 and 500 (different double arms-PEG; DDA-PEG) for developing more superior passive targeting liposome. In our previous study, doxorubicin (DOX) containing liposome which was modified DDA-PEG (DDA-PEG modified liposomal DOX; DDA-LDOX) had dual effect for primary and hepatic metastasis cancer. In this study, we observed tissue distribution at primary tumor using the near infrared fluorescence and analyzed hepatic metastasis by histological observation for explain this dual effect. Moreover, this effect for pulmonary metastasis was also evaluated. [Methods] Liposome (DSPC/cholesterol/DSPG-Na/DDA-PEG = 100:100:60:7.5 μmol) was prepared according to the method of Bangham. For observing tissue distribution of liposome at primary tumor model, liposome was contained indocyanine green (ICG) as fluorescence probe. This liposome was injected in tail vein and sequentially observed using fluorescent imaging device (Clairvivo OPT, SHIMADZU). In histological observation at hepatic metastasis murine model, M5076 ovarian sarcoma cells were inoculated in tail vein of mice. These mice were injected liposome at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg (i.v.) as DOX on 6, 9 and 12 d after tumor inoculation. At 14 d, this liver was removed and examined by microscope after HE stain. At assessment of pulmonary metastasis, B16F10 melanoma cells were implanted in tail vein and treated similarly to liver metastasis.[Results and discussion] In fluorescent imaging of primary tumor, DDA-PEG modified liposome assembled into tumor at 48 h after injection. This analysis supported our previous finding that DDA-LDOX significantly decreased tumor size. Furthermore, it was proved that DDA-PEG modified liposome or encapsulated drug remained in tumor site for a long time. In histological examination for hepatic metastasis, the tumor area in the liver was 5% by DDA-LDOX injection (normal group: 90%). More lymphocytes around tumor thrombus were positive for CD45. It was suggested that macrophage or lymphocytes, especially T cell, were concerned in this therapy. Pulmonary metastasis was depressed by DDA-LDOX compared with control or DOX containing PEG unmodified liposome group. In DDA-LDOX group, DOX concentration in lung was 2.6 times higher than that in PEG unmodified liposome group. It is known that metastasis is the most severe factor in cancer chemotherapy. Antitumor agent containing DDA-PEG modified liposome may have not only superior effect for primary tumor but also hepatic or pulmonary metastasis. Hence, it was suggested that DDA-PEG modified liposome was useful drug carrier for passive targeting. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1961. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1961


We propose an analytical approach for calculating the linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) including excitonic effects. An effective Hamiltonian reproducing the trigonal warping (TW) of the energy dispersion, is used to derive analytical expressions for excitonic matrix elements. Based on this approach, we provide an informative diagram, which encompasses all excitonic selection rules. The diagram enables us to identify main transitions for the first-, second- and third-order optical responses. As a case study, we calculate the optical conductivity and second/third harmonic generation responses of monolayer MoS2 and demonstrate that the analytical approach accurately reproduces the spectra obtained using the Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE). Therefore, the analytical approach provides an efficient and reliable method for calculating the NLO spectra as accurate as the full BSE method. Moreover, it enables us to obtain valuable physical insight into the fundamental transitions responsible for individual resonances, which is not straightforward in the full BSE method.


In 2005, World Health Organization proposed Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a powerful tool to achieve "the right to health". UHC is a prepaid healthcare financing system aiming to provide accessible quality healthcare for all and protect population from economic consequences of illness. Ever since, UHC is a priority for many countries, which lowmiddle income ones are on the run to achieve, big players like America or UK still debate over many unresolved problems. So what can UHC achieve and is it truly the flawless pathway to global health?


Feeding rate, aestivation and mobility of golden snails ( Pomacea canaliculata ) at different depths of water .  The research was studied in Malaka District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, during the dry and the rainy season (October 2014 - March 2015). Studies on capacity of damage to the Ciherang rice seedlings were carried out for three weeks. The size of snails used in this experiment was 11-20; 21-30; and 31-40 mm. The numbers of seedlings that were planted were 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 seeds. The treatments were repeated 5 times. The numbers of seeds which are damaged by the snails then were tabulated and analyzed. Snails with the size of 11-20 mm damaged the seeds in 31.67%, followed by snails with the size of 21-30 mm and 31- 40 mm with potency of damaging were 64.76% and 97.38%, respectively. The size of snails affects the level of damage to rice seedlings when transplanting. Study about aestivation was conducted in five villages, namely Kamanasa, Wehali, Umakatahan, Harekakae and Kletek when the rice fields were fallow. The observation point was observed at the corner of the dike and along the dike, evaluated every 10 meters away. The results showed snails aestivate when the fields were dry. Studies on snail's mobility conducted on the experiment arena on the mud in buckets, which planted with 20 paddy seedlings. The treatment depth of puddles in the experiment were without puddles, half, the same height and twice the height of snails shell. The treatments were repeated 10 times. Measurement of snail's mobility was performed routinely every 2 hours, observed from the beginning when the snails were placed for 24 hours in advance. The results showed that the depth of the water significantly affected the mobility of snails. Without puddles, the mobility of snails was severely hampered in the mud. The mobility of the juvenile was significantly higher than the imago. The implication of this study was benefit to that the regulating the level of water in the paddy field which is known as an appropriate effective technology and for controlling the attack of the golden snails.