One of the limitations of conventional autosequentially commutated inverter (ASCI) for high-power induction motor drives is the high voltage that is produced in the commutation capacitors during the current commutation from one phase to another. Since the capacitor voltage appears directly on the semiconductor components, it increases their required voltage ratings. Also, the high-voltage spikes generated at the motor terminals may cause damage to the motor insulation. A brief review of the literature on limiting the capacitor voltage and clamping the voltage spikes is given. Two circuits suitable for high-power applications are proposed. The analysis and the results of digital computer simulation of the proposed circuits are presented.


Young people populate a uniquely strategic position within society in general and particularly in party political debate about the future development of citizenship and the national community. Political parties in the UK have however been historically reluctant to engage with young people or represent their interests in the formulation of policies, instead prioritising older voters. However, the political resonance of issues linked to youth citizenship and democratic engagement has risen recently as political parties have sought to address steep declines in levels of civic and civil activism and the preparedness of young people to vote in elections. This paper explores the emerging party politics associated with such shifts, assessing the extent to which political parties have sought to reform how they engage with young people or reassert traditional modes of citizenship and political participation.


To explore the responses and feedbacks of the microbes in the sediments of Taihu Lake to the sediment nutrients, an investigation was made on the microbial biomass carbon (MB(C)), microbial biomass nitrogen (MB(N)), microbial biomass phosphorus (MB(P)), and their correlations with the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the sediments. The microbial biomass in the sediments was 184.66 mg x kg(-1), being higher at the lakeside than in the mid-lake region. The MB(C) was higher in the western coastal region, Zhushan Bay, and Meiliang Bay, with an average of 127.57 mg x kg(-1), MB(N) was higher in Meiliang Bay, Gonghu Bay, mid-lake region close to Meiliang Bay and Gonghu Bay, and eastern costal region, with an average of 19.25 mg x kg(-1), and MB(P) was higher in the eastern region and parts of the mid-lake region, with an average was 19.09 mg x kg(-1). The TOC high value zone (> or = 2.30 g x kg(-1)) was mainly in Zhushan Bay, western coastal region, Meiliang Bay, and Gonghu Bay, with an average of 1.59 g x kg(-1), TN high value zone (> or = 0.30 g x kg(-1)) was mainly in the Gonghu Bay, Meiliang Bay, Zhushan Bay, and western costal region, with an average of 0.21 g x kg(-1), and TP high value zone (> or = 1.20 g x kg(-1)) was mainly in the eastern coastal region and parts of the mid-lake region, with an average of 0.55 g x kg(-1). The TOC/TN ratio in the sediments was 7-19, with an average of 8.97, which showed that the organic substances in the sediments had obvious dual sources, among which, terrestrial organisms were mainly in the west side of the lake. The microbial biomass in the sediments was significantly positively correlated with sediment TOC and TN but had less correlation with sediment TP, and the MB(C)/MB(N) was significantly correlated with sediment TOC/TN, suggesting that the microbes in the sediments of Taihu Lake were mainly affected by the sediment TOC and TN, and the changes of the TOC/TN had significant effects on the microbial community structure.


[1] Rainwater was sampled during seven winters at eight sites along the Jordan Rift valley in Israel. The study area is divided into two regions: the northern part located between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and the southern part between the Dead Sea and the Dead Sea–Red Sea water divide line in the Arava valley. The Dead Sea region is considered as a desert, the northern part of the study area is semidesert whereas the southern region is considered as extreme desert. Good agreement was found between the chemical and isotopic composition of rainwater its sources and air mass trajectories. In the arid areas, the contribution of salts was mainly from local sources (of up to 500 Km in diameter). Significant chemical divergence was found between rainwater deriving from marine air masses characterized by NaCl enrichment and rainwater deriving from continental air masses which are mainly characterized by Ca-carbonate enrichment. Six main marine and continental air mass trajectories were defined, i.e., northern, northwestern, western, southwestern, eastern and local. The northern air mass trajectories contribute more salts than the southwestern air mass trajectories which exhibit the lowest rainwater salinities. The western trajectory is exclusively marine originating from the Mediterranean, while the eastern trajectory is exclusively continental and originates in the Arabian Desert. Rainwater isotopes revealed three chemically differing systems. The western marine trajectories reflect chemical setting associated with East Mediterranean Meteoric Water Line system; the continental air masses are mainly associated with the Mean Meteoric Water Line system; and whenever the eastern component is significant, a Local Meteoric Water Line prevails.


Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive, easy and safe diagnostic technique designed to evaluate small vessels of the microcirculation in the nailfold. It can reveal both the general architecture of capillary rows and fine details of particular vessels. The most important indications for performing capillaroscopy include differential diagnosis of primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, as well as assessment of scleroderma spectrum disorders. In systemic sclerosis capillary abnormalities appear and evolve in a clearly defined sequence called the scleroderma pattern, which correlates with internal organ involvement. Capillaroscopy is also listed as a systemic sclerosis classification criterion recognized by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). With digitized equipment, capillaroscopy allows for precise qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the microcirculation and is a valuable tool in the rheumatologists' daily practice.


PURPOSE
To assess prospectively the effect of section width in multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of patients with acute flank pain who are suspected of having or known to have urinary stone disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was approved by the ethics committee of the authors' university, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. One hundred forty-seven patients (age range, 11-101 years; mean, 51.4 years +/- 18.7 [standard deviation]) suspected of having urinary stone disease underwent unenhanced multi-detector row CT. CT was performed with four detector rows, a section thickness of 1.0 mm, an effective tube current-time product of 100 mAs, and a tube voltage of 120 kVp (CT dose index, 11.4 mGy). From these data, three sets of transverse images were reconstructed with section widths of 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 mm and approximately 50% of overlap each. Scans were evaluated in varying random orders by two radiologists for the number, size, and location of uroliths and nephroliths and for the presence of phleboliths, renal cysts, and secondary signs of obstruction. The significance of differences between the numbers of detected calcifications and the numbers of associated abnormalities on the scans obtained with varying section widths was tested with the McNemar test at a P level of less than .05. Spearman rho rank correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the correlation between the presence of uroliths and the presence of secondary signs.

RESULTS
Uroliths were found in 72 of 147 (49.0%) patients, and nephroliths were found in 16 patients (10.9%). There was no significant difference between section widths of 1.5 and 3.0 mm with regard to the number of detected stones (264 uroliths and 61 nephroliths for both protocols). Transverse sections 5.0-mm wide revealed significantly fewer uroliths (n = 231; P < .001) and nephroliths (n = 47; P < .016). The final diagnosis was changed in four of 72 patients. All missed renal and ureteral stones measured less than 3 mm in diameter.

CONCLUSION
Overlapping 3-mm sections are sufficient for the detection of urinary stone disease. Small calculi (<3 mm) may be missed on 5.0-mm-thick sections.


cw laser annealing has been applied to synthesize the metastable A15 superconductors, Nb3Al and Nb3Si. Qualitative agreement with the equilibrium phase diagrams have been obtained for the Nb‐Al system. Laser annealing permits the high‐temperature A15 phase to be fast quenched to room temperature without decomposition. Subsequent use of multiple low‐temperature laser scans raises the superconducting transition temperature, probably by improving the atomic order. For the Nb‐Si system, a single‐phase nonstoichiometric A15 structure is formed from the amorphous phase upon laser annealing.


Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are the hallmark of the so-called ANCAassociated vasculitides (AAV) (Jennette & Falk, 1997). These primary small-vessel vasculitides comprise granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, previously referred to as Wegener's granulomatosis) (Falk et al, 2011), the Churg-Straus syndrome (CSS), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and renal-limited necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN). These disease entities can be discriminated based on systemic symptoms of disease (GPA, CSS, and MPA) versus clinical manifestations that are restricted to the kidneys (NCGN). The systemic diseases can further be subdivided by the presence (GPA and CSS) or absence (MPA) of granulomatous lesions in the airways, while GPA and CSS can be distinguished based on the presence of asthmatic manifestations and/or eosinophilia in CSS, but not in GPA. Classification criteria for these diseases have been defined by the American college of rheumatology (ACR; Fries et al, 1990) and the Chapel Hill consensus conference (Jennette, 1994). The presence of ANCA, however, is not part of these criteria which are primarily based on clinical manifestations and histopathology as observed in biopsies obtained from the affected tissues. More recently a novel consensus methodology for the classification of AAV was developed and validated for epidemiological studies (Watts et al, 2007). Importantly, the latter classification criteria incorporated the ANCA status of the patient. By definition ANCA are directed to the cytoplasmic components of neutrophilic granulocytes. In particular the constituents of the granules appear to be the antigenic targets. With respect to AAV the serine protease (PR)3 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) are the most important autoantigens. ANCA were originally detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on ethanol-fixed neutrophils. According to the international consensus on ANCA detection four patterns have to be distinguished (Savige et al, 1999). First, the classical (C-)ANCA is characterized by a granular, cytoplasmic fluorescence with central or interlobular accentuation; second, a diffuse flat cytoplasmic fluorescence without interlobular accentuation may be referred to as atypical C-ANCA. In clinical practice, however, this pattern is not distinguished by many clinical laboratories. Third, the perinuclear (P-)ANCA is characterized by perinuclear staining, with or without nuclear extension. Reading of the P-ANCA pattern may be hampered by the presence of interfering antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Finally, if a combination of cytoplasmic and perinuclear staining occurs, this is called atypical ANCA. The perinuclear staining pattern actually is an artefact, since formalin-fixation produces a cytoplasmic staining pattern, indistinguishable


Background: Shigella dysenteriae are Gram-negative and non-sporulating bacteria that cause illness in epithelial tissue of the colon and rectum. According to a preliminary analysis, rare or no reports could introduce highly reliable and specific genes, primers, and probes for S. dysenteriae recognition. Thus, it is necessary to detect specific genome parts in S. dysenteriae that could be used in diagnostic laboratories to recognize S. dysenteriae species confidently. Methods: Identification of specific S. dysenteriae genome regions as DNA-barcodes was the main objective of the current study to accrue detection of this species. To this end, S. dysenteriae genome was compared with other Enterobacteriaceae genomes. Results: Results indicated that there is little genetic distance between S. dysenteriae and E. coli, and most of the genes are common between these 2 species. The lowest genome fluidity was observed between S. dysenteriae and Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica. Furthermore, the largest number of orthologous genes was observed between S. dysenteriae and E. coli (O157_H7). All previous markers and virulent genes were also evaluated in the current study. However, no specific DNA barcodes were identified among already identified genes. Additionally, all regions of S. dysenteriae genome were investigated in the current study using specific region identifier programs by comparison with other Enterobacteriaceae strains. Conclusions: Finally, eight specific DNA-barcodes were identified in the current study that could be beneficial for specific recognition of S. dysenteriae strains.


