Abstract CD5-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (CD5+ DLBCL) is characterized by poor prognosis after frontline immunochemotherapy. This retrospective study investigated the effect of consolidative radiation after systemic treatment in newly diagnosed stage I–II de novo CD5+ DLBCL. In this study, 22 patients received consolidative radiotherapy (RT) after immunochemotherapy (chemotherapy + RT group) and 28 patients received chemotherapy alone. Patients who received chemotherapy alone had a significantly shorter PFS and OS than those who received consolidative radiotherapy. The five-year PFS rates for the chemotherapy + RT and chemotherapy alone groups were 75.1% and 40.5%, respectively. The five-year OS rates for the chemotherapy + RT and chemotherapy alone groups were 84.2% and 50.1%, respectively. Even after receiving consolidation radiotherapy, 2/22 (9.1%) patients experienced CNS relapse. Age >60 years and lack of radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Ki-67 (≥80%) was an independent prognostic factor for poor OS. Consolidative radiotherapy might be a good option for stage I-II CD5+ DLBCL, but further investigation is needed.


There has been an increasing research interest in using Java for performance-oriented distributed applications. Many approaches tend towards automatic management of locality, parallelism and load balancing which is mostly under the exclusive control of a runtime system. However, the programmer is commonly disabled to provide crucial information about the application structure (e.g. locality relationships or affinities between data and tasks) to the compiler or runtime system which frequently results in critical performance problems. In previous work we described JavaSymphony to substantially mitigate this problem. JavaSymphony is a Java class library that allows to control parallelism, load balancing, and locality at a high level. Objects can be explicitly distributed based on virtual architectures which impose a virtual hierarchy on a distributed system of physical computing nodes. The concept of remote method invocation is used to exchange data among distributed objects and to process work by remote objects. In this paper we describe various extensions of JavaSymphony which includes a generalization of virtual architectures. Objects can now be dynamically converted from conventional Java objects to JavaSymphony objects. The programmer can control whether a single or multiple threads execute all methods of an object at any given time. Moreover, a lock/unlock mechanism has been introduced in order to avoid inconsistent modification of data. All of these features have been implemented. Experiments conducted on a heterogeneous workstation cluster and on a SMP cluster architecture are described to demonstrate performance values for several JavaSymphony applications.


ABSTRACT Introduction Ceftolozane is a cephalosporin similar to ceftazidime in its structure, which is marketed in combination with tazobactam, a well-known β-lactamase inhibitor. Areas covered After a brief introduction on the drug characteristics and efficacy, we focused on available data from randomized controlled trials and post-marketing observational studies pertaining to the safety of ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). A search was conducted in PubMed from January 2010 to February 2023. Expert opinion The use of C/T for the treatment of cUTI is supported by solid efficacy and safety data, especially for the treatment of those pathogens where it can represent a first-line approach due to some peculiar characteristics: (i) treatment of cUTI caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in view of its frequent activity against carbapenem-resistant isolates when resistance mechanisms other than production of carbapenemases are concerned; (ii) treatment of cUTI caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales in those settings where the selective pressure for carbapenem resistance needs to be relieved, as a suitable and effective carbapenem-sparing option. Although development of resistance to C/T during or after treatment has been reported, this has been reported very rarely in patients receiving C/T for the treatment of cUTI.


This paper discusses how a simulation game modeling the effects of self-interested entrepreneurial effort in the educational market can help students understand current issues relating to public policy, traditional versus non-traditional educational programs, and societal well-being. The model posits a system in which educational entrepreneurs face a market of students possessing differing levels of educational preparation. Self-interested managers can trade off specialization and scale educational strategies to maximize the value of their outcomes, in the process, determining the amount and distribution of educational achievement in the social system. The debriefing process enables an instructor to draw on students' personal experience with the simulation ("skin in the game"), giving students an appreciation of how their decisions as educational managers impact social welfare. The game also provides an opportunity for students to apply the principles of marketing and managerial accounting as they relate to educational enterprises, thus developing their ability to transfer generalizable knowledge from one application to another.


In this paper we propose thermal aware global routing of interconnects which reduces the probability of failure of chips due to interconnect failures. Temperature has a very serious effect on the mean time to failure (MTF) of interconnects because of electromigration. We present TAGORE, a thermal aware global router. TAGORE achieves a reduction in the probability of failure by routing more wires in the colder regions of the chip and less wires in the hotter regions of the chip. We observed that TAGORE reduced the number of wires in the hottest region of a chip by up to 19.95 % and by an average of 12.29 %. This resulted in a decrease in the failure rate by up to 292 failures per million hours of operation. We also perform an analytical examination of the reduction in the probability of interconnect failure and the failure rate. The analysis shows that there is a reduction in the probability of failure of a chip if fewer wires are routed in the hot regions. This approach to reliability improvement does not require any addition of redundant wires or vias.


Political incorporation represents an important and complex trajectory for social movements. Whether that trajectory leads to favorable substantive outcomes or merely to formalistic representation within the polity depends in part on the strategic decisions made by leaders. We have few frameworks, however, for understanding their role in navigating incorporation. This research presents a "niche definition" framework emphasizing strategic differentiation and articulation across political actors in distinct institutional locations sharing common goals. It focuses attention on leaders' efforts to identify and exploit unique resources and leverage made available through incorporation. Overall, the framework emphasizes the potential for collective strategy and cooperative interorganizational dynamics, thereby expanding possibilities for favorable outcomes of political incorporation. The framework is illustrated through a case study of the Orange County (California) Human Relations Commission from its creation in 1971 to 2001. I trace the long-term challenges and consequences of incorporation through leaders' definition of successive niches.


The growth dynamics and some nutritional aspects of the king palm tree (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) were evaluated in a plantation placed on Inceptisol, in the county of Paranagua, in the Parana State, using the following spacing between plants as treatments (T1 - 0,80 x 0,80 m; T2 - 1,00 x 0,80 m; T3 - 1,50 x 0,50 m e T4 - 1,20 x 0,60 m). Planting was realized in 2001; the stem height and diameter of plants were evaluated after 12, 20 and 28 months of planting. N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in leaves were evaluated 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 months after planting. The height of plants was affected by spacing between plants but not the stem diameter. The same effect was observed for foliar Mg content, probably related to the higher incorporation of Mg by the taller plants more exposed to sun radiation. The N content in the leaves was different when comparing the leaf blade and the leaf raquis suggesting the leaf blade to be more appropriate for foliar analysis.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

Activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer development and progression. Inhibition of this pathway has been investigated extensively as cancer therapy recently. However, primary or acquired resistance may present a major challenge to the success of inhibitors targeting this pathway due to the existence of redundant and compensatory pathways in cancer cells. In an effort to enhance anti-tumor activity and overcome these limitations, we have developed small-molecule compounds that are able to simultaneously inhibit both PI3K/mTOR and HDAC based on the rationale of synergistic effects of inhibition of these molecule targets in cancer cells. The lead compound exhibits potent inhibition of Pi3K subtypes and mTOR as well as HDAC. In cell proliferation assays, this compound displays potent anti-proliferation activity in cell lines from a variety of tumor types, including those cell lines with genetic mutations responsible for resistance to Pi3K inhibitors. In contrast to single-target PI3K inhibitors or PI3K/mTor dual inhibitors, this compound is able to simultaneously suppress both the Pi3K-Akt-mTOR and the MAPK signaling pathway due to epigenetic modifications via HDAC inhibition. This compound has a half-life of more than 10 hours in murine tumors, induces apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation up to 48 hours following a single dose of the compound to tumor bearing animals. Efficacy studies in various tumor xenografts indicate that this compound has more potent antitumor activity than a leading Pi3K inhibitor and a dual Pi3K/mTor inhibitor, both of which are in clinical development, at doses causing no obvious side-effects to the tumor-bearing animals. This compound is under preclinical toxicology evaluation to support for further development.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4469.


In this paper, we use a dynamic programming formulation to address a class of multi-agent task assignment problems that arise in the study of fuel optimal control of multiple agents. The fuel optimal multi-agent control is highly relevant to multiple spacecraft formation reconfiguration, an area of intense current research activity. Based on the recurrence relation derived from the celebrated principle of optimality, we develop an algorithm with a distributed computational architecture for the global optimal task assignment. In addition, we propose a communication protocol to facilitate decentralized decision making among agents. Illustrative studies are included to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed multi-agent optimal task assignment algorithm.


We evaluate the need for monitoring and reinforcement of inpatient dyslipidemia management throughout Internal Medicine residency training. We reviewed 150 randomly selected chest pain admissions by different levels of Internal Medicine trainees at a tertiary care center and classified their risk factors, lipid panels, and treatment measures according to the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Our sample included 99 patients (66%) with dyslipidemia and mismanagement occurred in 63 cases (42%). Interns handled 94 cases, whereas 56 cases were handled by senior residents. The error rate was 38/94 (40%) among interns and 25/56 (45%) among senior residents. A two-sample comparison of binomial proportions resulted in a P-value of 0.614, indicating statistically similar error rates. In conclusion, inpatient lipid management must be promoted at the beginning of postgraduate training, with re-emphasis and monitoring throughout training to ensure coronary heart disease risk reduction and optimal patient care.