The relationship between financial institutions and their customers is strongly dependent on mutual trust between both parties. However, this mutual trust relationship has suffered some serious setbacks during the last decade. The way financial institutions operate and the environment in which they operate have altered tremendously within a short span of time. Financial institutions in western societies have suffered some serious setbacks due to an economical crisis which introduced them to trust-decreasing situations. Furthermore, the continuous introduction of new technologies in the banking business has ensured that financial institutions and their customers constantly need to learn about- and adapt to these new technologies. For these reasons, financial institutions appear to be susceptible for being the subject of crisis situations in which their trustworthiness is at stake.
Over the years, "crisis communication" and "trust repair" are topics which have been discussed in various studies. Within these studies, multiple strategies for the maintenance of positive perceptions towards organizations during crisis situations have been defined. The stealing thunder strategy is a type of crisis communication which has been proven to be efficient in creating positive perceptions when disclosing crisis situations. However, studies which elaborate on the effects of the stealing thunder strategy in various types of crisis situations appear to be rare.
This experimental research provides insights into the effects of various types of crisis situations and the way they are disclosed. Hereby, measurements regarding the perceived trustworthiness, forgiveness, and customer continuance intentions of customers towards financial institutions have been conducted. Also, the effects of the nature of the various types of crisis situations on the perceived trustworthiness, forgiveness and customer continuance intentions towards financial institutions have been incorporated.
A 2 (type of crisis: internal vs. external) x 2 (type of crisis: intentional vs. unintentional) x 2 (type of disclosure: self disclosure vs. third party) between-subjects factorial design was conducted (N = 247). Within this experimental study, 126 males and 121 females participated by performing the online questionnaire and giving their opinions about financial institutions and various trust-related situations .
The results of this study show that the trustworthiness of financial institutions during a crisis situation is determined by the character, standards & values of that
7
institution. Hereby, it appeared that the competences and abilities of the financial institution are of less importance in establishing customer trust. This study shows that the extent of intentionality within an crisis situation only has effects on the customer perceptions towards an financial institution when this crisis has occured in the internal environment of the institution. Furthermore, the results show that when financial institutions disclose a crisis themselves, this will positively affect the trustworthiness of those institutions.


We examine the property rights to excess pension assets and to unfunded pension liabilities by estimating the relation between debt ratings and the funding status of firms' pension plans. We test the hypothesis that a dollar of unfunded pension liabilities augments corporate liabilities more than a dollar of excess pension assets augments corporate assets. This asymmetry hypothesis is motivated by pension laws that restrict the opportunities of firms to shift unfunded pension liabilities to the federal insurer of pension benefits (PBGC), but that require a large proportion of excess pension assets obtained through pension plan terminations (reversions) to be shared with employees and the IRS. The alternative hypothesis -- a symmetric relation -- is based on the premise that firms can avoid the sharing of excess pension assets. For example, the excess assets nominally shared with employees in a reversion can be "recouped" by reductions in some other form of employee compensation. Moreover, firms can obtain excess pension assets and avoid the sharing rules associated with reversions by reducing future contributions to the existing plan. Overall, the evidence is most consistent with an asymmetric relation: unfunded liabilities augment corporate liabilities more than excess pension assets augment corporate assets.


Analysis of the x-ray crystal structure of mono-substituted acetylenic thienopyrimidine 6 complexed with the ErbB family enzyme ErbB-4 revealed a covalent bond between the terminal carbon of the acetylene moiety and the sulfhydryl group of Cys-803 at the solvent interface. The identification of this covalent adduct suggested that acetylenic thienopyrimidine 6 and related analogs might also be capable of forming an analogous covalent adduct with EGFR, which has a conserved cysteine (797) near the ATP binding pocket. To test this hypothesis, we treated a truncated, catalytically competent form of EGFR (678–1020) with a structurally related propargylic amine (8). An investigation of the resulting complex by mass spectrometry revealed the formation of a covalent complex of thienopyrimidine 8 with Cys-797 of EGFR. This finding enabled us to readily assess the irreversibility of various inhibitors and also facilitated a structure–activity relationship understanding of the covalent modifying potential and biological activity of a series of acetylenic thienopyrimidine compounds with potent antitumor activity. Several ErbB family enzyme and cell potent 6-ethynyl thienopyrimidine kinase inhibitors were found to form covalent adducts with EGFR.


Chatbots represent a promising tool to automate the processing of requests in a business context. However, despite major progress in natural language processing technologies, constructing a dataset deemed relevant by business experts is a manual, iterative and error-prone process. To assist these experts during modelling and labelling, the authors propose an active learning methodology coined Interactive Clustering. It relies on interactions between computer-guided segmentation of data in intents, and response-driven human annotations imposing constraints on clusters to improve relevance.This article applies Interactive Clustering on a realistic dataset, and measures the optimal settings required for relevant segmentation in a minimal number of annotations. The usability of the method is discussed in terms of computation time, and the achieved compromise between business relevance and classification performance during training.In this context, Interactive Clustering appears as a suitable methodology combining human and computer initiatives to efficiently develop a useable chatbot.


It has been common practice for many years to use retained roots to provide support and stability for partial or full dentures. The retention of such overdentures is greatly enhanced if the remaining roots are modified and restored with posts and root-face attachments. The final article in this series on root canal retained restorations classifies and describes some of the root-face attachments currently available, and also describes a number of prefabricated post systems with integral overdenture attachments. Guidelines for clinical and laboratory procedures are given.


Little has so far been discussed or written about Islam and Muslims in Eggonland. This is in marked contrast to other ethnic groups in the state which share similar characteristics being a Muslim community that attracted attention from scholars of either Muslim or non-Muslim. The aim is paper is to ascertain the Islam in Eggonland Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.  It has been found that unlike the Erro Eggon clan which have almost 97% of its population being Muslims, Muslim population are not many as that of the Eggon Erro especially among the Anzo, Eholo clan, and it is only in communities that belong to Eggon Erro that large proportion of Muslims communities are found. This paper attempts to provide the much-lacking information on the spread and development of Islam in Eggonland. The paper discussed the coming of Islam, the means through which Islamization process took place and the establishment of Muslim communities in Eggonland, it also shows to the world true picture of Islam among the Eggon people. Detail attention has been given to the factors which contributed to the spread of Islamic teachings in Eggonland including the role of Muslim scholars, both within and outside Eggonland, Muslim organisations, etc. Equally important in this paper is the contributions of Muslim organizations in the development of Islamic education in Eggonland where schools that combine both Islamic and Western education were established. The paper sum up that, the prospects of Islam lies in the devotion of young generation to the learning of Islamic knowledge in Eggonland with the establishment of formal Islamic schools that produces Da'is who can speak the Eggon language fluently. The paper adopted qualitative methodology and desk review where In-depth Interview were conducted with few personalities to obtain data for the research


Importance
Recent national guidelines recommend sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); yet, there are limited data on the use of these agents in contemporary community practice.

Objective
To evaluate the use of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA in adults with T2D and ASCVD across a diverse sample of health care systems in the US.

Design, Setting, and Participants
This multicenter, retrospective cohort study used electronic health record data from 88 US health care systems participating in Cerner Real World Data between January 2018 to March 2021. Adults with ASCVD and T2D taking at least 1 glucose-lowering medication, had end-stage kidney disease, or had stage 5 chronic kidney disease were excluded.

Main Outcomes and Measures
Treatment with SGLT2i or GLP-1 RA.

Results
A total of 321 304 patients were identified with T2D and ASCVD ASCVD (130 280 female [40.5%]; median [IQR] age, 70.9 [62.9-78.0] years) who were potentially eligible for SGLT2i and/or GLP-1 RA, including 37 754 Black individuals (11.8%), 51 522 Hispanic individuals (16.0%), and 256 008 White individuals (11.8%). From January 2018 to March 2021, the use of SGLT2i increased from 5.8% (11 285 of 194 264) to 12.9% (11 058 of 85 956), GLP-1 RA increased from 6.9% (13 402 of 194 264) to 13.8% (11 901 of 85 956), and use of either agent increased from 11.4% (22 069 of 194 264) to 23.2% (19 909 of 85 956). Those taking an SGLT2i or GLP-1 RA were younger, less frequently hospitalized in the year prior, and more likely to be taking additional secondary prevention medications. Treated and nontreated populations were similar in terms of race, ethnicity, and outpatient health care utilization. Sulfonylureas and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors remained more commonly used than SGLT2i or GLP-1 RA through 2021.