Zartorosht gold deposit is located in southeastern part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. Rock units exposed in the area include mafic to intermediate volcanic series, metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks and meta-basites intruded by basic to felsic dikes. These late Paleozoic units have been metamorphosed under lower to medium green-schist facies. Due to several phases of intense deformation, rock sequence indicates new fabrics. The intensity and types of deformation are not the same in the area, so that rock units illustrate ductile-brittle to brittle shear zones. Gold mineralization occurs in ductile-brittle and brittle shear zones. In ductile-brittle shear zones, gold mineralization occurs parallel to the foliation with lenticular geometry along the strike and dip of the foliation. Analysis of samples from silicified parts of this zone indicates 0.5 to 7.95 ppm Au. In these zones, deformation fabrics can be observed as primary mylonitization in marginal and middle parts, and brittle fabrics in central parts. Gold mineralization in brittle type shear zones has occurred mainly along N70W to E-W and southern dipping normal faults. This type of mineralization includes gold-bearing veins and siliceous-sulfidic bands and can be followed in a 1.5 km long zone. Au grade in samples from siliceous-sulfidic zone is 17.2 ppm and sometimes it reaches up to 35.7 ppm. Mineralized rock units in shear zones indicate different types of alteration including chloritization, epidotization, sericitization, carbonatization, argilization, silicification and sulfidization. Siliceoussulfidic alteration corresponds to ore-bearing zones within the shear zones. Studies suggested temporal and spatial relation between alteration and deformation. Spatial relation is explained by overlapping alteration and deformation zones. Foliation parallel open spaces (generated during ductile deformation and mineralization processes) and also micro-fractures in porphyroclasts (generated during grain cataclastic flow) have been filled with hydrothermal stage quartz and pyrite indicating temporal correlation of alteration and deformation. Au grade changes have close relation with deformation and alteration intensity. This relation has been distinguished by analysis of samples taken from trenches and tunnels perpendicular or parallel to general foliation of rock units. High gold content is related to intensely deformed (mylonitic and ultracataclasite) siliceous and sulfidic parts and Au-bearing siliceous-sulfidic parts coinciding with the inner parts of alteration zones. Ore-mineral assemblages in the area are relatively simple including pyrite, arsenian-pyrite, rarely galena and sphalerite. Based on microscopic studies, Au occurs as free grains and electrum. Also electron-microprobe and electron-microscope analysis indicate that at least some of Au grains are in sulfide minerals lattice. According to these studies, gold has been observed with both pyrite and arsenian-pyrite phases. Ag has also been detected in sulfide minerals lattice and siliceous gangue. Controlling parameters for mineral concentration in Zartorosht deposit are shear zones (ductile-brittle and brittle) and alteration (silicification and sulfidization). Based on the comparison of Zartorosht main characteristics with orogenic gold deposits, Zartorosht has the most similarities with orogenic gold mineralization; therefore, it is considered to be of this type.


The contribution of Steinbeck in the late-1930's concerning motives and decisionmaking for environmental migrations did much to influence research in social science. The Tiebout's hypothesis and theoretical model of migration, published in 1956, permitted evaluation of urban public policy implications. The impact of these two pioneers in migration theory set the stage for new models and new methods in migration research having advantage of much more data from many more environmental, economic and social sectors applied to many more accumulating, often tragic, examples. This paper looks at the state of the science as these two influential authors left it and how the public health part of the 1930's Dust Bowl migration to California contributes to our understanding of this complex human, decision-making system. Finally, Garfield's scientometric propagation of scientific thinking was utilized for migration theories.


This paper presents a fuzzy inference system for integrated volt/var control (VVC) in distribution substations. The purpose is go forward to automation distribution applying conservation voltage reduction (CVR) in isolated power systems where control capabilities are limited. A fuzzy controller has been designed. Working as an on-line tool, it has been tested under real conditions and it has managed the operation during a whole day in a distribution substation. Within the limits of control capabilities of the system, the controller maintained successfully an acceptable voltage profile, power factor values over 0,98 and it has ostensibly improved the performance given by an optimal power flow based automation system. CVR savings during the test are evaluated and the aim to integrate it in the VVC is presented.


The article analyzes the ways of forming ethnic identity at the primary school age through the ethno-cultural heritage of nations. The structural components of the ethnic identity and the study of feasibility of the personality developing potential of the experimental program are considered.


Myelin associated proteins are known to pose hurdles to central nervous system (CNS) axon regeneration. The myelin mediated inhibition on axon regeneration can be reversed by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF enhances cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels for eliciting its beneficial effects on axon regeneration. A recent article by Martinez et al., revealed that soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is a potential catalytic source for cAMP in BDNF stimulated neurons. Interestingly BDNF stimulated or exogenously administered sAC was able to reverse the inhibitory effects of myelin on axon regeneration suggesting that sAC is a potential therapeutic opportunity in CNS injury.


The industrial exploitation of the agarophyte, Gelidium sesquipedale, is an important part of the economy of Morocco, however the species is in danger of being overexploited. The development of research on the biological cycle of the species enbles a better understanding of environmental influencies on its reproduction periods and of the effect of pulling up on the growth of the thalli. This should assist in helping to avoid excessive collection of the species and to reinforce a period of rest where no collection takes place. The major are of collection supplying industries is the maritime sector of El Jadida - Jarf Lasfar. In order to study the methods of reproduction of G sesquipedale, a first series of experimentation was carried out by the INRH. Studies relating to biology and the effect of pulling up on the biometrics of the thalli of this species were carried out at two stations of the maritime zone El Jadida - Jarf lasfar: Moulay Abdellah and Sidi Bouzid during the period 2000–2002. The results obtained show that the fertile thalli are present all the year with a maximum reproductive activity in winter. The recruitment of the young slings takes place before the winter and occurs more in Sidi Bouzid. The regeneration and the growth of the thalli are carried out in spring and summer. To preserve this resource, it is necessary to put in place a system whereby one zone or area is allowed to rest whilst another area is cultivated for a year; whilst in the following year the rercise occurs.


Abstract Augmented feedback (AF) can play an important role when learning or improving a motor skill. As research dealing with AF is broad and diverse, the purpose of this review is to provide the reader with an overview of the use of AF in exercise, motor learning and injury prevention research with respect to how it can be presented, its informational content and the limitations. The term 'augmented' feedback is used because additional information provided by an external source is added to the task-intrinsic feedback that originates from a person's sensory system. In recent decades, numerous studies from various fields within sport science (exercise science, sports medicine, motor control and learning, psychology etc.) have investigated the potential influence of AF on performance improvements. The first part of the review gives a theoretical background on feedback in general but particularly AF. The second part tries to highlight the differences between feedback that is given as knowledge of result and knowledge of performance. The third part introduces studies which have applied AF in exercise and prevention settings. Finally, the limitations of feedback research and the possible reasons for the diverging findings are discussed. The focus of this review lies mainly on the positive influence of AF on motor performance. Underlying neuronal adaptations and theoretical assumptions from learning theories are addressed briefly.


Sectional study, exploratory and quantitative in order to learn the biological characteristics of accidents in the municipality of Niteroi - RJ - Brazil. Will be held at a referral service for health professionals accident victim biological located in that district. The universe of study will include all monitoring reports of visits to these professionals in the period 2005-2008. Variables will be analyzed in relation to identifying personal and professional circumstances of the accident, vaccination status and serological survey. Association will be verified by testing the statistical program SPSS, version 15.0. The ethical aspects are respected according to resolution 196/96.


Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cause of Cancer-related death among women. The aim of this study was to assess the pathologic findings of patients with breast cancer who were referred to the pathology ward in Bandarabbas during 2002 to 2010.
Methods and Materials: In this descriptive study in 2010, all patients with breast cancer who were referred to the pathology ward of Bandarabbas during 2002 to 2010 were included. Data was obtained using patients' records in the pathology ward and was collected by using a previously structured checklist including demographics such as age, sex as well as information regarding histology, histology grade, size and location of the tumor. Data was analyzed after collection using SPSS 13.0 for Windows software.
Results: Among the patients 73 (92.4%) were female. The mean age of the patients in our study was 52.38±14.27 years. Thirty (44.8%) were infiltrative ductal carcinoma and 26 (38.8%) were invasive ductal carcinoma. Histologic grade I was found in 10 (20.8%) patients, grade II in 24 (50%) and grade III in 14 (29.2%) patients. Skin was involved in 11(13.9%) cases. Vascular and neural involvement was seen in 16 (20.3%) and 6 (7.6%) patients respectively. Regional lymph nodes were involved in 32 (40.5%) of the patients. Far metastasis was seen only in 1 (1.3%) patient.
Conclusions: Referral of the patients in late stages of their disease which is associated with vascular, skin and nipple involvement and also regional lymph node involvement indicated a lack of enough knowledge about the disease.


The nitrogen-doped TiO2 thin films are deposited on the glass substrate by using a direct-current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique. The film properties are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The results show that, under the same working pressure and other conditions, nitrogen doping promotes the phase transition from anatase to rutile. Also, on changing the nitrogen–oxygen ratio, nitrogen atoms enter the TiO2 lattice in different positions. When oxygen is abundant, nitrogen atoms will be presented in the interstitial positions; when oxygen is insufficient, nitrogen atoms enter the oxygen vacancies first, forming a substituted position. Finally, we find that, with the increase in nitrogen–oxygen ratio, the sample has a better response to visible light, attributed to the change in the energy band-gap.