Conclusions and Relevance
In this study, uptake of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA in adults with T2D and ASCVD increased modestly after guideline recommendations, although less than a quarter of persons with ASCVD and T2D receiving medical therapy were taking either. Further efforts are necessary to maximize the potential population benefit of these therapies in this high-risk population.


Research undertaken to explain the experience of those bereaved by suicide has gained momentum over the past decade. This increase in activity assists those seeking to support people bereaved by suicide to better understand their needs. However, the literature in this area remains limited. This qualitative research data discussed here provides an in-depth, narrative exploration of a sample of 22 parental experiences following the suicide death of a young adult child. Contrary to the classic grief literature, a key finding of this study is that parents need to maintain a relationship with their child. The ways in which parents do this is many and varied ranging from public and private memorials to internal dialogues. However, the practices associated with remaining connected emotionally and/or spiritually occurred in the absence of socially condoned ways in which to honour such memorial places and spaces. This paper will present deep and complex narratives of parents who participated in this research to present and explore the varied ways in which memorials (as physical, emotional, spiritual spaces and places) are developed in the wake of suicide death.


We investigated an epidemiological study for fungus isolation in our hospital from 1976 to 2000. For 25 years, the total sample number of fungus examination were 64,296, and after 1988, the total sample number increased suddenly. As a whole, the positive ratio was constantly about 40%. When our hospital opened, the obstetrical and gynecological samples showed 38.8% for fungus examination, but recently, samples of the respiratory organ has increased. Ratio of isolation for yeast, Candida albicans was 53.8%, and another yeasts such as Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis were 12.5%, 5.3%, and 3.4%, respectively. Recently, isolation of Candida glabrata showed a tendency to increase. For genus Aspergillus, Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated, 48.1%, and Aspergillus nigar, Aspergillus terreus were isolated, 31.4% and 7.5%, respectively. For dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum was isolated, 63.6% indermatophytes, and another dermatophytes were Microsporum canis (17.9%), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (15.9%), respectively. For dermatophytes, isolation of Microsporum canis showed a tendency to increase. Recently, the plural number of species showed a tendency to increase in the samples. Compared with the number of samples at the beginning in our hospital, the plural number of species in the samples increased about six times.


Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a rare, yet deadly thromboembolic accident that requires urgent surgery and or revascularization. We report the case of a 67-year-old male patient, who presented with severe abdominal pain and reduced oral intake, causing dehydration and impaired kidney function. The imaging evaluation including arterial Doppler and computed tomography (CT) scan showed AMI caused by superior mesenteric artery (SMA) obstruction and celiac artery stenosis, besides multiple atherosclerotic segments. Given the absence of guidelines in such an uncommon combination, a multidisciplinary management was initiated involving general medicine, general surgery, vascular surgery, and radiology. The agreed plan consisted of anticoagulation, exploratory laparotomy with necrosis resection and anastomosis, followed by percutaneous thrombectomy and angioplasty with stenting. The patient was discharged on day 7 postop with a highly satisfactory outcome and follow up. This case highlights the value of an early multidisciplinary approach in tailoring the management to the specific case of AMI.


Muscarinic K+ (KACh) channels are key determinants of the inhibitory synaptic transmission in the heart. These channels are heterotetramers consisting of two homologous subunits, G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK)1 and GIRK4, and have unitary conductance of approximately 35 pS with symmetrical 150 mM KCl solutions. Activation of atrial KACh channels, however, is often accompanied by the appearance of openings with a lower conductance, suggesting a functional heterogeneity of G-protein-sensitive ion channels in the heart. Here we report the characterization of a small conductance GIRK (scGIRK) channel present in rat atria. This channel is directly activated by Gbetagamma subunits and has a unitary conductance of 16 pS. The scGIRK and KACh channels display similar affinities for Gbetagamma binding and are frequently found in the same membrane patches. Furthermore, Gbetagamma-activated scGIRK channels--like their KACh counterparts--exhibit complex gating behavior, fluctuating among four functional modes conferred by the apparent binding of a different number of Gbetagamma subunits to the channel. The electrogenic efficacy of the scGIRK channels, however, is negligible compared to that of KACh channels. Thus, Gbetagamma subunits employ the same signaling strategy to regulate two ion channels that are apparently endowed with very different functions in the atrial membrane.


Packed beds composed of spherical balls are used for the study of transfer processes in porous media at turbulent filtration. The paper summarizes the development of a physical modelling of transfer processes in packed beds. It is shown that the available quantitative measurements of structural characteristics of infiltrated flow in packed beds such as the near-wall zone velocity and temperature profiles and velocity pulsation spectra follow the similarity laws of turbulent separated flows that have been developed by the author and are represented in the first part of the paper. These facts supported by visual observations of flow patterns in packed beds from various authors allow implementing the analogy between transfer processes mechanism in turbulent separated flows and convective transfer processes in near-wall zone of surfaces embedded in grainy layers, or ducts filled with packed bed, at high Reynolds numbers. This approach has resulted in the asymptotic heat and mass transfer law. The universal character of the heat and mass transfer law for the surfaces embedded in grainy layer is confirmed by the authors data and data from many other studies.


For centuries man has strived to reach the greatest heights on earth. In order to explain the physiological changes that are needed to achieve this, physiologists have tended to focus on the improvements made in oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. Although this explains much of the acclimatisation process, it has not been able to address the large interindividual variations seen in human performance at altitude. In recent years, attention has shifted and now focuses on microvascular and cellular responses in an attempt to explain these differences. Investigating these processes not only helps to unravel the process of acclimatising to altitude, but it may also improve our understanding of the body's response to hypoxia in those with critical illness.


OBJECTIVE: To report a case of delayed-onset chronic diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss possibly complicating the use of ticlopidine. CASE SUMMARY: A 48-year-old white man presented with unremitting diarrhea associated with anorexia and marked weight loss. His history was significant for transient ischemic attack, resistant hypertension, homocystinemia, and chronic renal insufficiency. The patient had tolerated ticlopidine therapy for 2 years without problems, and there had been no changes in his drug regimen for several months. No abnormality was found on detailed digestive system evaluation and all symptoms and signs promptly resolved after ticlopidine therapy was discontinued. DISCUSSION: The occurrence of diarrhea early during ticlopidine therapy should make the clinician consider the drug as the most likely cause. However, the appearance of chronic diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss years after a patient had tolerated the drug is less typical for ticlopidine. In such situations, if no other cause can be identified, cautious withdrawal of the drug should be considered. We believe that all the patient's symptoms reported here were likely due to ticlopidine. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that the gastrointestinal adverse effects of ticlopidine may surface years after therapy is begun. The cause of ticlopidine-induced diarrhea remains unknown.


Novel 6-phenylselenenyl-5-propyluracils were synthesized from 5-propyluracil with the use of regioselective synthesis to give 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)-methyl]-6-phenylselenenyl-5-propyluracil (6), 1-ethoxymethyl-6-phenylselenenyl-5-propyluracil (9) and 1-benzyloxymethyl-6-phenylselenenyl-5-propyluracil (10). Interaction of these compounds with recombinant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) was evaluated using a non-isotopic colorimetric method. Compounds 9 and 10 exerted potent HIV RT inhibition (IC(50) 0.06 and 0.05 microM respectively) while compound 6 showed moderate inhibition (IC(50) = 3.5 microM). Potent anti-HIV-1 activity in MT-2 cells inoculated by a syncythia-inducing HIV-1 (cat #3 strain) laboratory isolate was exerted by compounds 9 and 10 (EC(50) 0.62 microM and 0.025 microM, respectively), while compound 6 showed only moderate activity (IC(50) = 4.1 microM). In addition, compound 10 showed very good in vitro therapeutic index (TI > 2046), indicating that it is a potential anti-HIV/AIDS drug.


Recent studies indicate that mineral nanoparticles (NPs) form spontaneously in human body fluids. These biological NPs represent mineral precursors that are associated with ectopic calcifications seen in various human diseases. However, the parameters that control the formation of mineral NPs and their possible effects on human cells remain poorly understood. Here a nanomaterial approach to study the formation of biomimetic calcium phosphate NPs comparable to their physiological counterparts is described. Particle sizing using dynamic light scattering reveals that serum and ion concentrations within the physiological range yield NPs below 100 nm in diameter. While the particles are phagocytosed by macrophages in a size-independent manner, only large particles or NP aggregates in the micrometer range induce cellular responses that include production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, caspase-1 activation, and secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). A comprehensive proteomic analysis reveals that the particle-bound proteins are similar in terms of their identity and number, regardless of particle size, suggesting that protein adsorption is independent of particle size and curvature. In conclusion, the conditions underlying the formation of mineralo-protein particles are similar to the ones that form in vivo. While mineral NPs do not activate immune cells, they may become pro-inflammatory and contribute to pathological processes once they aggregate and form larger mineral particles.