Pyelonephritis is the most common urinary tract infection affecting females of all age groups. Despite concerted efforts the mechanism of renal injury in pyelonephritis is not clearly understood. In the present study we have made an attempt to characterise the mediators of inflammatory insult in an experimental model of ascending pyelonephritis. Mice infected with Escherichia coli O6:K13:H1 were sacrificed at 2, 7 and 14 days post-infection. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response, NADPH oxidase, acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activities were monitored in circulating as well as renal phagocytic cells in order to determine the role of reactive oxygen species and lysosomal enzymes in genesis of renal injury. We have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species are generated at the initiation of infection and the levels increase progressively during the course of infection. While intracellular release of lysosomal enzymes was seen in all groups, extracellular release was primarily observed at 7 and 14 days post-infection only. The results indicate that while reactive oxygen species play a significant role in tissue injury during all stages of infection, lysosomal enzyme release in extracellular milieu augments tissue destruction at later stages only.


Abstract Climate change is predicted to affect many species by reducing range, habitat suitability and breeding success. Cavity-nesting species, already threatened by deforestation and declining natural hollows, may be particularly at risk because they are limited in nest-site location, and climatic alterations may further reduce usability of natural cavities. It is therefore essential to determine how cavity-users may be affected. We recorded internal nest-box temperatures and modelled the relationships of four temperature parameters (relating to mean temperature, variability in temperature, low temperature extremes and high temperature extremes) with breeding success and nestling growth in an Australian cavity-nesting parrot, the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans). We found that less extreme low temperatures resulted in heavier nestlings; however, higher mean temperatures tended to result in lighter nestlings. Greater temperature variability tended to reduce fledging success; however, no temperature variables had a clear effect on clutch size or hatching success. Our findings indicate that there may be a complex relationship between nestling growth and temperature, and although less extreme cold temperatures may benefit nestlings, continued increases in mean temperature and variability may have negative consequences.


Age-related cardiovascular changes Age-related changes in vascular structure and function may contribute to isolated systolic hypertension and target-organ damage. These include cardiac hypertrophy, systolic as well as diastolic dysfunction, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, cerebrovascular diseases, peripheral vascular diseases and renal insufficiency. Potential advantages of calcium antagonists in the elderly Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists have been advocated as first choice agents for the treatment of hypertension in the elderly on the grounds that (1) they may be more active in lowering blood pressure because of the predominantly low renin status in elderly hypertensives, (2) they may be better tolerated because side effects related to the activation of the sympathetic system may be less frequent because of attenuation of baroflexes during ageing and (3) they may have beneficial effects on a variety of concomitant cardiovascular diseases which are frequently present in the elderly. These assumptions, however, are not always proven in clinical practice. Advantages of nicardipine Additional to its potent vasodilatator action, nicardipine has anti-ischemic effects in both the coronary and the cerebral circulation, including antiplatelet and hemorrheological effects, and protection at ther cellular level against calcium overload and ischemia. The results of a large number of studies in cerebrovascular insufficiency suggest that nicardipine, may favorably affect the cerebral circulation and may improve the patient's cognitive function. Nicardipine may decrease left ventricular mass by about 4-12% and may reduce both the frequency and the severity of arrhythmias. The anti-anginal effects of nicardipine are well established. The drug is also able to decrease the progression of new atherosclerotic lesions in coronary arteries and is consequently potentially beneficial in elderly hypertensives with coronary artery disease. Nicardipine has no clinically significant negative inotropic effect Nevertheless, in congestive heart failure, the use of calcium antagonists is usually not recommended because of the lack of clinical benefit and of possible harmful effects, including sympathetic and renin-angiotensin system stimulation. Although kidney protection may be provided by a strict and long-term control of blood pressure, the effects of nicardipine on long-term protection of renal function are not clear at present. Recent controversy concerning short-acting calcium antagonists Much-debated recent case-control studies suggest that hypertensive patients treated with short-acting calcium antagonists may have an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and possibly of cardiovascular and total mortality. However, only well designed prospective comparative trials can answer this question.


Ultrasonic metal welding (UMW) enables joining in the solid state at relative low temperatures with short cycle times. This technique is of particular interest for joining metallic glasses to each other or to other materials, because crystallization of the amorphous structure can be prevented due to the low thermal loading and the rapidity of the process. In this work, UMW is applied to join one 1 mm thick sheet of a commercial wrought aluminum alloy (AA5754) and one 0.4 mm thick strip of a commercial Zr-based bulk metallic glass (AMZ4). The introduced heat of the welding process is detected with thermocouples and thermal imaging. To investigate the strength of the joint and the influence on the microstructure, mechanical tensile tests are carried out in combination with scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that ultrasonic metal welding is a suitable technique to join amorphous bulk metallic glasses to crystalline aluminum alloys. The metallic glass component retains its amorphous structure in the joint, and the joint strength is higher than the strength of the Al sheet. These findings will help to develop future applications of BMG-based multi-material components, including medical tools.


Catheter-related bloodstream infections have a significant impact on increasing health care costs and morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Many technologies have been created in an attempt to decrease the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection. One of these is the impregnation of central venous catheters with antiseptics (e.g., chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine) or antibiotics (e.g., minocycline and rifampin). While studies evaluating the efficacy of impregnated catheters have been conducted, the data are limited and their use remains variable across institutions. This paper will discuss catheter-related factors that predispose patients to catheter-related bloodstream infection, the types of antimicrobial-impregnated catheters in use today, studies evaluating their efficacy, and common concerns associated with the use of these catheters. Issues related to the cost-effectiveness of impregnated catheters and future directions for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection will also be presented.


Summary 1. Roads provide suitable conditions for the establishment and growth of exotic species. Most roads are bordered by drainage ditches forming a network of linear wetlands. Drainage ditches may serve as habitats and corridors facilitating the spread of aquatic invaders into the intersected ecosystems. The common reed Phragmites australis is one of these aquatic invaders frequently found in marshes and drainage ditches along roads. We hypothesized that highways have acted as corridors for the dispersal of the common reed and have contributed to the invasion of North American wetlands by this species. 2. We mapped the spatial distribution of the common reed along the highway network of the province of Quebec, Canada, where a large-scale invasion of this plant species has been reported since the 1960s. We also identified the genotype of common reed colonies using molecular tools and the main characteristics that favour the presence of the common reed in road ditches. 3. Approximately 67% of the 1359 1-km highway sections surveyed during summer 2003 in Quebec had at least one common reed colony. End to end, common reed colonies totalled 324 km, i.e. 24% of the 1359 km surveyed. 4. Common reed colonies located along the highways were largely (99%) dominated by the exotic (Eurasian) genotype (haplotype M). 5. The common reed was more abundant along highways located in warm regions, with a sum of growing degree-days ( > 5 ° C, 12-month period) ≥ 1885, along highways built before the 1970s and in agricultural regions dominated by corn and soybean crops. Common reed colonies were larger when located along highways that were wide, built before the 1970s or in warm regions. This was particularly apparent if the roadside was bordered by a wetland. On the other hand, common reed colonies were more likely to be narrow when located near a woodland. 6. Synthesis and applications. Several disturbances (de-icing salts, ditch digging and agricultural nitrogen input) favour the development of large common reed colonies along roads, some of them expanding out of roadsides, particularly in wetlands. Reducing disturbances, leaving (or planting) a narrow (a few metres) hedge of trees or shrubs along highways or planting salt-resistant shrubs in roadside ditches could be efficient ways to slow the expansion of common reed or to confine the species to roadsides.


Ecuador is a prominent example of a Latin American country that has elected a left-wing president who aims to create a post-neoliberal development strategy. Many of the policies pursued by President Rafael Correa have focused on changing the relationship between nature and society. The new constitution of 2008, which grants rights to nature, adapts a new development model based on indigenous cosmology and strengthens the power and regulatory remit of the state over the economy and society, is an important statement of intent in this regard. The Yasuni-ITT (Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini) initiative to leave oil underground in exchange for international financial contributions is the most significant manifestation of this intent in actual policy. Analysis of two emblematic changes reveals that the creation of a post-neoliberal development strategy has so far produced partial and uneven results. While nature and natural resources have come under stricter control by the state, this has not significantly diminished their commercialisation. © 2012 The Author. Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie


The art of characterisation in a narrative is elucidated. Characterisation is the technique by which an author fashions a convincing portrait of a person within a unified piece of writing. The relationship between characterisation and descriptive techniques such as showing and telling, verbal and non-verbal action, flat and round characters, as well as its function in the unfolding of the plot is shown. Characterisation, furthermore, proceeds by way of repetition or redundancy. The process of characterisation is finally illustrated by means of Luke's characterisation of Jesus, the disciples and the populace.


Summary.

The features of the central nervous system of the Ctenoglossa may thus be summarised. The suboesophageal complex shows distinct abdominal, pedal, and brachial elements, not as separate ganglia, but as clearly differentiated parts. This is a condition not found in any Heteroglossate nor in Vitreledonella. The lateral commissure is longer than in Octopus, Eledone, and Vitreledonella, but not so long as in Argonauta. There is a well-developed brachial commissure, as in most of the Octopoda. The degree of fusion between the cerebral and the superior buccal ganglia is slight, but they are in close contact. None of the Incirrata appear to differ much in this respect. The cerebral ganglion is divided into three lobes only (instead of four, as in the Heteroglossa), and the verticalis is not subdivided into lateral and median gyri. In Vitreledonella there is one lobe less and the posterior is tripartite (?= subdivisions of the verticalis).

It will thus be seen that as regards the brachial ganglion the Ctenoglossa are less specialized than the Incirrata (including Vitreledonella). As regards the length of the lateral commissure the same is true, though Argonauta is even less specialised. They agree with the other Incirrata in possessing a well-developed brachial commissure and in the close approximation of the cerebral and superior buccal ganglia. The cerebral ganglion is less subdivided than in the Heteroglossa.