A monoclonal antibody was produced against the major structural glycoprotein (P0) of human peripheral nervous system myelin. The hybridomas were generated by fusion of mouse myeloma line NS-1 with spleen cells of C3H mice immunized with purified human peripheral nervous system myelin. Hybridomas were screened by a two-step solid-phase radioimmunoassay, with P0 adsorbed on microtiter plates and with addition of 125I-labeled rabbit anti-mouse IgG as the second step. One derived clone, designated 41G10, bound P0 in the radioimmunoassay 4-fold over the background value obtained by using bovine serum albumin as the negative control antigen. Clone 41G10 was shown by immunofluorescence to bind to frozen sections of human intercostal nerve. Diffuse fluorescent staining occurred uniformly over the entire myelin sheath. The cylindrical axons were unstained. The same pattern of immunofluorescence was noted on rat, hamster, mouse, and rabbit sciatic nerve. Immunofluorescence was abolished when 41G10 was absorbed by P0. The monoclonal antibody 41G10 was absorbed by P0. The monoclonal antibody 41G10 is of the IgM class and activated complement in the presence of myelin vesicles or P0 liposomes but not in their absence.


DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24018/ejers.2019.4.10.1571 103  Abstract—This article proposes an intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) Elimination and Choice Translating Reality (ELECTRE) method to rank consumers' alternatives ranking order with subjects' questionnaires by using IF data and the ranking order applied the proposed method are closer to consumers their own ranking order. Moreover, the mean value of Spearman correlation coefficients are higher than 80% in each product category, and also higher than 90% at bank service product category especially. This study uses IF sets characteristics to handle uncertain decision environment and to classify the concordance and discordance sets according to their score function for measuring the degree of suitability of each alternative and also using the concept of the positive and negative ideal solutions to rank all candidate alternatives in the proposed method. Furthermore, analyzer can use this method to gain valuable information from questionnaires, and consumers rarely provide preference data directly. Additionally, an empirical study is given to illustrate the proposed method and also compared with Wu and Chen 2011's paper which considered not only score function but also accuracy function. The results show that using the proposed method, decision makers can easily predict candidate alternatives ranking order and make decisions accurately.


Abstract The population of the Vulnerable Spanish imperial eagle Aquila adalberti has experienced a gradual recovery from 38 pairs (1974) to 198 (2004). We analysed the spatial and temporal variation of the demographic parameters for 1981–2004. Annual productivity was 1.19–1.32 chicks per female and adult survival rate 0.918–0.986. Survival during the post-fledging period was 0.894 and the annual survival rate of the dispersing individuals was 0.561. Three phases of population evolution were distinguished: growth (1981–1993), stability or slight decrease (1994–1999) and growth (2000–2004). Variation in adult survival seems to explain this pattern for the first two periods. However, a large disparity between the observed growth rate and the modelled population growth in 2000–2004 is best explained if we assume that a decrease in the age of recruitment took place. This is supported by the recent increase in the frequency of non-adult birds in breeding pairs. The survival of unpaired eagles in dispersal areas is becoming more important for the maintenance of current population growth. Spatial variation of adult survival and breeding success is not congruent with the observed growth rate of the population, which suggests the existence of an important flow of individuals between populations. These results highlight the importance of addressing the conservation of the species from a global perspective and the need to focus on adult survival in breeding territories and on non-adult survival in dispersal areas.


Four new species and one new subspecies of tateid freshwater gastropods are described from the north of the South Island of New Zealand, Catapyrgus jami sp. nov., Opacuincola lisannea sp. nov., O. gretathunbergae sp. nov., O. mete kahurangi ssp. nov. and Obtusopyrgus farri sp. nov. The species are integratively defined based on a combination of shell morphological, anatomical and mitochondrial DNA data. Morphological and anatomical data were generated by morphometrics, scanning electron microscopy, as well as micro-computed tomography. The genetic data were basis of phylogenetic analyses and incorporated into the diagnoses. The new taxa occur in springs or spring-like habitats, i.e., shallow, slow-flowing sections of small streams except for O. mete kahurangi subsp. nov., which was collected from rough rocks in a river, where the snails sat in small depressions. None of the species exceeded 2.75 mm in length. Opacuincola gretathunbergae sp. nov. and Obtusopyrgus farri sp. nov. are pigmented and true crenobionts, while C. jami sp. nov. and the sympatric Opacuincola lisannea sp. nov. have eyes of reduced size and lack epidermal pigment, hence, probably dwell in the transitional zone of epigean and groundwaters.


This study aimed to determine the shelf life of yogurt flavored coffee through physical, chemical and microbiological analyzes. During processing of yoghurt, it was proceeded the homogenization of milk and sugar (10%), pasteurization (83oC for 30 minutes) and cooling until the inoculation temperature (42°C to 45°C). Then, the thermophilic yeast was added. The fermentation was conducted at 45° C for 6 hours, and soon after, stored at a temperature of 4° C and was added by homogenizing the soluble coffee 0.2%. The yoghurt was stored at 4 o C for 28 days. Observed linear reduction in pH of yogurt containing 0.2% soluble coffee during storage. The values L*, h o and C* (color analysis) of yoghurt were unchanged during storage, where the respective mean values were 68.11, 88.53 and 14.21. The storage time did not affect the levels of acidity, protein and fat yogurt, were 0.70% lactic acid, 3.76% and 5.2%, respectively. The yogurt containing 0.2% soluble coffee had 2.9 x 10 7 UFC.mL -1 lactic bacteria. The results of the analyzes of coliforms at 35°C and 45°C, molds and yeast yogurt stored for 28 days are in accordance to the microbiological standards established by legislation for fermented milks. The yogurt containing 0.2% soluble coffee can be stored at 4°C for 28 days, with physical, chemical and microbiological appropriate.


Foraging is a crucial and remarkably complex behavior that is key to survival. For social insects such as bumblebees, successful foraging depends on a combination of individual traits (e.g. physiological and biomechanical performance of individual workers) and collective behavioral strategies for regulating food intake at the colony level. Here, I use foraging behavior in bumblebees as a lens to explore how insects cope with challenging, natural environments, scaling from individual performance to group dynamics. First, I explore how bumblebee foragers cope with structural clutter, with particular emphasis on the allometry of maneuverability and flight performance (Chapter 1). Next, I investigate how the variable, turbulent wind flows that characterize natural environments affect flight stability (Chapter 2) and landing behavior (Chapter 3) of bumblebee foragers. Moving from the individual to the colony level, I then develop an automated, high throughput behavioral tracking system (Chapter 4) capable of following uniquely identified individuals in visually complex environments, and use this system to explore the distribution and regulation of foraging activity across entire bumblebee colonies (Chapter 5). Finally, I use this same tracking system to examine the effects of exposure to a common neonicotinoid pesticide (imidacloprid) encountered during foraging, and show that it disrupts aspects of social behavior and communication in bumblebee colonies (Chapter 6).


Pilocytic astrocytoma is a histological subtype of astrocytoma classically located in the cerebellum of children and young adults. Cases occurring over the age of 30 years are rare and have not been classified in terms of their clinical features and management. Suitable cases were identified using diagnostic coding and by reviewing a neuropathology database. Casenotes and neuroradiology were reviewed retrospectively. Ten cases were identified over a 6 year period with an incidence of 0.49 cases per million population per year. Tumours were equally distributed between the supra- and infra-tentorial spaces. The most common symptom was headache occurring in 90%. No patient suffered seizures. Total macroscopic treatment remains the treatment of choice. Pilocytic astrocytoma of the adult is a rare tumour with a favourable prognosis.


Considering both the current level of performance and the volume of present day research in intestinal physiology, it is surprising that Absorption From the Intestine is only the second English-language book specifically devoted to that topic since Verzar's publication in 1925. Such a text, appearing in an era of multiple authorship, colloquia, and symposium proceedings, indicates a monumental undertaking by a single author and also imposes a difficult challenge to the reviewer. Probably no current or recent worker in the field has actively and intimately involved himself with the entire scope and diversity of substrates and processes of absorption. Today —to name but a few—the field is peopled by biophysicists, electron microscopists, biochemists, enzymologists, physiologists, and clinical investigators, each or any of whom may be more or less exclusively preoccupied with a specific technique or method or with such facets as potential differences, brush borders, pinocytosis, fluxes, micelles, disaccharidases, amino


The conditions under which the space-charge-limited current in a solid is enhanced by the Frenkel effect are discussed and the current-voltage relations are calculated analytically.


This article assesses the economic implications of the introduction of consolidation with formula apportionment in the European Union under alternative enhanced cooperation agreements. We …nd that the consolidation is likely to yield a small aggregate welfare gain in Europe, but that not all countries bene…t. A coalition of winning countries reduces the welfare gain and may induce a process of adverse selection which distroys the possibility of cooperation. We …nd that a coalition of similar countries (in terms of the size of their multinational sector) is more feasible in achieving agreement and is actually preferred by those countries over a European-wide reform. JEL codes: C68; F23; H25.


Abstract To produce the laser targets needed for laser plasma experiments, the CEA target department uses different mechanical machining techniques and develops methods that are consistent with the target requirements in terms of quality, timing, and cost. Combining these aims involves several challenges. First, laser experiments need a wide range of target geometries with common points: reduced dimensions (millimetric range) and thin walls (micrometric range), as well as very strict dimensional and geometric specifications. According to these requirements, the target specifications demand the machining of different kinds of materials from metals (aluminum, copper, and gold) to polymers and low-density foams. In this context, the versatility of the machining processes is the key issue. These challenges necessitate the development and upgrading of machining techniques and methods as well as optimizing the engineering design to use the full potential of these techniques. In this presentation, three main machining processes are developed and illustrated: adaptations of machine tools for planar targets (by the flycutting method) and for machining complex shapes (combined milling and turning), the development of the original process to produce a baffle hohlraum, and the parametric optimizations of machining tantalum aerogel.


Results for the compressive response of hybrid 3D woven textile composites (H3DWTCs) that consist of carbon, glass and kevlar fiber tows and a polymer matrix material are presented, using a combination of experiments and a multi-scale analysis of the full laboratory scale coupon for a class of H3DWTCs. The coupon model considers macro, meso and micro scale based modeling, where the notched gage area is explicitly modeled with fiber tows embedded in the matrix and the grip areas are homogenized at the macro scale. The meso scale fiber tows are considered homogenized entities of fibers and matrix, and are related to the constituents through an analytical micromechanics model. The experimental results suggest that carbon fiber compressive strength dictates the initiation of kink banding failure in carbon tows, while glass fiber tow compressive strength dictates the maximum load attainable. These experimental observations are seen to be captured by the 3-scale modeling strategy developed here and hence, seems to be a computationally efficient tool for the progressive damage and failure analysis of textile composites.


【Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang on climacteric symptoms. Methods: We studied 5 climacteric symptoms patients who visited Oriental Hospital of OO University from March 2012 to September 2012. We treated them with Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang, acupuncture and moxibustion. The patients of climacteric symptoms had been estimated with Kupperman's index. Results: After treatment, climacteric symptoms were improved and mean score of Kupperman's index was reduced(the first case reduce from 82 to 13 during 3 months, the second case reduce from 81 to 19 during 2 months, the third case reduce from 80 to 21 during 2 months, the fouth case reduce from 50 to 9 during 2 months, the fifth case reduce from 66 to 17 during 1 month). Conclusions: This study suggests that Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang is significantly effective on climacteric symptoms patients.】


ABSTRACT In this work we examine the development of ion beam modified oxide-nitride-oxide structures formed by low-energy (1 keV) implantation of Si, N and Ar ions (1x10 16 ions/cm 2 ) into oxide-nitride gate stacks and subsequent wet-oxidation to form the blocking oxide. Transmission electron microscopy indicates that the thickness of the blocking oxide layer is strongly affected by the implantation process going from 1 nm (non-implanted sample) to 4-5 nm (N and Ar implants) and 7.5 nm (Si implant). The Si implanted stacks exhibit the highest attainable memory window (~ 8.5 V for a 1 ms pulse regime), which involve both electron and hole storage. In contrast the thinner blocking oxide that develops to the nitrogen and argon implanted stacks limits the memory window which is due only to electron trapping. Room temperature charge retention measurements of the programming state reveal that the electron loss rate is faster in samples implanted with Si than N, allowing for a memory window of 1.7 V and 2.5 V respectively after ten years extrapolation. This retention behavior is mainly attributed to the different nature of the traps generated in the implanted materials.


Purpose: Nanoparticle based drug delivery systems have shown promising applications in cancer treatments. Among various nanoparticles, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) allow for the conversion of near infrared (NIR) excitation to localized UV/visible emission providing unprecedented control over UCNP based delivery platforms for deep tissue therapeutic payload release, both spatially and temporally. This study reports the layer-by-layer engineering of UCNP based siRNA and miRNA delivery systems for application in cancer therapy. Experimental Design: To obtain the nanoparticle core, NaYF4:Yb,Er UCNPs were synthesized via thermal decomposition method. The morphology and size of the UCNPs were assessed by transmission electron microscopic (TEM). The upconversion fluorescence property was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy using a 980 nm laser as the excitation source. To enable gene delivery, the naked UCNPs were then surface functionalized with biocompatible polymers using polyacrylic acid (PAA) and poly allylamine hydrochloride (PAH). Surface functionalization was accomplished through layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers. Successful surface functionalization was demonstrated by measuring zeta potential after assembly of each layer. Biocompatibility of the developed delivery system was tested by MTT assay. Gel electrophoresis was employed to determine the loading capacity of the delivery system. We then tested the siRNA, miRNA, and EGFP expression vector transfection efficiency in different cancer cell lines. Results: The diameter of the synthesized UCNPs was ∼40 nm. Upon 980 nm excitation, green emission and red emission were identified from the fluorescence spectrum. Zeta potential of the delivery system was ∼+38 mV, indicating its capability to absorb negatively charged siRNA, miRNA, or EGFP vector by electrostatic interaction. The MTT assay demonstrated good biocompatibility. Significant retardation of siRNA, miRNA, or EGFP plasmid in gel electrophoresis assay was observed when mixed with PAA and PAH coated UCNPs. In contrast, UCNP-PAA without PAH coating did not retard siRNA, miRNA, or EGFP plasmid. Confocal laser scanning microscopy results provided direct evidence of siRNA, miRNA, or EGFP plasmid transfection. Conclusions: In this proof-of-concept study, a layer-by-layer engineered UCNP based siRNA and miRNA delivery system was successfully developed. Our novel delivery system opens up preparation of advanced UCNP based photoresponsive delivery systems that allow remote, precise, and trackable control over therapeutic payload (e.g., drug, gene) release for better cancer theranostics. Citation Format: Lin Min, YAN GAO, Francis J. Hornicek, Mansoor M. Amiji, Zhenfeng Duan. Layer-by-layer engineering of upconversion nanoparticle based siRNA and miRNA delivery system for cancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-102. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-LB-102


The demand for electricity in Indonesia will continue to increase. Thus, the market opportunity for the power generation industry needs to be optimally utilized by domestic business actors through the Local Content Requirements (LCR) policy. Through exploratory techniques, the primary goal of this research is to assess the capability of Indonesia's national turbine industries and research institutions, as well as to develop policy recommendations for maximizing the use of local content in order to comply with the Ministry of Industry's Domestic Component Level Regulation, also known as Local Content Requirements (LCR). There are at least three challenges that need attention, namely technology capability and efforts, infrastructure, and institution. Although Indonesia has good prospects and opportunities to develop large-scale turbines, the challenges ahead in developing coal-fired turbines will be more complex due to the strengthening of the clean development paradigm. Thus, it is important to rethink the direction of developing LCR policies for coal-fired turbines. The study recommended budget allocation for ensuring continuity of turbine prototyping, simplify the process to obtain technology licensing, and developing industries that can support materials for turbine industries.


Much of what is in the literature regarding nursing of AD patients and their families is anecdotal, has not been validated by systematic research, and is atheoretical. The majority of nursing research in AD has focused on patient characteristics and problem behaviors or on the needs and experiences of family care givers rather than on characteristics of SCUs. Research should continue in these areas, along with testing nursing interventions to maintain the optimal cognitive, physical, social, and emotional function of residents with AD in institutional settings. Explanatory theories should be devised and tested to advance the development of nursing knowledge in the care of residents with AD and family care givers. Finally, more evaluation research is needed to test the cost effectiveness of SCU programs, including effects on residents with AD, family members, and staff care givers.


High-spin states in 129Cs are populated via the 122Sn (11B, 4n) reaction at beam energies of 55 and 60 MeV. Two additional bands are placed in the level scheme and the previously known bands are extended to higher spins. The results are compared to the cranked shell model calculations and to the systematics of the adjacent Cs isotpoes. One of the new bands is interpreted as the γ-vibrational band built on the πh11/2 orbital. The possible configuration for another new band is discussed. Upbend caused by (vh11/2)2 alignment is observed both in the favored and unfavored sequences of the πh11/2 configuration. The band based on the πg7/2 configuration at low spins forks around spin 17/2, and the two different S-bands are attributed to (vh11/2) and (πh11/2)2 rotational alignments, respectively.


Aims: Tadalafil , a selective inhibitor of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) degrading phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), is known to cause headache as a secondary effect. This study was undertaken to assess the frequency, clinical characteristics of headache prospectively in a group of erectile dysfunction patients taking tadalafil as a PDE inhibitor. Materials and methods: As the first step of study, the question about "having ever headache in last year" was asked. Of the 31 patients, 16 patients (51.6%) had "yes" as an answer for the presence of headache. A questionnaire was given to the patients who had experienced headache whether recurrent or not. When patients were at headache-free period, tadalafil (20 mg) was administrated to each patient. The question about "having headache" was asked 5 hours and 48 hours later. According to the answer of this question, second questionnaire was conducted. The analysis of questionnaires was made separately. International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) has been used for the case definition criteria. Results: A statistical significant difference was observed for the occurrence of headache between the baseline, 5 and 48 hours (p= 0.001, cochran's Q test). However, we found no significant difference in headache occurrence between fifth hour and 48 hour of tadalafil 20 mg administration (p= 0.687, Mc Nemar test). Conclusion: So from this study, it can be concluded that tadalafil can trigger headache attacks within the half-life of the drug.


Cytidine 5'-diphosphate (CDP)-diglyceride is hydrolyzed to phosphatidic acid and cytidine 5'-monophosphate by a specific membrane-bound enzyme in cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli. The hydrolase can be extracted from the particulate fraction with Triton X-100 and purified 1,000-fold in the presence of this detergent. Several nucleoside disphosphate diglycerides were synthesized to determine the substrate specificity of the hydrolase. CDP-diglyceride was hydrolyzed preferentially, although uridine 5'-diphosphate-diglyceride, guanosine 5'-diphosphate-diglyceride, and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-diglyceride were also slowly hydrolyzed. Surprisingly, the purified enzyme did not catalyze detectable cleavage of deoxy-CDP (dCDP)-diglyceride. The liponucleotide pool of E. coli contains dCDP-diglyceride and CDP-diglyceride in approximately equal amounts (Raetz and Kennedy, 1973). Water-soluble nucleoside pyrophosphates, such as CDP-choline, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or adenosine 5'-triphosphate are not attacked by this specific hydrolase. Hydrolysis of CDP-diglyceride is strongly inhibited by adenosine 5'-monophosphate and by ADP-diglyceride.