The result of this study supports the view recently put forward that the Ctenoglossa and Vitreledonellidae should be separated, as their central nervous systems are definitely dissimilar. Whether on the characters of the nervous system alone one would treat the latter as more closely related to the Incirrata I am somewhat doubtful. When I previously examined this question I was impressed by the great degree of condensation in the system of Vitreledonella and its likeness therein to the other Heteroglossa. It is now, however, apparent that the system contains special features, and though it might pass for a more condensed type of, e. g., Octopod system, it is less evolved in the character of the cerebral ganglion. On this system it seems to me an open question whether we should regard Vitreledonella as a highly evolved Heteroglossate in which the cerebral ganglia have undergone less division, or whether it should be placed in a group of its own equivalent to the Heteroglossa.


Brassica vegetables are consumed year-round as raw salad or cooked ingredients. Four Brassica species were selected for this study, broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), broccoli raab (Brassica rapa L.), choisum (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis), and gailan (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra). While there is abundant information about broccoli, research on gailan, choisum and broccoli raab is very limited. The effect of CA (3% O2 alone or in combination with 7 or 15% CO2, 1% O2 alone or combined with 15% CO2) and air on marketable quality (overall visual, yellowing, discoloration, decay) and chemical parameters (antioxidant activity, chlorophyll, sugar, fermentative volatiles, and ammonia content) during storage at 5°C was evaluated. Products were obtained from a wholesaler, washed in chlorinated water, trimmed into florets and placed in unsealed polyethylene bags that were held in polycarbonate chambers through which humidified air or the controlled atmospheres flowed. Visual quality was evaluated after 0, 8, 12, 16 and 20 days, while chemical parameters were measured after 0, 8, 16 days. Generally, CA treatments did not affect the antioxidant activity, chlorophyll or sugar concentrations in any of the specialty brassicas studied. On the other hand, both ammonia content and visual quality evaluations were affected by atmosphere composition. Florets stored in low oxygen (3% O2) often had the best visual quality but generally all atmospheres maintained better marketable quality than air storage. The 3% oxygen CA improved marketability to about 16 days. Low oxygen delayed postharvest and post-cutting deterioration of florets from all Brassica species, and based on changes in ammonia concentrations, was considered beneficial to maintain quality of fresh-cut brassicas stored at 5°C.


Supine [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission technology/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a commonly used modality for the initial staging of breast cancer, and several previous studies have shown superior sensitivity and specificity of prone FDG PET/CT in comparison to its supine counterpart. This retrospective study included 25 females with breast cancer referred for staging. They underwent supine FDG PET/CT followed by prone FDG PET/CT. The outcomes were: number of primary breast lesions, anatomical site of FDG-avid lymph nodes (LNs), and number and type of bone lesions, with SUVmax of all corresponding parameters. Performance was superior in prone acquisition compared to supine acquisition, with the respective results: 29 vs. 22 breast tumor lesions detected, 62 vs. 27 FDG-avid axillary LNs detected, sensitivity of 68% vs. 57%, specificity of 64% vs. 53%. The detection rate of axillary LNs in the prone position was significantly higher (p = 0.001). SUVmax for breast tumor lesions (p = 0.000) and number of detected axillary LNs (p = 0.002) were significantly higher in prone acquisition. Five patients were upstaged after experts read the prone acquisition. Prone FDG PET/CT acquisition is a promising technique in detecting primary breast lesions and metastatic LNs possibly missed in supine acquisition, which may lead to change in patient staging and management.


One fundamental problem in the learning treatment effect from observational data is confounder identification and balancing. Most of the previous methods realized confounder balancing by treating all observed variables as confounders, ignoring the identification of confounders and non-confounders. In general, not all the observed variables are confounders which are the common causes of both the treatment and the outcome, some variables only contribute to the treatment and some contribute to the outcome. Balancing those non-confounders would generate additional bias for treatment effect estimation. By modeling the different relations among variables, treatment and outcome, we propose a synergistic learning framework to 1) identify and balance confounders by learning decomposed representation of confounders and non-confounders, and simultaneously 2) estimate the treatment effect in observational studies via counterfactual inference. Our empirical results demonstrate that the proposed method can precisely identify and balance confounders, while the estimation of the treatment effect performs better than the state-of-the-art methods on both synthetic and real-world datasets.


The essential steps are explained in calculating a radiation dose for radionuclide therapy from imaging data. As the dose alone is a meaningless value, its consequences in tumour cell kill efficiency and normal tissue damage are explained. The influence of dose rate and inhomogeneous dose distributions are discussed.


The role of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in receptor-independent catabolism of human low density lipoprotein (h-LDL) was evaluated in the rat in vivo after blockade of its phagocytic activity with gadolinium chloride (GaCl3). After blockade of the RES with GaCl3, the recovery of [125I] h-LDL in the liver of 17 alpha-ethinyl oestradiol-treated rats (EE-rats), was decreased by 37 and 16%, 15 and 60 min after h-LDL injection, respectively. This decrease did not result in a decreased LDL degradation which represented 14 and 55% of the injected dose in the two groups of rats after 15 and 60 min respectively, both on GaCl3 and control rats. Contrasting with EE-rats, the catabolism of h-LDL in untreated rats is much slower and takes place essentially through a receptor-independent mechanism. Six hours after the injection of [125I] h-LDL, 64% of the dose was degraded. This proportion decreased to 45% after blockade of the RES phagocytic activity. This 30 percent difference represents the proportion of h-LDL catabolized by receptor-independent mechanisms present in the Küpffer and endothelial cells. We conclude from our study that in the normal rat, the parenchymal cells of the liver on the one hand and the Küpffer and endothelial cells on the other hand contribute 70 and 30% respectively to the receptor-independent catabolism of low density lipoproteins in vivo.


We report a study of recovery dynamics, followed by in situ resistivity measurements after 100 MeV oxygen ion irradiation, in cold rolled Fe at 300 K. Scaling behavior with microstructural density and temperature of the sample have been used to establish stress-induced defects formed during irradiation as a new type of sink. The dynamics after irradiation has been shown to be due to migration of defects to two types of sinks, i.e. stress-induced defects as variable sinks and internal surfaces as fixed sinks. Experimental data obtained under various experimental conditions have been fitted to theoretical curves. The parameters thus obtained from fitting are employed to establish the effect of electronic energy loss and temperature on the recovery dynamics and stress associated with variable sinks.


Network-on-chip is alternative paradigm to improve communication bandwidth compared to bus-based communication, and its performance largely depends on architecture of router. In this paper, multiplane virtual-channel router which has multiple crossbar switches and modified switch allocator is proposed to enhance the latency and throughput performance. Theoretically, we show this multiplane router has much better latency performance compare to single plane router. Also, we carry out the RTL simulation in order to show that the multiplane router with small number of virtual-channels offering smaller hardware complexity than single plane router with large number of virtual-channels.


Evidence continues to accumulate on the importance of NO in angiogenesis.1–7⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓ A number of angiogenic substances, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stimulate production of NO in endothelial cells.8,9⇓ In vivo biosynthesis of NO is essential for angiogenesis induced by tissue ischemia.3 Angiogenesis is severely impaired in ischemic hindlimb of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-deficient mice.3,10⇓ This impairment is not corrected by administration of VEGF, strongly suggesting that NO is downstream signal for angiogenic effect of VEGF. Indeed, in vascular endothelial cells, VEGF increases eNOS enzymatic activity via activation of protein kinase Akt and subsequent phosphorylation of eNOS.11,12⇓ More recent study demonstrated that 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor simvastatin also promotes angiogenesis by activation of protein kinase Akt.13 This effect seems to be mediated by stimulation of eNOS enzymatic activity. The importance of protein kinase Akt in regulation of NO production in vivo was demonstrated by adenovirus-mediated delivery of active Akt into the vascular wall. Overexpression of Akt increased resting blood flow, whereas expression of dominant negative Akt inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation mediated by NO.14 Thus, phosphorylation of eNOS by protein kinase Akt seems to be a major molecular mechanism underlying the angiogenic effect of VGEF and statins.

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Structural adaptation of the vascular tree in response to increased shear …


In this study, graphene oxide (GO) sheets were successfully synthesized using two routes: conventional Hummers' (HGO) and modified Hummers' (or Marcano's) (MGO) methods. GO sheets were then assembled with TiO₂ nanoparticles to form nanocomposites (i.e., HGO-TO and MGO-TO). The properties of HGO and MGO and their nanocomposites with TiO₂ were evaluated by Fouriertransform infrared (FTIR), Raman, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) adsorption, and diffuse reflectance (DRS) spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size of MGO, determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) equation, were 565 m²g-1, 376 cm³ g-1, and 30 nm, respectively; all of these parameters decreased after MGO was combined with TiO₂. In addition, compared with HGO, MGO possessed higher oxidation level and more stable bonding with TiO₂ nanoparticles. The morphology of HGO and MGO, which were characterized by scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopies (TEM), together with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and elemental mapping technique, was determined to consist of TiO₂ nanoparticle-assembled GO sheets. All GO-TiO₂ nanocomposite samples exhibited a very high activity (˜100%) toward rhodamine B (RhB) dye photodegradation under natural sunlight exposure within 60 min. The obtained results for the GO-TiO₂ nanocomposite showed the potential of its application in wastewater purification and other environmental aspects.


Special delivery for fatty liver disease Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is one of many unwelcome consequences of the global rise in obesity rates. Fat accumulation within the liver can lead to inflammation and cirrhosis, a predisposing factor for liver cancer. Treatment options are limited. Perry et al. revisit a mitochondrial uncoupling agent (2,4-dinitrophenol) that was used as a drug for weight loss in the 1930s but was discontinued because of serious toxicities. Encouragingly, an altered formulation of the drug that ensures its controlled release at low levels ameliorated fatty liver and diabetes in rodent models, without side effects. Science, this issue p. 1253 A modified version of a mitochondrial uncoupling agent can ameliorate fatty liver disease in rats, without apparent toxicity. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The mitochondrial protonophore 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) has beneficial effects on NAFLD, insulin resistance, and obesity in preclinical models but is too toxic for clinical use. We developed a controlled-release oral formulation of DNP, called CRMP (controlled-release mitochondrial protonophore), that produces mild hepatic mitochondrial uncoupling. In rat models, CRMP reduced hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and diabetes. It also normalized plasma transaminase concentrations, ameliorated liver fibrosis, and improved hepatic protein synthetic function in a methionine/choline–deficient rat model of NASH. Chronic treatment with CRMP was not associated with any systemic toxicity. These data offer proof of concept that mild hepatic mitochondrial uncoupling may be a safe and effective therapy for the related epidemics of metabolic syndrome, T2D, and NASH.


This article examines the public reception of the periodical The Liberal to establish how the language of 'liberalism' began to develop in Britain in the eighteen-twenties. It shows that Hunt, Byron and Shelley had difficulty establishing a claim to this terminology partly because the conventional meanings of the word 'liberality'– as in generosity and gentlemanliness – could be turned against their contributions, and partly because of their existing reputations as subversive, irreligious Epicureans. As a result, The Liberal helped to establish a negative typology of 'liberalism' that quickly gathered force among reactionaries.


Respiratory disease has been identified as an important and production-limiting health problem on equine stud farms. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and risk factors for respiratory disease on commercial Thoroughbred and Standardbred stud farms in New Zealand, using logistic regression analysis. In 2012, 33 stud managers were interviewed regarding the 2010/11 and 2011/12 breeding seasons, including stud manager reported respiratory disease and strangles vaccination practices. Twentytwo stud mangers reported having respiratory disease on their stud farm in the 2010/11 breeding season, and twenty-six stud managers reported disease in the following season. On 90% of stud farms, nasal discharge was reported by stud managers as the main sign of disease and on 41% of stud farms no treatment was undertaken. When breeding season and the size of the stud farm were accounted for, vaccinating horses against strangles increased the odds of horses having experienced respiratory disease (OR 7.26, 95% CI 1.48-35.64), while the presence of a stallion decreased the odds (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.004 0.48). This study has confirmed that respiratory disease is a common health issue on Thoroughbred and Standardbred stud farms in New Zealand.


Cytoplasmic polyadenylation-element-binding protein (CPEB) is a well-characterized and important regulator of translation of maternal mRNA in early development in organisms ranging from worms, flies and clams to frogs and mice. Previous studies provided evidence that clam and Xenopus CPEB are hyperphosphorylated at germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) by cdc2 kinase, and degraded shortly after. To examine the conserved features of CPEB that mediate its modification during meiotic maturation, we microinjected mRNA encoding wild-type and mutated clam CPEB into Xenopus oocytes that were subsequently allowed to mature with progesterone. We observed that (i) ectopically expressed clam CPEB is phosphorylated at GVBD and subsequently degraded, mirroring the fate of the endogenous Xenopus CPEB protein, (ii) mutation of nine Ser/Thr Pro-directed kinase sites prevents phosphorylation and degradation and (iii) deletion of the PEST box, and to a lesser extent of the putative cyclin destruction box, generates a stable and phosphorylated version of CPEB. We conclude that phosphorylation of both consensus and non-consensus sites by cdc2 kinase targets clam CPEB for PEST-mediated destruction. We also show that phosphorylation of CPEB mediates its dissociation from ribonucleoprotein complexes, prior to degradation. Our findings reinforce results obtained in Xenopus, and have implications for CPEB from other invertebrates including Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans and Aplysia, which lack PEST boxes.


It is investigated for the effect of a ferroelectric Si:HfO2 thin film on the resistive switching in a stacked Pt/Si:HfO2/highly-oxygen-deficient HfO2−x /Pt structure. Improved resistance performance was observed. It was concluded that the observed resistive switching behavior was related to the modulation of the width and height of a depletion barrier in the HfO2−x layer, which was caused by the Si:HfO2 ferroelectric polarization field effect. Reliable switching reproducibility and long data retention were observed in these memory cells, suggesting their great potential in non-volatile memories applications with full compatibility and simplicity.


Primary Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of glandular tissues leading to sicca symptoms, namely, dry eyes and dry mouth. In the majority of cases, the disease course is benign, albeit with considerable patient discomfort. Some patients, however, have systemic symptoms with arthritis, cutaneous vasculitis, low complement levels, and cryoglobulinemia. A small but not insignificant percentage of those patients evolve to B cell lymphoma. The increased expression of B cell survival factors, such as B cell activating factor, may promote the perpetuation of a B cell clone and precede the lymphoproliferative disease. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody to CD20, leads to B cell depletion and may have a role in Sjögren systemic manifestations as well as in preventing and treating Sjögren‐associated lymphoma.


Using a spherical earth model, we develop a normal mode analysis for the excitation by an azimuthally symmetric source region. We then specialize the general formulation to deal with a vertical antenna with a prescribed current distribution. In particular, we consider the current distribution that would excite a pure Zenneck wave on the corresponding planar earth model. But we also consider excitation by vertical electric dipole and a uniform current distribution. Finally, we examine a horizontal antenna that is excited by a traveling current wave. Our general conclusion is that the Zenneck wave aperture illumination (i.e., current distribution) is a poor choice for enhancing the ground wave over a spherical earth. This point is illustrated for specific calculations at a frequency of 1 and 10 MHz over both land and sea.


Describes investigating structure-function relationships in lung disease with high-resolution CT. The diagnosis of lung diseases relies heavily on imaging, which can be broadly divided into projectional (for example, chest radiography) and cross sectional (for example, computed tomography) techniques. Most imaging in respiratory medicine is performed for purely clinical diagnostic reasons, but there is increasing interest in the use of the latest imaging techniques to unravel the pathophysiology of complex diffuse lung diseases. In this specific area, a variety of image processing techniques have been developed to aid the detection of lung abnormalities. It is not the purpose of this article to describe such techniques in detail but rather to survey the areas of clinical investigation in which they have been used. There is considerable overlap between image processing techniques that seek to identify and to quantify abnormalities of the lung parenchyma, but it is the accurate quantification of abnormal lung that is so crucial for the investigation of structure-function relationships in lung disease.


The purpose of this community service is to provide training to communities around the TPA In South Tangerang regarding the utilization of waste to be a product of economic value as an innovative way to help the government in the management of waste as well as increase income for every familyThe method used is classical method with discussion / question and answer approach, simulation and practice of making the product, with the intention that the material can be accepted by the participants well. Guidance / consultation is done through the last session with participants, as well as by telephone or by mail. The results of the training show the participants so have the knowledge in managing waste and skills in utilizing waste to make products of economic value. It can be concluded that participants want continuous knowledge. It is desirable to provide knowledge in the form of regular training and sustainable.


The morphology and molecular phylogeny of a new haptorid ciliate, Fuscheriides baugilensis sp. nov., discovered in a temporary pond in South Korea, were investigated. The new species is characterized by its small body size (30–55 × 15–20 μm in vivo), oblong to rod-shaped extrusomes in the oral bulge and cytoplasm, 14–16 somatic kineties, two dorsal brush rows, and single subapical ciliary condensation. The phylogenetic analyses based on the 18S rRNA gene sequences show that the family Fuscheriidae is paraphyletic and the species belong to the genera Fuscheriides and Pseudofuscheria cluster together in the same subclade, while Fuscheria is in a different subclade, suggesting that the subapical ciliary condensation characterizing the two former genera has a higher taxonomic value than the shape of extrusomes for genera separation.


At present, avoidance is the only therapeutic option available for individuals with food allergies. However, studies suggest that DNA‐based vaccination might be an effective therapeutic option for the reversal of allergic hypersensitivities, including allergies to foods. Because severe anaphylactic reactions represent a life‐threatening risk for individuals with food allergies, we and others have evaluated the effectiveness of DNA‐based vaccination for the prevention of anaphylactic hypersensitivity in murine models. Our investigations demonstrated that primary gene and protein/immunostimulatory sequence oligodeoxynucleotide (ISS‐ODN) vaccination of subsequently Th2‐sensitized mice reduced the risk of death after anaphylactic challenge, significantly. In addition, gene and protein/ISS‐ODN vaccination reduced post challenge plasma histamine levels. Analysis of the immune profiles of mice receiving DNA‐based vaccines showed that both gene and protein/ISS‐ODN vaccination effectively prevented the development of Th2‐biased immune profiles after sensitization. In contrast, vaccination with protein alone, the experimental equivalent of the traditional protein‐based immunotherapy (IT) reagents used in clinical practice provided no protection from anaphylaxis, nor did it prevent the development of a Th2‐biased immune profile after allergen sensitization. These studies justify continued optimism in the potential of DNA‐based vaccination for the desensitization of food allergic individuals.