In this issue ofThe Journal, Reynolds et al 1 take a giant first step in replacing loose conjecture about "defensive medicine" with formal quantitative analysis. From 1983 to 1984, Reynolds et al estimate that the average malpractice insurance premium rose by $1300 to $8400 annually. Concurrently, in response to a perceived increase in malpractice risks, American Medical Association—surveyed physicians reported changes in their medical practices that were worth an additional $4600 per physician per year. The $4600 increase in defensive medicine costs was more than 3.5 times the concomitant $1800 increase in premiums. From such a finding, Reynolds and colleagues posit that each $1 of malpractice risk—as gauged by insurance premiums— induces $3.50 in defensive medicine expenditures. Hence, the average physician who paid $8400 in malpractice premiums for 1984 was responsible for a total annual health care expenditure of $30 000 for defensive medicine. Reynolds et al acknowledge that


To know the effect of leaves of Artemisia vulgaris Linn. on growth of rats, male albino rats were divided into three groups. First group of animals took normal diet while the second and third groups of animals took a mixture of normal diet and powdered leaves of Artemisia vulgaris Linn in the doses of 500 mg/kg and 1 g/kg respectively. In all the three groups growth of rats was checked up to 40 days. On 20th and 40th days of experiment blood pyruvate level was measured. Intestines of rats were also assayed for pyruvate dehydrogenase and transketolase activity. It was found out that growth of rats which took powdered leaves of Artemisia vulgaris Linn. with normal diet was stunted. Growth inhibition was dose dependant. Rats developed symptom of anorexia and became weak. Blood pyruvate level was elevated and intestinal pyrvate dehydrogenase activity was lowered. Pyruvate thus could not be converted to acetyl coenzyme A needed for generation of energy. Lack of energy caused growth inhibition in rats. Further, intestinal transketolase activity was found decreased. Due to this in pentose phosphate pathway there was insufficient production of NADPH and pentose sugars needed for synthesis of nucleic acid. This also caused growth inhibition in rats. Keyword: Artemisia vulgaris Linn., Pyruvate Dehydrogenase, Transketolase, Pentose Phosphate Pathway.


The heroic metaphors and allusions in Milton's prose have received little attention in their own right, having been subordinated to study of either his early epic plans or his mature rejection of classical epic. But following Milton's heroic language from pamphlet to pamphlet one finds a coherent and partly self-contained pattern. In wrestling with the problematical role of the intellectual in times of crisis, and in trying to define that role as heroic, Milton created a linguistic and metaphoric synthesis of action and contemplation which differs from the passive fortitude of the great poems. Its affinities are with Ciccro's definition of the orator, and with Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics at the point where they lead into the Politics, rather than with the Book of Job; and its emphasis is on the hero as public benefactor. Developed in part to justify his decision to enter the church reform debates, Milton's synthesis is held defensively in the divorce pamphlets, actively in the Areopagitica; set aside for political expediency in the regicide pamphlets, it is triumphantly restated in the Second Defence; and finally, in the Pro Se Defensio, Milton found it crumble in his hands. When Milton dropped out of politics, his civic heroism had become impossible to maintain, not only because of the Restoration, but because, as his language reveals, his confidence in his own impartiality and unselfishness had been destroyed.


This paper shows how range-flow can help to estimate the elastic constants of complete objects. In our framework, the object is deformed actively by a robotic device pushing into the object. The robot senses the contact force and surface displacement at the point of contact. This contact object behavior alone is not sufficient to estimate elastic constants. The displacement of the object's non-contacted surface needs to be taken into account. This paper presents a method to estimate surface displacement from range-flow calculated with trinocular stereo imagery. The observed object behavior allows us to estimate the linear elastic material constants of the object. To this end we will introduce the boundary element method as a modeling tool for deformable objects in 3D imaging. The boundary element method is a full discrete continuum mechanics model.


Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes a chronic, incurable infection leading to immune activation and chronic inflammation in people with HIV-1 (PWH), even with virologic suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The role of lymphoid structures as reservoirs for viral latency and immune activation has been implicated in chronic inflammation mechanisms. Still, the specific transcriptomic changes induced by HIV-1 infection in different cell types within lymphoid tissue remain unexplored. Methods In this study, we utilized human tonsil explants from healthy human donors and infected them with HIV-1 ex vivo. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze the cell types represented in the tissue and to investigate the impact of infection on gene expression profiles and inflammatory signaling pathways. Results Our analysis revealed that infected CD4+ T cells exhibited upregulation of genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, macrophages exposed to the virus but uninfected showed increased expression of genes associated with the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Discussion These findings provide valuable insights into the specific transcriptomic changes induced by HIV-1 infection in different cell types within lymphoid tissue. The activation of oxidative phosphorylation in infected CD4+ T cells and the proinflammatory response in macrophages may contribute to the chronic inflammation observed in PWH despite ART. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to eradicate HIV-1 infection in PWH.


Albuminuria is an important risk marker for adverse cardiovascular (CV) and renal outcomes and mortality. The relationship between albuminuria and risk is continuous and linear, like that of blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. Evidence now supports increased risk even at levels traditionally considered within normal limits. In high‐risk patients, routine annual screening can detect changes in urine albumin excretion and improve the timely identification of albuminuria, and therefore should be considered in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Preferred simple screening methods appropriate for use in the primary care setting include microalbumin‐specific dipsticks and urinary albumin:creatinine ratio determination (from a spot urine sample). Cornerstones of albuminuria treatment include risk factor management, ongoing monitoring, and, in patients with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes, the use of renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS)–blocking agents. Both angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have demonstrated utility in this regard; data from studies of direct renin inhibition are promising. The combined use of an ACE inhibitor and ARB was once considered a viable option for the treatment of albuminuria; however, results of the Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination With Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET) raised important questions regarding the benefits and limitations of dual RAAS blockade. Ongoing studies should provide important insight into the effects of this approach on renal outcomes. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:438–449. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


BACKGROUND
Resistance to fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics has risen markedly in recent years and has been associated with increasing FQ use; however, few data exist regarding FQ use patterns. Designing strategies to limit FQ resistance by optimizing FQ use depends on identifying patterns of inappropriate FQ use. Use of FQs in emergency departments (EDs) has not been studied.

METHODS
We studied 100 consecutive ED patients who received an FQ and were subsequently discharged. Appropriateness of the indication for use was judged according to existing institutional guidelines. A case-control study was conducted to identify the prevalence of, and risk factors for, inappropriate FQ use.

RESULTS
Of 100 total patients, 81 received an FQ for an inappropriate indication. Of these cases, 43 (53%) were judged inappropriate because another agent was considered first line, 27 (33%) because there was no evidence of infection based on the documented evaluation, and 11 (14%) because of inability to assess the need for antimicrobial therapy. Although the prevalence of inappropriate use was similar across various clinical scenarios, there was a borderline significant association between the hospital in which the ED was located and inappropriate FQ use. Of the 19 patients who received an FQ for an appropriate indication, only 1 received both the correct dose and duration of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS
Inappropriate FQ use in EDs is extremely common. Efforts to limit emergence of FQ resistance must address the high level of inappropriate FQ use in EDs. Future studies should evaluate the impact of interventions designed to reduce inappropriate FQ use in this setting.


This paper presents a PID control of a prototype transmission-based robot servo-actuator system (TBA) and its implementation using real time application interface (RTAI) under Linux. The PID control presented can achieve stability and performance requirement in terms of attenuation of disturbance due to gear shift. The control software has a real time multithread design. Verification test shows the new control software has a deterministic control loop time, and significant performance improvement is achieved compared with the implementation using Labview Express under Windows XP


Previous work has shown that, under appropriate circumstances, mid-pregnancy shearing results in an increase of both the birth and weaning weights of multiple-born lambs. However, the physiological mechanisms for this response are poorly understood. This paper attempts to clarify the link between mid-pregnancy shearing and heavier lamb weights by investigating the metabolic changes that occur in ewes that are shorn in mid-pregnancy. Twenty-four twin-bearing ewes were assigned to one of two treatment groups; mid-pregnancy shorn (70 days after the mid-point of mating: P70) or unshorn. Groups were balanced for ewe age and weight. Blood samples were collected from all animals on days P53, P69, P81, P84, P90, P109 and P130, for measurement of concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cortisol, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and '-hydroxybutyrate. Lamb birth weight, girth and crown-rump length (CRL) measurements were collected within 24 hrs of birth. Lambs were weighed at weaning. Mid-pregnancy shearing increased lamb birth weights and girths by 0.43 kg (P<0.05) and 2.18 cm (P<0.05) respectively although these differences were not significant once adjusted for date of birth. There was no effect on CRL. Plasma concentrations of T3 and T4 were significantly higher in mid-pregnancy-shorn ewes relative to unshorn ewes at both P81 (P<0.01) and P84 (P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively) and T4 concentrations tended to be higher at P90 (P<0.10). There was a significant effect of shearing treatment at P81 on plasma NEFA concentrations (P<0.05). There were no significant post-shearing differences in mean cortisol, glucose or β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. The study proposes that the most likely mechanism by which mid-pregnancy results in higher lamb birth weights is by increasing maternal thyroid hormone concentrations, resulting in an increase in fat mobilisation causing increased NEFA concentrations in the maternal blood supply, which in turn improves placental nutrition and, thus, lamb birth weight.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the support activities provided for occupational health nurses aimed at improving psychosocial working environments, related knowledge and skills, and learning environments as well as associations among these factors. In addition, we aimed to create correlated factor models to describe the support activities in order to identify ways to promote these activities among occupational health nurses.