The evolution of desirable physico-chemical properties in high performance photocatalyst materials involves steps that must be carefully designed, controlled, and optimized. This study investigated the role of key parameter in the preparation and photocatalytic activity analysis of the mixed phase of anatase/rutile TiO 2 nanoparticles, prepared via sol-gel method containing titanium-n-butoxide Ti(OBu) 4 as a precursor material, nitric acid as catalyst, and isopropanol as solvent. The prepared TiO 2 nanoparticles were characterized by means of XRD, SEM, and BET analyses, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The results indicated that the calcination temperature play an important role in the physico-chemical properties and photocatalytic activity of the resulting TiO 2 nanoparticles. Different calcination temperatures would result in different composition of anatase and rutile. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared mixed phase of anatase/rutile TiO 2 nanoparticles was measured by photodegradation of 50 ppm phenol in an aqueous solution. The commercial anatase from Sigma-Aldrich and Degussa P25 were used for comparison purpose. The mixed phase of anatase/rutile TiO 2 nanoparticles (consists of 38.3% anatase and 61.7% rutile) that was prepared at 400°C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity of 84.88% degradation of phenol. The result was comparable with photocatalytic activity demonstrated by Degussa P25 by 1.54% difference in phenol degradation. The results also suggested that the mixed phase of anatase/rutile TiO 2 nanoparticles is a promising candidate for the phenol degradation process. The high performance of photocatalyst materials may be obtained by adopting a judicious combination of anatase/rutile and optimized calcination conditions.


This paper discusses the current advice on and management of a woman who gives birth unexpectedly. It is written from the perspective of a midwife teacher who, whilst having fifteen years of midwifery experience, has not practised within an A&E department. However, lectures on the subject of unexpected birth to students undertaking trauma modules have led me to the conclusion that this event provokes anxiety in even the most experienced staff. Reflection upon their practice and discussion also leads them to appreciate that there are many invaluable skills, which are already part of every trauma nurse's repertoire and which are transferable to the situation of unexpected birth. An outline of the occasions when women may present unexpectedly in labour will be offered, followed by an outline of the physiology of normal labour and suggested management. This paper is not intended to replate departmental protocols; rather it offers some useful and basic information for guidance and will hopefully allay some anxieties regarding the skills required to effectively assist a woman to give birth.


Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer. Estrogen-dependent endometrioid carcinoma is the most common type of endometrial cancer, and alterations in the expression of PTEN and K-ras have been associated with this disease. To study the roles of Pten and K-ras in endometrial cancer, we generated Pten ablation and oncogenic K-ras mutation in progesterone receptor positive cells (PR cre/+ Pten f/f K-ras G12D). Double mutant mice dramatically accelerated the development of endometrial cancer compared to a single mutation of either gene. Histological analysis showed that all of the 1-month old double mutant female mice developed endometrial cancer with myometrial invasion. The expression of PR was downregulated in double mutant mice compared to a single mutation of either gene which resulted in decreased suppression of estrogen signaling. Therefore, these results suggest a synergistic effect of dysregulation of the Pten and K-ras signaling pathways during endometrial tumorigenesis.


The first all-Poland Statute on the Structure of the Common Courts of Law was initially being elaborated in the Second Republic's Codification Commission but eventually it assumed a final form of Ordinance issued by the Republic's President on 6 Feb. 1928. The Ordinance was equipped with the force of law. When compared with the provisions of the March Constitution of 1921, the regulations of the Ordinance diminished in particular the scope of the principle of irremovability of judges from their office. This gave rise to the dissatisfaction of the milieu of lawyers, and particularly the judges. The works on the amendment to the Ordinance were started prior to the Ordinance coming into force, and namely they started when there were filed with the Sejm the amendment projects drafted by the clubs of deputes, and specifically inter alia by the Parliamentary Association of Polish Socialists, by the National Club, by the Polish Peasant Party "Liberation" and the Party of Peasants. Also the Ministry of Justice emphasized the need for amending the Ordinance. In view of the fact that the calendar of Sejm debates did not foster the work of the Juristical Commission (the Sejm session being adjourned in June 1928), the National Club decided, in November 1928, to file the Bill on the postponing (by one year) the coming into force of the enactment of common courts of law structure. In the Sejm, the Bill was subjected to the debate during three sessions and eventually the lower house passed the law on the postponing (until 30 January 1930) the coming into force of the new provisions. However, this enactment failed to come under consideration of the Republic's Senate. As a result, despite the alleged victory of the Sejm in its struggle with the executive power, the Ministry of Justice implemented its own image of the new organization of the administration of justice and, while exploiting the temporary suspension of the principle of irremovability of judges, got rid of those of them whose views did not comply with the political line promoted by the Sanation ( Sanacja )  Camp. Among those who were dismissed there was the First President of the Supreme Court W. Seyda and other Supreme Court judge A. Mogilnicki, known for his critical attitude toward the new provisions. The dismissal of W. Seyda caused a considerable critical reaction of the public and even induced the National Democratic Party members to try to pass the vote-of no confidence vis-a-vis Minister of Justice S. Car who was responsible for the introduction of the 6 Feb. 1928 Ordinance and for making staff changes in the judicature. In February 1929, the question of amendment was again subjected to the debate of the parliament which finally adopted, on 4 March 1929, the Statute that liberalized a series of contested principles. Yet despite this, the hopes for further changes in the system of administration of justice were shattered by next alterations that were introduced, and particularly those of August 1932, which laid out the tendency to further interfering by the Ministry with the independence of judiciary. It was, inter alia, W. Makowski who, during the December debate on the administration of justice, expressed his criticism to the principle of the separation of powers and the concept of preserving balance between them. These last ideas were reflected in the ever more energetic works that tended toward the drafting of a new Constitution. When the latter was in fact adopted, it rejected the principle of separation and the balancing of powers.


Fragile watermarking is a technology for detecting manipulations in an image, such as the digital signature in cryptography. However, the classification of attacks is not fixed in the security evaluation of existing fragile watermarking schemes, although many schemes have been proposed. In this paper, typical fragile watermarking schemes using a public key cryptosystem are evaluated from the viewpoint of a practical watermarking service. In this evaluation, nine attacks on watermarked images are defined and are classified as: watermarked image attacks, similar to cipher text attacks in cryptography; known original image attacks, similar to known plain text attacks; chosen original image attacks, similar to chosen plain text attacks. We show that the existing schemes are not secure against all attacks and propose a new scheme that is secure against such. attacks and useful for a practical watermarking service.


OBJECTIVE
This review aims to evaluate retrospectively 72 patients diagnosed to have thoracic hydatid disease and treated surgically in Tikur Anbessa Hospital between December 1993 and November 2003.

DESIGN
Retrospective Analysis hospital records.

SETTINGS
Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Medical records and Operation theater registers of seventy-two Patients operated on for Thoracic hydatidosis were evaluated retrospectively. Chest Roentgenogram was the main diagnostic tool used Main surgical techniques employed were evacuation in 44 (52.4%) cysts, cystotomy in 30 (35.7%) cysts, and enucleation in 10 (12%) cysts. Additional palliative procedures (such as pericystectomy and Capitonnage) and radical procedures (such as resection of the lung) were also employed.

RESULTS
forty of the patients were male and thirty-two female with a mean age of 31.4 years. The most Common presenting symptoms were cough in 60 (83.3%) patients, expectoration in 47 (65.3%) patients and chest pain in 38 (52.8%) patients. Chest radiography revealed a round opacity or shadow in 58 (80.6%) patients. All patients were treated surgically. The mean hospital stay was 38.3 days. Major postoperative Complications occurred in 12 (16.9%) patients; pneumonia, pleural effusion and prolonged air leak were the complications in order of their frequency. There was one postoperative death and one recurrence at 6-months follow-up period.

CONCLUSION
Surgical excision of pulmonary hydatidosis with maximum preservation of lung parenchyma is possible in the majority of patients and should remain the mainstay of surgical treatment.


The main contribution of this paper is to present the efficiency of LabVIEW in simulating and controlling a servo system with conventional methods (PI and PID control), as well as sliding mode control (SMC). The control of an actual system with LabVIEW and NI hardware provides an efficient implementation platform, using both LabVIEW's graphical programming and the text-based m-file language MathScript RT. Both programming environments and the connection to NI hardware are relatively easy to use, therefore, ideal for education. The graphical "coding" can help novice users to see through their algorithms. However, the mathematical background of sliding mode control is difficult compared to conventional PID control; the SMC implementation for practical uses can be quite simple, as the presented example demonstrates. The first didactic step is a simulation with the Control Design and Simulation, as well as MathScript RT Modules. Then a myRIO Student Embedded Device is used to control a real servo system. LabVIEW code can be compiled to run on computers, (soft) real-time targets, and FPGAs (hard real-time targets), so students can easily and quickly step up to real industrial measurement and control problems without the need to learn new programming environments.


Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was estimated in 77 childhood (age range 1- 15 years) hemato-oncological malignancies: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Hodgkin's disease (HD) and Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) on admission. Serum LDH level was also measured in ALL on day 14 and day 29 of induction. Another 25 children without hemato-oncological malignancies were included as control. On admission, the level of serum LDH was significantly raised in all hematooncological malignancies but the levels was highly significant in ALL than control (p<0.001). Total WBC count was significantly decreased along with serum LDH level on day 14 and day 29 of induction (p<0.001). A significant rise of platelet count was observed on day 29 of induction in relation to significant decrease of serum LDH level (p<0.001). Significant decrease of peripheral and bone marrow blast cell percentages were also observed on day 29 of induction along with significant decrease level of serum LDH (p<0.001). It is observed in this study that serum LDH level was significantly elevated in all hemato-oncological malignancies on admission but the levels were highly significant in ALL patients. Following induction of remission in ALL, level of serum LDH was decreased along with the return of hematological parameters towards normal. So, the measurement of serum LDH level can be accepted as a predictor in diagnosis of hemato-oncological malignancies and prognosis of childhood ALL. Key words: Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); Hemato-oncological malignancies; Induction; Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). DOI: 10.3329/bjch.v30i1.6175 Bangladesh J Child Health 2006; VOL 30 (1/2/3) : 1-6


Forecasting emerging technologies as well the rate of diffusion of resultant products are complex in the context of management of technology usually because of a lack of relevant data. Techniques such as bibliometric analysis and the Bass diffusion model are utilized in this paper to assess the growth rate and market penetration of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a technology. The penetration and growth rate of user acceptance of two CFD codes (not identified) are simulated. Furthermore a technology forecasting model of research and innovation in the field of application of CFD in the assessment of greenhouses is presented.


This paper discusses the design details of a MEMS compatible low-power, low-phase noise CMOS oscillator. The VCO was designed in UMC 130 nm RFCMOS technology for a multiband system with low power dissipation of 1.17 mW and low phase noise of −117.78 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the oscillation frequency. The centre frequency of oscillation was chosen to be 2.4 GHz which is a standard for Zigbee applications.


Turkey has economic, political, and military motives in its intervention in Libya. Africa is a very important continent for the supply of Turkish goods and goods, and the Turkish presence in the eastern Mediterranean is not related to gas reserves, but rather its main motive is related to regional sovereignty. The Turkish maritime policy appears in its "blue homeland" doctrine, from which the Ankara Memorandum 2019 was inspired by, and which was formulated 13 years ago, that is, before the gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey has found in Libya the appropriate opportunity to enter Europe strongly through economic and humanitarian files (concerning immigrants) in an attempt to put pressure on the countries of the eastern Mediterranean, and Turkey, based on its geographical and strategic location, the Ottoman past and recent economic growth, considers itself as a heavy regional power that deserves a rising position in politics International, which gave it the opportunity to promote itself as an attractive regional model that outperforms all Arab and Islamic regimes.


Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are an effective data-driven approach to model chaotic dynamics. Although ANNs are universal approximators that easily incorporate mathematical structure, physical information, and constraints, they are scarcely interpretable. Here, we develop a neural network framework in which the chaotic dynamics is reframed into piecewise models. The discontinuous formulation defines switching laws representative of the bifurcations mechanisms, recovering the system of differential equations and its primitive (or integral), which describe the chaotic regime.


Sodium homeostasis is at the center stage of astrocyte (and brain) physiology because the large inwardly directed Na+ gradient provides the energy for transport of ions, neurotransmitters, amino acids and many other molecules across the plasmalemma and endomembranes. Cell imaging with commercially available chemical indicators allows analysis of dynamic changes in intracellular Na+ concentration (Na+]i), albeit further technological developments, such as genetically‐controlled or membrane targeted indicators or dyes usable for advanced microscopy (such as fluorescence‐lifetime imaging microscopy) are urgently needed. Thus, important questions related to the existence of Na+ gradients between different cellular compartments or occurrence of localised Na+ micro/nanodomains at the plasma membrane remain debatable. Extrusion of Na+ (and hence Na+ homeostasis) in astrocytes is mediated by the ubiquitously expressed Na+/K+‐ATPase (NKA), the major energy consumer of the brain. The activity of the NKA is counteracted by constant constitutive influx of Na+ through transporters such as the NKCC1 (Na+‐K+−2Cl‐‐co‐transport) or the NBC (Na+−2 HCO3‐ ‐co‐transport). In addition, Na+‐permeable ion channels at the plasma membrane as well as Na+‐dependent solute carrier transporters provide for Na+ influx into astrocytes. Activation of these pathways in response to neuronal activity results in an increase of [Na+]i in astrocytes and there is manifold evidence for diverse signalling functions of these [Na+]i transients. Thus, in addition to its established homeostatic functions, activity dependent fluctuations of astrocyte [Na+]i regulate signalling cascades by feeding back on Na+‐dependent transporters. The Na+ signalling system may be ideally placed for fast coordinating signalling between neuronal activity and glial "homeostatic" Na+‐dependent transporters. GLIA 2016;64:1611–1627


The Internet presents us with a wide range of novel experiences for which we do not have corresponding "real-world" experiences that would help us in psychologically organizing our understanding of this new communication medium. Our difficulty in organizing our psychological experiences with the Internet and cyberspace results in our inappropriately applying models developed from "real-world" experiences to the new medium of cyberspace. This article proposes that, on a fundamental level, our experiences with cyberspace are being unconsciously organized around the archetypal theme expressed in the Celtic conceptualization of the Otherworld, or sidhe. The parallels between cyberspace and the Celtic Otherworld are explored and the implications for understanding our reactions to the Internet are discussed.


The existence of f max has been perennially observed in various earthquakes. However, whether f max is caused by source processes (Papageorgiou and Aki, 1983) or site effects (Hanks, 1982) remains a controversial issue. With abundant near‐fault strong ground‐motion records, the Wenchuan earthquake provides an opportunity to validate the issue. By fitting the acceleration spectra of 10 seismic stations in the proximity of the fault on which the mainshock occurred, a set of f max values is obtained along the fault. The most notable feature of this set is its V ‐shaped distribution. The minimal f max value is recorded at the 051PXZ station near the epicenter, and f max increases as the distance deviates farther from the station. The maximal f max is recorded at the most northern station with respect to the epicenter. We estimate the cohesive zone size of the ruptured fault from the observed f max based on the source–cause model by Papageorgiou and Aki (1983). The sizes are remarkably consistent with the widths of the fault zone obtained from a totally independent study of the fault zone trapped waves (Li et al. , 2009; Li et al. , 2010). Therefore, the present study provides strong support to Papageorgiou and Aki's source–cause model for f max. Moreover, the V‐shaped nonuniform distribution of f max indicates a complicated rupture process of the Wenchuan earthquake, wherein the most energetic thrust faulting produces a thicker fault zone (approximately 400 m) around the epicenter, and an exhausted strike‐slip faulting produces a thinner fault zone at the end portion of the fault (170–200 m).


The report presents the clinical course of a systemic lupus erythematosus in a 12-year-old girl, when the thrombocytopenia was the only symptom over the period of several months. In the subsequent stage of the clinical observation, in the coexistence of the subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with visceral changes were noted. The report emphasises the correlation between the clinical symptoms and the immunological disorders as well as the necessity of the complete immunological diagnostics in cases of isolate symptoms suggesting lupus erythematosus.


The nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation times of solvent water nuclei are known to decrease upon addition of diamagnetic solute protein. For this reason NMR relaxation methods are able to provide information on molecular dynamics changes of water protons and their interaction with macromolecules' surfaces. We present results of measurements of relaxation rates R1 = 1/T1, R2 = 1/T2 and R1ρ = 1/T1ρ in the rotating frame for three proteins: chicken egg white lysozyme, egg white albumin, and bovine serum albumin, obtained at proton resonant frequency of 60 MHz. Besides the relaxation rates dependences on concentration in the 4 23% (g/100 g solution) range, the analysis of the Carr Purcell Meiboom Gill CPMG multi-echo T2 experiments with variable pulse rate τ was performed. The dependences of relaxation rates on protein concentration are linear at low concentration. When protein concentration increases the slope of the straight line rapidly changes at so-called critical concentration which depends on MW of the diluted protein. Investigated dispersion of T2, obtained using the CPMG method with a variable pulse rate, for concentrations higher and lower than the critical one, exhibits unequal behavior. At high concentration one-exponential curves and at low concentration two-exponential curves correspond closely with experimental data. The obtained parameters of exponents allow an estimation of the ratio of the amount of water with the determined motion freedom, that is free and bounded water, in solution. We showed that the CPMG dispersion method applied to aqueous protein solutions may widen the current understanding of the nature of molecular dynamics of hydrated water protons in non-perturbed environment.


This study demonstrates that the validity and usefulness of mathematics achievement tests can be improved by defining psychologically meaningful subscores that yield differential relations with student, teacher, and school variables. The NELS:88 8th- and 10th-grade math tests were subjected to full information item factor analysis. Math knowledge and math reasoning factors were distinguished at both grade levels. Regression analyses showed that student attitudes, instructional variables, course, and program experiences related more to knowledge, whereas gender, SES, and some ethnic differences related more to reasoning. Teacher emphasis on higher order thinking, student use of home computers, and early experience with advanced math courses related to both dimensions. It is recommended that national educational surveys use multidimensional achievement scores, not total scores alone.


An hourly short-term weather forecast can optimize processes in Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plants by helping to reduce imbalance charges on the national power grid. Consequently, a reliable meteorological prediction for a given power plant is crucial for obtaining competitive prices for the electric market, better planning and stock management, sales and supplies of energy sources. The paper discusses the short-term hourly temperature forecasts, at lead time day+1 and day+2, over a period of thirteen months in 2012 and 2013 for six Italian CCGT power plants of 390 MW each (260 MW from the gas turbine and 130 MW from the steam turbine). These CCGT plants are placed in three different Italian climate areas: the Po Valley, the Adriatic coast, and the North Tyrrhenian coast. The meteorological model applied in this study is the eni-Kassandra Meteo Forecast (e-kmfTM), a multi-model approach system to provide probabilistic forecasts with a Kalman filter used to improve accuracy of local temperature predictions. Performance skill scores, computed by the output data of the meteorological model, are compared with local observations, and used to evaluate forecast reliability. In the study, the approach has shown good overall scores encompassing more than 50,000 hourly temperature values. Some differences from one site to another, due to local meteorological phenomena, can affect the short-term forecast performance, with consequent impacts on gas-to-power production and related negative imbalances. For operational application of the methodology in CCGT power plant, the benefits and limits have been successfully identified.