METHODS
An anonymous mail-based questionnaire survey was conducted of occupational health nurses who were members of the Japan Society for Occupational Health and belonged to enterprises or independent health insurance societies. Among 356 returned questionnaires (response rate: 46.4%), all the main items were answered in 329 (valid response rate: 92.4%), and these questionnaires were analyzed. Factor analysis was performed for the seven items pertaining to support activities for the improvement of psychosocial working environments and models of each factor of the support activities were developed using covariance structure analysis.

RESULTS
In the factor analysis, [Clarifying a stress-related situation and providing advice] and [Facilitating workplace involvement] were identified as support-related factors. The mean implementation rates for these approaches were approximately 50 to 80%, and less than 40%, respectively. [Clarifying a stress-related situation and providing advice] was associated with skills of "providing superiors with explanations to enhance their understanding" and "collecting and analyzing stress survey results by department", and knowledge of "personal stress questionnaires" and "common stress factors in working environments". The above-mentioned knowledge and skills were associated with self-learning of "examining and reporting daily activities for the improvement of working environments" and "reviewing related papers". [Facilitating workplace involvement] was associated with skills of "indirectly supporting discussions led by key persons in working environments" and "giving feedback regarding occupational stress survey results to superiors", and knowledge of "tools for the improvement of working environments" and "appropriate methods to use stress questionnaires". In addition, such knowledge and skills were associated with self-learning and learning environments of "participating in seminars to learn effective methods to use group-work approaches" and "receiving support and advice from mentors of universities and research institutions".

DISCUSSION
The features of occupational health nurse support for the improvement of psychosocial working environments were revealed by this study. The implementation rates suggest that it is particularly necessary to promote [Facilitating workplace involvement]. It will be necessary to encourage the acquisition of associated knowledge and skills in order to promote occupational health nurse support for the improvement of psychosocial working environments.


Global single-valued biomarkers of cardiac function typically used in clinical practice, such as ejection fraction, provide limited insight on the true 3D cardiac deformation process and hence, limit the understanding of both healthy and pathological cardiac mechanics. In this work, we propose the Point Cloud Deformation Network (PCD-Net) as a novel geometric deep learning approach to model 3D cardiac contraction and relaxation between the extreme ends of the cardiac cycle. It employs the recent advances in point cloud-based deep learning into an encoder-decoder structure, in order to enable efficient multi-scale feature learning directly on multi-class 3D point cloud representations of the cardiac anatomy. We evaluate our approach on a large dataset of over 10,000 cases from the UK Biobank study and find average Chamfer distances between the predicted and ground truth anatomies below the pixel resolution of the underlying image acquisition. Furthermore, we observe similar clinical metrics between predicted and ground truth populations and show that the PCD-Net can successfully capture subpopulation-specific differences between normal subjects and myocardial infarction (MI) patients. We then demonstrate that the learned 3D deformation patterns outperform multiple clinical benchmarks by 13% and 7% in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the tasks of prevalent MI detection and incident MI prediction and by 7% in terms of Harrell's concordance index for MI survival analysis.


The digital divide between those more and those less technologically skilled is a reality and has been for many years. This divide is especially prominent in developing countries such as South Africa and in societies that suffer from socio-economic disadvantage. There are many reasons for the continued presence of this divide and these are briefly described in this paper. The negative consequences that flow from this divide, is also briefly discussed. It is not only social and economic deprivation, though, that contribute to the divide. A project at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to provide tablets to first year students is discussed in some detail. The challenges that arose from the implementation of this initiative make it apparent that factors such as psychology and managerial efficiencies also contribute in no small measure to a perpetuation of the divide. A multi-disciplinary approach to the eventual bridging of the divide is proposed. Such an approach takes account of the need to recognize and develop a host of solutions as necessary preconditions for sustainable technological advancement in developing countries.


Since the discovery of the cell as the minimal indivisible living entity, scientists have tried to understand how all the various physiological aspects were assumed within this single functional unit. One fascinating question concerns the role of cell size and cell number in determining the overall size of an organism. During the past century, increasing knowledge in molecular genetics has allowed the characterization of a number of molecular events that influence the size of a cell. However, in spite of recent progress, precise molecular mechanisms governing cell size remain unclear. Although the existence of a master regulator is still possible, cell size may be primarily controlled by an interactive network linking gene expression with translational capacity and cell proliferation.


32-microgl°bulin (32a) has been purified over 1500fold from the serum of miniature swine poisoned with sodium chromate. Relative to the amount of activity in the original serum sample, a 52.2% yield was obtained. A hetero125 logous radioimmunoassay (RIA) inhibition test (using I-human $2y and goat-anti-rabbit (GAR) $2a) was used to detect fractions containing swine 32a activity in each step of the purification procedure. A procedure of gel chromatography with Sephadex G-75 followed by ion exchange chromatography with DEAEcellulose was used in the purification. Additional attempts to purify the £2a by isoelectric focusing and ion exchange chromatography with CM-cellulose were not successful. Preliminary SDS polyacrylamide gels revealed an 11,000 Dalton putative 62a peak free of most contaminants. This 62a has been used to immunize a goat, and initial Ouchterlony immunodiffusion tests have shown the ability of the goat-anti-swine 62a to form precipitin lines with the purified swine 62a-


Background and Purpose. Interprofessional education (IPE) has been a topic of national and international discussion for several decades. The recent development of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies prompted the American Council on Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) to consider ways the physical therapy profession could become more involved. In 2013, the ACAPT Board of Directors appointed a 4‐person task force to: (1) compile, collect, and analyze data on current and projected IPE initiatives in physical therapist education programs; (2) develop a means to disseminate information on IPE among these programs; and (3) recommend ways for physical therapists to collaborate with other health care practitioners. Outcomes. Data was collected from representatives from each of the 209 ACAPT member institutions. Based upon the findings, at least 62 (58.5%) of the 106 (50.7%) respondents reported that IPE is a focus of their physical therapist education curriculum. Eighty respondents (75.5%) identified up to 3 reasons for the success of their initiatives. Faculty buy‐in/champions was the most frequently cited reason followed by institutional support, student support, curriculum, and external factors, respectively. The majority of respondents (n = 56) did not identify a collaborative practice partnership in which their students obtain interprofessional experience. Discussion and Conclusion. Based on the work of national and international organizations and forums, and the results of this survey, physical therapist education programs developing IPE within their institutions typically elect to first target IPE within classroom experiences before integrating IPE within clinical experiences. In order to advance IPE within clinical experiences, development of more formalized clinical partnerships will be needed to better enable the expansion of IPE within patient care experiences for learners. This study raised additional research questions for future investigation.


Renal vasodilation might be an interesting new antihypertensive principle. In the present study, the prodrug approach was adopted to synthesize a preferential renal vasodilator. A hydralazine-like compound, CGP 18137A (2-hydrazino-5-n-butyl-pyridine), was substituted with an N-acetyl-gamma-glutamyl residue. The resulting derivative, CGP 22979A [N-acetyl-L-glutamic acid-N[N2-(5-n-butyl-2-pyridyl)hydrazide]], was inactive in the isolated perfused mesenteric artery, whereas the parent compound induced a dose-dependent inhibition of vasoconstrictor stimuli. When administered i.v. to anesthetized rats in doses between 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, CGP 22979A increased renal blood flow significantly, by up to 31% without affecting blood pressure. A dose of 4.0 mg/kg lowered renal vascular resistance by 25% but did not alter total systemic, mesenteric and iliac vascular resistance. A dose of 10.0 mg/kg increased glomerular filtration rate by up to 42%. In conscious rats, the same dose increased sodium excretion by 200%. Because CGP 22979A induces renal vasodilation in rats and has a preferential action on the afferent arterioles, it might be a useful tool for studying the antihypertensive potential of renal vasodilation.


The investigation was performed on 8 sheep with implanted catheters in the common bile duct and in the cystic duct. Sodium taurocholate and sodium dehydrocholate were infused into the jugular vein at the rate of 50 mumol/min for 20 min. Directly after the termination of the sodium taurocholate infusion, the volume of the secreted bile increased from 8.4-9 microliters.kg-1.min-1 to the highest mean value of 17.8 microliters.kg-1, min-1, with a simultaneous increase in the concentration of cholates from 1.71 mmol/l to 4.82 mmol/l and bilirubin from 271.1 mumol/l to 461.7 mumol/l. The concentration of cholesterol and phospholipids in the bile also increased, but did not reach statistically significant values. The infusion of sodium dehydrocholate caused an increase in the bile secretion to the highest mean value of 20.59 microliters.kg-1.min-1 with a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of bilirubin to 148.75 mumol/l, cholesterol to 233.0 micrograms/ml, phospholipids to 56.11 micrograms/ml and cholate to 1.0 mmol/l. The results show that biliary secretion of phospholipids, cholesterol and bilirubin is dependent on the secretion of sodium taurocholate rather than on dehydrocholic acid.


This study assesses the relationship between trends in land change from 2001 to 2010 and socioeconomic and environmental variables in Bolivia at multiple spatial scales using a nonparametric, tree-based modeling approach. It also explores the theoretical dimensions surrounding the debate over the relative importance of socioeconomic and environmental variables in explaining land change. Results from the land change analysis show several hotspots of dynamic change. The majority of woody vegetation loss occurred in the eastern lowlands of Santa Cruz, Beni, and Pando and was attributable to the expansion of industrial agriculture. Gains in woody vegetation took place in the drylands of Santa Cruz and Beni savanna, and these changes were attributed to shifting patterns in precipitation and fire rather than human-induced change. Other hotspots of woody vegetation gain were attributed to abandonment of agriculture and herbaceous lands in the intermontane valleys of the southern Andes. Regression analyses showed that population and other demographic variables were poor predictors of land change. There is a clear relationship, however, between changes in woody and agriculture/herbaceous vegetation and environmental variables such as precipitation, temperature, and elevation. Municipalities with adequate precipitation and moderate temperature tended to show increases in agriculture and herbaceous vegetation and woody vegetation declines. Woody vegetation tended to increase in municipalities at higher elevations. This study also shows that explanations of only wealth or population as the main drivers of land change undervalue the role that natural features, like topography and precipitation, play in limiting or permitting certain land-use decisions.