To socialize the study made to the Voces Magazine - Barranquillera magazine of the beginning of the XX that promoted literary materials - from a space and material reading in which maps will be used - GPS type, Google maps - both for the reconstruction of Barranquilla Of that time as to unveil the way the magazine circulated in and out of space. What is sought in this research work is to make the geography visible - to bring geography back to the debate of the social sciences - seen as a definitive and conclusive element in literary invention re-locating the concept of map as much as a category of study And analysis as an instrument of observation and research for the development of a historical and literary corpus, and in this case, a literary "system" in Barranquilla. This new turn that I propose with the use of digital platforms aims to reveal the discursive relationship that exists between the way the characters are situated - the genesis of producers and acting institutions that operated in and from the urban as well as the practices involved in The elaboration, edition, manufacture and circulation of the magazine in Barranquillero space, as well as of the spatial correspondences between the social structures of the Barranquilla of that time-economic, cultural, political, and especially urban-fields with the structures and motivations "Internal to the Voices literary" system ".


A key aspect of a sustainable urban transportation system is the effectiveness of transportation policies. To be effective, a policy has to consider a broad range of elements, such as pollution emission, traffic flow, and human mobility. Due to the complexity and variability of these elements in the urban area, to produce effective policies remains a very challenging task. With the introduction of the smart city paradigm, a widely available amount of data can be generated in urban spaces. Such data can be a fundamental source of knowledge to improve policies because they can reflect the sustainability issues underlying the city. In this context, we propose an approach to exploit urban positioning data based on stigmergy, a bio-inspired mechanism providing scalar and temporal aggregation of samples. By employing stigmergy, samples in proximity with each other are aggregated into a functional structure called trail. The trail summarizes relevant dynamics in data and allows matching them, providing a measure of their similarity. Moreover, this mechanism can be specialized to unfold specific dynamics. Specifically, we identify high-density urban areas (i.e. hotspots), analyze their activity over time, and unfold anomalies. Furthermore, by matching activity patterns, a continuous measure of the dissimilarity with respect to the typical activity pattern is provided. This measure can be used by policy makers to evaluate the effect of policies and change them dynamically. As a case study, we analyze taxi trip data gathered in Manhattan from 2013 to 2015.


Background Although medication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been improved by early intensive treatment using MTX and biological agents (BIO) for decades, treatment of concomitant disease in RA patients, such as osteoporosis (OP), will be more important to improve activity of daily living of RA patients. We reported two-year outcome of daily teriparatide (TPTD) on OP in RA patients in EULAR 2014 1). TPTD has a strong effect on bone metabolism and increases bone mineral density (BMD). Although prednisolone (PSL) and BIO that are often used in RA patients also have strong effects on bone metabolism, the interaction between TPTD and these drugs have not well-understood. Objectives This prospective study investigated the impacts of PSL and BIO on the efficacy of TPTD on OP in RA patients. Methods 50 females with both OP and RA were included in this study. 2 years had passed after the initiation of TPTD. At first, all patients were divided into two groups, which were PSL-concomitant (PG) and Non-PSL-concomitant (NPG). Patients' characteristics, BMD in lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) and change of bone turnover markers (BTMs: BAP, P1NP, NTX, TRACP-5b) were compared between two groups. Next, all patients were divided into two groups, which were BIO-concomitant (BG) and Non-BIO-concomitant (NBG). Change of BMD and BTMs were also compared between two groups. Results [Baseline patients' characteristics] Mean age was 71.0 years old. Mean RA duration was 19 years. Mean DAS28-CRP and mHAQ were 2.73 and 1.147, respectively. Mean FRAX was 37.4%. [PG (n=35) vs. NPG (n=15)] RA duration in PG was significantly long compared with that in NPG. mHAQ in PG was significantly high compared with that in NPG. Although LS-BMD and TH-BMD in both groups has significantly increased after initiation of TPTD, %increase of BMD in PG tended to be lower than that in NG and there was a significant difference in %increase of TH-BMD at 6 months between in PG and in NPG (-0.5% vs. 3.3%).Dose dependency of PSL in TH-BMD was found. Although BTMs in PG tended to be lower than that in NPG, the differences were not significant. [BG (n=18) vs. NBG (n=32)] Although LS-BMD in BG and NBG and TH-BMD in NBG have significantly increased after the initiation of TPTD, TH-BMD in BG has not. %increases in LS-BMD in BG at 6 months and 18 months were significantly low compared with that in NBG. %increase in TH-BMD in BG at 24 months was significantly low compared with that in NBG. In contrast, % increase of four BTMs in BG was significantly high compared with that in NBG. Conclusions This study suggested both PSL and BIO modified the effects of TPTD on bone metabolism. %increase of BMD in RA patients taking PSL tended to be low. So, oral PSL should be tapered during TPTD treatment. It was suggested that BIO use decreased the effect of TPTD with respect to %increase in BMD. In contrast, % increase of BTMs in BG was high compared with that in NBG. This is, what is called, the paradoxical response between increase of BMD and BTMs in RA patients treated both BIO and TPTD. References Y. Hirano et al. Efficacy of daily teriparatide for two years on osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis – is it appropreate to combine daily teriparatide and biological agents?. Ann Rheum Dis 2014;73(Suppl2). Disclosure of Interest Y. Hirano Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly Japan Co.Ltd., S. Hirabara: None declared, M. Isono: None declared, Y. Oishi: None declared, T. Kojima Speakers bureau: Abbott Japan Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation; Pfizer Co. Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., N. Ishiguro Speakers bureau: Abbott Japan Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation; Pfizer Co. Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.


A 55-year-old woman was referred to our department for further examination for chest abnormal shadow in the right lower lobe. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed two nodules in the right lower lobe and positron emission tomography( PET)-CT showed abnormal accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) only in the main lesion. Because of lung cancer could not be denied, she underwent a partial resection of the right lower lobe. The main lesion was diagnosed as granuloma and the other was tumorlet by pathology. Although pulmonary tumorlet is considered a proliferation of neuroendocrine cells rather than a neoplastic lesion, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish it from a neoplastic lesion because its histologic morphology resembles carcinoid or small cell carcinoma.


These studies were conducted to provide basic information on Korean ginseng cultivars and breeding lines (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.) and to identify the variations that can be utilized in ginseng breeding programs. The agronomic characteristics was used to clarify the genetic relationships among Korean ginseng cultivars and breeding lines and to classify them into distinct genetic groups. Angle of petiole and number of fibrous root showed a wide variation from and 0~5, respectively. The average plant length was 54.2cm with a range of 37.9~64.8cm and the average stem diameter was 5.6mm with a range of 4.0~7.5mm. The average stem length was 31.9cm with a range of 21.8~37.9cm and the average root weight was 38.1 g with a range of 23.0~52.0 g. The 24 Korean ginseng cultivars and breeding lines were classified into 4 groups based on agronomic characteristics using the complete linkage cluster analysis. The I, II, III and IV groups included the 60.8%, 7.4%, 13.1% and 8.7% of the cultivars and breeding lines, respectively. The breeding lines in group I could be characterized as the group with the highest growth characters and yield components, such as plant length, stem diameter and root weight. The root weight, the yield component, had highly significant positive correlations with stem diameter, plant length and stem length.


Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising cell source for the creation of cartilage to treat articular cartilage damage. The molecular mechanisms that translate culture conditions to the chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs remain to be analyzed. To analyze the effects of culture substrates, we chondrogenically differentiated hiPSCs on Matrigel or laminin 511‐E8 while holding the composition of the chondrogenic medium constant. Cartilage was formed from hiPSCs on Matrigel, but not on laminin 511‐E8. On Matrigel, the hiPSCs were round and yes‐associated protein (YAP) was inactive. In contrast, on laminin 511‐E8, the hiPSCs were flat and YAP was active. Treating the laminin 511‐E8 hiPSCs in a bioreactor caused cell aggregates, in which the cells were round and YAP was inactive. Subsequent culture of the aggregates in chondrogenic medium resulted in cartilage formation. Transient knockdown of YAP in hiPSCs around the start of chondrogenic differentiation successfully formed cartilage on laminin 511‐E8, suggesting that the activation of YAP is responsible for the failure of cartilage formation from hiPSCs on laminin 511‐E8. Consistently, the addition of YAP inhibitors to laminin 511‐E8 hiPSCs caused partial cartilage formation. This study contributes to identifying the molecules that mediate the effects of culture substrates on the chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs as well as to developing clinically applicable chondrogenic differentiation methods.


H2SO4-catalysed isobutane alkylation with alkenes is an important industrial process used to obtain high-octane alkylate. In this process, the concentration of H2SO4 is one of the main parameters. For alkylation, sulphuric acid containing 88%–98% monohydrate is typically used. However, only a H2SO4 concentration of 95%–96% enables alkylate with the maximum octane number to be obtained. Changes in H2SO4 concentration due to decontamination are the main cause of process variations. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the reactor acid concentration at a constant level by regulating the supply of fresh catalyst and pumping out any spent acid. The main reasons for the decrease in the H2SO4 concentration are accumulation of high-molecular organic compounds and dilution by water. One way to improve and predict unsteady alkylation processes is to develop a mathematical model that considers catalyst deactivation. In the present work, the formation reactions of undesired substances were used in the description of the alkylation process, indicating the sensitivity of the prediction to H2SO4 activity variations. This was used for calculation the optimal technological modes ensuring the maximum selectivity and stability of the chemical–technological system under varying hydrocarbon feedstock compositions.