ABSTRACT Participation in wildlife-based community tourism within and around protected areas is seen as a tool to link biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods improvement. However, there is a deficiency of frameworks currently used to understand complex and dynamic relationships that exist among conservation, tourism and development. The community capitals framework is adopted to assess these linkages from a systems-thinking perspective in which community capitals' stock and flow, explained by a community's participation in tourism determines the direction of change. Results of the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust in Botswana indicate that all community capitals are interdependent and play a dynamic role in shaping the spiraling of community livelihoods. Participation in tourism led to both the spiraling up and down of community capitals. The spiraling up of community capitals is explained by increased livelihoods and diversification options facilitated by increased tourism income. The spiraling down is explained by the heightened human–wildlife conflicts and fragile wildlife–livestock co-existence, which led to livestock diseases, loss of beef market and the ecosystems' fragmentation through the introduction of veterinary fences. Thus, the spiraling of community capitals is explained by the transformation of one stock of community capital to another in a systems-thinking dynamics fashion.


We have studied the amplitude and phase relationships of capillary waves produced by modulated laser light on the surface of strongly absorbing liquids. For increasing laser fluences a strong nonlinear behavior is observed. This is connected with the convective motion of the liquid created by surface tension gradients known as the Marangoni motion. The abrupt changes in both the capillary wave amplitude and the phase are found to be due to an autoblocking effect of the heat flux from the region of the laser absorption as the result of the development of a closed circulating flow of the liquid.


We model and analyze passive adversaries that monitors Tor traffic crossing the border of a jurisdiction an adversary is controlling. We show that a single adversary is able to connect incoming and outgoing traffic of their border, tracking the traffic, and cooperating adversaries are able to reconstruct parts of the Tor network, revealing user-server relationships. In our analysis we created two algorithms to estimate the capabilities of the adversaries. The first generates Tor-like traffic and the second analyzes and reconstructs the simulated data.


The authors consider the electronic transport process in thin films with rough surfaces. The approach employed is based on classical concepts and avoids some special assumptions used in earlier papers. Roughness is described in terms of scatterers that are distributed randomly on the surfaces. Their differential scattering cross section yields a generally angle-dependent specularity parameter. A new form of this angle dependence is proposed. They show that the homogeneity of the lateral carrier distribution, as postulated by Fuchs in his well known paper published in 1938, is associated with the time-reversal symmetry of the microscopic scattering cross section. The divergence of the classical surface-dominated conductivity, i.e. for vanishing bulk scattering, is enhanced for angle-dependent specularity parameters in comparison with the constant parameter introduced by Fuchs. They further show how to make contact between classical formulations and quantum-mechanical approaches leading to a stronger dependence of the conductivity on the film thickness. The results are compared with existing classical size-effect theories.


Introduction the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) relies mainly on conventional techniques. However, it either lacks sensitivity or it is time-consuming. This study aims to evaluate the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting IS6110 for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) Complex (MTBC) in the routine diagnosis of TB in our laboratory. Methods clinical samples were collected from the laboratory of bacteriology at Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca Morocco. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results were compared to AFB smear and culture on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) solid media. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using GraphPad Prism. Results on 171 clinical samples, the study showed positivity of microscopy, culture and real-time PCR for M. TB complex as 19%, 31%, and 32% respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for real-time PCR in pulmonary samples were 95.2%, 95.4%, 90.91% and 97.65% respectively. For extra-pulmonary samples, they were: 72.7%, 90.32%, 72.7%, and 90.3%. Conclusion our study shows the effectiveness of using real-time PCR IS6110 in pulmonary and extra pulmonary samples. Future multicentric studies could seek to evaluate the place of this technique on routine diagnosis for better management of TB in Morocco.


One of the biggest unsolved problems in physics is the unification of quantum mechanics and general relativity. The lack of experimental guidance has made the issue extremely evasive, though various attempts have been made to relate the loss of matter wave coherence to quantum spacetime fluctuations. We present a new approach to the gravitational decoherence near the Planck scale, made possible by the recently discovered conformal structure of canonical gravity. This leads to a gravitational analogue of Brownian motion whose correlation length is given by the Planck length up to a scaling factor. With input from recent matter wave experiments, we show the minimum value of this factor to be well within the expected range for quantum gravity theories. This suggests that the sensitivities of advanced matter wave interferometers may be approaching the fundamental level due to quantum spacetime fluctuations, and that investigating Planck scale physics using matter wave interferometry may become a reality in the near future.


This paper describes a unique approach for detecting helicopter rotor faults in which active trailing edge flaps are used to interrogate the system. The objective of the research are to determine if active interrogation of helicopter rotor systems using trailing-edge flap actuators is a viable concept and to develop damage identification algorithms that are appropriate for active interrogation. Using this concept, the blade is excited by a low amplitude trailing edge flap deflection at a few discrete frequencies. The blade response is measured using embedded strain sensors and the health of the system is determined using a frequency response function based damage identification algorithm. Evaluation of the design is performed using a numerical simulation of a rotor system, which includes centrifugal forces, aerodynamic forces, and high aerodynamic damping. Good results are shown for detection and extent quantification of both stiffness and inertial faults. Ongoing work includes a strain-based implementation, investigation of additional faults, effects of noise and error, and analysis of the minimum size of detectable faults. Benefits of this work include both improved health monitoring for rotorcraft as well as insights into the application of structural damage detection algorithms to a complex system.


BACKGROUND
Influenza B virus causes influenza-like illness in humans. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression through mRNA degradation or translational repression. MiRNAs have evolved to regulate many cellular processes including the viral infection response.

OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the miRNA profiles of human cells infected with influenza B virus.

METHODS
A549 cells were infected with influenza B viruses (MOI = 0.5). MiRNAs were extracted at 24 and 48 hours post-infection. MiRNAs were used to construct four DNA libraries: influenza Binfected and an uninfected control for both time points. Then high-throughput sequencing was performed using the Miseq platform (Illumina). Sequencing data were analyzed by Miseq reporter software. The miRNAs were categorized and counted based on the frequency of reads. All filtered contigs were aligned with data from miRbase. The relative expression of each miRNA between uninfected and influenza B-infected cells was calculated.

RESULTS
There were 13 down-regulated miRNAs and 21 up-regulated miRNAs observed in influenza B infected cells at 24 hours post infection. At 48 hours post infection, 14 miRNAs were downregulated, whereas 8 miRNAs were up-regulated.

CONCLUSION
This study suggested that miRNAs may play important roles in host gene regulation in response to viral infection.


Contrary to what Zwyns et al. claim on a bibliographical basis, the lithic industry of Byzovaya cannot belong to the Streletskayan complex or be considered as Upper Palaeolithic (UP). Direct analysis of northern assemblages and of Streletskayan technologies reveals incompatible features between these industries. Byzovaya is structured on specific Mousterian technologies and does not show any unique features of the UP.


Typhoid fever remains a most interesting study. Its pathology, which was supposed to have been settled years ago by the discovery of the bacillus of Eberth, will have to be remodeled to fit certain facts of recent research. The bacteriologist, who has done so much to illuminate this disease, can not yet call his labors finished. The best efforts of the therapist to evolve a treatment which will abort, or even materially modify, the course of the disease have signally failed. The clinician must often confess his shortcomings in its diagnosis. An epidemic of this disease began in the city of Minneapolis in February, 1897, and was traceable directly to the water-supply. Drs. Westbrook and Wilson, 1 of the laboratory of the State Board of Health, isolated the bacillus typhosus from the water in April of that year. Nearly every case seen during the months of March, April and May


Summary In this study, the success of single and combined releases of Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Macrolophus melanotoma (Costa) (Hemiptera: Miridae) aganist Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: (Aleyrodidae) were determined on greenhouse grown tomato plants that planted in net cages. The studies were conducted in spring growing seasons of the years 2009 and 2010. Experiments were established with four different treatments namely B. tabaci single (control), M. melanotoma single, E. mundus single, M. melanotoma+E. mundus combined releases with 3 replications (cage). In both years the B. tabaci, E. mundus and M. melanotoma were released 20, 6 and 0.5/plants, respectively. In order to determine population development of B. tabaci and E. mundus, leaf samples were taken at weekly intervals. In addition, numbers of immature and adult stages of M. melanotoma were counted by using visual control method on whole parts of 15 plants in each predator released cages. In the parasitoids released cages, the mean numbers of immature B. tabaci were not reached higher than 0.56 and 2.82 individuals/cm 2 in 2009 and 2010, respectively. These numbers were found to be lower than control and M. melanotoma single releases. The highest immature B. tabaci numbers were determined in control treatments as 51.10 and 31.12 per cm 2 in both years. Although M. melanotoma single release treatment reduced the whitefly numbers statistically compared to control treatment, it was not succeed as much as E. mundus. The results of this study showed that B. tabaci populations could be control without any insecticide treatments in greenhouse by using biological control programs that will be consisted with E. mundus and M. melantoma in Turkey.